This is Freddie Noe’s second edition of Little Book for Beam Suntory, and the 2018 release “Noe Simple Task” is a blend of 8-year-old Kentucky Rye with two Canadian whiskies: a 13-year-old Alberta Rye and 40-year-old 100% corn whisky matured in a once-used Bourbon barrel.

The nose has a good balance of fruitiness, dried flowers, and spices. Hints of peaches, red apples, allspice, and a hint of clove complement honey, caramel, and toasted marshmallow notes in the background. The taste is intensely spicy as clove and cinnamon dominate the palate with touches of honey, caramel, vanilla, and dried fruits underneath. The finish is long and spicy, fading away slowly with a subtle sweetness and turning slightly astringent. The original Little Book was a tough act to follow, but Freddie has done the Noe family proud with this one. (September, 2018)