Trader Joe's Kentucky Bourbon Straight Whiskey

Very good for the price

Tasing neat. Nose is dominated with alcohol, with some oak and a little caramel. Tasting starts with light sweetness, oak bitterness and hot-ish cinnamon that's pretty consistent through the finish. The middle adds soft, oaky, dessert spice and a little red apple that gives way to some saccharine sweetness that results with a red hot candy finale. A little water didn't seem to tame the heat/harshness, but took out the complexity and brought out more saccharine in the finish. Not a bad bourbon by any means, especially for the $$, but I wouldn't call it smooth or complex. It's definitely in the Barton family as it does share some general characteristics of 1792 with the heat, oak, and cinnamon. It improved for me with some air time and hand heat, as it brought out the more round and delicate flavors that you'll find in Old Barton. Think of it as a love child between 1792 and Old Barton, but a little younger (though I wouldn't say it tastes young) and with different barrel selection. I'll probably pick up another bottle when I'm close to empty and am shopping at a TJ where they sell spirits

Lacks complexity and has a rather weak finish. But if you’re looking for a $15 whiskey, you could do MUCH worse.