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.

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.

On The Road

Slow Water Reduction Lets Still Austin Age Longer in Texas Heat

So, to look at the back label on a bottle and read ‘produced and bottled by,’ you know you’re getting something truly from that distillery.

This Round's Mine

Barton 1792 Distillery Awards Demonstrate Sazerac's Deep Bench

At least single-barrel picks are better at Barton. My first pick ever happened there on a frigid winter day; the outdoor temp was 18 degrees and I was wondering why anyone thought this was fun.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Booker's "Beam House Batch" Bourbon Review

Per usual, this Booker's aroma is like the others: powerfully spicy and meant to warn that keeping the glass a few inches from one's nose is wise.

On The Road

Contract Distilling is Fun, but Call Eyes Future for Family Brands at W. KY Distilling Co.

Making whiskies for others in his own place is fun, he said, “but to have our family’s name on our own unique brands—a flagship brand is what gets me up in the morning. It gets me excited.”

Tequila Reviews

El Negocio Tequila Blanco Review

The nose–like anything from the flawless Cascahuin distillery–El Negocio Blanco brings deep minerality and floral character atop an undercurrent of horno-roasted agave, agua miel and golden raisins.

New Brand Releases

History, Heat and High-Proof Whiskeys Mark Heaven Hill's Grain to Glass Launch

“Ten years ago, this was but a figment of our imagination, and our partners helped our imagination become actual whiskey. For somebody like me who’s been in this business for a very long time, this is really exciting.”

Tequila Reviews

Entremanos Tequila Blanco Review

The nose starts a little funky but intriguing, with warmed butter and mozzarella cheese drifting into herbal characters like spearmint and dried sage.

Get To Know

Get to Know: Aaron Harris, Green River's Head Distiller

When Harris came aboard, Green River’s annual output was 90,000 barrels a year. Under his watch, it’s increased by a solid 20 percent. Its outstanding single-barrel program has received rave reviews, and it just launched a new Full-Proof line of its standard bourbon.

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!

This Round's Mine

Alcohol’s Impact Increases With Age, So Drink Wisely, Friends

None of the researchers quoted in the article recommended swearing off alcohol given complications as one ages. One even pointed out that drinking is a social convention, and socializing is a huge part of mental health.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Still Austin Red Corn Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon Review

I love the lightly piney note that comes right out of every glass of Still Austin whiskeys. It comforts me knowing something good and unique is coming.

Get To Know

Get to Know: Glencairn's Martin Duffy

The busiest part of my year begins in February when whiskey events start. … Then things slow down some later in the year, and I work on creating distillery trails for different states. Yes, that’s for Glencairn.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Chicken Cock Small Batch Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

At 5 years, it possess aromas and flavors you'd expect from something two to three years older. I like it so much that I looked at my tasting notes from a single barrel pick of 6-year-old Chicken Cock bourbon and found them nicely aligned.

Members only

This Round's Mine

Who Has the Better Palate – Women or Men?

It’s not some battle of the sexes thing for me, it’s just a question: Upon what grounds do you base a claim that women have better palates than men?

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Michter's 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon Review – 2024 Release

What is there not to love about this almost-annual release? What bourbon fan would taste this and object to any of its qualities? Release after incredible release, it confirms what great bourbon should taste like.

Members only

This Round's Mine

Stagg Wins 'Best Bourbon'—In Other News, Water is Wet

To be fair, at least this is a great whiskey winning the top prize. However, given the number of awards won by the whiskey named after a suffer-no-fools distiller, these competitions are boring for everyone except Buffalo Trace.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Sagamore Spirt Manhattan Finished Rye Whiskey Review

If you're expecting a ready-to-drink Manhattan, it's not quite that. Wondering if it might be, I fridge-chilled it, poured it into a chilled glass and garnished it with an expressed orange peel.

New Brand Releases

‘Honey, It’s Barrel Aged!”

If you haven’t had honey drizzled on a pizza, you're missing out. Hot honey is even better, as in spiced up rather than heated.

Interview

Q&A with Carey Bringle, Peg Leg Porker Tennessee Bourbon

Personally, I like 8-year-old whiskey, which I think is kind of a sweet spot for bourbon. But we’ve got older stuff, including a barrel from the first lot that I ever bought. It’s 16 years old and it’s 148 proof.