Pinhook 8 Year Bourbon War True Single Barrel/Vertical Series

Selection from a curated list, "Gallenstein Selection #5" Nose brings honeycomb, inexpensive caramel sweets, florals, subtle vanilla, newly mown lawn, mild spice, gentle wood notes, and noticeable alcohol. Taste features Honey Nut Cheerios, sugary grain, imitation vanilla, a slick oily oak texture, and a warm cinnamon roll. The aftertaste lingers a good while with some astringent wood, piquant white pepper, ground cinnamon, breakfast cereal, and moderate alcohol. My initial impulse was to score this lower considering the price, yet I find myself returning to it and savoring it. I've had numerous MGP high-rye bourbons, but their low-rye counterpart seems more reliable for this age bracket. It's less substantial, sweeter, and less cereal-forward than many options in the 5-8 year span. Do I still wish I hadn't spent $90 on it? Somewhat. However, I did find the standard 8-year Bourbon War Vertical on sale recently, and this expression surpasses it.