Mellow Corn Bottled in Bond Whiskey

My previous assessment of this whiskey was in May 2022. After nearly two years of experience, my ability to judge Mellow Corn has significantly improved, prompting this new review. The exact mash bill is unclear. While some sources suggest 80% corn, 8% rye, and 12% barley, others indicate 90% corn with the remaining 10% being rye and barley. It's confirmed to be at least 80% corn due to government regulations. I purchased this bottle for $17.99. Although there's no age statement, it's bottled in bond, meaning it's at least four years old. Due to specific aging requirements for corn whiskey, it has a light, straw color. NOSE: It begins with a general sweetness, followed by musty corn, a hint of lemon tartness, and caramel with vanilla. MOUTHFEEL: Smooth and creamy. TASTE: The initial taste is distinctly honey, then cinnamon, followed by notes of banana candy, lemon, sweet corn, and a subtle oak presence. FINISH: The finish is long, starting sweet, quickly transitioning to cinnamon, some light oak, and ending with a lingering spice. SUMMARY: This whiskey surprised me with its complexity upon closer examination. While it's a straightforward whiskey, it's more nuanced than anticipated. I'm pleased I revisited it, as my palate has developed considerably in two years. Despite its simplicity, the rules for corn whiskey result in a flavorful spirit. As a bottled in bond product at 100 proof, it doesn't present as strongly alcoholic on the nose or palate; it truly drinks mellow, seemingly 10-15 proof lower. It's definitely worth the very reasonable cost. [edit] I forgot my rating when I initially posted, so I'm adding it now. RATING: On my personal scale, this is the fifth rating from the bottom, classified as Good. This translates to 3.125 stars, 62.5/100, and 6.25/10.

CORN WHISKEY COMPARISON: Balcones Baby Blue versus Mellow Corn In some ways, corn whiskey is bourbon's more 'authentic' predecessor. Corn whiskey requires a mash bill of at least 80% corn (compared to bourbon's minimum of 51%), with no age or barrel requirements. Straight corn whiskey adheres to the same mash bill rules and must be aged in new or used oak barrels for at least two years. Balcones Baby Blue is labeled Corn Whisky (without an 'e'), while Mellow Corn is labeled Straight Corn Whiskey and is also Bottled in Bond, meaning it's 100 proof and aged for four years. Balcones Baby Blue (3.75 rating): clear turbinado sugar color. The nose suggests maple syrup, Jiffy cornbread, cinnamon, buttered toast, and a hint of bacon. The palate starts with some heat, followed by brown sugar and vanilla, with vanilla lingering on the finish. Balcones is a distiller I'm watching more closely; I recently reviewed their Texas Pot Still bourbon positively. Mellow Corn (3.25 rating): bright gold color. The nose offers subtle green banana, summer grass, light butterscotch, faint oaky vanilla, and ethanol. There's a light glycerin mouthfeel, with slightly more heat than the Baby Blue (expected given the higher 100 proof), some vanilla, and white pepper and vanilla on the finish. I'm nearly finished with this bottle, and it's a pleasant change to explore more affordable American whiskies. I'll keep a bottle on hand. I suspect it would pair well with my pecan-smoked pork shoulders and Brunswick stew. I also appreciate the vintage 1940s-style label. Balcones Baby Blue is clearly the more complex and detailed of the two, costing around $35; however, Mellow Corn is higher proof, and while not overly complex, it drinks well and is widely available for approximately $15. Although it's typically found on the bottom shelf at the liquor store, it tastes much better than most bottom-shelf whiskies. And while it might be considered one-dimensional, so is Compass Box Hedonism (reviewed yesterday) at 8-10 times the price. Note: All spirits were tasted neat in a Glencairn glass.

Mellow Corn is a rare gem in the whiskey world—one of the few Bottled in Bond corn whiskeys still widely available. It embraces its heritage with a bold yet approachable profile, offering a nostalgic sip reminiscent of classic American whiskey before bourbon took the spotlight. Mellow Corn delivers a buttery sweetness with just enough bite to keep things interesting. At around $20, it’s a must-have for anyone looking to expand their palate beyond the usual suspects. Not to mention its cult following on Reddit. Nose: Sweet creamed corn, honey-drizzled cornbread, and roasted peanuts. A light floral note with hints of fresh oak and a touch of spice. Palate: Buttery and full-bodied upfront. Sweet corn dominates, with notes of honey and baking spice. The 100-proof presence gives it a slight peppery edge without overpowering the sweetness. Finish: Medium in length, leaving behind a warm mix of vanilla, oak, and lingering corn sweetness. A hint of nuttiness and pepper rounds it out, making for a pleasantly balanced fade. Mellow Corn is a whiskey that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s exactly why it works. It’s sweet, bold, and undeniably unique, delivering a simple but satisfying experience that punches above its price point. Whether you’re sipping it neat, on ice, or mixing it into a cocktail, this one is always a good time! Makes an excellent old fashioned paired with Nixta Corn liquor.

Sweet and spicy! I had avoided buying this for years. However, during a tasting and history tour at Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, I gave in to the encouragement from staff and promotional materials to try it. I must admit, this is a very solid whiskey with a high corn content. With 90% corn and the remaining 10% being rye and barley, I believe the Bottled In Bond status makes this a robust, corn-forward whiskey at an excellent price! I truly enjoy it!

Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Pale yellow. Nose: Sweetened corn, with a touch of sweetness but not excessive. Palate: Hints of cinnamon, abundant corn flavor, not particularly complex. Finish: Medium duration, moderate warmth. Splash: No new flavors emerge. Overall: 6/10 - This could serve well as a cocktail ingredient at 100 proof. When tasted neat, the complexity expected from a bottled in bond whiskey is lacking. There are superior options available, even at under $20.

Though it feels a bit odd to use the descriptor, a buttery popcorn flavor keeps coming to mind while drinking this, making me want more. It's remarkably sweet, and for the price and proof, it's quite pleasant! Imagine drinking a whiskey made from creamed corn; this is it. It genuinely tastes like corn! I suspect it would improve with age, as there's a faint rubbery note on the finish, but it's very nice overall!