Author: Xenoraiser

  • Peerless Double Oak Bourbon Scoresheet & Review

    Peerless Double Oak Bourbon Scoresheet & Review

    I imagine most folks who recently (within the last five years) got into whiskey suspect that cask finishes have been a long-established part of the market. Yet this gimmick—or innovation, depending on who you ask—is a rather recent development. Some point to Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon as the genesis…

  • Jim Beam Winter Reserve Scoresheet & Review

    Jim Beam Winter Reserve Scoresheet & Review

    If you’re like me, then you probably started your whiskey journey trying as much stuff as possible. These were the days that value effectively reigned supreme for me. To that end, I attribute much of my formative days to brands like Jim Beam. I got into whiskey around the time…

  • Bomberger’s Declaration 2021 Scoresheet & Review

    Bomberger’s Declaration 2021 Scoresheet & Review

    One of the whiskey industry’s more confusing aspects for newcomers is keeping track of all the names out there. Legacy distilleries aren’t too difficult to keep straight in and of themselves, but factor in the many fresh faces from the past 15 years, along with brands produced from the new…

  • Glen Scotia 15-Year Scoresheet & Review

    Glen Scotia 15-Year Scoresheet & Review

    Chances are the first brand to come to mind when you think of Campbelltown is Springbank. The attention surrounding the distillery is rather unusual as far as modern day scotch goes. At least some of it appears to be associated with the location; a small area on the Kintyre peninsula…

  • Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary Scoresheet & Review

    Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary Scoresheet & Review

    I have a confession to make: Prior to this review, I knew very little about Jimmy Russell. I briefly met him and his wife while visiting Kentucky in 2021, but beyond that, what I knew about him was derived from word of mouth. The highlights I could tell you were…

  • Just the Sip: Baker’s 13-Year (2023) Review

    Just the Sip: Baker’s 13-Year (2023) Review

    Few distilleries can challenge Jim Beam on the label portfolio front. Considering the sheer number of brands they’ll launch, short-lived or otherwise, it’s almost surprising that they haven’t consolidated more to bolster a couple of their existing brands. Case in point: Baker’s. Although the brand (named after Baker Beam) has…

  • Early Times Bottled in Bond (2024) Scoresheet & Review

    Early Times Bottled in Bond (2024) Scoresheet & Review

    The past and present history of Early Times might be one of the most jarring yet emblematic in American whiskey. Going from the most popular Kentucky bourbon of the 1950s to a line seemingly caught in flux during its latest exchange of hands, Early Times Bottled in Bond has seen…

  • Just the Sip: Russell’s Reserve 2020 Total Wine Pick Review

    Just the Sip: Russell’s Reserve 2020 Total Wine Pick Review

    When it comes to single barrel products, I imagine most people start by trying as many different brands as possible before narrowing down their preferences and sticking to a handful of names. To that end, one of the most dependable for me has been Russell’s Reserve. What’s interesting is that…

  • Booker’s 2023-01 “Charlie’s Batch” Scoresheet & Review

    Booker’s 2023-01 “Charlie’s Batch” Scoresheet & Review

    Booker’s hasn’t necessarily been a rare sight for my blog or collection, but it’s been a hot minute since I last covered it. In fact, if we don’t include samples, the only Booker’s that graced my presence was 2019-02 “Shiny Barrel.” That is, until 2023, when I decided I wanted…

  • Just the Sip: Rock Hill Farms Review

    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…

  • Elijah Craig Toasted Rye Scoresheet & Review

    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…

  • Just the Sip: Russell’s Reserve Mash & Journey Pick “Look at the Birdie” Review

    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…