Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Port Wine Barrels
43.3% ABV (86.6 proof)
~$45-$50 (sample provided)
Color: golden brown, slight orange tint
Smell: really approachable and smooth. Red apple sweetness is the first thing I notice. There's also a little caramel, cinnamon, and some oak spice, but it's really driven by the fresh apple smell on the nose.
Taste: not a typical bourbon delivery. The caramel drizzled apples start things off on the palate, and this is followed quickly by the oak spice/barrel char note. Things finish with an herbal and sweet winey note, probably from the port barrel influence. It's a little astringent, but not unpleasant.
Overall: it's good, but not my favorite: B-/B for me. There are really good flavors here, but I think the port influence throws off the balance and tips things a little too far into "wine town" for my tastes. That said, it's sweet and approachable, and I think it also has a lot of mass appeal. To summarize, I think it's akin to the Macallan of bourbon.
