My bar is full. My wallet is empty. I didn’t enter the liquor store looking to buy a new bottle. In fact, I specifically told myself I wouldn’t. But here I am, a dirty goddamn liar. About the Bottle: Barrell Vantage is a new release to Barrell’s core cask finished range, joining the likes of Seagrass, Armida,…

Friends, anonymous internet people, John from work, you have failed me. I was told that Old Grand-Dad 114 had great value-to-buck ratio. I was told this bottle was on its way to tater town. I was told that microwaving my cell phone would charge it. Lies. All lies. The most interesting thing about the bottle…

Friends, dillweeds, celibate Tibetan monks, Eagle Rare might not be the best bourbon I’ve ever had, but it sure as hell is the bourboniest. From booze to bottle, Eagle Rare slaps you in the face with the big dick of unabashed American patriotism. It’s the kind of bottle you’d expect to have a tiny red…

Friends, coworkers, bottom-dwelling sewer people, listen here and listen well. I like a good cask finish more than I like an impressive age statement. Give me flavor, give me novelty, give me something to talk about. But until now, don’t you dare give me Angel’s Envy. We all have a brand that we irrationally hate, right?…

Welle welle welle, what do we have here? Ah, yes. Welle. r. Weller is a wheated bourbon, meaning that its mashbill uses wheat instead of rye. Other classic wheaters include Larceny, Makers Mark, and Wheat Thins. Candidly, I’ve never picked up on any categorical difference in taste between wheaters and regular bourbon. Fun Fact: if…

Friends, lovers, anonymous internet cretins, listen here and listen well. The whiskey gods have smiled upon me. This bottle may be the most fortuitous in my collection. Why? Because it was free, and I didn’t have to commit any felonies to make it free. This bottle typically runs for $250 and it’s a blended bourbon with a 15…

High West’s Midwinter Night’s Dram is just High West’s Rendezvous Rye, but finished in port barrels. It’s a seasonal release and has become extremely sought after, making it hard to find. Why Did I Buy It: Because I’m obsessive and compulsive and the bottle looks nice and Christmasy and I like Christmas. That’s not the…

Today’s review is Oppidan Smoke + Sea, a bottle which I didn’t recognize but bought because of its cask finish, pretty label, and a personal lack of self control. This bottle, if nothing else, is unique. It’s a bourbon that was finished in peated Islay scotch barrels. It got me thinking–why isn’t peated bourbon more…