Nose: Caramel, cedar wood, soft crystalline oak and beautiful toastiness. Vanilla creaminess, hints of white chocolate and a whiff of apple peel.
Palate: Soft and balanced. The word “toasty” sums this bourbon up perfectly, but if we had to say more we’d add: buttery, caramel-rich, perfumy woods and gentle fruit.
Finish: Soft and entirely on caramel.
Overall: It’s telling that the “entry level” bourbon in the Van Winkle stable is 10 years old (already very well aged for a bourbon).