Tag Archives: Sazerac

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 →

Posted in Bourbon, Random | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 16: Early Times Bottled-in-Bond Proves Price Isn’t Everything

Posted on November 20, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Early Times Bottled-in-Bond is one of the best values in bourbon—an honest, old-school, $15–$25 liter that regularly beats bottles twice its price. With rich peanut and cinnamon notes, a warm caramel-apple palate, and a surprisingly solid finish, this everyday sipper proves that great bourbon doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 14: Battle of the $20 Bottled-in-Bond Bourbons

Posted on November 6, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Four classic budget BiBs go head-to-head in a category-by-category showdown. Benchmark, Early Times, J.W. Dant, and J.T.S. Brown all deliver way above their price—but only one wins the bourbon cheapskate challenge. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tasting Tuesday: Upsets Brewing in the 95-and-Under Whiskey Challenge

Posted on September 30, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

The 95-and-Under Whiskey Challenge is heating up. After two weeks of competition, we already saw Evan Williams 1783 Small Batch (25 seed) pull off a Cinderella run into the Sweet Sixteen, proving that low seeds can still pack a punch. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment