George Dickel 9 Year Hand Selected Barrel

10/7/2017 Stateline Elite, $50 + 7% tax, Note to self, NC ABC sells this for $45

Nose - Sweet vanilla caramel, creme brulee browned sugar topping, light toasted oak, sugar coated brioche. Taste - Dark caramels, cinnamon spice heat, vanilla brown simple, light oak bitterness. Finish - Lingering cinnamon spice, heavy vanilla brown sugar simple with a tinge of green sapling bitterness. Score - 87/100 Final Thoughts - This was a bit surprising to me as I liked it a bit more than I thought I would. It's not very complex and I would say that it's what you think a generic bourbon would taste like, but turned up a notch due to the proof. Not too complex, nothing really offensive, just a higher proof generic "bourbon." This almost tastes like Russell's Reserve 10 if it was 100 proof.

Nice smooth flavor with orange peel, and caramel with a buttery finish.

From The Wine and Cheese Place. A tinge of beef jerky on the nose? And nuts, the signature Dickel profile. On the palate, tastes like cola. A chemical, preservative note to it as well. A unique flavor. The right amount of heat. Again, unique. 7/3/17

The standard Barrel Select is fantastic this is just a step behind. The flavors are still great, but the higher proof doesn't bring the flavors together as well and I'm a proof whore.