It is with a heavy heart and an unsteady hand that I retaste this whiskey that was crucial in my palate’s formative days. Without Willett’s hot tasting room lady helping me pick out new flavors, I don’t know that I would care for bourbon today. I really want to think this is great. 2 years ago, I gave this 5 stars. Nose has peanuts, honeysuckle, sugar, oak, lemon, toffee, dill pickle. That pickle thing through me for a loop, but I can’t unsmell it now. Body is very bitter, but not in a bad way. There’s milk chocolate, coffee, caramel, leather. This is like a delicious desert. Very bourbon standard, and solid. Finish is salty, with pepper and mild cinnamon. Bit of dust. The overall vibe is a desert drink. I’m getting chocolate-covered peanuts, praline, a cookie you dropped on the floor of your grammas basement, etc. This is no longer my flavor profile of choice, but I still think it’s well done. I don’t think my notes 2 years ago were leagues off on their content, but my enthusiasm was a bit over the top. It’s fine, but nowadays if I want these flavors, I’d probably look to certain siblings that do them better. Looking at you Noah’s Mill, Rowan’s Creek, a 4 pack of ice spheres and an evening that’s welcoming to bad decision making.