Hudson Whiskey Bright Lights, Big Bourbon

Corn on the nose right away. The taste is vibrant and mellow, with a very subtle spicy note upon swallowing. It's sweet, with hints of vanilla and caramel, making for an easy and enjoyable drink. The grain character is most prominent, having absorbed only a tiny bit of flavor from the barrel.

It starts with pepper and cinnamon, followed by a pleasant honey sweetness. It's not the smoothest, and has a strange botanical and citrus zest aftertaste, similar to gin. You can tell it's only 3 years old because it has a significant bite and almost no wood notes.

I was hoping this would be good, I really was. I figured the negative feedback might have been exaggerated. However, this is not enjoyable. It could possibly be acceptable if not for a dominant, off-putting sourness that overwhelms all other flavors.

I'm reluctant to dislike a whiskey this much, but it's poorly made and representative of the many random, questionable distilleries appearing everywhere. Tastes like it was poured from the Hudson River.

Smell: brown sugar, sweet corn. Taste: maple, brown sugar, a little vanilla, a little oak. Finish: smooth oak. A bit sweet overall. Very little alcohol burn. A nice break from the usual.

Terrible and unpleasant. If you desire a bourbon that smells like wet lumber and drinks like rubbing alcohol, tasting of sewage and popcorn oil, this is it. Save your money and look elsewhere.