First Call Kentucky Straight Bourbon

To be fair, this is a $20 bottle promoted by Total Wine and wasn't intended to be groundbreaking. Its backstory is intriguing, with the distiller and blender having ties to Brown Forman and having previously distilled for Michter's and Angel's Envy. The aroma is simply vanilla and butterscotch, with perhaps a hint of oak. The mouthfeel is thin with very mild heat. As expected, it offers more butterscotch, vanilla, faint wood, and apple pie. It's not bad, really. I would drink it again if offered without hesitation. If I had a $20 budget, I'd opt for WT 101 first, or BT if available for $22 (its actual value). However, this could fit into a $20 rotation.

Aroma: caramel, slightly dusty, vanilla. There's also an unidentifiable bitter note. Taste: Cinnamon and brown sugar are the primary flavors. A long finish for 90 proof. While not overly complex, it has a pleasant taste. Overall: Based on other reviews, I was prepared to be underwhelmed. However, I was quite pleased, especially for the $20.99 price. This is a solid bourbon with classic flavors. It's not groundbreaking, but it's a great option for an everyday drinker or for serving at a party.

A rich, Straight Bourbon Whiskey created by Master Distiller Kevin Curtis for IJW Whiskey Company in Kentucky. It is made from a mix of 40 different mash bills, aged in charred American oak barrels, and bottled at 90 proof. It presents an aromatic beginning with hints of grain, fruits, wood, and spices; while a full and complex profile adds touches of dark fruits, light oak, vanilla, and butterscotch; concluding with a warming finish of medium duration. December 2021 / August 2022

The aroma presents alcohol with some underlying wood and grain notes. On the palate, it's predominantly sweet, featuring flat caramel and cereal flavors from the smell, but it lacks substance. I appreciate the alcohol content, though it needs more richness for balance. It's a rather plain, uncomplicated bourbon, but acceptable for its cost.

Vanilla oak, slightly sweet, with mild alcohol notes. An enjoyable flavor and great value. I tried it neat and with a little water. While most spirits improve with water, this one truly requires it to be good, and the difference is significant, more so than with many other bourbons.

This offers nothing noteworthy. It's dominated by grain and tastes dry. The initial harshness is strong and unsupported by any accompanying flavor. You'd be better off spending a bit more on something like Elijah Craig, even if it costs twice as much, for ten times the taste.