The Whiskey Reviewer A World of Whiskey, Poured Every Weekday
By Jake Emen
Rating: C-
Alibi American Whiskey
(Credit: Alibi)
Alibi American Whiskey wants to be different from much of the whiskey market available to consumers today. Here’s how they describe themselves:
“Alibi is not there to be fussed over, debated or used as a muse for a seminar. It is not about its age or aroma – heritage or flavor notes. Alibi is there to be a part of a great night with friends, a night that hopefully needs up with a great story and probably the need for, well, an Alibi.”
So, let’s cut to the chase. Alibi is a 90 proof (45% abv) party spirit intended to get you and your friends liquored up on the cheap. “Sipping whiskey” it is not.
Nevertheless, we do that sort of thing too here at The Whiskey Reviewer. So, if this isn’t for quiet fireside sipping or whatever folks do with the top shelf stuff, is Alibi American Whiskey the new go-to choice for a cheap bottle, a drinking game, and a good time?
The Whiskey
“This is not for the aficionado that adds a dropper of mineral water to his whiskey glass and swirls. Alibi is a blended whiskey that does not require elaborate tasting notes or a half-day tasting seminar on its production,” says blend master Stephen W. Yorsz.
Fair enough… but what does Alibi Whiskey taste like?
There’s a heavy char and molasses on the nose, with a bit of vanilla. Drinking it neat, you’ll notice prominent corn taste on the palette, and nutty flavors as well. There’s a nice, warm burn which isn’t too severe.
Since I was told to avoid the “mineral water”, I obliged, although I did try Alibi on ice. It mellowed out the strong corn and provided for a smoother, easier taste.
Mixed with Coke, Alibi was at its intended best, showcasing the familiar sweetness of most generic “whiskey and cokes.”
I understand the desire to be the “every-man’s whiskey” and to make yourself appealing and accessible to that demographic. Still, it’s one thing to be unpretentious, and it’s another to simply not care about the flavor or balance of what you’re drinking. Even in the hazy days when “cheap” was the only descriptor I was really looking for at the liquor store, I’d still find what I preferred to drink and see how certain brands tasted as compared to others of the same price.
Ultimately, Alibi Whiskey serves its intended role as a mixer or on the rocks whiskey. And its intended image – encouraging you and your friends to get hammered, hopefully ending up partying with suggestive, scantily clad women – very well may end up successful. Hey, that does look fun! On its own though, marketing efforts aside, I don’t think it’s as versatile or serviceable as a classic standby such as Jack Daniel’s or Jim Beam. However, it’s a damn sight better than a blend like, say, Imperial.
If you’re looking to try something new in that family for the sake of branching out, then by all means. You may end up enjoying it more than one of those traditional mixer brands. Have the Coke ready and see if your Alibi sticks.
The Price
Alibi American Whiskey has a suggested retail price of $23.99 for a 750 ml. It’s currently available in over a dozen states, including California, New York, Texas, and much of northeastern and southeastern portions of the United States.
Tried in in Manhattans the other night. Very decent.
As I have found this is great for the price. It goes well with coke and as the above article describes, it’s not a top shelf but a very descent lower end whiskey. It’s currently selling for $10 at the local liquor stores in MA.
Well Bill Burr recommended it so that’s good enough for me. If you get him to petal your whiskey, you’ll sell cases!!
Hilarious Joe! I listen to the MMPodcast as well, but was drinking this before he mentioned it. I am also lucky enough to have it sold at a liquor store near me (FL) for 9.99, so it’s a dead heat between this and Beam. Being that Jimbo comes in a handle for next to nothing, it’s my go to when I’m not feeling fancy, but I like the Alibi as well. It’s great neat or rocks with a not too hoppy pale ale back (Sierra Nevada if you will) or with soda and ice. Coke is just too sweet for me, but to each their own. I feel like a C – rating is pretty harsh for this bottle, but if they paid 24.00 for it I suppose I understand where they’re coming from. Get this bottle for 10.00 and you’ll be impressed.
I found it to be better than Old Overholdt, which ruins every cocktail in touches, and much better than general “American Whiskey”. Yeah it’s got a bit of a burn to it, but less than High West (thank god). It make a good Manhattan for sure. I usually only like rye our bourbon, and this stuff fit the bill perfectly. I think they doth protest too much over their “lack of flavor”.