Penelope Cocktails: Blackberry Old Fashioned

Penelope has dropped another ready-to-pour cocktail, and with this heat wave, and my ongoing mission to try as many ready-made cocktails as possible, you know I had to give it a shot. Let’s crack it open and see if it’s worth adding to your cart. This Old Fashioned is made with a blend of straight…

Benriach 12: The Smoky Twelve

Benriach is another brand I haven’t featured much on the blog, so I figured we’d get better acquainted, starting with their Smoky Twelve. Founded in 1898 by John Duff, the Speyside distillery got off to a rough start, falling victim to the Pattison Crash just a couple of years later and closing its doors in…

Howler Head Bourbon

I’m a sucker for eye-catching bottles, and the bottle for Howler Head Bourbon is exactly that. Although the 750ml bottle is quite affordable, I was happy to see they had a 50ml available because I wasn’t exactly sure I’d enjoy a banana-flavored bourbon, regardless of the price. This Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is aged in…

Craigellachie 13 Years

Craigellachie is a distillery I don’t believe I’ve featured on the blog before, so it’s about time I changed that. Located in the heart of Speyside, between the whisky towns of Rothes and Dufftown in Banffshire. Its name is Gaelic and roughly translates to “rocky hill.” What helps Craigellachie stand apart from many distilleries? They…

Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon Whiskey

I’ve always been a big fan of Wild Turkey Rare Breed. In fact, until this weekend, it was the only Wild Turkey bourbon I’d ever tasted. After finally getting my hands on a mini bottle of Wild Turkey 101, I was eager to see how it stacked up. Here are my thoughts. Nose: vanilla, cinnamon…

Watchpost Whiskey

Yesterday I attended a launch party for Watchpost Whiskey at The Citizen in Boston. As many of you know, Citizen has been one of our go-to spots for trying new whiskey since it opened back in 2010 so, if you’re a whiskey lover in Boston and haven’t been yet, it’s worth a visit. Watchpost is…

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:…

Taconic Bourbon Cream

More whiskey brands are stepping into the Bourbon Cream space, and I’m all for it. The latest one I had the chance to try was Taconic Bourbon Cream. I recently shared my thoughts on their Double Barrel Maple Bourbon, which I really enjoyed, and this bottle proved to be just as impressive. Let’s dive in….

Sazerac Rye Straight Rye Whiskey

Those who know me know that rye whiskeys tend to be either a complete win or a clear miss, there’s rarely an in-between. Today, though, I want to highlight a rye that firmly lands in the win column: New Orleans’ own Sazerac Straight Rye Whiskey. It’s a bottle we’ve owned, finished (as you can see…

On The Rocks: Whiskey Sour

When the weather heats up, drinking whiskey on its own can feel a bit heavy. In cocktail form, however, it makes a lot more sense—particularly when convenience is part of the equation. On The Rocks partnered with Jim Beam to bottle a ready-to-drink Whiskey Sour designed to be poured straight over ice. The question remains:…

UPDATE: Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream

We’ve finally finished our bottle of Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream—but was it worth it? Would we buy it again? Keep reading to find out. First, let’s recap the tasting notes. Nose: vanilla, spices and sweetness Palate: creamy vanilla Finish: vanilla and spice Cost: $25 ABV: 15% In my initial review, I described this as melted…

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…