Bourbon Whiskey Reviews Maker’s Mark 2020 Limited Edition Wood Finishing Series Review The first time I and a friend cracked a bottle of Maker’s Mark Cask Strength, he said, correctly, “This is what Maker’s Mark should have been all along. Why did they wait so long to release at this proof?” I agreed.
Industry News Kentucky Distilleries Fill Record Barrels In 2019 While Emptying Relatively Few Distillery owners regularly describe whiskey making as a risky, long-term venture requiring patience and deep pockets. The purest proof of that truism can be found in Kentucky Department of Revenue numbers shared in October by the Kentucky Distillers Association (KDA).
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews Old Fitzgerald 14 Year Old Bottled In Bond Bourbon Review (Fall 2020) The Old Fitzgerald 14 Year Old Bottled In Bond Bourbon is a solid whiskey that Old Fitz fans and grain-forward whiskey fans will enjoy. Were this a wine review, I’d compliment its “structure” and uniformity for playing no tricks and not changing with long exposure.
Rye Whiskey Reviews Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Rye Review This is a decent rye that checks all the boxes required of an American rye whiskey, but it needs more time in the barrel to gain complexity and character to make it worth its $69 price.
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews Chicken Cock Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review This is a good but unremarkable bourbon. It is a pleasant, easy drinker that is best savored neat. Even a few drops of water softened it appreciably, making rocks pretty much out of the question. A cocktail? Not for me.
Rye Whiskey Reviews Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Rye Review – 2020 Release This is a bottle full of goodness all around; silken yet full bodied; lush in texture but busily spicy with fruit notes. If you can make rye whiskey candy, solidify this. It’s a delight to hold in your mouth and roll around as the honeyed texture gives way to tingly spice and slightly drying oak.
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews Michter’s 10 Year Single Barrel Bourbon Review – 2020 Release Michter’s has treated me to the past several releases of this 10-year bourbon, and all were good, well-mannered and delicious. Crucial to my preferences, each also paired amazingly well with food. But the 2020 release is something truly special, my favorite of the lot so far. Warm chocolate gives wa
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews Angel’s Envy Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Japanese Mizunara Oak Casks Review For 10 years Angel’s Envy has produced delicate, rounded and balanced bourbons finished in second-use casks—port, tawny port, sherry and rum (for its rye).
Scotch Whisky Reviews The Glendronach Revival Aged 15 Years Scotch Whisky Review This is a delightful and intriguing whisky. It never stops giving new aromas, which makes it a lot of fun just to nose. Few flavors in this Scotch jump out at you; there’s a bit of seek and find with it.
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews Legent Bourbon Review If you like bourbon neat, this is for you. If you’re a Scotch drinker used to low-proof and wine-cask finishes, this is for you. If you like flavorful cocktails that aren’t in-your-face bold, this is a versatile whiskey that’ll do the job.
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews Old Fitzgerald 9 Year Old Bottled In Bond Bourbon Review (Spring 2020) This Old Fitzgerald 9 Year Old Bottled In Bond Bourbon is a glassful of goodness all around. If you’re fond of fruit-forward whiskeys, this is your jam—without being jammy. The mouthfeel is unusually fatty and weighty for a 100 proof wheated bourbon, and that’s a plus.
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B519 Review This is an all-around solid whiskey that won’t disappoint. But to violate an iron-clad rule of multi-sibling parenting, I’m saying its older brother, A119, this year’s first ECBP release, is better in every respect. A119 is headed for Harvard while B519 is good state school material.
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A119 Review At a dinner to meet Heaven Hill’s new master distiller, Colin O’Driscoll, my Bourbon & Banter colleague Matt Evans took one sniff and pronounced it a “chocolate bomb.” That was dead on.
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews Old Fitzgerald Bottled-In-Bond 13 Year Bourbon Review I’m among the many saddened by the disappearance of the 4-year-old Old Fitzgerald Bottled-In-Bond during 2017. Like most BIBs, it was a terrific bargain, a great sipper and one of my favorite cocktailers for recipes with citrus (think Gold Rush).
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews Rhetoric Bourbon: All Six Releases Reviewed There’s a lot to love about Diageo’s recent press-sample release of Rhetoric Bourbon. For one, the company’s generosity with old, pricey whiskeys can’t be overlooked.
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews Booker’s 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Bourbon Review From its explosive nose to its punch-in-the-mouth flavor and texture, this is what Booker’s fans love. Booker Noe himself created his namesake brand to be powerful, and it does not disappoint.
On The Road Castle & Key Distillery – Worth the Wait and the Cost Recently we shared a series of whiskey reviews for Coppercraft Distillery that incorporated a unique three person review format. Each whiskey review contained three separate set of tasting notes and observations.
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews Chicken Cock 10-Year-Old Double Barrel Bourbon Review This is a flat-out delicious bourbon, no arguing it. At 104 proof, its balance of potency and nuance is ideal, and I never considered adding water to it. I can’t imagine a neat bourbon drinker not loving everything about it.
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky Review Read the Brand’s Notes to understand why this is a twice-barreled product. It’ll help you understand why it’s so fruity, sweet and tannic. Sipped at 93 proof, it’s perfect. With a splash of water, the fruit notes become juicier, the mouthfeel pleasantly heavier and spice notes emerge. As the last ex
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews Old Forester 2018 Birthday Bourbon Review I’m a fan of about every Fo’ on the shelf, but I was not quick to like this bottle. When first opened, my press sample was sharp, edgy, not inviting. I gave it time in the glass—a 45-minute rest, in fact—but it wouldn’t come to heel. I let it sit a week or so and revisited it.
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews Four Roses 130th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch This might just be Brent Elliott’s best release since taking over as Master Distiller at Four Roses. It’s a great sign of what he’s capable of and gets me excited to see what he does next. Is it better than the Al Young commemorative release?
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews The President’s Choice Bourbon Review This is a great starter bourbon with something to keep you coming back for more. Not quite the sweet spot of flavors that I gravitate towards but a good one to get started or to enjoy on a hot summer day with friends.
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews Belle Meade Bourbon Craftsman Cask Collection: Honey Cask Finish Review Just as they did with the Mourvèdre wine cask finish I reviewed this year, the Nelson brothers’ knack for cask finishing is proven again in this release.
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews King of Kentucky Bourbon Review Sipped at proof, The King of Kentucky is a fierce ruler of the palate. Born of the Early Times whiskey mashbill, it packs a punch that’s amplified by aging 7 of its 14 years in a heat-cycled warehouse. I prefer high-proof whiskeys, yet at full strength, The King subdued me.
Rye Whiskey Reviews Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye Review Michter’s master distiller Pam Heilmann calls this, “my favorite Michter’s whiskey.” She’s a real and regular whiskey lady, so it was believable high praise when she said that to me—unsolicited and on multiple occasions—which put me on the hunt for it. Did I mention kicking myself for not buying all
