Winchester Kentucky Straight Bourbon

A good friend and business partner swears by this stuff. Every time I see him he keeps asking if I've tried it. Finally, while out of town on business, I caved in and bought a small miniature taster from their local Total Wine. The nose on this one smells like sweetened corn syrup mixed with bubble gum and green apple lollipops. Insanely over sweetened and smells like it was made in a lab somewhere. The front of the taste mirrors that super sweet corn syrup that was on the nose. Candy corn mixes with tongue prickling astringency... tastes like someone tried to flavor bad moonshine with a bunch of everything sugary and artificial. The sweetened corn syrup theme carries to the finish but this time goes way too far in the direction of artificial fruit. Gummy apple rings come to mind. Out of left field comes a perfume-like floral quality in the finish. Man... this one is rough. Not really sure what I expected. I mean, I did finish my pour. It isn't the most disgusting thing I ever tried but if you really only have $25 to spend on a bottle of hooch maybe just go with Maker's Mark.

Nice flavor, pretty smooth

A honeyed nose gives way to a palate that makes one think a cheaper scotch (a la Famous Grouse) somehow accidentally became bottled at O.Z. Tyler at first blush. A little air and time in the glass and faint, honeysuckle bourbon notes attempt to make their presence known. Thankfully 50ml minis exist at places like Total Wine to discern whether a bottle like this belongs in one's rotation. Not sure if this would be a nice add in to an egg-nog; but it probably would be "OK" in a high-ball...maybe.