Blanton's Straight From the Barrel

128.2 proof... From the nose it's not that apparent that this is a higher proof than the standard Single Barrel offering, and the smell is familiar (meaning, very good). Once you take a sip, however, you realize you're in another tax bracket. Walnuts and peanut brittle smack you immediately, along with cinnamon (the genetically modified kind on steroids). This sharply stings the back of your throat in the most pleasant way possible, and it's warm warm warm going down. An oaky bitterness lingers, along with some nocino notes. Adding a splash of limestone water muted it just slightly, and heightened the vanilla notes a bit. In my view, this isn't just a stronger version of the standard Blanton's, it seemingly tastes like a different animal altogether. This is a muscle car with the engine that sticks out of the hood, the one that gets obnoxiously driven through your neighborhood, rattling the windows of your house as you question its existence, but causes you to daydream what it would be like to be behind the wheel. If Buffalo Trace adds this to the BTAC lineup, I'd understand (even though it probably would be just as hard to find and probably more expensive). Good stuff, worth seeking out. 4/12/17