Tag Archives: Single Barrel

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 38: The Patriot Takes the Field

In a blind single-barrel showdown against Pinhook, Old Forester, and Green River, Evan Williams America 250 Barrel 222 had every reason to be the underdog. Instead, it planted a flag. Continue reading

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Tasting Tuesday: Jack Daniel’s “Rye-off”

Three expressions. One distillery. Jack Daniel’s rye lineup isn’t about winners and losers, but about how proof, barrel selection, and structure shape the final pour. From the budget-friendly Bonded Rye to the indulgent Barrel Proof, this is a side-by-side look at what makes each bottle distinct — and why all three earn their place on the shelf. Continue reading

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

A blind, head-to-head tasting of Four Roses barrel-strength OBSK and OESO revisits a Kentucky barrel pick and settles which bottle earns the top spot on my shelf — by the slimmest of margins. 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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Tuesday Tasting: Is Heritage Barrel Worth the Hype? A Jack Daniel’s Blind Tasting

Every once in a while, a bottle jumps off the shelf and says take me home. That’s what happened when I stumbled onto a Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel Toasted at Shores Liquors. Folks have been clamoring for this … Continue reading

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Tasting Tuesday: The Rye Showdown — Final Four and Championship

After weeks of blind pours and unexpected twists, the Rye Challenge has come down to the Final Four. What started as a broad field of contenders has been whittled down to just four glasses — three of them from Jack … 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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Tuesday Tasting: Conecuh Ridge Distillery and Clyde May’s

In today’s tasting, I’m diving into a blind tasting of four bourbons from Conecuh Ridge Distillery and Clyde May’s. These bottles are all from different expressions and age statements, and as I blindly mixed them, I spent a solid 15 … Continue reading

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Capnpen’s Ultimate Sip Challenge 2025: Rounds 5 and 6 – The Final Four and Championship

So, this is it. What started with 64 whiskeys more than a month ago is finally down to four final contenders. These aren’t necessarily the four best whiskeys in the field, but each one represents excellence within its field (or … Continue reading

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Capnpen’s Ultimate Sip Challenge 2025: Round 4 – The Elite Eight (Drams)

This is almost the end, and I’m kind of happy about that, but also a little unhappy. I’ve enjoyed sampling most of the bottles on my shelf, and I’ve also enjoyed developing my nose and palate for the best type … Continue reading

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