By Richard Thomas Rating: B When I wrote an article comparing the classic 9 year old Knob Creek to its No Age Statement (NAS) replacement a few weeks ago, I paused to consider whether I wanted to review Knob Creek NAS on its own. I kept thinking it over until I sat down on Thanksgiving morning to attend to some ...

By Richard Thomas Rating: B Known to some as the “Johnny Appleseed of Whiskey” and to others as just a swell guy, Dave Pickerell pretty much invented the role of the modern whiskey consultant, and one of his most successful co-creations has been WhistlePig. Pickerell passed away roughly a year ago, but his influence lives on as his incomplete projects ...

By Douglas Fraser Rating: C+ Deep in the heart of the Green Mountain State lies some of America’s best craft breweries and distilleries that use the rich, local resources of the state of Vermont. Mad River Distillery is one of those craft distilleries nestled in the Green Mountains just outside of Warren, VT. While visiting Vermont in October, I attended ...

Battle of the Knob Creeks, Comparing NAS To 9 Year Old By Richard Thomas Some three years ago, Beam Suntory quietly removed the age statement from Knob Creek. After dropping the 9 years from the label, it retained its official label as “Knob Creek Small Batch,” but to writers, bloggers and enthusiasts it became known as “Knob Creek NAS” (i.e. ...

By Richard Thomas Rating: B When Heaven Hill discontinued their 6 Year Old Bottled in Bond Bourbon, a Kentucky-only release, the decision was greeted with mourning. Even though the expression was always a nod to the distillery’s home state and its diehard bourbon drinking populace, it had become popular with enthusiasts everywhere as a whiskey that punched well above its ...