We wouldn’t trade this bourbon for the world.
It’s not every day that we get to review a grocery store’s bourbon, yet here we are with a bottle of Trader Joe’s Kentucky Bourbon Straight Whiskey. Over the years, Trader Joe’s has dabbled in its own liquor line, releasing their Espada Pequeña Mezcal, Rum of the Gods White Rum, and a Small Batch Vodka. But now the grocery giant is taking on bourbon with three different whiskies: Trader Joe’s Barrel Proof Bourbon Whiskey, Kentucky Best Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and the original bourbon. Although the Barrel Proof Bourbon was marketed as a limited release, it remains a bit unclear if the company will continue to release the other two bourbons or release them in their current forms. So for the time being, we’ll carpe diem and enjoy this bourbon while we can.
Trader Joe’s Kentucky Bourbon Straight Whiskey is 90 proof, aged a minimum of five years, and in true TJ form, only costs $15. But the truly interesting part of this bourbon is its alleged origins. According to the label, Trader Joe’s bourbon is distilled by the Bourbon Square Distilling Company – as if anyone has heard of that. Rumors have swirled for a while that Buffalo Trace was the real source and the Barton 1792 Distillery (another Sazerac offshoot) was being used in the process. A little snooping around the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau actually confirms that Buffalo Trace is the secret, mystery distilling company behind the Barrel Proof Bourbon. However, the same can’t be completely confirmed with the original bourbon.
Whether the buffalo roams through the mashbill or not, Trader Joe’s has created a surprisingly solid bourbon. It leads with a strong oak smell and blends into a dry, roasted peanuts flavor with almost no sweetness throughout. The texture itself is a bit thin and slightly watery, which makes the taste feel even drier. There’s a pop of bitey heat at the end, but it’s not a heat that carries or lasts for very long. Sure it’s not mesmerizing or mindblowing, but neither is the competition like Evan Williams Black or Evan Williams 1783. Those bourbons are both under $15, respectable, but not necessarily life changing.
Trader Joe’s may not be revolutionizing the bourbon industry, but with some sneaky little help from Buffalo Trace, they’re certainly improving it. Here’s hoping that the grocery chain continues to sell their Trader Joe’s Kentucky Bourbon Straight Whiskey.
STATS: Trader Joe’s Kentucky Bourbon Straight Whiskey
- Price for us: $15 for 750 mL
- Proof: 90
- Aged: 5 Years
- Distillery: Bourbon Square Distilling Company
- Recommendation: Neat
