Notes

The ritual begins tonight. I have been passed over again. My best efforts never overcome status and privilege. Year after year I survive the trials and year after year I am ignored in favor of a child of a priest bloodline, or an aristocratic debutant who’s father wishes a ritual-chosen in the family to secure favor with the High Ember Dweller. This year it was another middle child born of some new money family trying to raise their name in the orders eyes. He is weak. He had to be carried through the trials, special attention and safety was given and now, again, chosen over me. I’m still bound to do my duty and observe the ritual in the Ember Dwellers Sanctum along with the other surviving rejects. It begins. The Chosen is kneeling, waiting for the Dweller to give the Ember Dew and usher in the New Sun. But the chosen quivers. He screeches. He runs. Quicker than he ever did in the trials, this pathetic boy tears out of the sanctum, screaming all the way. The Ember Dweller bellows, his face hidden by his ancient mask. ‘WHO WOULD STAND IN THIS COWARD’S PLACE AND WITHSTAND THE INNER FIRE?!’ I stand without thought or hesitation. The Dweller turns, smoke pours from the eye holes of his ritual helm. ‘COME’ he beckons. I take the position of the chosen. Time has warped, I’m moving in slow motion a thousand miles a second. He lifts the crucible cup from the fire, and raises it to my lips. It burns, but I stand it. It travels down to my heart, my very being. It warms me, yet Somehow it is cool. I think of my mother, I think of chocolate, I think of a treehouse on fire. I open my eyes and smack my lips, a small grin on my face. I enjoyed the Ember Dew, fiery as it was. ‘You have been chosen and now the New Sun’s Ember lives in you.’ the Dweller says. But that honor does not register to me, for the next words he speaks are are the words I have longed to hear for so long. ‘Well done. Well done my son.’

Hot on the nose. Really needs water to open it up. Honey vanilla caramel and lemon on nose. Cinnamon candy in tongue and finish.

Digging this one. Could be the Christmas atmosphere in NYC, but this was surprisingly good. Not a standout in flavor, but definitely smooth and consistent given the proof.

There's a fire in mouth.

amber and sweet before i even got close. the gang is all here on nise - caramel vanilla. gun shy from yesterday think this is just heat. bit of maple. wood. woody. strong lingering feel.

Enjoying the smoky finish. Nicely balanced scotch.

This one was a lot. Nice on the front end, but took some effort toward the end.

Coming to you live from bourbon land--if only being in Louisville would help me score better on these.

Holy butterscotch on the nose. Great oak, vanilla, and caramel notes. One of my favorites.

Absolutely wonderful. Sweetness, smoke, fruit, balance. Great lingering flavor.

Incredible. Hot sugar with Vanilla. One of my favorites so far.

Barrel proof bourbon.. dark cherries, classic sweetness. More enjoyable as the burning stops

Wow. This one is like an old fashioned straight out of the bottle. black licorice/star anise flavor is great!

Definite drink again

🔥🔥 but very good.

Damn, that’s dreadful. The back end is unlike anything I’ve ever had — and would ever choose to have again.

The initial sip of this blew out my taste buds, not necessarily in a bad way. It was sour and citrus overload, which I didn’t expect at all. But it never really developed beyond that for me, sadly.

Okay but I thought moonshine was clear whiskey so what is 90% clear whiskey

I honestly thought I was putting water into my glad. This is definitely the lightest colored whiskey I've ever seen. Pretty good. Mild.

Strong and Japanese, burning like a sumo wrestler who learned his chankonabe was overspiced.

Nice dram, not my favorite scotch but tasty

This one stumped us. Don't love it. OK, kinda has no fans here, however, someone is going to be right about the style and will LORD IT over the fool that got it wrong. Our love is complex.

One of these has GOT to be Irish. Part of my problem is that I'm starting to like all the whiskeys ... which makes it harder to guess the type.

Not loving this. Like drinking hot wax.