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Found North Hover Hawk First Flight Scoresheet & Review
The modern whisk(e)y market has no shortage of recent brands that seemed to blow up overnight, particularly when it comes to North America. Although this predominantly extends to bourbon—and rye to a lesser extent, one brand has recently captivated drinkers while adding an air of credibility to a more flimsily…
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Dewar’s Double Double 21-Year Oloroso Scoresheet & Review
I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that most non-casual scotch fans don’t give Dewar’s much time nor thought. They’re incredibly popular, thanks in no small part to their NAS minimum viable product, which makes dismissing them that much easier. There are certainly other reasons for people…
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Just the Sip: Glengoyne 18-Year Review
I always enjoy exploring new brands (to me). Although Glengoyne could hardly be considered a fresh face, considering the facility was originally established in 1833, the distillery’s current name is more commonly traced back to the early 20th century. There’s even a story that a clerk mistakenly recorded the location…
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Just the Sip: Shenk’s Homestead 2017 Review
Joseph Magliocco had excellent timing when reviving Michter’s. The brand has undergone a host of transitions throughout its modern history, be it during conception or otherwise. Originally established in Pennsylvania as Shenk’s and then Bomberger’s, the since-defunct distillery is marked by little more than a diminutive jug house. The current…
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Just the Sip: Dewar’s 15-Year Review
Reviewing a product that lacks disclosed information can either be a fun exercise or an utter slog. Sometimes the few bread crumbs available are enough to spark a curiosity worth exploring; other times, they just leave you with a grumbling appetite. In the case of a product like Dewar’s 15-Year,…
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Just the Sip: Blood Oath Pact 8 Review
Lux Row’s Blood Oath line all but invites scrutiny. Introduced in 2015, right around the time bourbon took off in popularity, Blood Oath feels like a product of its time while also being a clever outlier. The former aspect can largely be attributed to the bottling strength: 49.3% ABV, or…
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Just the Sip: Glengoyne Legacy Series Chapter Two Review
I gave Glengoyne a quick overview in my review of their standard 12-Year expression, touching on the significance of their location and slow production process. My introduction to their whisky continues today with Legacy Series: Chapter Two, which was included in their Time Capsule tasting set. The Legacy Series is…
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Just the Sip: Glengoyne 12-Year Review
Baseline scotches have something of an uphill battle when it comes to standing out, especially to prospecting newcomers. This goes even further when discussing single malts, which almost always command a premium compared to popular blended brands like Johnnie Walker, Chivas Regal, and Dewar’s. After trying a number of these…
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Just the Sip: Smokeye Hill Barrel Proof Review
In my experience, “[insert blank] killer” is a cheap term used to glamorize the flagrantly mediocre as something remarkable. My first exposure to this was through the 2004 videogame Killzone, which some touted as Sony’s “Halo killer” prior to release. Now don’t get me wrong, I have a soft spot…
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Just the Sip: Booker’s 2022-02 “Lumberyard Batch” Review
Is it better or worse for a brand to be set in its ways? I ponder this question whenever on the topic of Booker’s. Other than its release schedule (going from six to four times per year, except 2020) and typical age statement (six to eight years), the Booker’s brand…
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Just the Sip: Mary Dowling Toasted Double Oak
Bourbon is nothing if not ripe with stories. Part of the industry’s appeal is how certain individuals influenced it over the years, with the impacts spanning anywhere from years to centuries. Admittedly, some brands will find a good story and exploit the life out of it for the sake of…
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Russell’s Reserve 10-Year (LL/ME) Scoresheet & Review
Here’s a little peek behind the scenes of my blog: Russell’s Reserve 10-Year bourbon is by far my most popular review, and by a significant margin. As of writing, it has around 23K views. The next highest individual review? Four Roses Single Barrel with roughly 12K. I’ve occasionally pondered why…
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