Booker’s 25th Anniversary “The Story”

This Spring (or late Winter) Jim Beam released a special edition Booker’s bourbon to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Booker’s brand. While the bourbon was excellent the packaging and bottle was some of the finest packaging I’ve seen. Booker’s has always come in a wooden box but for the special release Beam added a new bottle design as well as 25 quotes, or Bookerism’s, from Booker Noe. Each box had one quote in it and they range from insightful to just plain funny. read more

Barrell Bourbon Review:

Usually, when I hear about a new Non-Distiller Producer releasing a bourbon or whiskey I’m a bit skeptical and to be honest I had the same thought when I first came across Barrell Bourbon on Twitter. However, after speaking with the founder, Joe Beatrice, I had a much better perspective about their newly released bourbon. First, they’re not hiding the fact that they don’t distill or age their bourbon. Second, they’re transparent about what’s in the bottle (see below). Finally, they’re passionate the product and have bottled a quality bourbon that is not overpriced. These are things I’d like to see every NDP practice. read more

Four Roses Single Barrel Limited Edition 2014

*Per Four Roses source, bottling for the 2014 Single Barrel LE should begin the second and third week of May. Expected to hit shelves late May or early June*

This years limited release will be an 11 year old from the Four Roses OESF mash bill. The OESF mash bill is 20% rye with a more herbal tasting yeast strand. read more

2014 Spring Bourbon and whiskey Releases

Last fall we created a list of special or limited edition bourbon/whiskey releases. While most LE releases are done in the Fall there are still some great bourbons coming out this Spring (late Winter depending on your state) of 2014.

Booker’s 25th Anniversary – 10-11 years, 125-130 proof, $100 – Released across the country read more

New Standardized Rating System on Bourbonr

As Bourbonr continues to grow and the bourbon review database builds there is a need to standardized the whiskey rating system. For instance, a rating of 80/100 for Wild Turkey 101 to one member may mean something completely different to other members interested in buying a bottle of WT101. Standardizing ratings makes the information more reliable and credible. This doesn’t mean every bottle will have the same rating. Everyone has different taste and preferences. However, with standardized ratings, if you see I’ve rated Wild Turkey 101 an 80/100 you know I mean it’s a good whiskey to bourbon for the price but not something you will hoard by the case load. read more

Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey

Today’s whiskey is brought to you by guest reviewer Charles Hetzel. Charles is a Founding Father of The Bourbon Mafia. If you haven’t heard of The Bourbon Mafia you’ve got to check out their site.

Enter Charles:

What many don’t realize is that General George Washington purchased Michter’s Whiskey to help fortify his men during the brutal winters at Valley Forge. With over 60 inches of snow so far in Chicago, I decided why not follow Washington’s strategy and fortify myself from the Polar Vortex of 2014. On my 44th birthday, I had a generous glass of the Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey to cap off a fantastic evening. I enjoyed this glass at Chef Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas’ speakeasy The Office at The Aviary. Surrounded by family and friends we enjoyed this great whiskey which given its heft price tag is considered one of the finest whiskeys in the world.
Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey is the brainchild of Master Distiller William Pratt who has been in the whiskey industry his entire life. Michter’s Celebration is a culmination of several select casks of 20 year-old and 30 year-old whiskey mixed by Pratt personally with a few other additional barrels he selects. After the barrel blending, they are bottled by hand behind a label with 18 karat gold lettering and boxed in a nice gift box. Only 273 bottles of this limited edition gem exist. read more

Want to build your Whiskey Library and wishlist?

George Washington’s Distillery: Making Whiskey from Mount Vernon on Vimeo.

Pappy Van Winkle Black Market

Disclaimer: The resale of alcohol is illegal, without proper license, and I am in no way encouraging it. I also have no problems with the current market, buyers, sellers or prices. This article is just an observation of a free market at work which I find fascinating. 

Edit: The owner of bottle spot read the article and emailed me this read more

Booker’s 25th Anniversary

Booker’s 25th Limited Edition is set to be released in March 2014

Booker Bourbon 25th Anniversary now available at the Beam Distillery and select KY stores

This special edition is going to be a 9 – 11 year old barrel proof bourbon. I can’t wait to try this unfiltered uncut release! We should start seeing this limited edition Booker’s bourbon around March of 2014. This bottle will cost you about $100 but I’m sure it will be worth every penny read more