Drink the Bottles

Baltimore, June 29, 2026 -  Sagamore Spirit , the leading and award-winning Maryland-style whiskey distillery, proudly announces that their High Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey will be launched nationwide on July 1st, 2026. This release, a prestigious addition to the Sagamore Whiskey Reserve Series, represents the brand's vision to expand beyond rye while remaining rooted in its core values. This unique bourbon-style whiskey has been crafted to pay homage to Kentucky's bourbon heritage while celebrating and advancing Maryland-style whiskey traditions. This Maryland-made high rye straight bourbon whiskey features a mash bill of 60% corn, 25% rye, and 15% malted rye, aged for 6 years in new charred American white oak barrels and bottled at 54% ABV. This exceptional whiskey presents a striking bright cinnamon hue that immediately signals its character. On the nose, it opens with inviting aromas of dark brown sugar and grilled peaches, rounded out by luscious mixed berries. The palate...

Some whiskey releases are designed to tell a larger story.   Penelope's Limited Series, Architects of Golf, came together over a love and discussion about golf.  It seems simple enough, but if you know anything about the spirits game, you know nothing happens overnight.   This is Penelope Architects of Golf Hole 2 , a six-year-old straight bourbon whiskey with a mash bill consisting of corn (60%), rye (36%), and malted barley (4%).  The elevated rye content promises a more assertive profile while the finishing introduces a layer of complexity that we appreciate.   While many limited releases arrive with a one-and-done approach, Architects of Golf appears to be building something much larger. With Holes 1, 2, and 3 already announced, the series invites an obvious question:  How many holes are left to play? While no official roadmap has been released, the golf-inspired theme naturally leads enthusiasts to wonder whether the collection could eve...

Celebrating Dad Doesn't Have to Include Alcohol Father's Day has long been associated with a familiar lineup of gifts: neckties, grilling tools, golf balls, and, increasingly, a bottle of whiskey or bourbon.   And while many dads enjoy a well-made cocktail, not every father is looking for alcohol these days. Some are focused on fitness goals. Others are training for races, watching their calorie intake, managing health concerns, serving as designated drivers, or simply choosing to drink less than they once did. Many have discovered that moderation doesn't mean sacrificing the rituals and experiences they've always enjoyed. That's where brands like Fluère are changing the conversation.  Rather than asking consumers to give something up, Fluère offers an alternative way to participate. The ritual remains. The cocktail remains. The social experience remains.  The alcohol simply doesn't have to.  For Father's Day, that makes Fluère Spiced Cane Dark Roast one of ...

One of the things we've always appreciated about Penelope is that they aren't afraid to experiment.  In fact, some might argue that they paved the path for many other distilleries for blending and creating unique spirits.   In an era where every new whiskey release seems to promise bigger proof, older age statements, or increasingly exotic finishes, Penelope has managed to find a balance between innovation and drinkability. That philosophy is on full display in the Cooper Series, a collection that allows the brand to explore unique finishing techniques while still keeping the whiskey approachable and enjoyable. Enter Riviera .  Part of Penelope's popular Cooper Series, Riviera takes a blend straight bourbon and 8-year American light whiskey and finishes it in rosé wine casks. On paper, it sounds like a whiskey designed for warmer weather and outdoor gatherings. In the glass, it turns out to be exactly that. The Cooper Series has become one of the more interesting pro...

Woodinville Whiskey: From Washington Startup to American Whiskey Standout Let's get one thing out of the way right from the start: Woodinville Whiskey isn't trying to be Kentucky bourbon.   That's probably one of the biggest reasons it has become one of the most respected craft whiskey producers in America. For decades, bourbon drinkers have been conditioned to believe that the best whiskey comes from Kentucky. While there's certainly plenty of truth behind that reputation, distilleries like Woodinville have shown that exceptional bourbon can come from places most enthusiasts never expected. In this case, the Pacific Northwest. Founded in 2010 by longtime friends Brett Carlile and Orlin Sorensen, Woodinville Whiskey began with a simple but ambitious goal: create world-class whiskey using local ingredients and traditional methods without taking shortcuts. Rather than sourcing whiskey from elsewhere and putting their name on it, they committed themselves to building somet...

  ASW Distillery: How Atlanta's Whiskey Pioneer Became One of America's Most Innovative Bourbon Producers There are certain distilleries that consistently find their way back onto my shelf. Not because they're trendy. Not because they're impossible to find. And certainly not because they're backed by massive marketing budgets.  They earn their place because they make whiskey that I genuinely enjoy drinking. For me, ASW Distillery falls squarely into that category. Over the years I've tasted countless bourbons from every corner of the country. Some have been excellent. Some have been forgettable. A select few have become bottles that I actively seek out whenever I see them. ASW's Fiddler line belongs in that latter group.  These bottles are nothing short of incredible! What makes ASW so fascinating is that they're not simply following the blueprint laid out by Kentucky's legacy distilleries. They're creating something uniquely their own in Atlant...