Tastes

The nose is very nice. Sweet and fruity for sure. When having a sip, for me, this almost goes down like a mild Scotch--thin and light. I get just a hint of the port wine finishing on the tongue, but the longer the finish goes on (which is not very long) the more bourbon-y it tastes. It's a very light fruity flavor with little spice. Perfectly sip-able, but nothing special in my opinion. The flavors are muted at such a low proof.

This thing packs a big punch at 57.5% ABV, but it has flavor to match. I like to add a small dash of water. A lovely warmth fills the mouth as the flavor develops, along with spice, oak, and peanuts. SO much peanuts. It clings to the tongue and lingers for literal minutes after each sip!

One of my favorite sub-100 proof bourbons. The nose is bright and remarkably fruity. The taste gradtually explodes into warm oak, leather, spice, and roasted peanuts, which linger on the tongue. Super easy to drink, but with tons of flavor. I think this would be suitable for a bourbon beginner and someone who is more acclimated to stronger liquor.

Bold, spicy, oaky. A huge flavor punch, in the best way.

No big surprises here. Typical fruity, sweet, vanilla, oak nose with alcohol burn to match the 100 proof. Taste was not quite as sweet as I was expecting. Some hints of oak but not much. Pleasant. Nothing I can complain about--balanced without any off flavors. However, with all the amazing bourbons we have around, most of which I still haven't gotten around to trying, I don't see myself paying $100 for another bottle of this stuff. I'd consider getting it again under $60. EDIT: I'm back after finishing the bottle. My opinion on this lowered over time. It's "fine," but I am still shocked at how young and light it tasted for the price.

A middle of the road bourbon for me. Typical bourbon nose of sweet fruit, oak, and vanilla, and all those translate to the palate as well. The only surprise is a bit of a grassy aftertaste. The only thing I can fault is that it is a little light. The flavors are there, but lack intensity.

I really hate to be a contrarian here. I know Rittenhouse is considered a staple rye whiskey for mixing, but I think a mixer is basically as much as it can aspire to. The nose is fine, if a bit weak. The opening on the palate is pleasant and starts off with a surprisingly gentle sweetness, but that dissolves into a finish of sharp ash and cigarettes that I don't enjoy. The finish is markedly long, but considering how much I hate the finish, that is decidedly a negative for me.