In 1846, John Dewar began blending the finest whisky he could source in Scotland and bottling it with his own name on the label. Within a decade, Dewar was supplying whisky to bars and hotels throughout Scotland. By the turn of the century, the brand had expanded to become one of the best selling whiskies in the world and today remains the best-selling Scotch whisky in the United States. By the end of the 19th century, the famed Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery became operational. Situated by the Pitilie Burn, the small river has served as a source of pure water to this day. After the malted Scottish barley is brought in, it is left to ferment for an extended period of time, before being distilled in tall pot stills. The Aberfeldy single malt that is produced here remains the heart of Dewar's blend today. The premises are open for tours and cask tasting with a whisky lounge and cafe on hand. Dewar's whisky is crafted by blending together "the rarest of rare whiskies from across Scotland." The backbone is that 27-year-old single malt whisky that is crafted at Aberfeldy Distillery. Once the 27-year-old is married together with other whiskies, the resulting blend is allowed to rest again in oak casks. This secondary maturation process "is a marriage made in heaven ensuring our whiskies are even smoother and creamier," said Dewar's retired master blender Thomas Aitken. It's this great foundation and the signature "double aging" process that have made Dewar's the most awarded blended Scotch whisky in the world. Where the "double aged" series ends, the innovative and premium Double Double picks up. Created by Dewar's Master Blender Stephanie MacLeod, this 27-year-old expression takes the matured single malt and grain whiskies and blends them, then lets each style age separately. Afterwards, both are blended together and re-casked for an additional month. In the end, the liquid is transferred to Paolo Cortado sherry casks for a round of finishing, before being bottled at 92 proof. The 4-sided bottle reflects the 4 stages of the aging process.

Southwind corn whiskey moonshine began when two artists, Maxime Berthou and Mark Polep, took an old paddle steamer down the Mississippi River exactly 1712 miles of it. After two years of preparation the month-and-a-half journey took the pair through 10 states during the record-breaking 2019 floods. The 21-foot steamboat mostly putted along happily at up to 4 miles per hour (3.5 knots), though not without incident while the flooding provided a lot of driftwood for fuel, it also caused the rudder to break 3 times. The wood-fired engine took lots of hard work, with the pair working in 2-hour shifts. The duo had set out with several goals in mind: The adventure would serve as a basis for a book and film, but more importantly for us they would gather several samples of corn along the way from at least 10 different producers and create a moonshine once the journey was completed. But they couldn't just go about creating the moonshine the ordinary way. Once they moored in New Orleans, the boat was transformed into a floating distillery, producing moonshine from the 42 corn varieties they gathered from 10 different states. With the help of Big Easy's own Seven Three Distilling the pair created Southwind a moonshine that tells the story of the Mississippi River and their epic undertaking. 

Lovingly handcrafted and aged in Kentucky, Pinhook Bourbon was established in 2014 and has produced several small batch bottlings in their newly restored Castle & Key distillery in Frankfort, KY, to much critical acclaim. What makes their line unique is the brand's three distinctive characteristics: its limited availability, mass appeal and strong ties to Kentucky's legacy of horse racing. Each release of Pinhook Bourbon is named after a thoroughbred owned by Bourbon Lane Stable. The label also features the horses racing records on their brand's website. Every fall Pinhook features an annual vintage of Pinhook Bourbon and Pinhook Rye, each of which is inspired by a thoroughbred horse. Each blend is as unique as the horse on the label. "Pinhooking" refers to an old Kentucky term for purchasing young thoroughbreds, holding them until they mature, and selling them when they are ready to run. Successful pinhooks much like whiskey are made on instinct, experience, an appreciation of quality, and a little luck. Pinhook bourbons and ryes are handcrafted to reflect the richness of the Kentucky soil and the character of its beautiful horse country. Pinhook Bohemian Bourbon was distilled, aged, and bottled at the historic Old Taylor Distillery (now known as Castle & Key), the first bourbon in 50 years to do so. Crafted from a mash bill of 75% corn, 15% rye, and 10% malted barley, it's a high-proof expression that has been aged for a minimum of 34 months. This expression is limited to 100 barrels and was proofed and blended by Pinhook co-founder Sean Josephs.

Each year, Pinhook releases a new vintage of bourbons and ryes. Every expression is the best representation of our barrels at that moment in time, and dedicated to a promising young thoroughbred. Through a combination of careful barrel selection, blending in small batches, and meticulous proofing, each Pinhook vintage has a personality as unique as the horse on the label.

Ancient buffalo carved paths through the wilderness that led American pioneers and explorers to new frontiers. One such trail led to the banks of the Kentucky River where Buffalo Trace Distillery has been making bourbon whiskey the same way for more than 200 years. In tribute to the mighty buffalo and the rugged, independent spirit of the pioneers who followed them, we created our signature Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

TASTING NOTES

This deep amber whiskey has a complex aroma of vanilla, mint and molasses. Pleasantly sweet to the taste with notes of brown sugar and spice that give way to oak, toffee, dark fruit and anise. This whiskey finishes long and smooth with serious depth.

Most Recent Awards

2020 Gold Medal - World Whiskies Awards

2020 Silver Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition

2019 Gold Medal; 91 points - Beverage Testing Institute

2019 Silver Medal - New York World Spirits Competition

2019 Silver Outstanding - Whiskies of the World

2019 Double Gold Medal - North American Bourbon & Whiskey Competition

2019 Gold Medal - Los Angeles International Spirits Competition

2019 Gold Medal - American Whiskey Masters

2019 Silver Medal - San Francisco World Spirits Competition

2019 Silver Medal - Denver International Spirits Competition

Our newest addition to the family is making a name for itself by becoming our first rye whiskey with this distinguished of an age statement.

Bottled at 80 proof, the mashbill features a slightly spicy, yet approachable, rye resulting in an elegantly complex taste profile and a golden honey hue. This light, yet full-flavored, rye is sure to please any palate. Serving neat, with a drop of water, or on the rocks opens up all of the flavors that were developed from ten years of aging, such as spice, oak, caramel, and tobacco. This rye can be easily enjoyed without the burn associated with higher-proof whiskeys.

Tasting Notes

AROMA: Sweet vanilla and oak with a touch of light fruit

TASTE: Approachable spice and oak notes with hints of caramel

FINISH: Faint tobacco and warm cinnamon heat

COLOR: Golden honey

J.W. Rutledge Distillery was founded by former Four Roses master distiller Jim Rutledge. As the construction of their new sustainable distillery is underway (a facility that utilizes clean technologies like geothermal heating and cooling, solar energy, and biomass energy), Jim Rutledge sources and blends whiskey from other distilleries to put out new releases under the J.W. Rutledge brands, beginning with Cream of Kentucky. Their aim is to produce Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey and straight rye whiskey the "old-fashioned way" relative to the requisites, guidelines, and standards for straight whiskey production that have been in place for close to two centuries. The Cream of Kentucky label was first introduced in 1888 by I. Trager & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio. Before Prohibition ended, the brand was picked up by the renowned Schenley Company and re-introduced to the industry in 1934. Cream of Kentucky reached great success in the 30s and 40s, using the work of famed artist Norman Rockwell. Cream of Kentucky is now owned by J.W. Rutledge, who has recently secured a limited supply of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey he feels is worthy of the rebirth of Cream of Kentucky Bourbon as a premium whiskey. Cream of Kentucky 13 is a 13-year-old straight bourbon that was sourced by the discerning eye of Jim Rutledge and is an exquisitely well-balanced and rich straight bourbon.

A MASTERFUL COMBINATION

Cosseted away in the finest, hand-selected oak casks and allowed to mature at its own sedate pace, this is one of the most remarkable, perfectly balanced single malt scotch whiskies of its kind. One of our rarest whiskies, bottles of Bowmore 18 Year Old may be limited, but there's no end to its enjoyment.

TASTING NOTES

On The Eye: Mellow mahogany

Breathe In: Creamy caramel toffee, with ripe fruit and smoke aromas

Sip: Incredibly complex, with beautiful soft fruit and chocolate balanced with a light smokiness

Savour: The long and wonderfully balanced finish

Awards

International Wine & Spirit Competition - Gold award 2018

San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold award 2018

International Spirits Challenge - Gold award 2018

Every last drop of this spectacular Scotch is triple distilled then matured for over twelve years. Our Lowland Single Malt Whisky has the tempting aroma of toasted almonds, caramelised toffee and the signature smooth delicate Auchentoshan taste. An intriguing 12 year old whisky that’s Distilled Different.

TASTING NOTES

TO THE EYE: In appearance, each bottle has a crisp golden honey hue. What gives whisky its colour? The maturing process over 12 years as the liquid comes into contact with the barrel. The longer a whisky matures will determine its colour and flavour profile.

TO THE NOSE: A Single Malt Scotch whisky with a distinctive aroma of crème brulee to the nose with a burst of citrus and then the signature nuttiness and green leafiness you would expect from Auchentoshan.

TO THE TONGUE: A smooth whisky taste with sweet notes along with hints of tangerine and lime characterise this 12 year old.

TO THE END: This particular whisky offers a gingery and slightly dry finish with a pleasant, lingering nuttiness. 

During the early 19th century, illegal distilleries were commonplace throughout the Speyside region of Scotland. In 1823, however, Alexander Gordon pushed the Excise Act of 1823 through Parliament. The Excise Act allowed illegal distillers throughout Scotland to apply for and obtain licenses to legally distill spirits. In 1824, a businessman named George Smith applied for one of the first licenses in the Speyside region of Scotland and opened the doors to The Glenlivet Distillery. For nearly two centuries, The Glenlivet Distillery has been producing the "single malt whisky that started it all." The Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky is made using barley sourced from Crisp Maltings, Portgordon (Portgordon is a village in Moray, Scotland). After the barley has been malted and mashed, it is fermented in wooden washbacks for approximately two days. The wooden washbacks used by The Glenlivet are more difficult and expensive to maintain as compared to the stainless steel washbacks used by most Scottish distilleries, but impart a distinctive, floral quality to the whisky. After the barley has been fermented, it is distilled twice first through Glenlivet's wash still, and then again through Glenlivet's spirits still. Originally designed by George Smith, the copper-pot stills have a unique, lantern-like shape, which encourages contact between the whisky and the copper (the copper strips the whisky of any impurities it may have, and provides for a lighter and more pure flavor profile). In addition, the height of the stills ensures only the lightest vapors are condensed, and makes for a more delicate and elegant whisky. Recently, folks at The Glenlivet have been experimenting with mysterious releases without tasting notes and cask information. Spectra is one such limited-edition box set that contains a selection of 3 distinct 200ml single malt bottles. The first hints at a fruity expression, the second promises a smoky and briny experience, and the last holds a creamy sweetness. Each expression showcases The Glenlivet's signature style and presents a tasting challenge in the form of a digital experience a journey that starts by scanning the provided QR code. After completing the guided digital tour and receiving a grade based on your performance, you get to compare your findings with the thoughts of Master Blender and Distiller Alan Winchester.

Du Nord is the brainchild of Chris Montana, who decided to open a distillery in his home city of Minneapolis in 2013. It's a family-run operation that combines Chris' city-smarts with Shanelle Montana's country spirit. The craft spirits company has since grown considerably from a garage-type distilling project and works to bring minorities and members of underrepresented communities into their family. The name Du Nord is a tribute to Minnesota's title of "The Star of the North." They offer tours of the Du Nord distillery and operate a Du Nord Cocktail room on the premises. Their lineup currently consists of the L'Etoile Du Nord sipping vodka, Fitzgerald Gin (a London dry and old world style hybrid), Apple Du Nord apple liqueur, and Caf Frieda coffee liqueur. Each and every one of these has garnered awards from some of the most prestigious spirits competitions. Du Nord Mixed Blood Blended Whiskey is the newest member of the Du Nord family. It's an in-house bourbon that has a high-rye mash bill and is blended with sourced whiskeys for a profile that is rye-forward, fruity, spicy, and pleasantly sweet. It's aged for two years before being bottled at 80 proof.

Wilderness Trail Distillery is a craft operation that was launched in 2012 in Bold Danville, Kentucky. Mixing old traditions with modern science, they aim to create fine bourbon and other spirits. Founded by Shane Baker and Pat Heist, a pair with over 20 years of experience with fermentation and alcohol production under their belts, they craft unique spirits using locally-grown grains. Their spirits are hand-crafted and they pride themselves on being "not interested in making the most, just the best." The founders were left with several yeast strains they had collected over the years in the industry and put them to good use in the distillery. The premium corn, wheat, and rye are sourced from the nearby Caverndale Farms and Walnut Grove Farms from Adairville, Kentucky, while their malted barley comes from Louisville. The natural Kentucky limestone springwater completes the 100% Kentucky list of ingredients. Their production methods include the proprietary Infusion Mashing Process, which together with their unique yeast strains results in a softer and uniquely flavorful distillate. They are the first Kentucky bourbon distillery to use a chemical-free clean steam boiler that minimizes off flavors. Instead of sour mash, they rely on a sweet mash, which enables more flavors to be extracted from the grains. They employ a hybrid pot still, as well as two continuous column stills. All the whiskey is distilled, aged, and bottled on-site. Wilderness Trail produces bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, and bourbon barrel-aged rum. The Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey expression employs their sweet mash process and the spirit is barrelled at 100 and 105 proof. These numbers used to be higher, so the final proof of the bottles can vary. Crafted from a mash bill of 56% Kentucky-grown Heritage rye (from the local KY Proud farm), 33% corn, and 11% malted barley, the rye whiskey is then aged for a minimum of 4 years and up to 8 years in the upper floors of their rickhouses. 

Look for the silver label

Wilderness Trail Distillery fans who have been enjoying side-by-side comparisons of its yellow label wheated Bourbon and its black label small batch rye Bourbon may now take their analogies to the next level. Look for the silver label with a “6” on the neck tag to indicate that it’s Wilderness Trail 6-year wheated Bourbon or 6-year rye Bourbon. Our Visitors Center is one place to find the bottled in bond goodness of the 6-year small batch rye Bourbon. However, the Visitors Center has sold out of the 6-year wheated Bourbon. Bottles are $69.

The other releases by the Danville distillery, owned by Shane Baker and Dr. Pat Heist, have been four- and five-year-old, bottled in bond Bourbons and a cask strength rye whiskey of similar age expressions.

Everyone wants to know a little bit about how the 6-year-old tastes. Well, your tasting notes would be different from your friend’s and so forth. Let’s just say that the extra two years in the barrel has elevated an already remarkable Bourbon to an even higher level.

Wilderness Trail Distillery is a craft operation that was launched in 2012 in Bold Danville, Kentucky. Mixing old traditions with modern science, they aim to create fine bourbon and other spirits. Founded by Shane Baker and Pat Heist, a pair with over 20 years of experience with fermentation and alcohol production under their belts, they craft unique spirits using locally-grown grains. Their spirits are hand-crafted and they pride themselves on being "not interested in making the most, just the best." The founders were left with several yeast strains they had collected over the years in the industry and put them to good use in the distillery. The premium corn, wheat, and rye are sourced from the nearby Caverndale Farms and Walnut Grove Farms from Adairville, Kentucky, while their malted barley comes from Louisville. The natural Kentucky limestone springwater completes the 100% Kentucky list of ingredients. Their production methods include the proprietary Infusion Mashing Process, which together with their unique yeast strains results in a softer and uniquely flavorful distillate. They are the first Kentucky bourbon distillery to use a chemical-free clean steam boiler that minimizes off flavors. Instead of sour mash, they rely on a sweet mash, which enables more flavors to be extracted from the grains. They employ a hybrid pot still, as well as two continuous column stills. All the whiskey is distilled, aged, and bottled on-site. Wilderness Trail produces bourbon, rye whiskey, vodka, and bourbon barrel-aged rum. Their Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon expression is made in 12-barrel batches, one fermenter's worth. Crafted from a mash bill of 64% corn, 24% rye, and 12% malted barley, the spirit employs their sweet mash technique and uses their proprietary yeast strains. It enters the barrels at 110 proof and is aged on different floors of their rickhouses before being bottled at 100 proof. 

Lovingly handcrafted and aged in Kentucky, Pinhook Bourbon was established in 2014 and has produced several small-batch bottlings in their newly restored Castle & Key distillery in Frankfort, KY, to much critical acclaim. What makes their line unique is the brand's three distinctive characteristics: its limited availability, mass appeal, and strong ties to Kentucky's legacy of horse racing. Each release of Pinhook Bourbon is named after a thoroughbred owned by Bourbon Lane Stable. The label also features the horses racing records on their brand's website. Every fall Pinhook features an annual vintage of Pinhook Bourbon and Pinhook Rye, each of which is inspired by a thoroughbred horse. Each blend is as unique as the horse on the label. "Pinhooking" refers to an old Kentucky term for purchasing young thoroughbreds, holding them until they mature, and selling them when they are ready to run. Successful pinhooks much like whiskey are made on instinct, experience, an appreciation of quality, and a little luck. Pinhook bourbons and ryes are handcrafted to reflect the richness of the Kentucky soil and the character of its beautiful horse country. The 2020 rye expression is Pinhook Tiz Rye Time 4YO Vertical Series, a straight rye whiskey that is crafted from a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. Bottled at 97 proof, it's the first of a new annual-release series. "It will be exciting to follow the maturation of both rye and bourbon over the course of 9 years and understand how each style of whiskey progresses individually as well as in comparison to the other," says Master Blender Sean Josephs. "The 4 Year old rye at 97 proof is already showing great complexity, depth and structure and I am fascinated to go on this whiskey journey which will culminate with a 12 year old rye in 2028."

The story of the R6 Distillery begins with one Rob Rubens becoming disillusioned after nearly a decade of working in corporate America. After taking a tour of the Old New Orleans Rum Distillery he was captivated by the idea of starting a small and family-owned distillery and bringing quality spirits to Los Angeles. This is how the R6 Distillery and Speakeasy, situated in LA's suburb of El Segundo, came to be. Rob turned to his family history for inspiration. The name "R6" comes from six Ruben brothers, Rob's ancestors, who opened the Rubens Rialto Theatre in Joliet, Illinois in 1926. This entrepreneurship that runs in the family, as well as the stories he heard of the theatre operating in the Roaring Twenties and during the days of The Prohibition, played a great part in his decision to start R6. Today they produce over a dozen craft spirits, continuing Rob's vision of striving for greatness. R6 Carmela is named for Carmel, California. Bottled at 66 proof, it features an intense and flavorful caramel-forward profile with corn and rye spice in the background. Adorned with an attractive graphic on the label, the flavored whiskey won a Bronze Medal at the 2020 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Following the end of the American Civil War, the Ripy Brothers returned to their native state of Kentucky and together, opened a distillery on the slopes of a hill in Lawrenceburg. The distillery operated continuously for nearly fifty years until the 18th Amendment, which prohibited the sale of alcohol in the United States, was ratified. Following the end of Prohibition, the Ripy Brothers Distillery was reopened and a distillery executive named Thomas McCarthy took samples of maturing whiskey from the distillery on a turkey hunt with a group of friends. The next year, his friends asked him to bring "some of that wild turkey whiskey" on their next hunt, giving birth to the distillery's new name. Today, Wild Turkey Distillery is stewarded by Master Distiller Jimmy Russell and his son Eddie Russell (together, the pair have over 90 years of experience producing bourbon). "I was born and raised in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky," says Jimmy, "which was a small community when I was growing up, but there were four bourbon distilleries here, and you had families working all the distilleries. You wanted to get in the business. My grandfather and my father, me, and now my son, we've all been in the business." Wild Turkey Master's Keep series explores the premium end of American whiskey. Master's Keep 17 Year Old Bottled in Bond holds a special place in their lineup as the oldest whiskey they have on offer. Only the second expression with the bottled-in-bond designation from the producer, this 100-proof whiskey was hand-selected by Master Distiller Eddie Russell in order to create a truly big and bold expression. "We took the historic process and protocol of aging for four years to the next level and allowed the liquid to rest for 17 years. We aged and perfected this rare, 17-year-old bourbon in Wild Turkey's Camp Nelson rickhouses," says Russell. 

Born in December 1839, William Grant became a cattle herder at the age of 7 to supplement his family's income. As a teenager, Grant apprenticed as a cobbler and a clerk, and in 1866, he joined Mortlach Distillery as a bookkeeper. For the next two decades, Grant managed the affairs at the distillery, while secretly learning the art of distillation. In 1886, he resigned from his position as distillery manager and, together with his seven sons, two daughters, and one sporadically working stonemason, built his family distillery in Scotland. William Grant & Sons is now a behemoth that is among the largest producers of Scotch in the world and is home to several massively successful labels. Yet it is still family-owned, run by Grant's descendants, and independent. Glenfiddich, Balvenie, Girvan Grain, Tullamore, and several other distilleries operate under them. With the release of Fistful of Bourbon in 2018, William Grant & Sons entered into the world of bourbon whiskey. It's a blend of 5 straight bourbons, aged 2 years and up in new charred oak barrels, before being bottled at 90 proof. The blend was crafted by Master Blender Brian Kinsman and Kelsey McKechnie to balance sweetness and spice, and have 5 distinct flavors: A balanced sweetness, green and floral notes, spice and nutmeg, buttery toffee, and a touch of cinnamon and licorice.

John Emerald Distilling Company is a family-run small-batch craft distillery from Opelika, Alabama that has been operational since 2014. It is the first legal distillery that opened in the state since the end of the Prohibition era, a year short of a hundred years later. It all started when John and his son Jimmy Sharp, both homebrewers, started looking into opening a brewery. Finding the market to be oversaturated, they turned to craft distilling instead and started rigorous training and education. They came upon an old cotton warehouse in Opelika, a small and business-friendly town where the mayor welcomed them with open arms. The distillery now operates on 8 thousand square feet and has a tasting room that is open for visitors. They produce several spirits using their 350-gallon hybrid pot, each product named after one of John's and Jimmy's ancestors their (grand) father John Emerald Sharp, a successful businessman, being the distillery's namesake. The spirits include award-winning gin, vodka, rum, and a single malt. The latter John Emerald Alabama Single Malt Whiskey is at the very core of their lineup and is the only one to share the name with the distillery itself. Then there's Hugh Wesley's Gin, Elizabeth Vodka, Spurgeon's Barrel Aged Rum, and Gene's Spiced Rum. This expression in John Emerald's Purveyor's Series Double Wood is a bourbon whiskey that is aged in new American oak barrels. But there's a twist, the barrels are filled with wood chips. In this case, toasted American white oak chips are used. The unique way of finishing the whiskey ensures that an extraordinary amount of liquid comes into contact with the wood, imparting the nicely-balanced sweet bourbon with an extra layer of oakiness.

John Emerald Distilling Company is a family-run small-batch craft distillery from Opelika, Alabama that has been operational since 2014. It is the first legal distillery that opened in the state since the end of the Prohibition era, a year short of a hundred years later. It all started when John and his son Jimmy Sharp, both homebrewers, started looking into opening a brewery. Finding the market to be oversaturated, they turned to craft distilling instead and started rigorous training and education. They came upon an old cotton warehouse in Opelika, a small and business-friendly town where the mayor welcomed them with open arms. The distillery now operates on 8 thousand square feet and has a tasting room that is open for visitors. They produce several spirits using their 350-gallon hybrid pot, each product named after one of John's and Jimmy's ancestors their (grand) father John Emerald Sharp, a successful businessman, being the distillery's namesake. The spirits include award-winning gin, vodka, rum, and a single malt. The latter John Emerald Alabama Single Malt Whiskey is at the very core of their lineup and is the only one to share the name with the distillery itself. Then there's Hugh Wesley's Gin, Elizabeth Vodka, Spurgeon's Barrel Aged Rum, and Gene's Spiced Rum. The John Emerald Purveyor's Series Double Wood is a rye whiskey that is aged in new American oak barrels. But there's a twist, the barrels are filled with pecan wood chips. This unique method of finishing the whiskey ensures that an extraordinary amount of liquid comes into contact with the wood, imparting the sweet and spicy rye with additional nutty pecan notes. The unique rye whiskey is bottled at 86 proof. 

A truly original bourbon, complements of a truly original bootlegger.

GEORGE REMUS® Bourbon captures the rebellious spirit of the Prohibition era with a hint of vanilla, a maple aroma and a sweet-yet-characteristic rye flavor.

Tasting Notes

AROMA: Sweet with notes of maple and vanilla

TASTE: Hint of vanilla and a sweet - yet - characteristic rye flavor

FINISH: Smooth, long finish, giving way to the subtle vanilla sweetness