By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ For those who obsess over age statements as the first (and perhaps only) statement of quality, Barrell Bourbon Batch 009 must be the most eagerly anticipated of that independent bottler’s releases. The reason is printed in two simple numerals on the label: 13, as in 13 years old. None of the Barrell Bourbon batches thus ...

By Richard Thomas Whiskey is trendy, and plenty of women are now out there imbibing the water of life. This is now so commonplace, in fact, that whenever I see an article about “women who drink whiskey” I think “passe” and “cliched.” It’s just not as remarkable anymore. Even so, with Valentine’s Day around the corner, it bears some thinking ...

By Kurt Maitland Rating: B Glenfarclas is a Speyside whisky distillery located in Ballindalloch, Scotland, owned and run by the Grant family (not the same Grant family that owns fellow Speysiders, Balvenie and Glenfiddich). I tell you from personal experience that it is a jewel of a distillery and an exemplar independent operation. Glenfarclas malts are well-made (the winner of ...

By Richard Thomas Even though whiskey-making has spread to most states of the Union, and much of that whiskey being made is Bourbon, Kentucky still dominates the industry. If you discount Tennessee Whiskey (admittedly a major exception, since Jack Daniel’s is the world’s second largest whiskey brand), 95% of the world’s Bourbon is made in Commonwealth of Kentucky. Although several ...

By Richard Thomas The last couple of weeks saw some buzz around MGP, the Indiana distillery that produces most of the stock whiskey bought and traded among distilleries and bottlers today. Or, at least, it produced a buzz among that part of the spirits media that pays attention to the real business of making and selling whiskey. This began with ...