Bondstone Double Oak Kentucky Straight Bourbon

From the new IJW distillery. Smell: Sugary, caramel, vanilla, smoke, wood, a touch of citrus and cocoa. Taste: Still sweet at first, like bubble gum, with some vanilla and caramel. The middle has a slight dryness, then shifts to smoke and spice. A bit of nuttiness is present, vaguely reminiscent of Heaven Hill. End: Brief but peppery. I suspect this is a bourbon with a lot of rye. Wood, spice, citrus, a whisper of mint. It doesn't bring to mind other typical double-oaked bourbons, but for a less expensive double-oaked option, it's decent. The spiciness gives it a slight resemblance to 2XO, though with less intensity and at about half the cost. The taste won't overwhelm you, but it's enjoyable.

A thoughtful Father's Day present from my wife, recommended by Total Wine. It's quite good, I must say. The barrel aging is fairly standard. The aroma presented the typical baking spices, but with an unexpected hint of banana. The flavor profile included a good amount of cinnamon, vanilla, and a subtle oak presence. There's some warmth, but it's generally easy to drink with a relatively short finish. This is certainly a reliable choice for days when you desire a straightforward drink that gets the job done without much fuss. It also offers excellent value for the price.

A complex High Rye Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey crafted by IJW Whiskey in Kentucky. It undergoes a minimum of 4 years aging in new charred American white oak barrels, followed by re-barreling, before being bottled at 45% ABV. It begins aromatically with hints of grain, wood & spice; transitions to a spicy profile with notes of honey, vanilla, oak, rye & cinnamon; culminating in a balanced, medium-duration finish. March / July 2023 / February 2025

The nose offers sweet fruit and autumnal spices like cardamom and nutmeg. The palate is a bit more vibrant with cinnamon, chocolate, and a hint of oak. It's not overly woody, especially considering it's re-barreled. The finish is brief but enjoyable. Overall, a pleasant, well-balanced, and mellow whiskey.

Gentle on the nose, with notes of oak, apple, vanilla, cherry, and a hint of cinnamon. Exceptionally smooth, almost creamy, and sweet, featuring flavors of vanilla, oak, cinnamon candies, cherry, and char. A mild, slightly spicy finish.

As expected from double oak, the aroma presents caramel and wood. The finish offers a hint of spice. It's decent, but not amazing. A good option if you're spending less than $40.