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…
Category: American Whiskey
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…
Bondstone Double Oak and Toasted Barrel Whiskey
Bondstone is a brand I’ve just discovered, and it’s from a relatively new distillery. IJW Distillery sources barrels and blends them into unique expressions—and I’m here for it! I’m obsessed with mini bottles, so when I spotted both the Double Oak and Toasted Barrel, you know I had to grab them. Let’s check them out!…
Penelope Cocktails: Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned
Last year, I raved about Penelope Cocktails’ Black Walnut Old Fashioned (seriously, it was a treat). If you missed it, check out my review on Instagram or the blog—link in bio. But now the real question: does today’s contender steal the spotlight? Let’s find out! This Old Fashioned brings together straight bourbon and rye whiskey,…
Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series: P.X. Sherry Edition 001
Barrell Craft Spirits (BCS) is a brand we don’t often explore, so sampling this expression during a recent visit with friends was an exciting opportunity. This marks only our second experience with BCS. For those unfamiliar, P.X. refers to Pedro Ximénez—a type of sherry cask renowned for its rich, sweet character. For this release, BCS…
Laird’s Blended AppleJack
Christmas week is finally here! Every year, as November fades into December, we head to Cape Cod for our annual Friendsgiving—a tradition filled with laughter, great food,and even better drinks. This year, our friends surprised us with some incredible cocktails, and one bottle stood out: Laird’s Blended Applejack. I had never heard of this brand…
Penelope Cocktails: Black Walnut Old Fashioned
Did you know Penelope Bourbon now offers ready-made cocktails? If you didn’t, well, I didn’t either—until recently! They currently offer three varieties, and I’ve managed to get two: the Black Walnut Old Fashioned and the Apple Cinnamon Old Fashioned. In this post, I’ll focus on the Black Walnut Old Fashioned. Stay tuned for a review…
Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
I’ve mentioned before that rye isn’t typically my preference. However, while attending a friend’s event recently, we came across this bottle and decided it would make a thoughtful gift. To our surprise, they opened it immediately and shared a toast with us, giving us the chance to sample it. Curious about how it measured up?…
LOCAL TO NEW ENGLAND: Tamworth Distilling & Mercantile
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and if your plans take you to New Hampshire, let me tell you about Tamworth Distilling in the charming town of Tamworth, NH. I recently had the chance to visit with friends, it was just a little over two hours from Boston, and this place offers a unique experience….
Jimmy Red Classic Straight Bourbon Whiskey
So, a couple of days ago I tried a whiskey I’d never had before. Honestly, I was thinking, ‘Yeah, this probably isn’t going to be my thing.’ But let’s not jump to conclusions yet—I’ll save my verdict for later. First, let’s talk about the brand behind the bottle. This whiskey comes from High Wire Distilling…
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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