Booker's Bourbon Batch 2016-04 "Bluegill Creek"

Let's be real: the proof on this is not fooling around. Bottle lists 128 and the friends I've shared with say you can really tell. Even having largely immunized my tastebuds over the years this runs a bit hot and piquant. But ultimately I quite enjoy that aspect and you can tame things down with a bit of water should you wish. Playing it straight, I get a smooth, grainy sweetness that rises to float above the spiky warmth - almost like cornbread topped with thick caramel sauce. Flavorful but not rich or heavy. Nose will open your sinuses with a light chocolate edge and a tinge of white pepper. Adding water changes things up quite a bit. Nose shifts toward cinnamon cereal and the caramel flavors bloom to fill your mouth.