Seeing as it's the holiday season and all (gift ideas, you know) and seeing as this bourbon's called "Booker's", I thought I'd recommend a book to go with it. Jim Harrison is a writer's writer and although you may not have ever heard of him...you've probably heard of him. He's responsible for the book that … Continue reading Whiskey & Books: Booker’s Bourbon & Brown Dog reviewed together
90-100
Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky – Review
The word fusion kind of gets a raw deal at times. Few terms in music incite as much riot and rancor as the dreaded "Jazz Fusion". This is not to say that there are not fantastic amalgams of jazz/rock/pop/etc. out there, only that the term "Jazz Fusion" evokes the very stuff of audio nightmares. Miles … Continue reading Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky – Review
Chieftain’s 1982 Port Ellen, 25 Year Old – Review
Dear Port Ellen, You probably don't remember me, we just met, and it was a pretty short meeting, but I remember you. I've heard about you from the other whisky bloggers, they all say you're something special. When I saw you from across the room, I couldn't take my eyes off you. I waited patiently … Continue reading Chieftain’s 1982 Port Ellen, 25 Year Old – Review
Port Charlotte PC6 – Review
Who, exactly, was this Charlotte and what did she do to get a quaint Islay village, not to mention a whole series of well-regarded scotches named after her? A strong-footed mid-fielder for Wemyss United who scored that stellar, curving goal for the win over Askaig City FC in the '46 All-Islay tourney finals? No. A … Continue reading Port Charlotte PC6 – Review
Ardbeg 1990 Airigh Nam Beist – Review
Again with the marketing genius...a whisky named after the lurking place of some evil, nameless beast? Strong, smokey spirit recalling a dark, foreboding grotto filled with a nameless dread? Sold! Ring up the bottle, pour me a glass...I'm in. Ardbeg's 1990 Airigh Nam Beist has been aged for 16-18 years in old bourbon barrels and sadly, … Continue reading Ardbeg 1990 Airigh Nam Beist – Review
Van Winkle 12 Year Old Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon – Review
According to Washington Irving, Mrs. Van Winkle was a royal pain in the ass. From the sound of it, all she did was nag old Rip Van Winkle into a bowl of Dutch jelly. Granted, Ol' Rip might have deserved some nagging as he really let his place go, and he wasn't quite the ladder-climbing … Continue reading Van Winkle 12 Year Old Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon – Review
Caol Ila 12 Year Old – Review
According to my handy, pocket-sized, 6" thick, 15lb., 1961 Websters New International Dictionary (2nd Edition, unabridged), "smoke" is defined thusly: smoke (smōk), n. [AS. smoca; akin to AS. smeocan to smoke, smēcan to smoke, smēc, smyc, smoke, LG. & D. smook smoke, G. schmauch, Gr. smychiein to smolder, Lith. smaugti suffocate, choke.] 1. the gaseous … Continue reading Caol Ila 12 Year Old – Review
Talisker 18 Year Old – Review
I've read that on the Eastern shore of the Trotternish peninsula on Skye, there is a rock formation called Elglais Bhreugach, or "false church". It's a largish stone arch that, as you might expect, kind of resembles a church. The local folklore of the spot is that many, many centuries ago it was used for … Continue reading Talisker 18 Year Old – Review
Redbreast 12 Year Old – Review
Happy St. Patrick's Day! A little over 10 years ago, I was sitting in the Mercer Hotel in Dublin with my family in the early evening, enjoying a drink before we went out to find dinner. Being in Ireland, we were possibly drinking Guinness, definitely drinking Jameson and most likey, if memory serves, and it … Continue reading Redbreast 12 Year Old – Review
Highland Park 12 Year Old
There are those scotches, and I won't mention Ardbeg & Laphroaig by name, that really seem to relish knocking the wind out of you. Strong, challenging, complex, and at times overwhelming, but all in a good way. They leave us lying in the dirt with only one shoe on, laughing as they walk away, knowing … Continue reading Highland Park 12 Year Old
THE CASKS 