Bourbon

Bourbon Review: Clyde May’s Special Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey 110 Proof

We review Clyde May's Special Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Its backstory involves a famous Alabama moonshiner.

OVERALL RATING

7
Like Conversation
Clyde May's Special Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Tasting Notes

About:

110 Proof. Aged 5 years. Retails around $60
Appearance:
The color is a darker brown amber.
Nose:
I detect aromas of brown sugar and spice, cloves in particular.
Palate:
This is a high proof bottle of whiskey and it drinks like it. If burn is not your thing, definitely consider serving on the rocks or with a couple drops of water. Served neat it is sweet on the palate. This bourbon plays all the hits: Notes of brown sugar and brighter fruit flavors are easily discernible, giving way to tannins and baking spices for a relatively long finish.
Finish:
Comments:
I don’t have any major issues with the actual juice–this is a solid if not particularly unique bourbon on its own and seems like it might play well with others in a cocktail–but the marketing left an off-taste lingering in my mouth. At the end of the day, one’s taste in storytelling is as subjective and personal as one’s taste in beverages. For some, the outlaw story might be appealing and really add something to the drinking experience. But for my part, I’d be a lot happier if Spotify radio just happened to dial up Steve Earle’s Copperhead Road while I was drinking this same bottle but priced about $15-20 cheaper, with no story attached whatsoever. The gap between narrative and fact fails to justify what feels like a markup on an otherwise solid bottle.

Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by The Whiskey Wash or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.

Jacob Wirt

Jacob Wirt, whose past lives as a cook and cultural studies researcher, continues to shape his deep appreciation for fermented grain beverages. His understanding extends beyond the mere enjoyment of the drink; he recognizes the knowledge, labor, and rich history behind every glass. With a passion for homebrewing beer, Wirt finds a similar fascination in whiskey, exploring how techniques, ingredients, and nuanced variables create the distinctive character of each expression.

All Posts

Latest On The Whiskey Wash