Tag: b grade

  • Knob Creek 18-Year KC003 Scoresheet & Review

    Knob Creek 18-Year KC003 Scoresheet & Review

    Knob Creek appears to be Jim Beam’s darling brand for both high-value and limited release products. We might see the occasional new brand pop up and even return (Hardin’s Creek) while the usual mainstays like Booker’s and Little Book come out at an expected schedule, but there’s also no shortage…

  • Just the Sip: Hardin’s Creek Jacob’s Well 184-Month Review

    Just the Sip: Hardin’s Creek Jacob’s Well 184-Month Review

    Few legacy bourbon producers are as prolific as Jim Beam, particularly when it comes to introducing new product SKUs to the market. Although some brands receive more attention than others, Jim Beam rarely misses an opportunity to fill shelves with bottles—even if temporarily. One of these brands seems poised to…

  • Little Book Chapter 3: The Road Home Scoresheet & Review

    Little Book Chapter 3: The Road Home Scoresheet & Review

    If you asked me for my three favorite bourbon distilleries, I’d instantly respond with Wild Turkey and Four Roses for my top two. The third spot I might deliberate, but without putting too much thought into it, I’d likely give Jim Beam the bronze medal. Part of me is surprised…

  • Just the Sip: Stagg 24D Review

    Just the Sip: Stagg 24D Review

    Stagg is a brand that requires no introduction to anyone remotely up to speed with the bourbon landscape. In fact, most bottles produced by Buffalo Trace are so strongly established that it feels about as familiar as ABCs. So for the sake of direction, I’ll touch on how this particular…

  • Just the Sip: Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2024 Review

    Just the Sip: Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2024 Review

    Maker’s Mark surprised many whiskey fans in 2023 with the introduction of Cellar Aged, an annual, age-stated brand extension. This inaugural release featured the distillery’s most mature barrels released to the public, comprised of 11- and 12-year barrels. For the most part, people reacted with excitement, but that’s not to…

  • Just the Sip: Bomberger’s Declaration 2025 Review

    Just the Sip: Bomberger’s Declaration 2025 Review

    One of the nice things about narrowing down the brands you like is that satisfaction (if not enthusiasm) comes more naturally while sitting with their products. Many bourbon drinkers, particularly those who got into it around the pandemic, know what profiles they gravitate towards. Whether they reached this point through…

  • Just the Sip: Shenk’s Homestead 2025 Review

    Just the Sip: Shenk’s Homestead 2025 Review

    Michter’s has hit something of a stride over the past few years. The core US1 range—and supposedly the recent Legacy Series bottles—have transitioned from sourced to in-house distillation, although the labels have yet to reflect that. Both the 10-Year bourbon and rye earn consistently high marks while the barrel strength…

  • Found North Hover Hawk First Flight Scoresheet & Review

    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…

  • Dewar’s Double Double 21-Year Oloroso Scoresheet & Review

    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…

  • Just the Sip: Blood Oath Pact 8 Review

    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…

  • Just the Sip: Booker’s 2022-02 “Lumberyard Batch” Review

    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…

  • Russell’s Reserve 10-Year (LL/ME) Scoresheet & Review

    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…