Category Archives: Bourbon

Tasting Tuesday: High Proof, Higher Stakes

Posted on August 25, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Five high-proof whiskeys go head-to-head in a blind tasting, including Booker’s, Stagg, Company, Old Glory and Chestnut Farms Single Barrel. The most expensive bottle has something to prove. Continue reading →

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The Sunday Pour: The Glass Set Aside

Posted on August 23, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Some bottles are too meaningful to finish casually. A final pour set aside can become a reminder that waiting itself can be an act of hope. Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 50: Forty Creek Copper Pot Reserve Review—A Blind-Tasting Surprise

Posted on August 20, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I remembered enjoying Forty Creek Copper Pot Reserve, but memory and labels can lie. So I put the inexpensive Canadian whisky into an eight-bottle blind tasting against several familiar American whiskies and let my palate decide. Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday: Chestnut Farms vs. 1792 Full Proof—A Five-Bourbon Blind Tasting

Posted on August 18, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

A Total Wine recommendation convinced me to spend $129 on Chestnut Farms Single Barrel. Then I did some research. So I put it blind against two 1792 Full Proofs, an Elijah Craig store pick and E.H. Taylor Small Batch to find out whether I had actually gotten my money’s worth. Continue reading →

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The Sunday Pour: The Last Pour from the Shelf

Posted on August 16, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

A favorite bottle eventually reaches its last pour. So do seasons, traditions and moments with the people we love. Scripture reminds us not to fear that truth, but to receive every good gift with gratitude to the God who gave it. Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 49: The Best Wheated Bourbon in a 15-Bottle Blind (Plus a Cheapskate Champion)

Posted on August 13, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Fifteen wheated bourbons entered the blind, but only six reached the championship. Old Elk took the title, Hard Truth finished second, and Maker’s Mark 46 proved to be the best value. Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday: The Great Wheated Bourbon Blind—Round Three

Posted on August 11, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Round Three produced the biggest surprise yet. Ragged Branch posted the highest score of the preliminary blind, while the Hard Truth bottle I nearly forgot also reached the championship. Continue reading →

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The Sunday Pour: The Barrel That Stayed Put

Posted on August 9, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

We celebrate the people who go, move and take the next big step. But sometimes God’s calling is to stay — steady, faithful and exactly where He placed you. Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 48: The Great Wheated Bourbon Blind—Round Two

Posted on August 6, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Round Two delivered another surprise as Maker’s Mark 46 won the group, Old Elk advanced and Green River Wheated Full Proof missed the championship by just one-tenth of a point. Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday: The Great Wheated Bourbon Blind—Round One

Posted on August 4, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Fifteen wheated bourbons entered the blind, but only six will reach the championship. Round One produced two finalists—and eliminated Weller Antique 107 and a Larceny Barrel Proof I poured myself at Heaven Hill. Continue reading →

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