Winchester "Extra Smooth" Bourbon

It smells like damp cardboard with some floral notes. This tastes absolutely terrible. It genuinely tastes like damp cardboard and stale bread with some faint floral and mineral qualities. There's some spice, but otherwise, I would never guess this was bourbon. It's truly disgusting, regardless of its classification. It's about as light as Hayes Parker and has similar quality. It's very weak with a prominent damp cardboard and stale bread presence. The harshness is surprisingly strong and it's very drying. It couldn't have been aged for very long. It smells richer than Hayes Parker and tastes richer too. The initial bitterness gives the impression of complexity, though none develops, and the bitterness is unpleasant. There are many bad floral and bitter notes here with distinct minerals and nectar, but ultimately, this tastes mostly like particularly bad Irish whiskey, making it taste more like something than Hayes Parker. Although their flavor profiles differ, the quality is comparable to Clan MacGregor, perhaps a point lower (losing that point in the translation from scotch to Irish style). If I hadn't tried Hayes Parker right before this, this awful Winchester Extra Smooth would be the worst bourbon I'd ever tasted. What's particularly ridiculous is that despite the weak flavor, there's considerable harshness and bitterness, so it's not smooth at all. Actually, upon further comparison, Clan MacGregor is noticeably better. Wow, this has fallen to a very low standard. For clarity, Hayes Parker is still much worse. I truly believe the 6-month minimum age statement on this, and I suspect it's the maximum too. It's astonishingly bad. The worst aspect is the price, which makes me feel sick.

Color: Chestnut gold Nose: I detect a familiar, off-putting aroma common in young bourbons that I can't quite identify. It's a 'funk,' for lack of a better word. It dominates the glass. Possibly rubber? After some investigation, perhaps it's 'corn syrup'? It smells like a plastic toy. I'm disappointed this is the first bourbon I've tried since purchasing a four-bottle set of Glencairn Whisky Glasses. Such is life. Palate: Light mouthfeel and a weak palate. Thin, with notes of fresh corn and... corn syrup. It simply tastes unfinished. Minimal heat, which was surprising given the unpleasant aroma. There's just nothing substantial there. Finish: The finish is short and welcome due to the overall palate experience. You could use this in a cocktail, but why would you?

I completely agree with the tasting notes. It's not awful, there's just very little character. A couple of drops of cold water cause it to vanish. While this does go down smoothly, it lacks any other distinguishing features. I'd suggest it for mixing, but would it even hold its own against anything you'd mix it with? It's inexpensive, but even at this price point and lower, superior options exist. I'm very glad I only purchased a small bottle.

The 'extra smooth' description is clearly intended for novice or uninformed bourbon drinkers. Marketing a product as 'extra smooth' while a more aged version of the same bourbon is on the shelf nearby feels almost insulting. The name and packaging also seem to be an obvious reference to the firearms manufacturer, possibly suggesting assumptions about the intelligence of gun owners.

Immature, vegetal aroma with a strong 'red hots' cinnamon scent. Unpleasant; a harsh alcoholic burn overshadows any other flavors. Hints of grass and hay on the palate, reminiscent of Scotch. The cinnamon appears in the finish but fades quickly. Definitely skip this one... much better options exist at this price point.

I purchased a small bottle from a liquor store to try it out. This is one of the house brands they consistently suggest. It's among the worst bourbons I've sampled. Giving it half a star is too generous. For an affordable bourbon, stick with Evan Williams.