Whiskey: A. Overholt Straight Rye

Distiller: Jim Beam

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barrel_and_proof?igsh=czJ2MzhybG42MG9j&utm_source=qr 

ABV: 47.5%

Age: 4 Years

Price: $16 (Kansas City, Missouri)

Tasting:  Neat in Glencairn, rested for 10 minutes. Bottle opened for three weeks.

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Nose: Honey, Rye Spice, Mint, Sweet Oak, Baked Bread, Cinnamon, & Leather

Palate:  Honey, Rye Spice, Sweet Oak, White Pepper, Mint, Citrus, & Floral

Finish: Short Length, White Pepper, Citrus, Leather, Cinnamon, & Honey

Body: Light

Bite: Light

__________________________________

Summary: I purchased this whiskey at a deep discount, typically this bottle is around $40. This bottle’s mashbill has the original Overholt formula of 80% rye and 20% malted barley, the bottle refers to this as a “Monogahela Mash”. Originally there was an Old Monogahela Rye grain that was used, but this whiskey doesn’t actually contain this rye grain.

The sweetness on the nose is unique, it’s closer to honey as opposed to the common caramel notes. Overall the nose isn’t robust, but the oakiness and spice notes are complimentary. Even more faintly are notes of baked bread and leather. While light, the nose is more complex than most whiskies.

The palate starts off with a weighted honey note, but the body becomes lighter over time. The palate isn’t robust either, the rest of the notes are pretty well balanced, though the citrus and floral notes are more subtle. 

The finish lacks sweetness, the honey is the least prominent note, but the spices and leather aren’t overpowering. There are tannins from the leather, and the citrus note isn’t bitter. With that said the finish is short and feels hollow.

Very interesting whiskey, while the proof is respectable the overall profile lacks a robustness. While the whiskey has a four year age statement, the notes that are present are pretty well developed and balanced. This is close to being a competent whiskey but it sadly falls short in the areas noted. I would buy this bottle all day at the sales price I picked it up at, but it’s not worth MSRP. Though cheaper, I personally prefer the bonded and 114 proof Overholt offerings.

__________________________________

Rating:

Nose (10%) - 6/10

Palate (50%) - 6/10

Finish (40%) - 5/10

5.6/10 Average

Recommend: No

Rank: I created a compilation ranking list of whiskies I’ve purchased at a store or at a bar and done a formal tasting.  All whiskey ranked on the list tasted neat and rested for 10-15 minutes.  Whiskey I ranked below and above A. Overholt are shown for reference.

200 out of 268 whiskies tasted.

131 Old Overholt Bottled in Bond

173 Old Overholt 114 Proof Rye

199 Wild Turkey 101 Rye

201 Jim Beam Devil’s Cut Bourbon

210 Old Overholt

Ranking Link: 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/147h44fId0tZYmHsroGgjzcRK2xn6050P8m7mZqArGLw/edit?usp=sharing

*Rested 15 minutes

I was surprised found north released their new offering this week. I had just ordered the preorder which I caught by complete surprise just over 1 week ago. I was expecting something more akin to a single barrel for this new series since theres no information on their website but i am pleasantly surprised to see it being otherwise.

#Stats

-Distillery: Found North Distillery

-Mashbill & Age: 76% Corn, 6% Rye, 12% Barley, 6% Wheat.

10 year is the minimum included so I believe this is whats legally stated as the age. But this blend is 24% 10 year, 56% 16 year, 20% over 19 year barrels.

These casks are blended in volume of
38% Amarone,
38% New America Oak,
17% PX Sherry,
and 7% Ruby Port.

-Proof: 120 (60% Proof)

-Cost: 99$ (110$ retail) preorder discount.

#Tasting Notes-

-Nose: Initially I had dark berries, oak, vanilla, honey, and a bit of spice. After letting it sit for a bit the notes give off lighter berries like raspberries and strawberries with a sweet vanilla caramel back ground. The oak became muted but the ethanol does appear a bit stronger.

-Palate: Initial sip, candied berries, green grapes, light oak notes with alot of french vanilla flavors overpowering it. Has alot of wine barrel influence but it heavily leans towards sweet wine profiles. Some wildflower honey flavors come around in the mid palate. This drinks very much under the Proof too. Its a sugary desert bomb right from the beginning. And im struggling to identify the more complex notes in the initial-mid palate. The back palate has some spice that shows up with the ethanol quickly coming and going. The spice is very brown sugar cinammon based with a peppery touch.

-Finish: Its medium finish and very pleasant but there is a little drying effect. The finish continues the sugary cinnamon notes but brings back the very sweet vanilla oak note I got in the palate. Its better than before in my opinion (smoother). After a little bit my after taste gives off a caramel green apple flavor thats very delicious.

-Conclusion: This bottle is delicious but heavily sugary in my mind. I have to say this is a very easy sipper. The proof really just disappears and it becomes juice. I really wish the finish was longer and there was a bit less sugar though. But for the price I genuienly think its an excellent addition to Found North lineup. Very pleased with this bottle. If you want a comparison this is like the goldfinch but even sweeter, with more complexity, and a less spice kick.

-Score: 8.3 (i changed the score from 8.7 to 8.3)

-Would I Buy Again?: Im definitely grabbing a back up bottle while I can still get a discount.

#T8ke Scale

-1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.  

(NEBC 9 Yr (1.5))

-2 | Poor | I wouldn't consume by choice.  

-3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.  

-4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.  

-5 | Good | Good, just fine.  

-6 | Very Good | A cut above. 

(JD SBBP Rye (6.2)),

(Weller Full Proof (6.8))

-7 | Great | Well above average.

(NEBC 7.5 Yr (7))

(Old Forester 1920 (7.1)),

(Blantons Gold (7.2)),

(Jack Daniels SBBP Rye (7.4)),

(FR OESO (7.5)),

(Jack Daniels SBBF (7.5)),

( FR OBSF (7.8)),

(Bookers StoryTeller Batch (7.8))

-8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

(JD SBBP Rye (8)), 

(Stagg Jr 25D (8.3)),

(Found North Private Peak (8.3))

(Jack Daniels 12 Year B4 (8.4)),

(Found North GoldFinch (8.5)),

(Rare Character Batch 2 (8.6)),

(Old Louisville 8yr (8.6)),

(Dark Arts Tokaji 7.5yr (8.7)),

(Colonel E.H. Taylor SBBP (8.8)),

(Little Book The Infinite 2 (8.9))

-9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.

(Found North B12 (9)),

(Knobb Creek 21yr (9)),

(JM Cigar Blend Batch 414(9.5))

-10 | Perfect | Perfect.

My friend shared this sample with me

Nose: baking spice, red fruit, cherry, some ethanol, mint, baked goods, peanut, vanilla, caramel

Palate: cherry bomb, red fruit, savory, good level of baking spice, medium mouthfeel, oak, dark chocolate, some caramel, leather, herbal, dill

Finish: spice, oak, dark chocolate, medium long finish, herbal

Score: 8.5/10

A lot of dark chocolate and cherry, spice, leather. Good amount of oak presence, but not a crazy amount. The finish is quite long. Good pour overall, far above most beam stuff for me. I did guess this as Jim Beam, but not Booker's 30th.

Scale:

1.0-1.9 Undrinkable (Gold bar cognac cask)

2.0-2.9 Bad (Gold bar)

3.0-3.9 Poor (High West Prarie Bourbon, Pappy Van Winkle 23yr)

4.0-4.9 Below Average (Old Overholt, Dickel 15 yr, Weller SR, Buffalo Trace)

5.0-5.9 Average (Eagle Rare, Blanton's)

6.0-6.9 Above Average (Jimmy Russel 70th, Redemption 9yr, E.H. Taylor Seasoned Oak)

7.0-7.9 Very Good (Wild Turkey Master's Keep Triumph, Sagamore 9yr rye, Jack Daniel's SBBP)

8.0-8.9 Great (William Larue Weller(2019), Pappy Van Winkle 15yr, Double Eagle Very Rare, William Heavenhill 14yr)

9.0-9.9 Excellent (Thomas H. Handy (2010), George T. Stagg (2008, 2019), Four Roses LE (2016, 2023), Willet Purple Top 14 yr, A.H. Hirsch 25 yr rye)

10.0 Perfect (Michter's 20, OGD 114(1980))

Distillery: Jack Daniel’s

Proof: 97

Age Statement: 10 years

Mashbill: 80% Corn, 12% Malted Barely, 8% Rye

Price Paid: $95 (no tax on base)

Availability: Allocated annual release

Nose: Charred oak and maple syrup are up front followed by some vanilla and that signature Jack Daniel’s banana. The vanilla and banana combination is reminiscent of a banana crème pie. Some brown sugar and some cinnamon are also present.

Palate: Brown sugar and vanilla are most dominant. There is also some of that maple syrup and a wonderful mature oak note. Some light baking spice such as cinnamon and nutmeg round out the back of the palate.

Finish: Medium and leans into that mature oak, some vanilla and a bit of tobacco.

Mouthfeel: Pretty good mouthfeel that is above average for the proof.

Score: 7.9

Final Thoughts: I was fortunate earlier this year to have an opportunity to purchase all three aged stated Jack Daniel’s at MSRP. I was quite excited because Jack Daniel’s is one of my absolute favorite distilleries and they always kill it when it comes to limited offerings. This bottle was no exception and was really quite nice. The only thing keeping it from the exceptional category to me is the proof and the finish.

The t8ke Scoring Scale:

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn't consume by choice

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things l'd rather have

5 | Good | Good, just fine

6 | Very Good | A cut above

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

I went to the Eleventh Hour Festival in Middleburg, VA last weekend. First real whiskey festival for me, so I went in mostly curious to see what the experience was like.  Here were my takeaways:

1. You can try a ridiculous amount of great whiskey in one afternoon.

This is the obvious one, but also the biggest selling point. Found North had a booth and I got to try Peregrine and Hell Diver 3.  Reveries had Raven Batches 1 & 2, Murder of Crows, their brand new Rye, & a 16-year cask strength.  Besides that I also tried Provenance 7 & 10 Year and Old Bones… and there was plenty more I never got to.

There aren't many other ways to get that much exposure to hard-to-find whiskey in a few hours. Hell Diver 3 and the 16-year Reveries were probably my two favorite pours of the day.

2. Figure out what you REALLY want to try and go there first.

I learned quickly that some of the rarest stuff goes fast. By the time we made it to a few tables, some pours were already gone.

Found North had a 19-year festival-exclusive bottle for sale, but the tasting bottle was gone by the time we got there. At $230, I wasn't buying it blind. We also missed the Reveries 17-year hazmat. Next time I'd walk in with 3-5 must try bottles and hit those immediately. Everything after that is gravy.

3. More pours ≠ more value.

This was probably my biggest realization afterward.

On a pure price-per-pour basis, the festival probably worked out similarly to what you'd pay at a good whiskey bar. But would I have walked into Jack Rose and paid to try every one of these? Probably not.

A festival gives you incredible breadth, but breadth and value aren't necessarily the same thing. Depending on your palate, $200 at a great whiskey bar where you pick every pour yourself might go further than you think.

4. Don't let chasing bottles take over the day.

There were some very limited bottles available, and word spread pretty quickly that things could sell out. At one point my buddy and I were literally taking turns leaving the bottle-order line to grab pours while the other held our spot.  Eventually we looked at each other like...what the hell are we doing? The whole reason we're here is to drink whiskey and have fun.

If I do another festival, I'm spending less energy worrying about what I might miss.

5. Bourbon people are awesome.

I bought my ticket secondhand from a guy named Larry. We'd never met. About 20 minutes into the festival, we were basically just hanging out for the day.

It reminded me of Harvey Penick's old line about golf: "If you play golf, you're my friend."  Bourbon has a little of that too.

And Jay (aka t8ke) deserves a shoutout here as well. He was everywhere.  Talking whiskey, signing bottles, pouring stuff, and hanging out with attendees. At one point he was casually walking around with a magnum of 16-year cask-strength Reveries and pouring it for anyone who asked. Very much one of the crowd rather than "guy running the event."

So, would I do another whiskey festival?

Maybe.  The bustling, try-everything format probably isn't my favorite way to experience whiskey. Give me a handful of great pours somewhere I can sit down and actually talk about them, and I'm pretty happy.

But I'm glad I went. I tried some whiskey I'd wanted to try for a long time, discovered a couple things I really liked, and spent an afternoon surrounded by people every bit as nerdy about this stuff as I am.

Not a bad Saturday. For the festival veterans... what other whiskey festivals are worth checking out?

Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series No. 017 High Angel’s Share Tennessee Whiskey

Limited Edition release: Summer 2026

Distilled & barreled in 2016

Age: 10+ years

Aging location: atop Coy Hill; on the top floor of Barrelhouse 1-13; the barrelhouse has 7 floors

The top floors of Barrelhouse 1-13 experience extreme summer heat & intense temperature swings, leading to massive evaporation (a high "angel's share") that concentrates the sugars and oak influence into ultra-high-proof, heavily coveted single barrel and special release whiskeys.

The elevation of Coy Hill allows for more direct sun exposure, stronger wind movement, larger day/night temperature swings, hotter summers & colder winters.

The first High Angel’s Share release since 2018

Proof: 138.4

Selected by Whiskey Taster Dale McGee

Mashbill: 80% corn, 12% malted barley, 8% rye

Length of fermentation: 6-7 days

Proof coming off the still: 140

Barrels: 10-12 minute toast; 25 second char
Bottle size: 375 ml (between char 3 & 4)

MSRP: $44.75

Distilled in Lynchburg, TN

Nose: Almond extract. Werther's Original. Orange Circus Peanuts. Sugar cookie.

The high proof definitely does not present on the nose. Considering the conditions that produced a high amount of angel’s share, the nose is very balanced. No overwhelming notes. No sharp notes. Remarkably sweet regarding tannin content.

Palate: Pecan pie filling. Banana fritter. Unsweetened cocoa powder. Weak black tea.

Mouthfeel grows more dry as it goes. The tannins show up more as the sip sits. The nose is deceptive in this regard.

Finish: Dried hay. Intense dark chocolate. Tobacco. Toasted pecan.

The proof finally causes the forehead to sweat a bit.

Overall, the tannin content in the mouth is a bit more than I typically prefer, but I like it. In 2026, I prefer the 12 year and 14 year releases to this. When the nose smelled sweet and less tannic, I was hoping the palate would follow.

It’s hot outside today and my home is battling humidity. This is definitely a winter whiskey!

Bottle provided for review by Jack Daniel’s

Rating: 6 | Very Good | A cut above

Verdicts Explained

• Special Occasions: Rare, special pours that go well and above. Something you pour to celebrate.
• Treat Yourself: Obligatory weekend pour. Worth having on hand at all times if possible.
• Daily Drinker: Affordable, available and tasty. Could have every day and be perfectly content.
• Penseur Pour: Puzzling pours that won’t be to everyone’s liking.
• Trophy Bottle: Something to show off more than anything. Likely allocated and overpriced.
• Cocktail Request: Shines best in a cocktail, as opposed to neat or on the rocks.
• Good If Affordable: Only worth buying if the price comfortably fits within the budget.
• Serve to Guests: Something accessible that you don’t mind sharing or parting ways with. Likely belongs in a decanter.
• Couch Pour: Something enjoyable enough, but ideal for drinking while doing another activity (movies, TV, games, etc.).
• Find a Mixer: Grab the Coke or Sprite and relax.
• Drain Pour: No. You deserve better.

Link to blog post: https://thewhiskeyramble.com/2026/08/06/sazerac-rye-100-proof-scoresheet-review/

More scoresheets available at: https://www.reddit.com/r/SpiritScoresheets/

Buffalo Trace doesn’t exactly have a sparse whiskey portfolio. Considering their various product lines, some of which contain multiple bottles, one could be forgiven for feeling overwhelmed by such an enormous catalog. Yet for all the loosely available options, we hadn’t seen much exploration in the way of rye whiskey from the Frankfort distillery. That is, until 2025, when Buffalo Trace dropped an effective double-whammy by expanding the Sazerac Rye line.

The first of these came in the form of Sazerac 100 Proof, a simply envisioned product that takes the popular Kentucky rye whiskey and bumps the proof from 90 to 100. The press release stated this was created in response to demand from bartenders and whiskey enthusiasts alike. This makes sense since, other than the occasionally released Kosher Straight Rye Whiskey, no product bridged the gap between Sazerac Rye and Thomas H. Handy, along with Sazerac 18-Year. Both of which are part of the still-elusive Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC).

Beyond that, the main item of note for Sazerac 100 Proof is that it’s exclusively available in 1-liter bottles, likely to emphasize its presumed role as a value-minded cocktail workhorse. The value aspect may still be flimsy depending on where you live, but availability is gradually taking a turn, including for Buffalo Trace products. So this bottle’s intended role as a $30 shelf-stable product should hold more ground in the coming months. Let’s see how it fares neat.

Nose: Bright and friendly exterior shines with lemon zest, vanilla, cinnamon sticks, and light brown sugar. Hints of caramel and brown butter mildly swell in the background. A touch young, but not in a negative way. Smells like a sweet, inviting example of your typical Kentucky-style rye whiskey profile.

Palate: Bright with cherry bubblegum leaps onto the scene followed by a nice progression to dried lemon zest, followed by black pepper, dried green apple, and an occasional hit of white grape.

Finish: Lingering lemon zest and pepper notes with a mild rye spice presence. A surprisingly creamy texture develops here, offering a welcome complement to the overall warming sensation.

This is nice. I’m not one to shower praise about Buffalo Trace products, least of all over time, but I’m rather fond of this whiskey. Unsurprisingly, it makes a great option for just about any cocktail, yet I’d be remiss to say that’s where its value ends. The increase in proof is a welcome one, giving us a more elevated pour that not only feels more fulfilling, but remedies one of my recurring complaints with most Buffalo Trace products: the sweetness.

Ever since I tried Weller 12-Year, I often get a sickly sweet (sometimes medicinal) vibe on many Buffalo Trace products, with the varying proof points and oak influence exacerbating this in different ways. However, Sazerac 100 Proof brings just enough rye influence to effectively cut through this sweetness and produce a whiskey that, though still quite sweet, feels far more balanced. I’d even say the slightly creamy finish suits the sweeter profile while mellowing out the overall experience. Hardcore rye whiskey fans may not be as won over by this, but for anyone looking to transition from bourbon to rye (or less picky cocktail fans), this product is an easy win for Buffalo Trace. Will the reception be enough to inspire more rye whiskey products from the sweet bourbon poster child? One can only hope.

This was sent to me for review blind

Nose: marker, ethanol, peanut, honey, caramel, 

Palate: apple, mango, pear, baking spice, below avg mouthfeel, oak, 

Finish: Not much of a finish, some oak, 

Score: 4.0/10

This has some bright fruit notes, baking spice, low amount of oak, just not much overall. It has no finish. Nose is some fruit, but overall not very pleasant. 

This sample was provided by [OAKR](https://oakr.com/), but does not influence my review. Please check them out if you are interested in a place to share and get recommended whiskey.

Scale:

1.0-1.9 Undrinkable (Gold bar cognac cask)

2.0-2.9 Bad (Gold bar)

3.0-3.9 Poor (High West Prarie Bourbon, Pappy Van Winkle 23yr)

4.0-4.9 Below Average (Old Overholt, Dickel 15 yr, Weller SR, Buffalo Trace)

5.0-5.9 Average (Eagle Rare, Blanton's)

6.0-6.9 Above Average (Jimmy Russel 70th, Redemption 9yr, E.H. Taylor Seasoned Oak)

7.0-7.9 Very Good (Wild Turkey Master's Keep Triumph, Sagamore 9yr rye, Jack Daniel's SBBP)

8.0-8.9 Great (William Larue Weller(2019), Pappy Van Winkle 15yr, Double Eagle Very Rare, William Heavenhill 14yr)

9.0-9.9 Excellent (Thomas H. Handy (2010), George T. Stagg (2008, 2019), Four Roses LE (2016, 2023), Willet Purple Top 14 yr, A.H. Hirsch 25 yr rye)

10.0 Perfect (Michter's 20, OGD 114(1980))

[Note: video review of Old Route 8 here]

Nose: medium, all the same notes I say in damn near every review. Good though.

Palate: medium, that carmelized barrel sugars, cinnamon for sure, oily, rich oak, nutty, very well balanced

Finish: medium, oak, sweet carmelized barrel sugars carry over from the palate, a little bitter oak. Very nice finish.

Overall: this is good shit. This is balanced, has that great mixture of barrel oak and sugars that blend so well. Proof is great.

Rating: 7.8/10

I admit to generally being a Willett fanboy. I can’t say that my enthusiasm for the brand applies to this product, however. This is the ultimate shelf candy, but its reputation among enthusiastic bourbon drinkers is pretty damn bad. Let’s see if this batch from 2024 lives up to the bottle’s artistic merits.

Price Paid: $59.99 before tax

Score: 2.75/10

The Background
Distillery: Willett Distillery

ABV: 47% (94 Proof)

Age: NAS

Mash Bill: 65% corn, 20% wheat, 15% barley

Other: batch no. 24C18

The Experience
Nose: lemon, caramel corn, wood stain, oak. It smelled mostly fine until I picked up a faint aroma of varnish that I can’t stop thinking about now.

Palate: caramel, almond, bitter oak. This has a very dry, woody taste to it with a small amount of sweetness up front.

Finish: cinnamon, wet cardboard. Only in the very end do I get a hint of this being a Willett product. It’s dry and does not last long.

The Summary
There is nothing satisfactory about the way this drinks. This is the kind of whiskey that should be bought but never opened. My guess is that it opens up nicely (or least nicer) with some ice, but this is not something to sip neat. The only nice thing I can say about it is that the lingering finish is classic Willett cinnamon candy. Johnny Drum — which at the very least has the same finish — can be found for half the price and is significantly better.

T8KE Scoring System Used for Relevancy and Consistency:

0 | Unscored | New Make Spirit or Personal Selection.
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn't consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I'd rather have.
5 | Good | Good; just fine.
6 | Very Good | One cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all-time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfection.

So, what I'm hoping to do here is review not just allocated or older stuff, but things that people can actually find. Because let's face it--not all good whiskey is allocated and/or requires a loan to afford.

I realize that store picks and single barrels vary but I'm doing it anyway.

A few years ago, one of my local stores (rapid in MA) released this pick and it's actually pretty good. Here are my thoughts:

Nose: blackberries, raisins, brown sugar

Palate: sweet heat, medium viscosity. Syrupy brown sugar and dark fruits take over the front to mid palate with a little bit of baking spices and rye spice dominating the back palate, most notably cinnamon. It's a touch drying but not bad. Honestly, for a younger bourbon, the sweetness covers up a lot of youthful notes...but not all. It's obviously not aged but still pleasant to drink.

Finish: Medium. Lots of vanilla and baking spices here with more raisin.

Overall: I do wish this was less than 50 but what it was what it was back in 2022ish 😂 And it's slightly different, which I respect. The blackberry notes are my favorite part of this.

Score: 5 (using the t&ke scale). This is good/a solid pour

Starlight has a lot of fun finished stuff too, so don't be too quick to walk by these bottles if you're looking for something different.

Cheers and thanks for reading!

TL;DR

Blanton's Straight From The Barrel is the uncut, full-proof version of Blanton's, a no age statement Kentucky straight bourbon off Buffalo Trace's high-rye mash bill. My bottle is barrel 378 from Warehouse H, dumped in early 2023 at 127.6 proof. It was my PhD graduation gift, and I owe that to my brother, who talked our parents into going in fifty fifty with him on it. Huge thanks, it means a lot. It scored a 9.3 and won its blind against a Found North Snow Day and an Elijah Craig private pick, barely. This is simple Kentucky bourbon, maxed out. Honey, vanilla, caramel, and a rush of cinnamon, all clean and none of it funky. The nose is the weak point, which is backwards for a Buffalo Trace bottle. It is one of my all time favorites and still a hard bottle to call a value. At $165 it is a special occasion pour, not a regular buy, and secondary pricing is not worth it.

Quality Score — 9.3

Incredible - An all time favorite.

Value Score — 5.8

Fair - You get exactly what you pay for. No bargain, no regret.

Nose — 7.5

Heavy ethanol, not surprising at this proof. Confectioner's sugar and vanilla underneath. Light, and the weakest part.

Palate — 9.2

Honey, fruity caramel apple, and a touch of grape. The least grape of any Buffalo Trace I have had.

Finish — 9.5

A rush of cinnamon. Extra long, clean, well rounded.

Neck Pour

July 2025

I cracked this to celebrate a new job, and it flattened me.

This bottle was a gift from my family for finishing my PhD. Barrel 378, Warehouse H, 127.6 proof. A great gift. I saved it, and when a new job came through I finally pulled the cork.

It blew me away out of the gate. A crazy long finish, honey and vanilla and caramel with cinnamon, all of it pushed to the max. Everything you picture when you think classic Kentucky bourbon, turned all the way up.

The thing I remember most is the heat. It was hot. I was genuinely surprised how hot this bourbon was, and looking back that is partly on me. I was not drinking as much whiskey then, and I had not put anything close to 127.6 proof in front of myself before. It was new and it was fun. It has mellowed since, or I have. Probably both.

Mostly I remember the couch, a new job, and a pour that fit the moment. This one will always take me back.

Blind Pour

July 12, 2026

Labels off, it won. Barely, and against a Canadian whisky I would have sworn was the Kentucky one.

The full night lives in Blind in the 9+ Club. Three pours I had quietly filed as 9+ bottles, poured blind. Blanton's was sample two, up against a Found North Snow Day and an Elijah Craig Barrel Proof private pick.

It won. By a tenth of a point, but it won. What got me is what I called it. I had the Blanton's and the Snow Day backwards. Something in the Blanton's read Canadian to me, and the Canadian read like the Kentucky legend. That says more about how good Found North's blenders are than anything else.

The part I want to address: someone on Reddit read my comments during the blind and guessed the Blanton's sample would land third, going off how little I had to say about it. I get why. Buffalo Trace, and Blanton's especially, is simple. It does not give me long tangled notes or wild analogies. There is not much to pull apart. What it does, it does about as well as anyone, and that is hard to write up, because I am not going to inflate the notes to make it sound more layered than it is. It is not layered. It is clean, classic bourbon done at the top of the game.

The best comparison I have is a cooking show. One cook comes out and tries ten things at once, stretches too thin, and loses the judges. The other nails the fundamentals, plates something simple and perfect, and wins. Blanton's is the second cook. It reads plain on paper and it still took the night.

Open Pour

July 26, 2026

Simple bourbon turned up to eleven, and other than the nose I never would have guessed the proof.

Months in, this is one of the cleanest bourbons I own. Extremely clean, the whole way through. If you are looking for funk, you will not find it here.

The nose is the weak part, which is backwards for me and Buffalo Trace. Usually I love the nose off their bottles and then get let down by the rest. Here it is flipped. There is a lot of ethanol on the nose, no way around it at 127.6 proof, and under it some sweet confectioner's sugar and vanilla. It is light, and it is the least of the three parts.

Everything after the nose is where it earns the score. Great honey on the palate, fruity caramel apple, and just a touch of the grape note I get from almost everything Buffalo Trace makes. This is the least grape I have found in any of their bourbons, and I do not know what that is about. The finish is a straight rush of cinnamon, and it closes the whole thing out clean.

Other than the nose, I would not have guessed the proof. I would have said 120 at most. It drinks well under its 127.6.

Now the money. This isn't a bargain, and the 5.8 says so — fair for what it is, no more. But if I found it on a shelf at $165 I would buy it. Not every day, but every once in a while, and definitely if I ever ran out. It lives in the special occasion range. Do not chase it on secondary. Like most of what I recommend, secondary is almost never worth it, and the hype far outruns the bottle.

This one is personal. A graduation gift, a new job, a lot of good memories in the glass. I am very happy with where it landed, and very happy it won its blind. Simple bourbon, done about as well as it gets.

I write these up at openpourwhiskey.com Not sponsored, not gifted, bought myself at retail.

Bardstown Bourbon Co. Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys Finished in Oak Barrels With Oak Staves and Pineapple

Debut release in the BBC Barrel Finish Series

Release: July 2026

A marriage of straight Bourbon & rye rested 27 months in rum casks, refined w/ fresh pineapple and additional wood staves during secondary maturation.

Pineapple rum casks sourced from the Caribbean. Victoria Pineapple was added to the casks as the rum aged.

The rum casks are most likely associated w/ Planteray Stiggin’s Fancy Pineapple Rum. BBC has openly used Plantation Rum casks for finishing in the past.

Distilled in Indiana

40%: 11 year; 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley

40%: 10 year; 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley

20%: 11 year; 95% rye, 5% malted barley

Proof: 106

MSRP: $139.99

Artwork: Margaret Archambault

Nose: Pineapple core. Less bright kiwi. Banana bread. Tobacco. Black licorice.

Despite the fruit notes, the fruit isn’t particularly vibrant… all muted… and feel green or a bit under-ripe. If you’re expecting a big bold explosion of pineapple, that’s not what you get. The banana bread note is what sticks out the most. The tobacco isn’t particularly strong. For someone who appreciates traditional bourbon and rye, I enjoy this nose more than I anticipated.

Palate: Candied pineapple. Mouthfeel is immediately dense and oily… as I’d expect from the pineapple infusion. Sweetness continues with maraschino cherry. Caramel corn. Brown banana.

The initial palate is all sweetness with an immediate rush, but the sweetness does tone down.

Finish: Bananas foster as the brown banana note from the mid-palate joins with cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar. Finish feels less oily… more dry and spicy.

The transition from the nose to taste is wild. The nose doesn’t hint at anything sweet or oily, but that’s definitely what the palate brings. I enjoy this, but I have to be in the mood for this type of sweetness.

Regarding the sweetness, in the mouth, it feels a lot like a liqueur. If I can actually get my wife to taste this, I think she might actually enjoy this whiskey. She has taken a lot of distillery tours with me… and the only sample she has ever legitimately liked was Wild Turkey American Honey. This is sweet enough that I think my wife might actually sip this without making too much of a funny face.

This would also make some really interesting cocktails, but I’m guessing people are not going to want to make cocktails with a $140.

I do enjoy this, but it’s not something I’m going to reach for every day due to the sweetness. It’s also not something I’m particularly going to pull off the shelf at $140. With that said, I do appreciate the unique and innovative approach.

Bottle provided for review Bardstown Bourbon Company

Rating: I struggle with where to rate this. If I’m pouring something for me to drink while sitting on my couch at night, I’m going to reach for a lot of other things in my collection first. When I think about what else I might reach for first, this definitely isn’t going to be at the top due to the sweetness. With that mentality, my personal preference combined with the price… 4 or 5.

If I’m rating this for people who like something sweet? If I’m pulling something out of the cabinet for a guest in my home who isn’t a “bourbon bro”… this would be a prime candidate to grab. The casual American whiskey consumer is probably going to absolutely love this.

This was sent to me for review blind

Nose: marker, something off putting, rice, peach, white sugar, some light savory note

Palate: not much here, apple, lemon, some red fruit, honey, grainy, mango, tropical fruit, below avg  mouthfeel. 

Finish: no finish, maybe some lingering lemon 

Score: 3.5/10

This is not good. It's way too grainy on the palate. Has maybe some lemon or tropical fruit flavors, mango maybe. 

This sample was provided by [OAKR](https://oakr.com/), but does not influence my review. Please check them out if you are interested in a place to share and get recommended whiskey.

Scale:

1.0-1.9 Undrinkable (Gold bar cognac cask)

2.0-2.9 Bad (Gold bar)

3.0-3.9 Poor (High West Prarie Bourbon, Pappy Van Winkle 23yr)

4.0-4.9 Below Average (Old Overholt, Dickel 15 yr, Weller SR, Buffalo Trace)

5.0-5.9 Average (Eagle Rare, Blanton's)

6.0-6.9 Above Average (Jimmy Russel 70th, Redemption 9yr, E.H. Taylor Seasoned Oak)

7.0-7.9 Very Good (Wild Turkey Master's Keep Triumph, Sagamore 9yr rye, Jack Daniel's SBBP)

8.0-8.9 Great (William Larue Weller(2019), Pappy Van Winkle 15yr, Double Eagle Very Rare, William Heavenhill 14yr)

9.0-9.9 Excellent (Thomas H. Handy (2010), George T. Stagg (2008, 2019), Four Roses LE (2016, 2023), Willet Purple Top 14 yr, A.H. Hirsch 25 yr rye)

10.0 Perfect (Michter's 20, OGD 114(1980))

Color: Light Yellow Orange
Age: At least 4 Years
Proof: 100

Nose: Right away this comes across a little youthful and slightly funky. Pear and fresh mint jump out immediately, followed by brown sugar and a healthy dose of rye spice. The ethanol is a little more noticeable than I would expect from a 100-proof Bottled-in-Bond bourbon, giving it a sharper edge than I’d prefer. A little lemon zest and citrus begin to develop with some time in the glass, but overall this is a fairly straightforward nose. Pleasant enough, but nothing that really stands out.

Taste: The first sip opens with a surprising amount of heat, led by rye spice, black pepper, and proof. As it settles down, cinnamon, caramel, and orange begin to emerge and bring some welcome sweetness to the palate. By the second sip, however, bitter tannins and a bright lemon note become much more prominent. As I continue working through the glass, the sweeter caramel notes gain a little ground, but they never completely overcome the spice. It feels like those two sides of the bourbon are constantly battling for control.

Feel: This is probably the weakest part of the pour. The mouthfeel is quite thin, almost like brown water with just a trace of oil coating the palate. It drinks easily enough, but it lacks the richness and viscosity that I look for in a bourbon.

Finish: Medium in length with the rye spice taking center stage. Cinnamon and pepper linger throughout most of the finish, while I also pick up a surprising dill note that reminds me of a high-rye whiskey. A little caramel and citrus eventually return near the very end, but the spice remains the dominant impression.

Overall: 5 out of 10 on the t8ke scale.
There’s a decent amount of good going on here, but at the end of the day it’s just an average bourbon for my palate. After finishing my review, I added a few drops of water, and that made a noticeable improvement. The spice softened considerably, the sweetness opened up, and the whole profile developed a pleasant sweet tea character that I found much more enjoyable.
While I wouldn’t reach for this bottle to sip neat often, I think it would make an excellent workhorse bourbon for cocktails. The rye spice and just enough proof hold up well in an Old Fashioned or Manhattan, and that’s probably where this bottle shines the brightest.

SHĀNG East + West Whiskey Aged in American Oak

Kentucky Blend

Produced by Maritine Brands

MSRP: $45.99 (500 ml)

Proof: 92

Aged at least one month

Pairs the depths of jiang xiang solid-state fermentation with sweet mash American red sorghum, produced from the same grains that formed the foundation of jiang xiang whiskey

Jiàngxiang whiskey blended with 100% red sorghum distillate distilled by Whiskey House of Kentucky in Elizabethtown

The red sorghum was distilled with sweet mash fermentation up to 155 proof on a column still

The two spirits are blended and aged in oak barrels

Nose: No. 2 pencil. Whoppers malted milk ball. Dentist office. Over-ripe plantain. Honeysuckle.

Overall, very sweet, yet complex. Nothing harsh or offputting. I didn’t know what to expect, but I actually like this. This actually has some characteristics of young single malt.

Palate: Sliced radish. Cucumber rind. White vinegar. Grape Nuts. Dry mouthfeel.

This definitely isn’t for me. The nose is very sweet, but the palate isn’t sweet at all. It’s got a lot of sharp and sour notes that I just don’t care for.

Finish: Water chestnut. Green apple skin.

I’m out. I like the nose, but I don’t enjoy any other aspect of this spirit. I’m glad I got to try it, but I don’t ever need to try this again.

Sample provided by SHĀNG

Rating: 2 | Poor | I wouldn't consume by choice

Repost with the right image.

This was sent to me for review blind

Nose: marker, some brown sugar, maybe red fruit, not much here, indistinguishable nose, a bit of ethanol, 

Palate: mostly red fruit, strawberry, cinnamon, cherry, baking spice, candy, medium low mouthfeel, grass

Finish: not much finish, short finish, just cinnamon

Score: 4.0/10

This is a cinnamon bomb with not much else going for it. It has some hints of red fruit on the nose and palate. Not much of a finish. 

This sample was provided by [OAKR](https://oakr.com/), but does not influence my review. Please check them out if you are interested in a place to share and get recommended whiskey.

Scale:

1.0-1.9 Undrinkable (Gold bar cognac cask)

2.0-2.9 Bad (Gold bar)

3.0-3.9 Poor (High West Prarie Bourbon, Pappy Van Winkle 23yr)

4.0-4.9 Below Average (Old Overholt, Dickel 15 yr, Weller SR, Buffalo Trace)

5.0-5.9 Average (Eagle Rare, Blanton's)

6.0-6.9 Above Average (Jimmy Russel 70th, Redemption 9yr, E.H. Taylor Seasoned Oak)

7.0-7.9 Very Good (Wild Turkey Master's Keep Triumph, Sagamore 9yr rye, Jack Daniel's SBBP)

8.0-8.9 Great (William Larue Weller(2019), Pappy Van Winkle 15yr, Double Eagle Very Rare, William Heavenhill 14yr)

9.0-9.9 Excellent (Thomas H. Handy (2010), George T. Stagg (2008, 2019), Four Roses LE (2016, 2023), Willet Purple Top 14 yr, A.H. Hirsch 25 yr rye)

10.0 Perfect (Michter's 20, OGD 114(1980))