I'm really a fan so far of that 78.5% corn mash bill 15 year distillate and well at 190 this one hurt but didn't require as much lube as most. Nose - I'm just getting good fudge and caramel with some vanilla icing. I'm sure I'm smelling oak but I can't even focus on it over that other note. Taste - So this opens up just sweet, not real distinct notes. There's oak and spice that come in and then we transition to these beam like esters and fruity yeasty elements with some peanut butter hints (more artificial candy peanut butter). Going back I start to pick up some more distinct caramel up front with just a good bourbon character. The oak on this one is very high. And this isn't a BTAC or pappy where the sweet offsets it. No this is powerful, full bodied, likely near CS intense bourbon. This ain't for your starter, it's for someone who's spent years with bourbon and know BOLD flavor from young ethanol. I know it's only 107 proof but this has a kick. I think I liked the lost soul more, but this remains a really nice bourbon. So vs that 12 year rare perfection I just did? Oh yeah, I'm going to likely bottle kill that over priced bottle trying to compare it. Well, it's got a lot in common with this in terms of mouth feel. It's hot and bitter and bites and yes it's big boy bourbon. This however despite being bold it's much more pleasant to drink. Just like the old carter, they are both just nice upfront mouth feels that are warm and creamy and rich. The Rare Perfect turns bitter and sour really fast. Too fast. There's a funk on the Rare Perfection that's not making me happy either. While the Senator is intense and oaky it's well done. All this said great older bourbon isn't this tannic either. The oak elements aren't over oaked in that sense that they hide and hurt the overall flavors (that's what I don't want) but instead make the whiskies both more intense and a bit more challenging to drink. I'm at a 2.75 for this senator. I'm saving room to come back and move this to a 3.0 or 3.25 but for now I think 2.75 is right. Above average and into the very good area but not great and certainly not exceptional. 190 for the bottle? I think this is 120 dollar bourbon all day. I'd be ok paying 150 and would consider buying again down the road. I don't hate it at 190, but I'd not buy it again.