*Sincere thanks to MH and Common Ground PR for the sample. In his 2004 book, Bourbon Straight, Chuck Cowdery wrote about the Yellowstone brand, "There is no justification for a bourbon to be this bad...The venerable Yellowstone name deserves better. It should be put out of its misery." Harsh words for an apparently harsh whiskey. … Continue reading Yellowstone 2016 Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon – Review
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Rebel Yell 10 Year Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Review
*Special thanks to MH and Common Ground PR for the sample. I have no idea how to write a review of Rebel Yell without addressing its racially charged name. The Luxco-owned line of whiskey takes its name from this high-pitched, kind of squealing, not-all-that-frightening tactic used by Confederate soldiers as they fought the Civil War in an … Continue reading Rebel Yell 10 Year Old Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Review
Suntory Whisky Toki Japanese Whisky – Review
*Sincere thanks to MS and Savona Communications for the sample. Toki (とき) is the Japanese word for "time." Ah, if it were only that simple. It's not. But if it were, this part of my review would be a little shorter. As I understand it, it's far more accurate to say that toki (pronounced toe'-key) is a Japanese … Continue reading Suntory Whisky Toki Japanese Whisky – Review
Sazerac 18 Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, 2016 Buffalo trace Antique Collection – Review
*Thank you very much to AP and Buffalo Trace for the samples! Perhaps the most anticipated and interesting of the five Antique Collection bottles this year, the Sazerac 18 Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey is for the first time since 2003...a new whiskey. Starting that year through 2014, the whisky used in this expression was … Continue reading Sazerac 18 Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, 2016 Buffalo trace Antique Collection – Review
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey, Buffalo Trace 2016 Antique Collection – Review
*Thank you very much to AP and Buffalo Trace for the samples! The youngster of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. Aside from the barrels being plucked from different locations, and a couple of months of aging, the main difference between this years Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey and those of the last couple of … Continue reading Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey, Buffalo Trace 2016 Antique Collection – Review
Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Bourbon, 2016 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection – Review
*Thank you very much to AP and Buffalo Trace for the samples! The 2016 Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Bourbon, like the 2015 version before it, is actually a 17 year old whiskey. While that might seem like an obvious thing to point out given the name, previous editions of the Antique Collection's Eagle Rare 17 … Continue reading Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Bourbon, 2016 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection – Review
Kilchoman 2008 Vintage – Review
*Thanks to SF and all the good folks at Impex Beverages for the sample. 2008...it's hard to know what to write about that year. On the one hand, we had what then seemed like an intense, crazy presidential election featuring a fantastically inspiring though politically middle-of-the-road man, his worthy running mate, a genuine war hero … Continue reading Kilchoman 2008 Vintage – Review
Kilchoman Sanaig – Review
*Thanks to SF, JH, and all the good folks at Impex Beverages for the sample. According to the Kilchoman literature, Sanaig (pronounced SAN-ig as far as I can tell) is the name of an inlet located near the distillery. There's also a bay called Sanaigmore on Islay, about six miles north of the distillery. Is Sanaigmore … Continue reading Kilchoman Sanaig – Review
Blood Oath Pact No. 2 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Review
*Sincere thanks to Common Ground PR and Luxco for the sample. Off the top of my head, I can think of only three blood oaths, one historical, one cinematic, and one musical. Personally, I've not yet taken a blood oath, but while I'm pretty sure the opportunity won't arise, one never says never. Perhaps the most … Continue reading Blood Oath Pact No. 2 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Review
Brenne 10 Year Old French Single Malt Whisky – Review
Last fall, Brenne released a very limited 10 year old whisky. Based on the success and relative uniqueness of the Brenne Estate Cask, this new expression understandably generated a fair amount of excitement. I was excited about this one myself, but thanks to a "lifestyle" that tends to put exciting adult things on the back burner, … Continue reading Brenne 10 Year Old French Single Malt Whisky – Review
THE CASKS 