Tastes

I'm really struggling to pick up much when nosing this one. Very mild notes of cherry, almost undetectable. Right up front is a peppery rye that's quickly overwhelmed by wheat. It starts off with a raw grain flavor and develops into buttery wheat toast. Fairly smooth finish with a little campfire smoke at the end.

Nose definitely indicates it's a Buffalo Trace product... Sweet and spicy with some soft vanilla. Takes me back to walking through the rickhouse on the tour. Sweet and silky on the palate with a little rye spice balanced nicely with the oak. I'm definitely going to try this side by side with Buffalo Trace as it just seems to scream, young or watered down Buffalo Trace. I know a lot of people make cocktails with this, but I don't feel like it has enough depth and isn't bold enough to hold up well in a cocktail like a Manhattan or Old Fashioned. But... if you want your bitters or garnish to stand out a bit more, this is a nice Buffalo Trace alternative at less than half the price.

Sweet, corn whiskey nose with some light barrel char notes (caramel, vanilla, butter scotch) and sawdust. Slight creaminess on the palate at first that develops into a dry oakiness. Surprisingly oily for 80 proof. The longer its held, the more a peppery rye flavor develops. Swallow too soon and the dry oakiness gets you in the back corners of your mouth with a raw, green woodiness that reveals the immaturity of this bourbon. It's not the best sipper, but it's an easy drinker that would probably be good for someone looking to switch from drinking bourbon on the rocks to neat. It's pretty light and not overly complex. No big bold flavors so it's not likely to offend.

Sweet corn, caramel and citrus nose. On the palate, synthetic cinnamon (red hots) with a little smokiness, slightly bitter rye and then the synthetic cinnamon returns with the alcohol burn followed by a charred oak aftertaste (as opposed to a green woody oakiness).

Sweet nose - for some reason I keep thinking of marshmallows as I nose it. Little nuttiness to go along with the sweet scent. Very smooth baking spices and maybe some green apple on the palate. Light vanilla fades to oak as the heat from the alcohol comes on with a cinnamon stick & rye spice. Honestly, this drinks like a 90 proof bourbon until the very end. This may have a spot in my top 10.

Sweet fruity nose of maple syrup, blackberries... Or maybe blueberries? First sip is that berry flavor followed by heavy baking spices and just a hint of rye on the finish. Quite good!

Much heavier tobacco nose than anything else I have, I think. Lots of hay and peppery rye on the palate. Quite thin and light in color. Not great, but very drinkable!

Clove and light citrus (lemongrass?) nose. Smooth palate. Rich & sweet... Brown sugar, maybe molasses, more clove and peppery rye on the finish.

Very sweet corn & vanilla nose... Almost reminds me of a sugar cookie. Soft and slightly oily mouth feel with more sweet corn alcohol. Finish is more sweetness. I get no rye spice on the finish... Slight cinnamon spice and a little young green woodiness. Probably wouldn't hold up well in a cocktail, but a decent table bottle.

Earthy tobacco and wheat on the nose. The flavor is more of the same, possibly with a little hay on the finish. Smooth and moderately oily mouth feel. Not a bad whiskey, but I expect a little more depth of flavor from a bottle at this price point. (caveat: I've recently recovered from a sinus infection, so my smell and taste may not be back to normal yet)