We continue The Whiskey Reviewer‘s tradition of offering the staff’s Top Picks for the previous year, announced every year in early January. This is our informal version of an awards show in print, with an infamous on informal. We do not convene a panel, because that is too much of a bother! Instead, each member …
By Richard Thomas Having spent a good deal of time asking people with what bottle they were first introduced to whiskey, I have only heard a rye whiskey mentioned once. Various bourbons, Scotch and Irish whiskies have been cited dozens upon dozens of times, and even Canadian whiskies appear in the recollections of Boomers, but …
By Richard Thomas Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye was the expression that prompted our Deputy Editor to coin the phrase “stronger whiskey is better whiskey.” The caveat there is that Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye is just strong enough. What makes it such an enjoyable cask strength whiskey is the distillery’s entry proof of 103. That is …
By Richard Thomas Listing the mass market, budget Irish whiskeys you might want to pick up for St. Patrick’s Day sipping is largely unnecessary. While I could draw up a list with Kilbeggan, Jameson, Powers, Paddy, Slane, Tullamore Dew and other brands on it, I believe it would be more valuable for the reader if …
By Richard Thomas St. Patrick’s Day has grown from being the feast day commemorating the death of Ireland’s patron saint into an international (often unofficial) holiday celebrating all things Irish. There is no better time to expand your knowledge of the surging Irish Whiskey scene and get acquainted with some new expressions. I’ve drawn up …
At The Whiskey Reviewer, we have a more informal way of dealing with the question of annual awards. Instead of handing out medals or drawing up a conglomerated list, every member of the team who wishes to opine on the subject keeps her or his own voice, naming their personal choice in three categories. Best …
By Richard Thomas Usually it’s Christmas or birthdays that prompt splurging, but when it comes to splurging on whiskey, I think St. Patrick’s Day is as good an excuse as any to pick up a very fine bottle of Irish Whiskey. After all, if you’re self-employed or run your own business (as I do) and …
Here at The Whiskey Reviewer, we have never convened an annual rewards panel. Instead of handing out medals or drawing up a conglomerated list, every member of the team keeps her or his own voice, naming their personal choice in three categories. Best New Whiskey Best Whiskey To Pass My Lips (the absolute best, new …
By Richard Thomas When I revisited my round-up of budget rye whiskeys from 2016 in late November, I found–much to my surprise–that it was still pretty solid, despite being seven years old. Despite time, changes in the whiskey market and the recent ravages of inflation, only Bulleit Rye isn’t still hovering near the $30 price …
By Richard Thomas Although some magazines and websites revisit the subject of best whiskeys annually, I prefer to wait at least five years before tackling the subject again, at least under my own banner. It’s been almost five years for this particular round-up, so I am jumping the gun a little bit, but I have …
