Bird Dog Blackberry Flavored Whiskey Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: C-

Of Bird Dog’s flavored whiskey line, their blackberry whiskey is the one that has probably received the most attention and is the best known. Ostensibly, Bird Dog products are supposed to be sweet, flavorful, and smooth enough to drink on their own. Sometimes flavored whiskeys, such as Bird Dog’s own peach whiskey, are the sort of thing some people might enjoy on ice.

Bird Dog Blackberry is a slightly different breed, however. As a mixer or a cooking ingredient, the stuff is perfect. Yet the blackberry flavoring lacks the character of its peach cousin, so it’s not something I would sip at on its own, even if served ice cold as a super alcoholic, 80 proof (40% abv) soft drink.

The Whiskey
In the glass, Bird Dog Blackberry has a light amber coloring with a bright, coppery sheen, pointing to its young bourbon base. The nose is strongly floral with fruitiness, plus underlying vanilla notes. The taste is blackberry mixed with corn sweetness, and I thought it was a little on the tart side. The finish is a little astringent and otherwise unnoticeable. Taken neat, this blackberry whiskey reminded me of a boozy fruit soda syrup.

The Price
Once again, a major feature for Bird Dog is how cheap it is. A fifth usually runs for $19.99