Traverse City Whiskey Co. – XXX Straight Bourbon (75cl, 43%)

XXX is the flagship straight bourbon from Traverse City Whiskey Co. in Traverse City, Michigan. It is bottled at 43% in a 75cl bottle. The mash bill is 71% corn, 25% rye and 4% malted barley, and the bourbon spends four years in new American white oak. The company grew out of founder Chris Fredrickson's family farming roots in northern Michigan, and XXX is its benchmark expression, with the larger share of rye adding spice to a corn-led recipe. The nose offers toasted marshmallow, vanilla and caramel. On the palate come cinnamon, vanilla and crème brûlée, with the rye keeping the sweetness in check, followed by a finish of warm allspice.