Author: Xenoraiser
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Hirsch Small Batch Reserve Scoresheet & Review
What’s in a name? That’s just one of the numerous questions more discerning whiskey drinkers ask at one point or another. After all, a considerable chunk of whiskey brands out there are named after actual people: Jim Beam, Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Jefferson’s, etc. I used to consider naming a…
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Doc Swinson’s Alter Ego Bourbon (Batch 21-004) Scoresheet & Review
Most of us are acutely aware of the boom whiskey has been going through, particularly with regards to bourbon. This explosion in popularity has brought with it an utterly stagging bottle selection for American whiskey in general. All this selection breeds competition, and one of the most popular ways for…
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Doc Swinson’s Alter Ego Rye (Batch 21-004) Scoresheet & Review
Non-distilling producers (NDPs) have historically gotten a bad rap, and not without reason. Companies buying stocks of whiskey for their own use sounds simple enough, but if nothing about the product is changed other than the bottle design and attached label, then one might argue that defeats the purpose of…
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Woodinville Bourbon Scoresheet & Review
If there’s anything you get used to when diving into whiskey, it’s patterns. Similar whiskey styles and mash bills often bring similar tasting notes and personality traits, depending on who you talk to (each individual can bring different thoughts and associations to the table). While we’re on the topic of…
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Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel Scoresheet & Review
Blanton’s might just be the most polarizing whiskey these days. It was instrumental in getting bourbon out of its slump years thanks in no small part to the single barrel nature, decorative bottle design, and collectible bottle tops. This popularity has skyrocketed to the point that people are willing to…
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Eagle Rare Scoresheet (V2) & Review
I remember the days when Eagle Rare sat on shelves here in Florida. It wasn’t that long ago—not even ten years. My friend and I would walk into places like ABC and Walgreens, mostly to get stuff to mix, and we’d notice stuff like Eagle Rare with its tentative $30…
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Ten High Scoresheet & Review
Confession time: I have a problem. Like many of you, I enjoy drinking whiskey. There’s so much to drink out there, but I’m just one guy with limitations, like anyone else. I love whiskey…it doesn’t always love me. I thrive on trying as many new expressions as possible, which has…
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Black Ridge Bourbon Scoresheet & Review
Whiskey is a confusing market. With several brands, categories, expression styles, and production methods available, the field can be daunting even for those who keep up with new releases and developments. Of little aide to this are store-exclusive brands, with Total Wine having a fair share across every spirit category.…
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Hibiki Harmony Scoresheet & Review
A passing glance at my content is all it takes to see where my whisk(e)y preferences lie. That may not be surprising, given how copious and relatively affordable options for American whiskey are. Yet they make a world of difference for the ever-curious drinker that I am. I do still…
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Pinhook Bohemian Bourbon (Crop 2020) Scoresheet & Review
If you’re part of an up and coming whiskey brand, then it’s important to know how to stand out. This is doubly so given the whiskey market (American whiskey especially) is one that seems to get increasingly crowded every day. Pinhook, which previously sourced their whiskey from MGP, seem to…
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Old Carter Single Barrel (13-Year, Barrel #70) Scoresheet & Review
In my review for a 12-Year Old Carter Single Barrel, I commented that it’s a brand I’ll keep my eye out for, should distribution ever expand to my state. At the same time, I had a tough time outright recommending a purchase, least of all without trying beforehand. The big…
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Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Scoresheet & Review
Woodford Reserve has always struck me as an ideal crowd-pleasing whiskey for more traditional drinkers. There’s both a simplicity and elegance to their marketing, be it the font and logo, bottle designs, or even just images of their distillery. That appeal was enough to stick with me, since Woodford Reserve…
