Author: Xenoraiser

  • Jack Daniel’s 12-Year (Batch 1) Scoresheet & Review

    Jack Daniel’s 12-Year (Batch 1) Scoresheet & Review

    Jack Daniel’s is on an absolute tear with new releases, both core bottlings and limited expressions. Since 2020, they’ve released a legendary Heritage series barrel proof rye, a shelfer version of the same rye, a twice-barreled rye, two iterations of the high-proof (often hazmat) Coy Hill, three bonded whiskeys, a…

  • Jack Daniel’s 10-Year (Batch 2) Scoresheet & Review

    Jack Daniel’s 10-Year (Batch 2) Scoresheet & Review

    When I started drinking, I couldn’t help but be surprised and confused by Jack Daniel’s popularity. This was when my only exposure to them was through Old Number 7 and Gentleman Jack, two painfully plain products. I didn’t understand the appeal of those expressions then and I barely understand it…

  • Maker’s Mark 2023 Wood Finishing Series (BEP) Scoresheet & Review

    Maker’s Mark 2023 Wood Finishing Series (BEP) Scoresheet & Review

    Maker’s Mark needs no introduction to the ever-expanding bourbon community. They’ve long established a foothold as a distillery that excels in making a wheated bourbon the way they want. For a time, this meant sticking with the same whisky, shifting gears only to offer it at varying proof points. Then…

  • Old Fitzgerald 16-Year (Spring 2020) Scoresheet & Review

    Old Fitzgerald 16-Year (Spring 2020) Scoresheet & Review

    We’re all familiar with the expression, “never judge a book by its cover.” Even if we’re not talking about books, the premise holds true for many items, including whiskey bottles. It certainly makes sense; what good is a pretty bottle if the whiskey inside isn’t? However, some might argue that…

  • Wheel Horse Bourbon Scoresheet & Review

    Wheel Horse Bourbon Scoresheet & Review

    Many late whiskey brands and distilleries have seen their own form of resurrection thanks to growing interest in the grain-based spirit. The industry is ripe with stories to pull people in, and few are as tried and true as bringing back something that was previously abandoned. Case in point: Green…

  • Stagg Jr. Batch 13 Scoresheet & Review

    Stagg Jr. Batch 13 Scoresheet & Review

    The Stagg bottlings out of Buffalo Trace require next to no introduction at this point. Although Stagg is commonly associated with the barrel strength bourbon line, the name is taken from George T. Stagg, who worked as a shoe salesman and enlisted in the U.S. Civil War prior to becoming…

  • Baker’s Single Barrel Scoresheet & Review

    Baker’s Single Barrel Scoresheet & Review

    Baker’s has long been one of Jim Beam’s most unsung brands. The brand, named after the “quiet and independent-minded” Baker Beam, began as a small batch bourbon in the distillery’s small batch collection, along with Knob Creek, Booker’s, and Basil Hayden. It boasted a 7-year age statement and came bottled…

  • Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye Batch 2 Scoresheet & Review

    Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye Batch 2 Scoresheet & Review

    Jim Beam had no shortage of new products to entice drinkers between 2019 and 2020. On top of several permanent and limited bourbon releases, the Clermont-based distillery also brought a slew of rye whiskey releases under the Knob Creek and Old Overholt labels. In the case of Knob Creek, consumers…

  • Four Roses Single Barrel Barrel Strength OESO Orlando Whiskey Society Pick Scoresheet & Review

    Four Roses Single Barrel Barrel Strength OESO Orlando Whiskey Society Pick Scoresheet & Review

    Four Roses is a unique distillery. Despite being a household name, they only have four core expressions. Beyond that? They only put out one annual limited edition small batch, occasionally an extra one-time release, and some barrel picks. Those picks are probably the biggest reason the Lawrenceburg distillery has such…

  • Penelope Four Grain Scoresheet & Review

    Penelope Four Grain Scoresheet & Review

    Most of us know the experience of getting used to an entry-level item, transitioning to something upscale, and then struggling to go back. Whether we’re talking 480p to 1080p resolution, 30 to 60 frames per second, or low-proof whiskey versus barrel proof offerings, it’s often difficult to readjust after enjoying…

  • Blue Note r/bourbon Pick “Blackberry Sparkler” Scoresheet & Review

    Blue Note r/bourbon Pick “Blackberry Sparkler” Scoresheet & Review

    Blue Note is an amusingly and appropriately named brand, given its base of operations. The actual distillery is DSP-TN-21021 which, despite only being licensed in 2014, is still the oldest distillery license in Memphis, TN. B.R. Distilling began operations in 2018 by sourcing barrels from a variety of producers, ranging…

  • Maker’s Mark Private Selection “Sweet Bourbon Dreams” Scoresheet & Review

    Maker’s Mark Private Selection “Sweet Bourbon Dreams” Scoresheet & Review

    It’s no secret that I’m a Maker’s Mark fan. Even when the brand frustrates me, they still find a way to win me over, whether with a stellar new product or a cute ambassador gift in time for the holidays. Being a reliable, available, affordable producer of solid wheated bourbon…