Banter

Bottled In Bond: A Brief History

During your last visit to Ye Olde Liquor Store, you might have noticed a couple of bottom-shelf bottles sporting a fancy, old-script tag: “Bottled-in-Bond.”  The bottle might claim that the whiskey is exceptional, full of heritage, made according to an old, forgotten tradition.

Boozy Books

Bourbon Straight

Immerse yourself in the lives of legendary, notorious, and lesser-known individuals who have shaped the American whiskey landscape. From renowned producers to beloved brands, this book covers it all.

Cocktails

The Sazerac Cocktail

Although the first cocktails were invented by British, they attained global popularity when they first appeared in United States. Like many other things, they are susceptible to trend. So, it happened that some of the cocktails, which enjoyed great popularity in the past, are no longer available.

Banter

What The Hell Is National Running Day?

Apparently today is National Running Day. I’m sure it’s a very important day for those that actually enjoy running for sport or pleasure. As for me, well…let’s just say that I was built more for comfort than speed. As such I really don’t get running as a hobby.

Boozy Books

Introducing the Second Edition of American Whiskey, Bourbon & Rye: The Ultimate Guide!

With a meticulously organized A-to-Z directory by distillery and brand, this comprehensive book features over 330 remarkable whiskeys, including more than 120 exciting new additions.

Banter

The Day I Hung Out With Sam Medley

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Sam Medley at Sidecar here in Portland, Ore. It was a full house in a long, narrow space, but I was able to sample the full Medley portfolio and talk somewhat in-depth with Medley about his family’s products.

Banter

Bourbon Is The Answer

Cocktails

Marion Collins Cocktail (aka The Toughest Guy in the Room)

If you look at flavored whiskey reviews on this site, you’ll find few compliments. So let it be with great fanfare that I announce that Eastside Distilling’s Marionberry Whiskey is the best flavored whiskey I’ve ever had.

Banter

Exploring Private Barrel Selections with Nasa Liquor

“It was like staring down a bourbon tsunami. I couldn’t make a decision or move my feet from sheer awe and fear of making a bad decision.” That’s how one of my friends described his recent experience visiting a liquor store. He had gone in looking to buy a bottle of whiskey for a house-warming gift.

Events

What I Learned From Dinner With Jim Rutledge

Last week Bourbon & Banter had the honor of hosting a Four Roses bourbon tasting dinner with Jim Rutledge as our guest of honor. Before his arrival at dinner, I was like a child at Christmas–eagerly awaiting Santa Claus to come down the chimney.

Cocktails

Mint Julep Recipes From Bulleit & Wild Turkey

The Kentucky Derby is just days away. It’s time to stock up your bar, purchase some extra bottles of bourbon and of course, time to find a great Julep recipe to share with your guests.

Banter

Sharing Bourbon…and Banter for a Good Cause

The bourbon industry is so hot right now that it’s easy to get caught up in the game chasing down the next great thing or trying to just keep up with industry chatter.

On The Road

Eastside Distilling: A Bourbon Across America Visit

I first visited Eastside Distilling in September 2011 when they were called Deco Distilling and all they had to offer was rum. It was fine rum and they made some tasty cocktails, but it was a day of dudes strolling Portland’s Distillery Row and it was the 4th place we visited.

Events

What I Did Right at WhiskyFest Chicago

Well I have survived. Thank to Pops and everyone else who were praying for me to make it back relatively unscathed and with a few stories to tell.

Events

Four Roses Bourbon Tasting Dinner

Who wants to have dinner and drinks with Four Roses’ Master Distiller Jim Rutledge? Bourbon & Banter is pleased to announce that Jim Rutledge will be joining us on May 6th to host a Four Roses bourbon dinner and tasting at Copia Restaurant & Wine Bar in St. Louis, MO.

Events

What to Try at WhiskyFest Chicago 2015

I am very excited to be attending my first WhiskyFest Chicago this coming weekend, April 10th. Over 350 whiskeys, nine seminars, a chance to talk with the distillers and blenders who make your favorite whiskeys, and only four hours to do it all.

Banter

Happy Easter – Share Your Bourbon

Happy Easter from all of us here at Bourbon & Banter. Whether you’re religious or not, Easter is the perfect holiday to spread the joy with those around you. Dust off your top shelf bourbons, unlock the Pappy vault and break out your enormous collection of logo engraved Glencairn glasses.

Food Stuff Reviews

Joe’s Half & Half Juice Review and Whiskey Cocktail

Straight from the bottle the juice is fantastic. Upon our first sip we quickly noticed subtle tannic notes from the Guayusa Tea mixed coupled with a burst of sweet fresh apple. The initial sweetness was immediately followed by the zing of tart lemons that rounding out the juice nicely.

Industry News

Few Spirits Launches in New Jersey and Three Other States

Congratulations to our friends over at Few Spirits on expanding their distribution in four new markets. If you haven’t tried their products yet you can read some of our team’s reviews here.

Food Stuff Reviews

Cooper’s Cask Whiskey Barrel Coffee Review

When the opportunity came up to review Cooper’s Cask Coffee, I couldn’t resist. My love of coffee outshines my love of bourbon (and that’s saying something).

Flavored Whiskey Reviews

Jim Beam Kentucky Fire Review

Folks, we’re in the middle of the Great Bastardization of Whiskey. If you don’t believe me, then you’ve been drunk under a rock for the past three years. (And maybe you’re better for it.) We don’t just have whiskey anymore.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Blood Oath Bourbon Review

his is definitely a sipping bourbon. Neat works great but adding a little water is an option if you to avoid the rye spice from dancing on the tip of your tongue. The proof comes in at 98.6 but drinks more like a 90 proof so avoid adding water if you can.

Banter

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day - May you live to be a hundred years, with one extra year to repent.

New Brand Releases

Blood Oath Bourbon Announced by Luxco

In early December 2014, St. Louis-based Luxco announced that they were acquiring a 50 percent equity position in Limestone Branch Distillery. The initial focus of the joint venture would involve Limestone Branch distilling the original recipe for Yellowstone bourbon and aging the product in 2015.

Tequila Reviews

Hornitos Black Barrel Tequila Review

This will be fun to serve up to those friends who don’t have quite the refined palate all you fine folks do. They just might think it’s bourbon! Admit it; you get a tiny surge of joy from feeling superior to the plebian palate. I sure do.