Backbone Bourbon Uncut Single Barrel

After being surprised by the quality of their 4 year Rye I was excited to try the Bourbon Barrel pick from my local shop. Hopefully it is just as surprising, although this time my expectations are definitely higher. Nose is really sweet here. I would say caramel, but it's almost cola like to me. A little ethanol due to the young age, but not overpowering. First sip is caramel forward for sure. At 60% i expected this to be really hot, but it is surprisingly not. There is gentle cinnamon burn that starts mid sip, but never reaches the peak any barrel proof offerings do. The finish is quite warming as opposed to burning and fades of to a soft butter toffee close. Overall this isn't quite as surprising as the Rye. Lots of traditional bourbon flavors here done really well for a 5 year. They may not be the prettiest bottles in the world, but the juice inside is pretty damn good. Definitely recommend giving this brand a try if you see it on the shelf.

Illuminatos barrel pick

Neat. Open for ~6 months. Cork n Bottle 7 year pick. First impression of this bottle was average. Decided to explore it again today. There is a surprising green grass, young brightness to it for 7 years. I have had a few 5 year MGPs recently that we’re rich and deep without the young note. There is a great butterscotch note. Very rich. Surrounded by vanilla and baking spices. Hint of cherry too. Medium mouth feel, bit thin on the edges. Bright vanilla upfront front gives way to the butterscotch and baking spices. That cherry comes back on subsequent sips and lingers on the legs. This is an off profile MGP. It has familiar notes but I would probably not guess this is MGP blind. That rich butterscotch note holds up the entire experience but it is just okay.

Neat. Neck pour. Cork N Bottle 10 year SiB. Wow, I would mistake this for a rye. I am so surprised by this nose. It makes me think WhistlePig it is so rye forward. Behind the dill and rye, I get a hint of mint, creamy caramel and butterscotch, an amazing vanilla, black pepper. I love this but shocked it is not a rye. Nice, creamy mouth feel. Vanilla and black pepper on the tongue. Transitions to caramel, cherries, dill, vanilla, butterscotch. Definitely a more familiar MGP bourbon on the taste. The prominent dill is still a unique characteristic of this barrel. The dill really punches you in the face on subsequent sips. I know this is the high rye mash, but it is so rye forward that I would guess it’s 75%+ rye. Not barely rye like Pikesville, but a vast majority rye. The cherry and butterscotch of the taste ground it into familiar MGP territory. Not the most delicious MGP I have, but maybe the most interesting.

Tremendous up front flavor, smooth, with a light touch finish.