Tag Archives: single barrel bourbon

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 37: Evan Williams America 250 (times three)

Posted on May 14, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Three bottles. Three barrels. Same Evan Williams Single Barrel 250 release. Same 117.76 proof. Very different results. Barrel 222 proved why higher-proof single barrels can still deliver serious value at around $40. Continue reading →

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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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Tasting Tuesday: Six Single Barrels, One Surprise Value Threat

Posted on April 28, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Some single barrels arrive with reputation. Others arrive with a lower price tag and very little fanfare — until they force their way into the conversation. That’s what happened when Evan Williams America 250 stepped into a blind lineup against five respected single barrels and nearly stole the whole night. Continue reading →

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March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 17-20

Posted on March 17, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Round of 64, Part Five may have delivered the most explosive top seed performance yet. A dominant #2 reminded everyone why it earned its place, while two mid-seeds fought tooth and nail in tightly contested battles. At this stage, thin mouthfeel is a death sentence—and balance is beginning to separate contenders from pretenders. Continue reading →

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March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 13-16

Posted on March 15, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Round of 64, Part Four brought power, precision, and the tightest decision yet. One high seed flexed, one mid-seed edged forward on texture alone, and a razor-thin matchup came down to the final sip. Sixteen battles in, the bracket is beginning to separate depth from decency. Continue reading →

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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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Tasting Tuesday: The Pour I’ve Ignored

Posted on February 17, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The bottle that started it all. Before barrel finishes and 125-proof bruisers, Evan Williams Single Barrel was my “serious bourbon.” Tonight, I revisited the 1998 and 2015 vintages — and discovered that sometimes the value isn’t in the proof… it’s in the memory. Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 25: Rebel Single Barrel (Kyle Busch Edition)

Posted on January 22, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

I didn’t expect to love a bourbon tied to a driver I never rooted for—but Rebel’s Kyle Busch Single Barrel proved that a little rowdy can still come with a whole lot of sweet. Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday: Same Mashbill, Same Proof, No Safety Net

Posted on January 13, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Four bourbons. Same mashbill. Same proof. All tasted blind. When you strip away the labels and the hype, the differences shrink fast — and what’s left is a lesson in barrels, balance, and just how close great everyday bourbons can be. Continue reading →

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