Banter

How To Train Your Senses For Whiskey Tasting

The legendary Parker Beam once said, “People say they taste mangoes and leather. I don’t put mangoes or leather in the whiskey. I put in corn, and I age it in oak barrels and that’s what I taste: corn and oak!”

Cocktails

Coole Swan Irish Cream Liqueur Review + Cocktail

As a kid, I would always sneak a little sip from my parent’s glass of Bailey’s whenever it made an appearance.

Tequila Reviews

Expresiones Del Corazon William Larue Weller Añejo Tequila Review

Over the past couple of years, I’ve tasted multiple iterations of Sazerac-barrel-rested Corazon tequilas, and with each, the influence of those barrels has increased. At first blush, I like that. I mean, why make a reposado or añejo unless you want to taste the oak influence?

Bourbon News

NHLC Intro’s New Thomas S. Moore Cask-Finished Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskeys

The New Hampshire Liquor Commission (NHLC), one of the nation’s most profitable and progressive control states, and the globally acclaimed Barton 1792 Distillery have launched a series of single barrel, custom-proofed, cask-finished selections of the new Thomas S. Moore Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

Bourbon News

Wyoming Whiskey Introduces New Collection

Wyoming Whiskey, a world-class American Whiskey distillery committed to the preservation of America’s wide-open spaces, today announces a new collection inspired by the beauty of our national parks. The Wide-Open Spaces Collection is an annual, small-batch production of Wyoming Whiskey.

Tequila Reviews

Drinks By The Dram 12 Day Tequila & Mezcal Review

If you’re reading this blog, that means there’s an excellent chance you follow the Bourbon & Banter team, or you are at least getting our email updates. If you’re not signed up for our email list, you should go do so now.

Rye Whiskey Reviews

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel 2020 Barrel Proof Rye Review

I’ve long been a fan of Jack’s Single Barrel, Barrel Proof Tennessee Whiskey, as I think it’s the best readily available American whiskey on the market. I said READILY AVAILABLE, calm down whiskey police.

Banter

Is Bourbon Broken? Part 4 – A Final Argument

I think that one final argument that can be made as to why bourbon is broken, is that consumers keep paying ridiculous prices at retail stores for bottles of extremely young or sourced bourbon from a myriad of new brands.

Podcast

Cease & Desist – Bourbon Podcast #13

The 13th episode of the Bourbon & Banter podcast – Cease & Desist – is now available for your listening (and drinking) pleasure. Sit back, grab a pour, and join us in celebrating a whirlwind of breaking news and one-of-a-kind reporting that you only get from Bourbon & Banter.

Banter

Is Bourbon Broken? Part 3 – The Distribution & Retail Problem

Another large reason that bourbon can be viewed as broken is the three-tier distribution system in this country. Unfortunately, we can’t do too much about the system. It is what it is. By law, the distillers have to sell to the distributors.

Podcast

Bourbon & Banter & Barrels…Oh My! – Bourbon Podcast Special Edition

Bourbon & Banter is proud to share a very special episode of the Bourbon & Banter podcast, an on-site recap of our recent Kentucky barrel picking trip. Join Pops, Erin, Brent, and Jim as they detail two magnificent days filled with bourbon and good times.

Banter

Is Bourbon Broken? Part 2 – The Secondary Problem

If you really have to have that bottle, you’re forced to buy it on the secondary market. That is when you are at the mercy of the hype train. People are paying 4-8x retail for $30 bottles? Are you kidding me? That’s insane to me.

Industry News

SAP56 Canadian Maple Whisky Honors Maker’s Heritage and Taste Memories

SAP56 references the 56 days required to harvest and process pure maple sap into a Grade A syrup. (I repeat myself: syrup making is work! Think about that the next time you wince at paying high prices for a bottle of such deliciousness.)

Banter

Is Bourbon Broken? Part 1 – The Consumer Problem

I’ve been into bourbon for about 25 years now. It started with drinking Woodford Reserve on the rocks. Now I pretty much only drink it neat. The only real exception to this is if it’s a hot day and I’m relaxing by a pool, then I probably have a Kentucky Mule.

Irish Whiskey Reviews

The Dublin Liberties Copper Alley Review

You may have read my review of the 5-year offering from The Dublin Liberties, Oak Devil, and seen that I did not recommend it very highly (mostly as a result of it being overpriced for what it is). I don’t believe that to be the case here with Copper Alley. Read on to see why!

Irish Whiskey Reviews

The Dublin Liberties Oak Devil Review

I really enjoy Irish Whiskey and put them into roughly two categories where value is concerned. One of them is the cheaper, for mixing and the other is complex for sipping.

Japanese Whisky Reviews

Kamiki Japanese Cedar Cask Finished Whisky

This whisky has an interesting story, going through a secondary aging in Japanese cedar, honoring the Omiwa Shrine at the food of Mount Miwa. The name means God Breath, inspired by the breezes coming from the Mountain of the God.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Chicken Cock 15 Year Old Barrel Proof Bourbon Review

This is a swell whiskey. It’s balanced, bold—even muscular—and pretty much what a properly aged 15-year-old bourbon should taste like. Some sourced whiskey shows the talent or luck of the barrel hunter, so let’s call Grain & Barrel Spirits’ master distiller Gregg Snyder talented.

Podcast

How Much Is That Tube In The Window? – Bourbon Podcast #12

The 12th episode of the Bourbon & Banter podcast – How Much Is That Tube In The Window? – is now available for your listening (and drinking) pleasure. Sit back, grab a pour, and join us in celebrating a year of the most honest podcast in bourbon.

Bourbon News

Maker’s Mark Unveils 2021 Limited Edition Wood Finishing Series Bourbons

Maker’s Mark® today announced the latest entry in the Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series with the launch of the Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 Limited Release: FAE-01.

Cocktails

Introducing the “It’s 5 O’Clock Here” Cocktail Video Series

One evening in late March, I made my partner a Manhattan and myself an Old Fashioned and for whatever reason, I decided to film it and post it on Instagram. The reception was better than I expected, so I filmed step-by-step recipes and educational mixology sessions with some frequency.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

KO Distiller’s Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

This was a pleasant surprise. I have had the opportunity to try a number of KO Distilling whiskies including their Cask Strength Offerings at 120 proof and at least 3 years in age. I found them very hot and a good bit of youth showing through. The Distiller’s Reserve is a different story, however.

Blended Whiskey Reviews

Old Wm. Tarr Manchester Reserve Review

The nose says, “Whiskey;” the palate says, “Bourbon;” the finish says, “Rye.” I like whiskeys that take you on a journey from the nose to the finish. As a blend, Manchester Reserve takes you on less of a journey and more around some sharp turns.

Japanese Whisky Reviews

Umiki Japanese Whisky Review

I can’t say I was really looking forward to this whisky, so I was surprised to find how much I really like it. It drinks a bit hotter than it’s 92 proof, but just a drop of water affects that nicely.

Banter

Woodford Reserve’s “200 Flavors” Claim Challenged, Recount Underway

Woodford Reserve’s “200 Flavors” Claim Challenged, Recount Underway In what sounds like incredibly ironic timing, Brown Forman is being investigated by the Federal Trade Commission for its claim that there are more than 200 flavors to be discovered in a bottle of Woodford Reserve.