Benchmark has been by go to cheap mixable bourbon for a long time. After I got introduced to the good folks at Buffalo Trace by a friend who worked for Sazerac as an accountant, I had asked them which of their low end bourbons they would recommend, Benchmark or Ancient Age. They recommended Benchmark, which … Continue reading Benchmark Collection: Full Proof and Bonded

I was able to get my hands on a Four Roses 2022 Limited Edition. The last Limited Edition bottle I was able to get was in 2019, so I have had a bit of a dry spell in getting these. These tend to be quite special and I have enjoyed these in the past. This … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Four Roses 2022 Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon

As I noted in my detailed review of Rebel Distiller's Collection, I really wanted to try Rebel's 10 year old wheated bourbon at 100 proof. Lo and behold, Hokus was able to get a couple of bottles, and I snagged one for just under $70. There is an important note on the label, that being … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Rebel 10 Year Old Single Barrel Bourbon

My contribution to a tasting last Friday night was Yellowstone's 2020 Limited Edition Bourbon Release, which, this year, was finished in Marsala Superiore casks. Consistent with prior limited edition releases, this is 101 proof. The group really enjoyed this bottle, and was picked as either the or a favorite at the tasting. The blend of … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Yellowstone 2022 Limited Edition Bourbon Finished In Marsala Superiore Casks

Stellum's Perseus Single Barrel is a 2022 release of Stellum Single Barrel, and has the same low rye mashbill from MGP as Lyra and Vega of 2021. This one is 116.34 proof. Color is a nice amber; I would guess this bourbon was aged in a cooler part of the warehouse for five to six … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Hokus Pokus’ Stellum Perseus Single Barrel Pick

Rebel Yell was a bourbon brand of the historic Stitzel Weller distillery, and was a wheated bourbon just like Weller, Van Winkle, and Old Fitzgerald. Luxco ended up with the brand, and dropped the "yell" from the brand's moniker. It is now distilled at Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown, Kentucky. In addition to Rebel, Luxco … Continue reading Rebel Distiller’s Collection Kentucky Straight Bourbon Single Barrel Selected By Total Wine

I have written extensively on the Van Winkle Bourbons before. This years allocation to my local liquor store was pretty sparse, but better than last year. I was able to get a Pappy 15 and an Old Rip 10. Of late, Buffalo Trace wheated bourbons have been on an upswing in quality, and I am … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year Old and Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year Old 2022 releases

Hokus Pokus has sourced another barrel from Old Soul in Mississippi, with this one not being a particularly high rye bourbon, but rather one with a mashbill 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. I believe this has been sourced from MGP and aged mostly at Cathead Distillery in Mississippi. Uncut and unfiltered, this … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Old Soul Single Barrel Cask Strength Hokus Pokus 2022 Private Selection

Hokus Pokus has sourced another Heaven's Door Single Barrel Cask Strength bourbon. Still around $60, this pick is higher in proof than the last one at 123.4 proof. However, the mashbill and the barrels are the same as the prior release, 80% corn, 10% rye, 10% malted barley, and both are 100% Tennessee bourbon. Color … Continue reading Tasting Notes: Hokus Pokus Heaven’s Door Cask Strength Single Barrel (Heaven’s Pour II)

Last April, around Easter at that, my brother in law invited me to help him and Glenn Dauzat pick a Woodford Reserve pick for Glenn's store, Kerry's, in Marksville, LA. Knowing that I had participated in store picks for Hokus Pokus, and this being Glenn's first store pick, they wanted my help. So, I met … Continue reading Inside the Woodford Reserve Barrel Selection Program and a Review of Kerry’s Private Selection