Deep caramel, drunken cherries that have been steeped in bourbon, oak effect that's upfront but not overpowering, with underlying minty freshness, some vanilla, smokiness, and cereal/grain notes like Cheerios.

Jim found bold, coffee-forward notes with abundant caramel and cherry that mellowed beautifully by the third sip. Mike picked up watery notes and a tart, almost bitter quality on the first sip, theorizing it might come from the interplay of water and oak after extended barrel age.

Jim compared the experience to over-steeping coffee and adding water to balance it—the bitterness and dryness remain but are part of a more complex whole that rewards patience.