Proof of Life

Proof of Life: Special Isn't Special Anymore

Irregular Dispatches for the Drinking Class from Your Chief Drinking Officer

Rye Whiskey Reviews

BHAKTA 1928 Review: A Unique Blend of Rye and Vintage Spirits

The nose is warm with apple pie filling and dark, caramelized sugar. Despite a mostly rye recipe, it's quite plush, almost buttery, with little in the way of lively spice.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Old Elk Slow Cut Review: Smooth Sipper with a Unique Proofing Twist

On the palate, things are once again unsurprisingly approachable, dangerously approachable even. In fact, this is one of the easiest drinking whiskeys I've encountered.

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: People First, Pours Second

Irregular Dispatches for the Drinking Class from Your Chief Drinking Officer

Tequila Reviews

Tequila Ocho Old Fitzgerald Barrel Aged Anjeo Review

High notes of lemon cream candy, butterscotch, hibiscus, agave nectar, oak and baking spice combine for an incredibly balanced pour whose finish is bright, tingly, clean and short.

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BITB Club

Replay: BDC Live Tasting #13

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series 'The Keepers Release' Bourbon Review

I have to admit that when I learned of this new release, I thought, "How long can this Wood Finishing Series go on?" Well, it took only one taste of The Keepers Release to convince me that this extension of the series is a great idea.

On The Road

Maui’s Waikulu Agave Spirit: Better than your favorite tequila?

Waikulu Distillery is located on the windward side of the island in Makawao. The setting of this place is gorgeous. Yes, it’s Maui, everything looks amazing,  but the farm is nestled on 6 acres on the side of a hill/mountain/volcano. It’s stunning.

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: Full Circle

Irregular Dispatches for the Drinking Class from Your Chief Drinking Officer

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Old Hamer 10 Year Bourbon Review: Corn-Fueled Classic

After sampling a handful of these different 8- and 10-year-old barrels, Pops and I decided that instead of a “Bottle” rating, we should buy a barrel.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Fanged Pursuit Bourbon Review: Orphan Barrel’s Best Yet?

If I were to point to my favorite of the Orphan Barrel line, this would be it. It's not dry to the point of being acrid or bitterly oaky, which, honestly, is what I expected based on other long-aged Orphan Barrel releases.

This Round's Mine

Garrard County Distilling foreclosure not a product of industry softness

$250 million committed and in just 14 months, it’s bankrupt! So what caused this rapid collapse? Soft sales in American whiskey? Over-extension on its investment? Hubris? Ignorance?

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Old Forester 117 Series: Bottled-in-Bond Rye: Bottle, Bar or Bust?

On the palate, it's definitely a rye whiskey. Gentle spice and herbal characters separate it immediately from the sweetness of Old Forester Bourbon. Expectedly, there's caramel and white chocolate in the mix, but those notes are offset pleasantly with a little mint, some eucalyptus and white pepper.

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: The NOM Father Always Wins

This edition? It's loaded. We’re floating ideas for a bourbon-fueled Colorado getaway, unpacking industry drama (spoiler: distributors are still the worst), and spotlighting everything from a tequila truth-teller getting raided to a bottle auction honoring a bear more beloved than most politicians.

Wheat Whiskey Reviews

Bernheim Barrel Proof Original Wheat Whiskey Batch A225 Review: The Wheat Bomb Returns

I keep harping on the Bernheim Barrel Proof A release from 2024, but it really did stand out to me in a short-lived series that, while consistently good, hasn't produced many very memorable expressions. This latest release, however, is nipping at its heels.

New Brand Releases

New Maker’s Mark Wheat Whisky is groundbreaking in many ways

There have been several terrific entries to the category over the last few years, some of which we’ve reviewed. But this one’s a standout: lush in aroma and texture and fruit-centric like middle-age rye whiskies.

New Brand Releases

Graeter’s Bourbon Ball Ice Cream Review: So Good It Broke My Cover

I saved the bourbon for last because even with everything else being so incredible with this ice cream, Graeter’s has achieved what is often very difficult and what another whiskey ice cream on the market failed at (you know the one…)

Rye Whiskey Reviews

High West The Noble Share Review: Amburana Strikes Again

This one definitely won't be for everybody, so I highly recommend you test drive it at a well-stocked watering hole first.

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: Washed Away, Wound Up, and Wide Open

For a limited time, we’re unlocking this and a few past editions for all members to read. So if you like what you see, share it with a friend who knows good whiskey—and even better BS—when they read it.

New Brand Releases

Maker’s Mark Breaks Tradition with First Wheat Whisky

Star Hill Farm Whisky will be the first to carry an Estate Whiskey certification — a new designation by The Estate Whiskey Alliance™ group established by the University of Kentucky to highlight the advantages of local sourcing and sustainable production in the whiskey industry.

Industry News

Now Distilling: First barrel filled at Heaven Hill Springs plant in Bardstown

“It's more than the state-of-the-art facility, more than a place to make whiskey,” O’Driscoll said. “It is a symbol of bold thinking and believing, inspired by our legacy, driven by sustainability, and it's designed for the future. It reflects not only where we've come from, but where we are going.”

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: Fourteen Years of Pour Decisions

Welcome to another edition of Proof of Life—brought to you this week by bourbon, honey, lemon, and whatever miracle is hiding in a hot toddy. I’ve been a bit under the weather, but I still managed to pull this one together with more punch than your Aunt Edna’

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch A125 Review: The Hits Keep Coming

While the new copper-accented packaging is still growing on me, the liquid inside the bottle has become something I genuinely look forward to every few months. And this one delivers like others before it with a big aroma of RedHots and candy apple.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Pinhook 9-Year Vertical Rye Review: Aged Elegance Unveiled

Tingling with spices like white pepper and coriander, it practically vibrates on the palate. Darkly toasted bread, French roast coffee, charred lemon, dried cherry, spearmint and some campfire mingle nicely alongside cocoa nibs. The finish is simple: long and warming.

Tennessee Whiskey Reviews

Jack Daniel’s 14-, 12- and 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey Review: Age Matters

It's big on the palate without being a brute; as in none of the Coy Hill muscle or heat. I like those, too, but they have their place, and there's no place for that in this mature, balanced and well-mannered Tennessee whiskey.