Great Lakes – Still & Oak Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Great Lakes 
Still & Oak Straight Bourbon Whiskey 
Great Lakes Distillery

Proof: 86
ABV: 43%
Style: Bourbon
State: WI
Price: $$$

Peggy Noe Stevens – 8.2

Nose: Wood sugar and light brown caramel. Cornmeal. Fruit cake and milk chocolate. Granola bar with honey. Floral lavender, rose water, licorice and anise. 

Palate: Milk chocolate,  corn and simple syrup. Soft Asian spice. Cherry picks it up after a splash of water. Toasty notes.

Finish: Subtle background of apples and herbal notes show some complexity. Fresh leathery finish.

Comment: Approachable and attractive.  Easy going and cocktail ready.

Susan Reigler – 8.0 

Nose: Roasted corn, banana and cinnamon. Caramel that lends heft without overbalancing.

Palate: Crème Brûlée and baking spices with stone fruit and brown sugar. It’s not especially complex, but has all the elements of a good bourbon, balancing vanilla, fruit, and spice.

Finish: The vanilla hangs on, before the spice and oak start to take charge. 

Comment: Very good bourbon on its own, but could certainly play well with others ingredients in a classic cocktail.