Reviews

“Write your story as it needs to be written. Write it honestly, and tell it as best you can. I’m not sure that there are any other rules. Not ones that matter.” –Neil Gaiman What were you up to in 2003? You might have found yourself curating the perfect iTunes mix, furiously tapping away at a flip phone, drafting a T9 text to your friend, or enwrapped in an argument over if Clay Aiken should have won American Idol over Ruben Studdard. Regardless of what you were doing, the fi

Barrell Bourbon Batch 038 arrives at a fitting moment in American whiskey. As the nation marks its 250th year, Barrell celebrates the occasion by honoring bourbon's legacy and embracing the evolution of American whiskey. Today's bourbon certainly extends well beyond its point of distillation, with thoughtful blending emerging as a respected and defining expression of American whiskey. Batch 038 captures the spirit of modern bourbon, distilled across four states, masterfully b

These QuintEssential American Single Malt special releases from Cedar Ridge Distillery are exactly that: special. With a distinct spotlight on Cedar Ridge’s winemaking foundation alongside Iowa distilled malt and a noteworthy age on these blends for the ASM category, Quint and the team at Cedar Ridge have truly tapped into something special here. Following the award for Best American Single Malt at the World Whiskey Awards for the 1st anniversary of Pete & Sherri, the 2nd ann

“Life is an echo. What you send out comes back. What you sow you reap. What you give you get. What you see in others exists in you.” –Zig Ziglar, See You at the Top Few distilleries can consistently put out double-digit age statements. Since September 2021, with the introduction of batch 1 of the 10 year expression, Jack Daniel Distillery has been doing just that. Now accompanied by a revered 12 year and 14 year expression, the ultra-aged Tennessee whiskey producer from littl

“The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.” — Kakuzo Okakura Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey, Woodford Reserve—these are the brands that are steady, the bottles that offer consistency, the pours I return to when I'm craving a predictable experience. I lived in this realm for quite some time, not actively seeking anything beyond what was comfortable, affordable, and, as far as I knew, as enjoyable as any way to end a day. That all changed the day rye whisk

“A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” – Jackie Robinson The unconditional kindness and proclivity towards sharing that is inherent in the whiskey community is one of my favorite parts about being in this industry. It's the direct message that turns into a dear friend—when someone goes above and beyond to help you expand your palate and experience because that is simply what brings them joy. That's what I got from striking up a conversation with