Rare Character The Exceptional Series 10 Year Old, American Oak Cask, Cask #E-M13-23, 2013, Rare Character, 67.5%

Sweetness is present here, but it does not have the whole conversation. Toffee and sweet dark chocolate on the nose sit alongside raw almonds, ripe plum and wafts of chili pepper. The palate sets caramel and soft vanilla against cinnamon, cracked pepper, allspice and ginger. That mix gives the sweeter notes a clear counterweight. The long finish moves toward dark chocolate truffle, cigar smoke and wood chips. I like the way the documented spice balances the caramel and vanilla, though the smoky, woody finish may be a firmer turn than someone looking mainly for sweetness wants. There is plenty to hold the interest without relying on sweetness alone, and the contrast between the palate and finish makes this a more varied choice than its sweeter notes might suggest.

Reviewed by TeacupSoda

Nose

toffee, raw almonds, sweet dark chocolate, ripe plum, wafts of chili pepper

Palate

cinnamon, cracked pepper, allspice, ginger, caramel, soft vanilla

Finish

long, dark chocolate truffle, cigar smoke, wood chips