So, I was in my local spirits store looking for a cheap bourbon for making my favorite whiskey cocktail: Bourbon & Coca Cola. I usually just settle for different Jim Beam varieties, but I thought I mix it up (as long as it was at the same price point or cheaper). It just so happens that this bottle was on sale this week for $16.99 (750ml). Let’s do a quick review for a neat pour and then a sentence or two about how well it tastes with a splash of Coke, and over ice. First, it’s bottled at 41.1% ABV and pours a rich sunset/mahogany. It’s very oily with fat, undefined legs and a train of tiny drops around the glass after a quick spin. The nose is spiced apples with cinnamon and a hint of caramel. Light rye notes also mingle with fresh sawdust and vanilla. The palate is mellow, at first, with orchard fruit and slightly more vanilla. The backside reveals harsh oak and rye spice. It has a light mouthfeel, which doesn’t bode well for mixing it, but it’s decent as a neat dram. The finish is weak vanilla, apples and oak casks. It’s relatively short and inoffensive. Mixed with Coca Cola, it’s dramatically different than my usual Beam & Coke: absence of bananas makes for a more citrusy cocktail and it does seem more lively than my typical go to. It’s a fine way to mix things up. As a score, neat, it’s 2.5 stars. As a cocktail, it’s slightly higher. If I can keep scoring this for $17 I’d gladly use it as a change of pace. Cheers.