A younger version of myself once drank a neat pour of Taylor Single Barrel at a restaurant and whiskey bar years back and was blown away. Of course, that was when I was just starting to discover GOOD whiskey and bourbons. And so, much like a fevered teen who had just discovered sex, I was doing my best to taste as many whiskies as humanly possible in each sitting. Today I was lucky enough to score a bottle of Taylor Single Barrel locally and actually have the time to sit and truly enjoy this bourbon. The nose smells of sweet vanilla and some green raisins. Its not bright and fruity rather, a bit darker. That fruit smell lurks in the shadows. The Vanilla and Raisins sit on a platform of ethanol. But it isn't distracting or overpowering, its just enough to remind you that this bourbon is bottled at a healthy 100 proof. The taste is warm sweet and inviting. My God, this is as close to a quintessential bourbon as one can taste. Vanilla sets the stage, rolling across your tongue and ushering in a hint of that raisin you got up front. The front of the taste brings in something dark, sweet and ever so slightly salty - reminds me of salted caramel. As you drink it down, some spice prickles your tongue, reminiscent of black peppercorn. The finish is moderately dry and spicy. You get a bit of fine leather mixed with pipe tobacco underlined with the slightest hint of rye. Boy, what an absolute treat this bourbon is. Like all good bourbons, I wish this wasn't as damn rare as it is. It's nuts that this $60 MSRP bottle will regularly command $200 or sometimes more. And although I am a bit ashamed to admit I did pay a price in that $200 range I can honestly tell you that its well worth the price of entry. Delicious.