Great Jones Straight Bourbon

Honey-colored light orange color, like a yellow traffic light. An upside-down crown of droplets stick to the glass, but in just a few drops. The nose is hay and barley. Black pepper and a hint of rye. Aroma of dried corn kernels. Light vanilla. The nose pleasant, but at a low volume. The flavor is mild rye spice and black pepper. There is a very bitter barrel char, reminiscent of the burnt bottom of a chocolate chip cookie. Hazelnut and amaretto-flavored coffee syrup. A real black licorice bitterness. Feel-wise, it really dances on the palate, like a prickly handful of Pop Rocks. A lot of peanut oil-like and caramel flavors stick to the lips. Finishes with some smoky business: smoldering embers. Spicy red pepper flakes. Tobacco. A curious pungent red berry.

43%, four years old Tasted in a glencairn cairn, neat Rested 12 minutes Color: light amber Nose: caramel, cherries, vanilla, honey-brown sugar, ethanol Palate: mmmm, syrupy and thick, honey right from the start, then vanilla and caramel, hint of white pepper, not as sweet as the nose suggests Finish: nice, moderate with oak and tannins, some residual vanilla and caramel Nice! Not the most complex, but an easy sipper, and props for keeping the price appropriate, unlike some other new distilleries (nods at peerless) T8ke scale: 6, very good, a step above

I had two shots of this timely whiskey in honor of our cat who is slowly dying of old age and a lump on his side. The taste matches the memories of our cat, Stimpy. His claws like the spice going through my throat and the joy of his life with every sip, sniff and gulp. Love. Love of sentient life embodied in a cat for every sip of this bourbon. Thank you Stimpy.

Nose: Vanilla, Peaches, Caramel, Brown Sugar, Maple Syrup, Lavender, Oranges, Cloves, Cola Palate: Honey, Vanilla, Root Beer, Marshmallows, Almonds, Salted Caramel, Cherries, Pepper, Cloves, Grass, Agave Finish: Honey, Vanilla, Cloves, Spearmint, Dill, Bananas, Caramel, Grass, Cola

Some grain on the nose but getting lots of alcohol. Hard to discern much. Flavor is actually similar, mostly vanilla, some pepper and sparkle but then a huge alcohol wave. Much more than I'd expect from an 86 proof. Flavors are fine but it kinda ruins the experience.

Very smooth and surprisingly unheard of, it goes down very well but requires a few sips first to get you accustomed. Great Jones is the only distillery in Manhattan since the Prohibition.