I was at a bourbon tasting (Buffalo Trace products) today, and this was my winner, beating out Elmer T. Lee (*gasp*), Blanton's (*gasp*), Eagle Rare, Buffalo Trace (store pick) and Caribou Crossing. So I figured it was worth taking the Col. aside later to do a review and focused tasting... Nose: A sweet, custardy aroma is...overwhelming, but in a great way. Vanilla, caramel, butterscotch, it feels like the toppings for a sundae. Soft barrel notes and spices (cinnamon stands out) add balance to the nose. Taste: That 100 proof goes perfectly with the sweet elements. You get spikes of heat/spice throughout, but it never truly distracts from the strength of this drink: The sweet. Cherry fluff, vanilla and some raisin bread shine here. Finish: The taste sticks with you for a while, but there’s no bad burn for me. It’s an easy transition from start to finish. Value: This is an excellent bourbon that’s worth its price ($45) and then some. It’s one of the best offerings from Buffalo Trace, when you can find it, and is one I’d probably spend an extra $15 on. It’s always enjoyable, an easy sipper with a fair level of complexity for the price point. Overall: 92 out of 100. Just an excellent bourbon at a reasonable price. Good proof, good flavor profile and enjoyable all the way through. This is one I have in my whiskey cabinet, and I always have a backup on hand.