Elijah Craig 18yo Single Barrel (45%, OB, C#3961, +/-2010)

The nose is delicate fruit and spice, vey vibrant with an explosion of dusty grains. The aromas present as quite dry but very active and seductive with hints of black pepper, chilies and some nice sweetness. An astonishingly good set of aromas that work very well together. The taste is quite gentle at first presenting the dry dusting grains and then the flavour simply grows and grows revealing the black pepper and chilies as well as some dusty cocoa powder and lashing of really good oak spice. Sensational! The finish is much as before and everything holds together very well with a little fruit coming to the fore (perhaps some fruit leather). The finish is quite long but not dramatic but in keeping with the nose and taste.

A significant steal at $50…

Score 91 points

Day FIVE of American Whiskey Week.