By Randall H. Borkus Rating: A India’s Paul John stepped up a notch again with a stellar single malt in 2021, Mithuna. I received two sample bottles (50ml) earlier this year, and I need to tell you that I enjoyed them. This is an unpeated, not-chill-filtered single whisky. It is matured in virgin American oak (the way folks following the ...

By Richard Thomas Rating: A- California’s St. George Spirits is an example of what I call craft distilling before there was craft distilling. Founded by Jörg Rupf in 1982. After Rupf had spent more than a decade in brandy-making, ex-nuclear scientist and former brewer Lance Winters showed up on Rupf’s doorstep, looking to make whiskey and with a bottle of ...

By Randall H. Borkus Rating: A+ The Jack Ryan Whiskey Company presents small releases of malt whiskeys, aged and finished in their own stock of select barrels.  Jack Ryan whiskey finishes range from classic ex-bourbon casks to innovative rum and Madeira casks, and include collaborations with small, quality spirit producers. Jack Ryan “The Centenary” is a limited-edition Cask Strength 15 ...

By Richard Thomas Rating: A- I find myself rather dismayed, sitting here in January 2022, that the autumn release of the George Dickel and Leopold Brothers collaboration blend did not garner more of a buzz among enthusiasts. It certainly got attention from us booze writers, but I didn’t see much enthusiasm expressed on forums and in bars… which to me ...

Updated October 14, 2022 By Douglas Fraser Rating: A+ Sassenach; a noun meaning outsider or stranger in Scottish Gaelic, circa 1700s. The Sassenach Blended Scotch Whisky is the brainchild of Scottish actor Sam Heughan of Outlander fame and Master Blender Michael Henry of Loch Lomond Distillery. Sam Heughan and Michael Henry have brought their mutual love of the Scottish Highlands ...