Tag Archives: Blind Tasting

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 →

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Tasting Tuesday: Three Penelope Bourbons Go Head-to-Head

Posted on October 6, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Three Penelope bourbons. One blind tasting. Bartender’s Reserve, Barrel Strength Four-Grain and Marshmallow Toast went head-to-head — and the bottle that sounded most like my palate didn’t win. Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 56: Can Five Cheap Bourbons Make One Good One?

Posted on October 1, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Five bourbon minis costing less than $2 each face a blind tasting before being combined into a homemade infinity blend. The winner was surprising—and the blend may have found a way to rescue the worst bourbon of the night. Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday: Double-Oaked Challenge — Final Four and Championship

Posted on September 29, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Four whiskeys remain in the Double-Oaked Challenge. Two Bondstones reach the championship, and the winner is decided by a narrow 4-3 head-to-head battle. Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 55: Double-Oaked Challenge Quarterfinals

Posted on September 24, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The Double-Oaked Challenge reaches the Elite Eight. Eight blind pours become four semifinalists, and the top three seeds are all eliminated. Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday: Double-Oaked Challenge — Round of 16, Part Two

Posted on September 22, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Eight more whiskeys enter the Sweet 16 blind. Four advance, one upset shakes the bracket, and the Elite Eight is set. Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 54: Double-Oaked Challenge — Round of 16, Part One

Posted on September 17, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The Double-Oaked Challenge reaches the Round of 16. Eight whiskeys go blind, four head-to-head matchups decide who survives, and one upset shakes the bracket. Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday: Double-Oaked Challenge Play-In Round

Posted on September 15, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The Double-Oaked Challenge begins with eight bottles fighting for four spots in the Round of 16. Blind tasting, head-to-head matchups and four survivors. Continue reading →

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The Sunday Pour: When Expectations Change the Pour

Posted on September 6, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

A label, price tag or reputation can shape a bourbon before we ever taste it. Expectations can do the same thing in faith, relationships and life. 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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