Tag Archives: Blind Tasting

Tasting Tuesday: Knob Creek, Three Ways

Posted on May 12, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Knob Creek’s Blender’s Edition No. 1 promises a sweeter side of the classic Beam profile. I put it in a blind tasting against Knob Creek 9-Year and a 125-proof cask strength single barrel store pick to see where it landed. Continue reading →

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

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 →

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

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 34: Bonded on a Budget—Old Bardstown Faces Two Familiar Rivals

Posted on April 23, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Three low-cost bottled-in-bond bourbons. No stars. No hype. Just a blind test to see where Old Bardstown belongs — and in the end, one bottle quietly separated itself. Continue reading →

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

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 33: Is New Riff Bottled in Bond Really the Best Bourbon in the World?

Posted on April 16, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The 2026 World Whiskies Awards crowned New Riff Bottled in Bond the world’s best bourbon. At $40, it qualifies for Bourbon Cheapskate — but how does it hold up against New Riff’s own 6-year single barrel? Continue reading →

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

Tasting Tuesday: Brown-Forman’s 100-Proof Family Battle

Posted on April 14, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Eight bottles. One whiskey house. Two blind rounds. Brown-Forman’s 100-proof lineup delivered exactly what you’d expect from a great whiskey family: consistency, value, and one clear winner. Continue reading →

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

Tasting Tuesday: Nine Bourbons, Extra Oak, and One Familiar Winner

Posted on April 7, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Nine bourbons with extra wood influence—double oak, triple oak, quad oak, cask finishing, and one personal experiment—went head to head in a blind tasting. A few surprises emerged, one bottle overperformed, and one familiar favorite proved again why it remains one of the best finished bourbons on my shelf. Continue reading →

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

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—Elite 8

Posted on April 4, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The Elite Eight delivered razor-thin margins and decisive finishes. Far Better edges Sweet Mash on texture, Nashtucky outlasts a barrel-proof favorite, Toasted Pecan flexes its banana-toffee edge, and Woodford Double Oaked leans fully into dessert mode. The Final Four is set—and every remaining pour is built on depth and finish. Continue reading →

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

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—Very Sweet 16 Matchups 5-8

Posted on April 2, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The Sweet 16 wraps with decisive finishes and a few statement wins. Old Forester Single Barrel edges a classic, Toasted Pecan keeps rolling, 13th Colony flexes its depth, and Woodford Double Oaked advances on sweet persistence. The Elite Eight is officially set—and every remaining pour is a threat. Continue reading →

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

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—Very Sweet 16 Matchups 1-4

Posted on March 31, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The Sweet 16 opens with four heavyweights advancing on depth, viscosity, and finish length. Far Better flexes, Sweet Mash survives a near coin-flip, a barrel-proof Jack storms through, and Nashtucky proves its layered complexity. Half the Elite Eight is set—the rest will be decided next. Continue reading →

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

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

Posted on March 29, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Round 2 closes with depth, dessert profiles, and a few decisive finishes. Old Forester’s 117 moves on, 13th Colony flexes its complexity, Oloroso proves its smoky edge, and Woodford Double Oaked does what it does best—linger. The Sweet 16 is set, and the margin for error is gone. Continue reading →

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