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 whisky
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…
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…
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…
The Whistler Irish Whiskey Dark Symphony
Cheers to new beginnings! 2026 is here, and I’m thrilled to start the year with something new to me—a brand I’ve never featured before: The Whistler Irish Whiskey. Although I’ve featured Boann Distillery before, I’ve never reviewed The Whistler until now. For those who may not know, this whiskey is crafted by Boann—a family-owned distillery…
Glenfiddich x Aston Martin F1 16-Year Single Malt
I’ll admit, I’ve never sat through an entire Formula One™ race—but there’s no denying how iconic the sport is. Glenfiddich has teamed up with the Aston Martin Formula One team to craft this special 16-Year expression. Time to buckle up and find out if this bottle takes the checkered flag. Nose: sweetness, toasted oak and…
Crown Royal Chocolate Flavored Whisky
I’ve always been a fan of Crown Royal, and two of my favorite expressions are Northern Harvest Rye and Blackberry. So, when I came across their new chocolate expression, you can imagine I couldn’t resist giving it a try. Let’s dive in! Nose: chocolate and vanilla Palate: sweet, caramel and chocolate, Finish: sweetness with caramel…
Update: Sea Flame Spice Whiskey
Cinnamon has always been my favorite note in whiskey, and this expression delivered it in abundance—an instant favorite. We picked up this gem from Newport Craft Brewing and Distilling Co. in Newport, RI, during the summer, and now that the bottle is gone, it’s time to answer the big question: would I repurchase? Before that, let’s revisit…
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