Tag Archives: Whiskey Tasting

Tasting Tuesday: Double-Oaked Challenge — Round of 16, Part Two

Posted on September 22, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Eight more whiskeys enter the Sweet 16 blind. Four advance, one upset shakes the bracket, and the Elite Eight is set. Continue reading →

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

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 54: Double-Oaked Challenge — Round of 16, Part One

Posted on September 17, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The Double-Oaked Challenge reaches the Round of 16. Eight whiskeys go blind, four head-to-head matchups decide who survives, and one upset shakes the bracket. Continue reading →

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

Tasting Tuesday: Double-Oaked Challenge Play-In Round

Posted on September 15, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

The Double-Oaked Challenge begins with eight bottles fighting for four spots in the Round of 16. Blind tasting, head-to-head matchups and four survivors. Continue reading →

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

Tasting Tuesday: Booker’s 25-03 Beats Four Staggs in a Blind Tasting

Posted on September 1, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Booker’s 25-03 stole the show in a blind tasting of eight high-proof bourbons, finishing ahead of four Staggs while Booker’s 25-04 landed in last place. Continue reading →

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

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 49: The Best Wheated Bourbon in a 15-Bottle Blind (Plus a Cheapskate Champion)

Posted on August 13, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Fifteen wheated bourbons entered the blind, but only six reached the championship. Old Elk took the title, Hard Truth finished second, and Maker’s Mark 46 proved to be the best value. Continue reading →

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

Tasting Tuesday: The Great Wheated Bourbon Blind—Round Three

Posted on August 11, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Round Three produced the biggest surprise yet. Ragged Branch posted the highest score of the preliminary blind, while the Hard Truth bottle I nearly forgot also reached the championship. Continue reading →

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

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 48: The Great Wheated Bourbon Blind—Round Two

Posted on August 6, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Round Two delivered another surprise as Maker’s Mark 46 won the group, Old Elk advanced and Green River Wheated Full Proof missed the championship by just one-tenth of a point. Continue reading →

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

Tasting Tuesday: The Great Wheated Bourbon Blind—Round One

Posted on August 4, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Fifteen wheated bourbons entered the blind, but only six will reach the championship. Round One produced two finalists—and eliminated Weller Antique 107 and a Larceny Barrel Proof I poured myself at Heaven Hill. Continue reading →

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

Tasting Tuesday: Jack Daniel’s Rye Blind Tasting—Six Bottles, Two Hazmats and One Clear Winner

Posted on July 14, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

Jack Daniel’s may be famous for Tennessee Whiskey, but its rye lineup deserves more respect. I blindly tasted six Jack Daniel’s ryes — including the Straight Rye, Bonded Rye, Single Barrel Rye, Barrel Proof Rye and two Hazmat-level 2026 Special Releases — to see which bottle came out on top. Continue reading →

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

The Bourbon Cheapskate, Vol. 41: Barrel-Finished Early Times Bottled-in-Bond Takes Flight

Posted on June 11, 2026 by Douglas Blaine

My fourth barrel fill, Early Times Bottled-in-Bond, became “Free Bird” after three months in the finishing barrel. The result? More color, richer fruit, better mouthfeel and a budget bourbon that earned a special place on the shelf. Continue reading →

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