Marci Triplett
2.8
The initial aroma is like BBQ smoke – savory and rich. There's a hint of pepper and agave nectar, but the smoke dominates. The palate is led by pepper and vanilla. It hits with a Tabasco-like intensity initially, then transitions to the sweetness of vanilla bean. There's some heat, both from the peppery notes and the alcohol. The finish is long and spicy, ending with black peppercorn and a wisp of BBQ smoke, similar to mesquite. Overall, the balance feels slightly off for me, leaning too much towards spice and needing more sweetness. It drinks a bit hot with some rough edges. I'd prefer it to be a touch sweeter and perhaps aged longer to mellow the strong peppercorn and Tabasco notes. My recommendation is to wait on this one.
