The finishing in first fill bourbon seems to impart more of the caramel and vanilla tones while there’s enough sherry influence in the normally honied fruit profile to make it quickly noticeable. It’s a whiskey I’d love to drink any time.
All very good in my view but again, the 12 did it just as much for me. Same scores would be fair but I’ll give an extra point to the 18, just because it’s older. Just kidding, I’ll give it because it’s a tad more complex.
On the mid palate you are given more sweets in caramel and sugared cereal tastes but there's a touch of oil as well. The finish winds up on the bitter side with cocoa nibs and walnut husks.
The flavors are bright and vibrant—lychee, banana, orange peel, tempered by a wash of honey—and the finish is intriguing and dry with nuances of white chocolate, banana, leather and nutmeg. Beautiful.
