I so much hate doing this. Just a few days ago when I declared the 2022 Russel’s Reserve 13 as my all time favorite bourbon, it got quickly replaced by this one. The RR13 is not in the same league as this. In fact, not a single bourbon I’ve ever had is in the same league as this. I went to a Diwali party last night, where the host had an outdoor table set up. On the side, he had an open bar with a few bottles of wine, and some standard single malts ( Lag 16, Amrut , John Paul, Balvenie, Talisker 10). Nothing we haven’t seen in the middle shelf of a wine and spirits store. But instead, on the way to the kitchen, I noticed there were some exquisite bottles in his home bar. There, I noticed some rarities, all unopened, except this and a Balvenie 25. Afterwards I asked him about this one in particular and what his thoughts were on it. Instead, he asked me for my thoughts on it, and offered a generous 2 ounce pour. This is unlike any bourbon I’ve had. The nose is pipe tobacco, oak, and a musty funk that I would associate with a Hampden rum or even a Springbank. I’ve not had this funk-style aroma in bourbon. Taste——wow. Oily mouthfeel. Sweet icing, vanilla, floral honey. But…there’s that musty funk again. Like old library books. Last time I had something like this was in a 51yr Craigellechie. This is not normal for a bourbon. In fact, outside some very old single malts, it’s just not normal. I’ve had hundreds of bourbons so far, out of which I can count on one hand which are ingrained in my memory: Garrison Cowboy, 2014 Four Roses LESB, RR13 2022. This outmatches all of the. (Granted I’ve not had Pappy or any BTAC) I don’t have the slightest idea what this cost, but I imagine secondary only at this point, and I’m guessing $500 or so. A stunner of a bourbon, easily best in class and top 3 in category