Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Stagg Jr. – Batch #11 Bourbon Review

The mouthfeel was thin and light, something very strange for Stagg, Jr. Flavors of vanilla and nuts were at the front palate. That was followed by a peppery middle. What happened to all of that cherry?

Banter

Basic Beer to Bourbon Bliss: A Tasting

For many, the holiday season is a time of cheer, thankfulness, and family fun. For those of us who have chosen to live away from our families, it is a time when there’s extra stress in planning meals, sleeping arrangements, and activities for said long-distance family who come to visit.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Ragged Branch Distillery 4 Year Bourbon Release & Review

Ragged Branch Distillery started Bourbon Heritage Month off with a bang by releasing their first Non Age Stated Bourbon. Over eight years in the making this is an exciting time for a new distillery.

Book Reviews

Bourbon & Bullets Book Review

I am comfortable admitting that I likely wouldn’t have read Bourbon & Bullets: True Stores of Whiskey, War and Military Service if John Tramazzo hadn’t sent me a copy of it.

Banter

Happy Whiskey New Year 2019

This time of year, everyone is publishing their “Best of” lists, remembering those who passed away in the course of the year, and making resolutions for the new year. It’s customary in the whiskey world for bloggers and writers to publish their versions as well. But here’s the thing.

Food

Bourbon Balls: The All Year Long Christmas Cookie

Christmas is not Christmas without cookies. Growing up in the Midwest, Christmas cookies are a huge thing. Every year my mom would spend weeks making dozens upon dozens of Christmas cookies.

Banter

Bourbon Santa’s Tips for a Spirited Holiday Season

Join us as Banta (Bourbon Santa) shares his pro tips for enjoying a spirited holiday season.

Japanese Whisky Reviews

Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky Review

This is a severe departure from a bourbon-bomb that’s single-barrel or cask-strength. It is appropriate that the brand’s own notes include the phrase “a full orchestra of flavors.” If a high-proofed bourbon is rock-and-roll, then this is truly a classical masterpiece.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Rhetoric 25 Year Bourbon Review

The nose on this one is fantastic. The oak is way out front, but the baking spices and sweeter notes add a nice depth that I find very enjoyable. I don’t find the palate of body to be anything special.

Bourbon News

Buffalo Trace Introduces Old Charter Oak Bourbon

Have you ever wondered how barrels made from trees that grew in different countries, climates, and soil would affect the flavors of the whiskey?

Banter

12 Dumbest Drinking Laws Across Our Great Nation

As my grandmother taught me: one should never discuss sex, politics, or religion at the dinner table. These days, it seems politics are nearly unavoidable (especially when you have one relative who leans against the grain of the rest of the family) so what are we supposed to discuss?

On The Road

Castle & Key Distillery – Worth the Wait and the Cost

Recently we shared a series of whiskey reviews for Coppercraft Distillery that incorporated a unique three person review format. Each whiskey review contained three separate set of tasting notes and observations.

Banter

Find Us At Whiskey In The Winter 2018

Today is one of my favorite days of the year. It’s the day that Whiskey in the Winter occurs in St. Louis, MO – which just happens to be where I live. Whiskey in the Winter is a whiskey festival that started seven years ago as a first of its kind event in St. Louis.

Irish Whiskey Reviews

Knappogue Castle 12 Year Old Single Malt Whiskey Review

“Asteroids do not concern me, Admiral,” Vader said interrupting Piett’s nervous explanation. “I want that ship, not excuses.” “Yes, my Lord,” the stiffly obedient soldier responded and bowed his head as the mechanized canopy of Vader’s meditation chamber lowered and hissed shut.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Chicken Cock 10-Year-Old Double Barrel Bourbon Review

This is a flat-out delicious bourbon, no arguing it. At 104 proof, its balance of potency and nuance is ideal, and I never considered adding water to it. I can’t imagine a neat bourbon drinker not loving everything about it.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Coppercraft Straight Rye Whiskey Review

This was my favorite of the three Coppercraft whiskies we reviewed. The nose was quite inviting and there should be no doubt you have a rye whiskey in your glass.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Coppercraft Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskies Review

This Blended Straight Bourbon is ‘duller’ on the nose, but at the same time, much deeper. Despite the slightly higher ABV, the alcohol vapors were not as prevalent and I was able to more easily pick up the bold notes of chewy molasses and robust baking spices.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Coppercraft Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

To get a direct, head to head comparison, I sampled the two bourbons side by side. It may be a product of my own expectations, but this Straight Bourbon left me a bit underwhelmed.

Banter

How The Bourbon Crusaders Determined the Best Bourbons on the Shelf

What may have been overshadowed by the shocking and magical live auction at “Willett To Be Cured” was the months-long, massive blind tasting to determine the best bourbons that can still be found on most store shelves.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Tarnished Truth 3 Year Old High Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

Tarnished Truth is a new distillery that opened in March 2018. It is located in the Cavalier Hotel in Virginia Beach, Virginia. According to their press, they are the only distillery located in a hotel and the hotel features their products.

Banter

Ratings, Ratings, Ratings! But what do they all mean?

Let’s face it, there are a lot of reviewers out there writing for websites, magazines and books. There are several commonalities: They’ll tell you a bit about the history or backstory, they’ll talk about mashbills, they’ll describe aromas, tasting notes and finishes.

Distilleries

Belmont Farm Distillery – “America’s First Craft Whiskey Distillery”

“This place looks like a church,” remarks my wife, Patti as we walk to the front door. Later we would learn that it actually was a church. A part of the building housing the tasting room, gift shop and distillery was once a Catholic Church.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky Review

Read the Brand’s Notes to understand why this is a twice-barreled product. It’ll help you understand why it’s so fruity, sweet and tannic. Sipped at 93 proof, it’s perfect. With a splash of water, the fruit notes become juicier, the mouthfeel pleasantly heavier and spice notes emerge. As the last ex

Banter

Rutledge Returns: Why He Left Four Roses, What He’s Been Doing & Where He’s Heading Next

A little over 3.5 years ago I had the honor of hosting a Four Roses bourbon dinner in St. Louis with Jim Rutledge as our guest of honor.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Black Feather American Bourbon Whiskey Review

I’m always excited to #DrinkCurious. When I was first approached to review Black Feather, it was something I’d not ever heard of, so I jumped at the chance. Black Feather is a younger, MGP-sourced Bourbon.