A Smoky, Oaky Cigar Blend That Actually Makes Sense Some whiskey labels make a big promise. Cigar Blend is one of them. It sounds rich. It sounds bold. It sounds like leather chairs, a slow evening, and a glass heavy enough to make a point. But as we covered in our Whiskey Nerd Guide to…
Maple Without the Pancake Problem Maple-finished bourbon can go wrong fast. Too much sweetness and suddenly the glass starts feeling less like bourbon and more like breakfast syrup with a proof point. That is not what we want. Thankfully, 13th Colony Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished With Maple Wood Spirals takes a different road. This is…
At 110 proof, this Kentucky-produced rye from Heaven Hill Distillery delivers exactly what many rye fans are looking for: bold flavor, real spice, warmth, and enough sweetness to keep you coming back for another pour. And after tasting it neat, this one absolutely earns its reputation. The History Behind Pikesville Rye One of the most…
A 7-Year Blue Corn Bourbon With Sweetness, Rye Structure, and a Smooth Kentucky Finish Some bourbons get your attention before the first pour because of the label. Others do it because of the proof, the age statement, or the distillery story. This one gets your attention because of the grain. Bluegrass Distillery Kentucky Straight Bourbon…
A High-Rye Pour with Nashville History and Indiana Backbone Belle Meade Reserve is interesting before the cork ever comes out of the bottle. The label on this bottle says 108.3 proof and states that it was distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana for Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery. That matters because Belle Meade Reserve sits squarely in the…
Smooth Virginia Bourbon With Revolutionary Roots Bowman Brothers Pioneer Spirit is not a loud pour. It is not a proof monster. It is not chasing the deepest oak, the boldest spice, or the biggest finish in the room. What it offers instead is something much quieter: a smooth, mild, approachable Virginia bourbon with real historical…
Memphis History, Big Spice, and a Pour That Made Us Think Some bottles come with a story before you ever pull the cork. Old Dominick is one of those names. The brand has deep Memphis roots, going back to Domenico Canale and the original Old Dominick whiskey of the 1800s. Today, the revived Old Dominick…
Beautiful Bottle, Easy Pour, But We Expected More Some bottles get your attention before the cork ever comes out. Pendleton 1910 Bourbon is one of those bottles. The packaging is sharp, the Western character is strong, and the story has just enough intrigue to make you want to spend some time with it. A 10-year…
A High-Proof Rye That Does Not Come Out Swinging Some ryes announce themselves with a sharp elbow. This one takes a different route. 13th Colony Distilleries out of Americus, Georgia has built a strong reputation around South Georgia aging, bold proof points, and a willingness to experiment with wood finishing. Their 113 Rye Whiskey Finished…
Big Proof, Young Whiskey, and a Pour That Needs More Time Some bourbons are young and exciting. Some are young and promising. And some are young in a way you can smell before you even take the first sip. Boone’s “Homegrown” Bourbon falls into that last category. This is a 117-proof, cask-strength bourbon associated with…
