American Whiskey Reviews

A collection of 47 posts

American Whiskey Reviews

Old Elk Cigar Cut Island Blend Whiskey Review

You'll find Cigar Cut Island so easy to sip that its 111 proof will have you in its grasp before you know it, so watch your portions!

American Whiskey Reviews

Bernheim Barrel Proof Original Wheat Whiskey Batch A224 Review

When Heaven Hill added Bernheim Wheat Whiskey to its barrel-proof portfolio early last year, it filled a big market hole. Wheat whiskeys at any proof are rare, but this barrel-proof offering is the only one from a major brand like it.

American Whiskey Reviews

Old Elk Infinity Blend 2023 Review

The nose on this latest release is expressive and elegant, burly initially with damp oak and cigar box notes that quickly sweeten to cream soda, buttery cinnamon apples, and Little Debbie Oatmeal Pies.

American Whiskey Reviews

Lodestar American Whiskey Review

The blend of high rye and single malt whiskey yields a mild burnt sugar sweetness complemented by the toastiness of the malt. The finish leaves a delightful tingle, both from the proof and the high rye mashbill.

American Single Malt

Frey Ranch American Single Malt Smoke Whiskey Review

This is a bold, distinctive and beautiful whiskey. But for some, it's 110 proof may be a bit too much for their palate. The good news is this whiskey holds up well to a dash of water to tame the heat while bringing out even lighter and sweeter flavors to keep you coming back for another sip.

American Whiskey Reviews

Old Elk Wheat N' Rye Review

It's a lovely blend that I'm continuing to enjoy well after writing this review. In fact, I think I'm enjoying this blend more than when I drank its respective components alone. Proof once again that sometimes, 1+1 does equal more than just 2.

American Whiskey Reviews

Jack Daniel's American Single Malt Whiskey Review

The nose and fish oil tablet flavor remind me distinctly of the malt whiskey made years ago by Jack's Brown-Forman kin, Woodford Reserve. I didn't come 'round to it then and haven't this time either.

American Whiskey Reviews

Old Hickory Hermitage Reserve Barrel Proof Whiskey Review

This is a limited release of contract-distilled whiskey with a higher-than-average age. As such, it is priced at somewhat of a premium.

American Whiskey Reviews

Whiskey JYPSI Legacy Batch 001 Review

It's been a long time since I was surprised by a whiskey. And a celebrity whiskey has never impressed me. But damn, as much as I was ready to tell you how underwhelmed I was with this bottle, that's not the case.

American Whiskey Reviews

Stranahan’s Blue Peak Single Malt Whiskey Review

All in all I’d say Stranahan’s Blue Peak Single Malt Whiskey (named for the 13-thousand-foot peak in Aspen) marries “approachability” and “complexity” without sacrificing one for the other – an admirable feat in itself.

American Whiskey Reviews

Wonderland Distilling Cask Strength Review

Last October I reviewed the first whiskey offering out of Wonderland and really enjoyed it. How did their cask strength bottle compare?

American Whiskey Reviews

Blackened American Whiskey Cask Strength Review

Holy shit, this stuff doesn’t suck! If you’re a listener of the Bourbon & Banter Podcast, you know that I have very little tolerance for celebrity whiskeys & ZERO tolerance for marketing bullshit, particularly when it comes to barrels being “sonically enhanced.”

American Whiskey Reviews

Lost Lantern American Vatted Malt Edition No. 1 Review

I have made no secret of my love for independent bottlers and recently wrote an article for Bourbon & Banter where I lamented the fact that no one is doing with American whiskies what independent bottlers are able to do with Scotches. Just a few months later, this showed up at my door.

American Whiskey Reviews

Little Book Chapter 4: “Lessons Honored” Review

Every Little Book release is, to my palate, unique and extraordinary. Fans will recognize they’re Beam whiskeys, but no standard Beam whiskeys.

American Whiskey Reviews

Broken Barrel California Oak Whiskey Review

On the initial nose, I would have assumed this was a pour of Brenne Whisky. Those French staves must be the culprit on the bubblegum nose on both products. On the initial palate, I would have assumed this was Traverse City American Cherry Whiskey.

American Whiskey Reviews

Wonderland Blend of Straight Whiskeys Review

I have a goal of drinking a whiskey from every state in the union and so jumped at the chance to try this offering from Michigan. This first expression by Wonderland is a really interesting take on a blend in that each component is a straight whiskey and then those straight whiskies are blended.

American Whiskey Reviews

Port Cask Finished Virginia-Highland Whisky Review

In full disclosure, this isn’t my first run-in with Virginia-Highland Port Cask Finished Whisky. I’ve served previous batches at whiskey appreciation classes I’ve hosted and it always went over well. As such, I was excited for the opportunity to try Batch 10 to experience how it has held up.

American Whiskey Reviews

Prelude: Courage & Conviction Single Malt Whisky Review

he American Single Malt category continues to experience popularity and growth. While it isn’t meant to mimic its Scotch or Irish counterparts, they do start with the same basic ingredient: 100% malted barley.

American Whiskey Reviews

Rolling Standard Midwestern Four-Grain Whiskey Review

Rolling Standard Midwestern Four-Grain Whiskey is a very interesting approach to creating a four-grain.

American Whiskey Reviews

David James Bourbon and American Whiskey Review

David James Spirits, out of Kentucky, is seemingly in that awkward adolescent phase that a lot of craft distillers must go through and we had very different reactions to their two current offerings!

American Whiskey Reviews

Rush Creek Distilling Trophy Whiskey Review

I had the opportunity in February to meet up with the folks at Rush Creek Distilling at Distill America in Madison. I was intrigued by what they had to offer and was interested in learning more.

American Whiskey Reviews

Fifty Stone Single Malt Whiskey Review

This whiskey contains considerably more peat and iodine taste than I would expect from an American Whiskey, but if these Mainiacs are your style, you're going to be real glad they're doing what they're doing!

American Whiskey Reviews

Woodford Reserve Malt Whiskey Review

This bottle was a present to me from my cousin, for a favor I did for him in college, over 46 years ago. I truly did not remember it (even when he told me) but I was glad to receive the bottle. I’m have not been a big Woodford Bourbon fan in the past but find myself enjoying it more recently. When I

American Whiskey Reviews

StilL 630 Experimental Collection Release #12

This review of StiLl 630’s X-12 marks the completion of the first 12-months of their Experimental Collection release series. What a year it’s been. Only fitting that we mark this occasion with a review of a whiskey style that is making its debut at StiLl 630 – a wheat whiskey.

American Whiskey Reviews

Sunshine Reserve American Whiskey Review

he notes from the distiller tell us that they bake the barrel staves instead of charring. That explains the Malty flavor and nose. The 4 Grain Mash bill primarily made of Oats also adds a fair amount of sweetness. It was a little too sweet for my taste and underproof.