Trader Joe's Bourbon

[sku]

Trader Joe's has a new private label bourbon made by Buffalo Trace. Here's my review: http://recenteats.blogspot.com/2012/11/trader-joes-bourbon.html

Trader Joe's has done a number of private label whiskeys, but never a bourbon, until now. Trader Joe's Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a new product on their shelves. It is distilled at Buffalo Trace and goes for a typically TJ's affordable price of $15.

Trader Joe's Kentucky Bourbon, 45% abv ($15)

The nose is very nice, woody with a nice rye kick, burnt caramel and cloves. The palate is much less complex with lots of vanilla, and some spice on late palate, but it fades to bitterness in the end which lasts into the finish which is quite bitter.

This one starts well but doesn't hold up. Even for $15, there are better bourbons on the shelf. I expected more out of Buffalo Trace, but maybe there is a reason they aren't releasing this under their own label.

[Clavius]

Interesting. My Trader Joe's that just recently opened here in Lexington, KY only sells wine.

[BigPenguin]

I wonder if that's something they will have at the Trader Joe's around me. I haven't been to one in awhile, but not sure if they planned to carry alcohol ever since the state was ran out of business to sell alcohol. I'll have to try to remember to stop into one and see if they carry it.

[OscarV]

I'll stop off at T-Joes tomorrow and see what's up.

[Wedge]

If it's anything like their private-label beer, I will run away quickly!

[MyOldKyDram]

I didn't think their beer made by Goose Island was too bad at all. But like Clavius said, no spirits to be had at our TJs.

[sku]

I didn't think their beer made by Goose Island was too bad at all. But like Clavius said, no spirits to be had at our TJs.

Their private label whiskeys have varied a lot. They had a line of single malts that was pretty bad (they now have a new one that I haven't tried) but I really like their Irish Whiskey.

[MyOldKyDram]

Yeah, I've read a lot of good things about their Irish. Was the one big thing I was looking forward to when we finally got one. No such luck.

[berto]

The Irish is gone from the store I frequent. I hear raves about TJ's new 18yr Speyside. The bourbon is in. Thanks for the review. I knew it was BT but wondered about the quality. I suppose $15 is low enough to take a flier and use as a mixer if nothing else. Maybe after xmas...

[squire]

Well, it is 90 proof, then again if all I expect is a mixer I can get an 80 proof 1.75 ltr. for $15.00.

[Josh]

So, this is basically a 90 proof Benchmark?

The TJ's around here don't sell liquor either, except for O'Mara's Irish Cream. They do sell wine, beer and the like.

Edited November 29, 2012 by Josh

[squire]

Can't say, don't recall that level of bitterness in Benchmark.

[BigPenguin]

If it's anything like their private-label beer, I will run away quickly!

The last time I was at TJ's, the beer with their label on it is made by a Canadian Brewery by the name of Unibroue. They're known for making Belgian style ales. So the beer they make for TJ's is usually a Belgian style ale. To the average beer drinker, Belgians probably aren't on your list of beers to drink. If it's something you like, the TJ's beer is not that bad.

[squire]

Unibroue makes some good stuff, their Tres Pistoles is a classic.

[Josh]

The last time I was at TJ's, the beer with their label on it is made by a Canadian Brewery by the name of Unibroue. They're known for making Belgian style ales. So the beer they make for TJ's is usually a Belgian style ale. To the average beer drinker, Belgians probably aren't on your list of beers to drink. If it's something you like, the TJ's beer is not that bad.

I'm a fan of their vintage ale series. I usually get two bottles a year. One to drink right away and one to drink a year later. They really seem to hit their peak at 6-12 mos.

Their bottled beer in various styles is pretty good too. Their simpler times lager is awful, but no worse than similar brand name beers.

[BigPenguin]

I've only seen the one Vintage Ale in the 20oz bottles that Unibroue makes for them. I haven't seen 6 packs or other stuff from them. Then again, I don't get into that store a lot.

[soonami]

I've only seen the one Vintage Ale in the 20oz bottles that Unibroue makes for them. I haven't seen 6 packs or other stuff from them. Then again, I don't get into that store a lot.

I'm a fan of their vintage ale series. I usually get two bottles a year. One to drink right away and one to drink a year later. They really seem to hit their peak at 6-12 mos.

Their bottled beer in various styles is pretty good too. Their simpler times lager is awful, but no worse than similar brand name beers.

The last time I was at TJ's, the beer with their label on it is made by a Canadian Brewery by the name of Unibroue. They're known for making Belgian style ales. So the beer they make for TJ's is usually a Belgian style ale. To the average beer drinker, Belgians probably aren't on your list of beers to drink. If it's something you like, the TJ's beer is not that bad.

Those 25 oz Cork and caged Trader Joe's Vintage Ale brewed by Unibroue is a very high quality product and at ~$7 is a very good price for a beer of 10% abv strength and in that format.

There are other beers that are great but not all of them are winners. I've heard all the Mission Street beers are brewed at Firestone Walker, some of the German-style beers are brewed by Gordon Biersch

[unclebunk]

I'm a fan of their vintage ale series. I usually get two bottles a year. One to drink right away and one to drink a year later. They really seem to hit their peak at 6-12 mos.

Their bottled beer in various styles is pretty good too. Their simpler times lager is awful, but no worse than similar brand name beers.

Those 25 oz Cork and caged Trader Joe's Vintage Ale brewed by Unibroue is a very high quality product and at ~$7 is a very good price for a beer of 10% abv strength and in that format.

There are other beers that are great but not all of them are winners. I've heard all the Mission Street beers are brewed at Firestone Walker, some of the German-style beers are brewed by Gordon Biersch

I thoroughly enjoy the Vintage Ale myself and was happy to see the arrival of the 2012 edition. Unibroue does indeed make good beer and these bombers are only $4.99 (!) at my local TJ's which is why I have five of them.:grin:

[OscarV]

I stopped at the Ann Arbor trader Joe's today and they don't sell spirits.

Just as well because from some previous posts it sounds like it'd just 90prf Benchmark, glad they didn't sell spirits.

Way off topic here so delete this if it is not appropiate,.....but I stopped at a store down the road I haven't been to in a while to see if they had any Old Rip's.

They had none but I did see about 6 or 7 bottles of "Baby Saz", I thought this stuff was cut back and no one could get it.

[Brisko]

I've been seeing more Baby Saz in the Twin Cities lately. Not a glut, but it can be had.

[JPBoston]

Interesting -- might be worth a shot for $15. I kinda-sorta found some enjoyment from the Benchmark handle I bought awhile back, and I really enjoy BT.

Unibroue is indeed great -- I really dug their Don De Dieu and they had a really refreshing apple brew.

[squire]

Baby seems an incorrect cognomen for a fully aged, mature whisky, but if the nickname keeps the price down, well, I can't complain.

[sku]

Correction: BT emailed to tell me that the juice in this bourbon is actually distilled at Barton.

[Josh]

Correction: BT emailed to tell me that the juice in this bourbon is actually distilled at Barton.

So a 90 proof Ten High, then.

[MyOldKyDram]

Picked one up today on a whim. Just started carrying it here. What the heck.