RD One Bourbon Finished with Brazilian Amburana Wood

Round two with this brand, this time trying the finished whiskey that specifically drew me to the distillery after reviewing their website concerning new product releases. I've traveled many miles, each way, solely to sample BEER that was aged/finished in amburana barrels, but I've never encountered a spirit aged in amburana barrels, let alone finished with it. Distinct from the French oak/maple barrel finished versions, this one incorporates a small quantity of short amburana honeycomb wood pieces, which are introduced into the fully aged barrels for 8-12 weeks, if my memory of the timeline is correct. While I do wish the distillery would produce a rye whiskey, the decision to finish a bourbon with amburana was the correct one, given that the intense cinnamon and dry earthiness from the amburana complement younger, sweet corn and the minimal amount of rye as more of a "kick-starter." The color is deep golden, but doesn't quite reach "brown." A faint scent of wet cinnamon can be detected from a distance, but only with an air current, and it's not overwhelmingly strong. Up close, the aroma is powerfully laden with cinnamon, nutmeg, and other baking spices, and perhaps even a hint of maple; the image of spiced pancakes with cinnamon honey butter and fresh maple syrup isn't too far off. The sweetness is certainly subdued, and there's an almost fruity tartness in the background, similar to the tang of a green apple. Repeated sniffing reveals a subtle note of young, raw corn. The initial flavor builds slowly but crescendos into a warm, medium-full body, with the rye flavor so prominent that you might forget this is a bourbon. Recalling that the rye content is actually quite low, I begin to focus more on the amburana notes, which really emphasize the wet cinnamon, as if it had already steeped in tea. Before I can delve deeper, the ethanol unexpectedly begins to emerge, which was surprising given its minimal presence in the aroma. There are also some sugary, almost candied citrus notes, but the finish is undeniably intense and full of rye-like characteristics sweetened by the corn content; it ultimately presents as an almost doughy, cinnamon-roll-like flavor. Whether you appreciate amburana wood or not, it's difficult to dispute that this is one of the most unique wood-finished whiskeys ever, at least in my experience. You would be hard-pressed to find another amburana barrel-finished whiskey, even from hyper-niche distilleries, simply because people seem hesitant to utilize the potent flavor profile of said wood. Even for me, this remains such a powerful amburana flavor profile, which is astonishing given the short finishing time and limited wood used. As I contemplated how an entire bottle of this whiskey might be enjoyed, I asked the distillery bartender to provide a small sample of both this product and the maple-finished barrel mixed together, which very quickly and easily led to the purchase of both bottles and my personal endorsement.

The taste was excellent in a gleancairn glass after resting for about 15 minutes. Nose - Wow! My initial impression was that this couldn't possibly be a straight bourbon whiskey, as it presents as a flavored whiskey. It has STRONG notes of cinnamon, apple, oatmeal, and vanilla, with a hint of smokiness, raisin, and pine. Imagine a cinnamon roll with vanilla icing topped with raisins and cinnamon stewed apples, or apple cinnamon oatmeal mixed with cinnamon toast crunch milk. This is possibly the most distinct nose that strongly reminds me of a specific food flavor profile. Palate - Exactly matches the nose: apple, cinnamon, vanilla, raisins. Mid-palate develops a slightly herbal/woodsy character with a pine note and becomes a touch waxy, but very subtly. It transitions into a spiced cookie flavor, and then the apple and cinnamon return. There's not much heat; if anything, it has an almost ginger spice quality combined with sugar and cinnamon. Finish - It's short but tastes like apple cinnamon oatmeal. It's balanced, not drying, and I detect a hint of waxiness, but it doesn't detract from anything for me; I can just tell it's present without diminishing any flavors. This is a truly outstanding bourbon. I don't expect it to remain a secret for long. I've seen it priced between $55-$69, and at that price, it's an unbelievable bargain in today's bourbon market. I could easily see this becoming an allocated bourbon. The nose is exceptional, and the palate is a flavor explosion; the finish is short, but the other two components compensate for it. Yes, this is a definite buy, and I'd buy it again because it will likely become difficult to find soon.

To be clear, I've sampled amburana-finished spirits about three times before this one, experiencing both excellent and terrible versions. The aroma of this spirit is truly distinctive and quite alluring. It's a blend of two childhood cereals: Apple Jacks and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Additionally, there are notes of cider, vanilla, brown sugar, and a noticeable amount of ethanol that emerges over time. While the nose is the highlight, the flavor is also noteworthy, offering some of the creamy character of Apple Jacks/cereal, abundant cinnamon spice, more raw red apple, and then Quaker brown sugar oatmeal. It presents as bourbon, and the base seems quite good, but this is a spirit where the finishing is paramount, for better or worse. Regarding that, I could definitely criticize this whiskey for its finish; it's brief and lacks intensity. I genuinely appreciated this whiskey, to the point where I felt it would be a perfect example for an amburana-finished spirit. It surpassed all my expectations for a $55 bottle, and I would love to keep this bottle for years, both for my own enjoyment and to impress new whiskey drinkers. That said, I completely understand that some might find this offensive. To each their own, but for me, it merits a spot on the shelf.

Aroma: Apples, cinnamon, vanilla, with a hint of toasted marshmallow. It evokes a "Fall" feeling. Quite spicy, yet also very sweet. Taste: Like Cinnamon Toast Crunch with the milk. There's also significant heat, which dominates the finish. Overall: This is distinctive. An excellent palate cleanser. However, I find myself disliking more than one glass. Its appeal fades quickly. The initial glass, enjoyed in a cool evening setting, is pleasant and inviting. But after a second pour, I realized my enjoyment diminished. The alcohol seemed a bit harsh. Worth buying? Yes – if you desire something truly different and want to showcase the diversity of whiskey to guests. However, its intense spice profile makes it a definite pass for those seeking a more traditional whiskey.

Glass: Glencairn, allowed to rest for 15 minutes. Color: Light to medium amber. Nose: The Cinnamon Toast Crunch aroma that is frequently mentioned is undeniable here. It's the only scent I perceive, but it's not necessarily a negative. Palate: More of the same flavor profile, with the cinnamon intensity slightly increased, but it remains the dominant characteristic. Finish: Very warm, but dissipates quickly, leaving a slightly less intense warmth and a different sensation. Splash: A sweeter clove note emerges, with the cinnamon slightly less prominent. Overall: 9/10 - This is my first bourbon finished with amburana, and I was apprehensive based on prior opinions. This is a polarizing spirit; reactions are either strongly positive or negative. Perhaps I will discover another that I prefer more, but for the moment, I anticipate enjoying this frequently.

NEAT AROMA - Apples and Cinnamon with some vanilla. Reminds me of "Apple Jacks" or an Apple Cinnamon Nutri-grain Bar TASTE - Apples and Cinnamon FINISH - Doesn't last long, but very pleasant. OVERALL - I thought people were exaggerating when they said this smelled and tasted like Apple Jacks, but they were right! I even had my wife smell it, and she immediately said it tasted like apples and cinnamon. For the price and proof, this is an excellent value. Speaking of the proof, this honestly goes down like a 90 proof, not 110. Definitely a buy and something I’d like to keep on hand.