Whiskey reviews
We review a variety of whiskeys, from artisan suppliers to the brands we all know and love. See below for our latest reviews.
Kirkland Bourbon History Barton 1792 is a reputable distillery established in 1879 despite its name. Having been in operation for the better part of two centuries, it is the oldest fully-operating distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. Costco, which shows that it seeks out the best deals with partners known for their exceptional commodities, made a wise […]
J&B Scotch History The history of J&B Scotch starts in 1749 when Giacomo Justerini moved from Bologna, Italy, to London and established a wine and whiskey shop in the upscale Pall Mall with his partner George Johnson. Years later, in 1831, Alfred Brooks bought the business and renamed it Justerini & Brooks. In the 1880s, […]
To date, the craftsmanship poured into this bottle by the founding family meets the standards set in the Bottled-in-bond act of 1897 that specifically spells out the requirements of whiskey to be labeled as such. Heaven Hill Bourbon History In 1935, Heaven Hill put its first whiskey into barrels, but it wasn’t four years later […]
Toki means ‘time’ in Japanese which is somewhat ironic because it’s something that the spirit doesn’t seem to have a great deal of as it’s a young whiskey. Suntory Toki Whiskey History Suntory Toki Whiskey was introduced in 2016. Shinjiro Torii, who had founded his wine importation business in Osaka, Japan, in 1899, operated a […]
Benchmark Bourbon History The Seagram company started as a Canadian distillery back in 1857 and grew to become one of the biggest spirits companies in Canada. Sometime in the late 1960s, Seagram decided to start a premium brand labeled Benchmark Bourbon. It used to be made at Four Roses back when Seagram owned them. Between […]
Redneck Riviera Whiskey History Music singer and songwriter John Rich teamed up with Eastside Distilling to create a unique American blended whiskey unlike anything else available. This partnership resulted in Redneck Riviera Whiskey, a spirit now part of Rich’s Redneck Riviera brand, which started selling apparel and boots. Rich dedicates the Redneck Riviera Whiskey to […]
The bourbon industry loves tradition, and Baker’s Bourbon gives people just that. This well-aged expression uses a special strain of jug yeast that the Beam family has used for over six years. Baker’s Bourbon History Baker’s is one of the small-batch bourbons produced by Jim Beam distillery. The small-batch collection comprising Knob Creek, Basil Hayden’s, […]
In just a few years, New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon has made a name for itself in the world of whiskey. Some of the things we love about New Riff Distilling are their distilling prowess and transparency - their mash bill isn’t kept a secret. New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon History The New Riff Kentucky […]
Breckenridge Bourbon History Back in 2007, a radiologist and lover of malted Scotch, Bryan Nolt, founded the Breckenridge Distillery. This was after he took an enlightening trip to Scotland that same year. While on this trip, Mr. Nolt became fascinated by the different approaches used by different companies to handle their barley for distillation. Slightly […]
Wathen Bourbon History The Wathen-Medley family has been in the bourbon distilling industry – they started more than a century before Prohibition. The family has had master distillers for eight generations. This explains why there’s a big number 8 on the label. This is easily mistaken for the bourbon’s age statement, which couldn’t be further […]
Horse Soldier Bourbon History Horse Soldier Bourbon is a project started by veterans whose history goes back to the infamous 9/11 terrorist attack. Days after the events of September 11, 2001, a small US Army Special Forces unit answered their nation’s call to defend it. They found themselves riding horseback in a Green Beret insertion […]
Considering that the Beam family is of a German origin, the name is pronounced as Boehm. Jim Beam Bourbon History In the late 18th century, Jacob Beam, a member of the Beam family who originated from Germany, traveled west into Kentucky, bourbon brands subsequently setting up a corn mill and small-scale distillery. Around 1795, Jacob […]
There’s a sense of depth and wholeness to this whiskey that gives it character and distinctness. Retailing for roughly $60, this Tennessee whiskey is sourced from an unknown distillery and double-distilled. Bib And Tucker Bourbon History Back in the day, the term “bib & tucker” was used to describe your finest attire, the kind that […]
Wyoming Whiskey is a relatively smooth liquor that has an excellent depth to it. It introduces some nicely integrated yet unexpected elements to keep things interesting. This traditional bourbon is made in a non-traditional place – Kirby. Wyoming Whiskey History Claiming Wyoming’s first legal whiskey distillery, Wyoming Whiskey was founded by Brad Mead, his wife […]
It’s believed that John Barr Scotch was designed to compete neck-to-neck with Johnnie Walker, Diageo’s famous workhorse of a brand. There’s a considerable resemblance in the square bottling and labeling. John Barr Scotch History In a bid to protect its overseas agents, the DCL, after being ordered by the European Commission to address issues concerning […]
Stranahan's Whiskey History In 1998, Jess Graber (a volunteer firefighter) met George Stranahan, a local at Woody Creek (founder and owner of Flying Dog Brewery), while fighting a fire at Stranahan’s barn. The two men struck up a conversation about whiskey, and six years later, they started a business in Colorado which drew upon George’s […]
Elijah Craig Bourbon History Elijah Craig was born in 1738 in Orange County, Virginia, and moved to what is now modern-day Kentucky in 1782. He was a preacher, an educator, and entrepreneur who built the first paper and wool mills in Georgetown, Kentucky. But for all his many talents, it was his gift as a […]
Everyone loves a bourbon with a good background story. Joseph Magnus Bourbon is one of those as its story involves a bourbon resurrection. In 1892, and at the age of 26, Joseph A. Magnus started the Jos. A. Magnus & Co. company where he focused on producing reasonably-priced high-quality whiskey. The business thrived until 1918, […]
This Canadian whiskey brand originates in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, a city in southwestern Quebec, produced at Schenley Industries. Black Velvet Whiskey was originally called Black Label, but Master Distiller Jack Napier renamed it after tasting it and realizing how smooth and rich it was. It developed in 1946 but was first introduced into the market in 1951. […]
This whiskey has an amusing but somewhat complicated story. Larceny was inspired by a thief. John F. Fitzgerald was an agent for the U.S. Treasury Department in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Because of his position, he had access to bourbon storage rick warehouses. He would break into these storage facilities and steal bourbon […]
This Kentucky bourbon has brought together more than 200 years of bourbon-making heritage and nearly 100 years of Japanese whiskey artistry. Legent Bourbon History Legent is a super-premium bourbon that brings together the best of the East and West in a way no other whiskey does. This unique innovation debuted on March 8, 2019. A […]
Wherever you go, you’ll most probably hear people argue about the proper pronunciation of Basil Hayden Bourbon. Most people argue that it’s pronounced as /ˈbæzəl/ the person’s name and not /ˈbāzəl/ the herb. Again, it also depends if you’re American or English, in which case you’d pronounce it as “bay-zle” and “baa-zle,” respectively. Basil Hayden […]
The quality and authenticity have caused the popularity of the whiskey to grow beyond its territory of origin. Pendleton Whiskey is exactly what the average American drinker needs to get their mind off things. Pendleton Whiskey History Created in 2003 to celebrate the spirit of the American cowboy, Pendleton Whiskey gets its name from Pendleton […]
The bourbon belongs to a line of premium whiskeys that may be enjoyed neat on the rocks and is also quite ideal as a mixer for cocktails. It is usually a pleasure to enjoy this whiskey believed to be the perfect expression of the classic American spirit. Redemption Bourbon History Redemption is a relatively new […]
This finely crafted whiskey is one of the smoothest that Canadian whiskey lovers have come to know and love since 1939. Crown Royal Whiskey History This whiskey was created in honor of King George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth’s visit in 1939. This was the first time reigning monarchs had visited Canada. They arrived […]
Rowan’s Creek Bourbon is one among four of Willet Clan’s small-batch bourbons. The others are Noah’s Mill, Pure Kentucky XO, and Kentucky Vintage. It gets its name from the watercourse whose water is used for production. The bourbon is aged in charred oak barrels, hand-bottled, and topped with a cork stopper sealed with a brown […]
Booker’s Bourbon is one of the small-batch bourbons produced by the Jim Beam distillery owned by Beam Suntory and is the highest-proof bourbon in the Jim Beam Small batch Collection. It’s a barrel-strength bourbon that’s aged between six and eight years. This bourbon is bottled uncut and without chill filtering at its natural proof. The […]
If you enjoy experimenting with different types of whikeys, you need to try out High West Whiskey. A blend of straight bourbon, rye, and scotch whiskey will surely excite your taste buds. Some of the reasons it’s pretty impressive are its reasonable price, which makes it accessible for a lot of people. It raises awareness […]
It’s about time you switch things up from your regular go-to bourbons for something more exotic. A nicely balanced sip that’s easily accessible and at a lower cost is what Yellowstone Bourbon offers. The flavors are more than just enough to be enjoyable – they make you want to go back for a second glass. […]
Fireball Cinnamon Whisky has taken bars, parties, and liquor stores by storm. The spirit has a strong cinnamon taste but isn’t too sweet, which is a huge plus. There are more than enough reasons to love this must-have whisky: Easy to remember. Fireball Cinnamon Whisky is an easy shot to remember making it a quick […]
Nothing beats a stiff glass of Uncle Nearest Whiskey on a Friday evening after a long week of hard work. It’s even better when you share the bottle with a couple of friends as you unwind. Alcohol has a way of bringing people together and strengthening bonds. Like all the great things in this life, […]
Kavalan whisky is named after the indigenous Kalvan people. This group originally inhabited the Kabalan plain, which is now known as Yilan County. The distillery that is now used to create the whiskey was completed in December 2005. The business also produced the first spirit in March 2006 and released their first Bottle in December […]
Some people say that the art of blending achieves the pinnacle of whisky perfection. Others will claim that it is a single malt. However, this doesn’t take away from the fact the Ballantine's 17 is a favorite for many whiskey lovers, History of Ballantine’s Whiskey Established in 1827, Ballantine’s started its journey in a grocery […]
Teeling Whiskey is the flagship product from Teeling Distillery in Dublin. It is a small batch of Irish whiskey created by mixing a blend of grain and malt whiskeys. These are initially aged in former Bourbon barrels. After this, the guys at Telling decided to move the whiskey cover to casks that used to hold […]
Noah’s Mill is a small batch of world-class bourbon. It’s a hit creation from the Willet Distillery, a small batch and rare type of Bourbon. It pays true respect to early pioneers of Kentucky after the Revolutionary War who started distilling excess corn into tasty Bourbon. Noah’s mill combines different bourbons into a wonderful blend […]
Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey was originally developed in 1946. However, it wasn’t introduced to the market until 1951. Thus, the legacy as we know it today began nearly 95 years later. During this time, the Gilbey brothers came to Hertfordshire, England, after their time spent serving in the Crimean War. After searching for a business […]
Willett Bourbon is a small batch bourbon, named for the founders of the Willett Distillery. It is bottled in a distinctive still shaped decanter. The bourbon was released in 2008. Originally, it was a single barrel bourbon. Each bottle was sealed with a label identifying the individual ageing barrel, the number of the bottle within […]
Something of a new kid on the block in bourbon terms, Widow Jane is making waves among Kentucky bourbons. The exquisitely sourced bourbon is blended with Limestone mineral water from the Widow Jane Mine in Kentucky, and combined to give the unique and remarkable taste and flavor. The Widow Jane Distillery is owned by Cacao […]
Created in 1830 by a Scottish immigrant called James Crow, this bourbon was sold across many different distilleries. Crow died in 1856, and the original bourbon died with him, however, the name was kept by W.A. Gaines and Company, who produced their own version of Old Crow under the name. This is the version that […]
Woodford Reserve is made by the Brown-Forman Company, with the distillery named after Brown-Forman. The distillery used to be called Old Oscar Pepper Distillery until Brown-Forman bought it in 1941 and refurbished it in 1993 Located in Kentucky, this is one of the finest bourbons produced in America, and Woodford Reserve has long been viewed […]
Who was Evan Williams? Apart from being the progenitor of the famous bourbon, he was a Welsh immigrant born in Pembrokeshire who emigrated to the United States. He found his home in Kentucky where he began to brew bourbon in 1783 – according to legend. Evan Williams standard-issue bourbon comes with a black label as […]
After his defeat to Floyd Mayweather in 2017, UFC superstar Conor McGregor announced that he would be launching his whiskey. He released the Proper No. Twelve Irish whiskey as a dedication to his hometown Crumlin, a suburb of Dublin. The founder McGregor, with the support of former Bushmills distillery manager David Elder, and his team […]
You’ll find Monkey Shoulder Whisky labeled with ‘Batch 27’, which harkens back to the original idea of only making Monkey Shoulder in 27 casks at a time. Originally, the vatting would have been a mix of whiskies from the three William Grant & Sons’ distilleries found in Speyside, Scotland (that being Glenfiddich, Balvenie, and Kininvie). […]
Kirin Brewery Company, a Japanese firm, manufactures Four Roses Bourbon Whiskey. The distillery of the brand in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, was established in 1910 in an architectural design based on the Spanish Mission. The structure is under the National Registrar of Historic Places. History of Four Roses Bourbon Whisky In 1884, Paul Jones Jr shifted his […]
The Buffalo Trace Distillery is a special one and has become famous over the years for its sheer output, which consists of, give or take, 10 million liters of whiskey per year. This makes up over 40 different products: rye whiskies, wheated bourbon, and even a vodka thrown in for good measure. And, of course, […]
Distilled in Indiana and bottled in Colorado, Tincup American Whiskey has a fair journey to make until its drinkers can finally get hold of it. Still, the fact that it is a sourced whiskey doesn’t detract from the great flavors you’ll get when you have a glass. It’s an interesting mix, too sweet for some, […]
The Michter’s US *1 Small Batch bourbon is light and sweet, but when the age of the drink is listed as ‘NAS’ (no age statement), it’s hard to define exactly what you’re getting. It might be a young bourbon, it might have some age to it, but unless you have a very specifically tailored palette, […]
Every whiskey has a story. Heaven's Door whiskey is attached to Bob Dylan; the musical giant has always seemed to have a connection to whiskey. A tumbler of whiskey is an excellent accompaniment to his music, after all. The name comes from the title of one of his most famous tracks, Knocking On Heaven’s Door. […]