Author: Xenoraiser
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Just the Sip: Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Review
In my experience, “[insert blank] killer” is a cheap term used to glamorize the flagrantly mediocre as something remarkable. My first exposure to this was through the 2004 videogame Killzone, which some touted as Sony’s “Halo killer” prior to release. Now don’t get me wrong, I have a soft spot…
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Just the Sip: Booker’s 2022-02 “Lumberyard Batch” Review
Is it better or worse for a brand to be set in its ways? I ponder this question whenever on the topic of Booker’s. Other than its release schedule (going from six to four times per year, except 2020) and typical age statement (six to eight years), the Booker’s brand…
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Just the Sip: Mary Dowling Toasted Double Oak
Bourbon is nothing if not ripe with stories. Part of the industry’s appeal is how certain individuals influenced it over the years, with the impacts spanning anywhere from years to centuries. Admittedly, some brands will find a good story and exploit the life out of it for the sake of…
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Russell’s Reserve 10-Year (LL/ME) Scoresheet & Review
Here’s a little peek behind the scenes of my blog: Russell’s Reserve 10-Year bourbon is by far my most popular review, and by a significant margin. As of writing, it has around 23K views. The next highest individual review? Four Roses Single Barrel with roughly 12K. I’ve occasionally pondered why…
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Wild Turkey 101 8-Year Scoresheet & Review
We’re barely halfway through 2025 and it’s already turning into the year of budget-minded, age-stated bourbons. Heaven Hill is poising Old Fitzgerald 7-Year as an available alternative to their Decanter series; Buffalo Trace dropped Eagle Rare 12-Year at the distillery gift shop for Father’s Day; and Wild Turkey’s domestic revival…
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Just the Sip: 13th Colony 15th Anniversary Review
13th Colony has become one of the most talked about fresh faces in the American whiskey scene. Founded in Americus, GA, the distillery’s namesake refers to the Province of Georgia between 1732 and 1782, the last of the British colonies that supported the American Revolution. Although 13th Colony as a…
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45th Parallel Red Fife Wheat Whiskey Scoresheet & Review
There’s a growing sentiment in the American whiskey community that craft distilleries drive most of the industry innovation. Although legacy brands don’t outright resist experiments, it can often manifest as highly limited releases at eyeroll-inducing price points. For example, wheat whiskey remains a largely untapped category, with the only two…
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45th Parallel R100 Rye Whiskey Scoresheet & Review
For many whiskey fans who begin their journey with bourbon, rye whiskey is something of a hurdle. Case in point: yours truly. I tried a handful of ryes during what I’d consider my transition from whiskey hobbyist to enthusiast—although I still don’t like referring to myself as one. To say…
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Heaven’s Door Redbreast Master Blenders’ Edition Scoresheet & Review
Heaven’s Door is one of the few celebrity spirit brands that doesn’t feel like a blatant cash grab. Most celebrity spirits have one bottle or a handful of core expressions that typically pique interest during launch only to cool off like an IPO. By comparison, Heaven’s Door has gone through…
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Green River Full Proof Scoresheet & Review
Green River might have one of the best comeback stories still in progress. Going from a highly publicized operation in its heyday to one of several defunct distilleries in the 20th century, only to be resurrected as a place producing rapid-aged whiskey (then called O.Z. Tyler), things appeared fuzzy for…
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Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond Scoresheet & Review
Willett might be one of the most frustrating distilleries for me. From what I’ve tried, their core portfolio is something of a collective headscratcher. It’s usually decent whiskey at somewhat decent pricing, depending on the bottle. My favorite that I’ve reviewed is the standard Family Estate rye whiskey, namely because…
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George T. Stagg 2023 Scoresheet & Review (300th Review & Blog Update)
George T. Stagg is a name that requires little introduction to the bourbon-loving crowd. As a brand, it’s one of five bottles included in the annually released Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC). The one exception to this came in 2021, when the distillery held back barrels intended for George T.…
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