Author: Xenoraiser

  • Nulu Single Barrel (Total Wine Pick) Scoresheet & Review

    Nulu Single Barrel (Total Wine Pick) Scoresheet & Review

    Nulu is just one of the latest in an ocean of small brands to have gained some traction in whiskey communities. The name is in reference to an alias for Louisville’s East Market District, blending “New” and “Louisville” together. Prohibition Craft Spirits (PCS), the distillery behind Nulu, are six years…

  • Black Maple Hill Bourbon Scoresheet & Review

    Black Maple Hill Bourbon Scoresheet & Review

    Some folks see Black Maple Hill as a brand name that seriously fell from grace. The Whiskey Wash has a fantastic post about the brand’s history, but the short version is that it went from highly sought-after whiskey aged into the double-digits allegedly sourced from Stitzel-Weller to roughly 5-year Oregon-sourced…

  • Maker’s Mark 2019 Wood Finishing Series (RC6) Scoresheet & Review

    Maker’s Mark 2019 Wood Finishing Series (RC6) Scoresheet & Review

    These days it’s easy to take for granted the number of options when it comes to whiskey. More specifically, the sheer volume of choices one has when considering traditional whiskey and finished whiskey has become downright overwhelming. Maker’s Mark is just one example of this. Where they were previously known…

  • Rowan’s Creek Scoresheet & Review

    Rowan’s Creek Scoresheet & Review

    Willett isn’t a distillery I’ve had copious exposure to. They’ve certainly been on my radar with the deceptively effective label for Noah’s Mill and Willett Pot Still’s undeniably striking bottle design.  However, I simply never pulled the trigger on any of their bottles, typically favoring the purchase of something more…reputable.…

  • Woodinville Private Select North Carolina Scoresheet & Review

    Woodinville Private Select North Carolina Scoresheet & Review

    Last time I looked at a Woodinville product (also my introduction to the brand), I remarked that it had the makings of something different and interesting. As with most distilleries, Woodinville have more to their name than just a standard bourbon. The only downside is that these other expressions are…

  • FEW American Whiskey Scoresheet & Review

    FEW American Whiskey Scoresheet & Review

    “On the nose” is a term that comes to mind when considering FEW Spirits. The brand takes its name from Frances Elizabeth Willard, a suffragette who spearheaded the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union in the late 1800’s. Abstinence and sobriety were chief among the organization’s goals, which played right into the…

  • Old Forester 1910 Scoresheet & Review

    Old Forester 1910 Scoresheet & Review

    I’ll always have a soft spot for Old Forester. Their core lineup isn’t terribly diverse, but the ones I’ve tried have generally left a strong impression, from the stupidly impressive value that is Old Forester Rye to the Whiskey Row darling, 1920. Speaking of Whiskey Row, today I’m going to…

  • Very Olde St. Nick Ancient Cask 8-Year Rye Scoresheet & Review

    Very Olde St. Nick Ancient Cask 8-Year Rye Scoresheet & Review

    Going from a casual whiskey fan to something of a hobbyist has certainly impacted my perspective and spending habits. Where I previously considered $30 a big spend for a bottle of whiskey, I’ve now shelled out more than I care to admit on certain bottles. Sometimes those pricier bottles can…

  • Little Book Chapter 4: “Lessons Honored” Scoresheet & Review

    Little Book Chapter 4: “Lessons Honored” Scoresheet & Review

    My reviews of the 2020 Booker’s batches do a sufficient job articulating how I feel about the brand as a whole: Absolutely enjoyable whiskey for a perhaps unreasonable price. Despite their batched nature, there are certain expectations with Booker’s, be it the 6-7 year age statement, rickhouse details, 120+ proof…

  • Hudson Baby Bourbon Scoresheet & Review

    Hudson Baby Bourbon Scoresheet & Review

    Morbid curiosity is a funny thing. People will often trash talk the same thing over time, with comments to the effect of “it’s so bad,” “wow that’s awful,” and “what an abomination.” And for some of us, instead of thinking “now I know what to avoid,” we end up thinking,…

  • Goodwood Stout Barrel Finish Bourbon Scoresheet & Review

    Goodwood Stout Barrel Finish Bourbon Scoresheet & Review

    Every now and then we all stumble upon something that makes us go “what the hell happened here?” This occurred with me just the other night while looking through my growing collection of samples, deciding which one I’d sit down and analyze. Goodwood Stout Barrel Finish bourbon ended up piquing…

  • 1792 Small Batch Scoresheet & Review

    1792 Small Batch Scoresheet & Review

    When the topic of sourcing whiskey is brought up, three companies instantly spring to my mind: MGP, George Dickel, and Barton 1792. A little time and research are all you need understand how ubiquitous these three are. In the case of Barton 1792, brands like Sam Houston, Calumet Farm, and…