Drink the Bottles

  About an hour west of Chicago sits DeKalb, Illinois, a community of 44,000 people that is made up predominantly of farmers and farm-related industry workers.  You'll find family-owned restaurants, Northern Illinois University and Whiskey Acres Distilling Company.   Fifth generation farmers in Illinois are creating whiskey that are all very unique and as smooth as silk.  We can sum this up in two words…  DAMN GOOD!  These farmers and distillers have created not only some of the best distilled spirits in the Midwest, but also the country.  You’ll find a visitors’ center that is a destination location, and it sits among the fields of grains that they use in their products. This is a tue "seed to spirit" operation and we love everything about this story. Whiskey Acres Bottled in Bond Bourbon Is at least FIVE years old and has a Mash bill of 75% corn, 15% soft red winter wheat, 10% malted barley.  Pale chestnut in color with fresh caramel corn o...

  The cowboys at Brush Creek Distillery are showing off their softer side this Valentine's Day with two unique cocktails for you and your sweetie.  These cocktails are unique, delicious and easy to make! Frontier Kiss Martini 2 ounces Brush Creek Vodka 1 ounce cranberry juice 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice 3/4 ounce raspberry syrup Garnish with a fresh raspberry This cocktail will not only appeal to bourbon lovers, but to those who like to try new drinks.  Brush Creek Distillery of Saratoga, Wyoming created this refreshing drink for all to enjoy! Cowboy Valentine 2 parts Brush Creek Bourbon 6 parts blood orange soda Mix over ice in a highball glass Garnish with an orange peel Once you try these fun and flavorful cocktails, we think they will be on your regular rotation.  Try something new!

  What do you get when you take a top-rated country music superstar, a seasoned businessman and an expert whiskey maker who could rest on his laurels?   It sounds like the start of a funny story that is waiting for a punchline, but it is far from that - very far.  Eric Church (think the incredibly popular song "Springsteen"), businessman and entrepreneur Raj Alva and esteemed whiskey creator Ari Sussman teamed up to create Whiskey JYPSI, a brand that reflects the "gypsy spirit", where everyone has a free-spirited and wild side.   The brand has set out to disrupt industry norms and to explore unique and unusual ways to source and blend their whiskeys.  Today we are looking at two flagship products from the JYPSI label - Tribute and Explorer. Tribute is not only a blend of straight bourbon whiskeys that were finished in secondary oak barrels, but it is also a testimony to the quality and attention of what this company is doing.  Ari Sussman's backgr...

  A historic Kentucky distillery located in Frankfort, KY was once the producing machine of a brand called Kentucky Senator Bourbon.  Like scores of labels and brands throughout the history of distilled spirits, this one fell by the wayside and became only a fond and mysterious memory for most.  But in 2019, Andre Regard and Damon Thayer (who would later become a Kentucky State Senator), did their due diligence and brought the brand back from non-existence. Today, Kentucky Senator Bourbon is alive and well and is receiving praise and attention from the spirits community.  This non-distilling producer (NDP) is bottling bourbon that is between six and fifteen years old and the age statement is clearly displayed (which we love) on each bottle.  Each release is 107 proof and the mash bill is generally comprised of corn (75%), rye (21%) and malted barley (4%).  Every expression is a nod to an actual Kentucky State Senator that includes a history lesson and a QR...

  About two months ago, Heaven HIll Distillery announced an additiont to their limited edition whiskey lineup - Grain to Glass expressions finished in Chinquapin Oak barrels.  The innaugural release offered a Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and a Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey, all with the Beck's 6225 grain backbone.  Chinquapin Oak is a specific type of American white oak, found primarily in Central and Eastern North America.  We have a bottle of the "normal" HH Grain to Glass Bourbon in our home bar and we really enjoy that one, so we were really stoked to taste the three expressions that were generously provided by Heaven Hill back to back. The Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey has a dark brown, almost aged copper appearance and it carries a mash bill of Rye (63%), Corn (24%) and Malt (13%).  The bottle suggests this is a 7 year age stated whiskey by the bottled and released years, but specific dates aren't provided...

Are you looking for an extra special gift for the drink enthusiasts in your life?  Gift-giving can be difficult but we are making it easier for you with our Holiday Gift Guide.  This year, our guide includes whiskey, wine and cigars, including some very hard-to-find (but still available) bottles while they last.  Every listing has a link where you can shop directly with the brand.  Happy Holidays! Hooten Young & Jack Carr Warrior Proof American Whiskey The team at Hooten Young still has some bottles left of this incredible 16 year  limited bottle of whiskey .  Hooten Young is a proud American company that partnered with #1  New York Times  bestselling author, retired Navy SEAL, and creator of  The Terminal List  series, Jack Carr.  Together they produced a whiskey that is the perfect sipper for both friends, veterans and active military members alike.   At 125 proof and a mashbill of Corn (99%) and Barley (1%), this bo...

  To say that we were thrilled to get our hands on another Bardstown Bourbon Company Distillery Reserve bottle would be an understatement.  Historically, these releases have proven to be nothing short of amazing, and this one falls in line with history.  We announced the release of this bottle a couple of weeks ago on our website and the official "go live" sale date was Black Friday - November 28, 2025.   There were an estimated 3,000 total bottles produced for this release and it was available only at the Bardstown Bourbon Company gift shop and the Louisville Tasting Room and limited to one per person.  This release sold out very quickly and excitement from the two previous Distillery Reserve releases helped fuel that fire.  Bardstown left no detail behind on the packaging of this expression.  The outer box and "customs" ticket are themed with the Normandie release, further fueling the desirability of this bottle for whiskey enthusiasts and coll...