Tag Archives: whiskey review

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 33: Is New Riff Bottled in Bond Really the Best Bourbon in the World?

Posted on April 16, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The 2026 World Whiskies Awards crowned New Riff Bottled in Bond the world’s best bourbon. At $40, it qualifies for Bourbon Cheapskate — but how does it hold up against New Riff’s own 6-year single barrel? Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon, The Bourbon Cheapskate | Tagged Blind Tasting, Bottled-in-Bond, Bourbon, bourbon cheapskate, kentucky bourbon, New Riff, The Bourbon Cheapskate, whiskey, whiskey review, world whiskies awards | Leave a comment

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—Elite 8

Posted on April 4, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The Elite Eight delivered razor-thin margins and decisive finishes. Far Better edges Sweet Mash on texture, Nashtucky outlasts a barrel-proof favorite, Toasted Pecan flexes its banana-toffee edge, and Woodford Double Oaked leans fully into dessert mode. The Final Four is set—and every remaining pour is built on depth and finish. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged Barrel Proof Bourbon, best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bourbon Bracket, CapnPen, cask strength, Dessert Profile Bourbon, Elite Eight, Far Better, Far Better Cask Strength, Jack Daniel’s Toasted Pecan, Nashtucky 7 Year, whiskey review, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked | Leave a comment

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—Very Sweet 16 Matchups 5-8

Posted on April 2, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The Sweet 16 wraps with decisive finishes and a few statement wins. Old Forester Single Barrel edges a classic, Toasted Pecan keeps rolling, 13th Colony flexes its depth, and Woodford Double Oaked advances on sweet persistence. The Elite Eight is officially set—and every remaining pour is a threat. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged 13th Colony Cask Strength, 1792 Full Proof, best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bourbon Bracket, CapnPen, Jack Daniel’s Toasted Pecan, Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend, Old Forester Single Barrel, Oloroso Cask, Sweet 16, whiskey review, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked | Leave a comment

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—Very Sweet 16 Matchups 1-4

Posted on March 31, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The Sweet 16 opens with four heavyweights advancing on depth, viscosity, and finish length. Far Better flexes, Sweet Mash survives a near coin-flip, a barrel-proof Jack storms through, and Nashtucky proves its layered complexity. Half the Elite Eight is set—the rest will be decided next. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged Barrel Proof Bourbon, best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bourbon Bracket, CapnPen, cask strength, Far Better, Far Better Cask Strength, Jack Daniel’s Sweet Mash, Jack Daniels Single Barrel Barrel Proof, Nashtucky 7 Year, Sweet 16, whiskey review | Leave a comment

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—Second Round Matchups 1-4

Posted on March 24, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Round 2 raises the stakes as four more blind matchups narrow the field. A rye flexes its balance, a cask-strength heavyweight proves its depth, Sweet Mash humbles a favorite, and a blend edges out a veteran in a razor-close finish. Texture and finish continue to separate contenders from pretenders. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged Barrel Proof Rye, best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bourbon Bracket, Brothers of the Leaf, Far Better, Far Better Cask Strength, Jack Daniels, Round 2, Sweet Mash, whiskey review | Leave a comment

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 29-32

Posted on March 22, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Round 1 is officially complete. The final four blind matchups delivered chocolate-heavy upsets, a dominant Oloroso finish, and another reminder that texture wins tournaments. A few big names fell. A few sleepers are heating up. The bracket tightens from here. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged best of the shelf challenge, Blind Bourbon Tasting, Bourbon Bracket, Bourbon Review, Bourbon Tournament, Chattanooga Experimental, Cooper’s Craft 100 Proof, Four Roses OESO, Green River Single Barrel, High West Chardonnay Cask, Jack Daniel’s Oloroso Cask, Old Forester 1910, Round of 64, whiskey review, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked | Leave a comment

March Bourbon Madness: Best-of-the-Shelf Challenge—First Round Matchups 25-28

Posted on March 21, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Four more blinds, four more bottles headed home. Old Forester flexed its muscle again, Old Grand-dad proved that texture can outweigh complexity, and a pair of tightly contested matchups showed just how thin the margin is between advancing and packing it in. The first round is almost complete—and the bracket is starting to reveal its true contenders. Continue reading →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged 13th Colony Barrel Strength, best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bourbon Bracket, Bourbon Tournament, CapnPen, Maker’s Mark Heart Release, Old Forester 1910 117 Series, old grand-dad 114, Seelbach’s Beekeeper, whiskey review, Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye, Yellowstone Toasted | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bourbon, Bourbon Bracket, Bourbon Review, CapnPen, cask strength bourbon, From the Capn’s Pen, rye whiskey, single barrel bourbon, Tasting Notes, whiskey, whiskey review | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bottled-in-Bond, Bourbon, Bourbon Bracket, Bourbon Review, CapnPen, cask strength bourbon, From the Capn’s Pen, single barrel bourbon, Tasting Notes, whiskey, whiskey review | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Bourbon | Tagged Barrel Proof, best of the shelf challenge, Blind Tasting, Bourbon, Bourbon Bracket, Bourbon Review, CapnPen, cask strength, From the Capn’s Pen, single barrel bourbon, Tasting Notes, whiskey, whiskey review | Leave a comment

Tag Archives: whiskey review

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 33: Is New Riff Bottled in Bond Really the Best Bourbon in the World?

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