Tag Archives: From the Capn’s Pen

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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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Standing at the Crossroads

Posted on March 4, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

When I imagine the opening line of my autobiography, it begins at a crossroads between two lives: the fast-paced world of journalism and the quieter but deeply meaningful world of faith, teaching, and writing. Looking back, I realize those paths were never really separate. Continue reading →

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It’s Time to Make a Few Calls

Posted on February 10, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

When truly great news arrives, my first instinct isn’t to celebrate alone—it’s to reach for the phone. The people we call first say a lot about who grounds us, who understands us, and who makes joy even better when it’s shared. Continue reading →

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One More Year, A Little More Personal

Posted on February 4, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Perspective has a way of changing with time—and sometimes with loss. What once felt theoretical now feels lived-in, closer to the bone. A reflection on how enduring life’s harder moments reshapes what matters most. Continue reading →

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The Sunday Pour: The Angel’s Share (Revisited)

Posted on January 18, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The Angel’s Share isn’t waste—it’s willing surrender. Scripture calls it kenosis: the emptying that makes room for something deeper, richer, and more true. Continue reading →

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Where Love Shows Up Quietly

Posted on January 17, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Love doesn’t always announce itself. Sometimes it shows up in a phone call, a small voice asking to talk to Papi, a friend who chooses you again, or a memory carried in a mother’s voice. The moments that matter most aren’t loud—they’re faithful. Continue reading →

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The Sunday Pour: The First Pour vs. the Last Drop

Posted on January 11, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Beginnings are easy to celebrate. Endurance is harder to notice. From the excitement of a first pour to the reflection found in the last drop, the finish often tells the truest story—of faith, faithfulness, and what it means to finish well. Continue reading →

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