Tastes

The expert notes regarding the cinnamon red hot candy is spot on! Bold flavors abound from start to finish. The heat of the higher proof does hit about midway into the sip & definitely has a wonderful warm finish. When distillers release the high proof without nose burning alcohol as the forward smell & taste the pours / bottles instantly rise to the top of the chart for me. This 2023 GTS is wonderful- despite any of the big bourbon channels that claim it may be less than prior year releases.

First pour- caramel and sweet aroma - the pallate begins very smooth with the caramel & vanilla. Near the end of your sip you’ll feel the spice of the high rye mash bill.

If you’re in the bourbon capital of the world and find this for $25 or less- buy it. Neat drinker only- also I tend to not like a ton of high proof bourbon. - Granted there are exceptions. Remember this is a single barrel selection- so you’re taking some chances. This particular bottle had a truckload of flavor in the caramel department. A bit of more cinnamon/ spice at the end of the tase. At this price / SiB you can’t go wrong.

This is tough to find around greater Kansas City. It shouldn’t be that tough. But then again- based on distribution and hype it happens. This is an 80 proofer that drinks closer to 100. I can see if the reviews vary- it is a single barrel statement. This one was a definite-I’d buy another. Rich, butterscotch, a bit of spice on the end. Smooth due to proof, but flavor abounds on this one.