Color: Deep copper-amber Nose: Not a very potent nose with familiar oak, leather, and the slightest indication of alcohol. Palate: (Drank with a large ice ball) First sip is sweet on the front of the tongue, but quickly presents a spicy oak blast and a warm chest hug ensues. This is a very "Booker's"-esque profile — which makes total sense. Yeah, it's got that Beam "nuttiness" and some heavy oak char. It's a potent pour... very spice and oak- forward. As always, the melting ice tamps down the spiciness while revealing something akin to salted caramel. Finish: Long finish with more barrel char and emphasis on "spicy". Final Thoughts: At 13 years, I would expect to place this in the "elevated" column of Bourbon... and that's where it belongs. If there's anything I have learned from these past several years of sipping Bourbon is that "age" — although not automatically being synonymous with "excellence" — will almost always deliver on "complexity" and "refinement". This one definitely drinks per it's proof, and is definitely as refined as you'd expect from such an age statement. Is it all I hoped it would be? Hmmm... not sure. I'm not sure what I hoped for, tbh. Baker's 7 Year I count amongst my favorites, and I'm thinking that is really all I need from this particular brand. This simply didn't stand out enough from the younger version. I acquired this with a Total Wine gift card. Had I paid $$$, I might be feeling slightly... unfulfilled. 3.5 stars for being a quality pour, while not totally convinced that its price tag is warranted. Added 2/20/26: I 'm sipping this tonight. As I was saying originally, this has definitely got a lot going for it. I'm still not totally convinced the price tag is warranted. But it's very good bourbon. Better than what my original review let on. Upping my rating from 3.5 to 3.75.