Re-review this time with batch 20-01 and it came out before the new 108.7 standard which was belle meade accepting they were putting out an inconsistent product! Nose - So there's a bit of a fruity and yet dry and not sweet element to the nose. Earthy oak notes are balanced with alcohol and bourbon in a really nice neutral level. That said the nose is really enjoyable. It's this caramelized sugar that means a dusty barn with some clean hay and some pastry crust with a really nice touch of savory on an otherwise sweet dram. Balanced in a way that's rare with single malts or bourbons. Taste - This is such a classic bourbon. The nose leads me to expect something a bit out there and MGP can be just that. This isn't at all. It's a rush of vanilla and caramel with an ever so slight rye spice and then just wonderfully balanced oak coming in to bring things together. The rye here is playing so wonderfully well with this creamy Sweet vanilla. Where buffalo trace is the definition of a classic bourbon if you're into 100 or less proof stuff, this is classic bourbon at 112 proof with a rye kick for connoisseurs. Medium finish. Slight funky elements and maybe the most vanilla forward CS whisky I can recall. I'm feeling generous as heck and want to go 3.0, but my rational self will stay 2.75. This batch at about 70 is an easy as hell buy. Heck get 2. These sell fast here but they're not impossible to get or even that hard, I've seen multiple bottles at multiple stores. Oh well, I'm just glad it means I can find better bourbon while other chase blantons for their cute little polo topper.