“Terry’s been busy.” It says so right there on the website for Terry Bradshaw Brands, and it’s hard to argue. The Hall of Fame NFL quarterback has attached his name to hamburger patties and barbecue sauce, reality TV and quarter horses – and he remains a regular co-host on Fox NFL Sunday each week during the season.
I asked if Bradshaw wanted to talk with The Whiskey Wash about the two releases, but was told he doesn’t do interviews during the football season. That seems reasonable, with the schedule he must keep as an NFL analyst. Still, I was curious about how involved he was with the production and/or selection of the whiskies.
Ultimately, though, it doesn’t much matter. The question is how good the whiskey tastes, and whether it’s worth the suggested retail price. So let’s give it a pour to find out.
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Tasting Notes: Bradshaw Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Vital Stats: Mash bill of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley; 103.8 proof/51.9% alcohol by volume; aged a minimum of two years in new American oak; MSRP of $44.95 for a 750 ml bottle.
Appearance: Light amber, watery legs on the side of the glass.
Nose: A lot of ethanol, even for a whiskey at more than 103 proof. Underneath the booziness, however, you find brown sugar and molasses. It doesn’t come across as complex whiskey – just simple, straightforward, and sweet.
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READ THE STORYPalate: You can tell it’s a high-rye bourbon, but the spiciness isn’t overwhelming. Think Crème brûlée, vanilla, and brown sugar cake with brown sugar glaze. The finish is relatively short, with just a hint of the rye spice lingering in the back of your mouth.
Final thoughts: Nobody’s going to the Hall of Fame for this whiskey, but that’s a high bar. For the price, this is a perfectly acceptable Kentucky bourbon. Given the sweetness and lack of layering, it would probably be ideal for mixed drinks.
Score: 3/5
Tasting Notes: Bradshaw Kentucky Straight Rye
Vital stats: Mash bill of 95% rye and 5% barley; 103.8 proof/51.9% alcohol by volume; aged a minimum of two years in new oak; $44.95 for a 750ml bottle.
Appearance: Light copper, not a lot of legs.
Nose: Like the Bradshaw bourbon, there’s a lot of ethanol here. On top of that, you get a healthy snout full of spice initially. Also apple slices, ginger, turnips, and, interestingly, a hint of an old gymnasium.
Palate: The lack of aging shows up more in the rye than it did in the bourbon. This is a young whiskey that would undoubtedly benefit from a couple more years in oak. It’s not bad; it’s just not particularly complex or long-lasting. Think dark fruit like figs or black cherries, and brown sugar.
Final thoughts: The novelty of a Terry Bradshaw whiskey on your shelf might warrant the price on this one regardless, and it’s not a bad rye. Enjoy it with your favorite TB stories from the glory days.
Score: 2.5/5
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