The nose has lots of wood along with some strong, spicy rye characteristics. There is plenty of rye spice on the palate, then some sweetness with some wood on the background that leads into a sweet and spicy finish.

This is a very drinkable whiskey with a good balance between sweet and spicy. It tastes like a high rye bourbon, which is interesting given that it uses the high rye mashbill from Four Roses but a lower rye recipe from LDI. Of course, we don't know what the proportions are of each whiskey. In any case, it's good stuff.

Nicely spiced.  Perfect balance.

B+/A- 

Retry 1/6/22  B-

NOSE
When first popping the cork it’s a bit bitty with strange notes of iodine, but if you let this guy breathe some great things start to emerge. Things like dark fruit leather, overripe strawberries, hints of anise, vanilla custard, toasted marshmallow, spice and wood. Add a splash of water and the caramel starts to bellow and that traditional spicy bourbon nose really kicks up.

PALATE
It has a fantastic peppery pop to it that blends well with the bourbon spice and cinnamon notes that hit up front and the in the back. After that initial pepper pop there are nice notes of strawberry jam, and not that over sugared garbage you get at the store, but more like the all natural stuff you get at the farmers market. Rounding out the taste are notes of dark cherries and a grainy rye like flavor. Add some water and fantastic roasted corn emerges. With or without water there is a nice light oak flavor that ties the whole thing together in a nice neat package for your palate.

FINISH
Cherry licorice and a hint of sherry like sweetness kick off the aftertaste and then it fades down to wood, dark fruit, caramel, rye spice, green apples, something akin to fresh cut grass and barley. Sounds gritty, but it’s quite pleasant.