Banter

Introducing Our New Bourbon & Banter Team Members

All of us at Bourbon & Banter are thrilled to welcome our newest round of Guest Contributors. We invite you to learn more about them below and offer them a hearty congratulations for becoming part of our team.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Wild Turkey Longbranch Review

Today, Matthew McConaughey and the legendary Wild Turkey® Distillery are proud to announce the introduction of Wild Turkey Longbranch™, a collaboration between the iconic whiskey brand’s creative director and Master Distiller Eddie Russell. Inspired by McConaughey’s Kentucky and Texas roots, this ra

Tequila Reviews

Tequila Exotico Review

Handcrafted with tradition by the Gonzalez Family, one of Mexico’s most respected makers of tequila, the award-winning Exotico Tequila is made from premium 100% Weber Blue agave grown in the Highlands of Jalisco.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Sagamore Spirit Cask Strength Rye Whiskey Review

Last summer I had the opportunity to attend a Sagamore Spirit Rye tasting. I like their regular rye offering, but at 83 proof, it is a nice rye but not great. The Cask Strength Rye, however, is excellent. It has finally arrived here in Virginia and I purchased a bottle when I saw it.

Banter

Cognac for Bourbon Drinkers

We all have our favorite drinks. And Bourbon is about as American as pumpkin pie and good ol’ Abe Lincoln. But you know? On occasion, a change is as good as a rest, and you might just fancy a different drink to savor.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Blood Oath Pact 4 Review

I’ve come into this review completely blind. I’ve not had any of the previous Pacts, so I had no preconceived notions. The appearance in the glass is a deep, rich amber. Swirling it around creates a very thin rim, leading to medium legs that drop quickly into the pool.

New Brand Releases

Matthew McConaughey and Eddie Russell Unveil Wild Turkey Longbranch

Today, Matthew McConaughey and the legendary Wild Turkey® Distillery are proud to announce the introduction of Wild Turkey Longbranch™, a collaboration between the iconic whiskey brand’s creative director and Master Distiller Eddie Russell.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Barrell Rye Batch #2 Review

Five years into Joe Beatrice’s foray into the independent bottling business, his Barrell brand has not taken its foot off the creative pedal.

Banter

Remember When Nobody was Going to Ever Drink Elijah Craig Again?

Do you ever feel worn out? Run down? Past your prime? Have you ever longed for your younger days? Does getting older suck, or is it a great experience?

Cocktails

Rancho Clara Cocktail

There was a time in the distant past when liquor store shelves weren’t crowded with $50 bottles of the latest celebrity-endorsed Blanco tequilas. Heck, during that time there weren’t any celebrity endorsed spirits at all. If a celebrity liked a particular brand, they bought it and enjoyed it.

American Whiskey Reviews

StilL 630 Experimental Collection Release #9

Following quickly on the heels of our review of StilL 630’s X-9, we’re bringing you a review of their Experimental Collection Release X-9. The X-9 is a 16.25 month old cherrywood smoked single malt bottled at 100 proof.

Banter

How To Host A Scotch Tasting

While bourbon was my first love, there is so much other great whisk(e)y out there to explore. If you and your friends are interested in branching out, here are some ideas to hold an introductory scotch tasting!

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Bluebird Distilling Four Grain Bourbon Review

With Pennsylvania’s antiquated liquor laws, I am always on the lookout for a good local bourbon. Many of the distilleries in Pennsylvania are new and finding a quality bourbon can be hard due to the all too strong corn flavor of young craft bourbons.

American Whiskey Reviews

StilL 630 Experimental Collection Release #8

StilL 630’s Experimental Collection Release #8 gets the video review treatment today. The X-8 is a twist on StilL 630’s flagship RallyPoint rye whiskey where the normal 10% malt barley is replaced with chocolate roasted malted barley.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Michter’s US 1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye Whiskey Review

The ladies were right on this one. By that I mean this: During the first group tasting of this spirit in 2017, Michter’s president Joe Magliocco gave this whiskey a thumbs down, believing the brand’s fans wouldn’t like it. Michter’s master distiller, Pam Heilmann, and its master of maturation, Andre

Bars

DRY 85 OC – BOURBON AT THE BEACH

Ocean City (OC to us here in the land of pleasant living), located on the eastern shore of Maryland, has always held a special meaning for me. My first trip to the beach was when I was three years old and I have been going there ever since.

Banter

The Embassy Series: Mekhong – Thailand’s Native Spirit

For this month’s installment of my international series, I looked a bit closer to home. Just around the corner from my house sits BKK Cookshop, a restaurant focused on Thai-style street food. This tiny neighborhood kitchen is one of my favorite restaurants in DC.

Gin Reviews

Bols Genever Review

Genever? That’s not the brand name, that’s the actual spirit itself. Now I know, what is this doing in the Gin reviews? Well, Genever is basically the ancestor to all the Gin we know and love today. Still, however, it is not technically Gin.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Stillhouse Black Bourbon Review

I wish I could have been able to taste this blind, because I just can’t seem to get over the fact that it comes in a turpentine can. It definitely stands out on the liquor store shelf, and I get that Stillhouse is trying to “reinvent the idea of what bourbon should be”, but this misses the mark.

Food

Scotch Oysters

Bourbon has become an often-used ingredient in food. In fact, I was interviewed once on what the top five ingredients were that I couldn’t do without, bourbon was one of them.It’s great in main courses, side dishes, desserts and sauces.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Boone County Eighteen 33 Bourbon Review

The Boone County Distilling Co. traces the history of distilling in Boone County Kentucky back to 1833. This is when William Snyder and his brother, began the Petersburg Distillery on the site of their existing flour mill.

Banter

The 4 Bs of Bourbon Photography

We all have our favorite little things that we enjoy about bourbon. Obviously drinking it is number one. For many there is also the thrill of collecting it and the reward of sharing it with friends and family.

Banter

A New Take On Whiskey Pairings

Whiskey pairings are nothing new, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find new and exciting ways to pair your whiskey. The best pairings bring out the essence of what’s in your glass, and better still, bring your experience to a new level.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond Bourbon Review

In the glass, it presents itself as a muted amber, almost caramel in color. Swirling it around leaves a thin rim that generates thicker legs to drop quickly back into the pool of liquid sunshine. The nose is much more complex than you’d expect in a bottom shelf whiskey.

Events

2018 Bourbon Classic Recap

As someone that lives and breathes bourbon, people assume I attend every bourbon-related event held in the beautiful state of Kentucky. I would love to say that’s true but the truth couldn’t be more different.