Tag Archives: Blind Tasting

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—Second Round Matchups 5-8

Posted on March 26, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Round 2 keeps tightening the bracket as chocolate-heavy powerhouses, fruit-forward surprises, and texture-driven contenders battle for a spot in the Sweet 16. Mouthfeel and finish are proving to be the difference-makers as the field narrows and the margin for error disappears. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bourbon Bracket, Bourbon Review, CapnPen, Company Seismic Rye, Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Proof, Kentucky Owl, Nashtucky 7 Year, Noah's Mill, Rebel Single Barrel, Seelbachs, Whiskey Tasting, Wolcott Rickhouse Reserve | Leave a comment

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—Second Round Matchups 1-4

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Round 2 raises the stakes as four more blind matchups narrow the field. A rye flexes its balance, a cask-strength heavyweight proves its depth, Sweet Mash humbles a favorite, and a blend edges out a veteran in a razor-close finish. Texture and finish continue to separate contenders from pretenders. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged Barrel Proof Rye, best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bourbon Bracket, Brothers of the Leaf, Far Better, Far Better Cask Strength, Jack Daniels, Round 2, Sweet Mash, whiskey review | Leave a comment

Tasting Monday: Best Bottle of Spring Break—An 11-Bottle Blind from the Road

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

A spring break trip to see family, finish the Tennessee Whiskey Trail, and come home with enough bottles for a serious blind tasting. Eleven pours later, one bottle rose above the rest. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged 13th Colony, Blind Tasting, Bourbon, Chattanooga Whiskey, Company Distilling, New Riff, Old Forester, Shortbarrel, spring break whiskey, store picks, Tennessee whiskey, whiskey | Leave a comment

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 25-28

Posted on March 21, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Four more blinds, four more bottles headed home. Old Forester flexed its muscle again, Old Grand-dad proved that texture can outweigh complexity, and a pair of tightly contested matchups showed just how thin the margin is between advancing and packing it in. The first round is almost complete—and the bracket is starting to reveal its true contenders. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged 13th Colony Barrel Strength, best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bourbon Bracket, Bourbon Tournament, CapnPen, Maker’s Mark Heart Release, Old Forester 1910 117 Series, old grand-dad 114, Seelbach’s Beekeeper, whiskey review, Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye, Yellowstone Toasted | Leave a comment

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 21-24

Posted on March 19, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Round one keeps delivering heavy hitters. A toasted pecan surprise makes a statement, a 100-proof staple falls short, and two dessert-forward contenders flex serious muscle. Texture, balance, and finish are starting to separate true bracket threats from solid everyday pours. The Round of 32 is beginning to look dangerous. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged 1792 Full Proof, best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bourbon Bracket, Bourbon Review, CapnPen, Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond, Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series, New England Barrel Company, Old Forester 1897, Old Forester 1920, Smooth Ambler Old Scout, Whiskey Blog | Leave a comment

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 17-20

Posted on March 17, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Round of 64, Part Five may have delivered the most explosive top seed performance yet. A dominant #2 reminded everyone why it earned its place, while two mid-seeds fought tooth and nail in tightly contested battles. At this stage, thin mouthfeel is a death sentence—and balance is beginning to separate contenders from pretenders. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bourbon, Bourbon Bracket, Bourbon Review, CapnPen, cask strength bourbon, From the Capn’s Pen, rye whiskey, single barrel bourbon, Tasting Notes, whiskey, whiskey review | Leave a comment

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 13-16

Posted on March 15, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Round of 64, Part Four brought power, precision, and the tightest decision yet. One high seed flexed, one mid-seed edged forward on texture alone, and a razor-thin matchup came down to the final sip. Sixteen battles in, the bracket is beginning to separate depth from decency. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bottled-in-Bond, Bourbon, Bourbon Bracket, Bourbon Review, CapnPen, cask strength bourbon, From the Capn’s Pen, single barrel bourbon, Tasting Notes, whiskey, whiskey review | Leave a comment

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 9-12

Posted on March 14, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Round of 64, Part Three delivered another mix of dominance and narrow escapes. One heavy hitter flexed hard, a couple mid-seeds quietly advanced, and texture once again proved to be a deciding factor. Twelve matchups in, the bracket is beginning to reveal who truly belongs. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged Barrel Proof, best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bourbon, Bourbon Bracket, Bourbon Review, CapnPen, cask strength, From the Capn’s Pen, single barrel bourbon, Tasting Notes, whiskey, whiskey review | Leave a comment

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 5-8

Posted on March 12, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The second wave of the Round of 64 delivered proof-heavy bruisers, subtle upsets, and a few bottles that teased greatness but couldn’t quite carry it through. Eight more contenders went head-to-head in blind format, and four earned their place in the next round. The bracket is tightening—and texture is starting to matter. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged Barrel Proof, best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bourbon, Bourbon Bracket, Bourbon Review, CapnPen, cask strength, From the Capn’s Pen, Glencairn, Tasting Notes, whiskey, whiskey review | Leave a comment

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 1-4

Posted on March 10, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge kicks off with four blind Round of 64 matchups, where high-proof heavyweights, savory classics, and a few surprises go head-to-head. With labels hidden and scores recorded blind, the opening round delivers decisive wins, tight finishes, and the first clear signs of which bottles are built for a deep bracket run. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged Barrel Proof, best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bourbon, Bourbon Bracket, Bourbon Review, CapnPen, cask strength, Far Better, From the Capn’s Pen, home bourbon tasting, rye review, rye whiskey, whiskey bracket, whiskey tasting notes | Leave a comment

Tag Archives: Blind Tasting

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—Second Round Matchups 5-8

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March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—Second Round Matchups 1-4

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Tasting Monday: Best Bottle of Spring Break—An 11-Bottle Blind from the Road

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March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 25-28

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March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 21-24

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March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 17-20

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March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 13-16

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March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 9-12

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March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 5-8

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March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 1-4

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