Banter

NEAT: The Story of Bourbon – A Review

Bourbon, there is nothing more rooted in American history and tradition. Bourbon can span generations, bring people together and make friends out of competitors. “NEAT: The Story of Bourbon” shares the history of bourbon, and also the love and passion of the people who make the spirit unique.

Banter

The Biology of your Buzz

We all have that friend. The one that insists on telling you that they only drink beer because whiskey gets them too drunk. Or, I stick to vodka because tequila makes me crazy.

Irish Whiskey Reviews

The Pogues Irish Whiskey Review

Branded The Original Irish Whiskey of the Legendary Band, what West Cork Distillers have attempted is to capture the spirit of The Pogues in a bottle. Have they succeeded?

Banter

Gordy Hue and the Greatest Bourbon Story You’ve Never Heard

If you found your way to Bourbon & Banter, then you’ve undoubtedly heard of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon. And if you’ve heard of Pappy Van Winkle then know it’s coveted by everyone from aficionados to the people who cut their hair.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Rodham Rye Whiskey Review

The last kind of drinker I am is a rye drinker. I will drink it and I will definitely drink this, but likely with a dash of water or some ice. Rye is a complex ingredient though. Ice or water allow a sense of sweetness to blossom if added, which is what happens with this whiskey. Context sometimes i

Rum Reviews

Papa’s Pilar Dark Rum Review

At the first nose, it is sherry forward and reminiscent of aspects of sherry finished whiskeys. However, the sugar cane is very present and clearly comes through the taste and finish. It is very well blended while the bourbon, port and sherry notes all linger with the sugar cane.

Tequila Reviews

A Tasting Review of the Codigo 1530 Tequila Family

If you’re unfamiliar with the brand as well here’s what you need to know. Codigo 1530 is an all-natural product with no chemicals, sugar, or flavoring added.

Scotch Whisky Reviews

Bowmore Darkest Single Malt Scotch Whisky Review

I think that one of the creepiest, and perhaps most humorous, of the sleepwalking occurrences so far was when Jennifer and I were watching a movie and Harrison suddenly appeared out of nowhere-as if he’d emerged from the darkest corner of the room.

Gear

Willett Family Estate (WFE) Pocket App Review

The Willett Family Estate bourbon and rye releases of the past decade have become some of the most sought-after bottles in the American whiskey market.

Banter

A Feast For The Eyes…

I’ll kick off by saying that I am usually a person who buys whiskey with my eyes and not my taste buds (not 100% accurate to be completely honest if I’ve had a blind sample of a whiskey).

Book Reviews

Deep Tasting Chocolate & Whiskey Book Review

It is clear from the first few pages, that R. M. Peluso knows her chocolate. An accomplished chocolate reviewer (yes, you read that correctly – what a spectacular hobby), Peluso embarks upon a nearly spiritual journey through how to properly taste chocolate.

Scotch Whisky Reviews

Flaming Heart Scotch Whisky Review

Extremely well balanced whisky. No need to add any water, in fact the few drops I added basically destroyed the flavor profile. Keep it neat and you won’t be disappointed.

American Whiskey Reviews

StilL 630 Experimental Collection Release #7

Today we’re reviewing StilL 630’s Experimental Collection Release #7, a 100% mesquite smoked single malt barley whiskey aged for 15 months.

Scotch Whisky Reviews

Aberlour A’Bunadh Review

Maybe you’ve already figured this out, but I’m a huge fan. While I admittedly still have mixed feelings about NAS whiskies, (a topic for another post altogether) this is a fantastic pour.

Gin Reviews

Old Bakery Gin Review

Old Bakery Gin grew out of an argument. When Ian Puddick bought a mothballed bakery in 2012, he intended to convert the premises into an office for his plumbing business. A 60-foot-tall brick chimney was attached to the building, so, out of a concern for safety, he had it removed.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

George Remus Repeal Reserve Bourbon Review

This George Remus Repeal Reserve expression is a step from the everyday George Remus bourbon that I reviewed several months ago. It’s not quite the “big hitting” bourbon I was hoping for back then, but it’s a step in the right direction.

Cocktails

The Magic Of A Good Cocktail

I’m a professional magician. When a lot of people get into this profession, they do so to be able to make friends at a party or to be the “life of the party”. Those people are doing it wrong.

Banter

Bourbons To Help You Stay Warm This Winter

As frigid weather swept the country—even the Deep South, where I live—this month, my taste turned to bold, high-alcohol bourbons. I found myself drinking even the most intense bourbon undiluted, out of my Glencairn glass, rather than with an ice cube or two.

Rye Whiskey News

Roaming Man Tennessee Straight Rye Whiskey Review

I was skeptical of a whiskey produced by a company that primarily peddles flavored moonshine. Despite the beautiful packaging, when I read the label I was still a skeptic.

Banter

The Embassy Series: Chacha – Georgia’s Native Spirit

Who we are is largely defined by where we come from. Traditions, cultural norms, and language all contribute to how each of us perceive and experience the world. But tying all of these together is the significant impact that geography has on shaping culture.

Banter

Changing the Game: Allocated Bourbon All Year

This past Wednesday, I had the opportunity to meet with Jonathan Blue. For those of you who don’t know: Jonathan’s investment firm, Blue Equity, had already owned Party Mart and now recently acquired Liquor Barn.

Tequila Reviews

1800 Añejo Tequila Review

Aged tequila has a long and strange history. Of the major spirits, barrel aging has caught on most slowly with tequila. In North America, this is partly due to its reputation as a party drink-ideal for shots or mixers and little else, much like vodka.

Cocktails

Barrel Strength Boulevardier Sour Cocktail Recipe

Recently while having dinner with my lovely wife at Ava Gene’s in Portland, OR, I encountered a cocktail that actually made me rethink my approach to cocktail creation. It was a Navy Strength Negroni Sour and it was fantastic.

Banter

The Embassy Series: A Journey Through the World’s Native Spirits

On May 4, 1964, the United States Congress passed legislation that we can all agree was a wise move: the designation of Bourbon Whiskey as a uniquely American product and our country’s native spirit.

Cocktails

Seed To Shaker: Six Unique Culinary Herbs For Exceptional Garnish

Craft Cocktails have entered a second golden age. There are more craft distilleries, opening up every day, the big boys are aging more specialty lines, and Instagram allows the sipping enthusiast as well as master mixologists a chance to explore cutting-edge creations in real time.