Tastes

Very light and fruity. Nothing bad here, but nothing to write home about. This might make a great entry-level bourbon for those who arent used to the typical bourbon profile. But for those who prefer a high-proof, full flavour bourbon experience, it leaves something to be desired.

Nose: citrus, mild baking spice, red fruit, mineral. Taste: very mild, slight mineral, oak. Finish: pepper and cinnamon, very short finish. Overall: Very run-of-the-mill. The mineral flavors are not the most pleasant. No strong flavors, short finish, and kind of boring drinking it neat. Not bad, but not very good either. Score: 2.5/5

Blind test: Maker’s Mark 46 Nose: sweet and fruity. Cherry maybe. Light hints of cinnamon and baking spice. Taste: oaky, leather, mild sweetness. Vanilla, pepper. Slightly hot, I would guess the proof is 100+. Finish: strong cinnamon, pepper, long finish. Overall: pretty solid and interestingly complex. I was very surprised to learn this is Makers Mark 46. On previous pours, I picked up on the smoky woody flavor way more than this time. Very interesting how the experience can change like that. Still very good, but for whatever reason I’m not picking up on as much complexity this time. Score: 3.5/5

Blind test: Michter’s Small Batch Nose: caramel, brown sugar Taste: caramel, brown sugar but not too sweet, pepper, oak, vanilla. Doesn’t taste/feel high proof. Finish: rather long finish with that brown sugar sweetness, black pepper, plus cinnamon. Overall: some very interesting flavors here. The oak, brown sugar, pepper, and vanilla is an interesting combination. I can’t say I love it, but it is certainly not bad. Score: 3.25/5

Blind test Buffalo Trace Barrel Select Nose: fruity, caramel, Taste: sweet, fruity, caramel. Flavors aren’t strong but they are pleasant. Tastes low proof. If whatever this is was higher proof it could be great. Finish: the caramel/fruitiness is still there, plus some cinnamon. Overall: very pleasant and easy to sip. The caramel/fruity not lingers throughout. Very little complexity or evolution as the drink continues, which is likely due to a lower proof point. Whatever this is, if it was higher proof I might love it. Score: 3.5/5

Nose: sweet and fruity, light baking spice, vanilla Taste: sweet, hints of baking spice and cinnamon, vanilla, warm. Decent evolution over the course of the drink. Finish: cinnamon, baking spice, decently long finish Overall: 3.5/5

Jim Beam Double Oak Blind Test Nose: oak, light vanilla, nothing bad, but no strong aromas. Taste: Similar to the nose. Nothing all that remarkable, light oak, vanilla, pepper. Doesn’t really evolve over the course of the drink. Doesn’t seem to be high proof. Finish: pepper, cinnamon, fades quickly Overall: 2.75/5 Nothing bad here, just nothing interesting. The primary flavor is of course the oak, which make sense. Works as a supper, but probably better as a mixer.

Nose: light vanilla, ethanol, leather, oak Taste: smooth, vanilla, cinnamon, slight apple pie, the proof is there but not overwhelming. The flavor evolves over the course of the drink. Finish: Cinnamon, fairly long finish Overall: 3.5/5

Elijah Craig Small Batch Blind Test Nose: light, peppery, oaky, wood smoke Taste: smooth, light caramel sweetness, slightly peppery, not very complex but not bad. Finish: slight cinnamon, peppery, Overall: 3/5. Smooth and pleasant, but little complexity.

Benchmark Bonded Blind Test Nose: baking spice, bread, light, nothing unpleasant but nothing special either Taste: baking spice, very similar to the nose. Baking bread. Slight vanilla. Not complex, but what it does, it does well. Doesn’t seem to be high proof. Very drinkable neat. Overall, this is very similar to Evan Williams Bottled in Bond. Finish: cinnamon, baking spice Overall: 3/5, simple, but does what it needs to do. Great for the price range.