Saint Cloud 7 Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon

“Pegasus” 123 proof, bottle 119 (of an unknown total). So, to begin with, the bottle is outstandingly sleek and the cork rather hefty. The details are above average for an NDP bourbon - its KY distilled (pot still nonetheless - more on this in a minute), at least 7 years, single barrel, NCF and barrel proof. Corn, rye and malted barley (so no wheat). I read up a bit on Ray Walker’s fiascos and almost ran. I want so badly to believe this will be good and that the packaging isn’t sheep’s clothing... The pot still component leaves me wondering. There are only so many KY distillers that utilize a pot still. Willet (which on statistics and hubris alone this cannot be), Woodford reserve and Makers are the big 3. Can’t be makers without wheat. Town branch is a possibility, along with several other smaller distilleries. Would they have contract distilled this? Do they actually have enough aging stock to part with a handful of 7y barrels? When all else fails, drink it and guess! On the nose there is moderate stone fruit and caramel along with sawdust, sweet rye bread (think Outback Steakhouse if you dare), bubble gum, mint and a bit of ethanol. The proof beings this alive on the palate. Bubblegum, pineapple, vanilla, faint mint, maybe coriander and orange creamsicle. The mouthfeel is medium in viscosity but leave a light, oily finish where the oak shows up for the first time and the sweet notes ride along for several minutes. This isn’t bad but it’s just not for me. I’m left wishing there were more earthy and spicy notes. This is so bright. The sweet notes all work together but the balance isn’t there for me. There are no real flaws though. What I will say is that the proof saves this. It drinks like Peerless bourbon, which is half the age this is. For $200 I would be furious with myself. For $150 I would he highly disappointed. I managed to snag this for $80 and will say it comes nowhere even close to an widely available $80 Barrell Craft bourbon blend, Bookers, Remus reserve or even a Makers Private selection if we are considering age and proof. Nothing about this says Woodford and certainly not Willett. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a Town Branch product. Admittedly though I have no clue on this one. Fancy bottle is definitely compensating for something. Other barrels sound better than mine but Pegasus is a donkey passing itself off in expensive, mythological clothing.