It may not be the spicier higher proof version of Wild Turkey 101 that Heaven Hill claims it was aiming to be, but what it is, is good. And in today’s crowded marketplace full of new bourbons looking for the next gimmick, good is enough.
A little bit of water releases more spice and a touch of citrus on the nose and on the palate it brings up more caramel and toasted nuts while taming the spice and astringency a bit. Needless to say, a splash is recommended.
At less than $20 this is a pour that will stay on my shelf year after year. It’s not going to blow your socks off, but it’s better than almost every other bottle at the price point.
If you like your bourbon on the savory side — more Tennessee in style — this is a good one to try as a change of pace, and at $17.50 a bottle, it’s definitely competitively priced.
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House Review
Nose:
Sweet corn, ethanol, healthy dose of vanilla.
Taste:
Sweet caramel, corn and mild clove. Theres some young grainy notes, mildly astringent. Heavy vanilla, cinnamon, oddly floral fruity undertones here. The proof is really great here - I am pleased they decided not to underproof this.
Finish:
Really shocking but medium to almost long here. Pleasant sweet corn and vanilla.
Overall:
I expected the top of the flops, absolute dreck. I was very surprised. I'm not sure what this retails
Score:
80
By t8ke
Our in house critic rates spirits on a scale of 0-10 (10 best) and is aggregated the same as external sources
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