Willett's self distilled, as opposed to source products, are continuing to come onto the market. This past summer I got to try a couple of different Willett Purple label single barrels that were distilled in 2012 when Willett began distilling. Now, they have released a wheated bourbon that was barrelled at 125 proof when distilled … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Willett 8 year old Wheated Bourbon

Weller, formerly W.L. Weller, is a wheated bourbon originally made at Stitzel Weller and was run by Pappy Van Winkle. The distillery was opened in 1935 after prohibition ended and operated until 1992 when the distillery was shuttered. The distillery was reopened in 2014 by Diageo. When the distillery was shuttered, the brands were ultimately … Continue reading 2022 Weller 12 Year Old, Antique 107, and Full Proof

The Lake Charles crew of Hokus Pokus picked an 8 year old Elijah Craig Private Barrel, weighing in at 135.6 proof; definitely on the super heavyweight side of proof. Color is a nice amber that is about right for an eight year old cask strength bourbon. Very traditional bourbon notes on the nose with an … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Elijah Craig Private Barrel 8 Year Old Hokus Pokus Pick

So, I picked up the latest Stellum limited release bourbon, named Equinox Blend No. 1 as they finished the blend last spring during the Equinox. The cost was a little over $100, and the base of the blend is Stellum's MGP Bourbon, which was then layered with bourbons from Kentucky and Tennessee. It is a … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Stellum Bourbon Equinox Blend No. 1

Got to pick up Old Carter Bourbon Batch Louisiana 2 today at Hokus Pokus. Uncorked is the distributor for Old Carter in Louisiana and arranged for this batch to be sent to Louisiana. This is MGP bourbon that, after blending but that is uncut and unfiltered, comes in at a nice 119 proof, in a … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Old Carter Bourbon Batch Louisiana 2

I was really looking forward to getting this bottle. Russell's Reserve Single Barrel is one of my all time favorites. This is a 13 year old version of that bourbon, weighing in at 114.8 proof. This is non-chill filtered and I have told many a person that if I ever became rich enough to buy … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Russell’s Reserve 13 year old Barrel Proof

Nashville Barrel Company is a non-distiller producer that sources its whiskey from Midwest Grain Products in Indiana. I had seen a lot of folks raving about their whiskey in bourbon groups I am in, so, while on vacation, I stopped by their tasting room for a tasting and picked up two bottles and a glencairn … Continue reading Nashville Barrel Company Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey

I was able to pick up a bottle of the latest batch of Elijah Craig Barrel Proof at Hokus Pokus for $72, batch B522. Meanwhile, I just recently finished off the Hokus Barrel pick and am glad to have a replacement. This is twelve years old and is 121 proof. Color is a very deep … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon Batch B522

Old Carter has recently released batches 2 and 3 of their Straight Kentucky Whiskey, and I picked up a bottle of batch 3 for $180, which is not cheap but generally in line for retail pricing for Old Carter whiskies. Now, I am really not sure what this is. Batch 1 was reported to be … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Old Carter Straight Kentucky Whiskey Batch 3

On June 22, 2018, a tornado hit Warehouse 30 at the 1792 Barton Distillery, causing the warehouse to partially collapse. Since that time, I have been waiting for 1792 to put out this limited release. Most bourbon nerds at the time thought, somewhat jokingly but somewhat not, that 1792 would put out some bourbon that … Continue reading Hokus Pokus Barrel Pick: Blue Note Juke Joint Whiskey Uncut – Warehouse Collapse Surviving Bourbon