Jim Rutledge is one of bourbon's great craftsmen. He worked for Seagrams for many years before becoming Master Distiller at Four Roses which was owned by Seagrams but sold to Kirin after Seagrams went bankrupt. For many years, Rutledge's product was sold only overseas but when bourbon started making a comeback Four Roses was once … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Jim Rutledge’s Cream of Kentucky Batch 5

Lately, when I have been drinking cask strength Elijah Craig it has been a store pick marked "Private Barrel" from Hokus Pokus and sometimes other stores. These Private Barrels are often bottled at younger ages than the Barrel Proof releases from Heaven Hill, which used to have a twelve year age statement as all Elijah … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A124 and Private Barrel From Hokus Pokus

I am a big fan of Old Forester's Whisky Row Series. I have often used the 1897 Bottled in Bond version in tastings a representative of bottled in bond bourbon. The 1920 Prohibition style at 115 proof is probably my favorite of the Whiskey Row series. The internet has been a buzz about the 1924 edition, which is … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Old Forester 1924 from the Whisky Row Series