Candy corn | Caramel Corn | Grass | Hint of orange rind | Toasted oak | Straightforward

Sweet corn | Toasted sugar | Faint ginger | Underdeveloped

Melted caramel | Chestnut | Hot & astringent | Short

NOLA Distillery based in New Orleans, Louisiana produces a range of whiskeys both under their 1933 Distillery and Louisiana Tradition brands. It’s unclear if there ever was a traditional style of Louisiana bourbon beyond using local spring water and aging in the area's climate. Louisiana Tradition’s website features a story about how Grandpa Odis was a moonshiner and somewhat inspired the creation of Louisiana Tradition, but with no profile of the actual people behind the product, it's hard to tell whose grandpa Odis actually was, and thus fails to make the impact it sets out to.

As for the Louisiana Tradition Bourbon, the lack of “straight” on the label is interesting. With the label’s lack of age statement it means this whiskey should be aged 4 years or more, but it’s hard to believe that from its taste. While not overly young per se, it's so straightforward and at times odd tasting, it's hard to believe this spent at least 4 years in a barrel . The bourbon is too simple and too hot, featuring a lackluster flavor profile that makes it hard to recommend this current batch. Bourbon made in Louisiana hasn’t broken into the mainstream yet, and I’m looking forward to when one actually does. In its current state, Louisiana Tradition Bourbon will find it difficult to pull that off just yet.