Redwood Empire Rocket Top Bottled in Bond Rye (Spring 2016 Vintage)

NOSE 3.75 Highly appealing aroma of chocolate-covered cherry, freshly baked pie crust, and vanilla caramel taffy. It smells like the interior of an old-fashioned candy shop. PALATE 4 A delightful range of flavors, like Willy Wonka's candy selection. Salted caramel, butterscotch, graham cracker crumbs, malted chocolate shake, and dark fruit. FINISH 4 Long and oily. It coats the mouth exceptionally well, and the flavor persists, revealing notes of chocolate-covered wafers similar to Kit Kats, cinnamon sugar, and candied pecans. VALUE 4 An excellent bottle for $70. This annual release will be on my list of sought-after bottles every time it becomes available.

AROMA Caramel, herbal, oak, copper, dried fruit, leather, pepper, baking spice, a hint of malted milk balls. The rich sweet notes, predominantly caramel, flow abundantly but are balanced by the other components. PALATE Herbal baking spice, oak, dried fruit, malted milk balls, citrus zest, copper, and some pastry notes and leather. More spice and brightness than the aroma, yet still balanced and pleasant. FINISH Medium-long -> Baking spice, oak, and herbal notes gradually subside.

Aroma: Caramel, vanilla, a hint of ethanol, and brown sugar. Palate: Sweet flavors on the tongue. Rye spice emerges at the back of the palate, leading to a peppery note. This is not a dill-forward rye. Finish: Rye spice combined with sweetness. Overall: This is exceptionally good. While not as smooth as Old Scout's Ambler cask strength rye, which is hard to match, it's a solid pour. I went back for a second serving.

Smell: vanilla, spice, pepper Taste: woody, leather, black pepper, cloves Sweet on the tongue followed by a lengthy spice

It's quite potent, and perhaps it's the presentation, but I detect an almost pine-like essence.

Subtle sweet maple sugar on shortbread. A light spice appears near the end.