Tag Archives: full proof

Tasting Tuesday — Jack Daniel’s Three-Way Showdown

Three of my top-10 whiskeys went head-to-head for Tasting Tuesday: Jack Daniel’s Barrel Proof Tennessee Whiskey, the toasted-pecan–finished Tennessee Whiskey, and the Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye. Instead of scoring them outright, I judged them category by category — color, nose, palate, complexity, mouthfeel and finish. The results reinforced what my shelf already knew: all three of these are absolute bangers, and the rye still wears the crown. Continue reading

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The Sunday Pour: Living Life at Barrel Strength

Life doesn’t always come watered down. Some seasons arrive at full proof — hot, honest, and unfiltered — much like a true barrel-strength bourbon. I’ve had my share of those days and years, and I’ve learned that the burn often reveals what’s real. Scripture reminds us that God refines us through these uncut moments, strengthening our faith and shaping what comes next. Today’s pour is a toast to the truth hidden inside the heat. Continue reading

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Tasting Tuesday: A Fresh Look at the Benchmark Five

This week’s Tasting Tuesday revisits the full five-bottle Benchmark lineup as I continue re-evaluating every bourbon on my shelf — now down to 36 left. My palate has changed, the scores have shifted, and a few surprises emerged, but Benchmark still stands as one of the best value introductions to bourbon you can buy. Continue reading

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 4: Benchmark’s Five-Bottle Shelf

If someone asked me where to start with bourbon—and they only wanted to spend about $100—I’d point them straight to Benchmark. Forget the 80-proofer, but grab the other five bottles in the line, and you’ve got yourself a small whiskey … Continue reading

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