Tag Archives: Bourbon Review

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 13th Colony Cask Strength, best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bourbon Bracket, Bourbon Review, CapnPen, Green River Single Barrel, High West Chardonnay Cask, Jack Daniel’s Oloroso Cask, Old Forester 117 Series, old grand-dad 114, Round 2, Seelbach’s Beekeeper, Whiskey Blog, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked | Leave a comment

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

Posted on March 28, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Round 2 continues to separate depth from durability. Old Forester flexes again, Magnus edges a tight one, Toasted Pecan rolls, and 1792 Full Proof proves it belongs in the conversation. Chocolate, cherries, and caramel keep showing up—but integration and finish are deciding who survives. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged 1792 Full Proof, best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bourbon Bracket, Bourbon Review, CapnPen, Jack Daniel’s Toasted Pecan, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend, Old Forester 1897, Old Forester 1920, Old Forester Single Barrel, Penelope Marshmallow Toasted, Round 2, Still Austin Single Barrel, Whiskey Blog | Leave a comment

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—First Round Matchups 29-32

Posted on March 22, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Round 1 is officially complete. The final four blind matchups delivered chocolate-heavy upsets, a dominant Oloroso finish, and another reminder that texture wins tournaments. A few big names fell. A few sleepers are heating up. The bracket tightens from here. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged best of the shelf challenge, Blind Bourbon Tasting, Bourbon Bracket, Bourbon Review, Bourbon Tournament, Chattanooga Experimental, Cooper’s Craft 100 Proof, Four Roses OESO, Green River Single Barrel, High West Chardonnay Cask, Jack Daniel’s Oloroso Cask, Old Forester 1910, Round of 64, whiskey review, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked | 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: Bourbon Review

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

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March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 29-32

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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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