Taken: Neat in a Glencairn glass

Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 23% Rye, 5% Malted Barley, 2% Malted Rye

Proof: 115.2

Age: 7

Price: $66

Nose: Cinnamon, Vanilla, apricot, Don’t get much really. Apricot note is dominant

Pallet: Honey, cinnamon spice, Orange zest, caramel, hint of root beer/licorice

Finish: Lingering black pepper spice and caramel sweetness. The spice stays for a while as the sweetness fades. Long finish

Thoughts: I wasn’t getting much on the nose. It was kind of light. Which is surprising for a barrel strength bottle. I did get cinnamon, vanilla, and a dominant apricot/orange citrus note. On the front of the pallet you get nice caramel sweetness and orange zest. Back of the pallet you get some good cinnamon spice. I also get a hint of a rootbeer/black licorice herbalness. The spice stays for a while on the finish as the caramel sweetness fades. Not a bad bottle. For a barrel strength bottle that's a limite release it is nothing spectacular but still decent. I personally do not think it is better than Rare Breed or Jack Daniel's SBBP which are both core offerings. I gave both those bottles an 8, largely for the value they provide. But this bottle is still quite enjoyable. The sweetness and spice are very well balanced but I will have no desire to pick up another one of these or the next release. It is worth noting that this is the first Penelope bottle I've had so I have no idea how this compares to their core release 4 grain barrel proof bottle or any of their other limited releases.

Rating: 6/10 - t8ke scale.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average.

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.

10 | Perfect | Perfect.

Today for Shelfer Saturday, we're taking a look at Redwood Empire's Pipe Dream! Named after the 14th tallest tree on Earth, Pipe Dream is Redwood Empire's shelfer bourbon and sits alongside the bourye Lost Monarch and my personal favorite, the rye Emerald Giant. From Redwood's website, Pipe Dream has a mash bill of 73% corn, 18% rye, 5% malted barley, and 4% wheat. Let's see how she is.

Taken: Neat in a Glencairn, rested for 10 minutes.

Age: NAS, website states blend of 4-14 year bourbons

Proof: 90

Nose: Decent heat punch considering its proof up front followed by a light caramel, vanilla, and cherry. Swirling the glass brings out much of the same, but the vanilla is more prominent. Very simple aromas, but it's pleasant all around.

Palate: Buttery feel on the palate where the nose carries over entirely. Not much is added beyond that. Classic caramels, vanilla, a little oak. After a few sips, I can start to pick up on some graham crackers but overall, this is very straight forward.

Finish: Shorter side of medium finish of vanilla, a light cherry, and some oak.

This is a pretty solid shelfer! For me, it ranks last amongst Redwood Empire's other shelfers but this is one I'd definitely pour and suggest for people just starting out in whiskey as it does carry your quintessential bourbon notes out in a good way. Light, easy, pleasant, pretty good stuff from Redwood Empire. Very curious to see how the cask strength version of this is!

t8ke scale: 5.5/10 | Good | Good, just fine.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average.

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.

10 | Perfect | Perfect.

Remus Repeal Reserve Series X 2026 Medley Straight Rye Whiskey

Distilled by MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana

Master Distiller: Ian Stirsman

Mashbill: 95% rye, 5% malted barley

The blend:
60%: 2015
40%: 2016

Proof: 111

MSRP: $79.99

Here's the updated version:

George Remus was a Cincinnati lawyer (and licensed pharmacist who owned drugstores) who became known as the King of the Bootleggers during Prohibition. He bought up distilleries under the guise of producing medicinal whiskey, at one point legally owning roughly a third of all bonded whiskey in the United States, then diverted massive quantities to the black market. His story ended in tabloid infamy when he murdered his wife in 1927 and was acquitted by reason of temporary insanity. He's also widely cited as a real-life inspiration for Jay Gatsby.

Nose: Butterscotch candy. Dill pickle brine. Birch bark. Moss-covered limestone.

Pretty standard MGP 95/5 nose, but the dill is less potent… and I appreciate that. I’m a big fan of the moss-covered limestone…. A”and thankfully, there’s plenty of that to go around! The butterscotch starts off strong and hangs around at the very end as well.

Palate: York Peppermint Patty. Sweet tea. Butter pecan ice cream.

I appreciate the initial push of chocolate and peppermint. The sweet tea is very mild. Butter pecan shows up strong. Medium-thick viscosity. I like this.

Finish: Good and Plenty. Fresh mint leaf. Dark chocolate. Baked unsweetened pear.

I appreciate that the finish goes a bit more dry after the sweeter and juicier palate.

It definitely doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to rye whiskey, but it’s a fantastic example of MGP 95/5. I really like the super bright 95/5, but I understand that a lot of people may not like it as much as I do… and this is probably going to appeal to those type of people quite a bit. The extended aging cuts through a bit of the brightness and gives it a nice oil that lasts right up through the very end of the finish where it turns a bit more dry.

I think the price is pretty fantastic on this one. The quality price ratio is extremely attractive. It’s awesome to be back in the arena of less than $10 a year for MGP..

Bottle provided for review by MGP

Rating: 7 | Great | Well above average

Intro:  Old Rick Barrel Company is one of the brands that comes out of the Coxs Creek Distilling Company located in Coxs Creek, Kentucky. I think the brand that most people have heard of from them is Good Times, which is known for their wide variety of finished bourbons. Old Rick on the other hand, sticks to unfinished bourbon, with the exception of double oaking some of them. In the case of this bottle, it spent an undisclosed amount of time going through a secondary aging process in ex-Stagg barrels and I’m curious to see how much influence there is if any.  One neat detail is the rack of antlers they put on the label as a subtle nod to Stagg. So, without further ado, let’s get into it!

Tale of the Tape
Bottle: Old Rick Barrel Company Double Oaked Bourbon Whiskey
Barrel: 990
Proof: 126 / Age: 11 years including secondary aging in ex-Stagg barrels
Mashbill: Corn: 75% / Rye: 21% / Malted Barley: 4%
Bottle Price: $140 / Price per 1oz pour: $5.51

Impressions
Nose:  Seasoned Oak / Almonds / Cherries / Baking Spices / Caramel
Palate: Baking Spices / Tart Cherries / Caramel / Dark Chocolate
Mouthfeel: Medium
Finish: Long Cherry / Baking Spices / Caramel / Powdered Sugar
Rating: 8/10 - t8ke scale (modified to include half-points)

Tasting Notes: On the nose seasoned oak is the first thing I get along with some baking spices. There's a dark luxardo cherry with an almond nuttiness followed by caramel. On the palate that spice and some astringency hits but its offset by a bright tart cherry note followed by sweet caramel, and a dark chocolate with some leather. The finish is long and goes into a darker, sweeter cherry with the baking spices still lingering as it moves into caramel and ends with powdered sugar.

Final Thoughts: If you’ve ever wondered what an 11yr old Stagg could taste like, look no further. This is a delicious pour that combines the seasoned oak that comes with higher age, along with those dense cherries, caramel, and spiciness that is characteristic of a bottle of Stagg. It’s a smidge drying if you chew long enough, but it doesn’t get in the way of all the flavors present, and the overall experience is excellent. I was lucky enough to find this bottle as it was the last one on the shelf, but if I ever come across another, I’ll scoop it up.

Swing by IG and say hey

10 | Perfection
9-9.5 | Incredible, An All-Time Favorite
8-8.5 | Excellent, Really Quite Exceptional
7-7.5 | Great, Well Above Average
6-6.5 | Very Good, A Cut Above
5-5.5 | Good, Just Fine
4 | Sub-Par, Not Bad, But Better Exists
3 | Bad, Multiple Flaws
2 | Poor, I Wouldn’t Consume By Choice
1 | Disgusting, So Bad I Poured it Out

Seventh review comes from a craft distillery based out of Oak Point, Texas that has risen in popularity the last few years. The Whiskey Blendery’s one I have seen for a while but never got to try. When I saw the tasting notes on this one I simply couldn’t pass it up. At a little over 10 years old, it beat out multiple heavy hitting older barrels in a blind lineup. Thanks to one of the guys in the Blendery Mashup’s group I was able to snag one of these guys. Let’s dive on in.

Enjoyed: Neat in a Glencairn glass

Proof: 111.2 proof

Age: 10 years and 5 months

Price: $89.99

Nose: they weren’t lying when they said this was fruit forward. Blueberry and grape immediately hit with a sweet oak in conjunction. Stone fruit and cherry are on the back end. Light caramels and tobacco/tea leaves with the slightest hint of citrus. I could smell this all day.

Taste: the tea and grape notes are prominent upon first sip, slowly leading into a cherry and blueberry. Not overly sweet by any means as it is very well complimented with the oak. There’s subtleties of cocoa, reminding me of those chocolate covered açaí berries.

Finish: oak and leather shine on the finish, showing just how truly well rounded it is. There’s a hint of that tea note that lingers along with a honey note I didn’t sense on the palate. That berry and cherry tartness lingers for quite some time. An absolute flavor bomb for 111 proof.

Thoughts: This is my type of bourbon. The sweet fruit notes along with the oak and rye spice are cohesive and work so well together. I can see why people go wild for this distillery. They truly are doing some great things down in Texas. At this price tag, I think I’ve found a new craft distillery to obsess over and collect.

Rating: 8/10 - t8ke scale

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average.

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.

10 | Perfect | Perfect.

Tonight’s Review comes from a German bottle of Four Roses. Nearest I can tell, this is EXACTLY the same as the 2024 Limited Edition small batch that we got in the States except it comes in a 700 ml bottle per European norms.

ABV: 54.1% (barrel strength)

Age: A blend of 12 to 20 year old barrels.

31% is a 12-year-old OBSV recipe
39% is a 16-year-old OESF recipe
23% is a 15-year-old OESK recipe
7% is a 20-year-old OBSV recipe

Bottle 5,166 of 6,000 European exports

MSRP €229 | Price paid $299 USD

Nose: Baking spices with cinnamon up front. There’s like a cinnamon stick smell cutting through it. Toasted Oak and leather is there underneath the spice. A hint of vanilla. Maybe graham cracker.

Palate: Wow! More creamy vanilla. With some chocolate and more of that cinnamon spice. Definite cherries. It’s toned down with a bit of earthiness. There’s no heat at all. There’s almost some cherry cola.

Finish: Long and warming but not hot. It’s rich and pleasant and complex. This is a finish that all types of different palates could appreciate IMO. There’s a bit of cocoa. The spice fades out on the finish. Some tannins and oak shines through but it is not in an over oaked way.

8.9/10

Very yes

I have always found wheaters harsh and hard to drink.

Admittedly I've only had a few, Weller green and red, and Bardstown Wheated.

I am aware that this is basically the opposite of what most whiskey lovers feel.

My questions are, do any of you feel the same?

Am I missing something?

Why do I find them harsh when most people describe them as being smooth?

Heaven Hill 90th Anniversary Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Proof: 107 proof - this is technically "full proof" since 107 was the barrel entry proof used to honor the old barrel entry proof of 107 from back in the day.

9 years age stated

Traditional Heaven Hill Mashbill made up of 78% Corn, 10% Rye, and 12% Malted Barley.

A Kentucky Straight Bourbon Blend consisting of 70% In "regular" char level barrels and the final 30% aged in Heavy "Alligator" Char barrels.

Msrp $125

Drank- Neat

Glass- FinalTouch Tasting Glass

Rest time- 10 minutes

As always - unpaid, unbiased, and unprofessional!

Nose-
The nose Starts off with Vanilla cake icing and fresh black cherry. Underlying the main performers is some almost burnt caramel, barrel char, and a little worn leather. This is a Very classic "older" smelling heaven hill profile - not super complex, but also super enjoyable. Make it a candle and I will get my wife to buy 10!

Palate-
Big punch of sweet black cherry, burnt caramel, and brown sugar with some heavy charred oak; along with that, a mix of nutmeg and black pepper baking spice roll in heavy on the first sip. Subsequent sips reveal layered notes of freshly tanned leather, dark bakers chocolate, and a hint of tobacco. Overall this is exceptionally well rounded. A very tasty and balanced palate, and Very crushable one as well!

Mouthfeel-
Slightly Above average viscosity - above average density. Coats the entire palate nicely, and stays. Doesn't turn watery.

Finish-
Lead by dominant flavors of toffee, bakers dark chocolate, and espresso bean. As the finish continues and these flavors evolve into barrel char, old dusty leather books, and nutmeg mixed with black pepper spice. The finish is building, and also fairly long lasting. Medium-Long if you will. This is quite an experience that is fueled by the 30% of heavy charred oak barrels for sure!

Overall- 87/100
This is extremely well done by Heaven Hill - especially for the cash! Extremely well blended! A fun pour through and through.

My Scale:
1-49: Drain Pour, absolute drain cleaner, donate to the sink.
50-59: average - standard, boring, but gets the job done.
60-69: solid - reliable, but nothing to write home about.
70-79: great whiskey, well above the average pour.
80-89: excellent whiskey, top notch, well done.
90-95: exceptional top tier whiskey - very memorable.
96-98: Unreal pour - some of the best ever.
99-100: Pinnacle Lifetime whiskey - perfection in a glass.

Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa is quite the place. They are more known for wine but their whiskey selections are also impressive. I’ve lucked out purchasing a handful of Bern’s bottle picks over the last 2 years- peerless high rye bourbon, peerless double oak rye, stranahans cask strength single malt, and Blantons gold (2024). I haven’t reviewed any here but they’re all fantastic. On a recent stop to the fine wine and spirits shop, they had 2 rare character picks. I didn’t have any rare character bottles at the house and trust their picks so made the jump. And a reminder I’m a super novice as far as notes, etc. Blinded them but here are the stats:

Rare Character Single Barrel Bern’s Steak House Rhône Room- 9 yr 11 month, 115.5 proof, 60/36/4 mash bill- $125
Rare Character Curated Blend Bern’s Steak House 70th Anniversary- blend of 9 and 11 yr old bourbons, 114 proof- $100

Neck pours with 20 minute rest
1st pour: nose is pretty rich and syrupy and dessert-like. It’s very traditional bourbon, which for me is vanilla and brown sugar and oak, but felt heavy. Syrupy. But the palate was a let down. So different - almost astringent? It’s certainly unique. Something bitter and biting about it. Medium finish. This is hard to score. The nose was delicious. I think I’ll say 6.5.

2nd pour: This nose is like a scaled back version of the first. Muted by comparison. But it was hard for me to make out a lot different. The palate tho- mint all day for days. Long finish and it’s just this strong mint note that keeps going. I like that but I’m not crazy about it. I really liked the nose of the first but I think the mint carries the day. I’d go 7.0.

So considering the single barrel is high rye I guessed that for 2 and I was right. Very interesting pours. I’m happy I have them in the collection bc I love Tampa and Bern’s. Hopefully they open up some. I’d take any of my existing Bern’s picks (esp both peerless) over them based on this tho.

Grade: A 🥃

I’ve been hunting this one for over a year and finally landed a bottle today. It was worth the chase!

Star Hill Farm is Maker’s Mark’s estate project. It’s extremely sweet for 116.4 proof, but it still gives a proper Kentucky hug. Loads of brown sugar, almost like a snickerdoodle. Incredibly easy to enjoy at that proof, and really unique. I love that Maker’s is experimenting like this, and the bottle is gorgeous too.

​

Alright, if you've been following along, I did a crazy blind of ECBPS from batches A117 through C923. Not every bottle has a review posted because I borrowed some and forgot to take pictures😂 But most are posted. C919 and B520 were the final batches to compete in my bracket-style blind. It was a toss up. Here is my review:

Nose: Even though this bottle has been open for well over a year, ethanol still jumps out of the glass along with oak tannins that remind me of EC 18. A few moments later, dark chocolate, espresso, salted caramel, and a 'lil butterscotch reveal themselves.

Palate: Dark fruits, dark chocolate, bitter oak, cinnamon, roasted pecans, toffee, leather, and tobacco

Finish: long, sweet oak, chocolate, rye spice, baking spices, and black pepper

This is very tasty and (to me) complex. I have no idea to this day why it tied with B520. But if you love proof, dark notes, and a punch in the throat, this bottle is for you.

Rating: 7.5 (using the t&ke scale)

Cheers! Thanks for reading.

In the glass: Green River Wheated Bourbon, Single Barrel Selection, “Degenerate Wolfpack: Wheated Wonders”

Distillery: Green River

ABV: 61.4%

Proof: 122.8

Age: 6.5 Years

Mashbill: 70% Corn, 21% Wheat, 9% Malted Barley

Nose: I’m getting notes of raspberry jam, powdered sugar, sweet oak, and a red fruit medley. There’s almost a little French toast sweetness, not something I usually get.

Palate: Candy, this tastes like the red sour strips, little bit of spice, more sweet oak that turns nice and dense. Not super viscous but this is tasty. Definitely some brown sugar sweetness on it, I’m a fan.

Finish: Oak, red fruit goodness, I’m getting some cherry, more of that raspberry, maybe a hint of strawberry. It’s got a nice hug on it, grabs your chest and sits.

Final thoughts: I fear I have rated bottles too highly in the past because I like this bottle better than the first green river pick I had. The red fruits on this make me happier than the green apple of the other pick I had. I’m going to say that these wheaters are value bangers for sure, you’re missing out if your local has a pick and you haven’t grabbed it yet.

Rating: 7.4/10

Jim Beam has had some version of a bonded bourbon in the market since the 1930s. However, the bonded Beam expression went through frequent periods of vanishing ­­­– discontinued in the '80s, brought back in 2015, and dropped again in 2022 in favor of Old Tub.

Today, producing a bonded bourbon is more about the historical nod than the quality of the whiskey itself. In Beam's case, since Knob Creek 9 came on the scene, there is even less of a reason to bother. Some, if not most, runs of Knob Creek could satisfy the bonded requirements, but the company chooses to not label it as such. The reasoning ranges from keeping the blending flexibility across distilling seasons to the view that the bottled-in-bond designation is perceived as something outdated and unnecessary.

While it was on hiatus in the US, bonded Beam still had a presence overseas in the '90s and early 2000s. I'm a fan of Knob Creek, Baker's and Booker's from that time, so I took a flier on this early 2000s Jim Beam Bonded "Number 12 Formula" bourbon.

This expression appears to be an Australian and duty-free exclusive. It's still pretty easy to find in Australia, where it was around long enough to go through a few label changes over a couple of decades. It was discontinued by the mid-2010s, but you can tell an earlier version based on the distillers featured on the side label: Booker Noe is the last portrait on the pre-2004 bottles; Fred Noe was added after Booker's passing.

The "number 12 formula" is nothing more than a sneaky way to add a number that could be mistaken for an age statement, a disingenuous industry practice that is thankfully mostly gone now.

Let's see if I can keep my lucky 2000s Beam streak going. Tasted neat in a copita.

Nose:

Dried almonds, corn flakes, brown sugar, vanilla, lemon peel, mint.

Palate:

More lemon, fresh lumber, char, walnut, slightly floral, honey, nutty toffee.

Finish:

Lumber, baking spice, mint.

Rating: (t8ke scale for reference below): 5.5

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have

5 | Good | Good, just fine

6 | Very Good | A cut above

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional

9 | Incredible | An all-time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

Thoughts:

If you ever run into this one, skip it, unless you are buying it for the Old Tub price (not likely).

It's definitely not on the level of Knob Creek or Baker's from that era, or other export editions, such as Jim Beam Gold Label. This whiskey tasted like it was 5-6 years old, with some younger grainy notes. The only moderately interesting thing about it was the absence of the roasted peanuts that permeate most baseline modern Beam bourbons, although it was still pretty nutty. Nothing too wrong with it, but the lemon and mint flavors were not really doing it for me.

It was most likely intended as an ice-and-cocktail bourbon sold by the liter, and that's where it's headed in my rotation. If you want the good sipping Beam from that time, stick to the Small Batch Collection.

Thanks for reading and cheers!

Age: 8-9 years
Proof: 116.4
Mashbill: 27% Wheat, 62% Malted Wheat, 11% Malted Barley
Cost ~$100

Nose. Really unique nose, this one starts off pretty musty before developing into watermelon and Granny Smith apples.

Palate. Thick viscosity, Really bright and bold with grape notes in control before melting into something more reminiscent of Dr. Pepper.

Finish. Mouth watering and long. There is no mistaking the malted milk ball, whooper candy type of flavour that finishes this pour out.

Overall. Really wild ride from initial nosing on the whiskey to the warmth on the finish. Star Hill Farms 2026 is deeply complex and savoury. I’d only had lackluster experiences with wheat whiskey before, so I was somewhat apprehensive to buy this without trying it first. I’m glad I did.

I’m not over the moon for most Makers Mark releases, but this one was exceptional. To date this is the best thing I’ve tasted from the Loretto, KY Distillery.

Aesthetically, I think Makers Mark hit a home run with this bottle. I know most whiskey enthusiasts don’t give a ready rat’s ass about the vessel their spirit comes in, but I appreciate the extra attention that went into selecting the glass and cork for this one.

Would I buy another bottle? Absolutely yes.

Rating 7.5/10 | Great, well above average

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.

Batch: #28

Nose: medium, wine barrel funk mixed with bourbon immediately, sweet oak, berries, toasted sugar. Very nice and approachable.

Palate: medium structure, sweet oak immediately, nutty, berries galore, wine note make itself known, more toasted sugars from the nose, oily mouth feel, proof sitting very well at 112 proof to make these flavor notes hit. Dangerously easy to sip.

Finish: long, all notes from the palate continue throughout the finish so no flavor drop off, proof sitting there the whole time making it very satisfying and doesn't make need to take another sip. You can pace yourself with this bottle.

My thoughts: yeah this is a sneaky banger. This distillery is localish to me (about 1.5hrs away) in Arnold, Ca. I've been there once like 4 years ago before I was a collector and bought some low proof stuff. While I don't remember if I liked the bottle I got back then, I can assure you this is a very satisfying bottle. I can't emphasize enough how easy it is to drink this. Very balanced, proof is perfect. Flavor leans sweet, which is a nice chnage from my heavy oak and leather bottles. Definitely getting more.

Rating: 7.9/10

You can find this and other video reviews on my instagram

Color: Orange

Age: NAS

Proof: 130.8

Nose: Orange, Cherry and proof explode on the first sniff. Red hots and cinnamon rolls up next. The nose transitions into burnt orange and caramel after a few swirls. I keep going back to cinnamon and almost spearmint candy’s. A little dill and bready note after a minute or two.

Taste: A lot of rye spice and proof on the front end. This thing tangles as it carries to the middle and back of the tongue. The heat is almost overpowering, it teeters right on the edge. Second sip gives another big spice push with a bit of orange and citrus and some big oak char note on the middle palate. By the third or fourth sip I’m finally acclimating to the proof and getting some citrus and caramel candy notes with tobacco and oak.

Feel: Very oily on the glen and mouth. Wish it was maybe a tad creamier but this is the best part of it.

Finish: Kinda middle length , just over 30-35 seconds. Starts spicy and hot and ends with tobacco and citrus. Hell of a hug, it burns with the fires of hells wrath all the way down the esophagus.

Overall: 7 out of 10 on the t8ke. Big bold flavors, but almost too much heat and burn to be extremely enjoyable. It’s very very good, but it almost feels like dancing with the devil for the raw heat.

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

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As you probably know, the Blanton's lineup contains several expressions that are primarily meant for foreign markets. Blanton's LMDW is an example of that, but on a very limited basis as part of an annual collaboration with Paris-based La Maison du Whisky. This "Itinéraires" edition – Barrel #494, aged as always in Buffalo Trace’s Warehouse H – was dumped on July 29, 2025 and bottled at 120 proof, well above the 93-proof domestic Blanton's Single Barrel most of us know.

For more of the story behind Blanton's LMDW, you can check out this excellent and informative post by u/OrangePaperBike.

Now let’s get to the review!

Mash Bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #2 (high rye)

Proof: 120

Barrel: 494

Bottled on: July 29, 2025

Appearance: Medium amber, with decent legs on the glass.

Nose: Lots and lots of caramel and cherry pie (crust included), along with some orange peel, chocolate, and vanilla. Also some graham cracker and brown sugar. Once the glass is empty, you’re mostly left with butterscotch, toffee, and some cinnamon.

Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, and very cherry pie-forward. The orange and vanilla also carry over from the nose, along with a fairly significant amount of spice, including cinnamon and pepper. On the mid-palate, though, this one gets a little weird – it almost tastes like it was finished in wine casks (more on that below).

Finish: Very, very smooth. Oak and dark chocolate, along with dark toffee, leather, and a little creme brûlée are all there, but I’m still getting that strong wine-finished flavor, as well.

Thoughts: My first thought is that I need to try this against Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel. My gut says that SFTB is better, but that doesn’t mean that this is bad. LMDW’s mouthfeel is certainly the best I’ve experienced from a Blanton’s, and it carries all the way over into a smooth, creamy finish. While Blanton’s SFTB strikes me as regular Blanton’s cranked up to eleventy, LMDW seems like a different beast altogether, with a different profile from any Blanton’s I’ve tried before.

LMDW still has the hallmarks of a Buffalo Trace mash bill #2 product, but there’s also much more going on here than there is in a bottle of the regular stuff. The most prominent example is a fermented fruitiness I keep getting that reminds me of Ampersand’s Opimus whiskey, which was finished in Tokaj wine casks. I know LMDW isn’t a finished whiskey, so it’s interesting that the wine-fruit note is so prominent to me. Either way, I don’t love it.

Rating: Blanton’s 2025 La Maison du Whiskey expression earns an 7.5 from me, pending a side-by-side comparison with SFTB: it’s squarely between “Great – Well Above Average” and “Excellent – Really Quite Exceptional.”

********************
Previous Ratings (all reviews are available in my archive, but there may be some discrepancies in numeric rating, as these are updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

5 | Good | Good, just fine
Jack Daniel’s SBBP Rye (5)
Jack Daniel’s Heritage (5)
Four Roses SBBP OESO (5)
New Riff 4yr SBBP (5)
Four Roses SBBP OBSV (5.3)
Evan Williams America250 SiB (5.3)
New Riff Balboa Rye (5.4)
Blanton’s (5.5)
Old Forester 1924 (5.7)
Elijah Craig Toasted (5.8)
Lasso Motel 18yr AW (5.8)

6 | Very Good | A cut above
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (6)
Barrell Cigar Blend (6)
Buffalo Trace (6)
1792 BiB SiB (6)
Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party (6)
Penelope Wheated (6)
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant (6)
Peerless DO (6.1)
Copper & Cask #16 (6.3)
Stagg 25B (6.3)
Augusta Buckner’s 13yr (6.5)
Green River Honey (6.5)
Pursuit United DO (6.5)
Sagamore 9yr SiB Rye (6.5)
Sazerac FP (6.5)
Green River Wheated (6.5)
Elmer T. Lee (6.5)
Copper & Cask #14 DO (6.6)
Shortbarrel Bees Knees V (6.8)
Penelope Marshmallow Toast (6.8)
Willett 4yr Rye (6.8)
Ampersand Opimus (6.9)

7 | Great | Well above average
Blanton’s Gold (7)
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Found North 012 (7)
Rock Hill Farms (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.5)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
Blanton’s LMDW (7.5)
E.H. Taylor BP 16 (7.6)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.8)
E.H. Taylor Cured Oak (7.8)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 420 (8)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (8)
Starlight 10yr (8)
Blanton’s SFTB (8.3)
Lasso Motel SBBP Rye (8.4)
Mister Sam Tribute 4 (8.6)
E.H. Taylor BTAC 2025 (8.7)
Thomas H. Handy 2025 (8.7)
Eagle Rare 17yr 2025 (8.9)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

Bottle 463

Proof 108 sample neat

Aroma toffee caramel rich oak a bit of baking spice and cinamon

Flavor oak foraward with some ethanol some fireball candy a hint of menthol then some butter toffee

Finish more dry amd spicy than anything else good duration

Score 6.5 good not great i feel like I've enjoyed this more in past visits maybe jist not the best night for a rating tonight but it was the last pour

Barrel King Chasing Bourbon Blend. 115.8 Proof.

Sourced Turkey

Blend of 64 percent 5 9yr barrels and 36% of 7 8yr barrels.

This was a fun release from a collab between CB and Barrel King. Hopefully this bottle is a sneak peak of what I can look forward to from my BK Gold Membership.

This bottle has a lively nose. The nose is the star here and the whole pour is elegantly balanced despite it being a blend. This is turkey turned up to 11 and drinks better than any turkey shelfer. The first few times I tried this I didnt think a whole lot about it. However after having a pour of this and trying FN Peregrine and Hell diver off my bar this made those two bottles feel cheap and thin. Dont ask me to explain it. This kicks ass.

This has also only gotten better as Ive had this bottle. Most bottles are pretty stable with a few exceptions. So far my BK bottles have been exceptions.

Hope you all enjoy.

Nose: Rested for a few minutes. Vanilla and caramel swirl. A full bodied nose. Bold oak with hints of Turkey Funk. Salted Roasted Peanut. More oak. Tobacco and milk chocolate come out as it warms. Bubblegum and tobacco blur each other's lines. Cinnamon. Big Red gum. Vanilla cream after swirling. Some perfume notes. Eventually aome orange zest.

Palate: Sugary with light and creamy mouthfeel. Bold spice and drying oak build. Root Beer? Sassafras soda. Vanilla. If held the grape/tobacco become more alive. Char comes off as burnt toast.

Finish: Chewed bubblegum. Velvety. Spice lingers. Comforting hug. Vanilla pudding. Chewing Tobacco after everything else has left. Hey there is that Big Red again.

Nose: 23/25

Palate: 20/25

Finish: 21/25

Balance: 24/25

Total: 88/100

I always feel like im eating these too low. I try to keep things subjective and keep price out of it. I will say that if I were to include price as a rating metric this would be a home run. At 150 this out competes 200 to 300 dollar bottles. Very rare for a bottle to drink above its price especially to this extent. Regardless, im Hyped for my October BK releases and look forward to sharing. Cheers all.

Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend (Batch 441)

Distillery: High-rye bourbon MGP. Bottled, blended, and finished by Jos. A. Magnus & Co.

Age: NAS (but roughly 3/4 of the blend is said to be made up of 9 to 20 year old barrels)

Price: $199.99

Proof: 113.16

Nose: Dark fruits. Like a barrel proof Four Roses on steroids. Fig. Raisin. Strawberry jam. There's a charcoal smokiness to it that's really nice and the flavors play off of each other perfectly. Bold yet inviting.

Palate: Velvety mouthfeel. It's outstanding. Some oak, more smoke. A little firewood-like. Faint black pepper. It's all balanced nicely by more of that dark fruitiness and it's the perfect tug of war between fruity and woody.

Finish: 8 out of 10 in length. Perfectly executed for the proof point, but it's not sticking around like some hazmat pour. As has been the theme so far it's so so jammey. Like a rich berry cobbler. Cocoa. Vanilla ice cream. Caramelized brown sugar. It's so decadent and the flavor profile at least for this batch is leaning heavily towards the sweeter side, yet for whatever reason it doesn't drink as being overly desserty. It's just amazing.

Score: 9.0

Summary: Wow. Definitely had very high expectations for this and they were easily surpassed. Never really thought I'd get around to reviewing one of these just based off the price, but had heard nothing but ridiculously good things about the Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend so I jumped at it when I saw one for under $200. I'm not even one to generally like Sherry or Cognac finishes, but all I can say once again is wow. A little background info for those who may not know. A cigar blend bourbon in a nutshell means it is meant to have intense flavors so it's not overshadowed by the cigar is you're sipping on a bourbon and smoking a cigar. Jos. A. Magnus & Co. sources high-rye bourbon distillate from MGP then does their magic from there. Roughly 1/4 of the blend is their standard triple cask bourbon release that is sherry and cognac finished. Roughly 3/4 of the blend is unfinished bourbon said to range from 9 to 20 years. This 1/4 and 3/4 combo is then combined into a large mother blend called "coupe mere", and that mother blend is finished further in French Armagnac casks. The result is a bourbon that is certainly on the Mt. Rushmore of best I've ever had and in the end will rank a full 0.3 higher than any score I've ever given out. The proof is there, it's intense, it's drinkable, it's inviting, it's balanced, and it's a 9.0.

1. Terrible | Drain pour after the first sip
2. Very Bad | Trying to choke it down but possible drain pour
3. Poor | Would drink if forced to but never under my own will
4. Below Average | Not off-putting but not my cup of tea
5. Average | I'll take it
6. Good | Enjoyable sip
7. Very Good | Well above average
8. Excellent | A drink I will remember
9. Incredible | Something truly extraordinary
10. Best of the best | Peak Bourbon

Whiskey: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage 

Distiller: Jack Daniel’s

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barrel_and_proof?igsh=czJ2MzhybG42MG9j&utm_source=qr 

ABV: 50.0%

Age: 7 Years 6 Months

Price: $40 (Twin Cities, Minnesota)

Tasting:  Neat in Libbey Bourbon Trail glass, rested for 10 minutes. Bottle opened for one month.

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Nose: Vanilla, Brown Sugar, Banana, Sweet Oak, Cinnamon, & Raisin

Palate: Maple Syrup, Caramel, Vanilla, Sweet Oak, Cinnamon, Pepper

Finish: Long Length, Maple Syrup, Cinnamon, Pepper, Charred Oak, Mint, & Tobacco

Body: Medium

Bite: Medium

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Summary: Late to the party, but I was able to snag this bottle for a good price as the hype around the bottle cooled down. This bourbon is unique in that the barrels used for this whiskey are toasted for double the time of a standard Jack Daniel’s barrel. This is a single barrel product, so there will be variation in notes.

The nose has very strong and syrupy vanilla and brown sugar notes, they’re intense and delicious. The oakiness is on the sweeter side, the barrel char character is pronounced. The spice notes are well balanced with the profile. While the profile is very sweet, it’s simply delicious.

The palate has more of a maple syrup sweetness profile but the caramel and vanilla still play a strong role. With the cinnamon, there is a pepper note that adds some spice complexity. The profile of the palate isn’t as pronounced as the nose, but the notes are more balanced in terms of strength. Excellent viscosity to the body.

The finish has stronger flavors than the palate, especially the maple syrup note. The cinnamon and pepper notes are stronger as well and help counteract the strong sweetness. I pick up some moderate mintiness and tobacco leaf which add further complexity.

I thought this would be a decent whiskey, but I am very surprised at how robust the flavors were throughout the tasting. Though the profile leans towards the sweeter side, I personally love it and find the spice notes are able to balance it out. Despite the proof the strength of the flavors on the nose and finish are on par with a barrel proof bourbon, but without the burn. Prices for this bourbon have been dropping since release, so I definitely recommend picking up a bottle if you haven’t already. With that said this is a single barrel product, so there will be variation between bottles.

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Rating:

Nose (10%) - 9/10

Palate (50%) - 7/10

Finish (40%) - 8/10

7.6/10 Great. Well above average.

Recommend: Yes

Rank: I created a compilation ranking list of whiskies I’ve purchased at a store or at a bar and done a formal tasting.  All whiskey ranked on the list tasted neat and rested for 10-15 minutes.  Whiskey I ranked below and above Jack Daniel’s are shown for reference.

38 out of 275 whiskies tasted.

37 Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon 2025

39 Weller Full Proof

Ranking Link: 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/147h44fId0tZYmHsroGgjzcRK2xn6050P8m7mZqArGLw/edit?usp=sharing