Off Hours Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review & Tasting Notes

Part of the (at least) American whiskey experience is the marketing. That campaign usually includes a backstory, a well-designed label, an impressive website, and a bit of hype. So many pricy “top shelf” American whiskeys come out of nowhere looking to grab your attention.

 

You’re not going to find any of that with Off Hours Straight Bourbon. And that seems to be its marketing plan.

 

Today’s generic brands have nice and bright labels meant to impress and give an aura of quality. Yeah, not in the early 1980s. Instead, we had bare-knuckle brawlers like this:

 

While the label for generic SPAM is clean and informative, it isn’t overly exciting. Yet, it isn’t off-putting as a Bourbon label for whatever reason.  

 

The website is at least colorful but is still minimalist. The most informative part of the website is the backstory:

 

“Off Hours Bourbon is meant to engage our senses and change perceptions. It’s not about preconceived notions of artisanal cocktails and dimly lit bars. It’s for everyone, everywhere. So cheers to more inspiration. More real-life connections. More easygoing hangs, and less expectations. More time outdoors, less time behind our screens. After a long week or just because. Find the time and the moments in between. Find them with us in the Off Hours.” – Jake Ireland, Founder

 

So, what, exactly, is Off Hours Bourbon? A five-year MGP-produced and bottled straight Bourbon made from a mash of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. It is about five years old despite the lack of an age statement on the label. Bottled at 95°, the website offers a $46.99 MSRP, but it can be had for $37.99 elsewhere.

 

Before I go further, I’d like to thank Off Hours for providing me a sample of its Bourbon in exchange for a no-strings-attached, honest review. Time to #DrinkCurious and see how it tastes.

 

Appearance: Poured neat in my Glencairn glass, Off Hours presented as the color of caramel. A medium rim dropped heavy, thick legs that crashed into the pool.

 

Nose:  Aromas of caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, honey, and toasted oak were simple to ascertain. But then, bubble gum slammed my olfactory sense. When I drew the air into my mouth, the bubble gum continued.

 

Palate:  A thin, oily mouthfeel opened the show, with corn, vanilla, and toasted coconut on the front of my palate. Nutmeg, pecan, almond, and tea came next, with flavors of spearmint, cinnamon, clove, and soft oak on the back.

 

Finish:  The next thing I know, the spearmint from the back became Wrigley’s Doublemint gum. Several subsequent sips revealed clove, oak spice, and cinnamon-spiced nuts. As those fell off, the tea came back to close the show. Medium in length, the finish somehow made sense.

 

Bottle, Bar, or Bust:  I appreciate the simplicity of the marketing campaign. Off Hours may be one of the most off-profile MGP-sourced Bourbons I’ve had where it wasn’t subjected to a barrel finish. However, it is so unusual that it may appeal only to a niche of the Bourbon community. Off Hours is a whiskey you must try at a Bar to see if you’re in that segment. Cheers!

 My Simple, Easy to Understand Rating System

• Bottle = Buy It
• Bar = Try It
• Bust = Leave It

 

Whiskeyfellow encourages you to enjoy your whiskey as you see fit but begs you do so responsibly.