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.

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: Clickbait Sucks

Irregular Dispatches for the Drinking Class from Your Chief Drinking Officer

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Bomberger's Precision Fine Grain Bourbon Review: Layered Complexity & Elegance

To me, those whiskies exhibit a greater intensity of aromas gathered while resting in the first barrel, like extra coffee, extra cocoa and extra oak and all the tannin you'd expect that the bear. But this has dustiness all over it.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Bulleit Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Review: Hits and Misses

I'm a Bulleit fan. I love its barrel strength releases, I've done single barrel picks there and I love its 10-year products. But all of those came from elsewhere, and I was ready to see what the home team could do this time.

Wheat Whiskey Reviews

Middle West Spirits Cask Strength Wheat Whiskey: Wheat Done Right

This whiskey is all about toasted aromas and flavors being superbly integrated. I'll take this whiskey over any purposely "toasted" release I can think of because those notes aren't all barrel and new lumber.

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: Hold My Barrels

Irregular Dispatches for the Drinking Class from Your Chief Drinking Officer

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Green River Wheated Single Barrel Bourbon Review: A $60 Cask Strength Gem

This high-proof release is in my sweet spot for wheated bourbon. Below 100 proof, wheated bourbon is unassertive and short on spice for my palate. As Maker's Mark Cask Strength proved years ago, magic happens in wheated bourbon proofed well past the century mark.

New Brand Releases

Yellowstone Bourbon introduces Small Batch 107

“The higher proof brings out more flavors, and by non-chill filtering Small Batch we created a much more full-bodied product than a lower-proof chill filtered bourbon...

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

WhistlePig Snout-to-Tail 10-Year Bourbon Review: Unique Barrel Aging Unveiled

The nose is laden with honey, caramel, spring flowers and a little ripe banana. Hints of white pepper and cinnamon come next with a whiff of mint thrown in. Those same aromas become flavors that form the backbone of this this middleweight spirit.

Tequila Reviews

Trulussó Tequila Review: A pricey and beautifully packaged tequila worth the pour?

While all three are solid tequilas, the price-to-value equation doesn't work out compared to so many other excellent bottles available for much less. The gorgeous packaging and the premium, celebrity-backed market positioning surely pushes prices northward.

New Brand Releases

Whiskey JYPSI introduces Tribute Double Barreled Bourbon

This is a whiskey with a price point and a flavor profile everybody can enjoy, but with the same high-quality approach we’ve taken with our other whiskeys. And that’s what we were looking for with Tribute.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Remus Gatsby Reserve 2024 Review: A 15-Year Bourbon to Chase?

I personally enjoyed the 2022 and 2023 Gatsby releases a little more than this one. It's still a very solid bourbon that drinks well above its age statement (more on that below), but it's also quite different from previous releases.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked Review: Worth the Hype?

What surprises me is the finish, which doesn't linger, is not all that warm and is neither immediately tannic nor drying–attributes I expected from such lengthy oak interaction.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Booker's 'Jimmy's Batch' Review: A Tribute to A Bourbon Legend

I've tasted better Booker's releases for my palate, but there isn't much to nitpick with this one, especially if you're a fan of Beam's drier and more peppery barrel-proof bourbons. And let's be honest, who doesn't love Jimmy Russell?