To change things up, @Bourbon_Obsessed_Lexington sent me a series of samples that have either shapes or some code on them to prevent me from being able to know what they are until after I’ve tasted them. Will I mistake a rye for bourbon or completely miss a finish, who knows, but I’m dying to find out so let’s continue this blind challenge with the vial that has a star on it. I wonder if this sample is possibly a favorite as it gets that elementary school teacher’s approval of a well done gold star, but time to open the vial and find out if this project is deserving or not. The nose starts with butterscotch cream cheese frosting followed by fruits of figgy pudding, Granny Smith apple peel, and mandarin oranges that transitions to star anise, cardamom, leather and dusty oak with medium ethanol burn. The taste is a medium mouthfeel starting with creamy vanilla pudding along with cherries jubilee and apple crumble that transitions to dark chocolate black bean brownies along with spices of star anise, dill, saffron, cardamom, leather and dusty oak with medium ethanol burn. The finish is long with cherry flavored red vines, apple crumble, cinnamon red hots, a high percentage dark chocolate, dill, cardamom, saffron, leather and dusty oak that lingers for minutes. Wowza, this definitely deserves that gold star as this is a teacher’s pet project that is damn near perfection!!! There are layers upon layers of flavors that I would find each sip with those classic bourbon notes but with earthy minerality of high percentage dark chocolate and black beans mixed in with exotic spices I never thought to find in bourbon that finishes long and complex. So what on Earth is this masterpiece that got that gold star…… Remus Repeal Reserve III!!! Ok, I am shocked and disappointed in myself for not buying a Remus Repeal now. For the price tag under $100, this is an absolute gem and screaming deal of a whiskey that I now have on my radar for when the next release comes out to make sure to grab one.