Drink the Bottles

  Do you ever have one of those incredibly unique bottles that comes your way that is so exciting you don't even know where to begin?  We are going to be completely transparent when we say that we were skeptical about this brand at first, only to be proven wrong on so many levels.  Founder Raj Peter Bhakta is just creating a footprint in the spirits world.  He is planting a flag - a BIG one - and is generating excitement for what most consider a completely new category that we call Vintage Rare Blended Whskey. If Bhakta's name sounds familiar, it is because he is the founder of WhistlePig Whiskey, a top tier luxury rye whiskey brand that helped lay the foundation of this venture.  In 2019, he sold his stake in WhistlePig and he eventually landed in Condom, France, discovering and purchasing an ancient cellar of Armagnac dating back to 1868.  The rest?  Well, that's history. In order to truly appreciate what Bhakta is doing with this brand, you have to ...

  Norm Hooten, US Army MSG (Ret) is a co-founder of the Hooten Young Whiskey brand.  He is a real-life hero who not only spent time on the battle lines but also in the battle of the opioid crisis as a pharmacist for the Department of Veterans Affairs.  They take patriotism very seriously, committing to support non-profit organizations for veterans and the military. Like many iconic brands, this one started with a dicussiopn and a "what if" dream by a fire.  As whiskey and cigar enthusiasts, Hooten and his small team knew what they wanted to do and where they wanted to go.  And so eventually the Hooten Young brand was born and they are building a legacy to last a lifetime. This is the second expression from Hooten Young that we have had the pleasure of tasting.  This is their Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon.  We have long been fans of BiB bourbon, partly because of the specific guidelines imposed by Uncle Sam that allow a distillery to bestow ...

We were very fortunate to taste this latest release from a 100mL sample bottle. Historically, media samples that are less than a full size bottle can be much different in taste, but not always. This selection didn't list the barrel number, but we couldn't wait to dig in! The mash bill is 68% corn, 20% wheat and 12% malt. Carmelized sugar color with dominant citrus aromas that were tangy and bright. Some time in the glass and additional swirling brought cinnamon, nutmeg and oak to the nose. Full of flavor, this rugged specimen showed us citrus fruit basket, sweet vanilla pudding, cashew nut and spice cabinet, leading to a very memorable and solid finish. Rebel Bourbon produces about six different varieties currently, and to date, they have all been super solid in our opinion. This is another feather in the cap for Master Distiller John Rempe and a nod to the consistently quality whiskey that Rebel continues to bring to market. Well done! On a side note, this bourbon has...

  FRANKFORT, KY (July 21, 2025) –  Buffalo Trace Distillery proudly announces a new, higher-proof addition to its renowned Sazerac Rye Whiskey portfolio,  Sazerac Rye Whiskey 100 Proof . Developed in response to demand from bartenders and whiskey enthusiasts, this innovative expression is designed to offer enhanced flavor, versatility and control in cocktail creation while maintaining the smooth, approachable profile that defines Sazerac Rye. After extensive development to ensure the elevated proof complements rather than overwhelms its signature flavor, Sazerac Rye Whiskey 100 Proof delivers a richer, more structured whiskey that stands up beautifully in both bold and classic cocktails such as the Sazerac and Manhattan. “As the whiskey of America’s first cocktail, Sazerac Rye has played a central role in rye whiskey’s resurgence,” said Andrew Duncan, Global Brand Director at Buffalo Trace Distillery. “Bartenders have increasingly embraced 100 proof ryes for the balance, ...

  In beautiful San Antonio, Texas, sits a former bank and mint building in the heart of downtown, just a stone's throw from the Alamo.  If you aren't careful, you'll just assume it is indeed another bank building and you may have to re-trace your steps.  The property at 115 Broadway used to be part of Samuel Maverick's family estate and it has a rich history as the former Lockwood Bank.  Although the building saw various tennants throughout the years, it is now the proud home of Maverick Whiskey. The distillery's namesake, Samuel Maverick, has a long and colorful history in the southwest United States.  Maverick served in many political positions, was a Texas land magnate and he cheated death more times than most people should.  He made the most of his adventurous life and it makes perfect sense to honor him with a whiskey brand. The  Samuel Maverick Private Reserve Bottled in Bond Bourbon is our first look at any selection from Maverick Whiskey....

  We know every single day that we are blessed to taste spirits and wines from all over the world.  We have really grown to appreciate craft distilleries and the unique products they are producing while making their footprint in a behemoth market.  When we partnered with Acre Distilling out of Fort Worth, Texas, we knew they would wow us with some unique Texas whiskeys and they really delivered.  This is a limited edition expression, the Acre Distilling Texas Smoked Single Malt Whisky . The distillery will be celebrating their 10 year anniversary later this year and they have become not only a tourist destination, but a staple within the community.  They have embraced the neighborhood, offering an exquisite place to have a drink with friends and also offering different tasting experiences.  Vinepair  has dubbed Acre Distilling Company as "One of the Ten Best Craft Distillery Tasting Rooms in America."  Do you need any more reason to visit? We were...

  Yes, folks.  Exceptional whiskey and bourbon isn't exclusive to eastern Kentucky.  And Redwood Empire is testament to to proving that point.  They are disrupting the spirits industry with their distinctive offerings and philanthropic efforts.  As of this writing, the iconic brand with the eye-catching labels has planted nearly 1.8 million trees - one for every bottle of Redwood Empire whiskey sold.  That statistic is endearing and showcases the social responsibility that this team believes in, all while making whiskey that is enjoyed across the US and beyond. Master Distiller Jeff Duckhorn and Master Blender Lauren Lauren Patz have spent most of their lives in the wine utopia of the world - Napa and Sonoma.  It only makes sense that the company calls this area its home and the duo is helping produce some world-class spirits.  Redwood Empire currently offers two bottled-in-bond bottes.  Today we are taking a look at the  Redwood Empire ...

  Three friends - Tom, Jason and Zack - had a dream like so many spirit enthusiasts do.  They wanted to create a product that they could not only call their own, but own it from beginning to end.  A 100 gallon still helped them realize this dream, allowing them to create a line of flavored moonshines, gin, vodka, award-winning rum and now whiskey and bourbon in small batches. This is the Wise Men Distillery Bottled in Bond Bourbon out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Most of you know the requirements for a bourbon to be labeled "bottled in bond", but if you're new here, we're going to share that with you.  For a whiksey to be labeled Bottled in Bond (or better known as the acronym BiB), it must meet the following: The whiskey must be produced during a single distilling season (January - June) or (July - December) and it must be made from a single distiller at a single distillery. The whiskey must be aged for a minimum  of 4 years in a federally bonded warehouse...

We have been big Penelope Bourbon enthusiasts since we tasted several different bottles at an informal tasting about 18 months ago.  These MGP-distilled products have been a huge hit for bourbon fans and their vast selection of offerings is pretty mind blowing!  Today we are tasting and discovering what two of their latest releases are all about.  First up is the annual, limited release Penelope Toasted Rye .  This gem is a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley in #2 heavy char toasted barrels.  If you were camping with friends and toasting marshmallows in the crisp fall air in an apple orchard and you could bottle that, then that's what you have here.  The aromas are quite literally mouth-watering and the rich mohagany color with hints of copper only add to the appeal.  Tons of sweet butterscotch dance on the tongue with a zesty ginger, sweet nutmeg and subtle peppery note that lead to a finish that feels like it lingers for minutes.  We woul...

Located in the heart of DeKalb, Illinois is a farm and distillery that promotes their "Seed to Spirit" way of life, growing their own grains and completely overseeing the complete process to creat a selection of fine spirits.  As midwesterners ourselves, we have an affinity for this team that grows everything that goes into their bottles.  They are use John Deere equipment, so there is that admiration as well as our family has been in the John Deere business since 1955. The  Whiskey Acres Bottled-In-Bond Straight Bourbon Whiskey  was tasted neat from a 100mL sample bottle.  Golden sunset in color, this bourbon has an impressive basket of several aromas after some swirling - cinnamon stick, fresh earth, sweet corn and toasted nuts.  It's mouth-coating flavors of vanilla, coconut cream pie, cinnamon, mixed nuts and orchard fruits blend effortless and provide an exceptionally  smooth finish - we mean REALLY smooth!  The mash bill on this is 75% corn,...

  We're going to tell you right up front that everything  we have tasted from Barrell Craft Spirits so far has been delicious.  The Mizunara Oak Cask Finish Series we are tasting today is no exception to our expectations.  It is the color of pure, unrefinded honey and the 100 mL sample bottle proves that good things come in small packages. Barrell Craft Spirits are the leaders in blended whiskeys, producing winner after winner, often using unique mash bills and differing aged whiskey to create something that is definitely palate pleasing.  The mash bill on this bottle is 76% corn, 20% rye and 4% malted barley.  This "Edition 001" release is comprised of the following bourbons:  Indiana - 6, 7 and 9 years old, Tennessee - 8 and 14 years old and 8 year old Kentucky bourbon.  The final blend is then matured further in Mizunara (Japanese Oak) barrels, further adding to the flavors and memorable drinking experience.  Mizunara Oak must be a minimu...

  A Smith Bowman Distillery out of Fredericksburg, Virginian has been turning some heads with their limited edition whiskey offerings.  This is the  Abraham Bowman Limited Oak Series: French Oak Whiskey  that was available through the distillery via lottery due to its exclusive nature.  The distillery has crafted about two dozen special limited release bottles and you quickly understand why these are so popular with whiskey enthusiasts and collectors. Gorgeous saddle brown color, this twelve year aged whiskey is a blend of their best barrels aged in French Oak, with and without char.  Tasted neat, aromas of freshly baked biscuits, vanilla extract, cherry cobbler and chewy caramel dominate the the nose.  This is instantly mouth-watering and equally matched by the beaming flavors of cherry cordial, lightly tanned leather, vanilla cream, spice cabinet and stone fruits.  It covers the tongue and leaves a very long and lovely finish.  We had the ...

On a 1,500 acre farm in Fallon, Nevada comes some of the best whiskey we have tasted to date.  The Frey family has been farming this ground east of the Sierra Nevada mountains for about 170 years, which has resulted in them producing true  grain to glass products.  They maintain complete control over every step in the process and their dedication to the craft results in wonderful products. Colby and Ashley Frey establised Frey Ranch Distillery in 2006, all while still farming the family ground.  They are deliberate about each action they take from the obvious milling, mashing, fermeting (you kow, the "whiskey stuff") to the bottle and stopper design and label colors.  No detail goes unnoticed and no decision is made without the hands on approach of this team. The  Frey Ranch Bottled In Bond Straight Rye Whiskey is comprised of 100% slow-grown winter rye, aged for at least five years and is an absolute rock star in our opinion!  It bothers us that many...

  We were actually introduced to Holladay Distillery through a YouTube video a few months back.  We're always out looking for new bottles to pop and share and this one definitely caught our eye.  The Holladay Soft Red Wheat Bottled-In-Bond from Missouri has been getting great press lately so we wanted to see what all of the hubbub was about. Most folks know in order for a bourbon to be labeled "Bottled-In-Bond" that it must be aged for 4 or more years in a federally bonded warehouse (hence the name), bottled at 100 proof where it was distilled and produced in a single season.  But......  Did you know that in this  particular case, this brown water is aged more than six years?  In addition, Missouri law requires that bourbon must be mashed, fermented, distilled, aged and bottled in Missouri in order for it to have the "Missouri" label on it?  What really impresses us about this is the law was updated in 2020 for all corn to be grown in Missouri a...