Very Olde St. Nick 12 Year Estate Reserve Bourbon

It's currently 2020, December. Let's conclude this year with a new whiskey each day. This is my personal whiskey advent calendar. +6! December 24, 2020 Christmas Eve. Very Olde St. Nick. I am channeling St. Nick right now. Fate. The nose strongly resembles the 12-year antique barrel. So much so that I am comparing them now. If there's a distinction, I'd say this whiskey is a less intense version of the antique barrel. All the same delightful notes are present: green apple, cane sugar, vanilla. I adore this aroma. The body is also delightful. Green apple, honey, subtle anise. Cane sugar. Vanilla. These are among my favorite elements. Side-by-side with the antique: this one is nearly identical. It's remarkable. If forced to differentiate, I'd say this whiskey has a less sharp sweetness, resulting in less warmth in the aftertaste (spoiler alert). I'm not certain of that difference. The finish is quite short, which I don't mind. There's a very faint cinnamon, allowing the green apple to persist. (The antique barrel's warmth doesn't conclude abruptly; it has a lingering cinnamon buzz, which I find pleasing.) This is peculiar. It truly seems to be the same spirit, with a few characteristics dialed down. It tastes as though the antique barrel has been refined. For those who dislike heat or a lingering sensation at the end of a delicious apple-forward bourbon, this has an advantage over the antique barrel. $30 might seem steep for a very similar product, but that's only a 17.648% increase. It's comparable to spending $47 on a whiskey that's only slightly different from the $40 version. If you're already planning to spend $170 on a delightful VOSN bourbon, for a special event, consider spending the extra $30 at least once. You won't regret it, but you'll also understand why a discerning palate doesn't need both the antique barrel and this estate reserve on their shelf. It's redundant even for a highly experienced bourbon drinker. 'Tis the season. My daily whiskey choice varies, so if you're reading this and want me to sample something available that I might enjoy or dislike this holiday season, please leave a suggestion in the comments. Happy whiskey holidays to all, and to all a beer flight!

Aroma: Green Apple! Vanilla and powdered sugar complete the aroma. This is very pleasant. Body: Very similar to the antique barrel, but everything seems slightly less vibrant. The green apple is less prominent, but there's more bitterness, reminiscent of a tart Granny Smith. Finish: The bitterness persists and is reminiscent of walnuts. This is a nice pour with a clearly complex and mature finish. However, I prefer the antique barrel.

This might be the finest bourbon I've ever sampled. Absolutely! And that includes every Pappy's.

Dominant anise and licorice notes. 1 ounce used.