After the 17y BiB Masters Keep I thought it would be prudent to turn to the infamous 101. Marshmallow fluff, canned pears, new wood, nail polish, cherries, pink bubble gum, wintergreen. Mild viscosity, warm and spicy with lots of vanilla, a little clove, allspice, bananas, and another ester that I think is the “old book” funk of Wild Turkey. There is balance, such balance between the wood, vanilla, spice and fruit esters. It’s not as “big” per se as Russel’s Reserve SB and lacks the citrus and stone fruit. It’s also not as densely sweet and spicy as Rare Breed. Certainly not as “dusty” as the 17y BiB but that’s not what I want here. I don’t want old, I just want affordable and good. And it is both of those things. I honestly might take this over a Henry McKenna SF World Spirit winning BiB. The body, balance and finish are almost every bit as good with a bubble gum and slight mint twist. Wow. It is “sharper” and less refined than a HM BiB or it’s RB or RR counterparts. It doesn’t “pop” with flavor the way a OF 1920 does and it lacks the earthiness of BT mash bill #1. But who cares? If price is factored in this is a solid 4.5 out of 4.75. It won’t upend anyone’s opinion on whisk(e)y but is a fantastic example of what can happen when grain and wood meet. The heat is quick and tingling but not offensive to a seasoned bourbon drinker. Nothing about this is unpleasant to me neat. That said, at under $20 a bottle this is almost mind blowing to me. No more hunting thanks, I’ll sit on the porch and drink Wild Turkey 101 any day. If the unaffordable scotches and allocated bourbons all disappear some day but this remains then we will all be ok. Actually, better than ok.