I'm not new to non-alcoholic spirit alternatives. I have tried a couple different non-alcoholic gins and there are some that are very satisfying. The good one's I have tried share a common characteristic. They remind you of gin. You would never mistake them for actual gin in a side by side tasting. But you definitely get the impression of gin (juniper and botanicals) from them. A Gin and tonic tastes (mostly) like a gin and tonic.

I was expecting the same experience with the Kentucky 74. I didn't get it. The distinguishing flavors in bourbon for me are caramel, vanilla, and "woodiness". By woodiness I mean the characteristics you get from the barrel. Things like the tannic astringency that come from the barrel aging. And of course, that bite you get from the alcohol in the bourbon. I can certainly appreciate that Spiritless has tried to incorporate these characteristics into the Kentucky 74. But it just falls a bit short. An Old Fashioned made with the 74 tastes more like fruity iced tea to me than an Old Fashioned.

The "halfsies" option is entirely unattractive to me. If I'm going to use any bourbon, I'm going to have a real cocktail. And to be very honest, $35 for 750ml of a mixer is ridiculous.

I think they've made a good start. With a bit of refinement to the recipe, I think they will eventually get there. But for now, I have to pass.