True whisky lovers never miss an opportunity to take part in a whisky tasting. Many distilleries offer tastings with or without a guided tour of the sacred distilling facilities and warehouses. But selected retailers have also discovered the world of whisky and offer regular tastings. But you can also invite friends and acquaintances to your …
By Randall H. Borkus Rating: A- The Michter’s team has been making quality whiskey since the 1990s, but the 2015 inaugural release of Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye was the start of something special. The rye distillate enters the barrel at 103 proof, an expensive choice for aging, yet one that leads to a richer, complex, …
Today Woodford Reserve has released a new limited-edition bottle as part of its Distillery Series: Tawny Port Finish. In creating a partly cask finished hybrid whiskey, Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall has combined a rye and bourbon blend with bourbon finished in Tawny Port barrels, which accentuates the fruit character in the whiskey. This is then …
New Riff Distilling has announced the dual release of First Decade Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and First Decade Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, the distillery’s first 10-year-old whiskeys. Both bottled without chill filtration at 120.5 proof, the 10-year-old whiskeys were selected for their extraordinary depth and character — a reflection of the Northern Kentucky distillery’s technique …
The Glen Grant Distillery, nestled in the heart of Speyside, has released the latest and final installment in its Glasshouse Collection, which include the oldest single malts of the brand’s regular line. The Glen Grant 21-Year-Old is joined by The Glen Grant 25-Year-Old and 30-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whiskies to form a trio of old …
By Richard Thomas Rating: C The Benchmark brand was created in the late 1960s by the Seagram Company, the Canadian drinks giant of the mid-to-late 20th Century. From the start, it was envisioned as a premium bourbon. The slogan attached to it was to “Measure your bourbon against it.” Initially and for a long time …
Proper Twelve Irish Whiskey is going up by a pretty big notch with the launch of its first-ever limited-edition release: Proper No. Twelve 13-Year-Old Single Malt. Sourced from Bushmills, this small batch expression is bottled at 86 proof. As an Irish single malt, the whiskey is made from 100% malted barley and matured American Oak …
Blue Run Spirits is releasing the third collection of the Blue Run Flight Series, a collection of “micro batch” whiskeys that showcase contrasting bourbon and rye types. Crafted by Coors Spirits Co. (Blue Run’s parent company) Head of Whiskey Development and Innovation, Shaylyn Gammon, the six micro-batch whiskey expressions that make up each “Flight” utilize …
By Richard Thomas Jim Beam has announced a new branch for its private barrel program in the Knob Creek line, Knob Creek Single Barrel Select Cask Strength, to be available for both bourbon and rye. The private barrel/single barrel experience includes a visit to the James B. Beam Distilling Co. in Clermont, KY, where participants …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B Jack and Coke is the classic whiskey mixer. In fact, insofar as mixers go I believe the only rival for spirits generally is the Cuba Libre, or rum and Coke. Yet unlike the latter, Jack and Coke are very specific. It’s not bourbon and Coke or Tennessee Whiskey and Coke, …
