Spirits of the Apocalypse The Walking Dead Kentucky Straight Bourbon

VITALS:
- $10 (Regularly $40)
- 94 Proof
- NAS
- Kentucky

I can't tell you how many times I looked at this bottle on the shelves, chuckled at the idea that someone even bothered producing a "The Walking Dead" bourbon, and moved on to other bottles on the shelf. I wasn't about to spend $40 on a gimmick whiskey with so many better options out there, particularly for that price.

However, while on a wine run for my wife, while doing my typical perusal of the same bourbon aisle I peruse all the time, I was drawn not to the bottle, but to the label right underneath it -- "Sale: $9.99"!!!  Whether or not this bottle was worth the price at $40 is certainly debatable, but at $10, what did I possibly have to lose?

As the Coronavirus pandemic grew, and as I found myself spending every minute of my day at home (not to mention having no need to wake up to an alarm), it only seemed appropriate that I go back to this bottle, otherwise sitting in my closet, and toast the nationwide shutdown.  But that's enough preambling.  How good can The Walking Dead bourbon really be?

Though I anticipated that this would be a young whiskey, I felt that wood notes were prevalent on the nose. It smelled like a barrel, but it also had a peanut note to it as well. Though it didn't come across quite as sweet, that peanut butter mixed with an amaretto note as well.

The flavor was like-wise surprisingly woody, which came with a bit of bitterness that seemed to stick around from start to finish. I also got a distinct burnt orange flavor that paired with a burnt sugar sweetness. This bourbon seemed to get more char character than most in that respect.  It wasn't bad, just the character of the bourbon.

The amaretto notes that I got on the nose and enjoyed were present on the palate as well, though not as much as I had hoped. I also didn't get the peanut flavor that I got from the nose. However, there was a strong cherry note on the finish, particularly in earlier pours. In later pours, that cherry note seemed to become more and more prevalent, and not just noticeable on the finish.

Additionally, another flavor seemed to develop in later pours, and it took me a bit to attach a descriptor to it. But, when I finally made the connection, I couldn't get past the flavor of wet leaves in the Fall.  I know, it's weird, and I don't recall ever actually eating wet leaves in the fall, but that was the kind of earthy and damp flavor that I was noticing.

At $40, I'm not a buyer of this whiskey. At $10, however, I am. It did not come across as young, as I had feared. Sure, it had some odd notes, but for the price, this was pretty good (albeit a low bar at the price point).

Grade: C+

Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon

VITALS:
- $45
- 91 Proof
- NAS
- Kentucky

Its name sounds awesome, like something out of Game of Thrones. It's got a cool-shaped bottle, and it comes with a key around the neck. And it's because of these things that to this point I've refrained from buying a bottle of Diageo's Blade and Bow Bourbon. It was almost a matter of principle, that I didn't want to pay more for marketing gimmicks and fancy packaging only to drink an inferior product.

But, here I am writing about it, so obviously my curiosity got the best of me, despite my principles, fickle as they are.

The aroma was your standard vanilla and caramel, with a little bit of almond in the mix. Nothing overwhelming or particularly unique, and the flavor followed suit.

My first impressions were that it's somewhat watery in texture, and not very strong (it clocks in at 91 proof). Though the traditional bourbons flavors come through, it does have a mild bite to it at the end. It reminded me somewhat of Jim Beam White Label in that it's fairly one-dimensional.

After having it open a bit, it gained a little bit of complexity. The wheat in the mashbill began to come through, providing a mild, earthy undertone to the vanilla and caramel flavors. The finish disappointed, though. None of the flavor remained, perhaps due to the watery texture.

It also sweetened up a bit after being open for a week or so. Perhaps this was due to the wheat, but in any event, I found it much more enjoyable than when I first poured a glass. It became more caramel forward, as well as a mild note of cloves. It also took on a slight pear flavor to boost the sweetness. Although the finish changed a bit, I wasn't certain if it was for the better or the worse, as a distinct flavor of orange peel lingered.

Ultimately, my concerns over the use of gimmicky packaging to make up for inferior booze were founded. This bourbon really came across as only a small step above your standard, every day, grocery store bourbons. But at least I have a really cool key . . .

Grade: B-

Bulleit Kentucky Straight Bourbon

VITALS:
- $30
- 90 Proof
- NAS

I've had the Bulleit rye before, and I see Bulleit bourbon frequently used in cocktails on Bar Rescue (a show sponsored by Diageo). Yet, I had never tried Bulleit on its own before. I guess it had to happen eventually.

I didn't really expect a whole lot going in, figuring it would be sort of a "baseline" bourbon, good enough to pass as bourbon, but nothing special (hence the common use in cocktails). Accordingly, even before I had a sip, I had it in my mind that it would be on the same level as Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, Knob Creek and so on.

I will say this, I went through this bottle about as quick if not quicker than any other bottle that I can remember recently. I'm not sure if it was merely a matter of circumstance or what. It was certainly a very drinkable bourbon, but I did not notice anything special about it.

This is a simple, sweet bourbon with a decent spicy kick to it.  It was very warming (perhaps why I went through it so quickly in the last of the cold Chicago Spring days). The standard toffee and vanilla flavors were there, with a bit of cinnamon or clove, and the distinct peppery spice.

Interestingly, what I liked most about this bourbon was the nose. Though not an overly complex bourbon, it had a nose that I couldn't stop sniffing. It smelled incredible, with the perfect vanilla, caramel and cinnamon blend that I just want to package up as potpourri.

Ultimately, though, it remains on the same tier as the other standards (regardless of how quickly I finished off the bottle).

Grade: C