I'm going to start this review by saying how jealous I am seeing all of you who got your Dickel 15 from a good barrel. My review is for a bottle of the 84 proof, ordered from Blackwell's Liquor (My FOMO caused me to order a bottle in case it came and went in NC before I could grab it). If you've been a member of Distiller longer than 15 minutes, you no doubt have learned that I am an unabashed Cascade Hollow Fanboy. That's why it pains me to have to write the following review. If this current bottle should improve, I will definitely revisit it. APPEARANCE: Great Dark Mahogany coloring. The only identification found on the label is "Bottle 48". NOSE: Best part of this Whisky. By a Mile. Pencil Shavings, Juicy Fruit Gum, Gooey Brown Sugar, Peach, Lemon Pudding, Hints of Floral and Unlit Cigar. Complex. The more time you spend with it the more you are rewarded. I was totally stoked to taste this obvious Nectar of the Gods. NEAT: Odd Citrus. Lemony. That Neon Yellow Lemon Pudding in the little snack cups, Lemon Pledge, Dry Fruity Pebbles or Froot Loops Cereal, A lot of Tannic Bitter Oak on the Mid-palate, Cinnamon, and Unsweetened Cocoa Powder. More Drying Oak Tannins on the back end along with a tingly heat. Bitter Oak and more of the Odd Lemon note coat the Palate after a too hot for its 84 proof finish. SPLASH: Helps some by reducing the bitterness and heat while giving the Oak a more Musty Character, but I'm afraid this is beyond saving. That dominant Synthetic Lemon is still just too much. VERDICT: After some time open, I was hoping a second and third try would help. If anything, it was worse. Knowing that the Artificial Lemon was present made it impossible to ignore. Absolutely none of the Maple and Banana and Char that I love from Dickel. What a letdown after the absolutely wonderful Nose. The Barrel Select, 9 Year Single Barrel, and 11 & 13 Year BIB's are miles ahead of this (Hell, the No.8 and Superior No. 12 are much better). I have discovered that more time in wood gives Dickel heavy fruity notes, but I've never associated any of those notes with "Lemon Pledge" until now. I hope with all my heart that this is just an outlier barrel as Dickel has NEVER let me down before. I've heard that the higher proof offerings (there are several different proof points offered) are better, and I hope so. I was able to find the 96 proof offering at my local store. Luckily (or unluckily, we shall see) I picked up a bottle before trying this one. I will hope for a much better experience and report back after trying.