Tastes

Amber color. On the nose — potent spice from the get go that masks more subtle notes of vanilla, caramel and candied oranges. On the mouth — very astringent and spicy. I do enjoy spice when it’s balanced with the more mellow/sweeter flavors typically found in bourbon but the astringent/spice in this one is overbearing. I have to admit, the packaging makes me want to love this bottle. It’s clean and classy and I think that’s contributed a lot to its reputation as a mainstay bourbon. But when I put that aside and look solely at the bourbon itself, I do not enjoy it. I will probably not be drinking this neat again though I may give it some ice/water or bury it in cocktails. Curious what others think - welcome comments below. Cheers - Harrison

Caramel honey color. Spiced apples, cinnamon and maybe just a hint of vanilla on the nose. On the palette, a nice blend of spice and vanilla salt water taffy or spiced egg nog that lingers a bit in the back of the mouth after the short finish. Very solid but perhaps a bit overhyped due to rarity; it’s important to remember in this game that rarity/price are not the same as quality and they don’t always correlate exactly or at all.

Amber color. Notes of straw/hay on the nose along with cherry, spiced apples and cinnamon. Complex nose especially for a lower proof in my opinion. On the palette: good balance of spice in the nose and rich, molasses and cherry on the tongue. A nice easy sipper.

Dark straw/amber color. Spiced apples and vanilla on the nose. Rich mouthfeel with cinnamon, apple, caramel, and a bit of creme brûlée on the palette. Short finish with a little heat. A good value drinker.

Really enjoy this one. Dark amber color. Apples, char-smoke, spice, and butterscotch on the nose. Pleasantly sweet without losing sophistication with spice and other flavors like tobacco coming after the sweetness. One of my favorites to sip neat.

A solid, cheap everyman’s bourbon. Low proof so easy to handle. I typically prefer a stronger bourbon but for easy sipping this does the trick. Sweet and spicy. Vanilla, honey, slight tobacco spicyness on the back of the tongue. Smooth, slick mouthfeel. Extremely short, thin finish. Not much burn at all. An easy all purpose bourbon. Never a show stopper but always reliable.

Sweet but super thin and watery. Easy drinking but a bit too easy. Very short finish. Lacks personality but I suppose as the most common bourbon in the world its personality is precisely that it lacks personality. It’s like the Ford Taurus of bourbons.

I’m a fan of this bonded bottle. Has a nice rich mouth feel and a pleasant combo of sweet followed by spicy that keeps things interesting and keeps you on your toes . A nice, sharp “edge” from the high rye and 100 proof, which isn’t for everyone, particularly those who prefer lower proofs and more mellow whiskey, but it is something I enjoy when my mood calls for it. Great value as well, which is never a bad thing.

Approachable, smooth and sweet. Flavors of caramel, vanilla custard and pecan pie. I’m a fan, particularly at this price point.