Clyde May's Alabama Style Whiskey (85 Proof)

Incorrect info given by Distiller; not NAS, but instead aged for 6 years. Now, I certainly expect weird and uncomfortable to accurately describe Alabama, but a faux bourbon with apples added is certainly up there (moonshiners are an odd people). At least we've got rye here instead of wheat, the spiciness of which should work far better alongside apples than wheat would. Not to mention that 6 years isn't a bad age, either, so I do expect some apple flavor to be very present. The color is fairly dark, more reflecting a whiskey that's been aged several years longer than this, but perhaps this is the work of the added apples. Sweet corn, vanilla from charred oak, and cinnamon, grass, and mint from the rye are all here; standard notes that most "classic" bourbons would have. What I don't smell is anything that resembles apples, or even warm baking or autumn spice that cooked or stewed apples may impart. The first taste is weak, showcasing the very low proof here. Sweet corn is tasted, but more as a grain with the sweetness being lost. The spice from the rye is not tasted, and is only experienced as a slight gum and tongue burn near the finish. There is indeed a flavor of apples; the variety tastes like a neutral, only slightly sweet one (like Fiji), not overly sweet (like honeycrisp) or sour (like Granny Smith). This additive isn't entirely welcome, as it decreases focus on the grain, as well as gives the body an even weaker presence. See above for the finish, however, several minutes after a last sip does bring up notes of fresh apple flesh. It is so easy to tell that this whiskey has such a strong mashbill base, but the added apples really narrows down the target audience; I expect a flavor and body like this to come out of flavored, 40 or 50 proof whiskies. I'm hopeful that Clyde May's actual bourbon is simply this whiskey without the apples, because that may actually have a favorful outcome. Instead, what we have here isn't as fun or as flavorful as a proper flavored whiskey, but also doesn't have enough unique flavor notes to drink by itself, leaving you to find specific, usually distillery-written cocktail recipes to use fruitfully.

I’ve reviewed this once before and I’m gonna leave it how I had it is I think my notes from last time were pretty spot on. I just get very little from this with a bit of alcohol note coming through in the nicest part being it finishes kind of sweet, but everything else about it  just comes across very watery and I cannot recommend it. I do like coming back to bottles like this every year or so just to double check and I’ve done several of these tonight and my previous notes to today have stayed pretty consistent which I guess is a good thing in a way.  There are some really good budget Bourbons, or whiskeys out on the market. This simply is not one of them. And I got to say that any of the budget Bourbons that I found have come from major distilleries I cannot think of one that did not come from a major distillery so that’s a pretty good rule of thumb if you’re out there looking on the shelf that you have a much higher chance of success buying a budget bourbon from a major distillery versus a private sourced brand or one that is a prominent.

The nose starts with a mix of charred oak, cinnamon, baked apples and vanilla cream that is rather pleasant. It almost takes on the sharp sweetness of molasses and as it breathes, it all comes together to smell wonderfully of apple crisp. The palate is very light with slight baking spices running down the sides of the mouth while sweeter notes of baked apple and vanilla go over the tongue. Charred oak follows, enveloping the mouth and bringing everything together. It is quite simple and basic and you almost forget there were apples added to the barrels. I expected stronger notes of apple, but ultimately don't feel as though that is adding much to this whiskey. The finish is short to medium with charred oak lingering before all the flavors become a bit astringent. There is spiciness that keeps the mouth tingling a little bit, but the whiskey becomes somewhat quickly forgettable. As something to sip this is perfectly fine. But for something to enjoy, this misses the mark a little bit.

Nose: Baked apple pie and ice cream with notes of apple spice and vanilla Palate: A hint of apple a tiny bit of vanilla but mostly spice Finish: Short to medium finish packed with baking spices A very interesting take: whiskey finished with apples. It's not a flavored whiskey per se- instead, it offers a hint of apple in what is otherwise a sweet and spicy pour (which is interesting given it's lower proof.)

I really like the nose….a sweet tobacco note which I really enjoy on a nose with just a touch of grain. However, the taste is less enjoyable…that grain note really comes through with a touch of astringency. Thin on the mouth, but drinks a bit higher than the 85 proof as has some spice on finish. Paid $10 on clearance at WMT so glad I have, but wouldn’t buy again.

Medicinal with cherry, fruit, vanilla, and apple on the nose. Taste comes in slightly sweet and buttery, heavy on the fruit, sweet and refreshing. Hint of apple and caramel are present with some woody side notes that are a little different. Thin mouth feel and quite smooth into an easy finish that lingers nicely. I enjoy it.