Winchester Straight Bourbon

The aroma is somewhat spicy with fruity and floral elements, the latter amplified by vanilla. It seems a bit weak, possibly slightly sweet, and definitely a little peculiar, but it's an acceptable bourbon scent. The taste is spicy and quite sour, with distinct vanilla. Disappointingly, the flavor is somewhat faint but does present as a rye-forward bourbon. The minerality and weakness suggest youth, but it's not bad. A subtle hint of cola implies minor herbal notes. It's not outstanding, but it's serviceable. The spice's sharpness is present but managed. The dryness is a bit pronounced, though not unexpected for a high-rye whiskey at this proof. Its flavor profile is somewhat flat, but still not awful. There are no standout positive or negative notes. It has considerable caramel sweetness and spice compared to the "Extra Smooth" Winchester. Cinnamon spice is prominent. It's adequate, but not particularly good. Compared to Evan Williams, it lacks nuanced notes. Evan Williams might lean smooth for bourbon, but this is aggressively reminiscent of cheap rum. It's still not terrible, but it's not enjoyable either. The palate is rich with molasses and a fiery sensation, along with notable cinnamon. It has a strong rum-like quality. There's abundant vanilla, which is quite pleasant. I appreciate the distinctness of the flavors. It's more aggressively woody and smoky than Old Forester Signature, and it lacks that brand's cherry fruitiness. The alcohol content might seem higher than it is. In the end, it's a bit too smoky, but the vanilla is present, along with some butterscotch or caramel. There's tartness and minerality, and possibly hints of honey crisp apple. Ultimately, it's a drinkable bourbon that would work well in cocktails, but it sets a low standard for bourbons. There's a faint artificial candy taste at the very end, evoking laffy taffy. Combined with the rum flavor, this deviates from a classic bourbon profile.

I strongly dislike this. The scent is incredibly weak and has an immediate alcohol sting that assaults your nostrils regardless of proximity. The flavor is also extremely thin. Few distinct tastes are present, beyond it tasting like bourbon. If anything, there's an odd, sawdust-like note. I'm not sure if that makes sense, but it reminds me of the taste of wood shavings from a carpentry workshop. Honestly, I just mixed it with Dr. Pepper and feel like I ruined my drink. It's not even a good mixer. I don't know the cost of a full bottle, but I'd estimate it should be around $10. It's just so insubstantial, yet has some peculiar bitter, woody flavors. It seems barely aged at all.

Considering the inexpensive cost, this is pretty good. It goes down easily, though the taste is somewhat muted. The little flavor that is present leans towards vanilla. It lacks any spice, so any heat comes from youth, but it's not overwhelming. A solid choice to keep around for an uncomplicated, everyday sipper.

Dry, woody notes, very subtle bourbon flavors. It's important to remember that TerrePURE intentionally removes most of the congeners from their whiskeys. Curiously, this leaves Winchester with only a faint barrel character and considerable ethanol on the finish. It tastes like Blanton

Some reviews are overly dramatic. It's superior to standard well whiskeys and suitable for cocktails. Drunk straight, I detected ethanol, oak, and spice. I had anticipated it would be better. A Total Wine associate suggested it resembled Blanton’s... it's nowhere near.

Nose: Sharp, new corn aromas mingled with vanilla and plum. Body: Quite sweet and thin, with notes of orange. Sadly, these enjoyable elements are overpowered by a disagreeable grain bitterness. Finish: Recently mown grass and a touch of black pepper at the conclusion.