The Last Call

     West Fork Whiskey Company, based in Westfield, Indiana, where they have two sides of distilling. Side one is their in house made West Fork Whisky Co. and Old Hamer/Hugh Hamer being the second side sourced from MGP.  Overall West Fork is transparent on what they are doing, aging times, disclosure on sourcing, and even finishing. This release is a partnership with a local Bee farm and Orchard, Mumbee's.      Essentially, West Fork gives a barrel to Mumbee's to fill with honey. Then after some time, they empty out the honey and return the barrel to West Fork to fill with bourbon. Personally, honey finishing can be hit or miss for me. Sometimes it can give just enough sweetness and "honey" notes, other times it can bring the "funk" and drown out the bourbon and go south. Prior to this honey release, I have reviewed West Fork's Hot Honey finished bourbons that were crazy unique. For better or worse to some haha!      Either way, let's se...

     Whiskey Acres has quietly become one of the most exciting craft distilleries in the Midwest. Based in Illinois, they are true estate distillers, growing, harvesting, distilling, aging, and bottling their own grain. That level of control shows up in the glass, and their Blue Popcorn Bourbon might be one of the most unique expressions in their lineup.      This yearly release swaps traditional yellow dent corn for blue popcorn, immediately setting it apart on the shelf. It’s a bold move for a four-year bourbon, and I went into this one genuinely curious how that grain choice would shape the final product.      Using popcorn as the primary corn source isn’t common, but it is perfectly legal within bourbon guidelines. The result is a mash bill that promises sweetness but also something deeper and more textured. As an estate distillery, Whiskey Acres controls every stage of production, and that farm-to-glass approach gives this release an aut...

     I received this spirit as a review sample from the World Whiskey Society,  linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      The World Whiskey Society has been making waves by sourcing rare barrels from around the U.S. and the globe, often bringing back cask strength releases with unique finishes. Tonight, we’re diving into their Doc Holiday Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Bourbon, a 15-year-old powerhouse coming in at 61.5% ABV. Full disclosure: this bottle was sent to me for review, but that doesn’t dampen the excitement—this one is a standout for multiple reasons. The mash bill is 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley, hinting at a classic Kentucky profile that already has bourbon enthusiasts buzzing.* *After some time we are told this is a Buff Turkey release. This was prior to the wave of distillate made at Buffalo Trace for Wild Turkey. For the full video review visit the link here:  https:...

 World Whiskey Society Wyatt Earp 13 Year Hazmat American Whiskey Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from the World Whiskey Society, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      World Whiskey Society is making quite a name for themselves for seeking out barrels from across the U.S. and beyond. Their approach often includes cask-strength releases, unique barrel finishes, and thoughtful proofing point. For this bourbon, they’ve wisely left it uncut. This is part of their Doc Holliday collection. In homage to Wyatt Earp from the old west. Up to this point, I've had a sample of their Wyatt Single Malt and their cask strength offerings and both are right up there in some of my favorite releases from World Whiskey Society.     This sample is a first for me on a few different fronts. First, the mash bill uses all malted elements! I cannot for the life of me think of a spirit using ...

 World Whiskey Society Awamori Cask Finished 12 Year Straight Rye Whiskey Review. I received this spirit as a review sample from the World Whiskey Society,  linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      World Whiskey Society is making quite a name for themselves for seeking out barrels from across the U.S. and beyond. Their approach often includes cask-strength releases, unique barrel finishes, and thoughtful proofing point. For this bourbon, they’ve wisely left it uncut. This bottling is part of the "Reserve Collection."     Now, I am a person that loves unique finishes. You just never know what will work until you try!  Essentially what the World Whiskey Society is doing with this Single Barrel 12 year old rye is finishing it in a Awamori cask. Now a sparks notes version on Awamori; it is a spirit distilled from long grain rice and made in Okinawa, Japan. This spirit is in a similar classification ...

 Good Times Caramel Banana Bourbon Whiskey Review. `I received this spirit as a review sample from Good Times, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.     Now, when it comes to finishings with whiskey, I tend to be on board. Finishing can really make a spirit your own and stand out in the world of spirits. Something as simple as a few extra months in a barrel can be great. And I've been on the record of finding those " unique" finishings and always open to try something different. From smoked barrels, to brandy, to amburana, I am 100% open to the ride. Now, when it comes to caramel banana...this truly caught my eye.     Good Times themselves are based out of Kentucky. Where they are taking whiskey, much of it coming from MGP, and typically keeping single barrel and barrel proof. Now, sometimes they release whiskey as just that, however they are more  known for their finishing. Sometimes finishing two and thre...

 The Beautiful and the Damned The Diplomat Cask Strength Straight Rye Whiskey Review.        The Beautiful and the Damned is a newer name out of Illinois, but they’ve already caught my attention with their transparency and eye for barrel selection. Their standard rye release made my top five ryes of 2023, so this cask strength version, named The Diplomat, has some big shoes to fill. With striking artwork and a promise of bold flavors, this bottle sets high expectations before the cork is even pulled.           One huge prop I always give The Beautiful and the Damned is how transparent they are. Below they tell us all the great information for this release, from the mash bill to where they are sourcing. They even disclose that char level 4 for the staves and char level 2 for the heads for the casks. This commitment to detail and transparency is refreshing in today’s market, and it shows they’re carefully curating their selections rat...

 Good Old Times Honey Bourbon & Ex Rare Bourbon Cask Finished Bourbon Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from Good Times, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.     It's fall time, at the time of this review! What better way to celebrate than with something honey barrel finished. Now, I am not afraid to  admit honey finishing can be hit or miss for me. Depending on the type of honey used and the length of time for finishing can really change the amount of "honey funk." Here in 2024 I've had quite a few honey cask finished bourbons letting me to have my fair share.      Good Times themselves are based out of Kentucky. Where they are taking whiskey, much of it coming from MGP, and typically keeping single barrel and barrel proof. Now, sometimes they release whiskey as just that, however they are more  known for their finishing. Sometimes finishing two and three ...

 The Beautiful and the Damned The Last Lion Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review. The Beautiful and the Damned is based out of Illinois, where they are visiting Lawrenceburg Indiana and sourcing whiskey from MGP. Who honestly makes really darn good spirits. Last year I reviewed both their standard bourbon and rye and really enjoyed both. Now, after the announcement of the cask strength offerings I was very excited.           One huge prop I always give The Beautiful and the Damned is how transparent they are. Below they tell us all the great information for this release, from the mash bill to where they are sourcing. They even disclose that char level 4 for the staves and char level 2 for the heads for the casks. Personally, I always enjoy a solid bourbon coming from MGP. They bring such classic notes and flavors that are hard to argue with. Now, when it comes to cask strength MGP, I cannot say I've had too many, specially with ...

 West Fork Whsky Co. Amber Corn Bourbon Whiskey Review.      Every now and then, a whiskey catches your eye not because of its finish or age, but because of its grain. That’s what drew me to West Fork Whsky Company’s Amber Corn Straight Bourbon, a single barrel, cask strength offering that proudly showcases two types of corn. Based out of Westfield, Indiana, West Fork distills, ages, and bottles this bourbon entirely in-house, setting it apart from their sourced Old Hamer line. This bottle was a store pick from Indiana Liquor Group, and with its transparency, mash bill, and craft-level care, it immediately had my attention. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/IRQUdtcRy4U Age Statement : +3 years. (Single barrel). ABV:  60.1% (Cask Strength). Mash bill:  65% yellow corn and 35% amber corn. Area of Distillation: Westfield, Indiana. Appearance: Warm orange tinted gold.  On the nose:      The first whi...

 Good Times Apple Pie Bourbon Whiskey Review. I received this spirit as a review sample from Good Times, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.           Good Times themselves are based out of Kentucky. Where they are taking whiskey, much of it coming from MGP, and typically keeping single barrel and barrel proof. Now, sometimes they release whiskey as just that, however they are more  known for their finishing. Sometimes finishing two and three times to create a very unique profile. On paper I love the idea, giving whiskey a unique flavor without adding actual flavoring. This release is quite fun from the sounds of it.       The name Apple Pie comes from the use of both an apple brandy casks and an Amburana cask. Now, each on their own I am a huge fan of. Apple brandy brings some nice sweetness to a bourbon without taking over. However, I know Amburana is a mixed bag for many. ...

Good Times Double Tokaji Cask Finished Bourbon Whiskey Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from Good Times, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.     Over the past year the amount of finishing in the whiskey world has been great. Personally, I love finishing and I know right now that can be fairly dividing. I love the unique, the different, or just fun finishing. It can truly make the spirit your own.  When it comes to Good Times themselves, they are based out of Kentucky. Where they are taking whiskey, much of it coming from MGP, and typically keeping single barrel and barrel proof. Now, sometimes they release whiskey as just that, however they are more  known for their finishing. Sometimes finishing two and three times to create a very unique profile. On paper I love the idea, giving whiskey a unique flavor without adding actual flavoring.       Now, i've b...