Baker's 7 2015/2023

Nose

The nose is greeted with a warm rush of caramel, honey and vanilla - sounds classic at first. But then a strawberry note joins in, somewhere between fruit jelly and fresh fruit. A little chocolate liquorice (for the northerners) and - now it's getting wild - peanut flips. Sounds strange? Yes. Does it work? Totally. The whole thing remains thoroughly bourbonesque, i.e. sweet, round and buttery.

Taste

The first sip is like a warm hug from Kentucky: oily, voluminous and caramelly - the famous ‘Werther's Echte’ sends its regards. In the middle section, it goes in the direction of popcorn with a nutty twist - not too sweet, not too spicy. Simply well balanced. And then it comes, the wild note: roasted chickpeas. I don't know who put them in there, but they add a certain umami kick that makes the profile exciting.

Finish

Burnt toast, but the good kind. With a nice dose of oak, mature, round and not at all overpowering. And although Baker's comes in at 53.5% ABV, it drinks under proof - surprisingly mild for its strength.