With the return of cooler weather, we finally polished off our bottle of Ardbeg Anthology 13 Year: The Harpy’s Tale—over a year after cracking it open. Would I buy it again? Read on for my thoughts, but first, let’s revisit the tasting notes. Nose: salt, peat and sweetnessPalate: smoke, woody, balsamic and light sweetnessFinish: smoke…
Category: Review
Ellington Reserve Apple Flavored Whiskey
Apple picking season is here, and this Ellington Reserve Apple Flavored Whiskey caught my eye. Let’s see if it’s ripe for the sipping. Although this whiskey is marketed as Canadian, it’s actually produced by United States Distilled Products Co. in Princeton, Minnesota. From what I could find, it’s likely a blend sourced from Canada. If…
Update: Watertown Coconut Whiskey
While summer hasn’t officially said goodbye, fall is already making its presence known—school is back in session, September is a weekend away and the air is turning crisp. As we ease into the new season, I wanted to take a moment to share an update and reflect on the one whiskey I kept coming back…
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…
Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry
If you’ve been following me, you know I reviewed Crown Royal Blackberry last year. So, when Jack Daniel’s dropped their Tennessee Blackberry, you already knew I had to give it a try. What really won me over was the fact that they offered it in a mini size—perfect for sampling without committing to a full…
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…
Dough Ball Whiskey – Cookie Dough and Birthday Cake
Whiskey doesn’t always have to be serious. If you’re in the mood for something playful and sweet, you’re in for a treat. The moment I spotted these mini bottles, I couldn’t resist adding them to my cart—though I only grabbed the 50ml versions, since sweet drinks aren’t usually my thing and these practically shout dessert….
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,…
Still Austin “The Musician” Straight Bourbon Whiskey
The Musician was my introduction to the Still Austin brand—a craft distillery based in Austin, Texas, that began distilling in 2017. Founded by father-and-son duo Cleveland and Chris Seals, Still Austin is a grain-to-glass operation: they mill, mash, distill, barrel, and age everything on-site at their distillery. Their grains are thoughtfully sourced from farms across…
Shanky’s Whip Irish Whiskey (Black Liqueur and Whiskey Blend)
When I first laid eyes on this bottle, my immediate reaction was: what in the world is this? Is it a liqueur? A whiskey? Somehow both? Honestly, I’m still not entirely sure—but I can tell you this: the taste was nothing like I expected. Shanky’s Whip is an Irish brand crafted in Cavan, Ireland. It…
Crown Royal Whisky Lemonade
Crown Royal has been in the ready-to-drink cocktail game for a while, but I recently discovered their Whisky Lemonade—and naturally, I had to give it a try to see if it could be my go-to refreshment on those hot summer days. The pack I picked up included four flavors: Peach, Lemon, Mango, and Blackberry. It…