John B. Stetson Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (DISCONTINUED)

It's a challenge to pin down this bourbon. The label says straight Bourbon Whiskey, yet it's aged under two years, leaving me uncertain. I anticipated a bold, in-your-face Texas-style bourbon but was met with a remarkably smooth, easy-drinking spirit that resembled a Wheat Bourbon. This is among the smoothest bourbons I've encountered recently, comparable to W.L. Weller in smoothness and superior to Makers Mark. It has a pale tawny hue with a hint of ethanol, vanilla, and a touch of oak on the aroma. The neat taste offers gentle sweetness, reminiscent of sugar cookies or my grandmother's tea cakes, but not overly sweet. The finish is warm with an additional touch of wood. Priced at $30 on the site, I found it for $18 at a Specs in San Antonio, TX, and at that price, I'll keep buying it. If it performs well in cocktails, this could become my go-to bourbon. It's a very smooth bourbon at a great value.

The label states John Stetson is aged only half a year. I believed bourbon required at least 4 years of aging. This liquid was matured in charred oak barrels that were used to tan their leather hats for about a year. It's very weak, pale in color, and the taste barely qualifies as bitter alcohol. You would be better off drinking ginger ale.

The nose offers sweetness and citrus, with vanilla and a hint of wood joining in the flavor. The alcohol's initial bite mellows into a fairly nice finish. It's a little unrefined.

A young and mellow bourbon. Sweet and woody with subtle notes of oak, nuts, and a hint of vanilla or caramel (I can't decide - perhaps both).

Pleasant oily texture. The flavor is slightly off, but for an inexpensive bourbon, it's a solid choice.

Very young, with a sweet corn palate and a chemical aroma.