Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel

Toasted marshmallows, rich caramel, vanilla, and baking spices make for a sweet and inviting nose. Light undertones of oak, summer fruits, and Granny Smith apples are also present, but need to be teased out with a swirl of the glass and deep inhale. The apple note hints towards a presence of acetaldehyde, however if it is present, it's a welcome amount that serves to add more dimension than anything else. Rich and appealing overall. The palate offers sweeter flavors of graham cracker, chocolate, and caramel contrast nutmeg and pepper spice notes. A touch of seasoned wood is evident, but fleeting. The presentation of flavors is characteristically sweet, and quite enjoyable. A blast of rye spice is followed by a rich caramel, brown sugar sweetness. Fireball candy heat along with hints of tobacco and oak lightly tease as the flavors taper off. The finish is slightly dry and tannic, more so than is found with the standard Small Batch.