Sam Houston Bourbon 15 Year Batch DC-1 (750ml) Barreled April 2006

Nose: On first nosing there is a slight floral and fruity undertone that comes along with a rich caramel. Plum, raspberry and black currant flow forth plentifully. An interesting bright vanilla reminds me of polished, white tile floors. It then settles into a creamy simple syrup and coffee bean profile. It's a very soft and inviting nose-feel. Wow, fantastic toasted marshmallow builds now. I absolutely adore when a glass can form this quality of aroma. Soft white lily and lemongrass swing in behind the creamy confectionary sweetness. Slight maple syrup. Faint white pepper spice. Good barrel char to this, which is listed as a #4 char on the bottle label. The oak is quite subtle for 15 years aged, but it's definitely still present. Toffee candy bar forms now with a hint of cacao. I keep feeling like I've smelled all there is to smell in this glass until something new floats along. Regardless, I think it's time for a sip! Wow, the nose just gets more and more syrupy sweet with time and care. There's a hint of smoke underneath apricot and vanilla smoothie. Tiny flashes of pear, steak marinade and molasses can be dug up on deep inhales too. This glass always leans back on a lovely vanilla base that keeps things enjoyable through and through. Touches of sweet lemon desserts keep tempting me to go in for another sip, but when I taste this many of these aromas don't seem to be present on the palate. Late in the glass things are just as enjoyable as they started; there's many layers of sweet and soft aromas you might find in a Parisian pâtisserie. The empty glass smells of rich raisin, fig, caramel, and just a hint of floral mint.

Palate: The first sip is sweet forward with a slightly chalky oak. Dried cherries, cinnamon spice and prune sit on the tongue on another sip. These flavors give off a significant drying feel on the palate. Molasses sits on the tip of the tongue, but there doesn't appear to be much of a linger outside of a slight flan dessert. Another sip shows off a nutty medley of peanuts, cashews and almonds. A larger sip and swish builds up dry cacao, raisin and coffee bean. There's a good bit of cherry later in the glass with a caramel and cinnamon pop that follows; this feels a bit like the experience of a sip of Weller Antique 107, but comes off slightly more muted. My last sip is touched with a dry, medicinal cherry as well as oak bark, dark chocolate powder, and a decently long caramel linger.