So this is actually my SECOND bottle of this, the first one was sampled out and well frankly I drank it lol. So onto bottle 2...and perhaps a chance to decide if I need a 4th or 5th bottle. Oh quick note, 12 year old MGP, 100 proof, aged 18 months in a sherry cask, I'm assuming first fill. Nose - On the nose right off I get honey, light berry's, rye spice, a bit of waxy/plasticy notes, a firm amount of very neutral oak. This is very sweet with likely a vanilla undertone. The MGP bourbon is mostly muted but that rye note that comes up and gives the fruity flavors a bit of an awkward arrival is almost certainly from that characteristic rye mash on MGP. This is rich, unique, and very special. Taste - The first thing to say is this is a bit drying and as such I think the 100 proof was a good decision. Upfront it's sweet and just sugary with this rush of honey that's had fruits soaking in it. I'm thinking a tart strawberry covered in honey that's been aging in an oak barrel. The finish however is dry, funky notes come out, some rye, some bitter oak, and almost a baby vomit like element has come to mind a few times and I don't have kids so I'm struggling with how or where I'm going here. So overall impression is that this doesn't drink like a bourbon. The sherry casks have absolutely taken over and now the MGP rye and sweetness is working just as a back end platform to show case these casks. It's very tannic likely from the sherry cask, this is both a good and bad thing and I'm having mixed feelings as it adds complexity but does somewhat have off putting moments. I love the fruity sherry flavor, it's really hard to put my finger on it exactly, I just think red berry but muted with oak and honey. So overall this is an incredibly different whisky and it's down right fun and enjoyable. I might have to strongly consider seeing if I can land another bottle...as I think one of the 2 backups I have is spoken for. So score is tough here. I really like it. But there's more to a score than if I like it. I have to consider that this bourbon was overwhelmed by sherry. I have to remember those tannins that over power. I have to debate if the finish is long enough. Is there enough complexity? And in doing that, I have to say this is short of being exceptional. So I'm coming down to a 3.0. I think once you break a 3 for me there needs to be some kind of mix of no flaws and some great notes or a wow factor that overwhelms the flaws. Here I don't think we get there and that's ok. I've been grading a lot more favorable lately I noticed so I'm also trying to get more centered and back to a consistent number. So if good springbank 12 CS's are 3.25 and I think that's fair, this should be a 3.0.