Proof of Life: Scams, Scandals & Single Barrels

It’s been a scorcher here in St. Louis—humid enough to proof down barrel strength bourbon with the air alone. But while the temps are boiling, this edition of Proof of Life is cooling things down with some smart sipping advice, a side of spirits scandal, and more new bottles than your credit card limit wants to know about.

From oat-infused farm whiskey to AI decanter scams, from sustainable distilling to tequila court drama, we’ve got a full pour of what’s shaking across the whiskey world (and beyond). And yes, I finally address the most important question in bourbon: How the hell should you actually drink this stuff?

So grab a glass, add a cube (or don’t—we’re not judging), and let’s get into it.

Evolving Taste: How We Drink Bourbon—and Why It Changes

During a recent tasting, someone asked me a question that stuck with me:

“Do you have any recommendations for how people should drink bourbon when they’re starting out?”

Now that’s a question worth more than just a passing answer.