Ancient Ancient Age 10 Year Old

This is my first review within this forum. Why did I choose what is affectionately known as "Triple A" (not to be confused with Ancient Ancient Age Star 10) as my first review? For no other reason than it starts with 'A' and for the unique fact it is generally only found/sold in Kentucky, USA.

My bottle is from a single private barrel, a "honey pot" among the stock in the "rick house" and truly a classic example of a "best bang for your buck" whiskey.

This is the "good book" behind the "bad cover". Look beyond low expectations because of the ridiculous sticker price of $18 (750ml), and the unromantic reality that it has the dreaded screw cap (a plastic one at that!). Then open up Jim Murray's 2011 "Bible" and notice it's one of his favorites when he lived in KY and gives it a very respectable 95!

This is a dandy dram and a wonderful Bourbon to introduce beginning whiskey drinks to.

Nose: Smells like flavors I would like to find in a pound cake, some honey mixed with vanilla. A whiff of oak under overly ripe fresh figs.

Palate: Light oil textures with the "hon-illa", fruit and oak playing together with a hint of a spicy bite.

Finish: Lingering hints of wet oak on a soft yet warm, subtle sweet with just a quick flick of cayenne and a medium-long lasting fade.

Balance: A very nice dram from start to finish with all parts of the ritual evenly playing out as I work my way, slowly towards my final sip.

Ritual: Drinking 'neat' out of a snifter as is my usual practice, I got familiar with the dram for about 5 minutes of nosing and warming it in hand (this is where a snifter really shines) before taking my first taste.

This is one that will likely be a regular in my cabinet and especially a bottle I pull out for those occasions when there are parties, new whiskey drinkers or "a shot and a beer" buddy comes over to join me.