Updated: History of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection

Blakein
Posts
23

History of the BTAC

Every fall for the past 15 years Buffalo Trace Distillery has pumped out some of the best bourbons and rye whiskies with their Antique Collection (BTAC). Collectively, the Antique Collection has won over major 150 awards from almost every whiskey competition in the world. These awards range from “Whisky of the Year” in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible to Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (but you already know how I feel about whiskey competitions). Aside from that, George T. Stagg holds one of the highest honors bestowed upon a bourbon which is Bourbonr’s (my) favorite bourbon. read more

Bourbon Review: Col. E.H. Taylor Cured Oak

Blakein
Posts
43

E.H. Taylor Cured Oak Reviewed

With spring bourbon releases in a pretty dismal state EH Taylor Cured Oak (see the specs for Cured Oak here) showed up to save the day for Bourbonrs. Like most hyped bourbon releases (or any limited edition release for that matter) it came with some controversy. The secondary prices quickly rose to $400+ before it was released in most states. Reviews varied greatly. Some claimed it was excellent (Pappy 2.0) and well worth any price tag while others found it to be terrible and way too bitter. I was lucky enough to secure a bottle at retail, now to find one of those boxes, and decided to give it a try. read more

Smooth Ambler to (Temporarily) Discontinue Rye

Blakein
Posts
5

Smooth Ambler Out of Rye Whiskey

I try to ignore the “whiskey shortage” post as much as possible but this one hits a little too close to home. Smooth Ambler consistently lands on the Bourbonr best buy lists and their cask strength rye is one of my personal favorites. John Little, the Vice President of Smooth Ambler, announced Wednesday on their Facebook page that they were running out of rye whiskey stock (sourced from MGPI). This is obviously a good problem to have when you’re a craft distiller but as consumers this is the last thing we want to hear. read more

New Booker’s Bourbon Roundtable Released

Blakein
Posts
5

2015 Booker’s Roundtable Selected

Jim Beam has released the third Booker’s of 2015 and it is also a roundtable pick (what do I have to do get get a chair at that roundtable?!). If you’re not familiar with the roundtable read Chuck Cowdery’s post on how it works. TL;DR: Fred Noe (Beam’s Master Distiller and son of Booker Noe) and several other bourbon/whiskey writers sample different batches of Booker’s and select the best. The 2015-03 bottle label will feature  Booker Noe’s favorite part of the rackhouse and choice cut of meat – “The Center Cut.” Here are the other important facts about this bottle: read more

Do Whiskey Competitions Matter?

Blakein
Posts
32

Are Competition Winners Worth the Money?

Perusing the bourbon aisle of any liquor store across the country it’s hard not notice the awards dolled out by whiskey competitions. “Double Gold”, “Best in Class 2014!” or “Winner of XXX Whiskey Competition” seem to be on every third bottle. I understand why brands do this. It lends confidence to the undecided buyer. “Well this bourbon won quadruple gold at the Whiskey Olympics, it must be worth $50”. The question is, should I add “whiskey competitions winner” as a factor in my decision making process? read more

Jim Beam Harvest Bourbon Collection Reviewed

Blakein
Posts
6

Bourbon Review: Jim Beam Harvest Collection

Experimental mash bills are continuously popping up on on store shelves but Jim Beam has been playing around with different mash bills for quite some time. Last fall they announced their Harvest Bourbon Collection which included 6 different experimental mash bills all aged 11+ years. Here’s some more information from Beam: read more

These Bourbons are Good…

Blakein
Posts
51

Bourbons (Whiskies) You Will Like

The bourbon world (myself included) has become overly obsessed with limited editions (LE’s) or rare bottles. Is this the pot calling the kettle black? It’s more like the pot acknowledging its faults. About 80% of what I write on this blog is LE  related. Why? Because that’s what is fun, interesting and exciting. I don’t think this is a problem as long as there’s the occasional reality check. read more

2015 Parker’s Heritage Collection Announced

Blakein
Posts
22

Parker’s Heritage Collection Malt Whiskey

The 9th installment of the Parker’s Heritage collection will be a Malt Whiskey. The mash bill for the Malt Whiskey is 65% Malted Barley and 35% Corn. The whiskey will be aged 8 years, 108 proof and unfiltered. The price will probably follow prior year releases and be around $85-$90. Heaven Hill seems to be enjoying their non-bourbon releases after last years Wheat Whiskey. read more

Buffalo Trace Supply Update

Blakein
Posts
23

Inventory Update from Buffalo Trace

We’ve all been beaten down with talks of a bourbon shortage so it’s nice every now and then to hear how the distilleries are handling the situation. There’s no earth shattering information here but it is nice to know that there are no plans to discontinue any brands (stop the “Elmer T Lee is being discontinued” rumors) and that there is sufficient supplies of Blanton’s, Weller and Sazerac. All 3 of these whiskies are among my favorite “everyday” whiskies. read more