Virgil Kaine Ginger-Infused Bourbon

I hadn't encountered ginger-infused bourbon before, but I knew they paired well due to the deliciousness of a Kentucky mule. Bourbon, ginger beer, mint, and ice in a copper mug – what's not to love? So, when I received a sample of this flavored whiskey from a friend (once you add anything other than water to bourbon, it's no longer bourbon), my curiosity was piqued. Bottled at 40% ABV, it's almost certainly chill filtered, and I'd guess it has a natural amber color (bourbon + ginger). The aroma is intensely sweet candied ginger. That's a lot of ginger, so dominant and overwhelming it leaves little room for anything else. Other flavors are hidden within, like caramelized banana topped with sugar. The bourbon notes begin to emerge, but it's all so muddled it's nearly impossible to discern anything else. Then, cinnamon appears. Spicy, sweet cinnamon, like Red Hots candy. A small touch of oak, but really, this is a large amount of ginger with cinnamon and sugar piled on top. After a while, some rye and corn come through, but it's too little, too late. The palate is incredibly sweet, even saccharine. Candied ginger with extra sugar. Cinnamon and sugar, like Red Hots. Flat ginger beer and banana. It's too sweet to enjoy neat for more than a couple of sips. A light-bodied mouthfeel that is syrupy, oily, sugary, and coats the mouth. The finish is medium in length, with sugary ginger syrup and some cinnamon. This whiskey is to ginger what Fireball is to cinnamon, even with the abundance of cinnamon here. I can't recommend this for anything other than cocktails, and even then, I'm unsure of its best use. At over $30, it's a definite pass when you can get an inexpensive bourbon and some ginger beer, make a great Kentucky mule, and still have separate bourbon and ginger beer if you want them individually. Buy it if you're adventurous and have an extreme sweet tooth; otherwise, steer clear. Cheers

What is this? Bourbon infused with ginger. Now, correct me if I'm mistaken, but is it incorrect to label it bourbon if flavor has been added, or is that acceptable as long as the alcohol by volume stays above 40%? I believe it becomes a liqueur if the ABV drops below 40%. I'm not sure, as I don't consume much American bourbon these days. I enjoy scotch, scotchy scot....oh, forget it. This is Virgil Kane Ginger Bourbon, and a friend received this sample. Apparently, they are like the kid in the old cereal commercials who would try anything. I doubt they enjoyed this. Haha, I'm rambling... This liquid presents as dark gold and creates oily, fast-moving legs on the glass. The aroma is certainly of ginger—too much ginger, in fact. Sweetened sugar, excessive vanilla, and fresh barrel oak. Like recently cut oak. If you let it sit for a few minutes to allow the sugar components to dissipate, you'll detect some hay and grassy notes, but it's predominantly ginger and sugar. I'm kidding—there were no actual solid pieces in my drink. The taste is far too sweet: sweetened corn and ginger are dominant, and it's remarkably smooth and could benefit from more intensity. Adding artificial cinnamon or a boost in alcohol content might improve it—I don't think it would fix it, but it would certainly help. The finish is brief and sweet, with, you guessed it—lingering ginger. Ultimately, I'm uncertain if this should be classified as anything other than alcohol-infused ginger candy. I suspect it would be better suited if transformed into a gel and incorporated into mint-flavored gum or chewy candy. It might even serve as a decent cough syrup. If you purchase this, at the very least, pour it over ice before drinking. Drinking it neat is absolutely not the way to enjoy this. Thanks for the sample, but I can only award it a 1.75 to 2-star rating. Cheers.

This purchase was an impulse based on remembering my first partner, let's call her “K”. I was nineteen. Yes. Nineteen! A late bloomer. But to be fair, I was studying Chemical Engineering, with two secondary fields: physics and political science. And on an academic scholarship, so I had to maintain a 3.0 GPA. I spent all my time in the library...and I might have noticed some of our attractive female classmates there, but I didn't realize I was permitted to converse with them. Anyway...back to K and this bourbon. K was originally from Kentucky. Her idea of a good time involved bourbon and firearms. Sometimes both at once, which led to interesting evenings. One day, while introducing her to chai, a piece of ginger I was cutting accidentally fell into her coffee mug of cheap, low-quality bourbon. And that surprising combination led to her always having a piece of ginger with her bourbon. She may have been ahead of her time, looking back. Consequently, this $30 purchase was made to honor K. If you like bourbon cocktails, this might suit you. For me, it's excessively sweet. All sugar and ginger...similar to ginger ale without the fizz. I genuinely feel that if it weren't so sweet, I would have truly loved it. The ginger adds a certain vibrancy that is enhanced by the bourbon's vanilla. But all that sugar ruins it for me. Then again, if you prefer sweet cocktails, this is a safe bet. Cheers to you K...you may not have introduced me to bourbon, but you did succeed in getting me out of the library, and I always had you drink bourbon with a slice of ginger.

This colored whiskey appears light and watery. Vanilla and ginger are on the nose, accompanied by a subtle, almost buttery scent. While I'm not a huge ginger fan, this whiskey is quite tasty. It's smooth, with a strong ginger presence and subtler hints of vanilla, jasmine, and sugar cane in the aftertaste. The ginger is well-integrated with the whiskey, leaving a brief yet sweet finish. I enjoy supporting distilleries in South Carolina, and this is a fantastic, unconventional whiskey.

This score is solely based on ginger beer being my preferred non-alcoholic beverage, but WOW THIS IS GREAT. Delightful sweetness on the palate with a lovely ginger scent. If you enjoy ginger, BUY THIS IMMEDIATELY

The aroma features sweet lime, cinnamon, and ginger. It's excellent for sipping over ice. The finish has ginger with faint traces of cinnamon and lime. A fantastic flavored whisky.