The Last Call

           Chattanooga Whiskey has always been one of those bottles I’d see on the shelf but never quite pulled the trigger on, until now. This particular release is a single barrel pick selected by Holly’s Package Store in Greentown, Indiana, which already makes it a bit of a unicorn for the state. After sampling it briefly before, I finally sat down with the full pour, and right away it felt like a whiskey that wanted to be explored rather than rushed.      Beyond the liquid itself, Chattanooga continues to impress with transparency and presentation. From barrel numbers to fermentation details, they tell you exactly what you’re drinking, and that level of openness is something I’ll always respect in craft whiskey.      This bottle comes from Barrel SB-091 and clocks in at 58.75% ABV, aged just over four years in toasted and charred 53-gallon oak barrels. It’s non-chill filtered and fermented for seven days, keeping as mu...

I received this spirit as a review sample from 13th Colony Distilleries, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.     Over the past few years,  13th Colony Distilleries has truly been making a name for itself. Starting off with a solid Bourbon and Rye and most notably the Double Oaked Bourbon. They also been hitting the shelves with a lot of positive feedback on their Gin and Vodka. Being a Gin fan long before doing spirit reviews, the moment I was told this was being released I couldn't contain my excitement. I love Gin and even more so, barrel aged Gin.           After reading up on the release with a high proof point, the use of a Rye cask, plus a finishing time, that excitement grew.  This gin is aged for one year in rye whiskey barrels and bottled at a bolder ABV compared to most gins on the market. It’s an experimental spirit that leans into whiskey territory without losing its gin so...

     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.      Lasso Motel may be a newer name in the whiskey space, but they’re already carving out a reputation for transparency and thoughtful finishing. This Kentucky Straight Bourbon, sourced from  Green River Distilling Co. , is finished in port casks and bottled at 50% ABV. Full disclosure, this bottle was sent as a review sample after I reached out to the brand.      What immediately stands out is their openness. They tell you exactly where the whiskey comes from and what’s in it. That kind of transparency matters. Even before the cork is pulled, the deep color in the glass hints at a generous port influence layered over a solid bourbon backbone. Port finishing can sometimes overpower a bourbon, pushing it fully into dessert territory. Here, the goal seems more balanced. Bottling at 50% A...

     I received this spirit as a review sample from Lazy K Bar Whiskey, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      There’s something undeniably cool about a bottle that carries real history behind it. Lazy K Bar traces its roots back to one of the oldest cattle and guest ranches in Montana, dating to the 1950s. That ranching legacy gives this bourbon a sense of place before you even crack the cork. For transparency, this bottle was sent as a review sample after I reached out to them, but as always, the opinions here are entirely my own.      The presentation immediately stands out. The bottle features a textured, scale-like effect that resembles the charred interior of a barrel, wrapped in leather with a substantial metal topper. It feels intentional and shelf-worthy. Yes, presentation is part of marketing, but it is also part of the experience, and Lazy K Bar absolutely leans into that Weste...

          Dark Arts Whiskey House has quietly become one of those names that perks my ears up anytime a new release drops. Their approach to sourcing, blending, and finishing feels thoughtful and transparent, and more importantly, the results consistently deliver in the glass. “Sherry Garcia” immediately caught my attention, not just because it’s their first standalone Oloroso Sherry Cask finish, but because the presentation and color alone hinted at something special.      With a limited release of just under 4,000 bottles, this felt like one I couldn’t pass up. The deep, dark hue in the glass leans almost rum-like with a reddish tint, and as someone who loves sherry-finished whiskey when it’s done right, it hits so well. Now honestly Oloroso sherry cask finishing is not my first go to. I am more of a PX sherry when it comes to bourbons. I just feel like PX adds a deeper depth overall, but I've had a great experience with Dark Arts and their...

     I received this spirit as a review sample from Echo Spirits Distilling Company, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Every once in a while, a bottle comes across the radar that makes you stop mid-scroll. That was the case with Genever from Echo Spirits Distilling Company. Based in  Columbus , the distillery is known for producing and aging some of its own spirits while being transparent about sourced products, something I always appreciate. When I saw a Dutch-inspired genever-style spirit made from malt whiskey instead of neutral grain, I knew I had to try it. As someone who enjoys gin, herbal liqueurs, and botanical-forward spirits, this felt like it was right in my wheelhouse.      Genever is inspired by traditional Dutch Genever, a category that predates modern gin. Instead of starting with a neutral grain spirit, this expression uses a malt whiskey base and layer...