Saints Alley "The Herald" Bourbon

From batch 10, the aroma is rather reserved, but the notes present are slightly fruity and sweet, with some spice and baking spices around the edges, plus a hint of vanilla; however, it requires effort to detect. The palate is much more vibrant and a definite surprise following the reserved nose, offering abundant dark fruit, brown sugar, some rye spice, charred wood, a touch of honey, and perhaps a bit of cigar. It's intriguing, providing something new with each sip. The texture is a bit thinner than anticipated and desired, not a significant flaw, but a characteristic noticeable from the first taste. I'd describe this as a pleasant drink, one I'd gladly share, but not something I'd seek to replace once it's gone, as it felt like a $50, possibly $60, pour, though I understand the cask aging likely justifies the price.

Reported to be 6+ year MGP high rye bourbon from Batch 5, mixed with a small proportion of Ironroot Harbinger bourbon, then finished in Armagnac casks. Purchased at the distillery September 2022. Fruit on the nose - plum, grape skins, orange rind, followed by burnt sugar and vanilla. The palate shows brown sugar over baked apple, apricot, and sweet tobacco. The rye from the MGP is evident in the mix. The finish has a little bit of dark chocolate bitterness that rides out with some baking spice and brown sugar. This is somewhat like a younger sibling to Bardstown Laubade. It's younger MGP and the Armagnac casks are likely younger as well. But it’s well-balanced - the finish doesn’t overpower the bourbon but adds another layer of complexity. It’s definitely not at the level of the Bardstown, and it’s probably a notch below Joseph Magnus, but at $65 for the bottle, I’d purchase it again.

A balanced, cask strength, High Rye Bourbon by Saints Alley Spirits; a collaboration between a friend and the Likarish family from Ironroot Republic in Texas. It is crafted with a blend of MGP’s high rye bourbon and Ironroot’s heirloom corn bourbon that is then finished in Armagnac Casks before being bottled at 53.5%. It has an aromatic birth with notes of grains, wood, dried fruits, nuts, herbs & spices; while a complex life adds notes of orange oil, dates, blackberry, fig pudding, honeyed cornbread & anise; that led to a warm death of medium length with notes of rancio, oak, treacle, roasted cashews, Darjeeling tea & tobacco. October 2023

From the initial smell to the first taste, the focus is entirely on the Armagnac cask. However, midway through the palate, a subtle peanut note emerges with a hint of a Southern embrace. The finish presents an unmistakable fruit essence, which at this moment, I believe is grape, mingled with candied orange. It is certainly younger than I would prefer, which prevented a perfect score, but the flavor is exceptionally distinct. If it were readily available nearby, it would always be a staple on my bar.

Nose: prominent sweetness and fruit, orange peel, grape/wine twinge. Taste: matches the nose, sweetness upfront, not sugary more like sweet fruit, spice at the back, mildly tannic, a little younger oak. Finish: moderate finish, spice lingers, not a ton of complexity, medium viscosity not super oily or coating. Pretty balanced, but a little more age would help the bourbon stand out I think, the Armagnac is more prominent here to me with just some spice.

A little smoke. Light oak. Smooth considering its alcohol content.