By Richard Thomas Rating: B At this juncture, I think its necessary to underline the expansion of the Old Fitzgerald brand. When Heaven Hill reintroduced the brand to enthusiasts several years ago, it was revamped as a bi-annual, bottled in bond expression of their wheated bourbon stock. Moreover, Old Fitz Bonded routinely clocked in at …
Updated June 23, 2025 By Randall H. Borkus Average 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 …
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 …
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, …
By Richard Thomas Rating: A- Two weeks ago, Maker’s Mark launched its latest whisky, and in so doing made a major departure from the way things are done down in Loretto, Kentucky. That is because the newest bottle from Maker’s Mark is a new brand representing two brand new distillates in a (for them) a …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ Earlier this week, Kentucky bourbon saw a new brand emerge, and this in a time where much of the industry talk is about faltering sales and ruinous Trump tariffs. Once sometimes does not get to choose when their plans come to fruition, however, and this spring was when Avalon Spirits …
By Douglas Fraser Rating: A- Lindores Abbey is known in Scotland as being the birthplace of Scotch Whisky. The actual abbey site hosts the oldest evidence for distilling in Scotland, supported by both archaeological evidence abbey documents. These include a written order for a Friar named John Cor to make “acqua vitae” for King James …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B The final member of Kanosuke’s current trio of whiskies is their Hioki Pot Still Whisky. The Hioki distillery was previously covered in our review of Kanosuke Double Distillery Whisky. Hioki used primarily to make shochu, a Japanese spirit that is similar to vodka in that it can be made with …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B Next Century Spirits was founded by Scott Bolin and Joel Pawlak, and the company opened their distillery in Raleigh, North Carolina in 2018. Their website makes it clear that they have positioned themselves as a contract distiller, but the company also has its in-house brands relying on a mix of …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ I first became acquainted with Cedar Ridge Malted Rye back in 2017, following a visit to the Iowa winery and distillery. That expression was the basis for what is their current Straight Rye. This is a 51% malted rye, 34% normal rye mash, with 12% corn and 3% malted barley …
