Mayor Pingree 15 Year Black Label Bourbon

Aroma: blackberry, chocolate-covered blackberries, caramel and toffee in the background. Upon opening the fresh bottle, the first pour has some ethanol but also smoky caramel ethanol. A very pleasant aroma before my first sip. After my first sip, the aroma intensified greatly, like someone squeezed a bunch of blackberries into the glass. Delicious. Body: substantial Palate: chocolate, caramel, toffee, a sweet chocolate-infused orange. Smoked caramel on the back of the palate. Finish: long and smoky, sweet caramel. After a few sips, a late peppery note emerged in the finish, unexpected and thought-provoking. Note: this well-aged beauty is from a specific source. I did not win anything in a recent drawing but had the chance to buy this sweet little gem. I wanted a specific aged bourbon and I got it. Here's what could be found about this bourbon from a whiskey publication: This one is a specific batch, utilizing a mash from only seven barrels of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley sourced from a specific supplier and aged 15 years! Part of the aging process occurred in a climate-controlled warehouse in California before being transferred for final aging in Michigan. It is non-chill filtered and weighs in at a hefty 114°. There are only 684 bottles available. My impression is that this, fresh out of the bottle, is an "amazing" dram. A phenomenal bourbon. It is dangerously easy to sip at 57%. But it’s a flavor explosion, and the mouthfeel and finish hit me first. Just huge. After a second sip, I've decided this is exceptionally good. Rated 4.25/5 in the 'love' category.

A powerful aroma of cherry pie, s'mores, leather, charred cherry wood, lemon-lime gummy candies, and fresh raspberries. It has a complex profile and smells incredible. Rich and coats the mouth with flavors of chocolate-covered cherries, toasted oak, tobacco, nutmeg, vanilla frosting, root beer, anise, and cinnamon spice. The finish is exceptionally long-lasting, continuing for minutes. It's balanced with sweet chocolate-covered cherries, tobacco, and toasted oak. This is a serious bourbon and truly remarkable. This 15-year MGP is rare nowadays. It's something special.

Tasty, but too intense for my preference (I don't enjoy high proof).