By Randall H. Borkus Rating: B+ In the late 1800’s, Belle Meade Bourbon was one of some 30 different labels that Charles Nelson produced, differing from some of his other products in that the brand was sourced from Sperry Wade & Company in Nashville, TN.  Belle Meade Bourbon became well known for its quality and was sold from 1878 until Tennessee ...

By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ Old Forester Birthday Bourbon occupies the second tier bourbon’s hot autumn release season. The series certainly has its fans and delivers good, reliable quality, but it’s not quite as esteemed as the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, let alone the Van Winkle line. That said, this year’s installment has two points that make it extra special. ...

By Richard Thomas Rating: B The hallmark of Westland Distillery is applying as much terroir of their coastal Washington state home as possible to making American single malt whiskey. Part of that is the use of Quercus garryana, a uniquely regional species of oak tree. As any true whisk(e)y enthusiast should know, barrel aging imparts between 40 and 80% of ...

By Father John Rayls Rating: B+ I first ran into Caribou Crossing several years ago, when my son ordered a special bottle for my birthday upon a retailer recommendation. I was exploring Canadian whiskies at the time, and this one definitely caught my attention. Unfortunately, I never saw it with a local retailer in my area, which is odd when ...

By Richard Thomas Rating: B When Heaven Hill introduced the new Old Fitzgerald Bottled In Bond (BiB) as a bi-annual limited edition, the usual grumbling was (refreshingly) muted, but absent. What croaking I saw about that Spring 2018 release scoffed at paying $110 for an 11 year old bourbon, complaining that you can still get 10 year old Henry McKenna ...