Bachelor on the Cheap

By Mike Thayer

Best used in a mixed drink

Blended and flavored whiskeys are red hot right now, consumer demand for brown spirits continues to rise with American Whiskey in particular seeing some phenomenal sales growth.

Regular readers know that I am a fan of flavored whiskey, I've always got a bottle of something in my freezer for a chilled shot or flavored specialty in the liquor cabinet to enjoy on the rocks.  My favorite in all this tasting fun so far, has been Yukon Jack Jacapple.

Getting a recommendation from a friend and STILL not finding any liquor store around with Royal Crown Peach in stock, for this tasting I opted for Jim Beam Red Stag, their traditional 4-year-old oak aged whiskey infused with black cherry.  This is an 80 proof whiskey, giving it a little more kick.  Most flavored whiskeys are 70 proof.

As usual, I served this up in a straight shot and on the rocks.  You definitely get the cherry sweetness in the nose, but in the swirl and swallow this whiskey came off as a little medicinal for me, a.k.a., cough drop flavored.  You do get the warm base bourbon in the finish but I think this whiskey is best used in a cocktail such as a Manhattan or an Old Fashioned.  I'd rather have a different flavored whiskey in a chilled shot or on the rocks.

Costing me about $17 for a 750ml bottle, the price is reasonable and this whiskey is a borderline repeat buy, as a mixer only.  Jim Beam Red Stag gets 3 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap Stars.