Diageo Announces Blade and Bow

Just last week I posted “In Defense of Orphan Barrel” which talked about ignoring the marketing and just focusing on the taste of the Orphan Barrel bourbons. Diageo is making it hard. Blade and Bow could have the same problem. Apparently, Diageo didn’t lose the Blade and Bow barrels in the Stitzel-Weller warehouses but they did bottle them there. Diageo has been renovating the Stitzel-Weller Distillery but had positioned it as the Bulleit Experience. The new bottling facility must have been part of the remodel. read more

Woodford to Celebrate 30 Years of Kentucky Derby Museum

Woodford Reserve just received approval for a label commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Kentucky Derby Museum. It appears to be the regular Woodford Reserve bourbon in a limited edition bottle. This seems like a great way to celebrate two of the most iconic things in Kentucky.

Since I’m celebrating my own 30th this year I’ll definitely grab a bottle. read more

Orphan Barrel Bottles Reviewed

Before you grab your pitch forks, let me explain. I understand, for some bourbon enthusiast defending Diageo’s Orphan Barrel Project is like rooting for Ivan Drago in Rocky 4 or wearing an Iceland jersey in Mighty Ducks 2. Forget the marketing. I want to focus on the taste in the Oprhan barrel line up. Yes, I do believe there are several good – great bourbons in the Orphan barrel line. read more

Blind Tasting Bourbon

Lets begin with what a blind tasting isn’t. A blind tasting isn’t selecting 3 bottles of bourbon and having your spouse pour them while your back is turned. True blind tasting is when you have no idea what will be in the glass. It could be Pappy Van Winkle 23 or Cleveland bourbon. It’s up to you decide whether or not the bourbon is good. True blind tastings reveal how good your favorite bourbon is. Maybe I have a twisted sense of humor but there’s nothing funnier than seeing a guys face when they realize they rated their favorite bourbon at a 70 or less. read more

Whiskey Leather Flask From 1776 Co.

Originally, I came across 1776 Co. while they were running their Kickstarter campaign. A friend of mine sent me the link after buying one. Since I’m always looking for cool new bourbon/whiskey related products, and I was in desperate need of a new flask, I decided to give them a try. Last week I got in touch with the founder, Isaiah Janes, and we chatted about how 1776 Co. got its start and the difficulties of being truly “handcrafted”. That word gets used a lot in the bourbon world but these guys are really crafting by hand. read more

Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Approved

This appears to be a new line from Wild Turkey called “Master’s Keep” and not a re-release of the 17 year old bourbon they released in early 2000’s. There’s not much better than ultra-aged Turkey! Hoping the price isn’t too crazy but based on the Wild Turkey Diamond release I’d expect somewhere in the $150 range.  I’m still working on collecting more information about this release but see the labels below. read more

The Best Bourbons for Valentine’s Day

Guys can be hard to buy gifts for on Valentines Day. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. You can’t go wrong with either of these options. Old Blowhard is a 26 year old bourbon released under the Orphan Barrel (Diageo) brand. While Thomas H. Handy may be a little harder to come by since it’s a part of the highly sought after BTAC fall release it’s definitely worth tracking down. read more

Booker’s Gets New Bottle Art

Yesterday, Jim Beam announced the release of the 2015 Booker’s Bourbon. See the bold below for my notes. Or, check out the other bottle stickers here. Personally, I love Booker’s and this gives me something to look forward to in light of the dispiriting spring bourbon releases.

CLERMONT, KY–(Marketwired – Feb 11, 2015) – Booker’s® Bourbon is proud to unveil the inaugural batch of its limited-edition collection celebrating founding distiller Booker Noe’s legacy as the father of small batch bourbon. One of the few bourbons available today bottled straight from the barrel, Booker’s® Bourbon will now feature limited-edition labels inspired by Booker Noe’s love of bourbon, family and the spirit of experimentation. These commemorative releases will be available in limited quantities throughout the year. Booker’s® Bourbon Batch 2015-1, named “Big Man, Small Batch,” features a custom label inspired by the iconic visual of Booker sipping bourbon in his rocking chair with his dog, Dot, by his side. The batch’s name honors Booker’s role in the creation of small batch bourbons and the larger-than-life personality for which he was known. “Booker’s® was founded on my dad’s dedication to making the very best bourbon there is, and I’m proud to honor him with this limited-edition collection,” said Fred Noe, Beam’s 7th Generation Master Distiller and 2013 Bourbon Hall of Fame Inductee. “‘Big Man, Small Batch’ is the first batch to feature these new labels, giving our fans a little more insight into who my dad was and his love for creating great bourbon!” Uncut like all Booker’s® Bourbon batches before it, “Big Man, Small Batch” is now available in limited quantities. Bottled at 128.7 proof, “Big Man, Small Batch” was selected with the following characteristics: • Proof: 128.7 • Age: 7 years, 2 months and 16 days • Batch Notes: Culled from seven different rack houses, Batch 2015-1 blends the flavor tendencies of several small groups of barrels to create a complex bourbon with a vanilla nose. • Sipping Suggestions: With ice or cut with water

Each batch of Booker’s® Bourbon is hand-selected by Fred Noe to ensure every bottle contains a robust, full-bodied whiskey that matches Booker’s whiskey preference. Noe also calls on the expertise of “Booker’s® Bourbon Roundtable,” an exclusive panelist group consisting of top whiskey experts, enthusiasts and writers, to help select batches throughout the year — a tradition that will continue for the limited-edition collection. read more

Olde St. Nick “Label” to Make a Comeback

Very Olde St. Nick whiskey was released in the early 2000’s only in the Japanese market however some bottles have made their way back to whiskey collectors in the US. Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (KBD) bottled Very Olde St. Nick. It’s important to note that they bottled VOSN but it was not their brand. read more