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.

Banter

Bourbon Beyond Borders

I reported to my current posting here at the U.S. Embassy in Quito, Ecuador, in mid-October of 2017…just in time for the annual Marine Ball.

Gin Reviews

St. George Terroir Gin Review

Let me just get this out in the open: I like gin. Like, really like gin. I come from a long line of Tanqueray drinkers. I love gin so much I named my Dungeons & Dragons character “Juniper.”

Banter

Blinded By The Hype

One of my least favorite things is what I like to call the “hype” formula. People go crazy over a bottle, which leads to other people going crazy over that bottle, and eventually, the hype gets to a level where everyone just runs out and buys that latest.

Banter

What should I really put next to my steak?

In the world of bourbon today, there are unfortunately many different characters that you may rather not associate with. The world is getting smaller thanks to social media, and there are seemingly more fans of good whiskey than ever before.

Banter

The Benevolent Basil Hayden

I was standing in an empty Kentucky Kroger parking lot as the sun was setting on Christmas Eve night five years ago, taking stock of my situation.

American Whiskey Reviews

STILL 630 EXPERIMENTAL COLLECTION RELEASE #6

Today we’re reviewing StilL 630’s Experimental Collection Release #6, a 100% applewood smoked single malt barley whiskey aged for 14 months. If you’re new to our journey we encourage to read our kick-off post about the Experimental Collection and Release #1.

Distilleries

1792 Barrel Select Pick

On a cold day in late January 2017, I was invited to participate in a private barrel select at Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, Ky. The owner of Louisville Party Center, Jamie Masticola, was looking to stock his already impressive shelves with a store label expression of 1792 Full Proof.

Banter

Good-bye 2017 & Happy New Year!

As I sit down to write my year-end post I find myself a bit at a loss for the words to explain how I’m feeling about the closing of another year.

Banter

Brett Atlas’ Best of 2017

The most important thing I’ve learned in 2017 is that taste is an argument that cannot be won. You may find your friend’s wife annoying or ugly, but you’re not likely to express that on Twitter.

Banter

Help Wanted: Seeking Booze Evangelists Worldwide

As we head into 2018, Bourbon & Banter is excited one again post an open call for booze evangelists. If you’ve ever wanted to write for Bourbon & Banter or get your point of view heard by hundred’s of thousands of fellow booze aficionados, now’s your chance.

Banter

Retail Store Memberships: Good or Evil?

Liquor distribution in the United States is not right. Control states aside, the rest of the U.S. is subjected to monopolized and a bastardized remnant from Prohibition that is a pay-to-play system.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Isaac Bowman Port Finish Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

I am a big fan of the Bowman Distillery offerings so back in March when I saw they would be bringing out the Isaac Bowman Port Finished Bourbon I was very excited and bought a bottle the first day it was in the store.

Banter

A Bourbon Spouse’s Point of View

I’m going to be honest here. I am not a bourbon drinker. I stick to those girly drinks with umbrellas. I went along on the Bourbon & Banter 5th Anniversary event because I thought it would be fun and interesting.

Banter

Wild Turkey: The Best Private Barrel Pick Ever

Over the past decade of I’ve been extremely fortunate to be a part of nine different bourbon barrel pick trips. Some of my good fortune has been due to the relationships that I’ve developed, some have been due to me living in within a 2-hour drive of Louisville, and some has been just plain luck.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Yellowstone 2017 Limited Edition Bourbon Review

Yellowstone Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon, a marriage of some of the finest hand-selected bourbon available, celebrates the return of Yellowstone to the family of Limestone Branch founders Steve and Paul Beam – and the many fine bourbons to come.