Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Bourbon (Batch 12)

Nose: caramel, little red fruit, Body: medium Palate: deep caramel Finish: medium Note: nice, smokey finish. This is a great dram. I think i like the four roses le 2023 more but this is close. This is less complicated but really rich. Caramel bomb

I finally got around to reviewing this heavy hitter of a bottle. Wifey surprised me with this xmas of 2023. I'm about halfway through it present day. My first impression was the spicy heat that made itself known from the get go. Believable based on the 131.1 proof factor. After adjusting, I was able to ascertain the depth this uncut beauty provided. The nose yielded a pleasant group of characters consisting of warm vanilla, caramel, and a hint of earth. The palate contained a fair amount of oak and leather up front that slowly transitioned to subtle notes of chocolate and cinnamon candy on the finish. A bit herbal at times also. This was quite good, but I'm not convinced this warranted a $300 price tag. Definitely worth a taste if you encounter it, but I'd hesitate paying more than $150 for it. Overall, twas a good time.

NOSE - Honey, light nut, light oak and light caramel. Very light nose. Very deep on the honey, got to search for it but once you find it, its there. After it opened up, it smells like a chocolate caramel candy bar. Super sweet and candied. PALATE - Light cinnamon, vanilla and a more raw caramel, not as sweet. More cinnamom as it opens up, with some oak and leather. FINISH - More of the palate.

Not hot, quite complex, but the competing flavors make it a slight task to pick apart. Banana note is too strong and grows unbearable as the whisky sits too long, but nice prune (can be mistaken as earthy) and coffee. Much better than Stagg (Jr.). Probably more similar to Blanton's Gold (not much though)

So nice and tasty. For a high proof this one is so smooth!