Tag: bourbon whiskey

  • 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…

  • Maker’s Mark 2022 Wood Finishing Series (BRT-02) Scoresheet & Review

    Maker’s Mark 2022 Wood Finishing Series (BRT-02) Scoresheet & Review

    I’ve grown increasingly jaded towards finished whisky over time. In theory, it’s an interesting—even exciting—idea: Take a mature whisky and dump it into a different, secondary cask for a few weeks, granting it more flavor, dimension, and complexity. However, the sheer volume of bottles using finishing casks has exploded to…

  • Michter’s US1 Small Batch Scoresheet & Review

    Michter’s US1 Small Batch Scoresheet & Review

    Present-day bourbon has effectively flipped from where it was 10 or so years ago. Boastful age statements, modest pricing, and high availability once defined the unassuming landscape. Now? The scene has exploded with NDPs, cask finishes, ballooning prices, and limited releases. In many ways, Michter’s portfolio feels like a microcosm…

  • Maker’s Mark 2022 Wood Finishing Series (BRT-01) Scoresheet & Review

    Maker’s Mark 2022 Wood Finishing Series (BRT-01) Scoresheet & Review

    2021 was the year I visited Kentucky for the first time—I probably don’t need to tell you what I did. During that trip, I visited almost a dozen distilleries. Since the state welcomes many people throughout the globe, there was no shortage of inquiries throughout the tours and tastings. Of…

  • Chattanooga Port Cask Scoresheet & Review

    Chattanooga Port Cask Scoresheet & Review

    Few names in whiskey seem to spark a balance between fun and quality quite like Chattanooga Whiskey. 2022 was the distillery’s tenth year of operation, which was commemorated with a graciously priced LE. Nice as that release was, the Tennessee producer elicited raised eyebrows in other ways, including the introduction…

  • Bulleit Bourbon Scoresheet & Review

    Bulleit Bourbon Scoresheet & Review

    Discussing the Bulleit name can feel like walking into a foggy field with randomly placed landmines. Whether due to controversy surrounding Thomas E. Bulleit, the mere association with its parent company (see: Eboni Major, Redemption), or the gossip surrounding its current bourbon source, there’s no shortage of head-scratching to find…

  • Good Old Times Cigar Blend Scoresheet & Review

    Good Old Times Cigar Blend Scoresheet & Review

    Good Times is a brand I had absolutely no intention of adding to my review portfolio. The name is a bit on the obscure side, to the point I’m sure some observers have thought “oh, they meant Early Times.” But Good Times is something else. No, really, even the producing…

  • Hayes Parker Reserve Scoresheet & Review

    Hayes Parker Reserve Scoresheet & Review

    If there’s one thing people always want more of, it’s convenience. Discover a way to make things easier on society and perked ears will almost certainly be in your future. The minds behind TerraPURE Spirits certainly had a grasp on this. After all, people love whiskey and whiskey takes time,…

  • Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Unforgotten Scoresheet & Review

    Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Unforgotten Scoresheet & Review

    Most of us are familiar with the Boss Ross quote, “we don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.” Eddie Russell would likely agree, given he OK’d the original release of Wild Turkey Forgiven in 2013, an allegedly accidental blend of bourbon and rye. Turns out Forgiven was a fondly regarded…

  • Maker’s Mark Scoresheet & Review

    Maker’s Mark Scoresheet & Review

    Being a whisky hobbyist in a booming market means it’s often easy to lose sight of the everyday stalwarts. Not to say this isn’t understandable; once these common options have been explored the curious mind seeks further ventures. Yet there can be value in returning to basics, if for nothing…