Game on Texas, game on.... Whiskey night October - enjoying an evening on the porch with a friend, a fire pit, a few blind tastings and a few new bottles. All samples from a Norlan glass. Tasting order: Murray Hill Club, Batch 7 The Gifted Horse, Orphan Barrel Larceny Barrel Proof, A120 Lux Row Double Barrel 12y *Garrison Bro. Cowboy Bourbon, 2019 Saved the most intriguing for last. This thing is dressed like a grand martial and the cost of the box, pillow, small booklet (which does contain some fascinating pics of the barrel heads suggesting they are under filled and barreled at 124), leather, was, stickers and 2lb medallion... I’ll get back to the whiskey now. Second impression - there is earth in this bottle. I did not believe the color, but it is truly mahogany and almost a deep brown and purple, so opaque that the flame of a fire pit could barely penetrate the pour. In the bottom of the bottle there was a cot of sediment so thick that I spurned a small dust tornado in the bottle with a single tilt. Color: see above Nose: at first pop, maybe a hint of sweet youth but that is quickly consumed with a swell of molasses, leather, raisin, smoke, hot tires, barn floor... there’s so much going on it’s hard to stay focused. What is equally amazing is the absence of ethanol at +130 proof - I can bury my nose in the glass and not a singe. Unreal. Body: thick, heavy, slow legs, slightly tannic but minimally drying, conveys a gentle solar heat without bite Palate: tons of dark, sweet dried fruits, molasses, tobacco, baked beans, burnt ends... honestly I once again can’t keep up Finish: long, rich, sweet and earthy How is this 5 years old when it drinks with the depth and complexity of a 10-15 year Kentucky bourbon?? How is it over 130 proof?? Don’t let the youth or bottle bling scare you away, the price is likely justified. Assuming as little as 10% evaporation based on barrel to bottle proof this is a blend of no more than 90 barrels and likely as few as 40 thanks to the Texas heat. Thanks to @dubz480 for drawing my attention to this one. Still so many questions, so few regrets. I’m gonna need a toothpick.