Category Archives: Bourbon

Tasting Tuesday: Three Whiskeys, Three First Impressions

Posted on November 10, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Three impressive whiskeys, three scores separated by just 0.76 points. Chattanooga Experimental V1A brings unusual sweet and savory flavors, Jack Daniel’s Sweet Mash delivers its signature character, and Lux Row Four-Grain Double-Single Barrel emerges as a March Madness contender. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon, Tasting Tuesday | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sunday Pour: Blind Is Brutal

Posted on November 8, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Labels disappear, reputations vanish and sometimes expensive bottles get embarrassed. An 11-bottle double-oaked bourbon blind tasting reveals surprising results and a biblical lesson about judging by appearances. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon, Faith, The Sunday Pour | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Southern Sports Stillhouse: Catholics, Convicts, the Holy War and a Whole Lot of SEC Football

Posted on November 6, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

No. 1 Miami visits Notre Dame, Georgia battles Ole Miss, and Alabama heads to Death Valley. We’ve got picks for 10 college football games, a few disagreements, and plenty of bourbon.

Raise a glass. Take a side. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon, Southern Sports Stillhouse, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 61: Barrel Key Bourbon — Unlocking a Mystery at a Bargain Price

Posted on November 5, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Two unfamiliar bourbons, one Publix BOGO deal, and a mystery stretching from Indiana to Oklahoma to St. Louis. We investigate Barrel Key’s origins, reveal its mash bills, and find out whether the 6-year or 8-year deserves a spot on your shelf. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon, The Bourbon Cheapskate | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tasting Tuesday: Penelope Project X Armagnac Finished Bourbon — An Experiment Worth Trying?

Posted on November 3, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Penelope’s 2026 Project X Armagnac-finished bourbon brings crème brûlée, buttery toffee, custard and cinnamon to the glass. But is it worth $70–$80? I found a bottle at Costco for $59.99 and put barrel 2525-2 to the test. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon, Tasting Tuesday | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sunday Pour: The Best Bourbon I Never Bought Again

Posted on November 1, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Some bourbons are excellent but aren’t worth buying twice. From Henry McKenna’s rising price to Old Forester Birthday Bourbon’s astronomical resale value, sometimes reputation costs more than the whiskey is worth. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon, The Sunday Pour | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Southern Sports Stillhouse: Halloween Weekend, Rivalries and Redemption

Posted on October 30, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Halloween weekend brings classic rivalries, potential upsets and plenty of college football drama. Doug and Scott make their picks for ten games and sample four whiskeys, including Florida bourbons from St. Augustine and Florida Victorious. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon, Southern Sports Stillhouse, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 60: Four Jim Beams Walk Into a Blind Tasting

Posted on October 29, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Four Jim Beam bourbons. Four identical sample bottles. One blind tasting. The winner was close, but the last-place finisher was a genuine surprise. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon, The Bourbon Cheapskate | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tasting Tuesday: Sixty Years, Four Bourbons and a Birthday Worth Pouring

Posted on October 27, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Turning 60 calls for something special. This Tasting Tuesday, I’m celebrating with four premium bourbons: Calumet Farm 12-Year, Russell’s Reserve Private Barrel Selection, The Saint and Florida Colonel. Four outstanding pours, two incredibly close finishes, and one memorable birthday. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon, Tasting Tuesday | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Sunday Pour: The Very Scary Proofs

Posted on October 25, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

What makes a bourbon too dangerous to fly? This Halloween week, three HAZMAT whiskeys offer a surprising lesson about pleasure, temptation and knowing when to surrender control—and to whom. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon, Faith, The Sunday Pour | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment