It all started one rainy, booze-filled evening in Nashville. After visiting numerous honky tonks and what not, well, booze food was in order, pronto. Right off Broadway I found an Italian joint serving up the standards, so I enter and pony up to the bar. After ordering a slice and some mozzarella sticks I begin squintedly examining the spirits. All the standards are there, but like a shiny diamond wedged between Maker’s Mark and Jack Daniels honey vanilla chicken nugget rock salt flavored whatever, a bottle of Booker’s strikes my eye. Being the cheap skate that I am (I mean, money-savvy), I’ve never pulled the trigger on this $75 dollar bottle, but seeing as how I’m on vacation and all, I reach for a $10 spot and order a glass. Holy shit. This stuff took me over like a dream. Surreal, really. Brown sugar, vanilla, maple, bourbon oak, and all the other delights were turned up to 11 and I thought “this might be the best bourbon I’ve ever had!” Yeah, I’m still an excitable boy. One day and one hangover later, I’m still thinking about that Booker’s (and not the slice which was an offense to the very concept of pizza). I needed more, but knew I couldn’t shell out that kind of cash. What to do, mates? Thankfully, the internet had the answer. A few YouTube reviews tell me that Knob Creek Single Barrel is not only the same distillery as Booker’s, but it’s the same freaking mash bill! And as icing on the cake, it’s $40 bucks on the nose in DC! Plus the bottle looks cool despite the less-than-appealing labeling. Let’s just say my local liquorsmith soon found me in line with a shit-eating grin on my face and a bottle of Knob Single in hand. I’m no fan of the regular Knob Creek bourbon, but this stuff is magic. Bottled at 120 proof and aged 9 years, it’s a joke that this stuff is so cheap. The nose, palate and finish are Booker’s without the light wallet. The only reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is that it’s a little TOO boozy. You need to cut this baby down to size with some water, but even a few spoonfuls won’t put out the fire, yet too much will spoil the bold bourbon flavors. So saddle up, folks. Go grab a bottle of this and prepare for a new roommate, because Knob Creek Single Barrel is moving in. 4/5 all day.