This fall's limited release bourbons so far have been amazing. The Old Forester Birthday Bourbon and the Yellowstone Limited Release were both outstanding. Before Thanksgiving I snagged a bottle of the Four Roses Small Batch 2019 Limited Edition. Really excited about this one. This limited edition has a 21 year old high rye delicate fruit … Continue reading The fall limited release hits just keep on coming: Four Roses Small Batch 2019 Limited Edition
Author: Brad Drell
Barrell Bourbon Single Barrel Hokus Pokus Pick: God Bless The Saints Edition
Regular readers of my blog know that I love Barrell Bourbon, and that Hokus has been getting great single Barrel picks of Barrell's 14 year old Cascade Hollow bourbon this year. But this latest one is something special, and not because of the label. In a play on the Pope accidentally tagging the NFL's New … Continue reading Barrell Bourbon Single Barrel Hokus Pokus Pick: God Bless The Saints Edition
Step up to the Mic: Mic Drop 2019-1
Tonight I have opened a bottle I already sampled at the Meet The Van Winkles event. Mic Drop is unabashedly MGP bourbon, with the mashbill and age statement listed on the label. The 19-1 edition is four years old and 112.2 proof. This is PM Spirits third release of bourbon from MGP. The concept behind … Continue reading Step up to the Mic: Mic Drop 2019-1
Because it’s fall: Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2019-11 years old 105 proof
It's fall. It's decorative gourd season! It's also limited release bourbon season, because nothing goes better with shellacked decorative vegetables than limited edition bourbon. As Colin Nissan said, "You’re either ready to reap this freaky-assed harvest or you’re not.” So, for my second fall limited release bottle, I am opening up the Old Forester Birthday … Continue reading Because it’s fall: Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2019-11 years old 105 proof
My first fall limited edition bottle and glad it was this one: Yellowstone 2019 Limited Edition Nine Year Old Bourbon
Ah Fall. Crisp weather, football, sweaters, fire in the fireplace, hearty foods, and limited release bourbons. Definitely my favorite time of year. I got to pick up my first fall limited edition bottle the other day. This one is a 101 proof bourbon; aged stated as nine years old but it has some twelve year … Continue reading My first fall limited edition bottle and glad it was this one: Yellowstone 2019 Limited Edition Nine Year Old Bourbon
This year’s Col. E.H. Taylor Single Barrel is truly excellent!
With so many bourbons in my queue to review, I don't often review bourbons I have already reviewed. Sure, I review every Booker's and Barrell bourbon release because they are by definition different. I review store picks for the same reason. I also will compare certain expensive bottles to their predecessors. I have reviewed Col. … Continue reading This year’s Col. E.H. Taylor Single Barrel is truly excellent!
Tasting Notes on Booker’s Country Ham-Batch 2019-3
Yeah, I pretty much review each batch of Booker's if I can get my hands on a bottle. Last week Hokus got 2019-3 in, styled as Country Ham. This one is six years, four months, and two days old, and a healthy 124.7 proof. Color is a nice medium amber. Solid thick legs. Nose is … Continue reading Tasting Notes on Booker’s Country Ham-Batch 2019-3
The Bourbon Future Part III: Contract Distilling
This is Part III of the Whiskey Jar's Series, The Bourbon Future. In Part I, I made a bunch of grandiose predictions about the future of Bourbon. In Part II, I discussed the grain to glass movement and the increase in disclosure about what goes into bourbon, which is bringing increased competition into the bourbon … Continue reading The Bourbon Future Part III: Contract Distilling
Drinking with Jimmy and Eddie: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Store Picks-Toasts To Tradition and the Future
Hokus Pokus has been picking great barrels all year. After the threefer Knob Creek earlier this month, we now have a twofer Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Pick. One bottle is a Toast to Tradition and the other a Toast to the Future. And how cool is it that the Russells signed the labels! Also, the … Continue reading Drinking with Jimmy and Eddie: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Store Picks-Toasts To Tradition and the Future
Meet the Van Winkles’ Cousin: Weller Full Proof
Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of proctoring a tasting of the Van Winkle bourbons in Shreveport, put on by Fatty Arbuckle's Pub. It's THE bourbon bar in Shreveport. For $175 you got a half ounce pour of each Van Winkle bourbon, custom bourbon cocktails, a five course dinner by Caspiana Catering, and then … Continue reading Meet the Van Winkles’ Cousin: Weller Full Proof