I've heard stories of people walking into some out-of-the-way liquor store and finding a dust-covered Port Ellen for $90 or some 20-year-old Glen something-or-other for $39.99. Chances are, some distributor dumped a pricey bottle off ages ago on a store that wouldn't ever sell that kind of thing and the store has no idea what … Continue reading Bargain Bin Fridays #4, Sunnybrook Kentucky Blended Whiskey
American
Maker’s 46, Kentucky Bourbon Whisky – Review
I've never thought of myself as a traditionalist, the establishment can suck it as far as I'm concerned, yet here I sit contemplating Maker's Mark new offering, the Maker's 46, and I find myself wondering if what they're doing to make the stuff is fair, does it buck tradition too much? Maybe I need another … Continue reading Maker’s 46, Kentucky Bourbon Whisky – Review
Bargain Bin Fridays #3, Ancient Age Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Review
Just to prove that I'm not just a mean-spirited, masochistic hack who's out to insult bad whisky makers and destroy my liver at the same time, for this installment of Bargain Bin Fridays, I thought I'd give an old school, mildly respected bourbon a try. After all, it is called "Bargain Bin Fridays" not "Wince … Continue reading Bargain Bin Fridays #3, Ancient Age Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Review
George Dickel Barrel Select Tennessee Whisky – Review
Okay, before any of the whisky grammar police start yammering at me for spelling Tennessee whisky without an "e", let me just point out that it was old George Dickel, himself, that wanted to spell it like that. He was trying to make the point that his whisky was as smooth as any Scotch whisky, … Continue reading George Dickel Barrel Select Tennessee Whisky – Review
Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Review
It's hard to say if anyone has ever come to blows over the eternal question, "Are Bison Buffalo?". In 1997, at Cheyenne's annual Buffalo Days celebration, noted historical biologist Norman "The Helix" Bergstrom was hit from behind with half a plate of funnel cake after he loudly stated the probably accurate, though publicly unpopular aphorism … Continue reading Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Review
Bargain Bin Friday!!! 75 South Blended Whiskey – Review
Boldly going where everyone else probably has the good sense not to go. I saw this bottle on the bottom shelf at Safeway not too long ago with a sale sticker reading "$5.99". Six dollars for a bottle of whiskey. One wonders if you could buy an empty glass bottle for that kind of money. … Continue reading Bargain Bin Friday!!! 75 South Blended Whiskey – Review
Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, Batch #49 – Review
I've never been to Colorado. Yes, I realize this is a failing of mine, some (mostly Coloradans) would consider this a major character flaw. Just know that I have not ignored your high altitude state on purpose. Crap, wait...I just remembered that I have been to Colorado, twice...layovers in the Denver airport. Both visits sucked, … Continue reading Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, Batch #49 – Review
W. L. Weller 7 year old Special Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Being a big fan of wheated whiskies, it's probably only a matter of time before I taste my way through all that I can find. William Larue Weller ("Bill" to his golfing buddies and accountant) was the first distiller to create a straight wheated bourbon, replacing the rye in his mash with wheat. He did … Continue reading W. L. Weller 7 year old Special Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, 13 Years Old – Review
Geeez, just when I proclaim that rye isn't my favorite branch of the whisky tree, I find one I really, really like. I guess it should come as no surprise that it's from the Van Winkle family of American hooch as everything else I've tried of theirs I've really enjoyed. There are a couple of … Continue reading Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye, 13 Years Old – Review
Jim Beam Straight Rye Whiskey – Review
I guess it's Bargain Hunter Friday around here. I picked up a bottle of Jim's...may I call you Jim?...Rye a while back just on a lark. It was cheap, the bottle looks like something you could really use in a good bar fight (though admittedly, I've never been in a bar fight so what do … Continue reading Jim Beam Straight Rye Whiskey – Review