Tag Archives: tasting

Tasting Tuesday: The 95-and-under Sweet Sixteen, Part 2

Posted on October 28, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

If last week’s half of the Sweet Sixteen was a slugfest, this round was more like a master class in contrasts — sweet against spicy, classic profiles versus boundary-pushers. Every pour carried its own story, from the leather-and-vanilla depth of … Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 12: Bottled Bargains—Member’s Mark Bottled-in-Bond Takes on Its Kin

Posted on October 23, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Back on September 25, I reviewed Member’s Mark Small Batch, a Sam’s Club exclusive that impressed me with its flavor-to-price ratio at just $18.95. Now the warehouse giant has added a Member’s Mark Bottled-in-Bond expression — also priced at $18.95 … Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday: The 95-and-under Sweet Sixteen Begins

Posted on October 21, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

After eight rounds of blind tastings, we’ve reached the business end of the 95-and-Under Challenge — the Sweet Sixteen. What started as a crowded field of affordable contenders has now tightened into a serious competition, with heavy hitters like Old … Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 11: Chattanooga 111 vs. the Field

Posted on October 17, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

The 111-Proof Four-Way Blind The Setup I’ve been high on Chattanooga Whiskey 111 Cask ever since I found it for just under $40. It drinks like something twice its age — barely two and a half years old but packed … Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday: The Final Pour Before the Sweet Sixteen

Posted on October 14, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Eight blinds down, and the field is finally set. What began as a crowded lineup of affordable contenders has been whittled down, pour by pour, to a handful of bottles that refused to go quietly. Some surprises have already fallen; … Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 10: Dear Brown-Forman—Don’t Kill Coopers’ Craft

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Proof that craftsmanship doesn’t have to come with a collector’s price tag. Background Coopers’ Craft comes from Brown-Forman, the same Louisville house behind Old Forester, Woodford Reserve, and Jack Daniel’s. It’s named for the company’s own cooperage—one of the few … Continue reading →

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Tasting Tuesday: 95-and-Under Challenge, Blinds 5 & 6

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

We’re getting deeper into the 95-and-under bracket, and the pattern’s starting to show itself. The higher-proof matchups in earlier rounds had punch and character; this stretch is proving how tricky it can be for a lower-proof bourbon to keep the … Continue reading →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 9: Rebel 100 – The Bold Wheater That Won’t Break the Bank

Posted on October 2, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Bourbon Cheapskate: Rebel 100 Every now and then, Shores Liquors (here in Jacksonville) puts something on sale that’s too good to pass up. This week it was Rebel 100 — normally $29.99, but marked down to just $21.99 for a … Continue reading →

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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 →

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The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 8: Barton Quality for Under $20

Posted on September 25, 2025 by Douglas Blaine

Sam’s Club may not be the first place you think of when you’re on the hunt for a solid bourbon, but it turns out they’ve got a real sleeper on their shelves. Under the Member’s Mark label, Sam’s Club offers … Continue reading →

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