Tastes

Deep amber color, good legs. I get gingerbread, nutmeg, vanilla, cookie dough, and a hint of pleasant soap on the nose. Taffy, some peanut butter, and surprising spice on the palate. Nice lingering warmth, it definitely feels like a 100-proofer. Adding a limestone water ice cube accentuates the cookie dough on the nose and brings out some sugar and wood notes on the palate. At this price, I can see why this is a must-have in anyone's collection. I prefer this to EW 1783. 2/13/17

Nose seems a bit thin, some minor wood and herby notes, a hint of floral honey. Taste doesn't depart too far from that; it's pleasant but thin, a bit of sweetness, bitter herbs, maybe artificial vanilla, then... nothing. It seems to drop off a cliff. A limestone water ice cube seems to bring out some more vanilla, which is great. But don't let the ice melt too much. Good for this price point, but Very Old Barton is also this price and in my view has more flavor. 2/12/17

Smells like... bourbon, with cloves and leather, a slight sting as well. After a few minutes it opens up and you can smell more vanilla. Initially very smooth, not too heavy on the tongue, but silky, and at first you wonder if the high proof statement is correct. Some toffee sweetness, with spicy notes kicking in soon after and staying through the long finish. Mouthwatering. Ends with bitter chocolate. Finish is warm, no mistaking the cask strength. Adding a limestone water ice cube brings out some candy apple and grass notes, but definitely flattens the profile, so I would recommend foregoing the rocks and doing as Mr. Russell does - putting this bottle in the freezer. A winner at this price point. This was the 108-proof version. 2/12/17. I keep this bottle in my fridge. Toffee, leather, spice, and warm going down. Still a winner. Been stocking up on the 108 proof, soon they'll disappear from shelves. 4/22/17 112.8 proof. Smells like Costco, seriously. Anyway, fruit forward nose, some vanilla, very pleasant. Rich on the palate, burnt caramel, baking spice, a bit of sour ale. I prefer this to the 116 proof. Not as complex as the 108 proof. But still delicious. 5/12/18

BiB 100-proof version. Some musk, maybe some honey, on the nose. Surprisingly, has a familiar wheater bourbon taste, akin to Weller Special Reserve, although this has no wheat. Pleasantly sweet and spicy, just the right amount of both. Bitter chocolate at the end. Adding a limestone water ice cube brings out some caramel notes. A bit more creamy or vanilla notes would make this incredible, but for $15 this is fantastic, so hard to complain. 2/11/17 A bit more walnut this time around. Still very good. 3/11/17 Revisiting this after a few months, and it does not disappoint. Smells perfumy and sticky sweet. On the tongue, feels a little thin, although it seems to have a gritty almost sandy texture. The proof provides this with ample heat and flavor. I get pepper, furniture polish, nuts, and bitter chocolate. This has to be one of the best bourbons, if not the best, you can get for under $15. 5/15/17

Caramel and vanilla on the nose. Wood notes on the palate, a bit of sweetness. Slightly harsh kick at the end. Not very complex, tastes young. 2/9/17

Smells clean, slight hints of tropical fruit. Medium body and silky on the tongue, extremely smooth and fairly sweet (if you like some spice or bite in your whisky, this isn't for you). Some grain notes and a bit of banana split, then a light bitterness at the end. Won't blow you away or occupy you with complexity, but still seems like a quality pour. 2/6/17

Tea, soap, and sugar on the nose, no mistaking this as anything but a wheater. A bit sharp on the palate, some caramel and flowers. Reminds me of Weller Special Reserve, but with more numbing spice on the back end. Adding an ice cube made from limestone water adds a pleasant rush of burnt caramel on the front end, a sweetness that lingers, and some bitter notes on the back end. 2/5/17 A bit more vanilla on the nose and palate than the last time, but otherwise the same. I would call this a sharp wheater. 3/3/17

Vibrant and fruity on the nose. Tropical notes and honey. Silky on the palate, smooth and sweet, with pleasant spice. Not too complex, some mild wood notes, and a hint of bitterness. The rum notes aren't too strong, the malt definitely dominates. Nice lingering warmth going down. 2/5/17

Need to give this another run, but initial thoughts are that this reminds me of Booker's without the excess heat. Flavor bomb, nice warmth, fantastic pour. 2/4/17 Great nose, vanilla and brown sugar. Still a flavor bomb. I get cherry, burnt caramel, and cola. Good spice and heat. This is a winner, too bad it's a limited release. 6/16/17