Category: Hall of Fame

Our LOWEST PRICE in years, Jameson Irish whiskey is truly one of the great blended whiskies of the world. Like Seagram’s 7 or Crown Royal before it, Jameson is a blended whiskey that has somehow transcended it’s “Irish” category and become a shot occasion, a cultural symbol, and oddly enough an unbelievably delicious hardcore whiskey with broad appeal the world over. Here’s why…it’s SWEET with grass, honey, and a touch of oak. It’s got great DEPTH of flavor. It’s not hard to drink, but it does have enough complexity to enjoy over and over.

As we approach St. Patrick’s Day I can’t think of a better premium Irish Whiskey to take another look at today. Made with a portion of unmalted barley, as well as a portion of sherry cask aged whiskey, Redbreast is the superlative Irish whiskey. It somehow manages to pack MASSIVE flavor, but retain a lightness and drinkability that almost no other whiskey can claim. Sweet grass and hay aromas along with light oak, citrus and tropical fruit dominate the nose. On the palate, the combination of rich malt, light citrus, and gobs of delicious fruit with a sherry-inflected finish is all the celebration you need this St. Patrick’s Day. Midleton Distillery on the southern coast does it right and has been for a long time.

There are two larger barrel campuses that Wild Turkey utilizes in their barrel program. The first is “Tyrone,” which includes 23 warehouses perched above the Kentucky River near the distillery itself. The other, known as “Camp Nelson” contains only 6 rickhouses, and is 45 minutes down the road, but still near the Kentucky River. Camp Nelson was not built by Wild Turkey, but was originally used to age “Canada Dry Bourbon” The 2024 Russell’s Reserve single barrels from “Bourbon World” which should be ready this summer take one from each of these campuses. The Tyrone barrel is soft, fruity, and inviting with the balance of 101 but the strength of barrel proof. The Camp Nelson on the other hand is rich and spicy, sizzling with flavor throughout.

Besides Weller Antique, my favorite EVERYDAY bourbon is usually a toss up between Wild Turkey 101 and Old Forester 100 proof signature, but I would say Old Fo 100 has it by a nose. It’s really just the perfect everyday bourbon. It’s not too spicy. It’s not too sweet. It’s elegant with fruit. It’s got enough bite at 100 proof, but is still extremely drinkable. Fill my decanter to the brim all day, every day with Old Fo 100 proof. It’s fun to hunt bottles, but it’s also okay to just enjoy the best life has to offer every day!

On April 8th, 2024, a total solar eclipse will occur, blotting out the sun across a wide swath of Indiana. Hoosiers and friends from all over will gather together on this historic occasion to mark this celestial event, not expected to happen again until 2153. This special bourbon was distilled in Lawrenceburg, Indiana and bottled in Bloomington, directly in the path of the eclipse. We hope you use it to toast this once in a lifetime experience. Bottled at 119.4 proof with no filtration, this is a FULL flavored whiskey with dark red fruit, cinnamon, and plenty of background char. On the palate, big dark fruit combines with apple pie crust sweetness, finishing with field honey, cinnamon butter, and a sweet dose of arm chair leather and oak.

Shhhhhh….don’t tell anyone about Evan Williams 100 proof Bottled-in-Bond, especially when we’ve got it on Red Hot Deal for UNDE $18. It’s at least 4 years old and bottled at 100 proof, from ONE distillery, made in ONE distilling season. Fresh mint and oak on the nose, typical Heaven Hill with a rustic woodsiness I’ve always enjoyed. On the palate, bright bourbon fruit mixed perfectly with a more mature oak profile. The decent malt content provides a touch of shortbread as well. Long finish, and complex, but not over oaked. For an “EVERYDAY” bourbon, it’s either this, Wild Turkey 101, or Old Fo 100 proof if you ask me. Why not have them ALL!

Locally aged, finished and bottled by West Fork, The Hugh Hamer Double Oaked rivals Woodford Double Oaked with a massive dose of sweet 99% candy corn goodness. Fresh cut oak, plums, and dark fruit on the nose with a touch of honey. On the palate, absolutely dripping with fresh barrel flavors. Bourbon candy, oak shavings, and more dark fruit. It’s bottled at 103 proof, so ice is fine and it calms the oak down a bit, but it’s a MUST try Old Fashioned because all that oak with sugar is something to behold.

We’ve got Knob Creek 9yr 100 proof on sale until June 2024 for only $18.39 per bottle. You’ll never see a hotter price on one of the BEST every day bourbons on the market. So, let’s take this opportunity to revisit an old friend. One of the OG Jim Beam Small Batch bourbons along with Booker’s, Baker’s, and Basil Hayden’s, Knob Creek has always been a jewel hiding in plain sight. Soft lemon and orange inflected spice on the nose with almond and and coconut. On the palate, more coconut, barrel spice, orange liqueur, and that foxy yeast so you know it’s Jim Beam. At 9 years the spice is well-developed, but at 100 proof it’s extremely drinkable making it exactly what you want in an every day sipper. And at $18.39 per bottle, you’d better buy a case before we run out!

Since we’ve reviewed a blended whiskey recently in Sazerac’s “Traveler” and we’ve tasted the new Old Forester 1924, which is a 10yr bottling of old Early Times straight whiskey, I thought we’d stay thematic and take a look at today’s modern version of Early Times, a once proud brand in the Brown Forman stable, which as a straight whiskey was the #1 selling bourbon in 1953, two years prior to BF buying Jack Daniels. Sold for years as a straight whisky, then moving in the 1980s to a blended whisky before finally being sold to Sazerac in 2020 and now being billed as a “Kentucky Whisky with Natural Flavors,” ET has changed with the times. On the nose, light oak with cinnamon fruit gum and brown sugar. On the palate, more fruit with a touch of honey, and a naturally strong kick, that’s more boozy than spicy. A bottle of Early Times and a 30 rack of Busch while you’re shelling peanuts and fishing may just be the thing you need!

The Old Fitzgerald lineup keeps getting younger, but that doesn’t mean it’s getting worse. In fact, this 8 year BIB expression throws off big forest flavors, along with earth, mint, and spice. On the palate, a soft hit of very mellow oak leads, gathering strength, then ultimately transitioning to a long cinnamon spice finish. Other than the 17yr, this is the most balanced expression from an oak/fruit standpoint. It’s a complete whiskey and completely delicious.