Four Roses Barrel Strength (NY single barrel OESV 10 yr 9 m)

The nose is vibrant with charred oak, floral rye spice, vanilla, buttery bread, along with hints of brown sugar, molasses and black pepper. Comes across as being very full and a mix between spice and dessert. The palate fills the mouth with charred oak and floral rice spice, as buttery vanilla follows to add a nice smoothness to it. Is someone rich in chewy, the whole mouth being filled with black pepper the more you chew. As it breathes, the intensity of the pepper cools off giving way to more of the sweeter notes of brown sugar. This remains spiced dominant, much spicier than you would think from the nose, but it is wonderfully balanced. Finish is long, chewy and delicious, living up to the best of what Four Roses has to offer.