The label of Evan Williams Bottled in Bond Kentucky Bourbon proclaims many things. Large and in front, right below the Evan Williams name, it says "since 1783," and then right below that, "Kentucky's 1st Distiller." The label on the side elaborates on those two things a bit, stating that Evan Williams was indeed the first … Continue reading Evan Williams Bottled In Bond Kentucky Bourbon – Review
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Old Grand-Dad Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Review
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
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
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
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 Exclusive Malts 1996 Ben Nevis 17 Year Old – Review
*Thanks to SF and the good folks at Impex Beverages for the samples. The history of the Ben Nevis distillery is long, marginally interesting, and surprisingly international. It is certainly one of the older Scotch distilleries, having been founded in 1825 by a man named Long John McDonald. Not surprisingly, Long John McDonald is … Continue reading The Exclusive Malts 1996 Ben Nevis 17 Year Old – Review
The Quiet Man Traditional Irish Whiskey – Review
*Sincere thanks to Common Ground PR and Luxco for the sample When I first heard the name of this relatively new Irish Whiskey, I immediately thought of the Graham Greene book, The Quiet Man. Then, not quite as immediately, I thought, that doesn't sound right. And indeed it is not. Turns out I was conflating Greene's … Continue reading The Quiet Man Traditional Irish Whiskey – Review
The Exclusive Malts 1995 Glen Garioch 19 Year Old – Review
*Thanks to SF and the good folks at Impex Beverages for the samples. I know what's on your mind. It's certainly not whisky, or the decrepit state of our union, or who will be the starting shortstop for the St. Paul Saints this season. No, I knew what was on your mind from the moment … Continue reading The Exclusive Malts 1995 Glen Garioch 19 Year Old – Review
THE CASKS 