Author: Xenoraiser
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Just the Sip: Rock Hill Farms Review
Rock Hill Farms might be one of the trickiest bottles to track down information on; nevermind the fact it’s often a slog to simply find a bottle. The ornate mash bill #2 bourbon is highly coveted, even by Buffalo Trace standards. Part of that may have to do with on/off…
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Elijah Craig Toasted Rye Scoresheet & Review
Whiskey and toasted barrels go hand-in-hand more than one might initially think. It’s not uncommon for casks to undergo both charring and toasting prior to being filled with new make. Yet the slight innovation to use a secondary vessel that emphasizes the toasting process for previously matured whiskey is a…
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Just the Sip: Russell’s Reserve Mash & Journey Pick “Look at the Birdie” Review
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more desired option for single barrel picks than Russell’s Reserve. Much of this has to do with the product itself, as well as the history behind Wild Turkey; going from a less fondly regarded distillery to a widespread favorite amongst enthusiasts. Although the brand’s…
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Just the Sip: Elmer T. Lee Review
When it comes to widespread brand awareness, Buffalo Trace and its broad spectrum of expressions require next to no introduction. This largely assumes a skin-deep understanding, but some enthusiasts would argue it goes further than that. Take mash bill #2, for example. Touted as the high-rye bourbon recipe from Buffalo…
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Just the Sip: Remus Repeal Reserve VII Review
Whiskey brands named after criminal acts and individuals are nothing new. Likewise, it’s hardly uncommon to find a considerable number of bottles on store shelves that say some variation of “distilled in Lawrenceburg, IN.” Perhaps the most apt case of these two examples converging is with George Remus and, more…
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Jim Beam Black 7-Year Scoresheet & Review
I probably speak for many people when I say that Jim Beam was instrumental to my formative whiskey drinking days. More specifically, the many options they offered at budget-friendly prices made it possible to explore variances of similar (if not identical) bourbons. This was the closest I could get to…
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Just the Sip: Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Review
Consistency is almost certainly one of Johnnie Walker’s guiding principles. Diageo’s mass market scotch brand is instantly recognizable thanks to the iconic bottle design, right down the logo. With this level of ubiquity, it’s of no surprise that some options in the Johnnie Walker portfolio might leave discerning drinkers with…
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Just the Sip: Thomas H. Handy 2022 Review
The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC) is largely considered the peak American whiskey product line. Although the Van Winkle expressions (also from Buffalo Trace) are often considered more valuable, in part due to their rarity, BTAC is arguably more comprehensive and even desired in some circles. As with many bottles…
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Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch Scoresheet & Review
Facelifts are nothing new in the world of whiskey. Most distilleries make adjustments, big or small, to their bottles every few years. Even the same producer may make a drastic change to some of their bottles, but subtle changes to others (Wild Turkey and Old Forester come to mind). Heaven…
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Larceny Barrel Proof C922 Scoresheet & Review
Naming a whiskey brand after a type of crime is a curious—if not terribly surprising—branding choice. Case in point: Prohibition, a watershed moment in whiskey history where production of distilled spirits was effectively outlawed. And if whiskey branding is motivated by anything, it’s a fun story. The lore behind Larceny,…
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Just the Sip: Four Roses 2019 Limited Edition Small Batch Review
Anyone who knows me knows that Four Roses is my favorite distillery. When I say that, it has less to do with the selection of core products and more to do with the core profile, which itself can be highly variable. That last part is almost exclusively uncovered through their…
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Just the Sip: Little Book Chapter 7: In Retrospect Review
Blended whiskey is slowly gaining newfound respect. Once seen as little more than a whiskey and neutral grain spirit (NGS) combination—no doubt thanks to whiskey’s downturn roughly between the 60s to the 80s, blenders and distillers alike are fostering a new look for a once frowned upon category. Now if…
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