Starlight Distillery Carl T. Huber’s Limited Release Double Oak Finished Straight (Batch DB003)

Starlight’s straight bourbon gets an 8-month finish in new vanilla toast American white oak barrels from Napa Valley cooperage Seguin Moreau. That oak influence shows itself on the nose as pecans rich caramel and antique bookcase. A youthfulness emerges with water. The palate is chewy with generous oak root beer and a dark earthiness. Cocoa powder mint and tea leaf highlight the finish. The structure is clean and the flavors work with or without water.