Willett Distillery 8-Year Single Barrel Bourbon 142.6 proof - Selected by Seelbach's

Age: 8 year

Proof: 142.6 proof

Mash bill: 72/13/15 Corn/Rye/Malted barley

Tasting Notes: The nose is salted maple, funky butterscotch, honey-glazed ham, and sweetly charred oak.

The palate is powerful but still drinks dangerously easier than its nearly 143 proof would suggest. Dr Pepper concentrate meets lime ring candies and dark chocolate, and just when you think it’s going to punch you with spice and proof, it pulls back to just a touch of white pepper, molasses depth, and dark sweetness.

The finish is long and semi-dry, reminding me a bit of New Riff 100% Malted Rye with its balance of chocolate mousse, cinnamon sugar, tropical acidity, and heavily charred oak.