Old Carter 14 Year Straight American Whiskey Batch 8 (2022 Release)

So, here are my impressions of Old Carter. In my opinion, their bourbons are too expensive; they're well-made, younger MGP spirits that don't justify the cost, unless you're a big MGP fan. Their rye is quite good, but I don't have enough experience with rye to offer advice. However, the AMERICAN? That's a different story. It's a blend of bourbon and light whisky from MGP, and it's been fantastic, with this being the oldest expression at 14 years! Nose - It carries the scent of old light whisky! It's quite alcohol-forward, presenting as very vanilla cream pie mixed with generic vanilla, and even some kind of vanilla cleaner. There's also some oak and pastry notes. It's clean, simple wood and extremely alcoholic. Taste - A really good, simple light whisky. It's big, bold, rich, and everything you'd expect from a 14-year MGP light whisky. The issue? It costs $240, it's Old Carter, and it doesn't meet their usual standards. Let's be honest and compare it briefly to their first American release, the benchmark they established. The nose on that one is richer, creamier, and more forward with chocolate and bourbon notes. The taste and mouthfeel are completely different. Butterscotch and viscous textures are abundant; it's a bit rougher and burns, but the flavors are superior. The 14-year expression is very nice, with simple creamy vanilla and just light whisky characteristics... and that's the point. This drinks like a 14-year-old MGP light whisky with no bourbon or other complex finishing. It's good, it's pleasant, and it's overpriced. I'm rating this a 1.75. I love the original American release; it's far better. This isn't bad, but what is going on with this price? I'm sorry, but this is lacking for me. It costs $240, plus a 500-point paywall to get the chance to purchase. This is a miss, in my opinion.