Reviews

Nick Anderson's full review on Stagg Jr Batch 26B Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey covers all the details. Could this be the triumphant return we've been waiting for from the Stagg Junior lineup? Summer 2026 is shaping up very nicely in the whiskey world with this new release from Buffalo Trace.

“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

“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

“Average is always a safe choice, and it is the most dangerous choice you can make.” – Erwin Raphael McManus I'm always grateful to try new releases—to be one of the first to bring you the truth in a bottle. When my good friend Jason Kass heard I had not yet tried the 26A release, despite being known as "The Stagg Man," he swiftly brought over his bottle so we could fresh crack it together. His kindness didn't end there, though; he left me with another 2 ounces so I could pol

“The most important step a man can take. It's not the first one, is it? It's the next one.” – Brandon Sanderson, Oathbringer Few whiskeys have eluded me over the last 8 years of whiskey hunting. Despite living in a thriving spirits market with great retailers offering fair loyalty programs, King of Kentucky seemed to always be my white whale in Massachusetts, though I never had it at the top of my wish list either. That all changed early this year, when I won the right to pur

“A nice blend of prediction and surprise seem to be at the heart of the best art.” – Wendy Carlos With rumors abound after its incredible inaugural launch through my friend Frank Dobbins , the Old Cassidy brand from Rare Character was ripe for speculation. With just one other single barrel coming through Unicorn Auctions in 2025, this remains the most mysterious brand from Rare Character, even with the likes of Brook Hill still making waves through the whiskey market. I got