When people talk about great spirits, Ireland almost always finds its place in the conversation. Irish whiskey holds a special charm, mixing history, tradition, and craftsmanship in every bottle. But what exactly makes it so respected, and what is an Irish whiskey compared to others? From aging rules to unique production methods, this spirit continues …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B- The new First West line from 15 Stars has three bourbons, with the Toasted Oak Finish positioned as the middle expression, between the normal bourbon (the Small Batch) and the “extra aged” eight year old. The company started in a well-tested fashion, releasing older whiskeys sourced through Kentucky, Tennessee and …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ When I am offered the chance to write up a book published by my alma mater, the University of Kentucky, I’m always happy to oblige, which is how Classic Cocktail Revival found its way to my mailbox. Penned by Jennifer Brian, it positions itself as a work that instructs a novice on …
Von Payne Spirits, a brand with a penchant for gothic label styling and gargoyle-adorned bottles, has acquired the historic Whiteside’s Bakery Company building at 1400 West Broadway in Louisville’s West End. This 60,000-square-foot Mission Revival-style landmark was designed by prominent architect Arthur Loomis, and erected in 1908 as Bond Bread. It was once hailed as …
Earlier this week, Woodford Reserve unveiled its 2025 Master’s Collection release: Sweet Oak Bourbon. That title refers to its aging in Chinkapin oak barrels. Sweet Oak Bourbon also marks the 21st release in Woodford Reserve’s Master’s Collection. Chinkapin is a cousin of the conventional white oak species used to make bourbon barrels. Just as white …
Heaven Hill has announced the release of the 2025 installment of their Grain To Glass series, which focuses of the farms from which the grain is grown. This year’s whiskey is a wheated bourbon, featuring a mashbill with a higher secondary (flavoring) grain content than Heaven Hill’s traditional Wheated Bourbon mashbill, used in products like …
By Richard Thomas Rating: A Minneapolis’s O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company has shipped it’s oldest offering yet through its Keeper’s Heart brand: a 32 year old Irish single malt. That is much older than the previous release from Keeper’s Heart of this type, last year’s 21 year old. O’Shaughnessy is the distillery that acquired the services of …
First introduced in 2016 and paused since 2019, the Jos. A. Magnus Private Cask Program allows participants to select their own barrel onsite at the distillery in Holland, Michigan, with a limited number of virtual selections available. Each purchase includes the original Seguin Moreau barrel, adding a tangible piece of bourbon-making history to the ownership …
Shelbyville, Kentucky’s Jeptha Creed Distillery is hosting its third installment of its Fall Harvest Festival, set for Saturday, October 4, 2025. This year’s festival will feature a live performance from local CreatiVets artists, Joel Shewmake, Martin McDaniel, and Brooks Herring, on the scenic Jeptha Creed Distillery lawn. In addition to music, guests can enjoy a …
As a healthcare worker pulling long hours during the Pandemic, Zane Brammell was looking for release and distraction, and he discovered bourbon. Not just collecting bottles, but joining the community of enthusiasts that shared his passion. Zane would start a single-barrel club, selecting exclusive barrels to share with members. Two years later, he expanded his …
