Old Crow Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Old Crow... A budget bourbon, low proof, and straightforward. So, I picked this up because a regular customer told me it was comparable to Buffalo Trace. Honestly, it's not entirely untrue, partly because Buffalo Trace isn't that amazing, and partly because Old Crow isn't the worst bourbon I've ever tried. I found this 1.75L bottle on the bottom shelf, on clearance at Walgreens for just $11, so I figured, why not? Upon opening and pouring a little, I was expecting a strong corn and fiery taste, but instead, I got a smooth, unexciting bourbon. Since then, I've had friends over who asked for Old Fashioneds, and I used this as the base, as I wasn't about to give them anything decent from my collection. I also unfortunately lost the cap one night after enjoying other spirits. I used aluminum foil as a temporary lid, and maybe it has oxidized because two months later, this spirit is even smoother?? Strange, but I'm not complaining. If you see a 1.75 liter bottle for $11, don't hesitate to buy it, as it has numerous uses... mixing in eggnog, baking, infusing meats, or serving as a cheaper alternative to Buffalo Trace for tipsy guests, among other things.

Appearance: This straight bourbon has a surprising copper hue and exhibits very thin, oily legs. Nose: The aroma begins with salted caramel syrup, followed by corn, a sweet floral scent, graham crackers, and vanilla. There's also a hint of mustiness and notes of decaying leaves. It seems to grow sweeter as it sits. Taste: The initial sensation is an oily texture on the palate, much like a wrestler. Flavors include cherry Jolly Rancher, black tea with cream, caramel candy, a light dustiness, and an unusual kale note. Finish: The finish is brief, leaving a fruity, ashy impression, reminiscent of flavored aromatic pipe tobacco. Thoughts: I find this bourbon to be good. I enjoy it; it feels familiar yet distinct. It's better than I expected for its price point, though I'm curious how a higher ABV would affect it. I'd suggest this if you're seeking an affordable bourbon with some quality. Beam, you've done well with this brand. Cheers!

After purchasing some pricier whiskeys, I decided to explore the bottom shelf. This was on sale for $7.99 – incredibly cheap! A bargain if it's any good. Despite reading negative reviews online, I wanted to form my own opinion. Poured neat, it has thin legs but looks like bourbon. The nose offers a Beam-like gentle spice and soft grain with faint, dusty oak. Nothing offensive or harsh, just requires effort to discern. The thin mouthfeel presents flavors of candy corn, spice, cardboard, and mild wood with a slight sourness. The subdued flavor leads to a short finish of fading corn, spice, and dry wood shavings. It slightly resembles a diluted Beam Black. Given it was $8, it wasn't meant for deep contemplation. It will likely serve well as a mixer in coke or other beverages, and it's superior to Canadian whisky..........67/100...... good value for the money with a subtle spice that improves with time. Not outstanding, but far from undrinkable as some online reviews suggest.

Attending a wedding, the provided well bourbon presented an opportunity for a deliberate tasting, a contrast to my college days. Regrettably, my recollection was accurate; the experience was as disagreeable as I recalled. The aroma is notably faint, unsurprising given the low proof. Subtle hints of oak and baking spice emerge briefly, vanishing if you miss them. The initial taste is aggressive, marked by an intense bitterness that concludes the experience. Faint traces of oak and tobacco are present but fleeting. The overwhelming bitterness obscures any finer nuances, yet the finish was remarkably clean and unexpectedly agreeable. Despite anticipating very little from this pour, revisiting a past college staple was enjoyable, especially considering it was an open bar – bourbon is bourbon, after all.

Purchased Old Crow bourbon, aged 3 years in new charred white oak barrels at 40% abv, in northern California at the duty free shop on Travis Air Force Base. This brand belongs to Beam Suntory. It has a sharp, apple, fruity aroma. The taste presents hints of apple, a touch of sweetness, and oak on the finish, though not intensely. I don't remember it tasting like this; I've had it before mixed with coke, where it resembled Jack Daniels. This tasting was neat, served over ice. It cost around $9-10 for a 750 ml glass bottle. My rating is a C-/C. It's acceptable but unremarkable.

I purchased this as a joke present for a friend during the pandemic. He's a historian, so I sent him a flask of this and suggested we have a FaceTime call to discuss Ulysses S. Grant while he was in quarantine. The whiskey was bad, but better than I anticipated. It's quite drinkable. Not undrinkable, but not something to get excited about. The whiskey wasn't the main point, though. As Grant stated, “The friend in my adversity I will always cherish most.” Excellent conversation and a good memory.