BOURBON REVIEWS

Jim Beam Black Extra Aged Shelf Review
Chris Ellis Chris Ellis

Jim Beam Black Extra Aged Shelf Review

Jim Beam has an extensive portfolio of everything from its signature White Label to limited release Booker’s and Knob Creek expressions. Jim Beam Black definitely falls on the lower end of the spectrum, boasting an MSRP around $20. But Jim Beam promises this to be older, and more complex than its ubiquitous White Label. But is Jim Beam Black worth the couple extra bucks? Let’s find out.

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High West High Country American Single Malt
Chris Ellis Chris Ellis

High West High Country American Single Malt

High West’s latest experiment is a distillery only release of an American single malt. Named High Country, this expression is a blend of three 2-9 year old malt whiskies that are finished in French oak Port pipes. It’s an intriguing proposition, one that sadly few people will likely get to experience unless they travel out to Park City to grab a bottle.

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Weller 12 Review
Chris Ellis Chris Ellis

Weller 12 Review

Weller 12 bourbon. The original Weller unicorn. “Poor Man’s Pappy”. Whatever you call it, many bourbon drinkers would jump at the chance to purchase this bourbon anywhere near MSRP. But secondary prices have climbed to almost $200. Is a 90 proof bourbon really worth that kind of money? Let’s jump in and find out.

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Redwood Empire Lost Monarch
Chris Ellis Chris Ellis

Redwood Empire Lost Monarch

A newcomer to the American whiskey scene, Redwood Empire has quickly made a name for itself for its interesting blends, bourbons, and finished whiskies. Their Lost Monarch expression promises to blend the spiciness of rye with the sweet smoothness of bourbon. How does it fare?

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Baker’s Single Barrel Review
Chris Ellis Chris Ellis

Baker’s Single Barrel Review

Baker’s just underwent a major rebranding that Jim Beam hopes will breathe some new life into this core product. But does moving to an age stated single barrel make it better? Let’s find out.

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High West American Prairie Zinfandel Finish Store Pick Shelf Review
Chris Ellis Chris Ellis

High West American Prairie Zinfandel Finish Store Pick Shelf Review

High West has traditionally had a fantastic barrel selection program for stores and restaurants who want to come in and grab a unique barrel for their clients. Folks can come in and select anything from bourbons finished in barrels used to age High West’s Manhattan pre-mixed cocktails to rye whiskies finished in Islay peated whisky casks.

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Stagg Jr. Batch 11 Review
Chris Ellis Chris Ellis

Stagg Jr. Batch 11 Review

With Stagg Jr. Batch 15 now being released across the country, let’s take a step back and examine Batch 11 – the first Stagg bottle I ever bought.

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Eagle Rare 10 Year Store Pick Review
Chris Ellis Chris Ellis

Eagle Rare 10 Year Store Pick Review

Somewhere in the middle of the core Buffalo Trace range lies Eagle Rare. A 10-year product that is known for producing woody, rich flavors that punch well above its price.

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Ironroot Harbinger XC Shelf Review
Chris Ellis Chris Ellis

Ironroot Harbinger XC Shelf Review

After Ironroot Harbinger won Bourbon of the Year at the World Whiskies Awards in 2019, the small Texas distillery has shot to the world stage for producing great, small batch bourbons. How does the 90 proof version compare to its bigger brother?

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Knob Creek Single Barrel Store Pick Review
Chris Ellis Chris Ellis

Knob Creek Single Barrel Store Pick Review

While the rest of the bourbon industry struggles to keep up with demand Jim Beam somehow continues to consistently release 12-15 year bottles at incredibly affordable price points. Nowhere else in the bourbon world will you find 15 year bottles at around $50. At 120 proof and aged for so long, there is a quality here that is hard to match even at double the price.

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Smooth Ambler Contradiction Shelf Review
Chris Ellis Chris Ellis

Smooth Ambler Contradiction Shelf Review

Let’s see if this blend of sourced and proprietary whiskies live up to the hype of some of the older Smooth Ambler bottlings. Can Batch 200 make me a believer in Smooth Ambler?

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Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Review
Chris Ellis Chris Ellis

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength Review

While the original Maker’s Mark is a bit thin, sickly, and lacking oomph, the cask strength version promises to crank everything to 11, coming in at 111.3 proof and with all the straight out of the barrel goodness bourbon fanatics are looking for these days.

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Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Shelf Review
Bourbon Chris Ellis Bourbon Chris Ellis

Blanton’s Single Barrel Bourbon Shelf Review

Many consider this their first bourbon unicorn. Blanton’s has enjoyed massive popularity in recent years, with demand far outstripping supply. This has led to major markups and scarcity around the country. But just because it’s hard to find should you be out looking for it?

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Evans Williams Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Review
Bourbon Chris Ellis Bourbon Chris Ellis

Evans Williams Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Review

This is a fantastic value whiskey that punches above its weight. I would happily sit and drink this in almost any setting, with a set it and forget it profile that is instantly reminiscent of a classic bourbon profile. At around $15 it’s hard to argue that Heaven Hill is blessing us with a fantastic bottom shelfer here.

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Old Tub Straight Bourbon Shelf Review
Chris Ellis Chris Ellis

Old Tub Straight Bourbon Shelf Review

Who said that all limited editions had to be expensive? Jim Beam bucks the trend by offering a limited run bourbon that retails for around $20. It has great specs with it clocking in at 100 proof, and featuring Non-Chill Filtration. Has someone been rolling back the clocks at Jim Beam? It feels like 2011 all over again.

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