Lot less proof than previous years of Bday bourbon, but still extremely stellar as always. In usual fashion extremely hard to find and buy, with this years yield at a little over 14,000 bottles. Have had the good fortune to taste a few times this past month and find it rich, silky and a wonderful nose and mouthful. UPDATE on Oct. 1......On a side note, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to me! My unbelievable awesome brother went thru some extreme measures and countless contacts and friends and scored a bottle for me! Soooo Awesome!