It’s been years since I’ve had the standard issue Early Times. I bought a bottle when I was poor and just out of college solely because it was cheap and I thought the name was funny. I just imagined alcoholic’s saying “It’s never too early, for Early Times”. Anyway, I’ve heard good things about this relatively recent Bottled In Bond line. Let’s check it out. The nose has caramel, maple syrup, oak, bread, banana and other baking spices (including rye) and a hint of cooked plumbs. The palate has on the thicker/oily side. There’s caramel sweetness, oak, banana, some baking spices,and a hint of dark fruit. The finish is long and nice with lingering charred oak. This was pretty good! I’m surprised what you get out of this. And for being 100 proof, there’s really not much of a burn after the 1st sip. It drinks like 90 proof. And because if that, I can tell it’s been proofed down, if that makes any sense. I would love to try a cask strength version of this.