William LaRue Weller's story is perhaps a somewhat typical one of successful men and women of the American 1800's. There's war, there's tragedy, there's family, there's dogged perseverance, and there's whiskey. Weller was pretty much born into bourbon making. His grandfather, Daniel, was operating a distillery close to Bardstown, KY as early as 1800. His … Continue reading W.L. Weller 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Review
American
St. George Spirits Breaking & Entering Bourbon – Review
The Casks has left San Francisco and moved to Minneapolis and wouldn't you know it, early October, there's snow in the forecast. So with no small amount of wistfulness, I thought it appropriate for the first review from the new locale to be from one of my favorites from the old locale, St. George Spirits … Continue reading St. George Spirits Breaking & Entering Bourbon – Review
Sazerac 18 Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, 2011 Buffalo trace Antique Collection – Review
*Thank you very much to AP and Buffalo Trace for the samples! Since I started with the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection's Thomas Handy release (ol' Tom being the founder of Buffalo Trace's parent company Sazerac), it seems only fitting (if not a little confusing) to end with the Sazerac 18 Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye … Continue reading Sazerac 18 Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, 2011 Buffalo trace Antique Collection – Review
William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 2011 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection – Review
The name Weller is as intertwined and as important a name as you will find in the history of American whiskey. Daniel Weller was operating a still near Bardstown, KY as early as 1800. His son Samuel followed in his father's footsteps, and his son, William LaRue Weller started making and selling whiskey in 1849. … Continue reading William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 2011 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection – Review
George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 2011 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection – Review
*Thank you very much to AP and Buffalo Trace for the samples! Let me just point out right away that, although it might be a good one, the name George T. Stagg is not that of porn star. No, George T. Stagg was successful whiskey salesman who, in 1870, helped E.H. Taylor purchase a distillery … Continue reading George T. Stagg Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 2011 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection – Review
Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Bourbon, 2011 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection – Review
*Thank you very much to AP and Buffalo Trace for the samples! The Eagle Rare brand was originally owned by Seagram's and made its first appearance in 1975. It was created by Charles L. Beam and was sold as a 10 year old, 101 proof straight bourbon. Sazerac bought the brand in 1989 and in … Continue reading Eagle Rare 17 Year Old Bourbon, 2011 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection – Review
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey, Buffalo Trace 2011 Antique Collection – Review
*Thank you very much to AP and Buffalo Trace for the samples! As Buffalo Trace is owned by Sazerac, and Sazerac was founded by Thomas H. Handy, it seems only fitting to begin a look at Buffalo Trace's 2011 Antique Collection with the Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye. The story begins (more or less) at … Continue reading Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey, Buffalo Trace 2011 Antique Collection – Review
Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey – Review
You could be forgiven for being confused as to how the name "Sazerac" manages to be name of a cocktail, a straight rye whiskey, and a large spirits company all at the same time. It comes as no great surprise that the three are related, sure, but how, you ask. Well, the romanticized, marketer's wet-dream … Continue reading Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey – Review
Bacon Bourbon for Breakfast at Serpentine
Granted, the whole everything bacon craze has gone too far and far too mainstream to really be taken seriously anymore but that doesn't mean that bacon didn't warrant all the attention in the first place. Bacon is an innocent victim here, it's not bacon's fault it's so delicious, it's the fault of the fad-obsessed, must-create-something-unique-to-be-accepted-by-the-collective … Continue reading Bacon Bourbon for Breakfast at Serpentine
Buffalo Trace’s Single Oak Project.
I'm fairly fascinated by complex role that the wood plays in whisk(e)y making. From the basic differences between American (Quercus alba) and European (Quercus robur) oak to the subtle changes that occur when one decides to dry the stuff naturally rather than in a kiln (there's a tannin-eating fungus among us!). For the most part, all … Continue reading Buffalo Trace’s Single Oak Project.
THE CASKS 