American Whiskey Reviews

Old Baldy Batch 1 Review

Dave Perkins from High West once told me that whiskey drinkers want two things: (1) Something they’ve never had, and (2) Something they can’t get.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Kentucky Owl Rye Batch #1 Review

“This unique offering is produced from a collection of barrels blended and brought to proof to accentuate both the delicate profile and the full-flavored body of the whiskey.

Banter

#30DaysofBourbon In Review

September sure flew by fast. We’re at the end of Bourbon Heritage Month and my #30DaysofBourbon challenge. Honestly, when I invited folks to join in on the fun, I was completely unprepared for the participation rate.

Events

Whiskey In The Winter 2017 – Win Free VIP Tickets

Now that you’ve survived National Bourbon Heritage Month it’s time to let your liver rest for a bit before heading into our second favorite month of the year – November. November has the honor of being the month when our favorite whiskey festival is held each year – Whiskey In The Winter.

Banter

Best Bang For Your Bourbon Buck

With the myriad of options available on the shelf for the bourbon drinker, the possibilities are seemingly endless. Particularly with the constant flow of “new” brands that seem to keep appearing on shelves.

Gear

Outlaw Soaps Review

If you’ve been reading Bourbon & Banter for a while, you’re aware that I love products that try to capture the essence of the bourbon lifestyle.

Banter

The Ultimate Guide To The 2017 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection

It’s Buffalo Trace Antique Collection season! With this year’s release just announced, we know many of you will be moving heaven and earth to get your hands on a few bottles. Sadly, we know that most of you will fail (don’t let the bottles released numbers get your hopes up too much.)

Banter

You Need To Meet…Christopher Mize – Virginia’s Bourbon Artist

A few months ago, I stopped by the Christopher Mize booth while attending the Food and Wine Festival at National Harbor, Maryland. As I came around the side of the both, I stopped as I noticed a painting containing my favorite bourbon, Buffalo Trace.

American Whiskey Reviews

StiLl 630 Experimental Collection Release #3 Review

Our 5-year, 60 spirits journey continues with StiLl 630 Experimental Collection Release #3. If you’re new to our journey we encourage to read our kick-off post about the Experimental Collection and Release #1 and #2.

American Whiskey Reviews

High West Bourye “Limited Sighting” Review

Bourye is a beautiful whiskey with a great dark amber color. With a slight twirl of the glass, it gives off some nice thick legs. Past renditions of this blend I have not enjoyed, however, I have been very happy with this “Limited Sighting,” as High West is calling it.

Drinking Accessory Reviews

Brookstone Iced Mule Mug Review

OK, I will admit, I am a gadget guy. Having a technical background I am fascinated by new ideas and clever devices. Also, since people know I’m a spirits guy when people look to gift me, it is not unusual to get some booze related stuff.

Events

Parker’s Legacy of Hope

Join emcee Fred Minnick and other legends of the industry at Mint Julep Tours Headquarters (1631 Mellwood Avenue) in Louisville to reminisce about Parker, enjoy food, fun and of course a complementary tasting of several extraordinary Bourbons.

Industry News

Bardstown Bourbon Company and Copper & Kings Release “Collabor&tion” Rare Release Bourbon

Bardstown, KY (September 13, 2017) – The Bardstown Bourbon Company (“BBCo”) and Copper & Kings American Brandy Company (“C&K”) announced today the release of “Collabor&tion,” two distinct products made with 10-year-old straight bourbon whiskey.

Industry News

Wild Turkey Unveils Latest Matthew McConaughey TV Commercial

Matthew McConaughey is back at the helm of Wild Turkey® Bourbon’s advertising, ready to testify in his newest creative effort for the iconic bourbon. Wild Turkey today unveiled its second television commercial directed by and starring the Academy Award®-winning actor.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Hancock’s President’s Reserve Bourbon Review

Hancock’s Reserve is the poor cousin of the Buffalo Trace Mash bill #2 line. You won’t find much information on the bottle label, nor is there anything about Hancock’s Reserve on the Buffalo Trace Distillery web site.

Banter

My Mount Rushmore of Reliable Bourbons

I present to you my Mount Rushmore of Reliable Bourbons. These are the bottles that I could buy at any time and be perfectly content. These are not the best Bourbons I’ve ever had, but they are ones that I keep backed up at all times.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Rebel Yell 2017 Single Barrel Review

I really loved the 2016 Rebel Yell Single Barrel release. In fact, if I could have found a steady supply of it I might have made it my house bourbon. When I received my sample of the 2017 release, I was pretty excited and was eager to see how it matched up to my memory of the 2016 release.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Colonel E. H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon Review

Very few bourbons epitomize Bourbon Heritage Month like Colonel E. H. Taylor Bottled in Bond. If you are interested in learning more about the Bottled in Bond Act, click here. I think the EHT Small Batch is the best bourbon for the money on the market.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Elijah Craig Small Batch Barrel Proof Review

I was thrilled to find a bottle at my local grocery store in their specialty liquor/wine shop. I didn’t think I’d ever find a limited release at a grocery store! This isn’t my favorite Barrel Proof bourbon, but it’s a damn good one.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

George Remus Bourbon Review

I wasn’t sure what to expect when MGP announced they were taking over the George Remus label. I was secretly hoping that their first release would be a big hitting bourbon with some advanced age on it to get people worked up.

Book Reviews

Straight Bourbon Book Review

It was apparent when picking this book up that it was constructed and published using great thought, care, and quality materials. The thickness of the individual pages make for a hefty book, which coincidentally is not far off from a freshly sealed bottle of bourbon.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Four Roses 2017 Small Batch Limited Edition Al Young’s 50th Anniversary Bourbon Review

I loved the throwback design for the bottle and label. I am a fan of Four Roses and have a reasonable (depending on who you ask) collection of their Private Barrel selections.

Banter

#30DaysofBourbon Challenge

Bourbon is America’s native spirit. September is Bourbon Heritage Month. Attending the Kentucky Bourbon Festival is high up on my bucket list. Every year, I say next year will be the year I make it happen. I’ve been saying that for several years now.

Bars

The Alleycat Lounge

When you hear a bartender say “This is a place I go to for good drinks,” you listen. On a recent trip to Savannah, GA we heard these words while sitting in a scotch bar (they had a relatively nice bourbon selection as well) near City Market.

On The Road

You Need to Meet… Ed Bley from Cork ‘N Bottle

e’s been called “The Nicest Guy In Whiskey,” and my very first experience with Ed Bley, Spirits and Beer Manager for Kentucky’s Cork ‘N Bottle (CNB), certainly supports that title.