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.

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.