Rye Whiskey Reviews

Blackend Rye the Lightning Whiskey Review

Legendary heavy metal band Metallica has a new limited edition whiskey, Blackened Rye The Lightning™ which is named after their 6-times-platinum sophomore album.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Virginia Gentleman Bourbon Review

Virginia Gentleman Bourbon has been produced by the A. Smith Bowman Distillery since 1934 when the distillery opened on the Bowman farm. That farm is now the town of Reston, Virginia and the distillery is currently located in Fredericksburg, VA.

Gear

Cicero Barrel Co. Is An Excellent Shop for Customized Whiskey Barrels

Ever since I’ve been into bourbon, I’ve always wanted a barrel. But up until recently, I hadn’t really thought about what I would do with one. In the Spring of 2021, I met up with three other Bourbon & Banter team members in Louisville to pick six barrels over two days.

Drinking Accessory Reviews

The Bar & Craft Ice Ball Press Kit Review

The Bar & Craft Ice Ball Press is $269.99 and comes in a lovely wooden presentation box and includes the press, an ice tray, a draining mat, and tongs. The ice tray yields four 2½-inch cubes.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Hardin’s Creek: Colonel James B. Beam Bourbon Review

As a proof of concept, Freddie Noe knocked this expression out of the park. With notes of strawberry puree, that familiar Jim Beam peanut brittle, and flavorful baking spice to go along with a truly satisfying Kentucky hug, Hardin’s Creek: Colonel James B. Beam has a lot to like on the palate.

Drink Reviews

Blind Barrels Box Is Creative, Clever and Professional

The Blind Barrels tasting experience solves all that in a terrific and beautiful package. According to its owner, Bobby DeMars, the point is remove bias builders like brands and costs to let drinkers focus solely on the liquid before them.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Hardin’s Creek: Jacob’s Well Bourbon Review

Hardin’s Creek: Jacob’s Well has generated a swirl on intrigue ever since its TTB label filing went public. So, with all the hype surrounding this release, I was curious to see how it would ultimately taste. The result?

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Playboy Spirits Rare Hare 1953 Bourbon Review

I liked the Rare Hare 1953 bourbon. It was a nice pour. This is a softer whiskey despite the 111-proof point, it drinks like a cognac. I enjoyed the fruit-forward palate, and it really took precedent to the typical bourbon flavors that were peeking out from behind the curtain.

Rye Whiskey News

Ragtime Rye Bottled-in-Bond Whiskey Review

While New York Distilling Company’s standard rye expression is only aged for 3 years and lacks the punch to capture a serious whiskey enthusiast’s attention, their 4-year Ragtime Rye Bottled-In-Bond Whiskey offering is here to pick up the slack.

Podcast

Kissimmee My Ass – Bourbon & Banter Podcast #26

The 26th episode of the Bourbon & Banter podcast – Kissimmee My Ass – is now available for your listening and drinking pleasure. Just be sure to stay inside in the AC for the best enjoyment, as we’re all tired of the ridiculous summer heat. Nowhere is that more prevalent than the state of Florida.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Ben Holladay Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Review

So, in March, when Noelle Hale reached out to me to tell me all about Holladay Distillery in Missouri, I expected more of the same. Of course, it all begins with a story, doesn’t it?

Bourbon News

Bardstown Bourbon Company to Acquire Green River Spirits Company

Bardstown Bourbon Company, an innovative distiller, producer and bottler of premium Kentucky bourbon and rye whiskey, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Green River Spirits Company.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Ragtime Rye Whiskey Review

Before I ever tried a single expression from New York Distilling Company, I was enamored with their bottle design and enchanted by the collective experience of their founders.

Bourbon News

Wyoming Whiskey releases National Parks No. 2

Wyoming Whiskey announces the release of its limited edition National Parks No. 2 straight bourbon whiskey in tandem with the brand’s continuing partnership with Yellowstone Forever, the official nonprofit partner of Yellowstone National Park.

Banter

RTD Cocktails Are Fine, But Not Yet Great

Such people are the ideal audience for ready to drink cocktails, a.k.a. RTDs. My friends enjoy variety in flavor and spirits, but more importantly, they like it delivered by someone else.

Podcast

Wind Beneath My Wings – Bourbon & Banter Podcast #25

The 25th episode of the Bourbon & Banter podcast – Wind Beneath My Wings – is now available for your listening and drinking pleasure. No, we’re not channeling our inner Bette Midler. But we might be channeling some gas from all the bullshit we’ve consumed since our last episode.

Banter

O.H. Ingram Whiskey Proves River Aging Is a Delicious Thing

River barges don’t seem large until you’re about to enter one. The vessel before me is 200 feet long, 24 feet wide and 24 feet tall: not diminutive by any stretch. (That a barge pilot and towboat can link together 35 of these and squeeze the lot through a river canal lock is just beyond me.)

Paid-members only

Barrel Pick Update

2022 Four Roses Barrel Pick Results

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Michter’s 2022 US*1 Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey Review

Michter’s 2022 US*1 Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey is a great whiskey. Always has been and, hopefully, always will be when Michter’s own maturate from its Louisville plant is bottled in the future.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

New Riff Sherry Finished Malted Rye Whiskey Review

The success of New Riff’s 5-year Malted Rye release in 2021 gave its team an idea: Finish this vibrant whiskey in 12, custom-made 53-gallon oloroso and Pedro Ximenez casks for a year, then vat the whiskey from each for another six months.

Banter

Jeff Arnett To Innovate with Finished Whiskeys at Company Distilling

Contrary to what some have suspected, Jeff Arnett didn’t leave because he disliked the master distiller’s post at Jack Daniel’s. Even after 12 years in the high-stress role as the person in charge of whiskey making at the world’s most prodigious whiskey plant.

Banter

BBC’s Nally ponders slowing down after 50 years in distilling

Seeing Steve Nally in a suit and tie is unusual. Six-foot-four and broad-shouldered, the master distiller at Bardstown Bourbon Co. (BBC) has as good a frame for fine couture as any 71 year old.

Podcast

The Bullshit Cometh – Bourbon & Banter Podcast #24

The 24th episode of the Bourbon & Banter podcast – The Bullshit Cometh – is now available for your listening and drinking pleasure. Having had a little time off, Pops and Bob return after being bombarded with bourbon bullshit over the last several weeks. So much so that this episode is dedicated spe

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Broken Barrel Small Batch Bourbon

Broken Barrel’s 95 proof straight bourbon continues the trend set by their 88 proof California Oak expression in that it has a nice blend of unexpected flavors in concert with classic bourbon notes.

Bourbon News

HEAVEN HILL TO BUILD $135 MILLION DISTILLERY IN BARDSTOWN

Bardstown, Ky.-based Heaven Hill Distilleries announced it will spend $135 million to begin construction on a new distillery there this spring. According to a news release, construction of the plant is expected to conclude in late 2024.