Fighting Cock Kentucky Straight Bourbon (NAS)

I purchased this on impulse at TW for the princely sum of $18.99. I had no idea which distillery produced it (Heaven Hill), or what its history was (competitor to Wild Turkey 101). I just liked the bottle and it was cheap enough to not care if it turned out to be a... turkey. I've had a few pours from the bottle, but this afternoon decided to sit down with this and the WT101 side by side. Tasted neat from a pair of nice looking shot glasses. After a few minutes rest the FC gives up some sugary caramel. slight ethanol, damp barrel and a hint of dark honey. There's a slight bitterness and a note of old banana peel. In comparison, the WT101 has a more sugary nose that is really not sweeter but equally sweet with a different personality. Its brighter with notes of caramelized sugar, vanilla, baking spice and over-ripe cherries that are starting to sour. The WT smells like a "stronger" drink even though its slightly lower in proof. On the palate the Fighting Cock is slightly creamy with good mouthfeel. It opens with nougat and caramel, dries and shows a bitter turn to the young barrel note and finishes with a confident note of black pepper and ginger. All together a really great showing for a bargain bourbon. The WT101 leans into the cake frosting, vanilla and sugary notes, delivers some fruit and rye elements mid palate and runs towards a nice ginger and pepper finish with a smooth taper to a slightly bitter-sweet close. Its close. Really close. I love the WT101 and its always in my house by the handle. But this Fighting Cock has its charms and is about 15% cheaper than a 750 of the WT. In my market I'm not sure if it is as widely available as WT as honestly I've never looked for it and never noticed. I'll notice in the future. This is a great change of pace and is equal to the bird on the tongue while saving a few bucks. I'm adding a quarter point bias for value as this really balances between a 2.75 for taste and a 3 for price. BTW, I have tried this neat, on ice and in a Manhattan. In the latter this was excellent with Cocchi di Torino sweet vermouth and a couple drops of Angostura bitters. It is a very good mixer bourbon.

It’s one dimensional but hits above its price.

Drinkable, but not very good, thin and heavy ethanol with very little flavor, tastes extremely young, may be ok as a mixer but definitely not a sipper. kind of reminded me of ancient age, but ancient age is better

Very sweet, not much complexity

Not bad, not great. Glad I tried it but won't get again. Would rather have Rebel 100 or EW Small Batch at same price point.

I want to like this a lot, and I think I like it enough. It does what it’s supposed to do and tastes like what it is for what it is.. Maple and grains. Very one dimensional, not in a bad way but not in a great way either. Ice helped it along but then ran away with any flavor. Miss the 6 year age statement

Good basic Bourbon. It's not as good as Wild Turkey but is also $5-$10 cheaper per bottle. Fair trade off

Dry n dirty

This is yet another bang for buck champ. $17 for 103pf of brown sugar/baking spices and oak. Perfectly serviceable sipped neat at a price that’s friendly for mixing, shots or as I’m doing right now…seasoning my BBQ sauce and campfire beans.