Tastes

I prefer to Weller Antique 107 and much prefer to Maker's Mark which I usually avoid - as it has far more attractive vanilla and seems even less harsh despite the higher proof. I look forward to trying Maker's Mark 46 and the cask strength version of it if I can ever find considering its available only at Maker's gift shop.

Overly rich & sweet with overpowering vanilla. Should have gone for Kentucky Spirit instead, or forgone entirely, despite having used to like Wild Turkey 101.

Go-to rye, 2nd best only to Willett 3yr Rye. Overall 6th best of 60+ bourbons and ryes ever tasted, just after Bookers, Willett 3yr Rye, Dickel 9yr, and Johnny Drum. Better than High West Double Rye, Knob Creek Rye, and Colonel Taylor Rye, Baby Sazerac, and Basil Hayden's. Much, much better than Redemption 8yr Barrel Proof Rye with its overly dry/dill/medicinal finish. A few drops of distilled water helps this. Just sweet enough to pair well with nearly anything. Often I finish tastings with this, as it's still attractive even after trying 20 whiskies. I look forward to comparing with High West Rendezvous Rye and Michter's Barrel Proof Rye (which is supposed to be slightly better, though at much higher cost). Higher proof, better aged version of Rittenhouse Rye.

I prefer over Baker's (which used to be my all-time favorite) as is like Baker's on steroids - higher proof and 9 vs 7 years of aging, with greater complexity. However the Baker's is still great if you love peanuts and a strong doughy Beam profile. However, neither compares to Booker's (the Bluegrass release in my case)

Toffee, Vanilla, with black pepper in the finish. Surprisingly similar to Elmer T Lee, despite having Buffalo Trace mashbill #1 (low rye, like Eagle Rare) instead of Elmer T Lee's mashbill #2 ** (high rye, like Blanton's). Apparently the 3rd round of distillation of Buffalo Trace juice in Virginia makes the difference. ** Mashbill: Its been long assumed that this is high-rye mashbill #2, however Master Distiller Brian Prewitt had indicated otherwise and had also been proven to be mash #1 here (https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/comments/3vltda/review_29_john_j_bowman_single_barrel/cxp4szi/).

7 years old. This is better than Stagg, Jr, which seems much spicier and rougher, despite being 8-9 years old, beyond what's accounted for by its being 6 proof points higher. My 2nd favorite traditional bourbon, after Booker.

4.6 / 5. Preferred to Blanton's and Rock Hill Farms. Has a pretty spicy finish of black pepper, compared to Blanton's (for which this shares high rye BT mashbil #2), and especially for what is supposed to be 12 years old (vs Blanton's 9). NAS that is supposed to be 12 years old, and only 90 proof, even considering has the same mashbill #2 as Blanton's Like Blanton's, this is isn't quite as spicy and is generally easier to drink than Rock Hill Farms (even when watered down from 100 to 90 proof). I may still prefer Colonel Taylor Small Batch (mashbill #1), despite usually preferring high-ryes, and also prefer Colonel Taylor Rye. Taste: Maple syrup, Toffee, Vanilla, Apricot, Cinnamon Apples, Black Pepper finish.

Avoid! Most regretted whiskey purchase to-date at $100. Must let breath for at least an hour, to help somewhat. Overpowering dill in palate and finish - more than expected with this being a barrel proof MGP rye. Something else very off in the palate/finish - possibly chemical or plastic. This is the first out of 12+ ryes I have ever strongly disliked. There is something about the bitter rye aftertaste, that gets me. It tastes like all the worst parts of rye, and like there is no other complexity or flavor from anything else in the mash. It seems like the funky finish (sour dill?) of the MGP ryes gets worse with age, as ithe same horrible aftertaste that is present in the Russell's Reserve Rye (6yr's) is worse in the Redemption 8yr. On the other hand, its not really present in the Bulleit Rye from MGP, which is aged at least 4 years (4-7 years, but more likely 4-5). I greatly prefer High West Rendezvous Rye, and even possibly Double Rye when it comes to MGP ryes, considering the strange bitter/sour taste to this. I much prefer Willett 3 year rye and Colonel Taylor Rye to all those, as well as Knob Creek Rye and Baby Sazerac compared to this. Its certainly not worth the $100 paid for it. Still, it's something very different (beyond sweet ryes, Willet Rye, MGP rye, and High West blended rye), if that is what you're looking for. I do get gingerbread, though more dry than sweet.