Old Grand-Dad Bourbon has a long and storied past, and could arguably be considered a pillar of American whiskey, given the names of the people and companies involved in its history. The Old Grand-Dad in question here is actually Basil Hayden. And yes, that's the same Basil Hayden that Basil Hayden's Bourbon is named after, … Continue reading Old Grand-Dad Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Review
Stranahan’s Cask Thief 2016…a travelogue of sorts.
A very sincere thank you to Rob Dietrich and Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey, and Vicki Loo and Exposure PR for the opportunity to visit Denver and the Stranahan's 2016 Cask Thief event. At the very end of July, I was lucky enough to be invited, along with several other spirit-y journalist types, to Denver, CO for a … Continue reading Stranahan’s Cask Thief 2016…a travelogue of sorts.
The Exclusive Malts 1988 Cambus 26 Year Old – Review
*Thanks to SF and the good folks at Impex Beverages for the sample. The Scottish grain distillery Cambus was (yes, sadly, past tense...we'll get to that) at one time, one of the largest distilleries in Scotland. It was probably a fairly modest little place when a man named John Moubray founded it in 1806 on the … Continue reading The Exclusive Malts 1988 Cambus 26 Year Old – Review
The Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve – Review
*Sincere thanks to NP, LB, and the Anchor Distilling Co. for the sample. I'm always on the lookout for a good backstory about a whisky or a distillery in an effort to distract my dear readers from my wordy tasting notes. By saucing up a lengthy preamble, I'm hopefully driving the reader to drink, to … Continue reading The Glenrothes Sherry Cask Reserve – Review
The Glenrothes Vintage Reserve – Review
*Sincere thanks to NP, LB, and the Anchor Distilling Co. for the sample. I was going to write the usual smug preamble about the etymology of the word "reserve," but a little research showed me that the etymology of the word "reserve," wasn't all that exciting. Knowing full well that "exciting" is why people travel far … Continue reading The Glenrothes Vintage Reserve – Review
The Glenrothes Bourbon Cask Reserve – Review
*Sincere thanks to NP, LB, and the Anchor Distilling Co. for the sample. This whisky first appeared in the Glenrothes' line-up as the Alba Reserve. The line of reasoning for the name seems pretty clear, a whisky matured solely in American White Oak, which carries the latin name Quercus Alba, with "alba" of course meaning "white." … Continue reading The Glenrothes Bourbon Cask Reserve – Review
Distilled Magazine – Review
Thanks to Distilled for the complimentary review copy. "Print is dead." -Egon Spengler, NYC, 1984 I'm an enormously big fan of books, magazines, leaflets, broadsides, and the occasional flyer. I have never read an e-book and I do not own, nor do I plan to own a Kindle. I'm not against that kind of thing, … Continue reading Distilled Magazine – Review
High West Campfire, Batch 5 – Review
Growing up, the place where I spent a lot of time in the summer had the prerequisite stone-ringed campfire pit, just past the clothesline drooping with swimsuits and towels. The campfire was on the edge of some woods, beech nut and maple trees with wild leeks beneath. Not too far inside the woods, the ground … Continue reading High West Campfire, Batch 5 – Review
Minnesota 13: From Grain to Glass – Film Review
In 2007, author Elaine Davis published the book Minnesota 13, which is a great look back at Stearns County, Minnesota and its prohibition-era illicit distilling which produced some of the most well-respected American-made booze of the time. The book is well worth the read for anyone with an interest in that time period. Fast forward to … Continue reading Minnesota 13: From Grain to Glass – Film Review
The Exclusive Malts 1993 Allt-A-Bhainne 22 Year Old – Review
*Thanks to SF and the good folks at Impex Beverages for the sample. Once again we wade into those murky waters of Scotch whisky pronunciation and etymology. Allt-A-Bhainne is apparently pronounced ""allt-a-vanya." Alternately, there seems to be no small amount of support for pronouncing it "allt-a-vane." Just to be on the safe side, if for … Continue reading The Exclusive Malts 1993 Allt-A-Bhainne 22 Year Old – Review
THE CASKS 