American Highway Reserve Bourbon (Route 2)

Heavy vanilla nose. Nice spicy finish. Score should get low 90s on flavor. Expert score maybe low due to $$? Little overpriced but still good.

Suggested by a liquor store owner, I decided to give it a shot (not sure if he just wanted to get rid of the inventory or recommend a good dram). On the nose, there was something familiar and nice. A little oak, caramel, dark sugar... overall, nothing insulting. On the palate, it was good, with more oak and caramel notes and a little licorice toward the back end (at least for me). The finish was soft, medium lasting, but at 49%, this hits me on the spot. Not too hot, not too spicy, easy sipper. The cost is another subject. Overall, I think this is a good and easy sipper, but for the price of $80, in my area, is too much. For that price, you can get a Russell Reserve's Single Barrel, two Russell Reserve 10 years, or two Eagle Rare (if you can find them at MSRP). But I guess this is the trend with celebrity whiskeys. Outsource whiskey from reputable brands, do something different with them (put them in a trailer) and sell them at a higher price.

Tastes like a gimmick. Meh, like Paisley's music.