Holladay Ancient Cave Collection Toasted French Oak

This comes from a selection of barrels of the soft red wheat distillate purchased by Hyvee in Kansas City. Somenof the barrels from the purchase were put in Toasted French Oak amlnd aged an additional year. Nice and oily in the glass. Nose is very earthy, wet clay and herbally. Palate is unusual, the earthiness continues, along with rich milk chocolate, licorice, and wheaty sweetness. At 100 proof, it is in the range it could read hot or smooth. This one leans smooth, but still has a nice hug. Finish is herbal and continues the earthiness. I didnt love this at first sip, but the longer I sit with it, the more I like it. There is just a hint of oak, but I would have expected more from a rebarreling. Ice cuts into the earthiness a touch, nice either way. Holladay's (McCormick) soft red wheat is a top notch whiskey. Every variation I've had has been good. This version doesnt disappoint.