James B. Beam Distilling has released a 16-year-old Grand-Dad bourbon, the oldest expression of the cult favorite brand. This is the first coming-of-age statement since Beam acquired OGD from National Distillers in 1987, and the 100-proof bottle marks the start of a new era for the storied brand. Old Grandpa has been raging since 1882 … Read more
Brooklyn is associated with so many iconic things: pizza, hipsters, bridges, and world-class whiskey. You might be a little surprised by the last item on the list. However, the hardworking folks at Widow Jane Distillery have been holding it back since 2012. In fact, the cozy factory along the cobblestone streets of Red Hook is … Read more
There are whiskey writers and aficionados who like to talk about what they think is controversial: Tennessee whiskey is actually bourbon. Of course, both follow the same legal production guidelines: the mash consists of at least 51 percent corn, is matured in new, charred oak vessels (practically always in barrels), distilled to a maximum of … Read more
Old Grand-Dad Bonded is one of my favorite bargain bourbons for a number of reasons, at $25 a liter in stores around me. I appreciate the reference to the name, the fact that the brand is almost lost, and the tasty tall rye mash. The brand was created in 1882 by Raymond Hayden as a … Read more
Does a whiskey have to be made in Kentucky to be called bourbon? Is a Tennessee whiskey technically bourbon? Can God make a rock so big that he cannot lift it? I've run into questions like this before at some point in a busy evening, but when I'm drinking Bib & Tucker Double Char Bourbon, … Read more
The question: “How do I drink bourbon?” at first glance it may seem a bit silly. Just pour it into a glass and drink the whiskey smooth, right? It's a bit more complicated than that though. Bourbon whiskey is a deep and complex spirit that requires hard work and years of aging to produce, and … Read more
Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky is well known to American whiskey collectors. Pappy Van Winkle is produced in partnership with the Van Winkle family and annually releases the coveted Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC) limited edition bourbon and rye whiskeys. But the brand's core bourbon expression—the affordable and reliable Buffalo Trace Bourbon—is also worth a … Read more
Four Roses is a reliable Kentucky straight bourbon that ticks all the right boxes: cheap, tasty and versatile. Like many other whiskey enthusiasts, I'm always looking for value. However, there are a lot of expensive limited edition expressions out there these days. While many of them are truly fantastic, when I come across an inexpensive … Read more
Maker's Mark, the bottle with a red-dipped melted wax cap, is known to bourbon drinkers the world over. So bourbon fans like myself were excited to hear that Maker's just dropped its oldest release ever: Maker's Mark Cellar Aged 2024. Founded in 1953, Maker's Mark has always adhered to the adage that its whiskey is … Read more
Until I was old enough to buy myself a whiskey, my favorite bourbon was Wild Turkey. I don't remember exactly how it came about, but whenever I went to a house party or a basement concert, I always took out a pocket-sized bottle of Wild Turkey 101. The bold, spicy Wild Turkey flavor profile is … Read more