Drink the Bottles

  Bardstown Bourbon Company Pursues Tropical Character with Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish Whiskey The Kentucky-exclusive release was inspired by one of rum’s most distinctive maturation traditions BARDSTOWN, Ky. (July 21, 2026) — Of the hundreds of flavor compounds found in American Whiskey, few are more elusive than genuine tropical fruit. Bardstown Bourbon Company set out to explore whether those flavors could be achieved through patience, process, and barrel influence rather than shortcuts in its new Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish Whiskey.   Exclusive to Kentucky, Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish is a marriage of mature bourbon and rye that pushes beyond traditional finishing techniques, creating a whiskey that is both delightfully unexpected and unmistakably authentic. “The goal was never to make whiskey taste like pineapple,” said Dan Callaway, Master Blender, Lofted Spirits. “The goal was to understand what made these barrels so special in the first place. We foll...

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 ...

Attention all hazmat enthusiasts - check this out!   This is the brand new release from Barrell Craft Spirits - the Triple Rum Cask Finished Whiskey - and it is an absolute banger!  When we were offered a sample of this new release, we couldn't wait to get our hands (lips?) on this one.  For those who may not be familiar, any spirits with a proof of 140-plus is commonly referrred to lovingly as a "hazmat" bottle.  Some of these can burn your face off, but this one?  Well, this one doesn't drink like a 70%-plus ABV bottle and it is just stunning!  The picture above is for reference only. The 100mL sample bottle is what we tasted this from - neat from a Glencairn, of course.  A little back story on this uniquely-blended whiskey tells us that it was distilled and sourced from Indiana, Tennessee and Canada.  The Canadian blend likely provides the lighter color than what you would see if this was a straight USA sourced product.  Some of the ...

  There's no doubt that we love trying new spirits.  But, lets face it, after awhile when you taste bottle after bottle, sometimes the true expression and spirit of the liquid can get lost in translation.  On the other hand, when soething like this bottle shows up at mail call, you immeditely take notice and can't wait to share it with every bourbon enthusiast you know.  And that's just what we did! This is  Penelope Havana Straight Bourbon Finished Whiskey (Batch 1), a 4 year bourbon finished for twelve months in Caribbean rum casks and then an additional finishing of one month in farm-sourced maple syrup barrels.  The outcome?  Deliciousness to the extreme!  The mash bill is 74% Corn, 7% Rye, 16% Wheat and 3% Malted Barley, creating a viscous golden-brown liquid that has aromas leaping from the glass.  Homemade oatmeal banana cookies, maple candy, and fresh-baked Amish friendship bread on the nose at first whiff.  This bottle takes yo...

  We don't get a lot of opportunities to taste rum, but we are so glad we had this chance.  Dread River Distilling Co out of Birmingham, Alabama has been distilling bourbon, rum, vodka, gin and other fine spirits since 2019.  During the Covid pandemic they were also pumping out hand sanitizer.  What started as a dream to create a small craft whiskey distillery has turned into a thriving and impressive destination location that not only produces whiskey but has so much more to offer.  Dread River now has a full-service kitchen, bar, gift shop, even facility....and some damned fine rum! The  Dread River Blackstrap Rum is starts with brown sugar and molasses, which is important to know when tasting this one.  In lieu of sugar cane, the brown sugar plays an important part in the color, aromas and flavors of this unique liquor.  If you pop this open and are thinking you're going to get something similar to a Captain Morgan plonk, you're in for surpris...