14 Bourbons That Aren't Worth Your Money

Cleveland Underground Black Cherry Wood

Cleveland Whiskey attempts to set itself apart by aging its spirits in unusual woods, not just American oak. Normally, bourbon is aged for several years in charred American oak barrels, but Cleveland’s process differs. Their bourbon spends six months in traditional oak barrels, then is transferred to steel tanks with pieces of various woods added to enhance flavor. This “underground series” includes woods like hickory and sugar maple.

The Underground Black Cherry Wood bourbon, at 94 proof, is matured with black cherry wood, as the name suggests. However, this process doesn’t seem to yield good results. Customers often describe the bourbon as thin and lacking complexity, with many saying it tastes young and harsh due to a strong alcoholic bite. Overall, it’s widely regarded as an underdeveloped bourbon that doesn’t justify its price tag of over $40.