Not too long ago, I had the chance to sample a lineup from Taconic Distillery, established in 2014 in the Hudson Valley of New York. The tasting included their Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Straight Bourbon Whiskey barreled with New York maple syrup, Straight Rye Whiskey, and one additional expression that I’ll be covering in a separate…
Category: Affordable Whiskey
Sazerac Rye Straight Rye Whiskey
Those who know me know that rye whiskeys tend to be either a complete win or a clear miss, there’s rarely an in-between. Today, though, I want to highlight a rye that firmly lands in the win column: New Orleans’ own Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey. It’s a bottle we’ve owned, finished (as you can see…
On The Rocks: Whiskey Sour
When the weather heats up, drinking whiskey on its own can feel a bit heavy. In cocktail form, however, it makes a lot more sense—particularly when convenience is part of the equation. On The Rocks partnered with Jim Beam to bottle a ready-to-drink Whiskey Sour designed to be poured straight over ice. The question remains:…
UPDATE: Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream
We’ve finally finished our bottle of Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream—but was it worth it? Would we buy it again? Keep reading to find out. First, let’s recap the tasting notes. Nose: vanilla, spices and sweetness Palate: creamy vanilla Finish: vanilla and spice Cost: $25 ABV: 15% In my initial review, I described this as melted…
Mary Dowling Whiskey
When I first discovered this whiskey range, I was struck by the incredible story of Mary Dowling—a formidable figure in the whiskey industry. After she and her adult children were charged with violating the Dry Laws, she boldly moved her production to Mexico, becoming the only distiller to do so during Prohibition to keep her…
Tullibardine Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Last night, I spent an incredible evening sampling Tullibardine expressions at Rozafa Mediterranean Restaurant in Quincy, MA graciously hosted by Prestige Beverage Group and Terroir Distillers. Before we talk whisky, let’s talk food—because it deserves the spotlight. Owner and chef Marlon Vila brings fresh ingredients and a true scratch-cooking philosophy to the table, with dishes…
Old Emmer Finest Wheat and Cask Strength Bourbon
Old Emmer is a private‑label whiskey you’ll mostly find at Total Wine. It comes out of Kentucky, and there’s some chatter that it might be produced at Buffalo Trace. It uses an ancient Emmer wheat strain in its high‑wheat mash bill—something you don’t come across every day. During my visit to Total Wine, I spotted…
Keeper’s Heart Old Fashioned
Keeper’s Heart Whiskey is a brand that boasts impressive Irish credentials: its distiller is the renowned Irish Master Distiller Brian Nation, formerly of Jameson, Midleton Very Rare, the Spot lineup, and Powers. As a longtime fan of this brand, the moment I discovered they’d launched a ready‑to‑serve Old Fashioned, I didn’t hesitate—I had to try…
New England Barrel Company Small Batch Bourbon
For months, my husband kept suggesting we try New England Barrel Company because it’s local. I agreed every time, yet somehow, we never picked up a bottle — until now. Curious if his pick was worth it? Keep reading. First, a bit about the brand. New England Barrel Company was founded in 2020 by independent…
UPDATE: West Cork Barrel Proof
With St. Patrick’s Day behind us, I wanted to share an update on the West Coast Barrel Proof we picked up in 2022 and have finally polished off. Now that we’ve finished the bottle, we can give it an honest review of how it aged over time and whether it’s one we’d buy again. Time…
McConnell’s 5 Year Irish Whiskey
Today, we’re taking a quick look at another Irish whiskey as we count down to St. Patrick’s Day. John and James McConnell established their distillery and brewery in 1899, following the passing of their father, Hugh McConnell. Today, the distillery operates out of North Belfast. For this review, I picked up a 50ml bottle of…
Buchanan’s Deluxe 12-Year Blended Scotch Whisky
I’ve strolled past this expression at the liquor store countless times without giving it a chance. But when I noticed it in a mini last month, I figured it was the perfect opportunity to finally try it—especially since I’m a fan of their Pineapple expression. Time to find out whether skipping it all this time…
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