Fighting Cock Kentucky Straight Bourbon (NAS)

I purchased this on impulse at TW for the princely sum of $18.99. I had no idea which distillery produced it (Heaven Hill), or what its history was (competitor to Wild Turkey 101). I just liked the bottle and it was cheap enough to not care if it turned out to be a... turkey. I've had a few pours from the bottle, but this afternoon decided to sit down with this and the WT101 side by side. Tasted neat from a pair of nice looking shot glasses. After a few minutes rest the FC gives up some sugary caramel. slight ethanol, damp barrel and a hint of dark honey. There's a slight bitterness and a note of old banana peel. In comparison, the WT101 has a more sugary nose that is really not sweeter but equally sweet with a different personality. Its brighter with notes of caramelized sugar, vanilla, baking spice and over-ripe cherries that are starting to sour. The WT smells like a "stronger" drink even though its slightly lower in proof. On the palate the Fighting Cock is slightly creamy with good mouthfeel. It opens with nougat and caramel, dries and shows a bitter turn to the young barrel note and finishes with a confident note of black pepper and ginger. All together a really great showing for a bargain bourbon. The WT101 leans into the cake frosting, vanilla and sugary notes, delivers some fruit and rye elements mid palate and runs towards a nice ginger and pepper finish with a smooth taper to a slightly bitter-sweet close. Its close. Really close. I love the WT101 and its always in my house by the handle. But this Fighting Cock has its charms and is about 15% cheaper than a 750 of the WT. In my market I'm not sure if it is as widely available as WT as honestly I've never looked for it and never noticed. I'll notice in the future. This is a great change of pace and is equal to the bird on the tongue while saving a few bucks. I'm adding a quarter point bias for value as this really balances between a 2.75 for taste and a 3 for price. BTW, I have tried this neat, on ice and in a Manhattan. In the latter this was excellent with Cocchi di Torino sweet vermouth and a couple drops of Angostura bitters. It is a very good mixer bourbon.

After discovering some gold on the bottom shelf from a few other Heaven Hill offerings, I thought I’d make it around to this one. I have yet to be disappointed by Heaven Hill on bottom their shelfers, especially 100 proofers and above. The nose is sweet and slightly floral with vanilla custard, sweet corn, pear juice, light raisins, toasted almonds, and a hint of freshly baked ginger snap cookies. There is a tinge of alcohol vapors that stings the nostrils every now and then if I get a little too close to the glass when nosing, but it’s not too distracting. The palate is medium bodied and slightly creamy. It is a little more sweet than bitter, though both are present. There is sweet corn, pear, vanilla, black pepper, slight nuttiness, a floral note that jumps out and a little ethanol, but it’s not too much. The finish is medium long, slightly bitter with lingering vanilla and corn and a slight nutty barrel char note. Once again, I’m pleasantly surprised by Heaven Hill. I’ve often been turned off by its unattractive label and bottom shelf price. But I’ve again been reminded of how many very decent and great bourbons there are down there. I’ll say this one probably has the most present alcohol notes of the Heaven Hill products I’ve had around this proof, but it’s still good.

Tasting this after letting it sit in the glass for about 10 minutes. My favorite thing about this is the mouth feel, which is surprisingly viscous. Almost like a liqueur rather than a whiskey. Flavorwise, this reminds me of a less complex Elijah Craig barrel proof watered down with a little bit of honey milk tea. I'm getting hints of orange peel, clove, and cinnamon. There is a peanut profile I usually associate with Jim Beam products, but also a lesser extent with Elijah Craig. There's almost no burn whatsoever, which is surprising. What this lacks in complexity, it makes up in drinkability and value. I'm not sure there's a better $20 bottle. Glad I bought this on a whim

A pretty nice bourbon nose once you get past the alcohol. Then you get smacked in the mouth by an oak 2x4, after the oak dissipates sweet vanilla and spice shows up. A nice long hot finish with oak and a little spice. A few drops of water tames a little of the oak. The most oaky whiskey of any kind that I’ve ever had, not in a bad way though. My favorite daily drinker. Very nice and a great value.

Nose - pretty light. Acetone mixed with baked dessert notes Taste - a bit of harsh tannins up front but after that, fairly decent. Heavy Nuttiness, dry oak and faint syrupy sweetness. I’m a big fan of the nuttiness that comes from most HH products but the bite on this one is though to get past. Respectable for $18 but I’d still reach for EW BiB before this.

Wow… I am floored that this is a sub $20 bottle. Nose is sweet, maybe a bit of maple. Mouth has a tiny bit of maple and honey then oak and a bit of burn. It stings the nostrils a bit. It’s lacking complexity but is very nice. Think I found a new mixing bourbon (that I can’t drink near if I just want a bourbon but can’t decide which one 😂)