Tag: c+ grade
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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: 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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45th Parallel Red Fife Wheat Whiskey Scoresheet & Review
There’s a growing sentiment in the American whiskey community that craft distilleries drive most of the industry innovation. Although legacy brands don’t outright resist experiments, it can often manifest as highly limited releases at eyeroll-inducing price points. For example, wheat whiskey remains a largely untapped category, with the only two…
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Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond Scoresheet & Review
Willett might be one of the most frustrating distilleries for me. From what I’ve tried, their core portfolio is something of a collective headscratcher. It’s usually decent whiskey at somewhat decent pricing, depending on the bottle. My favorite that I’ve reviewed is the standard Family Estate rye whiskey, namely because…
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Bomberger’s Declaration 2023 Scoresheet & Review
“Underrated” is one of the last words that comes to mind when I think of Michter’s. It’s comfortably positioned as a premium brand, with products starting at around $40 and limited releases commanding upwards of five digits on secondary markets. That’s not necessarily a rare sight these days, but if…
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Just the Sip: Elmer T. Lee Review
When it comes to widespread brand awareness, Buffalo Trace and its broad spectrum of expressions require next to no introduction. This largely assumes a skin-deep understanding, but some enthusiasts would argue it goes further than that. Take mash bill #2, for example. Touted as the high-rye bourbon recipe from Buffalo…
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Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch Scoresheet & Review
Facelifts are nothing new in the world of whiskey. Most distilleries make adjustments, big or small, to their bottles every few years. Even the same producer may make a drastic change to some of their bottles, but subtle changes to others (Wild Turkey and Old Forester come to mind). Heaven…
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Just the Sip: Johnnie Walker Double Black Review
The Johnnie Walker lineup used to feel more or less set in stone. Red, Black, Green, Gold, and Blue label bottlings still largely act as faces for the brand with the occasional celebratory or otherwise limited product. Then there’s Johnnie Walker Double Black, a variant originally launched in 2010 to…
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Just the Sip: Blood Oath Pact 9 Review
Blood Oath is effectively Lux Row’s most premium product. Although keen-eyed Kentucky natives and visitors alike may point to the brand’s 12-Year Double Barrel, it’s a pipedream for most folks outside of the Bluegrass state. This isn’t to suggest that Blood Oath is easy to come by, but the chances…
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Just the Sip: Four Roses Small Batch Review
Four Roses has long been near to my heart. More specifically, Four Roses Small Batch was what I considered my first “splurge” bottle when first sipping whiskey neat. What specifically drew me to it? The bottle design, for starters. I loved the logo embossed onto the glass and thought the…
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Johnnie Walker Black Label Scoresheet & Review
It’s easy to develop tunnel vision when becoming more passionate about a hobby. Whisky is no different. And when it comes to scotch, few examples ring this truth as loudly as the Johnnie Walker line. In addition to being the world’s most popular scotch whiskey brand, the entry-level Red Label…
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WhistlePig PiggyBack 6-Year Rye Scoresheet & Review
The subject of cocktails can be tricky when the launching point is distilled spirits. More specifically, when bottles are marketed or recommended for use in cocktails, they’re often viewed in a dismissive manner. After all, if a spirit isn’t enjoyable neat but can be incorporated into a good (even great)…
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