Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Belle Meade Bourbon Craftsman Cask Collection: Honey Cask Finish Review

Just as they did with the Mourvèdre wine cask finish I reviewed this year, the Nelson brothers’ knack for cask finishing is proven again in this release.

Bars

Milk Room – A Chicago Micro Speakeasy

“Hmmm, where is this place?” My wife, Patti and I are standing in the lobby of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel looking for the Milk Room, the bar which we have reservations at 5PM. We are a little early but the only directions we have is it is on the second floor.

Banter

From Coke to Cask Strength – Part One

My only experience is bourbon & Coke.” That was the answer when I asked Kevin, who purchased a VIP trip to the Bourbon Trail, what he typically drank. My organization (Jazz St. Louis) auctioned off a trip to the trail, guided by yours truly, as a fundraising item.

Flavored Whiskey Reviews

George Dickel Tabasco Brand Barrel Finish Whisky* Review

If you’re looking for a rich, complex whiskey to sip from your Glencairn, this is not it. If you approach this as the novelty product it is, you’ll be less disappointed.

American Whiskey Reviews

StilL 630 Experimental Collection Release #12

This review of StiLl 630’s X-12 marks the completion of the first 12-months of their Experimental Collection release series. What a year it’s been. Only fitting that we mark this occasion with a review of a whiskey style that is making its debut at StiLl 630 – a wheat whiskey.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

King of Kentucky Bourbon Review

Sipped at proof, The King of Kentucky is a fierce ruler of the palate. Born of the Early Times whiskey mashbill, it packs a punch that’s amplified by aging 7 of its 14 years in a heat-cycled warehouse. I prefer high-proof whiskeys, yet at full strength, The King subdued me.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

StilL 630 Experimental Collection Release #11

Today we’re taking a closer look at StilL 630’s Experimental Collection Release #11. The X-11 is a high rye bourbon mash bill with a twist. Instead of using only one type of malted barley, it contains four different varieties – three of which are smoked.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Rossville Union Rye Whiskey Review

With this release, I continue to be happy with MGP’s foray into releasing their own brands. None of them will be winning whiskey of the year accolades, but they’re all solid expressions of what MGP has been doing well for decades.

Irish Whiskey Reviews

Kilbeggan Single Grain Irish Whiskey Review

The whiskey world has similar categories. There are some whiskies that choose to reside in the training levels. There are others existing in more competitive realms. There are, of course, the elite few that sit atop the highest shelves of whiskey spectacle.

Banter

How to Celebrate National Bourbon Day 2018

Happy National Bourbon Day 2018! We hope your day is off to a great start and that you started your day with a nice shot of America’s native spirit while enjoying scanning the morning’s news headlines.

New Brand Releases

Knob Creek Releases New Cask Strength Rye Whiskey

Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye Whiskey is the newest expression to join Knob Creek’s award-winning portfolio of rye whiskies.

Flavored Whiskey Reviews

Bearcat Bourbon Review

Bearcat Bourbon’s website touts itself as, “80-proof infused Bourbon whiskey created in honor of female distillers, bootleggers, and industry innovators.” It is available in two versions: Infused with Notes of Orange Peel and Spice or Infused with Espresso and Aromatic Bitters.

Cognac Reviews

Frérot Cognac XO Assemblage de Crus Review

like an occasional XO Cognac. In my opinion, the opportunity to sit and sip a Louis XIII Cognac is one of the most incredible spirits experiences one can have. Of course, Louis is far above a XO Cognac.

Gear

Duke Cannon Big American Bourbon Soap Review

Some people just can’t get enough Bourbon. There are candles you can light to fill your room with the magical scents of the rick house. There are Pappy Van Winkle barrel fermented cigars you can smoke that have literally been paired for you.

Industry News

Woodford Reserve Introduces Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey

Woodford Reserve announces the release of Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey, a blended malt whiskey based on historical recipes and influenced by Woodford Reserve Bourbon.

Scotch Whisky Reviews

Talisker Storm Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review

The first thing that hits the nostrils is the smoky peat, and that becomes prevalent before you’ve even finished pouring it from the bottle to the glass. Once poured, the appearance is a lovely gold. Swirling it creates a thinner rim that yields very slow, fat legs.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Review

Let me start by saying that if tasting blind, this would be a perfectly drinkable whiskey. I wouldn’t spit it out and pawn it off on someone else. I would drink it. Moreover, if you poured me another glass, I would drink that as well. However, the reality is that I didn’t drink it blindly. I drank i

Book Reviews

Booze and Vinyl Book Review

Ok, so a little tease using our bourbon review format but what is this book all about? It’s a fun way to approach pairing cocktails and music. It takes things a little over the top but if you are going to throw a listening party I think this offers a nice blueprint to follow.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye Review

Michter’s master distiller Pam Heilmann calls this, “my favorite Michter’s whiskey.” She’s a real and regular whiskey lady, so it was believable high praise when she said that to me—unsolicited and on multiple occasions—which put me on the hunt for it. Did I mention kicking myself for not buying all

Rum Reviews

StilL 630 Experimental Collection Release #10

We’re only two months away from completing the first year of StiLl 630’s Experimental Collection but first we need to take a look at the X-10. The X-10 is a 21 month old spiced rum bottled at 100 proof. While spiced rums are nothing new to the market, StilL 630’s spiced rum is like nothing you’ve ev

Irish Whiskey Reviews

Glendalough 13-year Mizunara Finish Single Malt Irish Whiskey Review

This whiskey spent 13 years in former bourbon casks before an unspecified finish in Mizunara oak barrels.

Bourbon News

A Sneak Peek of the New Willett Distillery Bar

On May 3rd, Willett held a preview event for the new bar and hospitality space completed above their retail shop and tasting room. The Willett bar has been under construction for a long, long time and with good reason. The Kulsveens seem to be perfecting everything on the property right now. The bar

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

A Honey of a Bourbon: Introducing Belle Meade Bourbon Honey Cask Finish

In a sweet play on the distilling industry’s legendary “honey barrels,” those elusive whiskey casks that have been aged to perfection and are almost mythological within the world of whiskey.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Belle Meade Bourbon Craftsman Cask Collection: Mourvedre Cask Finish Review

I was wowed by the Belle Meade Cognac cask finish bourbon released two years ago, but this exceeds that. When too many distilleries are using cask finishing to cover up flaws in subpar source material, Andy and Charlie Nelson are demonstrating their ample talents for using well-aged liquid.

Industry News

MGP Ingredients Launches Rossville Union Master Crafted Straight Rye Whiskey

MGP Ingredients is proud to announce the launch of Rossville Union, their first proprietary Rye Whiskey label.