At first glance, you’ll wonder, did a new distillery open on Isle of Skye? Currently, Talisker and Torabhaig are the only two distilleries to inhabit the island. This brand doesn’t trace back to either of them. It’s a brand put out by Ian Macleod distillers, which is one of Scotland’s independent bottlers. So no, not…
Category: blended whiskey
Buchanan’s Pineapple
Now this is a brand I walked by a million times and never even thought to even try. It wasn’t until recently that we got a chance to sample and well, I have thoughts. Buchanan’s is a blended Scotch that was launched in 1884 by James Buchanan. The idea was to create a smooth blend…
Dark Arts Amburana Oak Stave Finished, Small Batch Rye
Dark Arts Whiskey House is a brand I was recently introduced to. They take sourced whiskey, blend it, rebarrel it and finish it in Lexington, Kentucky. To them, whiskey blending isn’t just science but rather a form of art. Dark Arts’ goal is to take that art to a whole new level. I had the…
Johnnie Walker High Rye
Alright, when this first came out, I rolled my eyes because honestly, there are way too many ryes out there that are simply, how should I put it… crap! How does this one rate? Well, keep reading. This whisky is composed of 60% rye aged whisky matured in American oak barrels and includes whiskies from…
Keeper’s Heart Irish + Bourbon Whiskey Cask Strength
I’m a huge fan of this brand. Their whiskey was one of my top whiskies of 2022, so I was very excited to sample their cask strength recently at a tasting event, but is it as good? Keep reading and find out. Nose: vanilla and oakPalate: earthy, vanilla and pepperFinish: spices and herbsCost: $50 (msrp)ABV:…
Chivas Regal XV
OK, so being truthful, I personally don’t think I’ve ever had a bad Chivas whisky. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying they’re all extraordinary, but so far none have been terrible. This includes Chivas XV. XV is finished in French oak casks, while a portion is further aged in Cognac casks. Nose: honey, cinnamon,…
Dewar’s Cask Finish Collection Aged 8 Years: Japanese Smooth, French Cask Smooth, and Caribbean Smooth
OK, if you follow me, you already know I’m not a huge fan of Dewar’s. However, I’m still going to continue and try their brand to see if one day, I eventually like one of their expressions. Here we have a three pack. Each bottle in this discovery set is 375 ml and I purchased…
Penelope Architect
Here’s an example where American whiskey meets French Oak and it’s simply done right. Penelope Architect is a collaboration with Tonnellerie Radoux of France, the market leader in oak barrel manufacturing and innovation. Architect combines three of their bourbon mash bills composed of corn, rye, wheat, and malted barley and finishes off in two different…
2022 Holiday Gift Guide: Bourbon and Whisky
It’s that time of year again! Here’s my 2022 gift guide to help you buy a delicious gift for someone or for yourself. This year’s list is composed of options all under $100. It’s a short list but all options are easy to find, and they are affordable. Note: If you aren’t familiar with my…
Douglas XO Premium Blended Scotch Whisky
I’ve never heard of this brand till I saw it in mini form. This is a blended scotch from an independent bottler. Although I was not expecting much, I was pleasantly surprised that I like it and think it’s better than some of the more expensive bottles on my shelf. Nose: spices, vanilla, sweetness, and…
Irish Whiskey and Cocktails in a Can
OK, we’ve seen plenty of cocktails in a can but whiskey in a can? Are these any good? Let’s find out, my thoughts below. The Cocktails Post Meridiem Double Old Fashioned $3.99 (Straight Bourbon Whiskey, blend of three bitters, Demerara syrup and orange zest oil): This is at 37% ABV and at 100ml it serves…
Keeper’s Heart Irish + America
What exactly makes renowned Irish Master Distiller Brian Nation leave Ireland for Minnesota? I’ll give you a hint, it wasn’t the weather. Monday I had the chance to spend an evening with Nation and co-founder of Keeper’s Heart Michael O’Shaughnessy. Keeper’s Heart has launched their Irish + American whiskey and they have done so with…
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