What to say about MGP? It’s everywhere. Every bottle you’ve spotted and wondered how it got there is probably a startup using youngish MGP juice (or Dickel) and waiting for their own (often questionable) stock to mature (or not...). Where I find MGP really shines is when it’s blended intelligently into something unique. Enter Belle Meade. Known mostly for their lovely cask finishing (except perhaps the Cognac), this is a newish blend from the house of Nelson, replacing the previous single cask barrel proof options. I followed up on this after a highly enjoyable trip through their sherry cask finished bourbon last year. The nose surprises me. For as much rye as MGP uses, I don’t get much spice on first sniff. In fact, apart from some faint bourbony notes, there’s not much on the nose at all. Fortunately, a sip rectifies the nose. This has such a lush, velvety mouthfeel. It’s like bourbon port. The sip is instantly mouth coating, and the spice builds in a crescendo all the way across your palate and down your throat, with a long finish that warrants sitting and contemplating what just happened before you take the next sip. Stunning. I’m told the old cask strength Belle Meades were outstanding. Too bad I missed the boat on those, but I’m happy to have this. If you’re looking for some affordable, well-aged MGP for your collection, this bottle is probably quietly sleeping on a store shelf near you while others obsess over the latest special releases and horsey tops. Highly recommend you check out a bottle.