By Richard Thomas Growing within the larger whiskey boom are many trends relating to aging in wood. Barrel-aged cocktails are catching on in mixology, while at home a growing number of enthusiasts have taken to experimenting with further aging off-the-shelf whiskey using small barrels and so-called “whiskey sticks.” The basic principle behind the whiskey sticks isn’t a new one, and ...

How Evolution Might Turn Some People Away From Whiskey By Richard Thomas It was when my future wife came to visit me in America for the first time that I learned she detested whiskey, or more specifically Scotch whisky, the most popular spiritous liquor of her native Portugal. After some questioning, I suggested she try some Kentucky bourbon. Liking it, ...

Comparing The Buffalo Trace Antique Collections By Facts, Figures And Opinions By Richard Thomas While Pappy Van Winkle gets the attention in the mainstream press, among true die-hard bourbon enthusiasts the most anticipated annual whiskey release is arguably that of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC). While bourbon fans obsess about the technical details of other annual bourbon releases too, ...

The Five Biggest Scotch Myths And What Is Wrong With Them By Richard Thomas With its rich, deep pool of lore and traditions, Scotch whisky is one of those drinks that gives its lovers as much to learn as to enjoy. Yet all that knowledge inevitably means no small amount of misinformation as well, and I sometimes find myself surprised ...

By Richard Thomas For whiskey fans in the United States, the coming of autumn means the season of release for all the big annual limited edition bourbons, and foremost among them is Pappy Van Winkle. The phones at liquor stores start ringing about getting on waiting lists, signing up for lotteries, or just how much one has to pay for ...