By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ Oban is one of those rare distilleries in Scotland that predates the 1823 Excise Act. That law made it much more feasible to operate a legal distillery, paving the way for the Scotch industry we know today. Founded in 1794, Oban saw the many common twists and turns common to …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B- When Sazerac chose to build up the Benchmark line, it really put its back in and did it in one big push, releasing a five-expression brand extension all at once in 2020. Benchmark Bonded was part of that major expansion. The Benchmarks are all Buffalo Trace bourbon mash bill #1 …
By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ It all started in 2010 with inserting some French Oak staves into existing barrels of maturing bourbon to create Maker’s 46, but since then Maker’s Mark has taken the stave insert concept to its limits. The Loretto distillery erected the world’s only bourbon-aging cellar to further the production process for …
I’d like to thank Heaven Hill for providing this sample with no strings attached.
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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 …
I’d like to thank Jefferson’s Bourbon and their PR partners for sending this sample with no strings attached.
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This sample was provided by the producer with no strings attached.
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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 …
