Skip to main content

Review: Clyde May’s Slammin’ Alabama Bourbon

clyde may's
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Open up almost any book about whiskey in America and you’re bound to find at least a few tales of moonshiners who worked hard to create a quality product while constantly trying to evade the law.

Recommended Videos

Some moonshiners were successful, hiding their stills deep in the mountains or woods. Some weren’t so lucky. Clyde May, an Alabama moonshiner who was active from around the 1950s through the 1980s, was not one of the lucky ones. He ended up serving time for moonshining.

This is the story that Clyde May’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey starts with—a moonshiner whose motto was “It’s better to break a few laws than cut a few corners.” In his time, May handcrafted his own stills and worked with the best ingredients he could find.

Flash forward a few decades and, as a way of honoring his father’s memory, Kenny May created Clyde May’s whiskey, legally producing “Alabama Style” whiskey (a style created by his father and characterized by the addition of oven-dried apples to new barrels of bourbon).

Their latest release, Straight Bourbon Whiskey, is not given the “Alabama Style” treatment. Instead, it abides by all the laws that govern bourbon.

Nose: On the front, there are spice and vanilla notes. These are underpinned by oak and a hint of honeyed apples, despite there not being apples added to this whiskey.

Palate:  Caramel sweetness blends with dryer oaky notes. These dryer notes make me think of the term “Old School,” though trying to explain that, I admit to being at a loss. Vanilla and a little bit of peanut brittle come through and are followed by a hint of baking spice.

Finish: Medium length and fairly dry. Toffee and peanut notes mix with a little bit of black pepper.

Final Thoughts: Getting back to the idea of story, it takes a little time staring at the highly-stylized (and very aesthetically appealing) bottle to see that the bourbon is not distilled in Alabama, but is instead sourced from Kentucky and bottled by the Conecuh Ridge distillery, which is located in Florida. The idea of it being Alabama whiskey is a fabrication, but one that works to continue the story of the man it is named after. If story does not impact your perception of a spirit and you are merely looking for a good-tasting bourbon (and one, because of its 46% ABV that would do well in a cocktail), then this is a good place to start if you’re looking for a bourbon that’s not “from” Kentucky.

Clyde May’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey is 46% ABV and retails for around $50.

Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
These easy summer grilling ideas go way beyond burgers and corn
Sun's out, grills ready
Diverse group of friends and family grilling sausages, corn, and chicken skewers at a barbecue party. Outdoor social gathering. Summer food and cooking concept.

I look forward to summer grilling all year; it’s the one time cooking feels less like a chore and more like an excuse to slow down, be outside, and eat something fresh off the fire. Whether it’s fruit, fish, or a pile of veggies, everything just tastes better with a bit of char. These summer grilling ideas are all about easy prep, bold flavors, and making the most of what’s in season. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just grilling for one, these recipes help turn even the simplest ingredients into something that feels like summer on a plate.

Grilled watermelon and mint

Read more
Keurig’s tiniest-ever K-cup coffee maker is here
This tiny brewer is big on taste
K-Mini Mate™ Brewer in Glamping Green

Brewing at-home coffee just got a lot more exciting for fans of single-serve coffee machines. Today, Keurig has launched a deliciously impactful new Keurig K-Mini Mate brewer. This brewer's size will surprise you, leaving you wondering how it's possible even to make a coffee maker that tiny. Available exclusively at Target retailers nationwide, the new Keurig coffee maker delivers big taste in a compact package, ideal for the smallest countertops and kitchen spaces. At just 4 inches wide, the Keurig K-Mini Mate is the smallest-ever Keurig coffee brewer to hit the market.

The K-Mini Mate Brewer is compatible with any Keurig K-Cup pod and fits effortlessly into a variety of compact spaces. Ideal for apartments, offices, small kitchens, and more, the Keurig K-Mini Plus retains the same advanced coffee-making technology found in larger Keurig coffee makers.

Read more
Sip Starbucks at home: Irish cream, horchata & maple pecan creamers drop
Starbucks introduces three brand new at-home creamer flavors
Starbucks

Something new always seems to be brewing at Starbucks, from new happenings in-store to new products available for purchase at home. Today, Starbucks dropped three brand-new coffee creamers available nationwide. Taking coffee making at home to the next level, Starbucks' three new creamers are inspired by recent store drops, such as the launch of the Iced Horchata Shaken Espresso. The new creamer flavors, which include Irish Cream Dairy Creamer, Horchata Shaken Espresso Inspired Oatmilk Creamer, and Maple Pecan Latte Inspired Creamer, allow you to enjoy all your favorite Starbucks coffee flavors at home.

Available now nationwide, the new packaging of these three Starbucks creamers incorporates the iconic Starbucks green color. These Starbucks at-home creamers can be found in the creamer aisle at grocery stores nationwide. At first glance, it seems Starbucks has carefully introduced these options to include both dairy and non-dairy options, appealing to every type of coffee drinker. Starbucks has announced that some of these flavored coffee creamers will be available for a limited time, while others will be available for purchase in stores year-round.

Read more