Tumblin' Dice 5 Year Single Barrel Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon

K&L Wine exclusive. Barrel entry: 7/6/15; bottled: 12/30/20. 117 proof; 58.50%. Label lists the mashbill as: 36% rye, 60% corn, 4% barley. Distilled in Indiana (MGP), bottled in Kentucky. N: Butterscotch, shaving cream (as expected from MGP), abundant barrel spice, some ethanol, herbal rye grain, breakfast cereal. P: Sweet and spicy. Corn, cinnamon, barrel char, wood spice, caramel, butterscotch, vanilla, herbal rye, a touch of chili pepper, black tea, a hint of earth and leather. F: Sweet corn, cinnamon, chili pepper, green rye, ethanol, shaving cream, barrel char, a slight smokiness. This one is intriguing. I genuinely enjoyed this bottle. It's high proof, a 5-year-old MGP product, and I typically do enjoy MGP. However, when reviewing my tasting notes, there doesn't seem to be a great deal listed – a lot of similarity between the nose and palate, with limited development. So I'm somewhat questioning what I liked so much about it. I suspect it's simply a pleasant combination of elements that have worked for me previously: a high rye mashbill, a high proof that drinks very smoothly, the MGP profile, and a reasonable price. And honestly, I appreciate the branding – I've visited Deadwood before, and it just evokes a rustic yet fittingly kitsch vibe for me. It's not the absolute best bourbon I've ever had, but it really appeals to me. I attempted to acquire another from the same barrel, but they were sold out. I did find one from a different store and barrel. Offhand, I'm not sure how different they will be, but it will be interesting to compare the notes eventually.

The back label states 5 years old, but the side sticker shows a barrel date of 5/3/15 and a bottling date of 6/10/21, suggesting it's actually 6 years and 1 month old. I've finished a bottle, and from beginning to end, it's impressive. It's all dark and rich; I detect almost no rye notes, nothing herbal or fruity, which would typically be a letdown as I appreciate MGP rye. It also seems much older than 6 years, with the sweet oak masking the herbal notes. There's abundant sweet oak but no ethanol, harshness, dryness, or bitterness, which truly elevates this bottle to a top-tier status for me. The aroma had caramel, oak, maple syrup, butter, pecan, and rum with a hint of rubber, similar to rum, but not unpleasant. The taste was like maple syrup and pecans on buttered pancakes with a sprinkle of cinnamon – delicious. It drinks below its stated proof. The finish is where the vanilla truly shines, an absolute vanilla explosion that lasts. This is an outstanding pour. I haven't tried other Tumblin Dice barrels, but this one is magical for me. The price and value are also excellent.

This was a six-year single barrel selection. It definitely drinks smoother than its proof suggests. This is excellent - truly exceptional. I really appreciate high rye bourbon. I wish there was more floral character. That would have elevated this to incredible. Gallenstein Selection #3 Barrel Entry: 5/3/15 Bottled: 6/14/21 118.40 proof

5 years and 10 months old single barrel pick. Will Ferrill Heritage Liquors pick 2021. 118.8 proof. 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% barley. Dark fruit, cinnamon butter on warm bread. The finish is predominantly rye spice. Medium finish. Drinks like a 100 proof. Very good!

It has a strong spice, bite, and finish. It drinks closer to 120 proof, but I enjoy it. It doesn't taste like any Kentucky bourbon I've encountered, making it a nice alternative. Single barrel, 115.46 proof, distilled in Indiana, five years old.

A young single barrel selected by the store. I appreciated the pleasant warmth and the initial notes of cinnamon and spice. The finish lasts a good while, and generally, I would endorse this and purchase it again.