Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Battle of the Blanton’s (Buyer Beware)

As it has continued to earn international awards since its inception, The original 93 proof Blanton’s has been released in different iterations outside the United States, including Blanton’s Special Reserve (“Green”) and Blanton’s Black, both at a lower 80 proof.

New Brand Releases

Buffalo Trace Distillery Introduces O.F.C. Range of Very Rare and Collectible Vintage-Dated Bourbons

FRANKFORT, FRANKLIN COUNTY, KY (September 21, 2016) – This fall, Buffalo Trace Distillery will release three unique vintage-dated bourbons honoring the National Historic Landmark’s original name – the O.F.C. Distillery.

Book Reviews

The Manhattan: The Story of the First Modern Cocktail Book Review

The Manhattan: The Story of the First Modern Cocktail by Philip Greene offers a richly detailed history of the ingredients and the evolution of the cocktail itself.

Distilleries

Talkin’ Whiskey, History, And Life At Pinckney Bend Distillery

A trip to a small, unassuming river town on the Lewis and Clark trail, about an hour outside of St Louis MO, in between the popular destinations of Washington and Hermann, led us to an equally unassuming storefront that is home to Pinckney Bend Distilling.

Bourbon News

Lux Row Distillers: Luxco’s New Whiskey Distillery

This past week, Luxco announced the name of its distillery currently being built in Bardstown, Kentucky: Lux Row Distillers. The new distillery is located in Nelson County on a 70-acre site off state highway KY-245, in the heart of Bardstown.

Events

The Kentucky Bourbon Affair Revisited

Remember that feeling of going to summer camp as a kid? Whether you were away a week, two weeks or a month, sleep away camp or daily camp, summer camp was a time for you to meet new friends and have fun.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Defiance Whiskey High-Rye Bourbon Review

While visiting with Bourbon and Banter’s Chief Drinking Officer (CDO) he handed me a small bottle of an unknown product and asked me to sample it without knowing what it was. I had never been given the opportunity to try something completely blind, but I found the experience to be very enjoyable.

Banter

Screw Caps vs Corks: Which Do You Prefer?

Whiskey evaporates. That’s the natural course of the whole whiskey aging process. The industry term is angel’s share. Distillers have a love/hate relationship with the angels. That evaporation is a beautiful thing – at one end, it increases proof and helps create that deliciousness we all crave.

Banter

Shhhh…There Might Just Be A Bourbon Bubble

Shhhh, don’t speak of this loudly. Nobody will admit it anyway so it’s probably not worth mentioning. There might just be a bourbon bubble. What?!?! No way. This is just getting started. We haven’t even reached the distilling levels of the 70’s!

Banter

So Much More

My Dad never drank alcohol, yet strangely it became something that bound us together in the last years of his life.

Banter

Matthew McConaughey Unveils Wild Turkey Campaign

By now everyone has heard the news that Matthew McConaughey has taken on a new role as the Creative Director for one of the bastions of the bourbon industry: Wild Turkey.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Angel’s Envy #Bourbonjourney Review #3: Ice Ice Baby

Welcome back, everyone. With two stops checked off the itinerary so far, we’ve all had the opportunity to get a good feel for this whiskey and at least form an initial opinion of Angels Envy.

Events

Nashville Whiskey Festival

While Bardstown may be the epicenter of bourbon, Nashville is quickly emerging as a destination for good whiskey. Jack Daniels and George Dickel distilleries are a short drive south and some established and brand new craft distilleries popping up around the corner from the Broadway honky tonks.

Banter

The Answer Is Whiskey, No Matter The Question

I really couldn’t tell you when the first time was, and by first time I’m talking about getting that first taste of whiskey. I know I was young, a “little shaver” as they say. It could’ve been around the age of eight, maybe nine, maybe older, and would’ve been at my grandparent’s house.

Banter

The Great Bourbon Hunt of 2016

It’s Bourbon Heritage Month and my favorite time of the year with fall releases right around the corner. Hunting is a little less enjoyable these days since most of the good stuff never reaches the store shelves. But I am pretty stubborn and enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

Book Reviews

Bourbon: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of an American Whiskey Book Review

Fred Minnick truly needs no introduction, but he deserves one anyway. He is a bestselling whiskey author, a judge for the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and World Whiskies Awards, a bourbon ambassador for the Kentucky Derby Museum, a contributor to Whisky Advocate...

Banter

Starting a Career in Whiskey: 5 Things I’ve Learned So Far

Back in 2012 I began taking my general love of bourbon, cocktails, and spirits from a private hobby to a public one. I started a podcast with the guy who is now my husband.

On The Road

You need to meet… Ryan Geller at Basecamp Wine and Spirits

“In the mountains (of Colorado), things tend to run a little behind the times,” said Ryan Geller, co-owner of Frisco’s Basecamp Wine & Spirits, which opened its doors on Christmas Eve 2014.

Banter

Welcome to Bourbon Heritage Month 2016

Welcome to Bourbon Heritage Month – the best month of the year. We’re glad you’re here to help us celebrate with 30 days of bourbon, banter, and giveaways. That’s right friends – giveaways.

Cocktails

Celebrating National Whiskey Sour Day

With summer temperatures continuing to soar past the 100-degree mark (at least here in Washington, DC), I find myself of the mindset that summer may actually never end.

Heads & Tails

Heads & Tails: The Dead Tired Edition

Welcome to this week’s installment of Heads & Tails – The Dead Tired Edition. Why ‘The Dead Tired’ edition? Because that’s what I am. I’m worn out.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Blanton’s Gold Bourbon Review

Blanton’s Gold is a higher-proofed version of Blanton’s that is only available in International markets and duty-free outlets (if you are lucky). Blanton’s is my favorite higher-end bourbon and my standard when trying something new.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Wheat Bourbon Review

During our recent tour of the A. Smith Bowman Distillery, our guide, Ralph, mentioned that the distillery would be releasing their next limited edition soon. The Bowman Distillery does a limited edition release periodically.

Banter

What’s Wrong with My Whiskey?

I love opening new bottles. There’s something almost romantic about it, it is something about that first sip. It is especially exciting when you’re opening a bottle of something special your friends have been yammering about, but you’ve never tried.

Book Reviews

Dead Distillers: A History of Upstarts and Distillers Who Made American Spirits

Dead Distillers, Colin Spoelman and David Haskell’s follow up to 2013’s The Guide to Urban Moonshining, is a truly unique walk through the history of whiskey- in many cases a walk through actual cemeteries!