Belle Meade Cask Strength Single Barrel Bourbon 9 Year

I'll be the first to admit that I rarely favor bourbon as much as I do scotch or Irish whiskey. Bourbon often seems predictable and heavy-handed. This is an exception. I've never encountered a whiskey quite like this before. The aroma only hints at the complex palate, but the deep, rich vanilla, caramel, and earthy woodiness is incredibly appealing. The palate is simultaneously sweet (vanilla and clover honey), woody, spicy, herbal (almost medicinal), and earthy, with a lingering rye spice and bitter herb note. If all bourbon offered this much, I'd likely drink it more often.

Hurry to your nearest liquor store and grab a bottle. This pour possesses all the desirable qualities of a bourbon with none of the downsides. It's sweet, has a mild burn for being over 100 Proof, and a fantastic (vanilla frosting?) finish that lasts indefinitely. This spirit is far superior to many bourbons with higher prices on the secondary market and is a bargain at $70. I sampled Barrel 3136 – 10 years old – 104.5 Proof.

#1384 ABV 57.2 Barreled 4/27/06 Aroma: red berries, oak, citrus spice Taste: Fried sugared plantains, almonds, mature molasses. Robust, bold & complex. Cherries and orange are present underneath. Conclusion: long with a rye bite. Fully satisfying if tasted neat at room temperature. I'm typically not a fan of sourced spirits, but this drink is exceptional. Found for $65 at my local shop in Memphis. I would happily pay more again! A must-have for fans of SB cask strength.

This bourbon is a bit harsh when consumed neat, but adding a few drops of water significantly enhances it, making it absolutely delicious. It boasts many sweet notes and is very buttery. The intensity from the proof affects the roof of your mouth rather than your throat as you drink it. It retails for around $50-60 and is worth the price. Bottle #318, batch 106, 105.5 proof.

Tasted at a venue in Chicago. Nose features orange and nutmeg with some allspice and a touch of cherry. Palate is like mulled wine, very warming but not overpowering alcohol. A bit of toffee and caramel with some chocolate appearing after a few sips. Finish has a slight burn with some grassy notes. A truly excellent bourbon that I will need to add to my collection.

Bright reddish brown hue. Rich chocolate and sweet leather on the nose. Some genuine complexity on the nose. Initial taste of dried fruit, then sour cherries. Once again, I feel I'm encountering a very intricate whiskey that will become more intriguing over time. This is truly wonderful. I tried batch 2D bottle 298.