Tag: c- grade

  • Just the Sip: Shenk’s Homestead 2017 Review

    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…

  • Just the Sip: Dewar’s 15-Year Review

    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,…

  • Just the Sip: Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve Review

    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…

  • Just the Sip: Dewar’s White Label Review

    Just the Sip: Dewar’s White Label Review

    Few brands in the vast realm of blended whiskies stand out as much as Dewar’s. Although Diageo hold the crown for top-selling scotch in Johnnie Walker Red Label, Dewar’s (a Bacardi brand) proudly touts how they’re the world’s most awarded blended scotch whisky. “Blend” is the key word here, since…

  • 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…

  • Jim Beam White Label Scoresheet & Review

    Jim Beam White Label Scoresheet & Review

    You know what I love about readily available and affordable whiskey? It’s easy to return to. That may sound silly and blatant, but when you’re more of an exploratory hobbyist, having familiar options you can readily come back to is comforting. All fans start somewhere, and when all is said…

  • Benchmark Small Batch Scoresheet & Review

    Benchmark Small Batch Scoresheet & Review

    I imagine many people look at Benchmark as little more than a meme. Perhaps not to the same degree as Mellow Corn, but it still makes a solid case. Black label? Check. Use of the word “old” and a number (8) on the bottle? Check. Lowly age statement (3 years)…

  • Rebel 100 Scoresheet & Review

    Rebel 100 Scoresheet & Review

    I’m well on the record for wanting more wheated whiskey products. Maker’s Mark are essentially the poster child for wheated bourbons (wheater) thanks to their quality, availability, and pricing. Look elsewhere and you’re all but guaranteed to come up short, regardless of whether the options are quality or not. One…

  • Very Olde St. Nick Ancient Cask 8-Year Rye Scoresheet & Review

    Very Olde St. Nick Ancient Cask 8-Year Rye Scoresheet & Review

    Going from a casual whiskey fan to something of a hobbyist has certainly impacted my perspective and spending habits. Where I previously considered $30 a big spend for a bottle of whiskey, I’ve now shelled out more than I care to admit on certain bottles. Sometimes those pricier bottles can…