Cyrus Noble Bourbon

Appearance: Pale to medium orange-amber. Smell: Pleasant aroma! A bit sweet with leather and cloves (evokes a "holiday" feel). Notes of apple and a very faint hint of alcohol. It's the kind of scent that makes you anticipate the taste... Taste: Light texture in the mouth, followed by an intense warmth at the back of the throat. This might sound unusual, but it's the most revitalizing bourbon I've ever experienced. It's fruity and spicy, with a touch of sweetness. However... I have to admit, I was expecting something more impactful. It's not particularly remarkable, but it's not something to dismiss either. It's decent. Yet, I prefer my bourbon with more smoky and nutty undertones, and a bit more body. This bears a strong resemblance to other "good but not great" bottles I've encountered, where a lighter profile and more citrus/fruit notes are prominent. Perhaps future tastings will reveal more depth? Based on the initial two experiences, it merits a respectable 2.75 stars, with potential for improvement. A side note: The bottle itself is attractive. Light shining through from behind highlights some interesting details. Update 8/18/23: Indeed, this won't be a regular in my bourbon rotation. It strikes me more as a light single malt whiskey. I'm lowering the rating from 2.75 to 2.5. Update 11/25/23: This bottle has been around for some time, and I decided to try it again tonight. I detected a flavor tonight that I hadn't noticed before: an almost beer-like hop taste. Quite peculiar. While I'm not fond of beer, I'll be generous and maintain my rating at 2.5.

This is a 5-year-old spirit from Heaven Hill (the evidence and flavor profile strongly suggest this, though not explicitly stated). While acceptable, I can acquire older, superior Heaven Hill spirits locally for significantly less. It's not a bad whiskey; its price point and competitors detract from it. Flavors include chalky vanilla, grape drink cream soda, corn husk, and rye, along with leather and cinnamon. It also exhibits caramel corn, cut grass, chocolate, orange zest, and a noticeable alcoholic presence. Banana, custard, and a faint hint of a lumber yard are also detected. It has a light mouthfeel and presents very typical bourbon characteristics, including maple and mint. It's an adequate bourbon that reasonably represents expected bourbon flavors, but I will continue to choose Evan Williams Black Label or Single Barrel for my Heaven Hill preferences.

The nose has a scent of aged, worn leather. It brings to mind chewing on the laces of my youth baseball glove (without the salt, of course). When I held the liquid in my mouth, focusing on the front of my tongue and introducing a bit of air (a habit my wife dislikes, calling it slurping), it helped reveal a rich tobacco and orange flavor. There's very little heat until the finish, which then grips the sides of my tongue and the back of my throat. I'm very fond of this whiskey. It evokes memories of being outdoors and playing baseball all day.

This Bourbon went down smoothly, though the herbal or grassy aroma was quite pronounced. Unaware of its origins, I speculated it might be an MGP product due to its Rye character. Discovering it's from Heaven Hill was unexpected.

It's an acceptable bourbon. The cost is a drawback. Fairly standard rye bourbon characteristics. It has a somewhat unremarkable, flat finish. A hint of citrus and caramel at the beginning. For the price, I would opt for Evan Williams single barrel.

This is the only bottle I've had to give away. It tasted like artificial sweetener or flat cola. Thin, floral, and with an unpleasant aftertaste. Did not enjoy it even in mixed drinks. No longer in my collection.