The Last Call

 Kunhai Whisky Sky Taiwanese Whisky Review. I received this spirit as a review sample from  CNS Wine & Spirits . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Kunhai Whiskey is a newer brand hitting shelves is several areas. And I'll be honest, the artwork really caught my eye. I've dabbled in Taiwanese whiskey as I've been able to and I have to give the area credit. They bring some great flavors to the whiskey world. This is the Sky release from Kunhai. Which is one of three bottles. Each of the names has a tie to Taiwanese culture. Sky is so named for the bright, clear air that backdrops the buzzing energy of Taiwan. So time to find out if Sky is as bright and clear as the name! For the full video review visit the link here!:  https://youtu.be/ZHOMCSIr0XI Age Statement: N/A. ABV:  40%. Mashbill:  N/A. Area of Distillation:  Taiwan. Appearance: Light golden. On the nose:      It presents i...

 Hard Truth Distilling Sweet Mash Chocolate Malt Rye Whiskey Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from the Hard Truth Distillery,  linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Hard Truth Distilling is based out of Nashville, Indiana. Their major focus of recent time is releasing rye whiskey sweet mash style vs sour mash. They also had a hand in bringing the classification of Indiana Rye to the State. This release stands out a bit different than Hard Truth's typical Sweet Mash Rye. The RW-3 Chocolate Malt is part of the Master Distillers Reserve and is the second year of this release. While on the surface you might see the word Chocolate Malt and believe this is flavored, but this is actually using Chocolate Malted barley in the mash bill.  For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/Q8Fv8tULcR0 . Age Statement: +2 years old. ABV:   57.4% (Cas...

 Shinobu Mizunara Oak Finish Blended Whisky Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from  CNS Wine & Spirits . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.     Now I am a of Japanese whiskey. I love the nods it gives to its Scottish roots but still brings in that subtle flavors that Japanese culture is known for. Now this release from Shinobu not only blends two types of Japanese whiskey together but then finishes it in Mizunara Oak. If you are unsure what Mizunara Oak is, basically it is Japanese Oak that is 200 years old. It tends to bring a subtle spice with a cedar and sandalwood note for me. Several Japanese whiskeys use Mizunara to add these finishes to their whiskey and I am a big fan of them. Being a 50/50 blend of grain and malt whiskey I am excited to see how well they play together  with that finish! For the full video review visit the link here!:  https://youtu.be/NStiVrXZTBw Age St...

 Four Finger Distillery Frankenstein Whiskey Review. I received this spirit as a review sample from Four Finger Distillery. It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review. Four Finger Distillery is a hub of creativity in the Indiana craft spirits. I've had the pleasure of reviewing a few of their other releases prior to this one, and always been a big fan. Now, if you've never heard of Four Finger Distillery, they were once known as 1205 Distillery. The name change was to give them a better identity. The name itself comes from a situation during construction of the distillery. The master distiller lost his pinky finger to a table saw. Since then Brad, the master distiller, has been diving deep into all types of sprites  to create and release. Here’s where thing with Frankenstein Whiskey. It is crafted from the remnants of a local brewery, Flat 12, that sadly had to close its doors. Instead of letting the last batch of their beer fade away, Four Finge...

  Clear Water Distilling Barrel Strength 7 Year Straight Rye Whiskey Review.      I received this spirit from Clear Water Distilling, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Clear Water Distillery,  A few years back I ordered a bottle of ScandaLust Cinnamon Whiskey (now known as Canela) from Clear Water Distillery, and instantly fell in love. Not only because I'm a sucker for cinnamon, but due to their process on creating it using real cinnamon sticks in the process. They have this same sight on their other spirit offerings, dabbling in Eau-De-Vie, Vodka, Lorenz (Rum with a twist), Rye-Magnac (A Rye blended with Armagnac) and just announcing a Sophie's Gin.           Honestly, I love seeing a craft distillery really try some unique spirits and having fun. It helps make the spirit world turn. In a few releases, Clear Water did two different Rye whiskeys sourced...

 Guardian Angel Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in a Toasted Cask Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from Cattle Drive Bourbon/Nola Distillery, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      I enjoy Texas whiskey. I know it is can be a dividing area for some, but personally I love the dark, oaky, and rich profile they can bring. Now, to be honest, once I saw someone taking a Texas profile and finishing it in a toasted cask, it caught my attention for sure. Typically for me a toasted cask brings out some sweeter, lighter flavors. So my mind says this could be a beautiful marriage  of bold and sweet.      Now, due to the nature of the name Guardian Angel, I wanted to share that story.  It honors an F-16 fighter pilot who flew rescue missions to support U.S. Marines. He did this to such a degree he was given the title of "Guardian Angel." In fact, they’...

 Five & 20 Spirits Deep Water 7 Year Old Rye Whiskey Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from Five & 20 Spirits  link here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Over the past year I've had the pleasure of reviewing several releases  from Five and 20 Spirits. Their standard rye is a great intro to craft rye whiskey, Even at the "younger" age, it really had potential. Seeing they offered a seven year bottling really hit well with me. Now Five & 20 is basically split into two sides, the brewery  and spirits. The great thing is all their grains are locally grown in  New York and they even list the farms on their website. On top of this, they are aging, distilling, bottling, everything on their own. Plus, when it comes to finishing they are using their own in house wine, sherry, and beer casks. Honestly, seeing this level of craft is amazing. It truly makes the pr...

Hard Truth Farmer's Reserve French Oak Rye Whiskey Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from Hard Truth Distilling, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Hard Truth Distilling has been carving out a serious name for itself in the Indiana whiskey scene. Based in southern Indiana, they’ve been a driving force behind the Indiana Rye classification, highlighting just how important the state is to rye whiskey production. Tonight’s pour is their French Oak Farmer’s Rye Sweet Mash Rye. This is part of a four-bottle collaboration with the John Mellencamp Whiskey Company in support of Farm Aid, a program dedicated to helping American farmers in times of need. It’s an admirable mission, and one that gives this release an extra layer of purpose.      Because of this cause, the  whiskey is using 100% locally sourced grains along with being a "small batch release of 36 bar...

 Five & 20 Spirits Deja-Vu Pale Ale Finished Rye Whiskey Review. I received this spirit as a review sample from Five & 20 Spirits linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.     Now, I've always been up for unique  finishing specially when to comes to craft distilleries. They tend to focus on something different and lets them stand apart from the crowd. Now, Five & 20 Spirits based out of Westfield New York has been one of my contact revisits in reviews. They just seem to know what it takes to represent craft spirits, using local grans, aging, distilling, bottling it themselves, and using in house barrels for finishing.     This offering is quite different than want we will typically see in a finishing. Essentially, they are taking their rye whiskey and finishing in pale ale casks. And not just any pale ale casks, but casks that held Five & 20 brewery ale. This should allow their profile...

 Peerless Distilling Rum Finished Bourbon Whiskey Review.      Every now and then, a bottle sneaks into Indiana that makes you stop mid–liquor store lap. This was one of those moments. Peerless is already a distillery I have a soft spot for, their Double Oak Bourbon and Rye are mainstays for me, but the Rum Barrel Finished Bourbon? That’s a rare sighting here. This is batch 02 of the release and while the label keeps its secrets on age and finishing time, curiosity got the better of me. I cracked it open with my wife the other night, and the experience was… not exactly what I’d pictured from Peerless.      Peerless keeps things true to their style here: barrel proof, sweet mash, and crafted with their signature approach to balance and body. This batch began life as their straight bourbon before moving into rum barrels for finishing. It’s a bold concept — in theory, a marriage of deep Kentucky bourbon richness with tropical rum complexity. Peerless does...