Patrick "Pops" Garrett

Founder and Chief Drinking Officer of Bourbon & Banter and DrinkCurious.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Hemingway Rye Whiskey Signature Edition Review

Hemingway Whiskey's Signature Rye is a delicious pour that gives us an exciting glimpse into the future of 95/5 rye whiskey. A future that doesn't solely rely on the work of a single distillery.

Industry News

Blue Run Spirits Acquired By Molson Coors

As Molson Coors’ first spirits acquisition, the addition of Blue Run boosts the company’s footprint in spirits as it continues to evolve from its storied history as a beer company and premiumize its portfolio.

New Brand Releases

Hemingway Whiskey Company’s New Flagship Rye

Hemingway Rye Whiskey Signature Edition represents the coming together of three families, eight generations, and one mission: to tell a new story, rich in history, via high-quality Kentucky rye whiskey.

Industry News

What You Need Is A Kentucky Hug

Kentucky Hug makes bourbon tourism easier than ever with a new platform offering a centralized marketplace and booking options.

Annual Summit

Bourbon & Banter 1st Annual Summit Survey

The Summit is planned for October 20-21, 2023, in Louisville, KY. It will be a weekend for community members to meet in person to enjoy bourbon, banter, and special group activities.

Industry News

Buzzard’s Roost's Grand Opening of Whiskey Row Experience

Guests at the grand opening event will be treated to music by musicians who are also members of the Louisville Orchestra, and food and drink tastings will be offered throughout the Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Row Experience space.

Bourbon Weekly Roundup

Bourbon Roundup #4

You heard it here first, folks. Bourbon Heritage Month is only six weeks away. The best damn 30 days of the year will soon be upon us, filled with giveaways, reviews and the #30DaysofBourbonChallenge.

Industry News

Speyburn Distillery Unlocked

After 126 years making award-winning single malt whiskies behind closed doors, Speyburn Distillery in Rothes will open permanently to visitors from August 1st.

Canadian Whisky Reviews

Rare Hare Lucky Bastard Whiskey Review

As soon as I smelled the aromas of my first pour, I got giddy with excitement basking in a combination of smells that reminded me of legendary dusty bourbon bottles like National Distributor Old Grand Dad or Old Charter Proprietor's Reserve.

New Brand Releases

Lux Row Four Grain Double Single Barrel Bourbon Launching in August 2023

Lux Row Four Grain Double Single Barrel Bourbon is the combination of a single barrel of 4-year-old wheated bourbon and a single barrel of 4-year-old ryed bourbon.

New Brand Releases

Green River to Release First Full Proof Single Barrel

Green River Full Proof Single Barrel is a single barrel of the flagship Green River recipe, a rye-forward true Kentucky bourbon with a remarkable flavor profile, the result of a mashbill comprised of 70 percent corn, 21 percent rye and 9 percent malted barley.

New Brand Releases

Old Forester Unveils New 117 Series: Bottled in Bond

Old Forester® announces the newest release in its 117 series – Bottled in Bond. In accordance with the 1897 Bottled in Bond Act, this product is bottled from barrels filled during a single distillation season – the wet and warm late Spring of 2014.

New Brand Releases

Hakata Whiskies Make Their U.S. Debut

Highly sought-after, Hakata Whisky is distilled and matured in Japan using 100% barley, a fraction of which is fermented with Koji - providing healthy enzymes for fermentation, and thus delivering a savory, unmistakable, Umami-enhanced patina.

New Brand Releases

New Riff Distilling Unveils Malt Whiskey Project

Through the reimagination of both old-world and new-world beer styles, the New Riff Distilling team set out to produce a whiskey that showcased all the wonderful malted varieties they’ve experienced as brewers.

New Brand Releases

Yellowstone Limited Edition 2023 New Release

These bourbons were then carefully combined and aged in Tokaji casks. Tokaji is a special sweet wine made from white-wine grapes found in Hungary's Tokaji region. These casks add a remarkable complexity and layered flavors to the bourbon, enhancing its overall quality.

Podcast

Back in the Saddle Again – Bourbon & Banter Podcast #32

The 32nd episode of the Bourbon & Banter podcast – Back in the Saddle Again - is now available for your listening and drinking pleasure. Look, we know we’ve been away for a while. Why? We tell you upfront about Bob’s sequestering that forced us to lay low for the first part of the year.

Bourbon Weekly Roundup

Bourbon Weekly Roundup #3

Lots of new releases to report, but unfortunately, many of them are doing their best to take consumers for a ride with price tags starting at $200 and beyond. When will people start voting by not purchasing these tater-priced releases?

New Brand Releases

Introducing Wild Turkey Master's Keep Voyage

Wild Turkey Master's Keep Voyage is a 10-year-old bourbon finished in Jamaican rum casks, marking the first rum cask finish in Wild Turkey's history.

New Brand Releases

Rare Hare Spirits Releases 30-Year-Old Canadian Whiskey

Lucky Bastard strikes the perfect balance at 89 proof, showcasing a smooth and refined character that delicately unfolds, and inviting an enjoyable experience for a wide range of palates.

New Brand Releases

Brush Creek Distillery Unveils Heroes Edition Straight Bourbon Whiskey

This product is a well-matured blend of Crimson Red, Blue, and White Corn Bourbon born and matured in Indiana and further rested at the Distilery's Saratoga location, along Wyoming’s majestic elevated western frontier.

American Whiskey Reviews

Whiskey JYPSI Legacy Batch 001 Review

It's been a long time since I was surprised by a whiskey. And a celebrity whiskey has never impressed me. But damn, as much as I was ready to tell you how underwhelmed I was with this bottle, that's not the case.

New Brand Releases

Lost Lantern Declares 2023 the Summer of Bourbon!

Lost Lantern’s Summer of Bourbon includes eight whiskies ranging across all three of its product lines: the Blend Series, the Single Distillery Series and the Single Cask Series.

Industry News

Introducing Heaven's Door Straight Rye Whiskey: The Latest Addition to the Decade Series

The Decade Series II Straight Rye Whiskey has a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, delivering bold and spicy flavors, balanced by delicate notes of vanilla and caramel from the barrel.

Industry News

Frey Ranch Distillery Announces Farm Strength Uncut Bourbon

As a cask strength bourbon, the tasting experience differs from the flagship 90 proof experience with robust notes of caramelized, brulé, and hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.

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BITB Club

Replay: BITB Live Tasting #5