Ironroot Harbinger (TriBarrel Blend, Solstice Edition)

Ironroot Harbinger (TriBarrel Blend, Solstice Edition)

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - Texas
Amber red 

64.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sea salt, honey, raisins, orange peel, brown paper, hints of bananas. With water, honey, red grapes, orange peel, fresh baked bread, hints of sandalwood. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, thickens slightly, hot, astringent. 
Tasting:  Bitter sweet. Black tea, honey, cornflakes, orange peel, bananas, hints of coconut curd. With water, oats, honey, orange peel, hints of bananas. 
Finish: Medium. Sea salt, brown paper, coconut curd, bananas, hints of black tea. 

Comments: 

Quite grapey, not a note one associates with bourbon. Lots of fruit and spice, but the cereal flavours come through eventually, especially after a bit of water is added. Interesting, but probably over strength. A bit more aging would have been nice, I think.

Verdict:

I like this.

Ironroot Apotheosis

Ironroot Apotheosis 

Official bottling 
Single bourbon - Texas
Amber red 
63.8% ABV
Dram

Nose: Sugarcane, coconut curd, bananas, cornflakes, orange peel, hints of raisins. With water, red grapes, orange peel, bananas, coconut curd. 
Mouthfeel: Light body, airy, loosens, hot. 
Tasting:  Sweet. Cornflakes, vanilla ice cream, coconut curd, orange peel, fresh baked bread, hints of raisins. With water, saltier, cornflakes, oats, orange peel, hints of raisins. 
Finish: Medium. Cornflakes, fresh baked bread, vanilla ice cream, sugarcane. 

Comments: 

Cognac cask finished bourbon. Quite high strength, but it’s very sweet. Needs a touch (more than a touch, really) of water to bring out some rather nice cereal flavours. Not really to my taste, it’s a bit too sickly.

Verdict:

I like this.