Kings County Distillery Single Barrel (Roc Elite barrel 1919)

The nose starts immediately with a burst of heat, wrapping up charred oak, baking spices and leather all in one. It is quite potent but eventually starts mellowing out. Touches of dark chocolate show up along with a bit of earthiness. The palate is dry and very hot, lighting up the corners of the mouth with intense spices, charred oak and leather. Smoother notes of dark chocolate and a bit of vanilla and cooked brown sugar do come out, but this is quite the experience to drink. It is all about spice and heat, and almost seems like a novelty but is quite tasty for what it is. Definitely rare to get something so high proof. The finish is medium and spicy, with a lingering heat that gives way to more of the dark chocolate. Quite fun to drink, but not something I would sit with all evening as after a while it can get to be too much.