I had seen this whiskey in stores, but never really payed attention to it until my old friend, Barry Stein, reviewed it on his new-ish website. I decided to pick up a bottle for about $20. Mellow Corn is a Heaven Hill product using a very high (80%) corn mash bill, then bottling it in bond, which means it has been aged for four years and bottled at 100 proof. Looking at all those components, you’d think “bourbon,” but they use second-use barrels, so it can only be called “whiskey.”
Mellow Corn has a very light amber color, owing to its use of recycled barrels…but that reminds me of the color of many Scotches, which are also employing second use barrels. The aroma in my glass was lightly sweet with slight vanilla notes. When I sipped it, I picked up a good amount of sweetness, overlaying very subtle vanilla and oak notes. Yes, there is a little corn taste to it, but it’s very subdued, too.
It’s a “good” whiskey, especially for less than $20…my main dig against it from the very first time I drank it is this: it’s very one-note. The heavy reliance on corn, coupled with the second-use barrels makes for a sweet and uncomplicated whiskey. Probably really great as a mixer…not amazing as a sipping whiskey, though.
