Hotel Tango Reserve Bourbon, Ready-To-Drink

This holiday season, I'm planning to try a new whiskey daily throughout December. #lifegoals December 23rd This bottle has eased a lot of my bourbon worries. Firstly, "Ready-To-Drink" doesn't mean it's pre-mixed liqueur nonsense. I'm still very pleased about that. Equally important to me: this is Bravo, one of my favorite unexpected finds from 2018. When Bravo vanished from all the stores in my area, I freaked out. But I'm okay now. I rediscovered my Bravo drink in this small bottle. Let's see if my preferences have shifted. The aroma is tropical, both sweet and fruity. Watermelon, orange, and also red apple. Absolutely fantastic. The texture feels buttery, with that same strong watermelon flavor I recall from Bravo. The red apple and orange are present too, but watermelon is the dominant note. One could claim there's some sugar in the finish, but it's more accurate to say this one lacks any substantial finish. I don't see that as a real drawback, as I also enjoy watermelon popsicles, and they don't have a finish. The point is: I enjoy the flavors this offers so much that I'll overlook the clear absence of complexity. If you missed the Bravo packaging, you should definitely consider trying this little bottle. Happy holidays. I'm not sure if I actually have 8 more new whiskeys lined up, so if you're reading this and there's something easily found that you'd like me to enjoy or endure this holiday season, mention it in the comments.

The aroma suggests a young bourbon, which is unusual given that six years isn't necessarily very young. However, I perceive it more as fresh grain, with a hint of fruit and a slight tartness, alongside a minimal scent of charred barrel. The taste is dominated by very young grain, primarily wheat, with a citrus chocolate flavor that leans more towards chocolate as air is introduced. There is almost no finish, apart from a barrel influence, which is more of a taste than a distinct spice in the mouth. I always appreciate fellow military personnel (it seems plausible this distillery has many veterans), and the packaging is surprisingly familiar, but this one doesn't impress me much. I'm looking forward to visiting the distillery again, this time when it's open, to sample all the other offerings.

The aroma is classic bourbon, with notes of caramel and oak. The taste was an odd sensation, tricky to pin down, not my preference, with sour fruit and a bitter edge. It has a moderate finish, featuring wood and spice. This is a wheated bourbon aged six years. I also sampled the two-year version, which included rye in its grain bill, and I favored that one over this. High Top is a neat establishment, worth stopping by to sample their range.

Appearance: Golden Brown with a subtle amber tint. Legs: Very thin, forming quick tears that are close together. Nose: Mild caramel, oak, a hint of orange peel, Brown sugar, faint ethanol. Taste: A slight bite initially, caramel apple, oak, a touch of bitterness that is still pleasant on the palate. A brisk finish.

The nose and palate are truly excellent. I'm detecting a lot of cherry, chocolate, and vanilla. It's very flavorful for its proof. A definite surprise! I only spent 28 dollars for this 750 ml bottle, the reserve version. I'm highly impressed and almost bought another one immediately.

This is outstanding. I seldom detect the cherry notes many others mention, but this one is bursting with cherry for me. Aged six years, it tastes properly mature, not harsh and aggressive like so many young bourbons. Well-rounded, full, and rich, neither overly spicy nor excessively sweet.