REVIEWS

Finally, the Yellow Label Grew Up. There are certain bourbons that have always occupied a special place on my shelf. Not because they're rare. Not because they're expensive. Not because bourbon hunters are camping outside liquor stores hoping to score one. They're there because they consistently deliver. For me, Four Roses Bourbon, affectionately known by many of us as the "Yellow Label" (or tan label, depending on the era), has always been one of those bottles. And now, afte

Twelve Years, Sixty Bucks, and One Very Hard Bottle to Leave Behind Every now and then, bourbon hunting rewards persistence with something that makes you do a double-take. That happened recently when I wandered into our local Binny's on a Friday afternoon and spotted a small stash of 1792 Aged Twelve Years sitting quietly on the counter for $60 a bottle. No fanfare. No line. No raffle. Just twelve-year-old Kentucky bourbon waiting for a new home. Needless to say, one followed

Every now and then, a bottle comes along that makes me raise an eyebrow when I first hear about it. Woodford Reserve's Distillery Series Cabernet Sauvignon Barrel Finish was one of those bottles. A bourbon finished in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels? My first thought was, "Well, that sounds like something my wife would be excited about." As it turns out, I should have been excited too. A Quick Woodford History Lesson Woodford Reserve traces its roots to the historic distillery sit

I'll admit it. I've been curious about Penelope Bourbon for quite a while. The brand seems to pop up everywhere these days—bourbon shelves, whiskey podcasts, social media discussions, and conversations among bourbon enthusiasts. Yet somehow, despite seeing the bottles countless times, I never quite got around to bringing one home. Until now. And after spending some quality time with Penelope Wheated Bourbon, I'm left wondering why I waited so long. Perhaps the biggest clue li

My wife is so very good to me. Twice a year, our local Hy-Vee store has a bourbon raffle. Get in line early, and nearly everyone is assured of the opportunity to purchase a rare or allocated bourbon find at close to MSRP. I had other commitments; she graciously waited in line with nearly a hundred bourbon nerds in hopes of scoring something nice. This year, just in time for Father’s Day, she shared that her golden ticket was for Old Charter Finest Oak. Part of Buffalo Trace's

Some bourbons walk into the room and politely introduce themselves. Others kick the door open, crank up the volume, and announce their presence from across the county. This Hy-Vee Bloomington-Normal Old Forester Barrel Strength selection falls somewhere in between. With a high proof, it certainly has the credentials to be a bruiser, but surprisingly, it arrives with far more finesse than force. That doesn't mean it's tame. It just means it's smart enough to wait until you're

“It’s going to be strange liking whiskey”… yeah, about that. Every once in a while, a bottle comes along with a tagline that stops you in your tracks. This one leans right into it: “It’s going to be strange liking whiskey.” And I’ll be honest—when I see something like that, I’m equal parts curious and cautious. Because if you already like whiskey… how strange should it be? Let’s dive in. What Is Fraser & Thompson? Fraser & Thompson is a North American whiskey blend, clocking