Very pretty looking bottled compared to older, lower-proofed Rare Breeds.
On the nose, smells very different from the more famous Wild Turkey 101, faint to no hint of rye. Overall aroma is faint from a safe distance, trying to sniff too close rewards you with sharp alcohol burn. If you swirl it long enough, some notes of mandarin oranges and clove cigarettes come through.
On the palate, immediate burst of hot, sweet vanilla puding, followed by slightly-salted roasted peanuts. The vanilla tastes gets stronger on the exhale, but never overwhelmingly sweet like how it can get with the Russell's Reserve Single Barrel.
Very thick, oily mouthfeel that is also visibly very viscous in the glass. The alcohol heat also lingers, creating a very pleasant, warm, coating sensation that is not painfully spicy like most bourbons at this ABV. Some iodine bitterness peeking out a while after taking in larger swigs. Hands down, best bang for your buck bourbon!
Taman Rasuna