Western Gold Straight Old Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey

Smell: Predominantly alcohol with barely a trace of oak. Flavor: Very straightforward. A moderate burn, sharp impact. Early sweetness giving way to overwhelming alcohol at the conclusion. Lacks genuine character or nuance. Aftertaste: Faint oak, extremely brief. Overall: Underwhelmed. It's too harsh for easy sipping. Might serve as a passable mixer at best; the strong alcohol presence could overpower other tastes. Not advised.

Nose: very subtle vanilla and caramel, with some cinnamon Palate: similar to the nose, gaining a bit of body towards the end of the palate Finish: very sweet, long-lasting, with burnt sugar notes It's not unpleasant, but it doesn't offer much of a challenge.

An oaky sweet aroma. Very sweet taste with warmth and spice. Some ginger and vanilla. Bitter lingering finish. Cheap, young, and from a discount supermarket. Can't expect too much more.

The most nondescript and plain flavor I've encountered. Oak char, sweet notes, peppery with a hint of spoiled banana at the end.

Just a regular bourbon. I drank some once during the holidays; my father received it as a gift. Nothing special.

From a discount supermarket. Inexpensive and not particularly impressive.