Luca Mariano Single Barrel Select Bourbon Barrel Strength

Selected by a local store, designated "Gallenstein's #2" Barrel No. 20 Contract distilled at Wilderness Trail Mashbill? 75% corn / 21% rye / 4% malted barley Bottled on 02-10-2023 Age - 7 years, 9 months, 24 days 57.25% abv; 114.5 proof Opened 7 weeks Nose - Smells like Fruit Loops, Corn Pops, bubble gum, bananas, chalk, butterscotch, lemon custard, milk chocolate, mild oak, and moderate ethanol. Palate - Tastes like Corn Pops with a menthol coating, fresh mineral water, old-fashioned bubble gum, unripe bananas, sweet hay, cocoa powder, and saltwater taffy. The finish is long with a fresh minty burst, dry oak, the most chalky Sweet Tarts imaginable, and moderate ethanol. I decided to try this at my new favorite local shop, picking up one of the many brands I'd never encountered before moving to this city. Liquor stores here are full of store picks from numerous independent bottlers, often sourcing from MGP. I mistakenly chose this bourbon because I liked the bottle design and the age statement. It's actually sourced from Kentucky. I initially suspected Barton based on the flavor profile. However, it seems this brand has a long-standing agreement to distill their product at Wilderness Trail and is constructing their own distillery nearby. This clearly shows characteristics of Wilderness Trail, with fresh cereal and chalky fruit notes. I enjoy it more than other Wilderness Trail bourbons I've sampled, though it's not as good as their cask strength rye. Personally, these distinctive flavors would work better with a higher rye mashbill. It's still good and easy to drink, but not a profile I'd want to consume for extended periods. At this price point, there are other bourbons I would prefer. Apparently, the store will soon have an independent bottler rye pick from this brand. That sounds more appealing to me.