J.P. Wiser's Deluxe

Visual: Honey-gold color with thin, fast, irregular streaks down the glass. Nose: Strong scents of fresh oak, powdered sugar, vanilla, and toffee. Oak char impacts the back of the nasal passages. Floral and quite sweet, like apple candies. Taste: Sweet with notes of artificial butter. Oak is prominent, and it's generally smooth. Vanilla, toffee, and a light caramel are present. The body is thin to medium, with a quick finish. Nose after adding water: Artificial caramel emerges, but stronger vanilla and oak dominate. No significant new aromas appear. Taste after adding water: Tastes like sweet vanilla wafers and fresh oak shavings. Significantly better than Crown Royal. It offers more complexity and could be a decent choice for sipping. While not exceptional, it's far from the worst available.

Aroma: slightly alcoholic, grainy, not very pronounced. Taste: on the sweeter side, a little astringent, clearly aged for a long time but not under ideal conditions. Only minimal grain or oak notes. Sweet finish. It's moderately smooth. This is borderline poor but I'd rate it very low average considering its age. Cost was $13-$15 plus tax for a 750ml bottle. To be fair, a more recent bottle would likely receive a better score. Grade: C-

The JP Wiser's Deluxe presents in a new, striking bottle. The whiskey itself, however, could be better. It has a pleasing aroma of toffee, but the flavor is one-note, dominated by toffee. It's not ideal for cocktails, though it's enjoyable on its own. While there's potential for improvement, it's a satisfactory option for those who prefer a straightforward, smooth spirit.

Nose: Caramel, green apples, simple syrup, strawberry hard candy, dusty rye grain, corn husks, very rich but stale butter, wood sugars, a hint of maple, floral watermelon infused water Palate: Maple-caramel, red apple skins, sweet wood sap, wood spice, a hint of ripe Bartlett pear Finish: Red apples, barrel tannins, oaky caramel

Well, um, where to begin. I'd say 'straw' is a very fitting description for this whiskey. Having lived on a farm my whole life, I think I'd rather distill an old bale of straw in a rusty pressure cooker than drink this again. It's sweet, but rough around the edges. Not for me, but enjoy it if you like cheap whiskey.

Simple, harsh, with sweet caramel and straw notes. When dry at room temperature, it resembles plain-flavored cough syrup. However, served on ice, it becomes tolerable. Don't spoil a good cocktail with this either; spend a bit more money and significantly enhance your quality. I would drink it again if it were free, but under no other circumstances.