New Southern Revival Jimmy Red Corn Bourbon

Nose: The color is accurate; sweet, genuine corn is prominent from the start. The legs suggest the palate. It's a lovely corn aroma, almost overwhelmingly so. As the corn fades, notes of soft butter and nuts emerge, mingling with creamy caramel and hints of apple. Lingering spicy traces recall warm apple cider with cinnamon. A subsequent inhale reveals subtle oak scents, surprisingly present given the limited barrel time. This corn varietal's characteristic is its ability to impart mature bourbon qualities in a shorter aging period. Taste: More intricate than anticipated, with a significant corn presence as expected. Abundant corn flavors are complemented by oaky and nutty characteristics. Quite pleasing. Despite prior research on this bourbon and the producer's mention of a substantial oil cap from this corn in the mash, I didn't experience a full mouth coating. The texture is indeed dense and creamy, but not exceptionally thick. It's a pleasant touch for a young bourbon. The finish is of moderate length and gentle. The spicy notes from the nose reappear at the end, subtly overlaying the corn, akin to sunlight briefly piercing clouds. Overall: A thoroughly enjoyable sipping experience. Is it worth the price? Perhaps. Given the attention this bottle is receiving, its next batch might quickly appear on the secondary market. Nevertheless, if you come across one, get it. It may not be life-changing, but it could alter your perception of corn's contribution to bourbon.

Nose: Prominent caramel, a musky quality for its age giving it character older bourbons lack. Hints of baking spices, perhaps nutmeg, but not much else. Taste: Definitely nutty, like a walnut or pecan rather than peanuts. Sweet, with a sticky toffee-like sensation. Very corny, but not in a bad way. Finish: Spicy but not aggressive, lingering with a sweet warmth before fading. I'd recommend it, especially if you're looking for something novel and different.

The initial aroma is fantastic, with strong vanilla giving way to chocolate and dark fruit. Some ethanol notes are present, perhaps from its youth, but they aren't unpleasant. The palate is rich with corn upfront, transitioning to grain in the middle, and finishing with oak spice. The finish is relatively quick, leaving a pleasant warmth. Overall, a very nice and moderately complex spirit despite its age.

Visiting South Carolina for a long weekend. During this time, we stopped at High Wire Distillery. We skipped the tour but partook in a tasting flight. The Rye, Jimmy Red, and Jimmy Red Single Barrel were sampled. Here are my brief impressions. Nose: corn, cinnamon, candy corn, caramel, vanilla, cream soda. Palate: Cinnamon, cardamom, almonds or walnuts, caramel. Finish: Cinnamon, wood. A decent bourbon offering. Good aroma. Flavorful. A vanilla cream soda with cinnamon sipper. 86/100

Aroma: sweet and slightly tart, reminiscent of an old gym bag. Very young aroma. Beyond the slight funk is a noticeable sweetness. Palate: the corn-forward sweetness is definitely present but the flavors lack any distinct body. Finish: very short-lived sweetness, a hint of vanilla pound cake on the finish. Why buy this when you can get mellow corn?

Initially disliked sipping this neat as my first drink of the night. However, with ice and a Luxardo cherry, it's quite delightful. It has excessive corn and is too immature for neat consumption. It will appeal to a specific group of enthusiasts, perhaps those who enjoy smoking corn pipes.