The Last Call

 Bhakta 1928 A Blend of Straight Rye, Calvados, & Armagnac Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from Bhakta Spirits, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.     Now Bhakta Spirits is somewhat of a newer producer of spirits. Started in 2019 Bhakta was founded by  Raj Bhakta, who was the original founder of Whistlepig. Their 1928 release showcases creativity and skill, blending Rye whiskey with Calvados and Armagnac to create a one-of-a-kind spirit. Baku 1928 is a blend that combines traditions from different regions. It’s made up of 60% Rye whiskey from Indiana, 30% Calvados (an apple or pear brandy aged in Norway), and 10% Armagnac from France. The Armagnac includes vintages from as far back as 1928, with others from 1941, 1962, and 1973, giving the blend an average age of about 15 years.     So more than just "finishing" a spirit in  specific barrels of Calvados and/...

West Fork Whsky Co. High Corn Double Oak Bourbon Review.      West Fork continues to be one of those craft distilleries that quietly overdelivers. Based out of Westfield, Indiana, they distill, age, and bottle their own whiskey, and their double oaked releases in particular have consistently impressed me. This single barrel, bottled at a bold 60.05% ABV and aged at least three years, proves once again that age is only part of the equation.      Released in 2025 and finally opened back up in 2026, this bottle comes with impressive transparency: cask strength, non-chill filtered, and a clearly disclosing a mash bill. Even the back label is packed with information. This is a true grain-to-glass Indiana craft bourbon. After initial maturation, the whiskey undergoes a second barreling in a new charred oak barrel, the classic double oak treatment. This process amplifies wood sugars, deepens color, and layers in additional barrel char and tannin. At barrel proof a...

 Lasso Motel Amburana Cask Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from Lasso Motel, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Though relatively new, Lasso Motel came out swinging with a lineup of expressions. Now when it comes to Amburana, this can be a dividing finish in the Whiskey world, a very love/hate situation. When comes to Lasso Motel I really appreciate the transparency they are giving everyone. That includes sourcing from the well-regarded Green River Distillery and clearly listing a mash bill on their website.     Now, if you are  unfamiliar with Ambarana it is a dense hardwood typically used in furniture and to age cachaça, Brazil’s national spirit. In whiskey, it’s known for imparting notes of cinnamon sugar and a distinctive oily texture. Personally, I love what Amburana can do when done right, rather that is via ...

     High Bank has been on my radar for a while, especially since I’ve frequently passed by their bottles during trips to Ohio. Today, I decided it was time to take the plunge and pick up two of their offerings; the Barrel Proof and the Double Oaked. Personally I am a sucker for double oaked, even ones that pull a slighty higher price point.       Now this is a blend of straight whiskeys, NOT a bourbon, so keep that in mind during this review. Speaking of a few things to keep in mind...there’s no age statement on the bottle. The distillery’s website mentions a minimum of five years, so we can reasonably assume that this is a blend of whiskey aged for at least that long.  However, I do wish this was on the bottle. Also, there is not a state of distillation or sourcing location noted....nor mash bill(s) being used. While none of this is necessary for the review, I always commend transparency and it helps us understand the process and what (maybe) to...

     The moment West Fork Whiskey Company announced they were finishing their high-corn bourbon in a rum cask, I was mentally in the car, halfway to Westfield. I’ve been following West Fork for years, they’ve got their sourced Old Hammer series, sure, but their in-house line is where they really get to show off. And a 99% corn bourbon? That’s already a curveball. Finish it in rum for a year and a half? That’s a “clear the shelf space, this is coming home” kind of situation. I didn’t even taste it at the distillery, wanted my first sip to be a clean, fresh hit at home.      This bourbon starts life almost entirely as a 99% corn 1% malted barley, spending four years soaking up flavor in new oak. They moved it into a rum cask for an  eighteen-month  finish, long enough that the rum doesn’t just whisper over the top, it moves in and starts redecorating. That kind of extended finish can be risky, but it’s also where magic can happen. Instead of just ad...

     I received this spirit as a review sample from Proof and Wood,  linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Proof and Wood has always been a brand I respect because they’re straight with people. They are out sourcing their whiskey, but they’re upfront about where the whiskey comes from, the mash bills, the finishing; none of that smoke-and-mirrors marketing you see from some others. And to top it off, they usually keep the bottles pretty wallet-friendly, which in today’s bourbon market is something worth calling out. Double oaked whiskeys are one of my sweet spots, they tend to layer on that extra depth of sweetness and oak that just works for me. So this pour had my attention from the start.           Now, the TTB has the final say when it comes to labeling, and officially this bourbon carries a 4-year age statement. But, Proof and Wood has taken a 4-year-old bourbon ...