8 year local store pick. First we have splinters. Dry, woody splinters. This takes some time to open up. Some deep notes of cherry pie, tobacco, milk chocolate, varnish, nutmeg, pepper and cardamom. Each inhalation also results in a painful, and subsequently numbing sensation. There’s no hiding the 126.8 proof. If someone handed me this I might blindly assume it’s Bookers. After all, this is a 120+ proof 8 year Kentucky bourbon. The wood notes really predominate and there is is a nuttiness to it This is hot but is also bright and oily. There is a noticeable amount of wood and cherry - hallmark Elijah Craig. The proof allows some unfolding of flavors as the oil sits on the tongue. There is a great deal of spice and a slightly bitter wood tannin to it. If I had to guess this spent 8 years near the top of a rick house. Adding water brings about a bit more complexity and sweetness. A bit if brown sugar comes out and the spice profile shifts from sharp to being a bit more rounded but it’s still peppery. Early verdict - this lacks the complexity and balance of a good ECBP 12 year small batch blend. Compared to other single barrels of similar ages I’m a bit conflicted. JDBP is softer and fuller. Old Forster barrel proof is a tad more complex, but I’m not sure I love the overall profile as much as this. Not an entirely fair comparison, I will say that Stagg Jr also has a more appealing spice profile and Bookers… this is pretty similar to Bookers. Price, I believe, was around $85 - so $10-20 above a 12y ECBP semi-annual release. With the relative scarcity and assured markup on the part of my local liquor store I don’t think that’s too unfair. This is the same price I paid for OF barrel proof and several Bookers, so again reasonable. If I could still find JDBP at $55 this story would take a different direction but that, alas, seems to be (locally) a thing I’d the past.