Okay, so I’ve been seeing this Howler Head whiskey popping up all over my social media feeds. It’s that banana-flavored bourbon, endorsed by the UFC’s Dana White. I’m not gonna lie, the whole thing seemed a little gimmicky, but I’m a sucker for trying new things, especially when it comes to whiskey. So, I finally caved and decided to give it a shot – literally.
The Hunt
First things first, I had to find the stuff. It wasn’t at my usual liquor store, so I had to do some searching. I looked around a few of places and also tried to call, so that I saved my time. I managed to track down a bottle at a bigger store about 20 minutes away. Score!
The First Impression
When I get back home and grabbed the bottle, and I gotta say, the packaging is pretty cool. It’s got this monkey head on it that’s kinda staring into your soul. The bottle felt hefty, which is always a good sign in my book.
The Smell Test
I popped the cork, and whoosh – instant banana smell. It wasn’t a subtle, natural banana scent either. This was full-on, artificial banana candy, like those Runts you used to get as a kid. It was a little overwhelming, to be honest, but I pressed on.
The Taste Test
Alright, time for the main event. I poured myself a couple of fingers neat, no ice, to get the full, unadulterated experience. Here’s how it went down:
- First sip: Banana, banana, banana. It’s like a punch in the face, but in a sweet, candy-like way. The bourbon is there, lurking in the background, but the banana is definitely the star of the show.
- Second sip: Okay, I’m starting to get used to the sweetness. I can taste a little bit of the oak and spice from the bourbon now, trying to fight its way through the banana-rama.
- Third sip: I started feel the taste is just like the banana candy I ate before.
I also made a simple cocktail, just Howler Head with some ginger ale. That combination? Pretty good, actually! The ginger ale cuts through the sweetness a bit and adds a nice spicy kick.
My Final Thoughts
So, what’s the verdict? It is what it is, a banana-flavored bourbon. If you like sweet drinks or are a big fan of banana-flavored stuff, you’ll probably love it. I have to admit, it is not my type. If you’re a die-hard bourbon purist, you’ll might hate it. It’s definitely a novelty item, and I don’t see myself drinking it regularly. But, hey, it was a fun experiment, and I can now say I’ve tried the monkey whiskey!
