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
Irish Whiskey Reviews Glendalough 13-year Mizunara Finish Single Malt Irish Whiskey Review This whiskey spent 13 years in former bourbon casks before an unspecified finish in Mizunara oak barrels.
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews A Honey of a Bourbon: Introducing Belle Meade Bourbon Honey Cask Finish In a sweet play on the distilling industry’s legendary “honey barrels,” those elusive whiskey casks that have been aged to perfection and are almost mythological within the world of whiskey.
Bourbon Whiskey Reviews Belle Meade Bourbon Craftsman Cask Collection: Mourvedre Cask Finish Review I was wowed by the Belle Meade Cognac cask finish bourbon released two years ago, but this exceeds that. When too many distilleries are using cask finishing to cover up flaws in subpar source material, Andy and Charlie Nelson are demonstrating their ample talents for using well-aged liquid.
Rye Whiskey Reviews Michter’s US 1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye Whiskey Review The ladies were right on this one. By that I mean this: During the first group tasting of this spirit in 2017, Michter’s president Joe Magliocco gave this whiskey a thumbs down, believing the brand’s fans wouldn’t like it. Michter’s master distiller, Pam Heilmann, and its master of maturation, Andre
