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The Very Best of Bourbon, Whiskey & Rye in 2021

It's one of our favorite pastimes.  Nothing beats an amazingly unique bottle of bourbon.  Introducing our ultimate rye and bourbon review guide. Drink, enjoy, repeat!

Bourbon Thoughts: Old Fitzgerald 11 Year

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Old Fitzgerald 11 Year

  This Old Fitzgerald is distilled by the folks at Heaven Hill and then aged for 11 years in oak barrels.  The paper seal attached to the cap and the bottle denotes that this bottle is bottled-in-bond; in accordance to the Bottle-in-Bond Act that went into law in 1901. The nose of this bourbon is […]

Rye Thoughts: Bulleit Rye 12 Year

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Bulleit 95 Rye - 12 Year

  I usually enjoy Bulleit Rye and when I am at a bar or having a drink at the airport – it is my go-to brand.  I was surprised to see their Bulleit 95 Rye aged 12 years.  I have seen their bourbon aged for 10 years but up until today never their rye so […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Old Lewis Hunter 6 Year

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Old Lewis Hunter

  You may notice that the label on this bottle of Old Lewis Hunter Bourbon is wrapped in plastic wrap as it is falling apart.  This bottle, which was found in Italy, was likely bottled in the early 1970’s after being aged in a barrel for 6 years.  The distillery was in operation from 1850 […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Antique 6 Year Old Bourbon

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Antique Bourbon

This particular bottle of Antique 6 year old bourbon was likely bottled in the 1970’s; maybe the late 1960’s.  It was distilled by the Frankfort Distilling Company and while the bottle was only aged for 6 years, the taste is much more mature and smooth for what is a relatively young bourbon. The nose is […]

Bourbon Thoughts: 1970’s Jim Beam

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Vintage Jim Beam

  It is always fun to find an old, vintage bottle of bourbon.  This bottle of Jim Beam was likely bottled in the 1970’s.  The theory, much like any product, is that they made it better in the past.  It is hard to argue when you try this bottle of Jim Beam and compare it […]

Bourbon Thoughts: 2017 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

2017 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon

  The 2017 Birthday Bourbon from the folks at Old Forester was barreled on May 25th 2005 and was bottled in 2017 after 12 years of aging in the barrel.  The 2017 Birthday Bourbon does not disappoint, it is a smooth and balanced pour. The nose has some nice burnt orange notes that mix perfectly […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Parker’s Heritage Collection Barrel Finished in Orange Curaçao Barrels

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Parker's Heritage Collection Barrel Finished

Parker’s Heritage is always a nice treat to find on your local liquor store shelf so I was excited to pick up this bottle of bourbon finished in orange curaçao barrels.  The blender takes 7 to 8 year old bourbon and finishes them for 4 months in barrels that previously held French orange curaçao liquor.  […]

The 10 Best Budget Bourbons to Round Out 2018

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Bourbon Trail Map

  You shouldn’t have to drive all across Kentucky to find good, affordable bourbon.  Production of bourbon is at its highest levels of all time but so is the demand for bourbon.  Much of that demand growth is in the US but people all over the world now desire to get their hands on good […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Weller Special Reserve (New Bottle and Label)

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Weller Special Reserve Bourbon

  Buffalo Trace gave their brand Weller a new look for their their Weller 12 Year, Weller Antique 107 and Weller Special Reserve.  You can see the old versions here for Weller 12 Year, Weller Antique 107 and Weller Special Reserve.  I hadn’t stumbled upon these in some time and now I am seeing them […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Old Forester Single Barrel

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Old Forester Single Barrel

  Old Forester makes some delicious bourbon.  In particular, their annual Birthday Bourbon is usually a great bottle of bourbon.  Here are the reviews for the 2014, 2015 and 2016  Birthday Bourbons, so make sure you check them out. So when I saw this bottle of Old Forester Single Barrel on the self, I had to give it […]

Rye Thoughts: Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye Whiskey

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye Whiskey

The Knob Creek, Cask Strength Rye is a 2018 Limited Release.  This particular bottle is 59.8% ABV and was stored in warehouse ‘A’.  Distilled and bottled by the folks at Jim Beam, this is one nice sipping rye. The nose is sweet with vanilla notes but if you breath deep you will find the spice […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Blanton's Single Barrel Bourbon

This specific bottle was bottled on 4/24/15 from barrel no 453; in Warehouse H and Rick no 24 at 93 proof.  Blanton’s is the ‘The original single barrel bourbon whiskey’; which many distillery’s are just now producing today as consumer demand for single barrel products increases. The nose on this bourbon is sweet and corny.  […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Parker’s Heritage Collection Single Barrel

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Parker's Heritage Collection Single Barrel

  We love the Parker’s Heritage Collection (PHC) and this Single Barrel bottle doesn’t disappoint.  Parker Beam began working at the Heaven Hill Distillery in 1960.  These bottles support the ALS Foundation in memory of Parker Beam who was diagnosed with ALS in 2010 and passed away seven years later. This particular bottle is from barrel number […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Select

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Jack Daniels Single Barrel Select

  This particular bottle is from barrel number 17-575 and was bottled on August 28th, 2017.  While it is a single barrel origin, it isn’t bottled at barrel proof, this bottle is 94 proof. The nose is familiar, a little fruiter and brighter than your usually bottle of Jack Daniel’s.  The taste is spicy with […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Coopers’ Craft

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Coopers' Craft Bourbon

Cooper’s Craft bourbon is made by Brown-Forman, the same people that make some of our favorite bourbons like, Old Forester.  It is the companies first new bourbon in nearly twenty years. The nose has some grassy, corn qualities with hints of toasted wood.  The taste is smooth and easy drinking with a nice mix of […]

Rye Thoughts: Jack Daniel’s Rye

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Jack Daniel's Rye

  As the weather gets colder my thoughts of Bourbon turn more to thoughts of Rye.  Distilled much like Bourbon, except the corn is swapped out for rye, in this case 70% rye.  That rye, yes the same rye that you find in your rye bread, adds a nice warm, spicy flavor making it the […]

Bourbon Thoughts: I.W. Harper Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

I.W. Harper Kentucky Straight Bourbon

September 10th marks the 10th anniversary of National Bourbon Heritage Month, passed by the U.S. Senate in 2007.  Commemorate the day with your favorite pour or do what we did and try something new – I.W. Harper. The nose is rich with caramelized fruits and vanilla.  The taste is not as rich as the aroma […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength

  Bulleit makes a solid bourbon so I was intrigued when I ran across their new barrel strength product.  This bottle is from Batch No. 2 and is bottled at 119 proof.  It packs some hot heat with that high alcohol level and 28% Rye mash bill but rounds itself out with a smooth taste. The […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky

It is not a misspelling of coffee, it is Coffey, the still in which this whisky is distilled.  Created with a 95% corn mashbill this would be a bourbon if it were distilled in the U.S.A but labeled as a whisky as it is distilled in Japan.  This particular version from Nikka, the Nikka Coffey […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Four Roses from the 1970’s

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Four Roses Bourbon 1970s

  You will hear people say that they don’t make bourbon like they used to.  Take a few sips of this Four Roses from the 1970’s and you will not believe you are drinking a $20 bottle of bourbon.  This particular variety would have been their straight off the shelf variety, aged for 6 years, […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Four Roses Elliott’s Select Limited Edition Single Barrel

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

2016 Four Roses Elliots Select Barrel Strength

For the first time Four Roses Bourbon released Elliott’s Select bourbon, a rare Single Barrel bourbon. The bourbon will be Brent Elliott’s first limited edition release as the master distiller.  Brent Elliott became master distiller in September 2015 and hand-selected the 14-year-old OESK, one of the 10 unique Four Rose’s bourbons.  Bottled at barrel strength this particular […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Old Forester 2016 Birthday Bourbon

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

2016 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon

The 2016 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is bottled from 93 barrels distilled on July 4th, 2004. The master distiller of Brown-Forman, Chris Morris, hand-picked the barrels with Old Forester brand representative Jackie Zykan.  Ultimately a little over 14,000 bottles were aged for 12 years and bottled at 48.5% abv. The nose is very delicate with spicy and […]

Rye Thoughts: Booker’s Rye Limited Edition “Big Time Batch”

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Booker's Rye Limited Edition Big Time Batch

The first ever rye produced by Booker’s also comes from some of the last barrels filled by the late, great, distiller Booker Noe.  the label is a note from his son, Fred Noe, explaining how his farther always liked the challenge of rye grains and laid these barrels in his favorite rackhouse.  It is aged […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Knob Creek 2001 Limited Edition Bourbon Whiskey

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Knob Creek 2001 Limited Edition

Knob Creek 2001 is one of the last batches of bourbon barreled by the late, great Jim Beam distiller – Booker Noe.  His son, Fred Noe, discovered the barrels labeled 2001 after his father passed away.  The results is a really easy drinking bourbon that will keep you coming back for more. The tasting notes […]

Whiskey Thoughts: Slaughter House American Whiskey

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Slaughter House American Whiskey

David Phinney who is a part of the Splinter Group that distills Slaughter House, is also the winemaker at Orin Swift Cellars.  Orin Swift and team continue to produce some amazing wines like Abstract and Machete, needless to say we think they have great taste. Slaughter House is aged 9 years in American Oak and then […]

Rye Thoughts: High West Says Yippee Ki-Yay

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

High West Yippee Ki-Yay

High West took their Double Rye product and added it to barrels that had been used to age both Vermouth and Syrah.  The creation is a blend of Rye Whiskeys that High West hopes make you say ‘Yippee Ki-Yay’, like the cowboy on the bottle. The bottle I sampled was Batch No. 2.  The nose […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Trail’s End

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Trails End Bourbon

Trail’s End secures eight year old juice from Kentucky and ages the Bourbon Whiskey with Oregon Oak staves.  This particular bottle is from Batch No 002 and is 45% abv. The nose is fragrant with sweet, orange notes.  The taste is smooth and sweet up front with some spicy rye hints.  The finish is long […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Smooth Ambler Contradiction

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Smooth Ambler Contradiction

A bottle of Smooth Ambler Contradiction is exactly that, a huge contradiction.  A mix of a wheated bourbon and a spicier bourbon with a heavier rye mash bill; 27 percent of the bottle was aged 2 years while the remaining 73 percent was aged 9 years.  Despite what might look like odd pairings the end result […]

Rye Whiskey Thoughts: Rogue Farms Oregon Rye Whiskey

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Rogue Farms Oregon Rye Whiskey

There is no question that the folks at Rogue know how to brew some of the best beers in the world.  Check out a few of the best beers by Rogue Ales & Spirits. Over the past few years they have also ramped up their production of different types of spirits.  The Oregon Rye Whiskey […]

Rye Thoughts: 2016 Michter’s 10 Year Straight Rye

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

2016 Michter's 10 Year Rye

It is always good to get a taste of an aged bottle of Michter’s.  This particular bottle of rye was aged 1o years in fire-charred, new American white oak barrels and released in 2016.  Master Distiller Willie Pratt wasn’t happy with the product in 2015 so he refused to release a product in 2015, hoping that […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Noah’s Mill

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Noah's Mill Bourbon

A Small Batch Bourbon distilled by the folks at Willet.  It is a surprising smooth pour for a bourbon bottled at 114.3 proof. The nose is smokey and woody with some spicy rye notes showing through.  The taste is filled with rye, yet somehow still smooth.  The finish is long and rich with some of […]

Why Do You Need Whiskey Stones?

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Whiskey Rocks

It doesn’t matter if it is a bourbon, rye or whiskey; there are certain times that you don’t want to add ice.  When you have an exceptional product, regardless of how high the proof, you want to experience what the master distiller envisioned when he crafted the bottle. Adding ice waters down the product and […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Old Scout Straight Bourbon Whiskey 7 Year

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Old Scout 7 Year Bourbon

Smooth Ambler is a relatively new to bourbon distilling, founded in West Virginia in 2009, but they have quickly established themselves with a solid slate of products. The Old Scout straight Bourbon Whiskey is aged at least 7 years in old barrels.  It is distilled with high rye mash bill at 36% and bottled at […]

The Whiskey Wedge That Changed My Life. Forever.

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Patrick

2016 Whiskey Wedge Review - Buy the Ice Wedge Corkcicle

Now that I’m enjoying my drinks I have to say my life has changed when I got my hands on The Whiskey Wedge. Genius ensues because this ice “cube” is more of an “ice slant” and keeps your drink cold without watering it down.

Bourbon Thoughts: 2015 Micther’s 10 Year Bourbon

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

2015 Michter's 10 year old Bourbon

  The 2015 Micther’s 10 Year Old Aged Bourbon or the M10 is a smooth pour.  Michter’s marks the neck of their bottles so you are able to see the year of the release; the numbering on the 2015 release starts with ’15’. The nose is a sweet with chocolate notes.  The sweet, maple flavors […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon Whiskey

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon

Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon Whiskey is distilled by the folks at Buffalo Trace.  No longer considered a single barrel bourbon because an automated assembly line replaced a manual bottling process which means certain bottles could contain two barrels at the switch-over. The nose is sweet and citrusy with oak notes.  The taste is dry […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Blade and Bow Bourbon Whiskey

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Blade and Bow Bourbon

Blade and Bow is a relatively new product from Diagio who also produces Bulleit.  Diagio has in its possession as few barrels of whiskey distilled and produced by Stitzel-Weller.  While there is not enough whiskey in the old Stizel-Weller batch to bottle on its own the Diagio team used a solera system to stretch the old […]

Whiskey Thoughts: Parker’s Heritage Malt Whiskey

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Parkers Heritage Malt Whiskey 8 Year

  The Parker’s Heritage Malt Whiskey is 65% malted barley and 35% corn, thus it doesn’t qualify to be labeled as a bourbon.  The product is aged for 8 years a bottled without chill filtration at a bold 54% abv. The nose has a funky, charred oak blast with some subtle, sweet vanilla notes.  The […]

Rye Thoughts: 2015 Thomas H. Handy Sazerac

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Thomas H. Handy Sazerac BTAC 2015

The Thomas H. Handy Sazerac is part of the 2015 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection; unfiltered and uncut this clocks in at 63.45% ABV or 126.9 proof.  This bottling process which doesn’t add water or filter the rye helps to preserve a lot of the bold, at times, over the top flavors. The nose has a […]

Bourbon Thoughts: 2015 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

2015 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon

This is the 14th year that Old Forester released a Birthday Bourbon for their creator, George Garvin Brown.  The bourbon is selected from a single day of production, barreled in 2003 and bottled at 50% abv.  The 2015 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon is one of the better years that I have tasted. The nose has a […]

My Favorite Ice For Bourbon

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Ice Sphere - Ice Ball

Most nice bourbons are meant to be consumed without ice, but maybe with a few drops of water to bring out the flavors.  Sometimes an every day bourbon calls for ice.  We love skull ice cubes, but not for bourbon. The perfect ice for bourbon is not a cube.  Its is a big, round, sphere.  They […]

Bourbon Thoughts: 2015 William Larue Weller

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

William Larue Weller Bourbon

  You might recognize William Larue Weller from some favorites like the W. L. Weller 12 Year.  The William Larue Weller is a wheated bourbon and is one of five bottles that make up the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, arguably the strongest asset within the collection.  Unfiltered and bottled at barrel proof the 2015 version […]

The Best Gifts For Bourbon Lovers

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Bourbon

Maybe it seems as easy as buying a bottle of bourbon, opening the bottle, pouring a glass and drinking; but there are some products that can be helpful in pouring that perfect glass of bourbon. 1.  Whiskey Stones – $9.95   The perfect product to cool down your bourbon without watering down the taste. 2. […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Four Roses 2015 Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Four Roses 2015 Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon

  The Four Roses 2015 Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon, as always, is a tough find but an exceptional product.  This will be the last release under Jim Rutledge who is retiring as the Master Distiller at Four Roses for the last 49 years.  There were 12,672 bottles distributed this year at a barrel proof ABV […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Jefferson’s The Manhattan

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Jefferson's Manhattan Esquire

The good people at Jefferson’s have created a barrel aged Manhattan with the help of the Editors of Esquire Magazine.  Normally I would recommend mixing your own Manhattan but this cocktail is barrel aged in bourbon barrels from the Jefferson’s distillery; therefore it is understandable that you may not have room for a bourbon barrel […]

Bourbon Thoughts: Jefferson’s Groth Reserve Cask Finish

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Jeffersons Reserve Groth Cask Finish

  After aging their bourbon in new American oak barrels, the folks at Jefferson’s Reserve finish this bourbon for nine months in French oak barrels; these barrels once held Groth Cabernet Sauvignon.  You can pick up any number of cask finished bourbons but usually they are finished in barrels from a sweeter wine or even a […]

What is Bourbon?

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Bourbon Barrels

It seems like an easy enough question but there are material differences between Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey, Rye and Whiskey; there are requirements that must be fulfilled before a distiller can label a product as Bourbon.  In 1964 Congress and President Lyndon B. Johnson administration declared bourbon the America’s Native Spirit. In order to declare a product […]

My Favorite Bourbon Brands

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

The Best Bourbon Brands

There are a lot of bourbon brands out there, many of these unique brands are distilled by the same people.  Here are a a few of our favorite bourbon brands, their distillers and some of their best products: 1.  Pappy Van Winkle The hype has officially got out of control on all of the Pappy […]

Rye Whiskey Thoughts: Federalist 12

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Federalist 12 Rye Whiskey

Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks, Michigan, created a rye whiskey based on the recipe George Washington distilled himself.  The product. Federalist 12, gets its name from Alexander Hamilton’s Federalist Papers.  In Federalist 12, Hamilton promoted the idea of a tax on whiskey to ‘diminish the consumption of it’; it would also be ‘equally favorable to […]

Rye Thoughts: Reservoir Rye

Updated: August 1, 2020 By: Ross

Reservoir Rye

  In 2012 the Reservoir Rye Whiskey won Double Gold in San Francisco at the World Spirit’s competition.  The product was intriguing and unique because it is a 100% rye mash bill. The nose is full of sweet honey and vanilla.  The taste is full of rye and the finish mellows with some of the wood […]

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