Gear

Brandy Smuggler Walking Cane Flask (a.k.a. quick kick me in the shins)

I’m not going to go out and run a marathon tomorrow but then again I’m not quite ready to spend the rest of my days in a rocker on the front porch of “the home”. But I have to tell you though that I’ve never been so inclined to get myself a cane in my life. You know…for medicinal purposes.

Banter

Barrel-Strength Bourbon – The Readers’ Point of View

About ten days ago, I posted a poll on the site (and our Facebook page) asking readers’ opinions of barrel-strength bourbon. Below you can see the results of that poll. 70% of our readers were overwhelmingly in favor of barrel-strength bourbon.

Banter

Crab Orchard Bourbon Advertisement Circa 1934

Awesomeness! That’s what you get when you combine a Crab Orchard Bourbon advertisement (circa 1934) with a comic strip treatment. Sure, the comic is clearly aimed at the adult male, but can you imagine someone trying to use that excuse these days?

Banter

Grant Johnson – Bourbon & Banter Member Spotlight

May’s Member Spotlight features Grant Johnson from Franklin, WI. Grant’s been a member of our community for a long time and is a frequent commenter and contributor on our Facebook page.

Banter

Let Us Never Forget

We walked among the crosses where our fallen soldiers lay. And listened to the bugle as TAPS began to play.

Banter

Jim Beam Advertisement Featuring Ripley’s Believe It Or Not

I’m pulling out all the stops in celebration of Memorial Day Weekend. Here’s a fantastic example of co-op advertising. Two iconic brands – Jim Beam & Ripley’s – come together to promote each other in this 1975 Jim Beam advertisement. God Bless America!

Banter

Celebrity Booze Commercials

In what seems as a lifetime ago I lived in Japan for a few years. During that time one of my favorite things about watching Japanese television was seeing American celebrities in commercials for things like booze and cigarettes. Since those types of commercials were banned or limited in the US it wa

Events

May 2012 Bourbon Dinner & Tasting Recap

Thanks again to everyone that joined us for our first-ever Bourbon & Banter Dinner Tasting event at Blood and Sand. It was a great evening, and I enjoyed getting to see everyone. (Many for the first time!) I’d also like to thank our host, TJ, from Blood and Sand, for a beautiful dinner.

Banter

G & W Straight Bourbon Whiskey Advertisement

Today’s featured Bourbon ad is for G & W Straight Bourbon Whiskey circa 1936.  Take a close look at the bottles in the ad. Notice anything odd?

Gear

U.S. Whiskey Map Infographic

Came across this fantastic whiskey map infographic from the folks over at SloshSpot. I’d been thinking about the need for something like this specific to just Bourbon, but I lack the necessary design skills to pull it off.

Food Reviews

Bourbon Truffles – Proof that God Exists

Maybe it’s the Catholic upbringing, but I must confess.  I’ve never been a fan of liquor-infused chocolates or candy. I can't say I've been a fan, whether it’s liquor cordials or bourbon balls. I’ll eat them, but you won’t find me seeking them out.

Banter

Bourbon Makes The Best Holiday Drinks Advertisement

Today’s vintage Bourbon ad comes from The Bourbon Institute. This 1959 advertisement shows just how versatile Bourbon can be when making various mixed drinks for the holidays.

Gear

Affordable Ice Balls For Your Bourbon

Okay. I admit it. I enjoyed typing the title for this blog post. Juvenile…perhaps? But I don’t think people want “ice spheres” to add to their Bourbon. I’m just keeping it real for the common Bourbon folk interested in finding ice balls to chill their drink.

Banter

Glenmore Kentucky Straight Bourbon Advertisement

Today’s Bourbon advertisement is a circa 1938 Glenmore Kentucky Straight Bourbon Advertisement. I did a search and found this interesting Glenmore timeline courtesy of Mike Veach over on BourbonEnthusiast.com. I’ve come to learn that Bourbon’s heritage is nothing if not convoluted and intertwined.

Banter

Chocolate for Adults – Twice The Vice

I stumbled across a new chocolate product on the web today called Twice The Vice. They mix chocolate with top-shelf liquors for a product banned in 32 states. As if that wasn’t enough to get my attention, it turns out that they offer The Kentucky Bourbon Collection.

Banter

It isn’t BOURBON in the bottle…Bourbon Institute Ad

Here’s a great promotional ad from the Bourbon Institute in 1959. This is but one of many in a series of advertisements the Institute put out to promote Bourbon to the masses.

Scotch Whisky Reviews

Benromach 21 Year Whisky Review

Scanning the shelves of my favorite shop, my eyes beheld only the familiars, those I had seen so many times before. It was late. I was tired. I stopped in on the way home from a hospital visit, taking the chance that the proprietor, my friend Tony, would have a surprise in waiting.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Breckenridge Bourbon Whiskey Review

As we’re all aware, bourbon, by law, does not have to be made in Kentucky. I know that many of you feel differently but for the sake of my review, I’d appreciate it if you could all simmer down and play by the rules for the next 5 minutes.  T

Scotch Whisky Reviews

Aberlour A’bunadh Whisky Review

The giver of this gift, put me to the test. I had previously bragged to my dear Jennifer that the only curves that rivaled her own were those of my whisky bottles. Needless to say, she did not see the humor.

Scotch Whisky Reviews

Glengoyne 17 Year Review

Have you seen the movie “Rocky”? It’s the story of an up and coming boxer who trains hard, eats right, goes the extra mile, and in the end, gets his chance at the title fight. Of course, everyone expects an exhibition by the reigning champ, a bout expected to last only a round or two.

Banter

Can Bourbon help save the art of conversation?

The world needs more bantering and less bitching. That’s the point I tried to convey in a post I wrote last week. In continuing along the lines of people and communication, I’d like to share an article I read this weekend in The New York Times titled “The flight From Conversation. “

Scotch Whisky Reviews

The Balvenie Madeira Cask 17 Year Old Single Malt Whisky Review

There are certain distilleries that have earned my reverence. The Balvenie is one. Never have I purchased a particular release from The Balvenie and found it wanting.

Banter

1938 Buchanan’s Black and White De Luxe

James Buchanan went into business in 1884. Eventually, his whisky was the acceptable standard in the higher class hotels and pubs, and by 1898, he had received the royal warrant from Queen Victoria to be the whisky supplier for the royal household.

Vintage Advertising

Old Quaker Bourbon Advertisement

Sorry that I haven’t posted more this week on the site, Twitter or Facebook.  I got hit by some random sickness that put me out of commission for a few days.  I’m starting to feel a little better, but I probably need a few more days to get back into the full swing of things.

Banter

Who’s Leading The #Bourbon Conversation On Twitter Infographic – April 2012

Last month we posted our first #bourbon Twitter infographic to show who’s leading the bourbon conversation on Twitter. We thought everyone might enjoy a monthly update so below are the results for the past month.