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“Halftime is where champions rewrite the playbook—reflect, refuel, return stronger.”  - Farshad Asl There's a moment when you feel the tides shifting, when the game is on the line and suddenly—you feel that glimmer of hope. I've been lucky to have felt it many times in my lifetime as a Massachusetts native watching Drew Bledsoe, Adam Vinatieri, and Tom Brady win Super Bowl after Super Bowl for the infamous New England Patriots. Perhaps the most incredible comeback story of them all was the 28 to 3 deficit in the third quarter of Super Bowl LI against the 2017 Atlanta Falcons. After an abysmal performance in the first half, the game looked all but over... but then, there was a spark. Brady flashed to life, jumping into a no-huddle formation that saw a flurry of crisp, perfected plays. With time bleeding out, the scoreline evened, and the veteran quarterback, ready to take this game to the finish line, beat down the visibly exhausted Falcons defense, which was ultimately defeated by James White crossing the goal line in overtime. Will 2025 be the year for Stagg? While these iconic stories can seem rare, there are countless opportunities we're given to live out this exact same heroic arc. It's the story of the comeback kid, down and out after a bout of bad luck, ready to win it all. Stagg, in all its post-junior tumult, is in one such position. After a pretty atrocious showing in 2024 , this brand is ripe for a return to glory. Having tasted 18 different expressions of the junior line, I am not ashamed to admit that I love this bottling. I self-proclaim myself to be a "Stagg man," but that doesn't mean I'm willing to accept sub-par quality. In accordance with my strict editorial policy , I regularly review the latest and greatest whiskey. Sometimes bottles are sent to me, but more often than not I have to buy them with my own scratch. This bottle is an example of the latter. With the patience of the collective community wearing thin and demand seemingly cratering for whiskey in general, now is the time for brands to be leading with their best. Blending prowess and distilling knowledge will be how the modern distiller survives what appears to be another era of an impending bourbon glut. The last time we saw this kind of lopsided supply and demand ratio, more than a few distilleries fell by the wayside . One lucky distillery has stood the test of time, though it had to change hands a few times through the glut era. Known historically as the George T. Stagg Distillery, the comeback story of Frankfort saw the eventual Buffalo Trace property undergo piecemeal ownership transfers between names like Albert B. Blanton, Ancient Age Distilling Company, Schenley, Age International, and Japan's own Takara Shuzo, namesake of the Japanese Blanton's export. Stagg, however, is an even older name. In what I wrote about further in my Stagg Hub article, the origin of the George T. Stagg name goes all the way back to 1835, the birth of the name itself. While Buffalo Trace continues to use the name for marketing purposes, the whiskey they produce today is very much their own contemporary creation, governed by modern distilling practices. What we are tasting now will be part of the legacy of our generation. Will future tasters look back on us as fondly as we look back upon George T. Stagg, I wonder? Today I will be diving into the latest batch of Stagg, formerly known as Stagg Junior, which is their 28th bottling of this expression since their first release in the winter of 2013 . As usual, I'm tasting this neat out of a glencairn on a fresh and sober palate, and my notes and rating are based on three independent tastings of this bottle. Now, on with the review! Company on Label:  Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, KY Whiskey Type:  Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:   Undisclosed Buffalo Trace mash bill # 1 (high corn, low rye, malted barley) Proof:  126.5° Age:  NAS (though rumored to typically be around 8 years old) MSRP: $70 Further identification:  This is the 25A batch of Stagg Jr, which first arrived in late summer 2025 Nose:  On first lifting the glass to my nose, I find sweet caramel dominant and candied apple a bit more reserved. Another long inhale shows little evidence of spice, but a sweet, soothing strawberry aroma can be teased out of the cool depths. Blooming with a little stirred heat, I find graham cracker and white pepper. A stronger swirl transforms the glass into evocative oak before it settles back into Hershey's strawberry syrup. Deep inhales produce a bit of tingling wood spice, as one might expect out of a decently aged Kentucky bourbon at this proof. Nosing further, I find wafts of molasses, cornbread, and brown sugar all playing minor background roles. As I try to dig further, the glass runs out of steam and turns a bit thin with a simple vanilla and allspice remnant hanging on in the wispy air of my glencairn. I'm pleased with the opening remarks, but it's time for a sip. Coming back to the nose, which I nearly forgot to do as I sipped through with eager attention, leaves me with a widening smile. Vanilla biscotti, caramel chews, and light strawberry candy offer a perpetual treat for the nostrils. The empty glass smells of light marshmallow and the inside of a camping tent. Palate:  My first taste is hotter than the nose let on; ethanol booms as cordial falls softly on the tongue. Another sip, free from the aftershock of the day's first sip of whiskey, offers a much deeper complexity. Caramel cookies dipped in strawberry milk make my nostalgic taste buds quite happy. The flavor categories from the nose translate well; I find the strawberry syrup backbone, the molasses mouth coating, and the inherent oak, but they land a touch drier than expected overall. Sipping further without reservations about quality, I discover this glass does have the classic cherry hots that Stagg Junior may be most known for. It's a bold profile I couldn't possibly recommend to a whiskey novice, but one I know the longtime bourbon heads will probably enjoy. A long sip settles things down significantly, with an easy booziness you might find in a Manhattan cocktail. The linger is a bit lacking, though the delivery of flavor is on point. On swallowing, a nice wave of cranberry juice comes over the senses before fading into a simple bed of flour. My last sip is kind and sweet to me, calling forth a wonderful array of memories of some of my favorite Louisville nights, sipping on the old great batches of Stagg Junior at Garage Bar as the sun takes flight. For the first time in quite a while, I'm thoroughly pleased with this pour of Stagg Junior. TL;DR: A lovely return to form for Stagg with a balanced strawberry-forward dram Rating:  4/5 Really good. I want one of these on my shelf. This reminds me quite a bit of Stagg Jr batch 15 . The strawberry tones are incredibly unique to these particular batches, though I find batch 15 to be a bit more pronounced and consistent. It is so wonderful to see Stagg Junior, a line I have consistently explored through most of my review career, returning to a form that I can endorse as "whiskey that doesn't suck." If you want to see a live review of my first taste of this batch, head over to the HackandMack YouTube live that I recently jumped on for some fun whiskey banter between good folks. WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With over a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

“It is always important to know when something has reached its end. Closing circles, shutting doors, finishing chapters—it doesn't matter what we call it; what matters is to leave in the past those moments in life that are over.”  - Paulo Coelho, The Zahier After 10 years of limited-edition releases covering a surprising range of flavors for Wild Turkey, the brand is ready to retire the Master's Keep series. Starting in 2015 as a way to release some of their rarest and strangest stocks, the 10th and final bottling showcases a mingling of 10 year bourbon chosen by Bruce Russell and Eddie's choice 16 year bourbon. It offers a nod to the 10 years that Master's Keep stood as a beacon of quality while reaching even further into Wild Turkey's storied past. Bruce and Eddie Russell—Photo by The Shout I've been very fortunate to have tasted quite a few of the Master's Keep releases. To this day I keep a handful of bottles on my shelf for sharing and comparison purposes, including the 17 year bottled in bond expression, Revival , One, Unforgotten, Voyage , and Triumph . I enjoy all of them for very different reasons, each one serving a different niche of flavor that might fit into a mood, a place, or a time of year. Some may consider the Generations release an unofficial sibling of the Master's Keep lineup, given the same glass and much of the same intentional blending skill was used. Release timeline: 2015: Aged 17 Years 2017: Decades 2018: Revival 2019: Cornerstone 2020: 17 Year Bottled in Bond 2021: One 2022: Unforgotten 2023: Voyage 2024: Triumph 2025: Beacon While this particular story is coming to an end, it's obvious Wild Turkey is still poised for success. With the legendary legacy of Wild Turkey being shepherded by three generations of the Russell family, there is no modern distillery with as rich of a story as this family carries. In quiet conversations with Bruce in the reverent bonded A warehouse, I came to understand just how gratefully the Russells steer such a revered brand. While they weren't the original founders or inventors, the whole brood seems to carry the profound duty to keep the ship on course. I couldn't think of a more deserving set of remarkable people. After tasting through the brunt of the Master's Keep lineup, few could deny that this distillery is capable of putting out some exemplary whiskey. From the box: "Wild Turkey Master's Keep Beacon is a celebration of the past, that shines light on the future of the American whiskey icon from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. In a first for a Master's Keep release, the blending of hand-selected whiskeys was a collaborative effort between master distiller Eddie Russell and his son, associate blender Bruce Russell, marking the only time a second Russell signature has appeared on Wild Turkey's most precious series. The highest-proof release in the collection to date, Master's Keep Beacon draws on stocks from two distinct points in the recent history of the Wild Turkey legacy, to tell a tale of evolution, progress, and mastery. Eddie's choice, a 16-year-old bourbon, offers a robust oak foundation complemented by nuanced earthy tones, and accents of honey, vanilla, caramelized sugar, and a touch of gentle spice. Distilled between 2007 and 2008, it was among the last remaining distillate produced in the original facility Eddie cut his teeth in, prior to a 2011 expansion that ushered in a new era for the famed distillery. In contrast, Bruce's 10-year-old selection lends a bold, long-lasting finish that has become a signature preference of the youngest Russell. Reflecting his journey as an apprentice under his father and grandfather's guidance, the whiskey was distilled in 2015, and is among the very first Bruce produced when he joined the family business. With the support of his grandfather, hall of fame master distiller Jimmy Russell, Bruce worked tirelessly on this whiskey, overseeing every step from grain quality inspection to fermentation, distillation and maturation. Together, Eddie and Bruce have crafted a high-proof bourbon of unparallelled distinction; a labor of love that represents years of training and honing of the craft. With its harmonious blend of flavors from distinct eras — Wild Turkey Master's Keep Beacon is a testament to shared valuers and the timeless art of bourbon making." I have been patiently and thoroughly exploring this release over the last three weeks after finally securing a bottle from my go-to Massachusetts retailer. So, let's get on with the whiskey, shall we? As usual , I tasted this neat out of a glencairn after letting it rest for at least 5 minutes. Company on Label:  Wild Turkey Distilling Co., Lawrenceburg, KY Whiskey Type:  Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:  75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley Proof:  118° Age:  10 years (a blend of 10 and 16 year barrels) MSRP:   $300 Further identification:  This 750mL bottled, encased in a textured fold-open black box, first released in September of 2025 Nose:  Deep undulating waves of caramel and confectioner's sugar lead the way on this glass. A subtle roll of the glencairn opens up deep black pepper and allspice aromas, leading me to believe this has some solid age on it. There's a distant underlying root beer aroma that can easily be missed but certainly contributes to the show. Another whiff after a long rest produces browned butter and molasses. So far the nose is a simple yet thoroughly enjoyable affair. With a swirl the wood influence erupts in a wave of heat, unleashing cedar and pinenut. The remnant aromas are so buttery, I can nearly picture myself sitting in a dark movie theater with a big bag of heavily buttered popcorn. Caramel and butter are the two most dominant smells prior to a sip. Revisiting after a taste unfolds a classic Turkey funk that harkens back to much older releases... think Austin Nichols era. Despite a slight change in character, the butter persists. Late in the glass, a wonderful layer of creamy cigar smoke wafts in alongside beautiful vanilla extract, completing an incredibly interesting development arc. The empty glass smells of milk duds and leather. Palate:  On first taste, I am surprised by the vibrancy of this whiskey on my tongue. While the nose was creamy, dark, and heavy, the palate comes across effervescent and sweet. Wow—this is a big whiskey for 118 proof; I'd say it drinks up closer to 130. Revisiting shortly after reveals maraschino cherry and nectarine sweetness. The linger is balanced, bold, and prevalent, with a Werther's caramel sitting right on my sweet tooth. A long sip and swish continues to come across chewy, like munching down on several pink Starburst candies. This is the type of glass that keeps secrets and makes you work for the notes and the inner workings. It's a rewarding process. Chewing through more liquid gold, I find strawberry tart, toffee, and orange creamsicle dancing in wonderful little compartments of beauty. It reminds me of looking out over Manhattan, catching glimpses of so many busy lives I'll never get to know fully. My last sip offers a flash of maple bacon before dulce de leche croissants leave me in enigmatic bliss. TL;DR: Creamy, balanced, and full of surprises; this is great whiskey Rating:  4.5/5 Absolutely delicious. Enthusiast grade pour. This is exactly what I look for in a whiskey: depth, complexity, mouthfeel, and grace. While it doesn't quite get to hair-raising territory, I have found myself absolutely crushing on this bottle since picking it up in mid-September. After going above and beyond on my typical required three tastings , I am quite confident in my score for this bottle. Anyone that knows and loves Wild Turkey will find a lot of joy within the last Wild Turkey Master's Keep. May it serve as a beacon to other modern distillers on what quality whiskey should taste like. WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With over a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

“Life is a balance of holding on and letting go.”  - Rumi First hitting the market in the early 2000s, thanks to some bottling line help from Julian Van Winkle III, perhaps no ultra-aged Kentucky straight rye whiskey has seen such remarkable evolution as Michter's 10 year rye. This label, now 25+ years into the grand rebirth of the Michter's brand, continues to top charts and win hearts. While it's nearly impossible to tell the whole history of Michter's on one webpage, the pertinent detail to modern drinkers is understanding where we are on the three-phase timeline that Joe Magliocco put together as the guiding principle for the Michter's brand. Traditionally tight-lipped about the intricate details of their production methods, I reached out to the team to get some clarity here, specifically wondering when, if ever, the 10 year expression will be made from Michter's Shively distillate. Tess Driscoll, marketing manager for Michter's, set the record straight on the game plan: Phase 1 - We sourced Kentucky Straight Rye and Kentucky Straight Bourbon of a style that we really liked and hoped to eventually emulate ourselves. We had nothing to do with the production of this Phase 1 whiskey. Phase 2 - We couldn't yet afford our own distillery, so we went to a Kentucky distillery with excess capacity and produced there with our recipes (yeast, mashbills, our entry proof, etc.). As a condition of working there, we were not allowed to identify them. While we were technically a non-distiller producer because we did not own the physical facility, we were like a chef doing his own cooking in someone else’s restaurant kitchen before he could afford his own. Phase 3 - At this stage, we had the financial resources and built our own distillery in the Shively section of Louisville. Michter’s Shively Distillery opened in 2012 with whiskey filtration, bottling, and test distillation. During the year 2015 at Michter’s Shively Distillery, we began barreling distillate produced on our full scale, all copper column to pot still doubler distillation system crafted by Vendome Copper and Brass Works. So it would stand to reason that with barrels being filled in 2015, we might be firmly planted in phase 3—full-scale Michter's Shively production. The back of the bottle and the longstanding notion that Joe always leads with quality first would disagree with that dream. It seems that as of 2025, Michter's distillate isn't quite ready for the 10 year limelight. It's been well documented in many of my prior reviews that this label typically features whiskeys aged longer than 10 years, so I wouldn't expect the contents to be Michter's distillate until at least 2027. When it does show up, I anticipate it will be announced clearly, broadly, and proudly. So to answer the burning question in the room: the 2025 Michter's 10 year rye is still sourced/contract-distilled , at least for now. "Throughout all three phases, our philosophy has maintained that not every barrel matures on the same timeline. Rather than release a whiskey at a specific age, we release individual barrels when our Master Distiller Dan McKee and our Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson deem them ready. As a result, Michter's 10 Year Rye is typically older than the age statement on the label. Although we began barreling our Michter's Shively distillate in 2015, we have not yet bottled any Michter's 10 Year Rye distilled in Shively, but we look forward to bottling it once it reaches our high-quality standards." Regardless of phase or tumultuous production handling changes, one vision has remained constant through the years: consistency. While flavor profiles can vary year to year, especially as we see the brand continue to cross into new production phases, the team is putting in immense effort to ensure a specific calendar year release will be enjoyable for everyone, despite being a single barrel product. This stems from the small batch production methods and careful filtration that I got to see firsthand at Michter's Shively with Master Distiller Dan McKee and fellow science nerd Katherine O'Nan. "Because all our releases at Michter's are very small batch (our batching tanks have been intentionally sized to hold no more than the contents of 20 full barrels) or single barrel, we take extraordinary steps during aging to help our barrels mature in a similar manner throughout our warehouses. We monitor humidity and airflow in our temperature-controlled warehouses, none of which are higher than four floors. While every barrel of Michter's 10 Year Rye may not be identical, we have been able to achieve a consistent flavor profile." The nuance that Tess captures here is subtle but powerful and often completely overlooked in the modern era of whiskey reviews. Far too often I see write-ups talking broadly about a specific year's release, as one might do for wine vintages. This has always been a single barrel expression, so just dishing out the year isn't going to cut it for the serious whiskey enthusiast. If you're going to properly describe the whiskey, you have to list the barrel number. Despite this universally understood variation in whiskey maturation, it is heartwarming to see the care that has gone into making the experience as consistent as possible for those who put their trust in thorough whiskey reviewers like us . That's the beauty in seeking balance—without being able to blend in a quantity that will satiate the thirsty hoard that is yearning for more Michter's 10 year rye, the team continues to stay true to their time-tested practices of long open-air seasoning durations, low barrel entry proof, and putting quality over quantity. That's the simple recipe for how Michter's has pulled off the impossible, taking single barrel mainstream. Where once there was exclusivity, now we find balance. Company on Label:  Bottled by Michter's Distillery LLC Whiskey Type:  Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:  Undisclosed Proof:  92.8° Age:  10 years (though likely older) MSRP: $210 Further identification:  Barrel 25E1658 was bottled in May of 2025 Nose:  The glass leads soft and sweet with dusty butterscotch, lemon lollipop, and sugar cookie, which all sit in perfect balance. Woodshop walnut comes across smooth and polished. It's rich, elegant, and refined in the nose, to the point I can plunge as deep as I'd like. I recognize it's an understated whiskey, something the modern proof hounds might call disappointing in their precipitousness, but I find myself loving every bit of it. After a few inhales, subtle fruit begins to bloom in the glass. Starting with pale papaya before intensifying with lychee, this glass is just beautiful. Watermelon, pomegranate, and strawberry burst out in complex riffs that tantalize and excite—I haven't had a whiskey this great in quite some time. Nosing this is creamy and dreamy, the combination of its parts being perfectly balanced, yet somehow still potently aromatic. It makes me smile and dream. Dreams of days without stress or responsibility, when tranquil light was the only sensation of import. It reminds me fondly of the early days when I first fell in love with American whiskey—the perfect rye in my eye. Deep inhales on the well-rested glass continue to deliver enchanting waves of crème de cassis, vanilla bean, and a sweet medley of peaches and cream. As I run out of room on the page for my scrawling and fervent handwritten notes, I finally decide it's time for a sip. Coming back to the nose after a few sips is just as rewarding as creamy and bright tones continue to flourish. Demerara sugar and light cola will impress any sweet tooth. Late in the glass, the aromas finally begin to settle out as I know I've spent a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon plumbing the depths of this glencairn. The empty glass smells of creamy lobster bisque and light molasses. Palate:  On first taste, I find citrus and salt, like a fresh lime squeezed over a deliciously crafted chicken taco, adorned with a sprig of cilantro. It's perfectly balanced in the mouth, just as it was on the nose, with an orange cream soda profile that completely coats the mouth in a buttery sweet haze. Another taste, another journey into rye heaven; not a single prickle of spice—the way great rye should be. Instead, vanilla biscotti, Columbian robusta pour-over coffee, and dried raspberry leave a light and lovely lingering impression on the tongue, which leaves my mouth sticky and watering in anticipation of further sips to come. Working through the glass, I continue to be impressed by the grace and class of this pour—this is what all great ryes wish they could be. A long sip and swish elevates vintage whiskey vibes as fruitcake, raisins, and Boston cream doughnuts all continue to cater to the amazement of this longtime whiskey enthusiast. The linger is perfectly satisfying in length and intensity, sending lemon frosting and tozzetti dancing across the top of my palate as my tongue seeks out further pockets of deliciousness. Sipping near the bottom of the glass is bittersweet, as I know not many whiskeys are going to live up to this one in the coming days. The long linger of sweet crêpes, strawberries, and whipped cream is a dreamy send-off to an amazing rye. TL;DR: Another balanced and thoroughly expressive home run rye from Michter's Rating:  4.5/5 Absolutely delicious. Enthusiast grade pour. This is one of the most astounding releases of 2025 for me. Anyone searching for a silky sipper to complement their already-impressive whiskey collection will not be disappointed by this bottle. It's one of the first whiskeys this year that truly wowed me and made me feel deeply passionate about the whiskey industry again; I'm so grateful for moments like this. Get yourself one of these! WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

“Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and exuberance.”  - David Mamet It seems that everybody is releasing older and older whiskey these days. Particularly poised for success in this category would be legacy distilleries like Heaven Hill, which has been family owned and operated since their founding in 1935. Having survived the wartime rationing of World War II, the whiskey glut of the late 20th century, and their catastrophic 1996 distillery fire, Heaven Hill shines today with more than a few tales to tell about their storied past. Their rickhouses, though likely plumbed deeply during the pandemic-era boom in barrel picks, remain full of aging whiskey—over 2 million barrels, with more on the way . It's the solemn honor and duty of current master distiller Conor O'Driscoll to craft a great blend using the barrels that were distilled and laid down under the late, great Parker Beam . It's also his duty to keep those rickhouses stocked up for future generations, though I think they have enough to spare with the 277 barrels that went into this blend. The barrels selected were filled in August and September of 2005, where they sat for 19 long years on the 5th and 6th floors of rickhouse Y. “This 19-year-old Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is especially unique, as a product with this mashbill at this age offers an exceptional depth and complexity that is rarely seen,” says Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. “It truly represents the high standard that Heaven Hill is known for and is a great example of how craftsmanship and patience can pay off when you’re willing to wait for the highest-quality product to come from the whiskey-making process.” So why wheat whiskey? It's not a broadly produced whiskey category, but one that we have seen from Heaven Hill before. There have been many releases of wheated bourbon, differentiated only by a subtle difference in the majority grain (corn for bourbon, wheat for wheat whiskey). The Larceny and Old Fitzgerald lines are common examples of wheated bourbon you may have seen or tasted. For wheat whiskey, we've only ever seen niche releases from the Parker's Heritage Collection and the Bernheim line, the latter of which was introduced in 2005 and extended into barrel-proof territory in 2023. Investing in this area as a limited, specialty release was nothing short of bold. Perhaps there were signals that suggested market demand for more wheat whiskey, but from the age statement delirium, as well as a long love for the vanilla-forward bourbon that Heaven Hill traditionally produces, this whiskey enthusiast was interested enough to fork over a few Benjamins to find out for myself. Let's get into it. Company on Label:  Heaven Hill Whiskey Type:  Kentucky straight wheat whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:  51% wheat, 37% corn, 12% malted barley Proof:  100° Age:  19 years MSRP: $300 Further identification:  This is the 2025 release of the Heritage Collection, the 4th in this modern series Nose:  On first lifting the well-rested glass to my nose, I find rich flan, laced with a kiss of sweet maraschino cherry. The yawning array of aromas that present while I continue to inhale are dominated by old rickhouse wood and leather in all the best ways for a whiskey of this stature. In the left nostril, tendrils of earthy, delicate Hungarian paprika coil upwards; in the right, splashes of sweet nectarine juice. As I return to equal opportunity nosing, I find the air of Kentucky in my glass as sweet tea comes through clear as day. Scents of peaches and cream follow quickly behind in a subtle, sultry little development that piques my intrigue. This is one of those glasses you could just nose forever. With a swirl, the fruity tones vanish behind a disturbed layer of allspice and dust, like running a horsehair brush over an old plank stored high in the barn. Flashes of vanilla custard and a little bit of the "it" factor leave me a thoroughly happy man. Coming back from a sip makes the glass lean a touch more savory, like we've just begun the main course at Watch Hill Proper, and I've surely brought my appetite for duck. Deep inhales late in the glass continue to be both approachable and enjoyable as caster sugar and ebony silkily slide through the nostrils. The empty glass smells of pancake batter and Nilla wafers. Palate:  On first sip, the entirety of my mouth is consumed by the experience. Vibrant peach flambé reverberates on the taste buds in the midpalate, while vanilla frosting tinges the sides. The gums tingle with the sensation of biting into some cool, sweet treat in the dead heat of summer. Lingering in every nook and cranny is the same nectarine tone that the nose led with. Another small sip reveals warm cherry dump cobbler, grilled peaches, and angel food cake dusted with confectioners' sugar. A long sip and swish proves the inherent drinkability of this whiskey while also putting peach scones and puffy crêpes on full display. The dominant characteristic here is definitely that sweet peach, and I have to say, I can't recall another whiskey quite like this. Tasting near the bottom of the glass is head-shakingly enjoyable—a disbelief at the balance, complexity, and quality of the pour as a touch of apricot and candied cinnamon almonds gracefully land on the tongue and in the mind. My last sip is exquisite, like the delicate flower of utmost beauty that you dare not touch. It features applewood-smoked pineapple and a strong finish up in the gums with sweet cantaloupe. TL;DR: A refreshingly different release that shines in its own peach-laden lane Rating:  4.5/5 ( Absolutely delicious. Enthusiast grade pour. ) The uniqueness of the peach tones this whiskey produced, as well as the complex evolution it underwent throughout the duration of my tasting, left me particularly impressed. In comparison to some of the other releases in the Heritage Collection, I'd say this lands right in line with both the 17 year bourbon and the 18 year release I previously reviewed. Trying to power rank them further would just be an exercise in nitpicking; all of these whiskeys have been tremendous. WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With nearly a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

“All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure.”  - Mark Twain It's no stretch to say that much that is fanciful tends to be overpriced. The Old Fitzgerald decanter series is a bit of an exception to that rule, though, as pricing has historically instead been based on the age of the whiskey within. Since the fall of 2023, though, that relationship seems to have decoupled, according to a spectacular visual from Whiskey Decision . Despite changes in price, Heaven Hill has stuck to a twice-yearly cadence for this wheated bourbon, bottled at the ever-consistent bottled-in-bond 100 proof. It's a fickle release for me, as most of the wheated bourbon mash bill from Heaven Hill is to my taste buds. I can't seem to crack into the Larceny lineup and find anything I enjoy. Elijah Craig , however, I adore. There's no denying these bottles are gorgeous, and I've certainly enjoyed my fair share of the releases throughout the years. There's no doubt there's been some lovely whiskey bottled in this decanter, especially the VVS 13 year, which topped our charts for the bourbon of the year in 2024 . Still, some might argue this fanciful presentation is something of a ruse—a bourgeois bottle design aimed to mislead consumers into thinking they're getting a top-shelf pour. Luckily for you, my dear reader, at AmongstTheWhiskey.com , we only review based on the quality of the whiskey within, so let's get to talking about that, shall we? Company on Label:  Old Fitzgerald Distillery (Heaven Hill) Whiskey Type:  Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:  68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley Proof:  100° Age:  9 years MSRP:  $130 Further identification:  This wheated bourbon from Heaven Hill is a biannual staple for the brand, bottled in their fanciful decanter as a nod to the storied past of the Fitzgerald name Nose:  On first lifting the well-rested glass to my nose, I find simple caramel, a bit dry in aromatic texture. Oodles of black pepper, clove, and vanilla come across as synthetic—like a mass-produced bourbon-scented candle. Aromas of fresh dried linen are intriguing but lack an inherent enjoyment factor. There's certainly a strong character here as I begin to pick up hints of a slightly floral deodorant, burlap, and waves of that classic Heaven Hill vanilla. After another long rest, there's a return to classic, light caramel that is nearly ubiquitous in well-aged Kentucky bourbon. Returning the nose to the glass after a few sips reduces the pour to smoldering ash and oak water. The capricious liquid within is unsettlingly unstable at times, my mind shifting towards sour cream and onion dip during long, searching inhales. As my excitement with this glass fades, I find myself yearning to just sip through the rest of it so I can move on to a better pour to end my night. Nearing that moment, I find the empty glass smells of cracked plastic and light grass. Palate:  My first sip is light, playful, and sweet as lemon curd and green tea come together. After a brief moment, rich caramel sauce and flan coat the tongue in confectionary delight before a linger of cheesecake and Brazilian chocolate dance in the mouth. There's an underlying fruit sweetness that is reticent to reveal itself clearly. Given the prior nosing experience, I'm a bit surprised at how much I enjoyed that first sip. After another small swish and swallow, the profile picks up a touch of tannic and astringent characteristics, with the tip of my tongue prickling under an obviously manageable 100 proof. This is a dynamic dram that doesn't try to do too many things; instead, it does a few things well. The slightly oily, quite creamy mouthfeel is probably my favorite part of sipping through this year's spring release of Old Fitzgerald. On concurrent sips with less patience, the slow fade of the creamy vanilla tones doesn't have a chance to break down before mingling with grilled pineapple and pear liqueur. The dressing of cinnamon here isn't overbearing, though I do find this pour to be fickle day-to-day. As the glass nears empty, I find the profile doesn't have any further complexities to offer the palate, but it is more consistent than the nose, which is a strong positive in this case. My last sip regales me with tales of caramel monkey bread and peaking early. The finish is medium to short with just a hint of mint underneath German Weizenbier. TL;DR: An interesting balance between cozy and bold, this year's spring release is certainly sippable Rating:  3.5/5 ( Good enough. There's something to enjoy here. ) This is a crushable whiskey in every sense of the word. While this didn't shine consistently enough to earn a higher score after 5 tastings, there were certainly a few times I really enjoyed it during my lengthly review process. After much deliberation, I've discovered that it shines best as a pairing with a rare steak dinner. Let this be a reminder to you: taste your whiskey several times before you ever write it off! You might be sleeping on something you really enjoy under certain conditions. If you're looking for some alternative recommendations, I'd suggest hunting down a bottle of Henry McKenna for much less, or if you really want to splurge for the best... go for Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 17 year bourbon . WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With nearly a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

For the curious whiskey enthusiast... We're bringing out the big guns today. I did a blind tasting of this live on Instagram with @amongstthefernsco , and it was a blast. We very clearly identified this as the better whiskey when compared blindly to Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A122. Now that that's out of the way, I thought it was time to do a deeper dive on this release. Given the relative rarity of this bottle, I'm sure there are many who are curious if this is worth chasing. I hope this review helps you to come to your own conclusion there. Now let's get into it! Company on Label: Heaven Hill Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley Proof: 118.2° Age: 17 years (a blend of 28% 20 year, 44% 19 year, and 28% 17 year bourbons) Further identification: This is the 2022 release from Heaven Hill under the Heritage Collection banner; it debuted in the Spring of 2022 at an MSRP of $275 Nose: From a foot away I can smell the rich caramel from what seems to be a great deal of barrel influence. Soft orange peel dances in the air. Upon bringing the glass to my nose, I find a rich, dark molasses right upfront. Wow, there's definitely a lot of oak going on here. There's a lovely cinnamon spice that trails off into rich pepper, damp earth, and a dense pile of firewood. I'm finding a lot of the rich funk you would expect out of this release. I'm almost reminded of the pervasive cinnamon hots that some of the Starlight Cigar Batches take on from the Brazilian Amburana oak finishes, but it is distinctly more subtle here. The orange peel I was smelling from a distance is subdued now as more of the cool, dark, earthy tones express themselves in this early glass. Caramel, rich oak, and molasses continue to be the persistent aromas in the glass before sipping on anything. There are hints of a bright vanilla bean and some herbaceous garden bed smells hiding in the depths. Oh, now there's much more vanilla and just a touch of linen; it's like a Heaven Hill light switch just went off in my brain! We've returned to the big oak tones and big, spice-forward black pepper notes—time for a sip. Wow, the vanilla characteristics have turned really delectable after a sip. What a delicious aroma! The soft herbal tones have also returned in a larger way. Coffee grounds can be dug up with a prying nose. I'm really sticking a lot to the nutty tones here—testament perhaps to the fact that this almost certainly has to be from the gifted Beam yeast, given the timeline of the awful fire that occurred at Heaven Hill in 1996. That slight nuttiness is one of my favorite characteristics in whiskey, personally. It's not overpowering here and balances extremely well with the traditional vanilla that's been ramped up to the perfect age. As I get near the bottom of the glass, I find myself wanting to drift away into silent enjoyment rather than keep up the analytics, which is typically a sure sign of a truly enjoyable pour! As the liquid in the glass seems to keep disappearing, I start to find some hallmarks of age: aromas of a leather-bound book, oiled mahogany, and troves of oak trinkets. The empty glass smells like vanilla perfected with just the right amount of sweetness. Palate: My first sip is surprisingly fruity given the experience on the nose. I find a ton of zesty orange peel right away. The cinnamon hots are definitely also present, so that transferred well from the initial nose. There's an impressive ease to the palate, which is surprising for a first sip of the day. Even from one sip, there is a long linger highlighted by a slight salty peanut flavor. I'm more reminded of peanut shells, and there's a touch of milk chocolate if you work your tongue around the rich mouth coating. I am already starting to think that this is a fantastic glass to sit and savor, and it might not do as well in a head-to-head format where there is a faster pace and more flavors competing. It's subtle and nuanced from the get-go, but perhaps lacking a bit of wow factor up front. That said, I do think it delivers an exceptional experience for someone with a refined palate. Perhaps it's time for another sip? I think so. Airing out a second sip builds in soft cherry skins, apricot, and buttery peach cobbler. There is a big chest hug after this sip for me today. The similar peanut and chocolate linger from the first sip persists but builds in intensity closer to a Reese's peanut butter cup. A larger sip and swish brings me to a lovely maraschino cherry with just a kiss of rye spice. It's cocktail-forward in its sweetness with what feels like a dash of Angostura bitters on the side. As I near the end of the glass, this continues to stand up really well: zesty orange peel, confectioners sugar, My last sip is a delight as blood orange, cherry parfait, and cinnamon doughnuts pepper my taste buds. The linger is long, with a singing caramel, butterscotch, and molasses granola that sticks to every surface of my mouth. Yum! Rating: 5/5 ( Just wow. One of my favorites. ) This is a damn fine release from Heaven Hill. I'll certainly be sharing it and enjoying it in good company, but I'm not going to give this one a " Keep Amongst the Whiskey " rating, as I don't think I will be able to readily find another to enjoy once this bottle is gone. Buy Heaven Heritage Collection Hill 17 Year Bourbon WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With nearly a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

Vacation reviews continued! It's been a great week of river reviews. Drinking drams with my old man is always a great time. Even better when we are catching beautiful brook trout too. Tonight we have an old staple coming back around in a new barrel. Let’s see how this one drinks! Bonus pictures to follow... Company on Label: Heaven Hill Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 100° Age: 10 years Further identification: Barrel 9862; barreled on 12/22/10 Nose: Rich stewed stone fruits immediately, like plum and cherry. Powerful citrus zest pops out alongside a tame caramel. Molasses pools heavy in the corners. Dark Heaven Hill cloth/paper note I'm starting to become really accustomed to finding. Similar to the note on HH BiB. Nice herbal chocolate blend with some orange zest and pepper. Really feels like a Lindt "Intense Orange" bar. Thoroughly powerful and complex. Palate: Delicious syrupy plum and apricot. Slight candied apple, but primarily vanilla and caramel coming through. Darker and packed with more flavor than some other Henry McKenna barrels I have tried, this is definitely the type of barrel I prefer. I think 1/3 of the bottles I've bought have been winners like this one now. More citrusy today than when I first cracked this one yesterday for #McKennaMonday, it's a little different today. Some more spiciness today too, but not a cinnamon hots or pepper spice hot... it's something tied into the vanilla or molasses. Thorough mouth coating with mint and vanilla, the finish yields a relaxing medley of dark fruit and sweet vanilla that can do no wrong. Despite the inconsistencies, I'll be regularly keeping this #AmongstTheWhiskey. Rating: 4/5 Buy Henry McKenna Bourbon Here Brook trout caught by yours truly

Company on Label: Heaven Hill Whiskey Type: Bourbon Mash Bill Percentages: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Barley Proof: 100° Age: 10 years Further identification: Barrel 9563; barreled on 11-16-09 Oh this one is rich and dark instead of the usual light citrus I get. The nose is still very citrusy, but it also comes with a dark leather and cherry. Vanilla bean ice cream is so creamy; a light caramel drizzle mixing in. Pepper, butter and very malty notes coming out now. The cherry has turned to a sour candy. The leather is just so potent mixed with the dessert vanilla. A thick honey can be found on the edges of the glass. I could nose this forever. Palate is quite a departure from the experience I was having on the nose. Simply unique in its own regard, it punches forward with a syrupy, minty oak. Dark fruit like dates and figs sit in the middle. Slightly tannic on the oak note but balanced by a hint of sweet honey. Rye grain is the predominant addition to the flavor mix, but presents very subtly. Finish is low in intensity but long in duration. I feel like I'm left in a thin cloud of dark sweetness. Rating: 4/5

“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.”  - Henry David Thoreau Michter's 10 year bourbon bottlings have long been a fan favorite for anyone enthusiastic about Kentucky bourbon. Toeing into the land of the hyper-aged spirits, there's a reputation going around that this release often includes whiskeys that are older than the age statement on the bottle. How these blends get put together is still much of a mystery, but the tasting team at Michter's consists of incredible palates and dedicated scientists. Much like the naturalist Henry David Thoreau would extol the virtues of reflecting on experiences in the natural world with pointed rhetoric, I adore sitting with a whiskey a long while, exploring it thoroughly in order to observe and understand its true character. For this year's Michter's 10 year bourbon, that included enjoying and sharing all 750mL that comes in the broad shouldered bottle from Michter's sourced stocks over the course of more than 50 days. This is above and beyond my normal process laid out in my editorial policy , but occasionally really interesting whiskeys make me pause and evaluate for a long while, much like the legendary late Harvey Fry tended to do—spending upwards of a week getting to know a particular whisky expression before offering full tasting notes and a rating. My dear friend Alden Hart told this story to Charles Maclean who looked surprised and possibly a little jealous. I took this assignment personally and extended a week process out to a month. Ready to hear about the latest and greatest from Michter's? Let's get on with the review that has been nearly 2 months in the making. Company on Label:  Bottled by Michter's Distillery LLC, Louisville, Kentucky 40216 Whiskey Type:  Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:  Undisclosed bourbon mash bill Proof:  94.4° Age:  10 years (though commonly assumed to be older) MSRP:  $195 Further identification:  This is a single barrel product; the bottle under review comes from barrel 25A0147, which I purchased with my own money at an elevated market price ($345) Nose:  Light caramel and wispy thin butterscotch lead on a searching inhale. Touches of cardamom and bubbly Fresca give a little intrigue to an otherwise rather simple, easy-going nose. The aromas are cohesive but fairly mellowed out from a long rest in oak. After a sip, gobs of vanilla dominate the sensory wheel. A shy nose slowly ekes out hints of black pepper, black licorice, and black ice over pavement. The empty glass smells of crêpes loaded with whipped cream with an undercurrent of light cola. Palate:  My first sip is light and easy on the tongue, just as the whiskey was on the nose. A long swish and hold on the tongue reveals butter, pie crust, and brown sugar syrup, which paint a velvety picture on the palate. Another sip laces in graham cracker and just a kiss of anise. If it had more effervescence, it would start to resemble a glass of IBC root beer, straight from the glass bottle. By my third sip, I'm ready to invoke the ultimate whiskey writing sin: this pour is smooth . This is kick-off-your-boots whiskey—you're free to melt into a comfy couch with not a chore left on the to-do list. The linger sits long on the tongue and up in the roof of the mouth with mint, chocolate, and confectioners' sugar. Sipping near the bottom of the glass shows off salt water taffy and a kiss of coconut. If it seems that I'm being washy with the light adjectives, that's just an accurate depiction of the whiskey at hand. As I land softly at the bottom of my glass, I struggle to find further complexities outside of a whisper of the character inherent in the 2023 Michter's 10 year bourbon expressions that I fell in love with. Those pours were rich with earthy clay, layers of vanilla, and vintage oak in spades. This unfortunately falls short of that level of greatness, as the finish leaves little parting impression. TL;DR: An almost-great bourbon that lands squarely in the shadow of former releases Rating:  3.5/5 ( Good enough. There's something to enjoy here. ) While exceptionally easy to drink, this ultimately lacks a defining character, something the 23A0043 Michter's 10 year bourbon exuded in spades. I expect a higher caliber of whiskey, an air of elegance, and bountiful complexity out of a release as regaled as Michter's 10 year bourbon . Despite not rating with any regard to price, I am compelled to question the value here, with many other budget whiskeys nailing this level of drinkability at much lower price points. Despite all these qualms—it's still a crushable whiskey. At the time of publishing, I no longer have the bottle under review, if that's any indication to you on my level of enjoyment that you can glean beyond my standardized rating scale . I'm hoping next year will be another truly special year for Michter's 10 year bourbon. WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With nearly a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

“You see, there are two kinds of people in this world: the workers and the hustlers. The hustlers never work, and the workers never hustle...”  - Doug, Cocktail Far too often I hear people describe a whiskey as "a mixing whiskey." This term, inherently derogatory towards the quality of the spirit, is counterintuitive to me. It's a good whiskey that ultimately makes a good cocktail. Whether I am crafting a stellar rye old fashioned or a sweet bourbon concoction, I try to hold a few simple life mottos: "All days are good days" and "Good stuff in, good stuff out" are amongst my favorite quotes to recite to friend and foe alike. So it's with those notions in mind that I say, mix with your best . You may be surprised by the outcome. That's exactly what I did when I set out to make my own version of the Gold Rush , an institutional cocktail now known the world over. First concocted by a patron of Milk & Honey sometime around 2000, this now-famous cocktail has since been enjoyed by countless bar patrons since its inception. Robert Simonson did a great piece  covering the invention of this mixology masterpiece that's certainly worth a read once you've got a cocktail in hand. If you've never made one of these, I've got the full recipe for you towards the bottom of this article, so hang tight. First, let's explore the whiskey I chose for my Gold Rush: a single barrel selection of Blanton's Gold bourbon. Single barrel selections of whiskey are not a new phenomenon. Retailers, groups, and even some brave individuals have been regularly doing barrel picks since the bourbon craze firmly took hold around 2018. In the whiskey enthusiast community, Buffalo Trace Distillery tends to be the most commonly sought-after distillery to do picks from, if not the pinnacle of all barrel selections. Weller, Stagg, and E.H. Taylor single barrels have been the talk of the town for the last decade. Single barrel selections of Blanton's Gold are a relatively new offering, however. One of the first selections landed in my home state of Massachusetts, where I was honored to have tasted from the barrel samples and ultimately agreed with the store's selection; they had a dandy of a bourbon on their hands. Wondering what the whiskey tastes like on its own? Let's get into a quick review. Company on Label:  Blanton Distilling Company (Buffalo Trace Distillery, operated under Sazerac) Whiskey Type:  Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:  Undisclosed bourbon mash bill #2 Proof:  103° Age:  NAS MSRP:  $160 Further identification:  This single barrel was selected by Wyman's Liquors in Leominster, MA; it was dumped on 2-26-2025 from barrel 28, stored in warehouse H, on rick number 37 Nose:  This leads peppery up front with deep caramel undertones. The oak influence is strong yet not at the forefront in aroma. Undulating tones of white linens, salty oysters, and beach sand create a lovely array to behold. With time the glass opens up to a forest floor filled with pine needles, rich in time, patience, history, and lore. It's a spicy, vibrant, punchy nose that should satiate the most experienced whiskey connoisseurs. After a few sips, the glass almost leans into a profile more typical of Weller Full Proof. Cherry, caramel, and butterscotch can be found on long, savor-worthy inhales. The empty glass smells of zesty lemon in a summer cocktail (foreshadowing!) and dried peach. Palate:  On first taste, I'm impressed by the vibrancy that is typically tamped down with traditional Blanton's bottlings. This is bold, black pepper spice-forward with butterscotch and molasses following behind on a complex wave of bourbon prowess. Another sip offers a similar depth, now with dried raisin, toffee, and grenadine. The linger washes oddities out with a consistent caramel sweetness. This is a creamy, sweet whiskey through and through despite a few prickles of black pepper and allspice that keep the attention sharp. As I sip near the bottom of the glass, I find the red fruit returning in spades without coming across as tannic. My last sip offers vanilla frosting and pear before a long linger of apple brandy and caramel syrup takes over the taste buds. Blanton's Gold Rush Recipe This is a simple and classic cocktail. You're only going to need 3 ingredients, but this recipe is receptive to some subtle modifications if needed. Recipe 2 oz Blanton's Gold Bourbon ¾ oz freshly squeezed lemon juice ¾ oz honey syrup (two parts honey + one part hot water) A lemon wheel or peel for garnish Instructions Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice Add bourbon, lemon juice, and honey to the shaker Shake vigorously for 30-40 seconds Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube Garnish with a slice of lemon or an expressed lemon peel Alternate Ingredients If you don't have any Blanton's Gold on hand, you can use any sweet, complex bourbon you see fit Lime would be a good lemon substitute, if desired; skip the squeeze bottle formats you'll find at the grocery store though—squeeze some fresh fruit here The honey syrup ingredient is where I had the most fun experimenting with this cocktail; try an Irish honey liqueur like I did in this rendition The result of mixing with a $160 bourbon that is delicious on its own? An elevated cocktail experience. The bright black pepper spice of the bourbon gets cut down perfectly by the sweet honey. The raisin, toffee, and butterscotch tones don't get watered down but elevated by the zesty lemon juice. If you thought mixing whiskey was just the bottom-shelf budget bourbon, think again. So if you're here reading this and still haven't tried the Gold Rush cocktail, what are you waiting for? Head down to your favorite watering hole, or better yet, grab the requisite ingredients and get mixing! The odds of your local bar serving this up with Blanton's Gold are relatively slim, but then too, so are the odds of you owning a bottle. This is the kind of whiskey that collectors love to hunt, given the trinket that adorns every bottle—the cast horse topper cork. Even if you were previously proud of having secured each of the individual letters that spell out BLANTON'S when you collected each racehorse and jockey topper, you've now got a new tier of memento to chase. The golden toppers now available on the Blanton's Gold bottles may just be the bane of completionism's existence, but I say... hunt on! WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With nearly a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

“Virtue lies in the middle ground.”  - Jose Rizal Now smack dab in the middle of the age statements that Jack Daniel's has resurrected from the annals of this historic distillery, batch 03 of the 12 year expression aims to satisfy the whiskey enthusiast looking for a little more than the simplicity of Jack's Old No. 7. Bumping up the proof from 97 to 107 as you go from the 10 year to the 12 year expression will likely help this appeal to drinkers who have sampled their fair share of pours. Higher proof doesn't always mean more or better flavor, though. When comparing the first release of the 12 year expression to batch 02 of the 10 year expression , I actually slightly preferred the lower proof offering. Since then, the 10 year expression has unfortunately fallen out of my good graces . Ready to find out how this year's 12 year expression stacks up? Let's dive in. Company on Label:  Jack Daniel Distillery Whiskey Type:  Tennessee whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:  80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye Proof:  107° Age:  12 years MSRP:   $95 (2025) Further identification:  This is batch 3 of the 12 year expression, which first released in March of 2023 Nose:  The nose immediately leads with a lovely, vibrant richness of caramel. It's oily in feel, as flan and butterscotch jump to mind. The glass is warm and inviting as deep inhales comfortably pull out aromas of Baked Alaska with a beautiful rum flambé. Complex hints of cinnamon bread, whipped cream, and rich oak round out a whiskey free of complaint. After a few sips, the whiskey gets a touch complacent in its character, finding revelry in boisterously imparting the same caramel and butterscotch that the glass led with. Flashes of beautiful, crystalline, creamy complexity continue to tug at my heartstrings as I yearn for more of the perfection this liquid is hiding beneath its surface. I'm aware that this is a lovely whiskey, but it's a touch shy and currently hiding behind a wall of vanilla bean and oak, which is not all that unpleasant in its own right. Deep inhales late in the glass produce a marshmallow sweetness I wasn't expecting. There's an underlying earthiness that reminds me of the pine forests of Northern Maine. The empty glass smells of fresh leather, damp green oak leaves, and a verdant forest floor. Palate:  On first sip I find a cohesive, creamy, and sweet whiskey leading with the fluffy egg white and sugar of a meringue that dances on the taste buds near the front of the tongue. In a surprise twist of simplicity, I find the flavors run right up the middle of the tongue, imparting only a little bloom of complexity that adds caramel and raisin bread. Another taste adds further wood spice and a subtle peanut brittle to the mix as dry cinnamon stick and black pepper begin to sap the tongue of its moisture. In redeeming moments, the creaminess from the early nose transposes to the palate, and all is right again. It's a delicate balance that occasionally sings but sometimes temporarily violates my trust. Sipping slowly and patiently returns the glass to a place of reverence in a classic whiskey profile. Hints of raisin add to the overall depth as the linger begins to build in intensity. Sipping off the well-rested glass elevates a whiskey that feels bottled at just the perfect proof. Caramel Werther's, tart black cherries, and just a kiss of cardamom round out a lovely dram. TL;DR: An evolving pour that runs right in the comfort zone for a patient, longtime enthusiast Rating:  4/5 ( Really good. I want one of these on my shelf. ) This is a whiskey that demands patience. With subtle undulations in quality and character, this is the kind of pour that will reward those who are willing to sit with a glass and really get to know the creator. While this is certainly good, it's not quite Jack Daniel's 14 year good. You can find my review for the 14 year expression here , and if you're really loving my writing, feel free to buy me a coffee ! WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With nearly a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.

“Wrinkles should merely indicate where smiles have been.”  - Mark Twain The oldest expression from the modern Jack Daniel's distillery is hot on the scene and making waves in the whiskey world. Seemingly distributed in one of the smallest quantities possible, I had everything to do just to get a hold of one bottle for review. Stores across Massachusetts kept telling me month after month since the Jack Daniel's press release dropped, "It hasn't arrived yet, and when it does come in, we might only get one bottle." My heart sank each time, because these age stated expressions represent exactly what I had hoped the team behind this reliable old distillery would do—continue to innovate. When their rye expression burst onto the scene with the 2020 limited edition special release rye , I was floored with what their rye grain could do in a well-crafted final product . "... when it does come in, we might only get one bottle." Alas, this corn-forward Tennessee whiskey may be the ultimate representation of a limited release whiskey. With distribution being as scarce as it is, many folks are turning towards reviews, wondering if this expression could possibly be worth what price-gouging stores and secondary markets are fixing this for, well above the suggested retail price of $150. The cost-conscious consumer might even wonder at MSRP as well, when Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 is sitting on every whiskey shelf in the world at a cool 27 bucks. It once again beckons forth the age-old question in whiskey: is older better? What are we really paying for here? I've been fortunate to have had the chance to visit the Jack Daniel Distillery several times for barrel picks. In conversations with wonderful humans like Lexie Phillips and her husband, appropriately nicknamed Nacho Libre, I've come to learn this brand is a force to be reckoned with. Their whiskey production capability puts them into a league of their own, where the next biggest distillery or label isn't even on their radar. In a hilarious example of this, I couldn't help but chuckle when I was there last year, picking barrels with Pablo Moix and his adorable dogs. Nacho kindly informed Pablo that, no, he had actually not heard of the business phenom nor his increasingly popular whiskey brand, Rare Character . Perhaps this was just a sly joke that soared over my head amongst the many samples of barrel proof whiskey we were sipping through, but it left me with the sense that Lynchburg is something of an island—cut off from the sphere of influence of the outside (whiskey) world that patient taste-travelers like myself yearn to explore and understand. For a whiskey goliath such as this, the profits to be made from small-scale innovations like these hyper-aged whiskeys are marginal in comparison to the power that their voluminous shelf offerings pull in for the Brown-Forman portfolio. Instead of targeting the bottom line, this bottling appears to be aiming more towards preserving some of the historical significance of the Jack Daniel's legacy. Over a century ago, these age stated expressions were part of the core lineup. The momentous return of these couldn't come at a better time, when whiskey enthusiasts are looking to drink and share only the best whiskeys. “When we released our first Jack Daniel’s 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey a few years ago, we set out to honor the legacy of Jack Daniel himself and replicate the lineup of age-stated whiskeys available during his time,” said Chris Fletcher, Master Distiller at the Jack Daniel Distillery. “This year’s releases build upon that as we re-introduce our new 14-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey, the oldest age-statement for Jack Daniel’s in the last 100 years or more. These whiskeys really showcase how a little extra time in our barrels is capable of producing something so special.” Fletcher knows that with 14 years of aging in the intense Tennessee heat, some careful barrel handling had to be employed. After proofing and likely tasting some of the aging stocks, the team resolved to move the barrels that were slated for this release—and for age statements beyond 14—to lower floors in their rickhouses, slowing the maturation effects that might turn double-digit whiskeys into overoaked messes. This attention to detail tells me that this release was crafted by enthusiasts for enthusiasts. So, my dear reader, are you ready to find out if all that care has resulted in the perfect sipping whiskey? Let's get into a full review. Company on Label:   Jack Daniel Distillery Whiskey Type:  Tennessee whiskey Mash Bill Percentages:  80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye Proof:  126.3° Age:  14 years MSRP:   $150 (2025) Further identification:  This is batch 1, first released in February, 2025 in very limited distribution Nose:  The glass opens with rich caramel leaning towards flan and creamy butterscotch, reminiscent of some dusty bourbon. It’s bright, potent, and thick in nose feel. Some traces of classic, rich old oak introduce subtle black pepper and allspice on an altogether quite classic whiskey aroma wheel. Nosing further brings forth the hair-raising chill of nostalgia, the feeling of falling in love with a new whiskey category. Wow, holding the glass at a bit of distance produces such a profound and clear vanilla bean ice cream aroma. As the glass continues to bloom, buttery aromas build in intensity, and my heart swoons. Some light florals dance around the ubiquitous, level oak. You can tell it’s generally a high-proof pour without any of the stinging pain in the nostrils that can sometimes come with it. After a sip, the nose casts forth a touch more ethanol, but not in a volume that poses a problem to me personally. Vanilla and ginger ale are dominant late in the pour as the volume of aroma diminishes in perfect coordination with the volume of liquid remaining in the glass. The glass tapers off slowly toward a perfectly comfortable array of bready tones. The empty glencairn smells of candied apple, Werther’s caramel chews, and a cloud of gorgeous vanilla creaminess. I find myself quite lost in this pour with eyes closed in quiet bliss. Palate:  On first taste I find a cacophonous wave of flavor: silky flan darts to buttercream frosting, then lazily drifts around a bend of maraschino cherry juice. The linger is impossibly long, as if time weren’t even available for consideration. This pour instantly reminds me of a hot summer’s day, floating down a river in an inflatable raft loaded down with a day's worth of drinks. Another sip amplifies the joy, extolling all the virtues of hyper-aged whiskey. Coconut butter, pancake batter, and a dash of brown sugar all sit atop the well-integrated oak. Sipping late in the glass offers molasses drizzled atop a bed of waffles before a stupidly long linger of allspice dram, anise, and caramel tingle on and on in every nook and cranny of the mouth. This is a lovely whiskey. TL;DR: This is the whiskey we've been waiting for from Jack Daniel's Rating:  4.5/5 ( Absolutely delicious. Enthusiast grade pour. ) Goodness me, this was worth the price of admission. Clearly shining above and beyond the 10 year and 12 year expressions from this year, this is the bottle to hunt for in 2025. It's the bottle I can't stop going back to any time I get in the mood for a great whiskey, which is why it has solidly earned my Keep Amongst the Whiskey designation. If the Jack team can consistently continue to scale out whiskey of this caliber, JD has a bright future amongst whiskey enthusiasts near and far. WRITTEN BY: NICK ANDERSON With nearly a decade of sipping experience, Nick Anderson brings a well-calibrated palate to his profound passion for the whiskey industry. Beginning in Irish whiskey before expanding into bourbon, rye, and beyond, he has long been taking the ephemeral observation of unspoken enjoyment and translating it into meaningful words. He is the owner and primary long-winded whiskey writer for AmongstTheWhiskey.com , and he hopes you find resonance in the patient conveyance of an honest whiskey review.