Monthly Archives: April 2026

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 35: The Single Barrel Bargain Brawl

Posted on April 30, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Four value-friendly single barrels go head to head: Evan Williams 86.6, Benchmark Single Barrel, Member’s Mark Single Barrel and Evan Williams America 250. Some are decent. One is an outrageous bargain. And one makes me wonder why Heaven Hill hasn’t already given us a higher-proof Evan Williams Single Barrel as a regular release. Continue reading →

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Why Christmas Still Wins

Posted on April 30, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I like every holiday for different reasons, but Christmas is the big one. Faith, family, food, music, memories, generosity and joy all come wrapped together in the reminder that God gave us the greatest gift of all. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Thursday, April 30, 2026: Repeat What Is True

Posted on April 30, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Psalm 136 repeats the same truth 26 times because we need to remember it: God’s steadfast love endures forever. When life gets hard and our hearts forget what our heads know, that refrain becomes something to hold onto. Continue reading →

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Camping: Where Memories Are Made and Sleeping Bags Go to Die

Posted on April 29, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The WordPress question only asked if I’ve ever been camping, so technically “yes” would have been enough. But since I have stories involving Boy Scouts, Florida-Georgia trauma, a ruined sleeping bag, a lightning storm under a Hobie Cat, and a meaningful breast cancer walk, maybe this deserves a little more than one word. Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday: Six Single Barrels, One Surprise Value Threat

Posted on April 28, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Some single barrels arrive with reputation. Others arrive with a lower price tag and very little fanfare — until they force their way into the conversation. That’s what happened when Evan Williams America 250 stepped into a blind lineup against five respected single barrels and nearly stole the whole night. Continue reading →

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My Brain Apparently Works the Night Shift

Posted on April 28, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The world gets quiet, ideas finally show up, and suddenly my brain wants to do its best work — usually at exactly the hour when I should be asleep. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Tuesday, April 28, 2026: All Doesn’t Mean Some

Posted on April 28, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Psalm 34 calls us to bless the Lord at all times, and James reminds us to count trials as joy. Neither passage ignores hardship — both teach us that faith grows when praise survives difficult days. Continue reading →

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My Emoji Vocabulary Is Very Limited

Posted on April 27, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I don’t really have favorite emojis. I have a few dependable ones I use when words seem unnecessary, risky, or likely to start a conversation I didn’t mean to have. Continue reading →

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Quick Thought – Monday, April 27, 2026: When Familiar Words Need Fresh Attention

Posted on April 27, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The Lord’s Prayer is so familiar that we can recite it without thinking. But Jesus wasn’t giving us empty words to repeat. He was teaching us how to pray with meaning, humility, forgiveness and trust. Continue reading →

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