Brackman Single Grain 2022 Edition Virgin Oak Cask Finish

This limited edition of Belgian distiller Braeckman from Oudenaarde was produced from both malt and rye. It was first matured in first fill bourbon barrels and then finished another 6 months in heavily charred American virgin oak. And, hooray, it's offered at an affordable price in a 70cl bottle! That was sometimes different in previous editions. Let's get started with this. The nose mainly offers vanilla, freshly sawn wood and a handful of nuts. There is, undoubtedly thanks to the virgin oak, a beautiful panoply of herbs as well. It even reminds me of a barrel aged gin! Coriander, juniper and tail pepper. Beautiful. The body is relatively light and yet not watery. Very soft, in fact, on yet another cartload of vanilla, some pencil shavings, soft notes of pepper and even a pinch of cinnamon. Well balanced. Impressive... in its genre. The finish is medium long on icing sugar, butterscotch and crème brûlée. Delicious! I recently tasted a Dumbarton 20 Year Old from 2000. That didn't even come close to this young Belgian. Just sayin'. Thanks to Cinoco for the sample.