Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

A collection of 332 posts

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Review

When I finished the Zoom tasting, I was skeptical about the 25-year-old whiskey in the final blend. Did it contribute that much, or was it just meant to make this Small Batch Limited Edition a little more special on paper for its anniversary?

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Larceny Barrel Proof Bourbon A123 Review

Larceny is a wheater that gets too little attention in my opinion. Even the “Wheated bourbon only because I like wheat only” crowd doesn’t seem to go for it. Given the 92-proof of its flagship, I get it; it’s a softy.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Blue Run Flight Series: Washington Apple Orchard

Blue Run is a brand on fire. After capturing a rapt audience with their early limited edition releases they recently pivoted to producing more widely available expressions to satisfy their feverish fanbase.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Hidden Barn Bourbon Batch 2 Review

Hidden Barn Bourbon Batch 2 has an impressively creamy texture and a delightful display of developed flavor for such a grain-forward bourbon it is a proof of concept, though it’s not yet a fully fleshed-out concept unto itself.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

2022 Yellowstone Ltd Edition & King of Kentucky 15-Year Review

Since we’re just a mere two weeks out from Bourbon Heritage Month, I thought it would be a nice change of pace to do a video review of two of the most recent brand releases – the 2022 Yellowstone Limited Edition and the 2022 King of Kentucky 15-Year. \

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Virginia Gentleman Bourbon Review

Virginia Gentleman Bourbon has been produced by the A. Smith Bowman Distillery since 1934 when the distillery opened on the Bowman farm. That farm is now the town of Reston, Virginia and the distillery is currently located in Fredericksburg, VA.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Hardin’s Creek: Colonel James B. Beam Bourbon Review

As a proof of concept, Freddie Noe knocked this expression out of the park. With notes of strawberry puree, that familiar Jim Beam peanut brittle, and flavorful baking spice to go along with a truly satisfying Kentucky hug, Hardin’s Creek: Colonel James B. Beam has a lot to like on the palate.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Hardin’s Creek: Jacob’s Well Bourbon Review

Hardin’s Creek: Jacob’s Well has generated a swirl on intrigue ever since its TTB label filing went public. So, with all the hype surrounding this release, I was curious to see how it would ultimately taste. The result?

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Playboy Spirits Rare Hare 1953 Bourbon Review

I liked the Rare Hare 1953 bourbon. It was a nice pour. This is a softer whiskey despite the 111-proof point, it drinks like a cognac. I enjoyed the fruit-forward palate, and it really took precedent to the typical bourbon flavors that were peeking out from behind the curtain.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Ben Holladay Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Review

So, in March, when Noelle Hale reached out to me to tell me all about Holladay Distillery in Missouri, I expected more of the same. Of course, it all begins with a story, doesn’t it?

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Broken Barrel Small Batch Bourbon

Broken Barrel’s 95 proof straight bourbon continues the trend set by their 88 proof California Oak expression in that it has a nice blend of unexpected flavors in concert with classic bourbon notes.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Broken Barrel California Oak Review

Broken Barrel California Oak isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel with their lowest proof offering, but it is making a strong case that young whiskey can be elevated with the addition of staves.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Wheel Horse Bourbon Review (Batch 2)

I was immediately struck by how fruit-forward this bourbon is, as the raspberry and plum notes are prominent despite it being a relatively young whiskey. Caramelized sugar and a strong black pepper influence makes for a medley of alluring aromas that slightly outperform the palate, but it tastes goo

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Barrell Gold Label Bourbon Review

This bottle immediately comes with so many expectations that it’s hard to judge it fairly. Tasted blind, this is an excellent bourbon that balances the strong Kentucky and Indiana bourbon profiles while deftly relegating the overly distinct Tennessee whiskey notes to a supporting role.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

American Highway Reserve Bourbon Review

When it comes to American Highway Reserve, despite some older whiskey in this blend, it all smells young: new wood, green apple, cooked corn, dried rye and ethanol. Initially, the aroma is faint, but a few vigorous swirls moves it from non-existent to hot in the nostrils; from “Is anybody home?” to

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 17-Year-Old Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

This is a delicious mature whiskey, far from overly oaked, and full of complexity and nuance. The nose is loaded with cooked dark cherries, warm dark chocolate, macaron, green apple and Juicy Fruit gum. On the palate it’s rich and mouth coating, not drying at all.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Jeptha Creed Bottled-In-Bond Rye Heavy Bourbon Review

On the palate, the Jeptha Creed Bottled-In-Bond Rye Heavy Bourbon begins with earthiness and intrigue, but ultimately the pour falls apart for me on the finish. The fact that it’s so drying is distracting, and that isn’t helped by the fact that it’s quite earthy and in need of a sweet or spicy kick.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Green River Bourbon Review

I’m pleased to report that after scientifically tasting about half the bottle of Green River Bourbon, I can confirm that it’s beyond good. A nose of enticing warming spices greets you thanks to the high-rye mash bill followed by the standard bourbon flavors.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Kentucky Owl St. Patrick’s Limited Edition Bourbon Review

This bourbon is truly delightful to drink. Too many multi-whiskey blends lack the synergy and symmetry that this bottle presents in spades. Its sibling, Kentucky Owl: The Wiseman Bourbon, released last September, was one of those.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

O.H. Ingram River Aged Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

From tasting O.H. Ingram River Aged Straight Bourbon, I stand by my guess of it being MGP sourced, which is good. It has the sweet caramel taste of a wheated bourbon with a reasonable depth of other flavors such as apple, grain, and oak.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Old Soul High Rye Bourbon Review

As the great Yogi Berra once said, “It’s déjà vu all over again.” Here we have yet another bourbon with this mash bill. I think this may be the fifth I’ve tasted this year. This bourbon by Cathead Distillery is their second release of Old Soul Bourbon.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Bare Knuckle High Rye Cask Strength Bourbon Review

This is a great bourbon. Distilled by MGP, aged in Virginia. When KO Distilling opened, they sourced bottles from MGP and aged them here in Virginia. If care and feeding of aging barrels makes a difference, they nailed it on this one.

Banter

Buffalo Trace 2021 George T. Stagg Non-Release Review

Every year, I wait longingly for the release of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, praying to snag just one bottle. This set of five ultra premium, highly prized whiskeys from Buffalo Trace garners a wild-eyed, cash-throwing frenzy from bourbon collectors and flippers alike.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Watershed Distillery Bourbon Review

I tried this after tasting the Watershed Bottled-in-Bond, figuring the apple brandy might taint my palate in a way a straight bourbon wouldn’t. Unfortunately, it didn’t matter. Even after three tries, I just couldn’t find much flavor here.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Watershed Bottled In Bond Bourbon Review

For my first taste of Watershed Distillery, this was a solid if unspectacular bottled-in-bond bourbon. It doesn’t have many youth notes and is more apple- and rye-forward (though the mash bill is undisclosed), and I found it a great mixer for a Manhattan or a less-sweet Gold Rush.