FEW Straight Bourbon

WHISKIES I DON’T CARE FOR: ROUND 1 Flatboat Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey vs Few Bourbon Whiskey Recently, I've been conducting several comparative tastings. I have a considerable amount of whiskey that I enjoy, perhaps too much, but I also have some that I dislike. I decided to mix things up and try to pinpoint what it is I don't like about them. My prior categorization of them as "disliked" means they've been set aside for some time; therefore, it's insightful to determine if they deserved that status to begin with. The whiskies for the first round were chosen randomly; they happened to be two I recalled not liking. Unlike some of my other comparisons (Islay, BTAC, etc.), this side-by-side tasting isn't tied to a specific region or type—these two are bourbons by chance—but are simply two I haven't consumed much of because I didn't like them initially. Flatboat Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey- Flatboat is a store brand owned by Sazerac, which also produces Buffalo Trace and others. A salesperson influenced me with the Buffalo Trace connection, and it cost around $22. I purchased it, tried it once over three years ago, and haven't touched it since. The label provides little info besides "Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey" and 90 proof. As there's no age statement, it must be at least four years old. Classic clear tawny orange color. The aroma shows a lot of ethanol for 90 proof, along with oaky vanilla, some cinnamon, roasted marshmallow, and cherry pipe tobacco. However, the elements aren't harmonizing, with ethanol dominating and the other notes competing rather than blending. On the palate, the harsh and uncontrolled 90 proof causes disruption like an ill-behaved child punching above its weight. Persistent woody tannins linger on the finish, somewhat muted by the vanilla and cherry pipe tobacco. It's disjointed but drinkable. It might work with plenty of ice on a warm day, or as part of a punch or another mixed drink where the bourbon is a secondary element. It's not ideal for sipping neat, nor in a Manhattan or Old Fashioned. Few Bourbon Whiskey More orangey than the Flatboat. The nose suggests sawdust, stale Fruity Pebbles cereal, a petroleum-like quality, and dish soap. The wood character is more like pine than oak. The dish soap note persists on the palate, like a penalty for something unspoken. I received this as a gift, and while I truly appreciate the gesture, it's simply not very good. It lacks distinct bourbon characteristics. There's a dry, tannic sensation on the finish. The drink compels you to pause and try to figure out what's happening, with a morbid curiosity similar to witnessing a car accident. My initial assessment proved correct. The bottle states it's aged "at least one year in charred new oak barrels." This is a requirement for bourbon. This particular bottle appears to be unavailable; their website lists a Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which by definition requires at least two years of aging. 93 proof.

With a bit of water, it's better. This distillery in Evanston, IL was recently acquired by Heaven Hill. The color is a pleasant medium-light amber. The aroma is of vanilla and notes that resemble chocolate chip cookies with a trace of apple-banana. The texture is very smooth, light, airy, and warm, almost imperceptible on the palate. I even checked to see if my mouth was numb. The taste features a lot of butterscotch, clove, and caramel with a lingering barley essence. It's malty and woody with subtle toffee notes. The mouthfeel is quite peculiar, and I'm not fond of the flavors; it's too immature! Adding a splash of water enhanced the aromas and flavors. More barley comes through, and it begins to resemble the high-barleyed Old Elk Bourbon, but with younger, greener characteristics.

Nose: Cooked pink lady apple, a little cinnamon. Retrohale: A touch of vanilla adds sweetness and a toffee-like character. Palate: Quite sweet, but not sugary; more in the vanilla range, with apple and a developing spice. Finish: Dry, medium length, with lingering crushed apple. Notes: As a beginner, I quite like this. It's approachable. It's a bit young, which is evident, but I don't mind that if I'm looking for something on the lighter side.

This Illinois Straight Bourbon Whiskey is well-rounded, beginning with a robust profile featuring notes of cloves, malt vanilla, and caramel. Its sweet phase introduces hints of toffee and caramel alongside spicy cardamom and cloves, complemented by tangy wood and malt. The experience concludes with a long, warm finish marked by malt and baking spices. Notes from May/December 2017, March 2018, October/December 2020, and August 2022.

Sweet pears on the nose with a sweet tropical fruit on the palate. My second visit to this bourbon automatically brought back memories of guava from back home in the Caribbean. The bourbon does have a little baking spice in the taste but it is not overwhelming. I will definitely seek this out as a bar staple because there are a bit more to pick out and keep me coming back. 👍🏽

The aroma is exceptionally sweet, dominated by vanilla and a creamy smokiness. It almost smells like a dessert. The taste is not particularly good; it's sweet but sharp, and it's quite apparent this is a very young spirit. It also has a very oily mouthfeel that lingers on the tongue for an extended period, which isn't pleasant. Not to my taste.