Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10%

copper thief, though you're usually pouring into the cute sized wee-glens (probably for the best on a 10am Company on Label: Elijah Craig (Heaven Hill) Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 78% Corn, 10%

Michter's managed to scratch that itch with the PFG bottle by employing another new oak while leaving Michter's website had just enough intrigue for me to be willing to pull the trigger. Declaration Bourbon honors the legacy of the former distillery known as Bomberger’s in the 1800s and later as Michter Please join us in toasting and celebrating American whiskey history with this outstanding small batch 108 Company on Label:  Bottled by Michter's Distillery LLC, Louisville, Kentucky 40216 Whiskey Type:  Kentucky

Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed (but assumed to be 74-75% Corn, 15-18% Rye, and 8-10%

Jack Daniel's 10 Year is a rekindling of a label they last used over a century ago. release from your regular Jack - same mash bill recipe, time, and care - but once again carrying a 10 Type: Tennessee Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 80% Corn, 8% Rye, 12% Malted Barley Proof: 97° Age: 10 years Further identification: This new limited release began in September 2021 under batch no: 10-001

Label: Buffalo Trace Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #1 (Low Rye < 10%

Old Soul is out with another cool bottle! The origin of the title 'tintype' comes from the style of photography observed on the front label. The Mississippi distillery honors the art of the photograph taken as a positive on a thin tin plate usually coated with a dark lacquer to make the subtleties pop. This sourced MGP is bursting with flavor, rich color, a fantastic history, and a decent price point. I was able to find this at Kappy's in MA. Time to get into a deep dive of the whiskey I fell in love with at first sip! Company on Label: Cathead Distillery (Distilled in Indiana) Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley Proof: 122.3° Age: 7 years Further identification: Series #1 from 2022 features Capt. Luke Mayer, a blues legend, captured on the tintype image by Timothy Duffy Nose: Decadent, bright fruit immediately leap into the nose. The sweet aromas are pervasive and they stick in the nose immediately with a creamy molasses consistency. The air above this glass becomes thick, decadent and rich. Butterscotch and caramel are the dominant notes that leap out at me upon diving back in. Dusty oak, black pepper and orange sherbert intermingle with some heft. Tart plum, raspberry jam and toffee dance around a warm campfire. John Mellencamp is dancing in a field of flowers. This smells so damn good. It's fruity, floral, and distinctly high quality bourbon. This is one of those exceptional examples of the heights that MGP distillate can achieve. Let's dive into a sip and see how things evolve. Returning from a sip yields lovely toasted marshmallow notes. There's bright linen characteristics that make me want to sneeze. Exceptionally soft black pepper perfectly blends with vanilla sweetness to produce an approachable level of complexity that few whiskeys achieve with this kind of ease. Mmm. Late in the glass the creamy tones are all there are to find - vanilla frosting, tiramisu and marshmallow through and through. Squawks of butterscotch and molasses ring out from time to time. Deep inhales continue to be delectable blends of honeysuckle and confectioners sugar. The empty glass smells of toasted almonds, brick oven pizza crust, and soft leather that inspires a level of elegance that might not befit the individual parts described here. Palate: Right away I get a solid punch of sweet frosted orange cookies. The sip shimmers and shakes with a beautiful sweet & spicy blend of effervescence. Chocolate, molasses and a creamy tiramisu texture coats the mouth. Another sip shows off raspberry trifle, cinnamon and a spritz of lemon peel zest. The linger is distinctly fruit forward and it carries on in an endless undulating wave. Diving even deeper on a larger sip and swish shows this does have some spice to it, but every time I find it... it seems like this soft plum and icing flavor wraps itself around what I was experiencing. The sharper flavors just try to peek their heads out before the sweetness envelops the intruding spice in a total eclipse. In a way I'd say the sweet creaminess acts as a delicious form of a palate coolant system and it totally works to the sips advantage here. As the glass begins to get lower I find myself savoring it longer each sip. The spicier tones of the beginning of the glass are beginning to fade away leaving only the sweetest orange cake and slightly boozy peach flambé for me to pick through. The mouth feel being on the thicker end of the viscosity spectrum results in a deep coating of demerara syrup, angostura bitters and concentrated cherry juice. My last sip is a real treat with an orange peel dominating an old fashioned flavor profile I can't live without. Yum. Rating: 5/5 (Just wow. One of my favorites.) This is exceptional whiskey from exceptional folks. I've turned heads on two of my friends at this point who have tried this and they both asked 'where can I get this?' immediately. You will not want to miss this release if it's available in your market! Cheers friends!

You may already know I love my Hirsch Selected Whiskeys and their associations with great distillates. The clear parallels to my love for Willett make this a pour I find myself reaching for often. This same mash bill as some of those yellow label single barrels carried in 2021 is back again, but this time it carries an extra finish. 30 year old Hine XO cognac barrels were used to age this bourbon. It comes in a bougie box that immediately makes any shelf look fancy if you're into that sort of thing. I normally throw out 99% of my boxes but this is one I am keeping. I'm actually using one as a shelf riser in my whiskey study as the normal Booker's boxes I use were too tall to be able to hold up the ultra-tall Midwinter Night's Dram. I've had more than a few experiences with this bottle already if you can tell from the fill level. I've enjoyed sharing this one with friends already. It carries a slightly steep MSRP of around $180 if you can find it - most of my local stores only have a few if any on hand. The Hirsch brand website describes this release, saying: The Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is an exclusive HIRSCH release finished in 30-Year-Old Hine Cognac XO barrels, in Bardstown, Kentucky. It’s rich, complex, and a well-rounded whiskey. This expression was brought from a collaboration between HIRSCH Selected Whiskeys and Hine Cognac. HINE COGNAC Internationally acclaimed for its blends, vintage and extra old cognacs, the 259-year-old cognac house takes pride in its unequalled collection of exceptional cognacs dating back to the 1800s. For us at HIRSCH, this is a unique collaboration with one of the most prestigious Cognac distilleries. 54 barrels of our 6-year-old bourbon were selected to finish in 30-year-old XO Hine Cognac casks for 18 months, adding subtle yet noticeable character of Cognac to our bourbon. This unique expression has a mash bill of 72% corn, 13% rye, 15% malted barley. On the nose, it offers notes of dusty cherry and charred citrus with a palate of over ripe stone fruit, fresh raisin, soft heat, and finishes dry yet flavors continue to develop. Well, you might be wondering what the heck I think about it by now... So let's jump into that part. Company on Label: Hirsch Distillers Bardstown Kentucky Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 72% Corn, 13% Rye, 15% Malted Barley - a well established mash bill Proof: 127° Age: 7 years (7.5 is listed on the back label, though per their website that appears to include finishing time which is not traditionally how age statements work) Further identification: This red label Selected Whiskey from Hirsch comes in a book style box with a magnetic latch; it released for the first time in 2022 under the batch number AHH0722; the back label states the French Cognac casks used are 30 year old Hine XO barrels Nose: On first raising the glass I find chocolate tones up front. Pear, apricot and tart cherry follow closely behind. Bright florals dance clearly on a deeper inhale. Citrus, cinnamon and funk rise up well - hallmarks of the Bardstown, KY distillate. Overall things are light as traditional notes of caramel and oak fill most of the glass. Butterscotch hides out in some of the softer corners. At times this glass really comes alive with the white lily tones bubbling up in a bubbly splash of champagne. Troves of oak begin to fill my nostrils as I envision the vintage oak blanket chest I have always dreamed of owning for some reason. Time to dive in on a sip! Mmm. Creamy, delectable and complete upon returning my nose to the glass. It continues to be very dominantly oaky in a way that doesn't say overaged bourbon which clearly demonstrates to me that it is an interesting effect of the Cognac cask influence. Ginger, black pepper and allspice have crept in late becoming slightly too spicy for my nostril comfort level. Deep inhales near the bottom of the glass produce rich notes of leather, orange creamsicle and resinous, savory brown sugar. The empty glass smells of Pirouline wafer sticks again alongside powdered sugar and honeydew melon. Palate: Goodness that is quite effervescent as your first sip of the day. Chocolate covered cherries, dates and plum all hit the palate first before a wave of cinnamon takes over. The mouth feel is thick and nutty like a caramel apple grape dessert. Another sip is hefty again with the chocolate tones; this time it is Pirouline crème filled wafers hitting my tongue. It's surprisingly delicate once you get over the first shocks - I think the sweet, oaky Cognac has done well to subdue what can traditionally be quite a spicy cinnamon bomb on the tongue. The finish has improved approachability at the cost of some uniqueness & familiarity. It does well in this particular blend in that regard. Sipping along further I find honey sweetness, cardamom, saffron and creamy port wine. Shaking things up more pungent earthy tones begin to fall on my palate alongside some tobacco notes. The fruit has turned into more dried fruit, though it still is apricot and plum forward. It sizzles and rises comfortably through the mouth with a long finish of honeydew melon, cantaloupe and thick, chewy caramel. As I sit with this glass a good long while, I keep finding new things to love. It's been wholeheartedly enjoyable to drink all the way through. My last sip is a simple treat of vanilla frosting, clear Cognac silky grapes, and star fruit. Yum. Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.) I have been absolutely crushing this bottle. Those who are looking for the full-blown Willett funk will definitely find that the Cognac finish has modified things somewhat - I think it's actually for the better, though your mileage may vary. I like this better than I've liked a handful of purple top releases, though there are definitely examples that can usurp this too. This may have seemed on the shorter end of a review for me. I'm quite tired! Hopefully it's early to bed for me tonight after this tasty dram. Cheers!

with a 'spot' of paint which identified how long it would be matured for; Blue for 7 years, Green for 10 Non chill filtered and bottled at 102.8 proof for a whiskey that is complex and full flavored. Mitchell & Son (Distilled at Midleton Distillery) Whiskey Type: Irish Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages: 100% Malted and Unmalted Barley (being a single pot still Irish whiskey) Proof: 102.8° Age: 9 years Further

My love of Hirsch is well documented... Here and on my Instagram. KY-012 is up there near my favorite whiskeys of all time. As all single barrels can vary, I'll go into this one with a fresh mind. This one is noticeably a slightly higher proof than the previous one I have tried. This sample comes courtesy of Ian (@barrelproofnerd) and I thank him for always being a generous whiskey sharer! Company on Label: A.H. Hirsch (Bottled by Strong Spirits; Distilled in Bardstown, KY) Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 72% Corn, 13% Rye, 15% Malted Barley Proof: 136.6° Age: 7 years (9 months) Further identification: Barrel No KY-019, Barrel entry 62.5%, aged 7 years 9 months; the Batch No on the neck is AHH0821. Nose: Mmm. The spice zest is high on this one as I dip my nose into the fray. There's a prevalent harsh heat as I try to pick up flavors. Underneath that I find heavy brown sugar, spice cake with cream cheese frosting, leather and hefty cinnamon. Boozy hot chocolate borders on tiramisu as the sweet mixes with the heat. Dry oak and dark tree bark are widespread and persistent. There's just a tiny hint of the citrus side of things that I traditionally love about this mash bill. There's waffle cone and caramel in troves on this. It's heavy and mighty without coming across as too. There's definitely some big ethanol heat that happens on this pour, but it's not overpoweringly so (at least for me). Time for a sip to test the validity of that statement... The potent sip has certainly unlocked some more delectable aromas; I find well-oiled leather, thick molasses, and a confectioners sugar laced with mace. There's a good bit of Bardstown funk going on here and I'm definitely here for it. The empty glass smells of sweet fluoride, raspberry and leather. Palate: Oh wow - this is silky upfront on the tongue... until you swallow it. Whew! That's a lot of spice. Cinnamon hots flash up in the infernal column of my flaming esophagus. Another sip is calmer as plum and cherry skins attempt to cool the pits of hell. This is certainly one of the heftier whiskeys I've experienced in some time. Interestingly anise and clove begin to work their way into this pour. I'm still intrigued by the leather notes and the level of spicy heat this is able to produce. While the glass has become drinkable I also feel as though my palate is a bit shot / blinded now. I'm not picking up nuanced layers of flavor, but a consistent beating of cinnamon hots against the side of an oak wall. It's hot for the sake of being hot and it is making me feel like I'm going to break a sweat just sitting with this glass! I'm digging the fruitiness that I do pick up in between the novacane mouthfeel. My last sip reminds me of Stagg Jr batch 13. Yum. Rating: 4/5 (Really good; I want one of these on my shelf.) I'm going to give this one style points for delivering so poignantly. If you are looking for the feeling of getting punched in the face as part of your whiskey drinking experience, this is the pour for you. The parallels to Stagg Jr batch 13 are very real - this one is definitely a hot mess, but I liked it nonetheless. If you are not a proof-hound: please stay away from this barrel!

Ahh, the elusive purple top. While I've owned and enjoyed many supposed incognito Willett bourbons, enjoyed Rowan's Creek and Noah's Mill thoroughly, this bottle has been impossible to put on my shelf... For good reason. They don't make a ton of this stuff. It's only the whiskey that is deemed worthy of bearing the Willett family crest. The motto listed below the crest reads 'God and my work'. I was excited enough to get to try this one that I didn't bother waiting for some kind of special occasion, so you are getting the notes from two of the first two pours I've experienced on this one. Company on Label: Willett Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 79% Corn, 7% Rye, 14% Malted Barley Proof: 134° Age: 8 years Further identification: This is the High Corn single barrel from the New Hampshire Liquor Outlet, barrel # 5227 which released in April 2022 Nose: Distinct flashy tannic oak upfront on my first nosing. Great maple syrup funk that shows off some deep barrel character. Sweet vanilla gives a viscous coating to the surface of a sweet maraschino cherry. There's a lovely marshmallow characteristic that reminds me of the type of influence that sour mash or toasted barrel influences tend to add. Plum, anise, white pepper and cinnamon flash up. The nose on this is quite unique and the high corn mash bill definitely doesn't do the distinct Willett rye citrus experience I am used to enjoying and loving. The overall aroma reminds me a bit of Parker's Heritage wheat whiskey, interestingly. There's a creamy molasses note on long inhales after a soft swirl of the glass. The base aroma is again one that leans on a oily, viscous oak nose. The oily characteristic reminds me of the smell of unground coffee beans and a dust seems to cover everything including a tiny bit of lemon peel zest. Time for a sip! Coming back to the nose I find distinct toffee, sweet tart and a faint orange marmalade. Cherry skins and nut-forward chocolate grace the glass which should certainly smell hotter than it does, but I have no problem leaving my nose in this glass. The empty glass smells of clear smoke, sharp oak, creamy caramel, and rich nutmeg. Palate: My first sip is an absolute nuke on a fresh palate. Cherry hots and cinnamon zap every taste bud in my mouth at the start. It quickly settles into a similar flavor profile as the nose was putting off: incredibly oily, viscous and rich oak leans towards a toasted marshmallow flavor. Another sip is just as flavorful and explosive with deep raisin flavors. It's quite musty upfront - it's got a really unique flavor profile that has a lot of parallels but never any direct equivalents. There's smoky malt, dark walnut, leather and then suddenly the fruit show up. The incredibly delicious cranberry and raspberry blend takes me to the Carver bogs just beginning to float. There's definitely some tannic grape flavors lingering in the background too. The mouth feel is very slightly minty and the cooling effect of that is definitely felt up in my gums. My last sip is nutty and tart with a long linger of nutmeg and yummy craisins. Rating: 3/5 (Decent. I can go either way on this.) While this was a really delicious pour, my Willett bar is set pretty high. Given my love for the straight rye releases and the Wheated mash bill that I've tried previously, I have some background in tasting through their fantastic distillate. The high corn mash bill here slightly missed the mark to become an exceptional whiskey, in my book something I also found in the last high corn mash bill that I tried (barrel 2071). The company I was with when I opened the bottle thoroughly enjoyed the glass I poured for them, so that's a win in my book. Let me know if you've opened and tried this one yet in the comments!

Open air dried and seasoned for three years before being toasted and charred to Michter's exacting specifications Company on Label:  Michter's Distillery Whiskey Type:  Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages :  Undisclosed Proof:  108° Age:  NAS Further identification:  This is the 2024 release of the annual special release from Michter's distillery available at an MSRP of $120; the bottle under review is bottle I can only imagine this is a small hiccup, and the Michter's team will be back to firing on all cylinders