Old Fitzgerald Bottled-In-Bond 7-Years

Old Fitzgerald is a historic brand produced by Heaven Hill Distillery, with roots dating back to 1870. In its early years, it was served exclusively in private clubs, as well as aboard steamships and rail lines. We recently came across their 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond release and picked up a bottle right away. For those unfamiliar, “Bottled-in-Bond”…

UPDATE: Rabbit Hole Boxergrail Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

Five years later, we’ve finally polished off our bottle of Rabbit Hole Boxergrail, the replacement for the one I once accidentally dropped. So, would we buy it again, and do we still feel the same way? Let’s take a look, but first, a quick revisit of our original notes. Nose: spices, vanilla and butterscotch Palate:…

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…

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!…

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?…

Jim Beam Bourbon and Ginger Ale

Jim Beam has entered the ready-to-drink cocktail scene, and of course, we had to see what the buzz was about. They’ve rolled out two new flavors: Bourbon & Ginger Ale and Bourbon & Cola. I managed to get my hands on the Bourbon & Ginger Ale—so let’s dive in and see how it stacks up….

Willett Pot Still Reserve

Isn’t this miniature bottle just the cutest? It’s a scaled-down replica of their patented Willett pot still, expertly crafted by Vendome Copper and Brass. I went with the 50ml version — a perfect intro size since I hadn’t tried it before. Let’s dive in! Nose: oak and vanilla Palate: creamy, woody, and vanilla Finish: smooth…

Early Times Kentucky Whisky

Early Times is a whiskey under the Sazerac portfolio, originally crafted in 1860 by John Henry “Jack” Beam. Its name is a tribute to the traditional, old-fashioned methods of whiskey-making. For decades, Early Times held a place of honor as the bourbon used in Mint Juleps at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby—until a change…

Benchmark Bourbon Old No. 8 Brand

At a very reasonable price, I picked up a 100ml bottle of Benchmark Bourbon Old No. 8 Brand—a label proudly produced by the renowned Buffalo Trace Distillery. This bourbon pays tribute to the pioneering spirit of the McAfee brothers—James, George, and Robert—who ventured into what was then uncharted territory, now known as Kentucky. Let’s dive…

Lazy River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

I recently had the chance to sample this Lazy River bourbon that’s distilled and aged in Kentucky, then bottled by Frank-Lin Distillers Products in California. Beyond that, details are scarce—I couldn’t find any information on the mash bill or the aging period. If you’ve got any additional info on this bourbon—whether it’s the mash bill,…