Steve Coomes

Steve Coomes is a veteran journalist and book author specializing in whiskey, tequila and restaurants. When not writing, he leads virtual and in-person food and spirits pairings.

This Round's Mine

Are popular whiskey festivals a good gauge for bourbon’s ‘health’?

But does such enthusiasm truly reflect the health of the bourbon category? Are events like the Bourbon Festival and WhiskeyFest and myriad other whiskey-centric events around the country truly indicative of the category’s health?

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Woodinville 8-year Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

This is a dense bourbon, and deep, dark oak tones dominate and before cooked stone fruit, dried figs and baking spices roll across the palate, sweetening the whole.

Get To Know

Erisman eases New Riff into older, bolder whiskies

"These are not delicate little Scotches–and I love delicate little Scotches. But this is fat ass Kentucky-style whiskey."

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Old Forester 2024 Birthday Bourbon Review

On the nose, there is every classic Old Forester aroma: a little acetone and banana, citrus peel and deeply charred oak. Juicy Fruit Gum is all over this, as are surprises like a chocolate-coated cream-filled donut, candy bar (nougat and milk chocolate), nutmeg and cocoa powder.

Kentucky Bourbon Festival

Shop these single barrel buys at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, Sept. 13-15

I was asked to pick a few favorites for Bourbon & Banter readers who will be attending this sold-out event. The list below is not in order of picks liked best, rather it partially reflects the order in which we visited distilleries to taste them.

Bottle

Maker's Mark Cellar Aged Bourbon 2024 Release Review

This bourbon just never runs out of gas. Every sip is a revelation, a new view into a complex whiskey providing countless vistas.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Bulleit Barrel Strength Bourbon Review

Loads of baking spice, blackberries and cooked stone fruit cruise in on a wave of honey and an undercurrent of oak. It's sturdy but not fire-breathing hot as the nose suggested it would be.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Mary Dowling Tequila Barrel Finished Bourbon Review

This feather-light whiskey is a malt drinker's bourbon, which, based on conversations I've had with Zamanian, who is a Scotch lover, may well be what he was after.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Michter's 2024 10 Year Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey Review

But that's not as fun as pointing to that classic nose of bubble gum, dried flowers and fruit pastries. The barrel has a say, of course, introducing spice and tannin sotto voce, while letting tropical fruit and bruleed sugar speak a bit louder.

Get To Know

The Happy, Hellish Journey of Starting a Distillery

We have zero plans to build and sell the distillery. We want to own and be a part of it for a very long time.

Tequila Reviews

Suavecito Anejo Tequila Review

Suavecito was created for tequila-curious drinkers who want spirits that are "smooth" and without "the burn."

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Old Forester 117 Series, Rum Finish Review

Outside a faint tropical fruit note, the nose isn't recognizable as Old Forester. I'll be fair: Its aromas are solid: light and floral and slightly candied. Then, it moves to sherried notes like golden raisins, honey and baking spices.

This Round's Mine

Is Wood All You Got for Uniqueness?

In the past decade, American distillers have turned to unique cooperage to differentiate their whiskeys. In some cases, it’s worked wonderfully, especially when real experts in the management of maturate and blending are pulling the levers.

Tequila Reviews

Fortaleza 2024 Winter Blend Tequila Review

It's incredibly rich on the palate, coating, deeply honeyed and full of golden raisins. The second sip is slightly mineral with a dash of white pepper and miles dulces, the “sweet honeys” dripping from the agave when roasting.

American Whiskey Reviews

Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye Review

Since I prefer rye bourbon to wheat bourbon, I was excited to taste a high dose of rye in a single pour. On the nose, it's all classic KB bourbon: deep caramel, cooked stone fruits, citrus, oak and spice.

This Round's Mine

Hobby Distilling Should Be Legal in the U.S.

On a small, hobbyist scale, the practice is simple, safe, and rewarding for those who have the patience to do it. A common statement made was, “It’s just fun to sit around with friends and make whiskey, sip what you made last time and look forward to what’s in the still.”

American Whiskey Reviews

Chattanooga Whiskey Founder's 12th Anniversary Blend Whiskey Review

The texture is velvety soft and slightly drying, an elegant blend that would go well with any course of a meal or just on its own and served neat. The finish is light, lingering and warm. The whole left me reaching for another splash before heading off to bed.

Tequila Reviews

Cascahuin Plata 48 Tequila Review

Cascahuin 48 dazzles with mango and pineapple commingled with peppermint, spearmint and lemon. Beneath the rich, coating mouthfeel is a palate left practically humming.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Four Roses 2024 Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon Review

It's rich-rich on the palate. A blend of honey and Demerara syrups usher in deep oak tones and long-cooked fruit characters like blackberry preserves.

Tequila Reviews

Siete Leguas Blanco Tequila Review

The body is light, but its mouthfeel is cozily coating. Soon, enough though, the spirit dries things up a bit with its keen minerality and herbal character.

This Round's Mine

Bourbon Blunder Down Under?

“We do not believe that our spirit contravenes U.S. law, as our production process adheres to the legal requirements set forth under the Australia-U.S. free trade agreement..."

American Single Malt

New Riff Sour Mash Kentucky Single Malt Whiskey Review

The color alone is striking, a deeply red cherrywood stain. The nose is dense and captivating with cooked dark fruits and molasses leading off with cinnamon, allspice, fresh peach and raspberry rounding out the whole.

Members only

This Round's Mine

Whiskey Market Analysis: Are Distilleries Overproducing?

Really? We know that strategy isn’t fool proof. Remember all those single barrels we picked which were 12-15 years old? They got that old because letting the whiskey sit was the only option. That idea also doesn’t take into account all the taxes on those barrels.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

New Riff Distilling 8 Year Rye Whiskey Review

The 8-year-old starts off dark and deliciously grain-forward on the nose and remains dark with whiffs of molasses, sassafras, flat cola and charred oak. Hints of black pepper and baking spices follow and finish alongside rich notes of bitter chocolate.

Irish Whiskey Reviews

Redbreast Irish Whiskey Missouri Oak Edition Review

If you're a lower-proof, softer whiskey fan, this is made for you. It's a cozy drink, a warming dram that will leave you cheerful and summoning someone to bring the bottle for more.