Well, it's been a long time coming. Took a lot to track this down. And there, I think, is the issue. Had I found this on my own, I'd likely have been impressed. This is a great go-to bourbon, especially for mixing. The nose is full of brown sugar and wood. The pallet is gripping and tight, with a spicy character that holds up well in cocktails. All things being equal, though... I think I'd much prefer Maker's Mark straight or in an Old Fashioned. When I want bourbon, I want bourbon... not rye. But eh, that's personal. The bigger problem is that with hype comes pressure to deliver and an impossible mission. For all the trouble it took, there's no way Buffalo Trace was going to live up to the hassle. And ultimately, a lot comes down to style qand preference.