J.T.S. Brown Bourbon

As a bottom shelfer, I really enjoy the band-for-buck of this boubon. The nose is weak and somewhat dominated by ethanol, but the palette is Cracker Jacks (caramel corn and peanuts) and makes a great daily drinker if you like Cracker Jacks. Still a little weak for mixing, but I've learned to adjust on the bitters and vermouth for my Manhattens (more Bourbon and bitters, slightly less vermouth since the Bourbon is so sweet).

Corn, caramel, brown sugar, oak, char, apple pie, little malt, great for price.

Brown Sugar and a bit of heat on the finish. It's alright.

Brown sugar, oak, and at the end a ton of cinnamon. This is a killer bottom shelf pour.

It's a basic Bourbon that you can mix it drink neat. Nothing extremely offensive but also not complex.

2oz sample from an acquaintance. Strong notes of tea in which I’m not a fan. Bad - multiple flaws.

I mix this (2/3) with Fighting Cock (1/3) to produce a decent 86+ proof daily drinker. With a 1.75L of JTS and .75L of FC at $18 each on sale in Virginia, I can have a decent dram at less than $15/L. On its own, JTS 80 proof is non offensive and a fine mixer - It is also OK over ice, but noticeably basic... just corn sweetness and caramel. Mixing with the higher proof Fighting Cock raises proof, taste, spiciness, and complexity - the mix only lacks a bit of smoothness and wood from older ($$$) bourbons.