TINCUP 10 Year American Whiskey

The color is a dark amber/ruddy copper with decent viscosity. The nose is strongly dominated by the barrel, as anticipated, revealing cherry, vanilla, and a subtle hint of cacao. Beneath that, there's plenty of rye present, with notes of grass, herbs, mint, and musty hay or a grain bin. The initial taste is surprisingly sweet, featuring maraschino cherries, raisins, and vanilla frosting. Rye spices become apparent mid-palate, after swallowing. The finish has a respectable length, with more cacao and toasted coconut, concluding with a dry, almost bitter oaky sensation. My first impression is that it doesn't quite meet expectations for a $55 bottle, but I suppose that's the current market.

I was quite pleased with this recent purchase. A rich amber color. Sweet oak, a bit of vanilla, graham crackers, and a whisper of spice on the nose. The flavors largely match the nose. What truly amazed me was the fantastic mouthfeel and finish. It coats the mouth well and the finish lingers. For only 84 proof?!?, I'm still in disbelief. Overall: I'm very impressed with this bottle. For $35 and it's readily available?? I believe I've found a great alternative to a lower proof, 10-year-old whiskey that isn't named Eagle Rare. I'll need to do a blind tasting soon to determine the top choice.

I must revise my assessment after sampling additional spirits. It's good, but for the cost, superior options exist. When smelling it from the bottle, I detected raspberry and perhaps cherry notes. In the glass, I'm getting brown sugar instead of the usual caramel aroma. Upon sipping, wow, where to begin? So much is happening here. Brown sugar, licorice, cherry, oak, maybe a hint of pear, and very subtle spice. The flavor is incredibly bold, and the finish is long-lasting with a tingling sensation and a pleasant brown sugar aftertaste. Extremely enjoyable.

The nose is quite mild, featuring vanilla, butterscotch, cherry syrup, brown sugar, and a hint of oak and rye spiciness. Oak is more prominent on the palate, balanced by vanilla, while the other aromas from the nose are very subtle. The rye remains in the background but is noticeable. The finish is medium, with lingering oak and vanilla, while the rye fades nicely. Overall, a very pleasant whiskey for sipping, deceptively smooth, but could benefit from being a bit bolder.

TASTED NEAT AROMA - Cherries, Caramel, Vanilla, and Oak PALATE - Exceptionally smooth and easy to drink. It begins with noticeable sweetness, followed by a pleasant oak presence. Faint notes of cherries and caramel emerge towards the end. FINISH - An incredibly smooth dram that can be sipped without any burn. A medium finish. PURCHASE? - Yes. REPURCHASE? - I would readily replace this bottle once empty. Its widespread availability is a plus. I am eager to sample the 14-year-old expression next!

From the Flaviar advent calendar, day #18. Smell: sweet cornbread, honeyed orange peel, baking spices, spicy charred oak. A hint of vanilla. Taste: cinnamon brown sugar, a touch of maple syrup. Sweet, spicy charred oak. Vanilla. A slight fruitiness, some orange zest. Smooth. Cereal/corn notes emerge as it transitions to the finish. A hint of black pepper. Finish: Lingers for a commendable duration. Warm, baking spice, charred oak, subtle vanilla. Concludes with an unadulterated clove note.