Tag Archives: bourbon tasting

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 35: The Single Barrel Bargain Brawl

Posted on April 30, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Four value-friendly single barrels go head to head: Evan Williams 86.6, Benchmark Single Barrel, Member’s Mark Single Barrel and Evan Williams America 250. Some are decent. One is an outrageous bargain. And one makes me wonder why Heaven Hill hasn’t already given us a higher-proof Evan Williams Single Barrel as a regular release. Continue reading →

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Capnpen’s Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge — 64 Bottles. One Bracket. No Mercy.

Posted on March 9, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Sixty-four shelf-worthy bottles. One blind-tasting bracket. No labels, no hype, no mercy. The Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge puts my collection head-to-head to find out which bourbon truly earns the top spot—one matchup, one pour, one winner at a time. Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday Wednesday: A Christmas “Best Of” Bourbon Showdown

Posted on December 31, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Twelve bottles. Four tasting flights. One unexpected sleeper and one very familiar champion. A Christmas trip to the mountains turned into a “best of my shelf” bourbon showdown—proof that great whiskey doesn’t care about price, hype, or even what day of the week it is. Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday: The Smallest Sip With the Biggest Lesson

Posted on November 18, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Sometimes it only takes the smallest sip to make a big decision. Tonight I ran to Total Wine hoping to pick up something special for my 40th high school reunion this weekend. Some people commemorate big moments with pictures — … Continue reading →

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