Rare Character Single Barrel Series Straight Bourbon (Liquor Junction & Mass Bourbon Alliance)

Review #088 Type: bourbon Proof: 55.05% Comments: aged 6 years, finished in oloroso sherry casks, bottled at cask strength, from barrel OLS-B-04 Tasted after: first up Appearance (no score): Burnt umber color. Swirling reveals a thick line sticking to the side of the glass, legs are very slow to form. Nose: 18/20 Really nice and dynamic nose. Vanilla, sticky raisins, honey, oranges, nuts, and well worn leather. Lots of classic bourbon notes and an accompanying fruit basket of aromas from the sherry finish. Palate: 35/40 This has a very smooth, almost creamy mouthfeel, and is very different from many other bourbon’s I’ve tried. Raisins and figs stand out most, accompanied by smooth vanilla and some almost-burnt caramel. There’s just the hint of some dry oak tannins and cinnamon on the back end too, which is accompanied by a short alcohol burn in the back of the mouth. Finish: 33/40 Medium-long finish. That burn on the back side of the palate brings a continuation of more oak spice, tobacco, and some leather on the onset. The tobacco especially is interesting, it reminds me of a cigar that has gone out, it’s not hot and smoky, but rather has a little musty char to it. The whisky is very dry at this point, all of that sweetness from the nose and palate is long gone. These flavors linger for some time, gradually some salt and nuts pull it more into a slightly more savory direction, before finally ending on a surprise earthy and somewhat botanical wintergreen note. With Water: A few drops of water introduces some baker’s chocolate and mushy bananas to the nose. There’s also a couple drops of honey at the beginning of the finish now which helps to balance out what’s otherwise a very dry start. Total: 86/100 Final thoughts: I really enjoy how this bottle runs the full spectrum from sweet, to dry, to savory. The distillery name is unfortunately not disclosed, only that it originated from somewhere in Indiana. But this makes me wish that bourbon distilleries and IBs would get more creative with cask finishes. This is a fine example of how an alternative cask finish can help to unlock so many more dimensions to the spirit beyond confining it in in the same charred virgin oak cask for the full maturation. Price: $89 Would recommend: yes Would buy: yes Scoring Legend: 96-100: The perfect dram, absolutely exceptional, nectar of the gods, I will savor this bottle and make it last, 5 stars. 90-95: Near perfect, there is something truly special about this whisky, 4.75 stars. 85-89: Very good to amazing, almost the complete product, 4.5 stars. 80-84: Quite good, very enjoyable to drink, but doesn’t wow me, 4.25 stars. 75-79: Good, enjoyable but ultimately flawed, unlikely to purchase again, 4 stars. 70-74: A solid dram, but wouldn't go out of my way to get it, 3.75 stars. 55-69: Drinkable, 3.5-2.75 stars. Below 55: Suitable for cooking or direct contribution to the kitchen sink drain, 2.5 stars or less.