Stagg Jr. Kentucky Straight Bourbon Batch 2, 128.7 Proof

Eye: Liquid bronze. Thin rims, droplets hang on.

Nose: Black Cherry Dr. Brown??s soda, cola syrup, proof hits on the second sniff. Caramel sauce over butter pecan ice cream.

Palate: Lots of proof, not too??wait, yes, very hot. Cherries all over. There??s stronger fresh cherry here than in Traverse City Whiskey Co.??s Barrel Proof Cherry Whiskey. Baba rum cake with a candied cherry on top. Mouthfeel is syrupy and coating, hot like eating cinnamon candies, with red orchard fruits building, peaches and red plums. Peppery heat grabs my tongue and won??t let go.

Finish: Cola syrup, less cherry and more cola syrup – Pepsi in particular. Sits in the corners of my mouth and the tongue for a medium-to-long length.

Overall: Delicious. Velvety and creamy, the strong cherry never gets anywhere close to cough syrup, staying fresh and/or candied. Enough proof to keep the sweetness in check. Little hints of oak, but no dryness, just adds to the creaminess and body. Mouthfeel just keeps getting better. Even though it??s a tad one-note, it??s a great note.

*Image is not a direct representation of the bottle in stock*