The Basics: 

Buffalo Trace Distillery

130.2 proof

2020 release, batch 14

NAS - estimated 8 years

$50 MSRP

Nose:

Sweet dark brown sugar, caramel, dark cherry, oak, strawberries sprinkled with sugar, chocolate, heavy vanilla

Palate: 

Cherry limeade, tannic bitterness from the oak, chocolate, French vanilla, hazelnut, raspberry, dark red fruits that evolve as you continue to drink

Strawberry sundae with whipped cream and chocolate

Slightly burnt croissant - buttery but hints of bitterness 

Strawberry shortcake with chocolate - buttery biscuit  

Finish:

Long Kentucky hug, tingling on tongue, heat stays in the back of your throat while the oak lingers on the tip of your tongue

Final Thoughts:

Drinks hot, so I thought it might benefit from the addition of a few drops of water…after trying this, I would recommend keeping this neat and just giving it more time to breathe in the glass before enjoying. The addition of the water makes the nose more approachable by allowing the vanilla to shine, but the palate transitions to stronger bitter notes from the oak, which is slightly off-putting. Overall, I really enjoyed this one neat, but be prepared for the heat it brings!