Author: Xenoraiser
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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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