Hayes Parker Bourbon

The aroma is incredibly sweet and floral, with a honey nectar component. Its color is also quite pale for a bourbon, nearly smelling like some type of Irish whiskey. The taste is exceedingly weak until the bitterness and harshness appear. It genuinely tastes like a terrible Irish whiskey with bourbon-like harshness. This is exceptionally difficult to consume. It tastes like vile floral Irish muck mingled with vast quantities of minerals that have turned slightly spoiled, similar to the unpleasant bread-like notes in scotch. The faint vegetal hints intensify the spoiled impression and are remarkably out of place for a bourbon. A single sip is enough to make me decide against ever trying it again. It's reminiscent of Herradura Blanco and a bit of Don Julio Blanco, but not in a good way, nor should it be. This is unquestionably the worst bourbon I have ever encountered. Its awfulness brings to mind Clan MacGregor, but this is weaker and less intricate. When compared side-by-side, this almost makes Clan MacGregor seem acceptable – though I know that's an illusion. It's truly bad when Clan MacGregor tastes noticeably superior. They claim it's aged for at least 6 months, and I certainly believe that's the maximum duration as well. Somehow, the bitter, floral, and mineral notes here overpower those in Winchester Extra Smooth. Truly, this demonstrates that the designation "small batch" is completely meaningless. Spoiled flowers, a faint vegetable stench, excessively sweet nectar, oppressive minerals, and harsh spice lacking any distinct flavor or variation. I sincerely hope this is a uniquely bad spirit.

Nose: Young grain moonshine notes. Body: Unpleasant syrupy sweet notes, fresh grass, and lemon zest that resembles a thick Irish whiskey rather than a bourbon. Finish: The fresh cut grass and a bit of raw peanut emerge at the end, making the finish more pleasant than the body. Some claim they can make a whiskey aged mere months taste like one aged several years. I call bullshit.

The aroma is very sweet. I struggle to identify many distinct flavors. Upon tasting, cinnamon is the initial flavor, followed by a hint of apple. Essentially, it's like Fireball - excessively sweet with abundant cinnamon. It's not something I favor at all. I purchased this because it supposedly earned accolades previously, but I'm not sure why. There are better bourbons available for this price.

I appreciate fine bourbon and my home state of South Carolina, but this bourbon is subpar. It is difficult to provide negative feedback for a bourbon from my home state, but I must be honest. This is not enjoyable when consumed neat or with ice. Purchase a bourbon that brings you pleasure, as that is the point. I apologize, but this is the reality.

Small bottle. Why not. Haha bourbon aged one year? It appears so. Quite pale. Sweet corn, alcohol, and traces of wood and fruit on the nose, which is faint in all ways except the burn. Even with the lower proof, the taste is sharp alcohol with spice, sweetness, and sweet corn. Alcohol burn at the end. Avoid this one, truly.

Rotgut whiskey. I will never again trust a recommendation from any employee of Total Wine. There are far superior options in the same price category, such as Evan Williams White label, Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond, or Ancient Ancient Age. This spirit is pure garbage.