Paid-members only

Virtual Tasting

You're Invited: The Ingram Distillery Virtual Tasting

The Definitive Guide to the 30 Days of Bourbon Challenge: 2025 Edition

Here’s the deal: drink 30 different bourbons in 30 days. Sounds fun, right? But it’s more than just a boozy checklist—it’s a full-on bourbon experience. You’ll explore new bottles, discover fresh favorites, and gain a deeper appreciation for the history, variety, and flavor that bourbon delivers.

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Proof of Life

Proof of Like: Bourbon at 30,000 Feet

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Virtual Tasting

Replay: Union Horse Virtual Tasting

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Industry News

Bourbon Tariffs and Trade: What Distillers Really Think

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Annual Summit

Save the date: 2025 Summit

Members only

Proof of Life

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

Paid-members only

BITB Club

Replay: BDC Live Tasting #14

Our fourteenth Blind Drinkers Club (BDC) Live Tasting was held this past Monday. This month's dark and disturbing tasting kits included seven samples providing a fantastic range of expressions, including budget-friendly bottles and pricier, hard-to-find new releases. As always, hanging out with everyone to enjoy the samples and

Events

INDY OR BUST: A Whiskey Weekend Recap

Earlier this month, the Bourbon & Banter crew hit the road for another whiskey-fueled adventure—this time to Indianapolis. We’re talkin’ barrel picks, behind-the-scenes distillery access, ATV-fueled trail sippin’, and one late-night bottle share that wrapped around 3 a.m. (because of course it did). We kicked things off

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Jefferson's Reserve Cask Strength Review: The Cask Strength Bourbon You Didn't Know You Needed

Jefferson’s finally gives Cask Strength its own spotlight. This 130-proof bourbon hits hard but drinks smooth—with a fruit-forward profile and a price that’s hard to argue with.

Members only

Proof of Life: Declaration of Drinkdependence

Surprise! We’re dropping this edition of the Proof of Life newsletter a little early so you can enjoy it with your Fourth of July coffee—or whatever you’re sipping before the fireworks start. Because nothing says "America" quite like bourbon, bold opinions, and a newsletter that

Bottle

Elijah Craig B525 Review: Bold, Balanced & Barrel-Proof

One immediately reached for an ECBP, pulled the cork, closed his eyes and took a long, patient sniff. He said that aroma was exactly the smell of the conflagration that awful day, and then poured himself a glass.

Members only

This Round's Mine

A Conversation with Kaveh Zamanian on Luxe Bottles, Coming Price Drops

Is (the price of such bottles) going to get better over time? Absolutely, because when we move to our own distillate, it's going to get much better from a business standpoint. I think that benefit is going to get passed on to consumers as well.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Angel’s Envy Cellar Collection Rye Review: Tequila‑Cask Intrigue

On the palate, it's clearly rye whiskey: slightly spicy, appropriately grainy and familiarly minty and dill-y. Its texture is what's unique: warm, soft and slightly viscous, not at all lean like many ryes.

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: Get Lost

Irregular Dispatches for the Drinking Class from Your Chief Drinking Officer

Tequila Reviews

Nuestras Raices Agave Spirit Review

The palate is delicious and adventurous, racing from sweet to tart to vegetal to minty to petrichor and back ... all in the first few seconds of sip No. 1.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Michter's 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon Review – 2025 Release: One of the Best M10s Yet

I've had the good fortune to sample several years of Michter's 10-year bourbon releases, and this is one of the best I've tasted yet.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Green River 250th U.S. Army Special Anniversary Bourbon Review

Tasting this and knowing you've spent just $49.99 will make you wonder why you part with any more on any bottle. From sniff to sip, this is precisely what bourbon whiskey should taste like and cost in 2025.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Michter's 2025 Barrel Strength Rye Review: Big Spice, Bold Proof

The nose on this Michter's Barrel Strength Rye takes me directly to the dump trough where tour guests get to stick their Glencairn glasses directly into the stream of whiskey glug-glug-glugging from the cask.

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: The Last Refuge

Irregular Dispatches for the Drinking Class from Your Chief Drinking Officer

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Fear & Loathing Rye Review: A Smooth 95-Proof Sipper

The nose is a soft blend of caramel corn, cotton candy, mint and a little burnt orange peel: truly pleasant. The palate is bolder with dark caramel, roasted corn, more mint and cherry Lifesaver. Again, quite nice. Nothing to dislike at all.

Tequila Reviews

Wild Common Añejo Tequila Review: A Bold 94-Proof Sipper

I've visited this distillery, and trust me, it's OLD old school. On a tour there, our guide pulled out a diagram of its process that was hand-sketched on an 8 x 11 piece of paper. No video. No fancy equipment with computerized monitors. Just a drawing.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Inside Gonzo Whiskey: Fear & Loathing Bourbon Review

I'm like any reviewer who immediately wants to dislike celebrity whiskies because most are never good. So, since this one's actually good, is it because the celebrity wasn't involved in it at all?

Events

National Bourbon Week Announces Schedule for Second Annual Celebration in Bardstown

The BCG just announced the schedule for the second-annual National Bourbon Week, running this year from June 9-15. The event includes 20 events with 11 distilleries located within 16 square miles.

Proof of Life

Proof of Life: Special Isn't Special Anymore

Irregular Dispatches for the Drinking Class from Your Chief Drinking Officer