Cleveland Bourbon

The bottle states: “We don’t wait for it to slowly age in a warehouse, leaving the art to chance, the craft to fate.” They further claim to use science to produce “quality whiskey faster— but better.” This distillery's approach immediately puts me off, significantly. I have strong reservations. Moving on to the flavors. The nose lacks any astringency and is nearly odorless, which is surprising for a 100 proof spirit. The aroma is subtle and floral. The body and finish deliver a concentrated burst of flavor. I detect butter and sugar, with no variation. It's very reminiscent of white dog whiskey. The mouthfeel is exceptionally mild— too mild for my preference. It feels buttery with minimal heat. The absence of complexity in this bourbon is evident. My apologies to science. Regarding value: My opinion is divided. As I've stated, I oppose this distillery's methodology. I greatly admire distilleries that follow traditional methods. I understand they've received innovation awards, but the lack of complexity makes this whiskey noticeably young. Their "Pressure Aging" technique hasn't compensated for this. However, the label indicates: "Aged a minimum of one (1) month.” The color achieved in that time is somewhat impressive. And it costs only $26. So, for flavor, are there other bottles on my shelf priced at $26 or more that I favor over this? Yes. Will I purchase it again? Unlikely, unless something changes. Give me Buffalo Trace, made traditionally, at the same price, with more complexity. That's my preference. On the subject of Buffalo Trace, a final thought: a significant portion of a bourbon's cost is due to heavy US government taxation. Furthermore, while all bourbon is subject to regional tax rates per gallon, there's an annual tax on aging. Combined with the fact that aging reduces the volume in the barrel, it's easy to understand why older bourbons command higher prices. I'm including this explanation to highlight that this one-month-aged whiskey has the same shelf price as a 7-9 year aged Buffalo Trace. I'd like the Cleveland distillery to clarify why. I cannot endorse this.

The sentiment behind this one is what counts. Since I received it for playing the organ at a Greek Orthodox wedding in Cleveland in the summer of '14, I'm afraid I'll always have a fondness for these good people. While a few excellent things emerge from Cleveland - LeBron James, Great Lakes Brewing, wine, LeBron's return - this was not one of them. It burns my throat with an ether-like fire, reminiscent of a city with a burning river, and then sweetens the palate with a tangy, oxidized, pale, sugary regret. Kudos for the innovation, but whiskey is often best crafted with patience. Beyond the oxidized aging, this whiskey feels empty. However, its simplicity might be its saving grace, considering the price. The drink does develop with ice, and locals tell me that's how it's usually enjoyed.

Nose: Black Cherry and Alcohol Initial taste is alcohol primarily, with some hard-to-place oily wood, but it all happens very quickly and goes straight to the Finish: Intense burn with hints of apples and cherry, but mostly charred wood and heat. I'm glad I tried it, as it's an interesting experiment that might improve with age. At this stage, I find it inconsistent and, as others have noted, not fully developed.

It's not bad. It has a somewhat syrupy consistency and a smoky flavor. My expectations were low, but I find it slightly better than average for my palate. It's quite smooth with a decent finish too. I had to deduct 0.25 points because it's an Ohio bourbon... Go Blue!

This is the worst bourbon I have personally ever tasted. As a devoted fan of Cleveland sports and a local resident, I had hoped for something better. I nearly discarded it, but instead, I gave it to a friend who indicated he didn't dislike it. I will never purchase it again.

Disappointing. The aroma is sweet and fruity. The taste is cheap and burns.