Full disclosure: I am kind of a proof hound. I also really like the Belle Meade bourbon I have had. Given that, I really expected to love this pour. However, I found I really liked the basic BM sour mash better. It seems that the added proof hides flavors rather than contributing to them. I kept looking for the extra notes and tones but they never materialized. At $63 and up, I suggest the lower proof version if you want more flavor. Not at all bad, but I just expected a bit more.