Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Marsala Casks (2022 Limited Edition)

How am I the first person to review this? I've had this bottle open for a week, so I figured it was time for a little review… The nose is full of fruit. I'm not a wine connoisseur, so I don't know what marsala tastes like, but it seems to have more red berries than most bourbons I've tried. There's also a good amount of honeyed sweetness. I'd give the nose a 4.5. The palate is a bit less appealing but not bad. It tastes somewhat young and harsh, as if it's composed of 98% young components and 1% each of the 15 and 16-year-old. Unlike Remus Repeal and OKI Reserve, this doesn't provide a percentage breakdown of the components. I would love that information if anyone has it!!! It lacks the maturity of EC18 or even Weller 12. I appreciate boldness when it comes to Islay peat or 135-proof cask strength spirits, but at 101 proof, it should be a bit 'smoother.' I like it, but I can see people being hesitant about the $125 price point. I live in a control state, so prices for limited items tend to be lower than average. The finish is actually quite strong too. A little citrus or tropical fruit, and the finish is reasonably long for a lower-proof spirit. I'm open to revising my opinion if it opens up after a few more weeks or the bottle level drops. It started strong and finished nicely. I suspect it will improve with more air time. Cheers.

Nose: Abundant rich berries, vanilla, and butterscotch. It then shifts to a deep milk chocolate. Palate: Chewy chocolate nougat with a raspberry jam core. Deliciously rich and decadent with a smooth, buttery coating. A puff of smoke and some wonderful saltwater taffy flavors are present. Finish: A slight heat emerges through the chocolate and jam, giving way to a touch of clove. The finish develops in stages. Overall: I am extremely impressed with this bottle. Some might find it a bit too sweet, but for me, it's the perfect level of sweet indulgence. It's like a rich, adult liquid candy with chocolate and jelly filling. Of all the 'limited editions' and 'finished whiskies' available, I found this to be the most thoughtfully crafted.

After letting the bottle rest, I sampled the remaining third. Here's the scoop: It performs all the functions expected of a top-10 bourbon... but it doesn't excel in any particular area that defines a top-10. That said... don't overlook this bottle! It's an overlooked gem in a market full of limited releases that fall short. This is a worthwhile limited release without an exorbitant secondary market price.

Aroma: Orange zest, oak, candied almonds, brown sugar, caramel, vanilla, toffee. Taste: Dry orange peel, vanilla, honey. It coats the palate nicely and has a pleasantly drying quality with a hint of oak in the middle. Finish: A gentle warmth with sweet candied orange peel, vanilla, and sweet oak. A very pleasant finish that isn't overpowering, but rather gentle, soothing, and sweet.

Nose: Ethanol, peanut brittle, sharp pepper, cinnamon. Perfectly toasted bread. Palate: Nutty and woody right at the start, followed by vanilla cream. A hint of leather emerges at the end. Finish: Medium in length with a creamy texture and taste.

Nose of vanilla, caramel, and toffee with a bit of corn dust. Palate has a creamy texture of dark berry, clove, and oak char. Finish is longish with dark chocolate cinnamon notes. Excellent complex pour.