1792 Full Proof Straight Bourbon

Reading through the other tastings here, I see some love, I see some hate, and I have to say, I really don't understand the hate. 1792 Full Proof carries a quintessential bourbon profile. The nose is oak, vanilla and cinnamon spice, this last perhaps emerging from the fact it's 125 proof. The palate has a creamy mouthfeel with caramel emerging to accompany the vanilla, oak, and spice, and the finish is long and lingers, leaving me wanting more. In fact, I had lucked into this online, since it's allocated in my area and was almost hesitant to buy it with the way people were lukewarm about it, but it's $45, which puts it in the same ballpark as Maker's Mark Cask Strength, and having tasted both, I'd say they punch the same weight with the Maker's having a few notes of chocolate and cherries to perhaps push it a bit over the edge. But although I prefer the Maker's CS, it's also widely available in my neck of the woods, so when I stepped into the store last week and saw 1792 Full Proof on the shelf, I nabbed myself another bottle and might pick up a third this week if it's still there, you know, just for good measure. A lot of higher priced Cask Strength and Full Proof bottles are more complex, I'll grant you that, but they're also selling for anywhere from $20-$50 more than this. So for my money, I'll take 1792 FP anytime I see it on the shelf and bring it home and enjoy it. For all of you who dislike it, well, more for me, right?

Nose - almost all caramel and honey, very sweet Palate - caramel, honey, toffee, oak. Finishes with mild clove/spice

Not as much clove/spice as I expected for the proof. Carmel notes and a lot more oak flavor than small batch. Much longer mouth feel. Maybe some pecan in there.

Small batch 1792 to me taste like slightly spicer Buffalo Trace. This full proof is a quick kick of cinnamon and spice. Once it hits it mellows off quickly. Good pour and is good with a cube.