A. Altschuler & Co. 17 Year Old, American Oak & Mizunara Cask, Cask #22-Z, 2005, 55.9%

There’s a pleasing fruit thread here, moving from red fruits on the nose to dark ripe berries on the palate. Honeycomb and vanilla offer a softer counterpoint, while rich oak and subtle spice keep the bourbon grounded rather than simply fruit-forward. The long, warming, oak-led finish sounds like the main trade-off for someone drawn to fruit: it gives the oak plenty of room at the close.

Reviewed by sunbeam lantern

Nose

Red fruits, Honeycomb, Toasted oak

Palate

Dark ripe berries, Vanilla, Rich oak, Subtle spice

Finish

Long, Warming, Oak-led