Scotch Whisky Reviews

BenRiach The Original Twelve Review

I’ve had a hard time remembering a time when my tasting notes differed so widely from the brand’s own for a bottle I actually liked (usually when the difference is this great, it’s a dumpster fire).

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review

Despite the inviting nose—which revealed layer after incredible layer of aromas the longer it rested—whiskey is for drinking, and that effort ended the fun for me. I get that others like some of these extra-long-aged bourbons; in fact, I appreciate it.

Scotch Whisky Reviews

Benriach The Smoky Twelve Review

If you’re reading this, you’ve most likely seen this bottle in the #3 spot of the Whisky Advocate Top 20 Whiskies of 2020 list and have come to Bourbon & Banter as your one-stop-shop for some honest feedback. Here’s what I’ll tell you:

Banter

It’s Not The Destination But The (#DrinkCurious) Journey

On February 7th, it will be five years since my first article appeared in Bourbon & Banter. And on February 9th I will be 68 years old. Quite the journey so far.

Scotch Whisky Reviews

Benriach The Smoky Ten Review

With all the press that The Smoky Twelve has been getting recently, I was anxious to find out if The Smoky Ten (which comes in 10 dollars cheaper) is as solid an offering from Benriach. If you’re making a lists of ‘Best Value Whiskies of 2020’ this deserves on a spot on it.

Banter

Is This Whiskey Worth This Price?

We’re at the point in the whiskey boom where everyone not asking these types of questions are successful chemists. Conveniently, they’ve also obtained degrees in immunology and constitutional law. A handful has even successfully schooled TTB agents on how to do their jobs.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Wolf Moon Bourbon Review

It isn’t harsh, which is good for a 4 year old, but that’s likely due to the low proof. Wolf Moon is best suited for sipping while hanging around and burning it down, and you don’t want to sip on any Jack Daniels.

Scotch Whisky Reviews

BenRiach The Original Ten Review

If you’re familiar with Speyside scotches, imagine paying 8 extra bucks for a slightly more bold Glenmorangie 10. That’s how I would describe this single malt. That being said, I prefer this bottle from Benriach to it for a couple reasons.

Podcast

Texas Redemption – Bourbon Podcast #11

The 11th episode of the Bourbon & Banter podcast – Texas Redemption – is now available for your listening (and drinking) pleasure. After almost a year, we hit a first for the B&B Podcast, but you’ll have to listen to find out what that is.

American Whiskey Reviews

Blackened American Whiskey Cask Strength Review

Holy shit, this stuff doesn’t suck! If you’re a listener of the Bourbon & Banter Podcast, you know that I have very little tolerance for celebrity whiskeys & ZERO tolerance for marketing bullshit, particularly when it comes to barrels being “sonically enhanced.”

Podcast

And the Award Goes To – Bourbon Podcast #10

The 10th episode of the Bourbon & Banter podcast – And the Award Goes To… – is now available for your listening (and drinking) pleasure. Hit the restart button on 2021 by joining us for a super-sized episode complete with everything you need to #DrinkCurious.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Angel’s Envy Limited-Edition 2020 Cask Strength Bourbon Review

I’m really pleased with this release because of its port-forward notes. Some recent Angel’s Envy Cask Strength releases tasted more like delicious, polished bourbon while lacking the distinctive port finish components of early releases.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Black Button Distilling Cask Strength Bourbon Review

If you have been following my Black Button Bourbon reviews you know that their Signature Four Grain Bourbon and Double Oaked Bourbon didn’t quite do the trick for me at 84 proof. This cask strength version at 110.2 proof has something going for it.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Black Button Distilling Double Barrel Bourbon Review

This bourbon was started as the Black Button Four Grain expression aging in barrels of New York State White Oak, hand charred over open flames.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Old Forester 2020 Birthday Bourbon Review

Old Forester’s 100 proof standard is a super-versatile and amazingly affordable favorite of mine. Some of this year’s special distillery releases (such as the 150th Anniversary Bourbon, Batch 2, which I reviewed here) have been brilliant.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Black Button Distilling Four Grain Bourbon Review

This is the signature bourbon for Black Button Distilling. This bottle of the Four Grain Small Batch Bourbon is Batch 19. It consists of a blend 20 to 24 barrels.

American Whiskey Reviews

Lost Lantern American Vatted Malt Edition No. 1 Review

I have made no secret of my love for independent bottlers and recently wrote an article for Bourbon & Banter where I lamented the fact that no one is doing with American whiskies what independent bottlers are able to do with Scotches. Just a few months later, this showed up at my door.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Heaven Hill 85th Anniversary Single Barrel Bourbon Review

Straight out of the bottle this bourbon’s inviting nose led me to jump in and taste, which was a small mistake. It was surprisingly oaky and tannic, especially for a 13-year-old. So, I poured a little more and abandoned it for about 20 minutes to let it open up, and it did.

Blended Whiskey Reviews

O. H. Ingram River Aged Whiskey Review

O. H. Ingram River Aged Straight Whiskey, I found interesting whiskey. Aged in a floating “rickhouse” at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, in Ballard County, Kentucky.

Bottled Cocktails

High West Distillery Manhattan Barrel Finished Cocktail Review

Currently there are several bottled manhattans available on the market; High West has really put this one together well. All the right flavor components are there, and are well balanced.

Banter

7 Things Whiskey Reviewers Wish You Knew

Back in May of 2017, I wrote a piece called The Life and Times of Whiskey Reviewer. The purpose was to tell you what the four worst questions folks ask us and what’s going through our minds when you ask them.

Podcast

Texas Loses Again – Bourbon Podcast #9

Episode 9 of the official Bourbon & Banter podcast – Texas Loses Again – is now available for your listening pleasure. Episode 9 is the final episode of 2020 and formally brings our first year of podcasting to a close.

Bourbon News

Barton 1792 Distillery Debuts Thomas S. Moore Trio of Cask Finished Bourbons

Bardstown, Ky.-based Barton 1792 Distillery announced the release of its first ultra-premium brand, Thomas S. Moore Extended Cask Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The three-expression lineup is named in honor of Moore, who built the distillery known today as Barton 1792 Distillery.

Bourbon Whiskey Reviews

Blue Run Bourbon Review

The price is a tough sell for me but the bourbon itself is exceptional. It certainly reminds me of one of my all-time favorite expressions (Elijah Craig) and when I had my boyfriend taste it he asked, “Is this Elijah Craig?”

Industry News

LEE Initiative Partners with Maker’s Mark® to Release “CommUNITY Batch” Bourbon

The LEE Initiative, in partnership with Maker’s Mark® Bourbon, today announced the launch of the limited-edition “CommUNITY Batch,” a special release bourbon created exclusively to support trade and hospitality partners across the country.