By Richard Thomas Rating: B At my book launch late last year, I was asked what brand was overdue for a cask strength version. Without even a moment’s pause, I said “Bernheim.” Heaven Hill released the cask strength version of its seminal Elijah Craig Small Batch a decade ago, in 2013. Back then, both the Small Batch and Barrel Proof ...

Heaven Hill Distillery introduced the original version of Bernheim Wheat Whiskey in 2005; almost 18 years later, they have finally released a cask strength version. Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey was the first wheat whiskey to use winter wheat as its primary grain, creating a soft, sweet flavor. Now Bernheim Barrel Proof Wheat Whiskey delivers the same familiar smoothness ...

By Richard Thomas Rating: B- Following their branding and custom, California’s Redwood Empire named their blend of whiskeys after a very old, very tall redwood tree. The tallest coastal redwood, Lost Monarch the tree is 157 feet high and found in Jedediah Smith State Park. Lost Monarch the whiskey is a blend of (presumably MGP-sourced) bourbon and rye. I think ...

Michter’s Distillery will begin shipping the 2022 Edition of its Celebration Sour Mash this February 2023. Originally intended to ship after its bottling in late 2022, the release was delayed by supply chain issues involving the arrival of packaging. This will be the fourth ever Michter’s Celebration release and the first one since 2019. When Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey ...

By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ With it’s sour mash whiskey, Michter’s harks back to its brand roots in southeastern Pennsylvania, and especially so with Shenk’s Homestead. Michter’s Sour Mash disappeared in 1989, one of the late casualties of the 1970s world whiskey bust. “New Michter’s” reintroduced it in 2012, as one of those expressions that isn’t quite bourbon or rye, ...