Tag Archives: Buffalo Trace

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 18: Walmart vs. Weller (and Friends)

Posted on December 4, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Walmart has a new $19 bourbon on the shelf, so I threw it into a blind taste test with three other 90-proof bottles from the Buffalo Trace universe: Weller Special Reserve, Benchmark Small Batch, and Members Mark. Only one came out “good,” but all four proved something important about budget bourbon. Here’s how they ranked—and why the results weren’t surprising. Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday: The 95-and-under Elite Eight—Proof, Patience and Unexpected Performances

Posted on November 4, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

The field has been cut in half twice already, and every bottle left has survived at least one blind skirmish to get here. At this stage, there are no flukes, no charity invites, and definitely no freebies. Only eight pours … Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday: The 95-and-under Sweet Sixteen, Part 2

Posted on October 28, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

If last week’s half of the Sweet Sixteen was a slugfest, this round was more like a master class in contrasts — sweet against spicy, classic profiles versus boundary-pushers. Every pour carried its own story, from the leather-and-vanilla depth of … Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday: The Final Pour Before the Sweet Sixteen

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Eight blinds down, and the field is finally set. What began as a crowded lineup of affordable contenders has been whittled down, pour by pour, to a handful of bottles that refused to go quietly. Some surprises have already fallen; … Continue reading →

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