Notes

This smells and tastes so familiar. I’m going to kick myself when I reveal what it is. Very light bodied, and has a bit of a bite. Leaves me a bit wanting, but overall not bad.

First reaction: "I think peat was near it" - I feel it is kind of thin, we think it is a scotch. As this all plays out it is clear that I like it more than Sam does. I'd even consider buying it if the price is reasonable. I'm no Sultan though. Or an Earl.

It’s delicate. Not too boozy. It’s not an easy one to guess.

Delicious. "I wouldn't kick it out" is what I was told. ;)

Loved this after it simmered for a minute!

Floral to the max

I love starting the calendar with last year's winner. Makes me realize I was being generous with scores as time went on haha. This time I scored this one lower, I think. It's not as good as I remember but maybe my palette is out of shape. Lots of work to do.

Very tasty. A bit of peat at first and a long finish. Grassy notes? Maybe a bit of leather? (I’m terrible at notes… 🤣) Overall a very nice dram.

Clean nose, light palate. Surprising finish for the proof. I'd be very surprised if this isn't a Scotch. Nothing special, but decent pour.

I love this Bourbon! It was a gift about 3 years ago from a business partner. Great story of dbl barrel + some NC love! Sweet nose, brown sugar on the palate...I typically don't love double barrels but this one absolutely works!

I enjoyed this pour. Very sweet. Smooth. Would drink again

Gentle and balanced with traces of honey and orange. A bit forgettable, but it's really easy to drink and a nice dram.

Really enjoy how this starts out sweet, like dates and then builds up to a nice smoky finish. Has a great lingering flavor that sits on the palate for a few minutes after sipping. Meant I could enjoy it even longer!

Still a solid choice. Although I was (and still am) surprised that it rated so well last year. Decent flavor just not overly complex. Or am I just being contrarian??

This bourbon is fantastic. What a find here in the Triangle. The tour was also amazing.

It’s been a full year since we hunted the manticore and drew is venom from its bleeding corpse. Diluted with the antidote, my brother and I sell it at the tavern, 2 gold pieces a pour. We’ve been raking it in, our story embellishing slightly with every telling, all to hype up the famous ‘Manticorhattan’ we sling from behind the bar. But we’re running out. We could find a substitute, perhaps basilisk venom or even the piss if a phoenix (it’s sterile my brother keeps reminding me). But no, nothing will match the woodsy firey smoothness that manticore venom provides. So an expedition then. We grab our gear once more, tell our friends and customers we’re closed for a while. We step out into the cold pale sunlight of a winter dawn. A trail, an adventure, a quest, one that I am happy to repeat for as long as I can.

Its good to be home! As always....amazing start. If anyone has any Day 1 left...I have an empty bottle that needs filling...

So glad this won last year so it appeared again this year. It really is an outstanding bourbon. And local too!

Nose is a little tight at first. Straw, then cherry, then brown sugar. Maybe some dusty peach. Hint of rose? Antique wicker. First sip similarly dusty, then caramel, then brown sugar. The oak is squeezing my tongue. The first sip opens up some citrus notes on the nose. It’s interesting, it feels like it’s going to be thin on the start, but it has a pretty hefty body by the middle. I want to call this nose Hostess Fruit Pie. Something perfume-y in there too. Probably would’ve called this rye if left to my own devices. I feel like I like it less the more I analyze it. It’s like buttery on the front and acerbic on the finish. It’s definitely got craft spirits vibes. Now I want to call the fruit note like tangerine pith. I’m going with a Gentleman’s 5.5 for the rating. It’s not bad, not great, kinda funky.

Hello darkness my old friend

We're back! This Broken Oak has a bit more of a grain flavor than I remember, but still such a solid pour.

Still broken. Still great.

Aaand we’re back!! This is delicious, just about everything one could ask for in a bourbon. And now I’ve also seen where & how it’s made! Here’s to another fun calendar!

Delicious. Maybe I'm rounding up due to recency bias and a fun tour yesterday, but this bourbon is excellent. I guess good things can be produced in Durham.