Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

2017 Parker’s Heritage Collection Review

I simply love the nose on this bourbon. If you had me smell it blind, I would have guessed it was much older than it is. And yes, if I could get this aroma in a candle I’d buy a case. The color is gorgeous, and its legs are fine. It sips smooth and sweet initially but quickly hits you with a heavy p

American Whiskey Reviews

StiLl 630 Experimental Collection Release #2 Review

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

Banter

A Reprieve, A Reconnection, And Restoration Of Balance

I walked out onto the deck, down the stairs, and sat at a well-used cedar table. The bottle of bourbon and accompanying Glencairn in hand signaled an upcoming pour of my favorite, if for no other reason than I felt I was finally gaining ground.

Distilleries

Buying Barrels with the NHLC Part 3: The Decline and Fall of My Liver

In case you missed Part I & Part II of my Barrel Buying Trip with the New Hampshire Liquor Commission, we’ve thus far selected 30 barrels from three distilleries. Would we achieve the promised “up to 40 barrels of the world’s finest liquid”? One day of the trip remains.

Scotch Whisky Reviews

Laphroaig Cairdeas Quarter Cask Review

It just seems that whisky and friendship inherently go hand in hand. Sure, we’ve all come home from a long, hard day’s work and poured ourselves a measure of our favorite mood enhancing elixir to help unwind.

Book Reviews

Barrel Strength Bourbon Book Review

Like Bourbon itself, new books on the topic continue to be released all the time. Some people try and read everything they can (guilty), some people want just an overview, and some people just want a book for their coffee table or bar.

Distilleries

Buying Barrels with the NHLC Part 2: The Best Bourbon Experience of My Life

Master Distiller Eddie Russell met our group at the Wild Turkey Visitor Center. After introductions, he said, “You want a tour, or you wanna drink some whiskey?” We did not take a tour. We drove up to Bonded Warehouse A where we were greeted by some barrels that had been pulled for us.

Industry News

BUFFALO TRACE DISTILLERY OPENS NEW E. H. TAYLOR TOUR, INCLUDES “BOURBON POMPEII”

Buffalo Trace Distillery kicks off its long-awaited tour to its famous “Bourbon Pompeii” on Monday, August 7th, 2017. Officially called the E. H. Taylor Tour, the tour will visit three sites at this National Historic Landmark Distillery.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

A.D. Laws Bottled in Bond Secale Straight Rye Whiskey Review

The finish starts sweet, with a nice mix of orange peel and honey but quickly turns a bit hot with rye spices. It feels a little off balance, erring on the hot and spicy side instead of mixing the sweet and spicy as my taste buds were anticipating.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Old Rip Van Winkle 25 Year Old Bourbon Review

If you don’t have a horseshoe permanently implanted in your body, this unicorn may never cross your path. If you do have a local bar fortunate enough to land a bottle, but you don’t have the bankroll to pay for a pour, ask your bartender for a quick nose of the bottle; it’s worth a whiff for free.

Distilleries

Buying Barrels with the NHLC Part 1: Trial by Firewater

There are many steps on the bourbon lover’s journey. After you decide you like it, you start trying different brands to see what you like. You seek out books, websites and other enthusiasts to further your education. You visit the big Kentucky distilleries and your local craft distillery.

Events

Southern Whiskey Society Event

If you love food and whiskey then Southern Whiskey Society is the event for you. Experience 30+ different Southern whiskeys plus delicious tasting dishes from 9 of the South’s most talented chefs. SWS will serve as the first official public tasting for Kentucky Owl Batch 7.

Scotch Whisky News

National Scotch Day 2017

What do you know… it’s National Scotch Day again!! Yaaay! Mention the word “scotch” to a random group of people, and the reactions you get will vary as widely as the characteristics of the whisky itself.

Banter

Store Pick 101: The Private Barrel

One of my favorite aspects of being a whiskey reviewer isn’t writing reviews. Oh, believe me, I love writing reviews. I try to compose one at least weekly.

Banter

Are Distributors Against Small Liquor?

Just recently a nationwide class action lawsuit was filed against Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, a distributor. Now you may be thinking, “so what? What does this have to do with me?”

American Whiskey Reviews

Distillery 291 Colorado Whiskey Review

I don’t like young whiskey. At best you get an interesting tropical banana flavor, and at worst your tongue feels like someone put a match out on it. That’s what I’d tell people before drinking the Colorado Whiskey.

American Whiskey Reviews

StilL 630 Experimental Collection Release #1 Review

This is the first post of a journey that will last 5-years. If everything goes as planned, it’s the first post of what will eventually be a collection of 60 review posts. Each post featuring a different experimental spirit distilled by StilL 630 Distillery.

Banter

NCF (Nobody Checks First)

Chill filtering in Bourbon has one primary purpose: to remove fatty acids from the corn and produce a clear whiskey. A Bourbon that has not been chill filtered will be cloudy but is thought to have more authenticity: stronger aroma, expanded flavors, oily mouthfeel and a more pleasing finish.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Early Times Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Whiskey Review

Give Brown-Forman credit for releasing a limited edition whiskey that’s reasonably priced in an era where others are getting away with robbery. It’s tough to argue with a $30 price tag for a liter of bottled-in-bond bourbon from the same folks who produce Old Forester.

Banter

Barrel Proof Blind Tasting

A few weeks ago some of my bourbon drinking friends and I were sitting around discussing our favorite drink. I know, shocking right? We started talking about what each of our favorites was. Some preferred wheated, one liked high rye, I like a lot of barrel proofs, etc.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Knob Creek 25th Anniversary Bourbon Review

I have been drinking Knob Creek since not long after it came out. At first with Diet Coke (hate to admit it) and now straight or on the rocks. Knob Creek was another step in my bourbon journey, and so it carries some meaning for me in a couple of different ways.

Book Reviews

Rum Curious Book Review

The whiskey bubble, in addition to fostering alternative universes of stupidity, has also inspired significantly more people to sharply focus on whiskey’s history and craftsmanship.

Gear

Corridor Bar Review

It all started innocently enough. You and a few friends took a trip to Kentucky to visit the Bourbon Trail and on the way back you decided to stock up on a few bottles of bourbon that you couldn’t buy locally. It was only six bottles.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

12 Foot Beard Jowl Bristle Whiskey Review

12 foot Beard is not unlike some other craft whiskey: it has a cheeky name, interesting bottle, and a back story, which in this case has little to do with the product. While I do not have a beard, I did allow a three-day growth of stubble before reviewing 12 Foot Beard.

Banter

Is the Taste of a Bourbon Affected by Your Mood?

My wife, Patti and I traveled to New York City in September 2016 to attend the filming of Tony Bennett’s 90th Birthday Special. On this trip, we made a special effort to go to The Flatiron Room. The Flatiron Room has been rated one of the top bourbon bars in the US by The Bourbon Review.