Trenton's Biggest Bourbon Regrets 

I'll consider this a PSA video--it's a good warning to all that just because a bourbon is made by a favorite maker, or has a fancy label or name, doesnt mean it's gonna taste good. Thank you fellas. P.S. I like how you add a pic of the bottles in the corner, and panning across the entire line of bottles at the end is a nice touch!

That 4 roses Super premium is $60 in Japan, definitely not a $150 bottle.

Honest constructive negative reviews are helpful to the community. I know everyone wants to keep it positive and not be controversial or a hater but if there was more said about releases that were disappointing it would stop a lot of overspending and might even help correct the market. As opposed to not liking something and saying nothing. So I wouldn't mind seeing more videos like this.

I enjoy the Trenton-centered videos. He's quite the character. His palate rivals his charisma.

Agree with the Black bottle Purple top. Picked that in a points lottery passing on several other things that I would much rather have. Sampled it out, nobody else liked it. For $269.99 this was my worst Bourbon purchase ever. Gave it away to a Willet fan with well over half left. Not for me!

I feel this… Old Forester 1910 is one of my favs of all time… I bought 2 bottles of an old forester barrel proof store pic for $100 each…. can’t stand it…. Feels a shame to make cocktails with it… but it’s the only way to clear shelf room.

Great post! My crap bottles I set aside and make cherry cordial out of them (fresh tart cherries, sugar and cheap bourbon). If I don't have enough reject bourbons on my shelf, i finish off with Benchmark which is a pretty good pour for the price.

You can't be afraid to tell it like it is. If peoples feelings get hurt, so be it. They will get over it. I have a few bottles that have been really dissapointing that were expensive but that is just a chance you take. You tend to gain a trust with some distilleries and then they put out a special release that is expensive and it is crap. It is a chance you take these days.

Others have said it, but $150 for the 4 Roses is a US secondary price. I agree with what you said that this is designed for the Japanese market and the proof reflects this. I'm glad I have a bottle and also have no intentions of opening it - my wife found it for me after personally hunting it in Japan and it is worth more to me as a shelf ornament.

For me it was the St Augustine Florida Whiskey. As a born and raised Floridian I was looking for something distilled here in my home state, found St Augustine and then saw they had a FL Whiskey…bought it…opened it…one sip in and I was disgusted and totally let down, major disappointment. Couldn’t even stand to see the bottle on my shelf so I gave it away in small samples to friends; more of a try this so you don’t make the mistake and buy a 60/70 dollar bottle like I did. None of my friends liked it, they were all thankful for the sample since they too saw it and thought about buying it

This video saved me $250 today… had the chance to get the Willet Purple top today at my local store, glad I passed that up!

Oh man! Your Chicago guy way overpaid for that 4Roses. That bottle is available everywhere in Tokyo for $60. Ouch!!! I agree with your review though. Tastes like water!!! My disappointments continue to be ECTB and ECBP. Great show!!

These videos keep the distilleries on their toes as well as help us loyal listeners save a few bucks at your expense! So keep up the good work and thank you!

You guys always do a good job evaluating bourbons. I've bought several based on your reviews and have not been disappointed. The Bowman Port Finish and Small Batch are outstanding for the price. I was in my local store the other day and bought the Small Batch and Redwood Empire Pipe Dream, which I was sipping on watching this video. I had never heard of Bowman before your videos and I'm in Maryland. I plan on taking a ride out there and taking a tour. Thanks for your great videos.

I have been very fortunate so far that I have not made a disappointing purchase. Have kept the budget under 60 as well. You guys have been very helpful in that regard, cheers!

SLB Classics 0:27 Kurt struggles with words: procured 1:12 Trenton admits he doesn’t research and he may need to do more 1:43 Trenton isn’t afraid to go full send 2:59 trenton was excited about the cream 😂 3:58 Kurt needs a sip for a change 5:24 Trenton likes to finish 😂 6:33 the boys like to punish themselves with bad memories/tastes 7:03 Trenton candy note: grassy, musty Reese’s cup 8:24 the case is such a magical place 🪄🦄 9:02 busting out the big guns 🔫 9:42 no cuts! 9:48 the true lacroix bourbon 10:05 Trenton is spiraling 11:15 ouchie 12:48 Trenton struggles with words “creek” 13:21 the price gouging is real and sad 14:08 Trenton shows off his GAINZ 14:48 the boys only speak their opinions 16:21 the boys need some aluminum foil hats 😉 17:24 1812 Maryland wheated bourbon, wasn’t great. 18:14 nice sign off and nod

The Black Maple Hill review was right on! One of our local stores does drawings to get an allocated bottle at MSRP you buy another bottle or two as a bundle if your ticket gets drawn. I got a Stagg Jr at $65 and had to buy another bottle. I told A stranger in line how great the Heaven Hill BIB is and he told me Black Maple Hill was his new favorite-so I bought one. Lesson learned, don’t talk to strangers! Shoulda listened to my mom!

So glad you included the 4R super premium. I’ve almost pulled the trigger on that a few times 😂

I share your pain. It could always be worse though. I bought a 2021 12 yr. Old Forrester Birthday Bourbon for $799...it sucks. It just sits in my cabinet. I actually used it to make my wife a hot totty a few weeks back. Also paid $425 for a Wild Turkey 17 yr. Masters Keep, that I would gladly trade for a bottle of WT 101. Listening to Fred Minnick and others comments on "the decline of the Bourbon market", to me, very poignantly confirms my thoughts that after 4-5 years of paying secondary, folks are no longer wrestling with the fear of missing out. People now know what they like, and as a consequence, allocated stuff, at least here in Texas is becoming more readily available. What a great time we are living in, at least in regards to Bourbons and RYE whiskey. I can run down to my local store and pretty much get anything I want. I agree with your comment on Willet RYEs. They're amazing. Where I'm at, I can pick up a Willet Family Estate Rye for under $80 all day long. Anyway, big fan of you guys, take care! Justin Miller

Two weeks after the December 2023 Bourbon Day at Spec's Liquor in Texas, they had leftovers of 20+ cases each of Willett 8yr black glass purple top at $199, Old Forester sbbf blue label at $88 and Elijah private barrel BP at $95. Had $400 to spend, so passed on Willett, got 2 each of OF and EC. Both OF were great, one EC was great and one EC was downright awful.

My regret is buying Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea, one of my first bourbon purchases.

One thing about unfavorable pours you can make a juice/Liqueur type mixer.

Willet 4 year rye, worst rye I've ever had. Tasted like mold on damp wood in a musty basement...nasty. Baker's 7 bourbon, it was right at 7yrs old drank super hot. Good job guys, cheers 🍻

In my more limited three year exploration of the bourbon world, there has been only one which I literally could not finish the bottle. That was Giant 95, which tasted like burnt toffee with an off-putting aftertaste. I enjoy your informative videos of all phases of the joys (and not so much joys) of bourbon!

Good info guys, I went back to England and bought a Bookers Apprentice batch . It was foul for the money , it’s cheaper in England than you guys pay , we cannot get any expensive bourbons in Mexico so I stocked up in the UK , the best , by far was rare breed , just so good , great info video and love the honesty as usual guys , keep em coming

Great video!! We gotta cover the GOOD and the BAD! Thank you for the video

One of the concerns I always have about bourbons finished in previously used wine casks is that it's an opportunity to introduce 2,4,6-Trichloroanisole (TCA). As a wine guy, I run into TCA on occasion. A barrel that has TCA in it can then impart those bad flavors and smells to the bourbon being finished in it. I think you guys did a video a year or so ago where you ran into something like that, and I immediately thought "TCA!". So if you get a bottle where there are off-smells or weird flavor notes, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that it's been finished in a wine barrel.

291 , for $105 on a bottle I was Disgusted by the Aspen stave finish , I've also tried the Maple finished , I just can't... I have a bottle that's 95% full

Very disappointed with the 13th Colony Rye. Tasted watered down, gave it away. Great job has always guys!

Never even seen most of those, except for the purple top. Really had no interest in the purple top because of the price and this just solidified that decision. The only bourbon I've bought that I absolutely do not like was from a small local distillery here in SC.

That What Penny reaction is wild, it's legit my favorite local bottle. But, i know some folks have a bad reaction to anything Cleveland Whiskey related

Thanks for these videos! Not everything is a good buy and I think everyone has bought a few duds. I'm glad that I'm sipping my 48 dollar WT rare breed right now.

Trenton's reaction at 6:57 😂

For me and my palate, it is the ASW Duality. I know a lot of people like this one, but I did not like the musty taste - like clothes that have been left in the washing machine for a few days - (Malted Rye??) . I was really excited to taste this, so my disappointment was exaggerated by my expectations.

When I get bottles I don't like I mix them together and make a " house " blend. Funny enough, by mixing them it actually comes out as a good drink. Something happens when you mix 2 or 3 bad bourbons. 🤯

A few months ago I purchased a bottle of Garrison Brothers Small batch and when I got it home I immediately opened it because I had been looking forward to it and looking at it on the shelf for a few weeks, it tastes like burnt wires or plastic. So I sent them an email and they were very fast to respond and extremely nice, I told them I wasn't looking for anything and just wanted to let them know that there might be a problem with the batch. They ended up sending me a new bottle and when I got it in the mail I tried it again and unfortunately it tastes exactly the same. Needless to say I've not tried any of their other bottles because I'm now hesitant to spend that much on one when the small batch was already $80.

This kind of video is very much needed for balance and to remind everyone that just because others love it, does not mean that you will love it! Case in point, I bought the Bardstown Discover #11 that you both love. I can appreciate the overall quality and understand how it can be rated an excellent whiskey. I would put it in the dessert category. However, the chocolaty-fruity (Grape Nehi?) flavor profile is just not for me. I am glad you enjoy it. But for me, this was a big disappointment for my taste. I will stick with my Wordford Double Oaked and my Dickel 15-year for my main dessert whiskies for now.

Those old Black Maple Hill Rye bottles were sourced through KBD(Kentucky Bourbon Distillers) using the old Cream of Kentucky rye casks from the defunct Bernheim distillery, same as Red Hook, Doug's Green Ink, original Sazarac 18, early Michters. Funny that there are 2 of those pretender names on your list

Honestly I’ve been drinking bourbon for a while. I still prefer lower proof. 90 to 100,but the Old Forester 1920 is excellent.

I love both the regular and full proof wheat penny. It's a little different but that's what I like about it. 🤷🏻‍♂️

What an assortment of regret bottles. Great video! I passed on the Willett bc of the price.

I bought a bottle of Old Fitzgerald BiB 13 yr old for $199.99. For a 13 yr old bottle I was very disappointed. It wasn't bad by any means but it lacked any depth for its age. The retail was $129 so paying $199 was very difficult. I purchased 3 bottles of Jim Beam 7 yr old for $19.99 each. I think they were mis-marked here in Michigan. Excellent bottle! Thanks for the tip!

Black Maple Hills, yep. I drain poured a bottle of Penelope Toasted last week. Absolutely HORRIBLE product, should never ever been bottled. Someone needs to be fired for that one.

Wild Turkey 13yr Distiller's Reserve was a let down. The 12yr was so good, so I had high hopes for the 13yr. Bought two bottles too 😢

I had a store manager hype Town Branch Maple to my friend and I. We both purchased one without hesitation based on his review. 65-70$ I think it was. Second worst pour I've ever had. To top it all off, not long afterward, my friend ALSO bought the Willet purple top on impulse. Doh!!!

I bought a Stagg 23B (my 1st Stagg)! I over paid but not quite full secondary but still almost $200. I was so very disappointed. Not only was it not good but I did not like it AT ALL! about a month later I was able to try a pour of batch 17 and loved it. I don't know if for some reason I got a bad bottle or was 23B that bad. Love the content.

Love these videos! I’m a scotch guy mainly but recently been getting into more and more bourbon, good to know which ones to avoid, cheers!

Colorado 291 is one of mine. Along with Calumet small batch.

I luckily haven’t had one that’s been bad or too off from my liking to not drink. I usually do a lot of research and look at multiple reviews of new to me bottles to see what I might be getting in to. Fingers crossed for future purchases.

A great Bourbon War would be Screwtops. Viewer vote take the top batch and blind out a winner!😂

Great Review. I have 4-5 bottles sitting around that I'm saving for mixers. Not my pallet and not drinkable neat or on the rocks. We all make those mistakes........wish they weren't so expensive....

Fun video! I have similar feelings about the Williet. I can’t believe I’m saying this but my biggest disappointment is one of your guy’s favorites. The Westward Single Malt Cask Strength. I just can’t get past the funkiness in the finish. I’ve had it a couple months and it still hasn’t opened up. I feel like I’m missing something or a got a bad bottle. Hoping it will get better with time. It does smell amazing!

Four Roses Single Barrel. I don’t have the specific barrel. It was two years ago. It was so terrible smelling. Pure turpentine. No matter how much I dumped out or how long I left it open, it didn’t changed. Really upsetting they decided it was fit to distribute. I’ll never buy another of their products.

$60 for that Wheat Penny? Those are $35 in my area

Finally got my first Henry McKenna 10 BIB. The bottle gets a lot of hype and I know they’re single barrels, but mine is just meh. Oh well.

Glad you guys did this video, it really helps the whiskey community. I wish someone had told me that Blanton's wasn't all that great before I spent $200 on a bottle. I wish someone had told me Johnnie Walker Blue isn't that good (which is my biggest letdown since I was so excited to finally buy a bottle). Balcones is the biggest let down for me, not because of the cost but because it's just so awful in my opinion. I've only tried a few of their product lines, but all of them just hit my pallet in the wrong way. It's a shame too cuz Still Austin products are some of my favorites, so it's not just the fact that Balcones is "Texas" whiskey. Whatever they're doing just isn't in my wheelhouse.

Very helpful video and info guys, thanks! I don't have too many personal buy regrets, I try to get a taste of something first, but not always patient enough if my bourbon hackles are up for a particular bottle. One purchase regret from early in my whiskey journey was standard Bulleit Bourbon. It was heavily used a standard mixer in bars and restaurants (should have been my first clue...), so it was probably the first bottle I bought to try and use for neat sips. Not my thing for sure. Rebel 100 was another one. No worries though, those bottles that I end up not liking straight get demoted right to the "Mixing" tier for cocktails. I do like to also use whiskeys I do like the taste for mixing as well, but ones makes do... I haven't really had a more expensive splurge buy go too badly. I have learned my lesson on higher proof bottles though. There are some excellent bourbons that are just too hot for my palate, but I'm working on it. I tend to avoid much that is over the 115pf level. For me the heat just blocks out the flavors a good bit.

I haven’t read all the comments as this video is older, probably won’t be seen, but the black bottle wheated willets I don’t consider to be “purple tops”. WFE bourbon is the true purple tops, I’ve had several, all probably weren’t worth their price, but some absolutely were!

The Music at the End of the show is like the smooth Jazz version of 🎶 John Jacob Jinglehiemer Shmitt 🎶. 😮😅😂

I bought a george dickel 18 year store pick the other day the store employee hyped up. I heard some people say dickel has a funk and this one definitely does. Not sure what I will do with it but live and learn.

Old Forester 1920, bought 2 bottles based on various YT channels. It is a DRAIN POUR! Tasting notes: paint thinner and alcohol.

Didn’t spend a lot, but multiple You Tube bourbon channels convinced me that I needed an Early Times BIB. Found one, opened and hated it. Tasted like acetone. Let open up and six weeks later it was worse. Down the old drain it went.

Keep the variety videos coming! The Cream of Kentucky in my area is around 200.00 and the Willet 8yr if seen is usually 250.00 and the others I’ve never heard or seen in my area. Cheers

I had some less then desirables, so I purchased a 3 liter barrel and poured them in it. let the juice age, it surprisingly come out very good. Just a suggestion.

Blue Note Rye, was surprised to find it because I didn’t even know it existed. Way under impressed.

Anything Smoke Wagon has been a disappointment so far to me. Used to be hard to find in NC, but now it sits on shelves. Figured I’d give it a try, not a fan.

Dalmore 12 Sherry cask. Paid £75 for that and it was just extremely disappointing. There's no depth to it, just a very average sherry scotch for how much it costs.

Yea the willet purple was very disappointing, also a couple other bottles I purchased that I end giving away were Davidson reserve and baby blue balconies

The thousand dollar dump! Liked this one, very helpful.

I got a couple of allocated thankfully for near retail. They did not match my pallet. Thankfully I keep an infinity bottle for those that don't suit me hears to whatever suits you

Kentucky Owl Confiscated. I suppose I shouldn’t be too upset with this one because there’s no age statement and no mash bill noted on the bottle. This bottle retails for $120-$130 around me. It’s a smooth sipper but I think it lacks a little depth and roundness that you’d like to get out of a higher priced bottle. I’d love to get your thoughts on this bottle and Wiseman’s products in general. Thanks guys, love your videos!

ALL bourbons that are finished in a wine barrel, or anything other than a bourbon barrel are not good to me whatsoever. Just my opinion!

I got a New Riff single barrel that I thought was terrible, and I love New Riff. Probably just that particular barrel, but it had an apricot-like note that just overpowered anything else. It was weird

The thing with the black maple hill is you have to make sure it's a Kentucky straight and not an Oregon one.

The biggest disappointment in my collection by far is a bottle tons of people love: Old Forester 1920. I hope it's because I got a bum bottle but all I get is a little sweetness, a ton of heat, and not much else in terms of flavor.

Bowman Brothers Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Small Batch! When I was living in Maryland last year where Buff Trace is allocated, the buzz on the interwebs was this Bowman Brothers was getting distilled spirits from Buffalo Trace, running it through their distillery again and aging it to produce "Virginia Straight Bourbon Whiskey." It was so bad and disappointing I first resorted to using it for cocktails and finally discarded the last 1/4 or so. It was terrible.

Interesting to hear your take... I have the Black maple Hill Rye which is very solid!

Have not tried any of those but you did just save me that Four Roses purchase. I’ve been thinking on it for a while. I have to disagree on Nikka From the Barrel. It’s a really good product to my taste (although not a true Japanese whiskey)

Nikka from the barrel is great for the money for me. Not offended by any stretch but I keep it on the shelf at all times even when I've got bottles 10x value on the shelf

I got that Willet purple top in a total wine raffle. So happy I passed it up.

I got the heavens door homesick blues bottle and i was super excited for it since i love wheated whiskey and was so disappointed its not even good for a mixer 😔

I'll probably get a bunch of heartburn on this one, but Blanton's SIB was a huge disappointment. I'd choose Early Times BIB over it everyday of the week. Thanks for the great video.

I have a few, a couple of which are store picks and make me wonder who tasted it and said, “yep, that’s the one!”. I have a Bower HIll single barrel that’s undrinkable. An Angels Envy store pick that tastes like an ash tray. And a 1792 barrel proof store pick that’s gasoline. That one I do break out fairly regularly to let people try it next to another 1792 store pick (different store) to show how stupidly different one bottle can be to another.

I used to always be a Willett fan, but prices have got out of control. I found an old receipt from a Binnys purchase of a few 8yr Willett Family Estate barrel proof Binnys private barrel for 54.99 a bottle. Now the price they are asking is obscene.

I really appreciate this video. It adds credibility to your program. Thanks guys

I picked up a Courage and Conviction, American single malt whiskey that had a lot of gold medals hype and was severely disappointed. Beware of the gold and double gold medal hype. Just saw people clamoring for a Willet purple top at TW for $369. These were the last things to go after an allocation release. I wonder why.

I like videos like this. It’s nice to hear different opinions. I was kind of regretting buying the Frey Ranch farm strength. It’s good, but it smells like wet cut grass, and there is a sour note on the finish that I don’t particularly care for. We are letting it open up for a while to see if it gets better. Once we kill the bottle, I’ll probably just get the standard offering from our local liquor store

Call meet nuts but mine never get that much dust on them. When they are like that, I try in a cocktail if it fails, right down the drain. No use keeping them around.

I bought a bottle of Basil Hayden finished in red wine casks. Cost about $80. Was terrible. Ended up mixing it with ginger ale just to get rid of it.

That's me and the Nulu products. I have a double oak which has been opened for about 2 years. Barely 1/3 gone.

I bought a Bernheim Wheat Whiskey recently, I was excited because I hadn't tried wheat whiskey before, and I like wheated bourbons like Larceny and Maker's Mark. To me, Bernheim tastes like you scraped out the peanut butter of a Reese's cup and let it ferment for a while. Cloyingly sweet with something kinda off about it.

Love videos like this. Only been into bourbon about a year and a half. And I'm not sure what's great and what's good and what's awful. But I will say that usually after about $50 to $60 the price to flavor ratio isn't great. Sure there are fantastic bottles for lots of money. But it's one bottle.

Old Forester 1924. Glad I didn't pay secondary prices for it.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the Black Maple Hills Rye. Don't get me wrong... it's unique, but in a good way. I believe it's the only whiskey l've had with a dill pickle note.

I have been on the fence about the four roses super premium for a while now. A store about an hour from me keeps them in stock. I have thought about buying it multiple times however I was afraid of exactly what you said! I am glad I have not pulled the trigger

Old forester bottled in bond 1897 was a purchase I was very disappointed in. Tasted like medicine or maybe peroxide (pallet and nose) didn’t spend a crazy amount on it but still had such high hopes for the bottle with it being a bottled in bond and from old forester.

Unfortunately, mine is the Cataleja. I bought it based on your review and was excited to try it, and all I get is a heavy band aid flavor. At least I got a good deal on it 😂

Great video and topic...one we all need to hear. It has been said so many times big money doesn't always equate to good juice. Again, everyone's tastes are different...and they change daily...if not hourly. Cheers! 🥃

It's crazy how palates and / or single barrels vary. I have the Cream of KY 7 year and it's one of my all time favorites.

My #1 worst = JD SB Rye (not the barrel proof). They are single barrel, so it could just be mine but its literally liquified dirt. My friend who enjoys "earthy" ryes cant stand it either. #2 most disappointing is Broken Barrel CS.