Corrected November 22, 2017 By Richard Thomas Rating: A+ An unexpected item in the Fall 2017 Bourbon season, that time of year when all the hot button limited releases come out, was Michter’s 25 Year Old Bourbon. If anyone outside the company knew it was coming out (until the week before the official press release went around), then that person ...

By Richard Thomas Rating: A Aged Scotch whisky has an expensive reputation, and very aged even more so. Ultra aged? Fughetaboutit! But even so, it is possible to find an expression that defies your expectations, one way or another. Five decades old Macallans, for example, retain their ability to shock by costing as much as a high end luxury car. ...

By Richard Thomas Rating: A- When it comes to Sherry casks and whisky, the overwhelming favorite choice is Oloroso, followed at some distance by PX. The use of Amontillado casks is much rarer, although this probably has more to do with Amontillado itself being a small part of overall Sherry production. Without writing a whole Sherry 101 essay, Amontillado lies ...

By Richard Thomas Rating: A- Anyone familiar with my body of work knows that I am a booster of the spread of whisky-making around the world, and in tandem I have developed a strong interest in the issue of non-traditional climate and maturation. When Sweden and Australia get laurels, I’m thrilled. When lesser known places in Argentina and Israel get ...

By Richard Thomas Rating: A For whisk(e)y enthusiasts who aren’t collectors-for-profit, acquiring a pricey and rare bottle usually produces one of two reactions: crack it open at the earliest opportunity, like a kid with his prized Christmas gift; or put it away to save for a special occasion. When I got my hands on a bottle of 2015’s Michter’s 20 ...