Bond & Lillard (2019) – Campari Whiskey Barons Collection Batch #2 – non-age-stated KSBW (reportedly aged “a minimum of seven years”) – charcoal filtered and bottled at 100 proof – distilled and bottled by The American Medicinal Spirits Co. (reportedly produced at the Wild Turkey Distillery), Lawrenceburg, KY

Tasted neat in a Glencairn after a few minutes rest …

Color:  rich amber

Nose: (hints of WT 101 Rye) butter toffee, vanilla spice, caramel drizzle, fragrant oak, honey, lemon zest, clove, herbal & floral spice

Taste:  (refined modern WT) caramel, vanilla icing, white pepper, charred oak, herbal tea, clove, nutmeg, hints of leather

Finish:  (notable spice) medium-long – toasted vanilla, spicy oak, clove, cinnamon, sassafras, pepper, orange peel, faint tobacco & leather

Overall:  Well, this is a pleasant surprise – but – not exactly the surprise I was hoping for. It’s no W. B. Saffell. However, Bond & Lillard batch 2 is significantly better than batch 1. In my comparisons of the two side by side, the differences are night and day. Batch 1 is lighter with a touch more of a youthful vibe, while batch 2 is bolder with an undeniable Wild Turkey backbone. It seems even hints of Eddie Russell’s signature profile presentations are hard to miss.