Winchester Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey

Mini bottle because this doesn’t look good but what the hell. Very pale as expected after “a year and a day”. (P.s. I don’t think the extra day does anything. Nor does it seem an effective marketing gimmick when it comes to something that for which quality actually takes time. But what do I know about marketing bottom shelf whiskey?) On the nose it’s weak; mostly ethanol, with toasted grain and hints of vanilla, pepper and apple. On the palate it’s thin, not far beyond a white, sweet and boozy, with alcohol, sugar, pepper and a touch of vanilla. Alcohol and sugar finish.

Good flavor, not bad

The bottle says it’s aged a year and a day and you can definitely tell.

Good taste but not smooth

Terrible Young/corny Has a bite

Nose - maple syrup, butter, chemically vanilla and caramel, frosting, sawdust, fresh oak, charcoal, nondescript spices, high ethanol burn. Taste - sweet vanilla, caramel, sawdust, charcoal, more nondescript spice, maple syrup, high alcohol bite, finishing fast with sawdust and hot, young alcohol flavors. Not good, although I appreciate the heat on it. Many of the bottom shelf bourbons I’ve tasted are extremely cloying. This borders on cloying but doesn’t quite go all the way. Nonetheless, at $20 a bottle this is more expensive (and at least three years younger) than EW BiB and nowhere near as good.