Tastes

Tried Neat: Very vanilla and corn syrup, and a bit of sweet corn bread on the nose, maybe a hint of banana. The 100 proof isn't really hiding but isn't too over dominant on the nose. Mouthfeel is thin, pretty hot but not unbearable. Vanilla, spice, and sweetness up front, and a hint of what I would describe as "maltiness" despite the negligible malt content. Basically fades immediately to a slight dusty oaky finish with a hint of lingering vanilla. Overall not terrible but not exactly the "hype" whisky I was hoping for. It's worth $13 for sure, don't think I would pay over 20 though. I can see myself rebuying this for cocktails, bottled in bond for this price is not bad at all.

Had this quite a while back so can't remember everything about it. It immediately was incredibly spice heavy on the nose, mostly cinnamon. Had a red hots kind of smell to me. Behind that was some nuttiness that came across as almond or walnut maybe. On the taste the nose followed along with a huge amount of vanilla and oak that lingered forever.

Really damn good budget rye. 1L bottle for 24.99. It has this very unique grape bubblegum/artificial candy note that makes it fun to sip neat and also makes some interesting cocktails. This note seems to fade to more bready, honey, and floral notes a it sits. Pretty noticeable oak presence throughout. Doesn't come off as obviously as a rye on the nose but some spice and eucalyptus show on the front palate. Very good and surprisingly complex. I feel like that artificial/medicinal fruit note might turn some off though.

As of right now my favorite budget scotch. Got an entire handle for $23.99. Sweet butter, butterscotch, a bit of peat and a hint of smoke, some maltiness, some light fruitiness, and some grain whisky burn/ethanol note coming in. Taste follows through with a decent mouthfeel and a bit of oilyness along with a added hint of spice. Mid palate there is some fresh rubber and ends quick and fairly clean. Not perfect but incredible for the price. I mix with it and will have it neat when I'm craving scotch and just want something cheap.

I had this a while back but remember it being very mild and having plenty of classic bourbon notes, brown sugar, maple, caramel, a bit of vanilla. Worked great for mixing and was perfectly fine neat, just not the most exciting.