Rating: 22/23 I'm re-tasting the last 50ml of a bottle that I've been storing in a mili for a while. N: Not the fullest, but that's often the case with high proof drams. There is some interesting character here, with mature wood mixed with some yeast, a bit of smoke, a little fudge, some faint but nice spices, hints of creosote, and a touch of anise. There's a nice balance here and this is definitely an enjoyable nose. The high ABV doesn't really show through. Oh, a bit of vanilla too with the fudge. P: Creosote, anise, vanilla, mature wood, fudge, and some definite alcohol burn. The spices blend in nicely, adding to the sophistication here. I do taste a bit of alcohol, but it isn't too much. There's a nice complexity here with some flavors that balance well. F: Sure, a bit of the alcohol and burn come through at first, bit then the anise and chocolate make their way in with the rich wood and spices. The herbs and minerals are faintly maintained as well. In the long finish, the minerals do show themselves more. - Conclusion - Elijah Craig A121 is a bit thinner and less complex, with more burn (from the neck). At the same time, it has a lot more fudge, which promises some great future decadence. I thought that this was chocolatey previously, but it has nothing on the A121 Actually, this is the thinner of the two on the palate, but it's fuller on the finish. These are seriously competitive. I'm frankly shocked that the mature version of the B520 could be challenged by the neck of any other release. The complexity is higher here, but the balance is - quite surprisingly - reduced. This also isn't as smooth. It's tough to come to a conclusion, so I think that the two are highly competitive, which is a shocking revelation. Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof (21/23) is more decadent than this, but it's less complex. This comes in with more of that sour mash flavor and fudge. I think that the Jack Daniel's is more competitive with this now than I used to think. Perhaps it's the extra aging and the air took it too far. Wild Turkey Rare Breed (18-19/23) is a bit brasher than this, but it has some nice sweet, fruity funk. I would take this over the Wild Turkey. Would I take this over the Jack Daniel's though? I think it's hard for me to put this behind it, but I might. This certainly isn't a 23. Finishing up my side-by-siding, I'd take this over the Jack Daniel's. I think it maintains its 22 status, but slightly.