Devils River Small Batch Bourbon

Tasting from a 50ml sample. This might be the most nondescript whiskey I've ever encountered. No age statement, which is unfortunately common now, and no clue about its origin either? Yet, we're told this "Texas" bourbon hails from Kentucky, which certainly adds up. At this point, why even bother with a label? Kentucky should just use clear, plain bottles for these young spirits, with a handwritten note saying, "Take a guess, damn it," and people would still purchase it. As anticipated, its color is quite light, and it even appears watery. Hopefully, this is just a sign of its youth. The aroma presents a decent amount of typical bourbon notes (vanilla, rye spice, light oak, etc.), well-balanced but overall very subtle. Each time I revisit the glass to refresh the scent, I detect a fleeting whiff of something damp, earthy, and surprisingly unpleasant, but it quickly fades into the aforementioned notes, so I hope it doesn't linger. The initial taste is rather unremarkable, as the body is so light that most flavors require time to develop. The primary and sole flavor I perceive initially is a weak corn whiskey, with a slight hint of the damp earthiness from the aroma. This is both uninteresting and off-putting until the finish evolves with some air, and a pleasant rye spice begins to liven things up. At first, I thought this was where the desirable flavors would emerge, but instead, the damp corn mash persists and, combined with the rye, merely makes the preceding taste seem spicy and harsh. As I move my tongue around to see if anything else shifts, the only new note I discover is a metallic tang, typically found in low-quality spirits or those distilled with inferior equipment. This finish continues, and unfortunately, is only interrupted by a fresh taste, which feels like a trap. Alright, I didn't expect this to be good, but the fact that it's disappointing AND attempts to obscure its flaws with deceptive marketing is a disservice to the whiskey community and should deter any discerning consumer from engaging with the craft; I certainly feel that way.

I'm thrilled with this! The aroma is outstanding. I was surprised by its sweetness and caramel notes, especially for a whiskey from Texas. The nose is very smooth. I was initially a bit disappointed with the taste as it didn't quite match the aroma. The palate is quite strong with some sweet elements. Adding a drop or two of water significantly improves the taste, in my opinion, and I can imagine it would be excellent served on the rocks. While not perfectly smooth, it doesn't need to be; it provides a warming sensation and coats the palate well. I suspect I'll enjoy their rye even more than this bourbon. It almost strikes me as more of a rye than a typical bourbon profile, which I'm perfectly fine with. I'm confident it would make a fantastic Old Fashioned. I definitely intend to purchase a bottle of their rye.

A whiskey with a very young aroma, revealing lovely hints of caramel and toasted grains, reminiscent of Honey Nut Cheerios. A peculiar hint of flour also emerges on the nose. That same floury note appears in the taste and finish. I might be the only one who has eaten straight flour and enjoyed it, so this observation could be quite personal. It almost tastes like cake batter. I think I might be losing my mind. Adding a little water intensified that flour note but introduced a touch of oak. I don't mind it at all, but I suspect I'm unique in enjoying the flavor of raw flour.

The aroma is actually rather pleasant, with notes of sweet butter, apple, and a touch of floral and pepper. The flavor, however, leaves much to be desired. I didn't have high hopes initially, and there's little positive to report. It has a good amount of leather, some tobacco, and oak. A subtle green apple note lingers in the background, along with some dark licorice and spearmint. The finish is somewhat bitter and unpleasant. I sampled this from a tasting flight, so I'm not certain of the full bottle price. I was aware it wouldn't be a premium product. Nevertheless, there are superior inexpensive alternatives available.

I'm not sure what mystical force was with me during my previous tasting to genuinely like this. I generally dislike being critical of whiskey, but wow... this one is challenging. Numerous odd grassy characteristics on the aroma with a whisper of raw dough. It barely registers as whiskey to my senses, resembling tequila as someone else remarked. The same tastes persist into the palate with a touch of unwelcome heat on the conclusion. Adding water made it slightly more palatable, but it remains quite harsh.

I've significantly lowered my rating after a second tasting. It's overwhelmingly grainy and offered very little enjoyment. The finish was quite unpleasant, and any appealing green notes were very one-dimensional. I consistently find it hard to justify spending money on Texas whiskeys.