"Initial aroma is acutely spicy, cereal-grain sweet and a touch citrusy; following aeration the aroma takes flight as fruity/resiny scents enchant the olfactory sense. The flavor at entry is laser beam-focused, snug and concentrated; at midpalate, the flavor profile goes deeply cereal-like, almost honeyed, Sherried and intense. Concludes a tad fiery (it’s 101-proof, don’t forget), zesty, toffee sweet and nougat-like." 90-95 pts.

"Smells of sweet corn, buttered popcorn and pistachio nuts in the early stages; later whiffs pick up well-endowed scents of sautéed butter, oaky vanilla, beeswax and linseed oil. Palate entry is full-bodied, sweet and honeyed; at midpalate the taste profile turns drier, more intensely grainy-mashy and breakfast cereal-like. Finishes with notes of nougat, almonds, candy bar, and oak. Best Buy." 90-95 pts.