Trader Joe's High Rye Bourbon

Remarkably good for what it costs! It seems young, but tastes older than three years. The aroma is somewhat unpleasant. It strongly resembles Scotch, but has a chemical/glue scent on the finish that makes it smell much worse than it tastes. It doesn't present as spicy as some other high-rye bourbons, and its taste is very light and honey-forward. It truly brings to mind Buffalo Trace in its flavor profile. For comparison, I'm currently tasting this alongside Buffalo Trace. Its color is lighter than BT. The flavor profile is slightly different, but it's hard to tell them apart in quality. After several tastings, the BT has a fuller mouthfeel, a more caramel-like quality, is sweeter, and has more depth. The Trader Joe's version has a more chemical character and is thinner.

A fellow shopper at Trader Joes recommended this as a great value, and I was persuaded to buy it. It is genuinely the worst bourbon I have ever tasted. I could barely finish it, even when mixed in an old fashioned. I'll try cooking with it, and if that fails, I'll use it to douse some overgrown bushes I need removed. If you're thinking about this, I suggest saving your money and using it to buy firewood for a slightly cool evening. You'll be better off in the long run.

Purchased in October 2020. It delivers on its high rye characteristic but lacks other qualities. Nose: A strong turpentine scent. Taste: At least offers good, high spice, but it's quite harsh. Other flavors are difficult to discern. Finish: Lingers for a long time, but the unpleasant aspects are what remain. I'll need to try it in a mix or two. Definitely avoid it as a straight pour. After a surprisingly good $15 straight bourbon from TJ's, I thought this would be worth trying. It's a deep disappointment.

A strong corn flavor, but not the charred barrel corn typically found in bourbon. This tastes like feed corn mixed with silage. It's truly a barnyard in a bottle. The rye appears at the back of the throat and in the aftertaste, but it's always quickly followed by a dried corncob sensation. Compared to their Kentucky straight bourbon, this is a disgrace.

I recall giving this an average rating when I first sampled it, but as it has been open, it has become less drinkable with each subsequent tasting. This is currently the worst bottle I own, and I doubt I can finish it without mixing it into a cocktail.

This is rough. I dislike wasting things, so it won't be poured out, but it will require a lot of Dr. Pepper to mask the mistake of this purchase.