5 | Spirits | Whiskey, United States, $10 to $20

"Pale amber color. Caramelized nut, mashed banana, corn bread and sweet brown spice aromas are attractive and follow through on a soft, supple entry to a dryish medium body with peppery spice and dried cherry notes. Finishes with a long vanilla nut fade. A solid bourbon for mixing."

"The first sniffings detect notes of black pepper and oak resin; aeration adds stone-dry scents of minerals, slate, and sage. The palate entry is lean, semisweet, intensely grainy, and satisfying; at midpalate the whiskey lies well on the tongue, sweet, grainy, medium plump, and spicy. Finishes spicy. A very solid rye whiskey that deserves a larger audience." 85-89 pts.

"A lovely, sophisticated bourbon bouquet comprising fruity, cornmeal aromas which are followed by a red fruit scent, all underpinned by an oaky vanilla quality. Entry is reserved, gently sweet and toffee-like; the midpalate features succulent tastes of light caramel, honeywheat bread, caramel corn and toasted almond. Concludes fruity and corny. The best value American whiskey in the marketplace." Best Buy. 85-89 pts.

The classic Jim Beam Bourbon in a shatterproof plastic bottle.