Gold Bar Rickhouse Bourbon Whiskey

Summary: It looked appealing, around $30, over 50% ABV (Label says Cask Strength too!) and finished in Oak Staves (similar to Marker's wood series or private select) and received a double gold @ SF!!! This is my first drain pour (I swear!). Should have just gotten a regular Knob Creek... okay, the review: The color: Darker than most bourbons - likely due to the extra charred French Oak Staves for the finish. No Age statement on this one but it is made with Hetchy Hetch water (NW Yosemite valley glacial water from Ca.)... the glacial water probably had no impact on the production of this product. The nose was strange, artificial/fake, and overpoweringly sweet. I couldn't identify anything natural in the nose; I suspect some kind of cheap Italian imitation syrup. On the palate: Sickly sweet syrup of unknown or alien origin. I had this at home for 2 weeks.... tried a small pour daily, it never improved and I tried as hard as I did with my second wife! Heed this warning unless you are extremely curious and living dangerously and need something to push you over the edge!

The aroma is concerning, smelling solely like rubbing alcohol. However, the palate is very smooth, with hints of vanilla bean and black pepper. The overly strong smell deducts a full point in my assessment.

Sadly, it wasn't very good. Lacked flavor depth, and even with a little water, it only offered cinnamon and a strange smokiness.

This disaster smells terrible. It's incredibly hot and the only flavor I detect is wet cardboard. Truly the worst bourbon I've ever had.

Initially hot with cinnamon, it quickly faded into stone fruits and then a brief hint of brown sugar, which also disappeared rapidly.

The aroma is sweet caramel and smoke. The flavor begins as a powerful burst and settles into a very prolonged caramel finish.