Redwood Empire Emerald Giant Rye Whiskey

Redwood Empire is a Sonoma County, CA, Distillery. This bottle is named after the fastest growing Redwood Tree, the Emerald Giant. For every bottle sold they plant a tree. That’s amazing for the environment but is this juice any good? Truth be told, when I heard about them my first thought was, UGH, another distillery…

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…

Redemption Rye

This bottle was given to me as a birthday gift (thank you, Rich, and Aurora). To me, this rye whiskey is OK. It has a mash bill of 95% premium rye and 5% barley. It’s matured in new charred oak barrels. Nose: rye, sweet, vanillaPalate: black pepper, spices, and ryeFinish: oak and ryeABV: 46% I…

West Cork – Barrel Proof

St. Patrick’s Day is now only three days away and West Cork is one of my favorite affordable Irish Whiskey brands. You can’t beat the taste, price, and quality. This barrel proof was no exception if you can handle a strong whiskey. Nose: fruit, malt, and sweetnessPalate: malt, oranges, and fruitFinish: fruity and sweet with…

James E. Pepper 1776 Straight Rye Whiskey

OK, I had never heard of this whiskey till our friends brought it out while we were visiting them in VA. It’s a Kentucky whiskey first established in 1780 but it’s a brand that was relaunched in 2012. This 100% proof (50% abv) whiskey is 95% rye and 5% malted barley. It is aged 3-4…

Father’s Day 2021 Whiskey Gift Guide

And just like that we are little over two weeks away till Father’s Day and I am sure you are wondering where the heck has time gone. If you don’t have a gift yet and have a whiskey loving dad, I am here to help. I am approaching this year’s gift guide, frugally. So, all…

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye Barrel Proof

Now here’s a rye bourbon that is affordable, tastes great and doesn’t disappoint. Rare Breed Rye is bottled at 56.1% abv. It has a msrp of $60 and we purchased our bottle at $55.99. Nose: caramel, vanilla and toffee  Palate: vanilla, cinnamon, pepper and light honey sweetness  Finish: smooth, wood and sweetness Personally I really…

Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

My introduction to Eagle Rare was with their 17 yr which was exceptional but, let me tell, amazingly enough this one didn’t fall too far behind. This expression is aged for 10 years and has an abv of 45% Nose: oak, leather, honey and toffee Palate: oak, nuttiness, light sweetness Finish: spices, oak and sweetness…

Amador Whiskey Co. Double Barrel

This past Christmas my fiancé gave me the gift of Flaviar. He got me a year’s membership and the Amador Whiskey Co. Double Barrel was the bottle I chose for my first quarterly selection along with Japanese whisky samples. Amador Whiskey Co. is located in California and they partner with distillers to created limited edition…

Kilbeggan Single Grain

Here’s a single grain whiskey made with two grains, 94% corn and 6% malted barley. Confused? Me too. False Advertising? It happens! Don’t worry, here’s what I learned today when reading about this particular whiskey on the Kilbeggan website. “The notion that ‘single grain’ describes a whiskey made with just one grain is a common…