Testing 1, 2, 3: When it comes to bourbon maple syrup, head to the top shelf

Bourbon maple syrup. Sounds like a fun addition to holiday meals. But is it budget friendly?

Turns out it is rather expensive. Walmart shows an online price of $28.81 for 12 ounces of the Crown label bourbon maple syrup.

Then I spotted Wal-Mart’s Great Value bourbon syrup at $3.15 online for the same 12 ounces.

What’s the difference?

Great Value spells out the variance in large letters, front and center. Its product is maple flavored bourbon syrup. Crown (and other high-price brands) use real maple syrup, which comes with an elevated price tag.

My curiosity was kindled, so I set out to see how local folks would rate the much less expensive brand.

More: Fight to find the slime: Testing 1, 2, 3: Judge panel fought to find the slime in new Apple Jacks cereal

Wooster’s Don Ackerman wasn’t too impressed by the packaging, though he did notice the label’s maple leaf illustration, a hint as to what’s inside the bottle.

Bob Krieder of Dalton was equally uninspired. “Looks OK but not a standout,” he said.

I agree. The label is so crowded with the likeness of leaves, snowflakes and flags that it detracts from the product.

However, Wooster’s George Kuffner immediately picked up on the label’s message. “The bourbon labeling and maple flavor caught my attention,” he said.

Then we moved on to the crucial aroma and taste evaluations. This is where the bourbon made itself known with its standout aroma versus the maple scent.

More: Kick of caffeineTesting 1, 2, 3: Hostess Boost offers coffee's jolt inside Jumbo donettes

Why is this, you might ask. Simply because real bourbon, not artificial flavoring, is in the mix. Without a doubt, that authenticity is a deal maker for the scent and for the flavor. Krieder and Ackerman noted the dominant bourbon taste as opposed to the maple.

As Kuffner noted, “I tasted the maple syrup at first then a delayed bourbon flavor comes through.”

Two tasters expressed little interest in purchasing the Great Value syrup.

Krieder, because he is a pure maple syrup devotee.

Same for Ackerman. “I buy real maple syrup because I try to stay away from high fructose corn syrup,” he said.

As for Kuffner, a bottle or two might just end up in his shopping cart, which he could combine with his usual low-cal or sugar-free syrups.

“This is an interesting and attractive product. … I like the combination," he said.

Me too. In fact, I plan to set this out for my Thanksgiving week guests, alongside our usual real maple syrup. Just for fun!

Author Clifford Cohen supports me here. “The best advice I ever received came from my mother: ‘Do at least one fun thing every day.’”

Till next time…

Would you like to attain fame (no fortune, sorry) as a taste tester for this column? Please let me know at camboh49@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Testing 1, 2, 3: Cheers to top shelf bourbon maple syrup