Heaven Hill Distillery’s Mellow Corn is a curious whiskey. Most budget bourbons are bought without much thought, as people are either short on cash or want something to throw in with a mixer. Mellow Corn is a little different as it has become a much-loved whiskey that enjoys somewhat of a cult status. It possesses a unique charm with its unpretentious bottle and smooth profile. In a world where premium bourbons get the lion’s share of attention, there is something comforting in there being so much love for a budget brand.

With this being a corn whiskey, it is undeniably sweet but with a lovely vanilla and oak influence. Due to this, it’s much more impressive than many other budget options. As you can guess, this isn’t a whiskey with immersive depth, but there is elegance in its simplicity. Thankfully, we were lucky enough for Heaven Hill to send us a bottle to try. Along with trying out this bottle, I’ll use my wealth of personal experience to take you on a journey of what makes this brand special and if it’s worth giving a try. Let’s see why so many people love this cheap whiskey.

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The history of Mellow Corn whiskey is one of tradition and revival. It originated in the heart of Kentucky and was created by the Medley Distilling Company in 1945. As with many old distilleries, Medley went through several changes of ownership over the years. It started off being sold to Renfield Importers in 1959, then to investor Abraham Schecter in 1978, and then to Glenmore Distillery in 1988. United Distillers bought Glenmore in 1991 but closed it only a year later. Family descendant Charles Medley took the distillery back into family hands in 1995, but by that time, the Mellow Corn brand had already been sold to Heaven Hill in 1993.

We can’t find much information specifically about the brand during this time, which speaks to how Mellow Corn has always sat quietly in the background. Despite facing periods of obscurity when it could have easily been left behind, it has persevered to the point where it’s now become popular with people who like to find these hidden gems. It’s this history — or lack of it — that helps with the charm of Mellow Corn. It’s almost a glimpse into the past when mass production and marketing gimmicks weren’t as widespread as they are today. It remains an unassuming drink and a great survivor of the ever-changing world of whiskey.

While similar, there are a few differences between bourbon and corn whiskey. Whereas bourbon needs to be made from at least 51% corn, that’s dialed up to 80% with straight corn whiskey. As with bourbon, the rest of the mash bill will usually be made up of malt.

ed barley and either rye or wheat. The higher corn content will give the drink a much higher level of sweetness than most other bourbons. While the mash bills are usually different, the most defining characteristic that separates corn whiskey from bourbon is the aging process.

Bourbon must be aged in new charred oak barrels, whereas corn whiskey doesn’t have to be barreled at all. If it is aged, then it must be done in either uncharred or previously used barrels. You may have noticed that Mellow Corn is “straight corn whiskey.” To have the designation of “straight” on there, the whiskey needs to be aged for at least two years. This also applies to straight bourbon. Due to this, it’s important to know what you are buying when it comes to corn whiskey. Mellow Corn is aged for at least four years, but others may not have any aging, giving them hugely different tasting profiles. If you want an aged corn whiskey, then make sure it at least has that “straight” designation on the bottle.

Now we come to the all-important question of the taste. The pale color suggests it doesn’t go past its minimum aging of four years, and the nose is unsurprisingly light. It does offer a nice level of corn sweetness, and it certainly doesn’t burn your nostrils the way cheap whiskeys can. I did get a hint of oak and pear to give it some depth. As with the nose, the palate doesn’t show any of the harshness you can find with budget spirits. It’s a simple but pleasant taste, supported by a nice mouthfeel that allows it to sit in your mouth. Up front, you get the heavy corn influence with a slight nuttiness and oak.</su

With inexpensive whiskey, harshness can often linger in the aftertaste. However, the extended aging of Mellow Corn prevents that, delivering a smoother finish that impresses right away. Unlike many other whiskeys that leave a warm aftertaste, Mellow Corn concludes with a delightful blend of corn and caramel flavors. While not an exceptional whiskey, Mellow Corn doesn’t claim to be. It’s an affordable and pleasing whiskey that surprises with its quality and can be comfortably enjoyed neat. I once ranked this as the worst whiskey from Heaven Hill, but this ranking was more a testament to the distillery’s high standards rather than a criticism of Mellow Corn. If aged corn whiskey is new to you, this is a must-try.

As noted, Mellow Corn is a corn whiskey which requires a minimum of 80% corn in its mash bill. For clarity on what a mash bill means, it’s essentially the recipe of grains used in the production of bourbon or whiskey. This particular whiskey hits that 80% mark precisely, complemented by 12% malted barley and 8% rye, lending a profound sweetness from the corn balanced with additional complexity. Heaven Hill, maintaining traditions of many esteemed distillers, includes a portion of previous distillate in its new production for consistent flavor. It also utilizes a heritage yeast strain for fermentation and distills the spirit in 70-foot-tall column stills, prior to aging in vast Kentucky rickhouses.

The label “bottled-in-bond” seen on Mellow Corn signifies its adherence to specific historical regulations established in 1897, aimed at guaranteeing whiskey quality amidst prevalent counterfeiting. To fulfill these requirements, the whiskey must age for a minimum of four years, be produced by one distiller in one season, and be bottled at 100 proof. It is this prolonged aging that renders Mellow Corn an excellent value, as it is aged longer than most other economical whiskeys.

While many budget bourbons are better suited for cocktails, Mellow Corn breaks this mold by also being an excellent choice for neat consumption. If you prefer the distinct flavor of corn, you’ll find this whiskey’s raw taste appealing. Even a formal tasting with a snifter glass is suggested to fully appreciate its aroma before tasting. Anticipated burns or harsh aftertastes common with cheaper whiskeys are absent here. Mellow Corn is smooth and mellow from start to finish, making it not just a strong contender for sipping but also a great mixer.

Mellow Corn is loved by many bartenders as it offers a great base for cocktails. It can work particularly well in classic drinks such as an old fashioned or a whiskey sour. It will give your drinks a beautiful sweetness without it dominating the palate, allowing the other flavors to shine. Along with Coke, it also works well with other mixers such as ginger ale, ginger beer, club soda, or any lemon-based drink. As you can see, Mellow Corn is a wonderfully versatile whiskey. It makes it a great liquor for your home bar as it can be used for a wide variety of drinks.

It’s fair to say this is an emphatic no. Mellow Corn is famous for being a budget bourbon that will never be burning a hole in your pocket. It has got a little more expensive in recent years, but it still remains highly affordable. Average costs lay around the $19 mark, but you can often find it for cheaper than that. Just because a whiskey is cheap, that doesn’t always mean it offers value for the money. There are a few whiskeys out there that I wouldn’t buy even if they were one dollar. As you’ve most likely worked out by now, this particular drink offers you excellent value for the money when you compare it to its rivals.

It’s not the cheapest whiskey out there, but even if you’re low on cash, it’s worth spending a few more dollars to get something much nicer and see what the fuss is all about. That also applies to those who are overseas and may need to pay a little more due to import costs. There are, of course, much better whiskeys out there for those willing to pay a little extra, but Mellow Corn has a price-to-quality ratio that is hard to beat. p>Finding an adequate corn whiskey to compare with Mellow Corn was tough. Many corn whiscores” style=”display:ick rel=”noopener nofollow” target=”_blank” href=”https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/14-white-whiskey-brands-try-121534635.html”>white whiskeys that, while worth trying at least once, can’t compete with the taste and depth you get from Mellow Corn. Most other aged corn whiskeys are much more expensive than Mellow Corn, which showcases how unique this spirit is. One of the best corn whiskeys out there is Balcones Baby Blue. At an average cost of around $39, it is comfortably pricier, but is that extra cost worth it?

Balcones Baby Blue is a Texan whiskey that is made from roasted blue corn that helps to give it both a rich and complex flavor profile. You’ll get a buttery sweetness on the palate and that is joined by roasted nuts and dark fruit. It helps to give it a depth that is not usually found with corn whiskey. It’s more of a craft whiskey that is ideal for those looking for an artisanal experience. It does beat Mellow Corn on a straight taste comparison, but the difference isn’t vast. We’d say that if you’ve never tried corn whiskey before, Mellow Corn would be a great first step. If you enjoy it, then a bottle of Balcones Baby Blue could well be for you.

We’ve seen how Mellow Corn stacks up against another corn whiskey, but how does it compare against another budget bourbon from Heaven Hill? I feel both of these whiskeys share similarities in the fact that they are quite basic spirits but also have tremendous value for money. Evan Williams also has a high level of corn in the mash bill at 78%, with malted barley and rye at 12% and 10%, respectively. However, with it being bourbon, Evan Williams was aged in new charred oak barrels compared to Mellow Corn being aged in an old bourbon barrel.

Even with those subtle changes, Evan Williams gives you more of a classical bourbon tasting experience. You get a more pronounced caramel flavor with the charred barrels giving it a notable oak influence. In this sense, it offers a bit more depth than Mellow Corn, but deciding which one is better will come down to personal preference. They are very similar in price, so it comes down to whether you’d prefer the beautiful sweetness of Mellow Corn or the extra warmth of Evan Williams. Both deserve a place as great budget whiskeys, and with their low price tags, you may as well get them both and find out for yourself.

With the likes of McDonald’s, Starbucks, or Apple, there are countless examples of brands modernizing old logos and labels. It makes sense as you want to bring your brand into the 21^st century and keep up with your competitors. One brand that has resisted the urge for this trend is Mellow Corn, but that’s not through laziness. It helps with the sense of charm the whiskey has, as its traditional label is a nod back to American whiskey heritage. It’s easy to see why some wouldn’t like the label with its bright yellow background and bold vintage lettering with green and red. As someone who is colorblind, it can be a little challenging on the eyes!

But the reputation of Mellow Corn has grown due to its authenticity and it receiving a new label just wouldn’t feel right. In an ever-changing world, there is some comfort in something staying true to its original self. No doubt, a modern designer would remove the image of the corn and barrel, change the color scheme, and simplify the bottle. If they did, it just wouldn’t feel like Mellow Corn. It’s also a good case study of how not every brand needs to modernize in order to keep up with demands. It seems like the old-style incorporated has helped the popularity of Mellow Corn instead of hindering it.

Major acquisitions can bring complex deals into play. With a range of legal intricacies and substantial financial stakes involved, these transactions require significant time and effort to finalize. As mentioned, the Mellow Corn brand was acquired by Heaven Hill in 1993, interestingly enough, as a last-minute addition to the deal. This transaction with United Distillers included multiple brands like Cabin Still, J. W. Dant, and Rittenhouse, among others. At the time, Mellow Corn possessed negligible brand value, to the extent that United Distillers was indifferent about its inclusion.

The narrative goes that Heaven Hill president Max Shapira inquired, “You want us to take this, too?” and United Distillers was more than willing to add it on. Whether there was any regret later isn’t clear, as Heaven Hill did not heavily invest in revitalizing the brand. Maintaining an economical whiskey without substantial promotion is not uncommon for distilleries. Nonetheless, over time, the popularity of Mellow Corn has surged, despite limited marketing. This tale of triumph against the odds contributes significantly to the charm surrounding Mellow Corn.

Budget bourbons usually lack strong brand appeal. They are not heavily marketed by distillers, and consumers often casually select them from the bottom shelf, usually for mixing or making cocktails. Mellow Corn stands out in this regard, achieving a cult status among whiskey aficionados and adoration from bartenders alike. The reasons for its admiration are not entirely clear, though several factors are notable. Among these, the ratio of cost to quality previously discussed plays a significant role, offering an accessible option for those seeking an affordable whiskey that is gentle on the palate.

But there are other factors at play too, as Mellow Corn is far from the with the only decent cheap whiskey in the world. Mifield also has a straightforward, consistently Nonepretentious character. Insstead of relying on sophisticated branding or excessive advertising, its prominence has mostly grown through organic recommendations. Its sweet and gentle profile not only resonates with experienced whiskey enthusiasts but also appeals to those who may find more robust whiskeys too intense. For bartenders, its simplicity offers a dependable and adaptable base for crafting both traditional and novel cocktails. Its taste integrates well with other components, maintaining balance rather than overpowering the mix. For anyone seeking value without sacrificing quality, Mellow Corn has emerged as a preferred choice for many.

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