Well, all that preamble aside, Masters Keep cuts a curious figure. The color is exotic with a deep orange/amber hue it looks old, to be sure. The nose says something else: Rich vanilla and caramel notes, but with ample fruit, and not a ton of wood. The body is fat with butterscotch, brown butter, tons of baking spices, and a surprisingly mild dusting of sawdust. Perhaps Russell is right that significant aging in cooler stone warehouses has tempered Masters Keep, enough to keep it going for 17 long years and still come out the other side as a youthful and exuberant spirit.The finish is sweet and mild, quite fruity and fresh.