American Whiskey Reviews

Broken Barrel California Oak Whiskey Review

On the initial nose, I would have assumed this was a pour of Brenne Whisky. Those French staves must be the culprit on the bubblegum nose on both products. On the initial palate, I would have assumed this was Traverse City American Cherry Whiskey.

Bourbon News

Jim Rutledge Launches New 13 Year Old Bourbon

An exquisitely crafted 13-year-old Bourbon associated with Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Famer Jim Rutledge is sure to garner attention in the whiskey world, but when matched with modern marketing and cutting-edge design from a Nike veteran, its appeal will stretch far beyond typical whiskey aficionados.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Rabbit Hole Cavehill 4-Grain Bourbon Review

This is a rebranding of the original Rabbit Hole Straight Kentucky Bourbon reviewed in 2018 by Matt Self and Pops (Rabbit Hole Bourbon Whiskey). A young bourbon without the complexity you would expect from the mash bill.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Old Fitzgerald 14 Year Old Bottled In Bond Bourbon Review (Fall 2020)

The Old Fitzgerald 14 Year Old Bottled In Bond Bourbon is a solid whiskey that Old Fitz fans and grain-forward whiskey fans will enjoy. Were this a wine review, I’d compliment its “structure” and uniformity for playing no tricks and not changing with long exposure.

American Whiskey Reviews

Wonderland Blend of Straight Whiskeys Review

I have a goal of drinking a whiskey from every state in the union and so jumped at the chance to try this offering from Michigan. This first expression by Wonderland is a really interesting take on a blend in that each component is a straight whiskey and then those straight whiskies are blended.

Podcast

Booth Babes: Buh-Bye – Bourbon Podcast #7

Episode 7 of the official Bourbon & Banter podcast – Booth Babes: Buh-Bye – is now available for your listening pleasure. We’ve completed an amazing Bourbon Heritage Month celebration and our liver is trying to figure out what just happened.

Banter

Look at Me: The Private Barrel Sticker Craze

As I said earlier, custom stickers are a great way to capture and remember a barrel pick for years to come. It’s also a fun to express you or your group’s personality and creativity. And just like the whiskey in the barrel, people’s like or dislike of your label will be subjective.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Basil Hayden’s 10 Year Bourbon Review – 2020 Release

The initial mellow flavors hit on the traditional notes of caramel, vanilla, rye spice and oak but I found the taste thin and fleeting. After my initial tasting notes, I added a few drops of water (as per usual review practice) – this was a mistake; most flavors became non-existent and I felt like I

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

The Ultimate Guide to the 2020 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection

It’s that time of year again: Buffalo Trace Antique Collection season! Buffalo Trace just released this year’s lineup and the secondary market is already getting extra thirsty. Lines will be formed, lotteries entered, and many dollars shelled out.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Rye Review

This is a decent rye that checks all the boxes required of an American rye whiskey, but it needs more time in the barrel to gain complexity and character to make it worth its $69 price.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

This is a good but unremarkable bourbon. It is a pleasant, easy drinker that is best savored neat. Even a few drops of water softened it appreciably, making rocks pretty much out of the question. A cocktail? Not for me.

Bourbon News

Fistful of Bourbon Launches Nationally

It’s a hot day in the wild, wild west. A cowboy interrupts a duel to slather sunscreen all over his face, while questioning the whole idea of scheduling shootouts at high noon. Another cowboy compares a bourbon’s smoothness to the silk loungewear he has taken to wearing.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Rye Review – 2020 Release

This is a bottle full of goodness all around; silken yet full bodied; lush in texture but busily spicy with fruit notes. If you can make rye whiskey candy, solidify this. It’s a delight to hold in your mouth and roll around as the honeyed texture gives way to tingly spice and slightly drying oak.

Bourbon News

Buffalo Trace Announces 2020 Antique Collection

Just in time for the fall, Buffalo Trace Distillery is releasing its 2020 Antique Collection of whiskeys (BTAC). The highly regarded collection will once again feature five limited-release whiskeys of various ages, recipes and proofs.

Bourbon News

2020 Parker’s Heritage Collection Limited Edition Bottling Announced

Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the 2020 limited edition release of Parker’s Heritage Collection 10 Year Old Heavy Char Bourbon. The 14th edition will ship nationally beginning in September at an SRP of $120.00.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon Review – 2020 Release

Michter’s has treated me to the past several releases of this 10-year bourbon, and all were good, well-mannered and delicious. Crucial to my preferences, each also paired amazingly well with food. But the 2020 release is something truly special, my favorite of the lot so far. Warm chocolate gives wa

Bourbon News

Heaven Hill Announces Fall 2020 Edition of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Series

BARDSTOWN, Ky. – Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the release of the fall 2020 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey at 14 years old. Comprised of barrels produced in fall of 2005, and bottled in fall of 2020.

Distilleries

Bringing The Distillery To You: Virginia Direct To Consumer Shipping

If a Virginian can’t come to our distillery, we can bring our distillery to them.

Podcast

America Needs A Drink – Bourbon Podcast Episode 6

Episode 6 of the official Bourbon & Banter podcast – America Needs A Drink – is now available for your listening pleasure. Welcome to Bourbon Heritage Month! We’ve got a fantastic episode to kick of the most badass month of the year.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Watershed Distillery Barrel Strength Bourbon Finished In Apple Brandy Barrels Review

This special, limited release bourbon celebrates the 10 Year Anniversary for Watershed Distillery. It is actually the same distillate as their previous 4 year old Watershed Bourbon, but with two additional years of age on it.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Japanese Mizunara Oak Casks Review

For 10 years Angel’s Envy has produced delicate, rounded and balanced bourbons finished in second-use casks—port, tawny port, sherry and rum (for its rye).

Banter

The 2020 Bourbon Heritage Month 30 Days of Bourbon Challenge

2020 has been a hell of a year so far. It seems as though every month offers something worse than the previous one. If you’re ready to turn things around for September, Bourbon & Banter has the solution.

Bourbon News

Limited Release Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel in the U.S.

For Blanton’s fans, Buffalo Trace Distillery is making Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel available in the United States this fall. This announcement follows Buffalo Trace Distillery announcing earlier this year that Blanton’s Gold Edition will be available annually in the United States.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Four Roses 2020 Limited Edition Small Batch Review

Similar to last year’s release, this year’s Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch bourbon has a lovely nosed filled with buttery vanilla and complemented with a pome fruit bomb and spiced orange.

Events

2020 Kentucky Bourbon Festival Moves to New Virtual Experience

Out of an abundance of concern for the health and safety of distilleries, attendees and the Bardstown community amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kentucky Bourbon Festival board unanimously approved the pivot from the traditional live event to a virtual experience.