Two Stars Bourbon

Rating: 7/23 Total Wine dedicated a prominent shelf to this in their bourbon section, implying it's not particularly great value for the price. Naturally, I had to get a mini to investigate. Nose: It offers a richer aroma than Bulleit, with caramel, some woody notes that aren't overly cinnamon-forward, apple with a mineral tartness, a light floral scent, and a hint of cardboard. It smells young, but not unpleasantly so. Palate: The nose is better. The palate is very young. It's drinkable, but it tastes as if caramel flavoring was added to mask its youth. Some of that apple comes through with spice and significant minerality. The mouthfeel is acceptable, but the flavor is disappointingly weak. There's even a touch of unwelcome bitterness. I detect a bit of alcohol, but not excessively. Finish: Minerals and overly strong wood. And something slightly bitter. There's very little complexity. A faint hint of pleasant sawdust-like wood appears at the very end. I'm highly unimpressed. It's unpleasant. Its quality is comparable to Clyde May's Alabama style, but slightly more off. I'm considering a 7. It bears a slight resemblance to IW Harper 15 in its lightness and woody notes, but only when compared to other bourbons. It's even lighter than brands like Jim Beam Black and Ezra Brooks. This is to those what IW Harper is to bourbons like Elijah Craig and Wild Turkey Rare Breed. I won't call it a disappointment because I anticipated it would be mediocre, but it was certainly an unpleasant experience.

I picked this up at a Total Wine in Lexington, KY. Without much time for research, store employees assured me it was well-regarded despite the name. I saw some reviews beforehand and worried I'd made a poor choice, expecting little. I was genuinely surprised by the taste. It presents classic bourbon notes of vanilla, oak, and caramel, along with spicy cinnamon and clove. It's best enjoyed neat; adding an ice cube muted all the flavors. I rate it 3/5. The finish has a slight metallic bitterness. With a couple drops of orange bitters in my third glass, it improved significantly. While hidden gems exist, typically a $20 bourbon tastes like a $20 bourbon.

Its color is a very light gold, among the palest I've observed. The aroma is rich with cinnamon, reminiscent of Red Hot candies, underscored by a musty corn grain note. It strongly resembles uncooked pizza dough. The flavor is vanilla with light cinnamon, less intense than the aroma suggested. It's quite sweet and coats the palate, feeling almost oily. The finish fades quickly, leaving primarily a light corn taste. It didn't seem to develop or open up with time, remaining one-dimensional. A touch of water introduced some ethanol heat and cinnamon, slightly amplifying the flavor but not necessarily improving it. In conclusion, the name 'two stars' accurately reflects its quality.

For those who, like me, typically enjoy spirits neat and often add an ice cube or two to bourbon/whiskey to explore nuances: try THIS bourbon with an ice cube! The flavor profile transforms remarkably with a bit of ice or water! The nose carries astringent, charcoal, woody notes, and light black pepper. The taste is full of flavor, featuring dark chocolate-covered cherries, molasses, and a longer maple syrup finish. It's exceptionally delicious with one ice cube, earning 3.5 to 4 stars. Without ice? It lives up to its name, rating only 2 stars! Adding ice is highly recommended; you won't be let down. 😀

I felt compelled to assign a rating to this bourbon, as it surpasses some spirits I've tried, though only marginally. It was not worth the $22.99 I paid; this whisky would be more appropriately priced around $15 or less. The aroma suggested rubbing alcohol and some type of candy. The taste had a creamy yet thin mouthfeel, with notes of vanilla, something medicinal, and mint. A whisky shouldn't taste like a breath mint, nor should it evoke menthol cigarettes without the tobacco, as this did. The finish was lengthy but consisted solely of uninteresting oak.

Tasted from a mini bottle in a series. The liquid presents a light orange-straw hue with medium legs. The aroma offers light notes of cereal and yeast bread with a touch of sweetness. The palate features thin grain and burnt sugar flavors, followed by intense ethanol. An unusual chemical taste and a dry sensation in the mouth persist through the finish, leaving me with significant heartburn. While I did have mole enchiladas for dinner, I suspect this spirit is the culprit. It's certainly not worth two stars. Save yourself the trouble and enjoy your mole instead of this.