Jim Beam Black Label Extra-Aged

My home bar was in dire need of a cheap mixer so I snagged up a bottle of this for $24 in DC (came with 2 tumblers, too!). As someone with limited experience with Beam over the past decade. I figured the abv and spice (according to distiller) would do nicely in an old-fashioned cocktail and maybe even enjoyable neat. The nose is heavy on sweet corn, caramel and punch of vanilla which for me triggered the feeling I’d struck bargain basement gold, but sadly it’s downhill after that. A thin and pedestrian mouth awaited and is bookended with a quick, hot, oaky spice but ultimately flat, blah finish. As far as being a mixer goes, so far so goodish, but I feel a ping of regret for not just getting Turkey 101 as planned. Alas, my rabid search for a bottom shelf but respectable utility mixer continues. Free glasses though! ;) 2.5/5