Tasting Notes

Producing WhiskyCast has given me the opportunity to taste some really amazing whiskies, and I’m pleased to share my tasting notes with you here. You can search my entire database of tasting notes from this page, and I hope you’ll find it useful.

Trader Joe’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Country: USA

Region: Kentucky

Type: Bourbon

Bottler: Bourbon Square Distilling Co.

ABV: 45%

Score: 84 Points

TraderJoe_Bourbon_bsThis Bourbon is bottled exclusively for the Trader Joe’s stores in the U.S., and is a bargain-basement find with a retail price around $15 per bottle. While the distillery is not named, it’s very likely that the whiskey comes from Heaven Hill, and the decision to bottle it at 45% ABV gives it a bit more flavor and punch than other “bargain” whiskies.

The nose is smooth and clean with notes of oak, molasses, brown sugar, honey, vanilla, and a hint of wood smoke. The taste is thick with caramel cola, a strong burst of cinnamon and black pepper, vanilla, cocoa, and honey. The finish is long and woody with lingering spices. (August, 2015)