The Last Call

     The first time I tried West Fork’s Alder Smoked Single Malt was right at their tasting bar, fresh off the drive to Westfield. One sip in, and I knew it was coming home with me. I’ve got a soft spot for smoky drams—my cabinet is full of peated Scotches and West Fork has been scratching that itch ever since I first picked up their Beechwood Smoked Malt years ago. This one feels like the 2025 sequel I didn’t know I was waiting for. My wife, who’s my ride-or-die Laphroaig fan and myself being in the cult of Ardbeg heard about the release coming and knew we had to try it out.      This isn’t a “let’s play it safe” kind of whiskey. It’s 100% malted barley, smoked with Alderwood to bring a softer, sweeter kind of smoke than the heavy peat monsters overseas. At just over two years old, it’s young but makes me reserved in what to expect from the release. It’s very much a West Fork creation from start to finish, distilled, aged, and bottled right there in Indian...

 Journeyman Distillery Double Oaked Rye Whiskey Review.     J ourneyman Distillery has long been a staple of me when it comes to craft spirits. With roots in Three Oaks, Michigan, and a newer expansion into Valparaiso, Indiana, they have been an easy go to for pours and supporting local. Many of their spirits are grain-to-glass, certified organic and kosher (though curiously not labeled as such here), I look to themfor transparency and character. That’s part of what makes this Double Oaked Rye Whiskey release so intriguing, and perhaps, a bit perplexing.            This bottle marks Journeyman’s first foray into double oaking a rye, and I believe their highest-rye content whiskey to date. It’s a distillery-exclusive release currently and composed of a blend of whiskies ranging from 3.5 to 8.5 years old. However, inconsistent labeling, a baffling mash bill, and lack of clarity on the finishing process leave more questions than answers. Al...

     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 isn’t just dabbling anymore, they’re deep in the game. Over the last few years, they’ve become known for tracking down rare barrels, blending and finishing them with finesse, and then releasing bottles that are as stunning to look at as they are to drink. When I saw this one, a 20-year-old American Light Whiskey dubbed their “Cigar Blend” I was instantly intrigued. Multiple finishes, a bold age statement. Count me in.      The “Cigar Blend” name tells you what they’re going for: a whiskey that pairs well with a cigar, meaning bold, sweet, and rich. And while I don’t smoke cigars, I love cigar blends for exactly those reasons, especially in the summer when I want something sweeter without being flavored. For the full video review visit the link h...

     I received this spirit as a review sample from Fincasa Whisky, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Fincasa Whiskey quickly became one of my to go ryes finished in a rum barrel. After experiencing batch 001, I instantly cooed tell the direction they were heading was going to be great. Now we are on batch three and some hefty changes are showing! The label clearly states the barrel origin, age, and finishing time, a level of transparency that should be the industry standard and that we love to see.       Fincasa continues to source their rye from Indiana where they bumped the age from three years to five years. But what sets batch three apart is its finishing process. While batches 001 and 002 were aged in Barbados rum barrels, this expression is finished in ex-Puerto Rican rum casks for a full 12 months. After speaking to Fincasa whiskey they are planning on keeping the finish...

     Log Still Distilling has always been a bit of a mystery with two separate projects, Monk's Road coming out of Kentucky and Rattle and Snap sourced from Tennessee. This single barrel, barrel proof Tennessee whiskey checks in at a hefty 59.125% ABV and has been aged for at least five years. I’ve been a bit skeptical lately after trying a Monks Road barrel pick that felt overpriced and underwhelming, but when my local store had a last bottle of this Rattle and Snap barrel pick, I figured I’d give it a shot. The mash bill remains a mystery, which is a bit frustrating, but the label confirms it’s gone through the Lincoln County charcoal filtration process that Tennessee whiskeys are known for. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/APxv6tWXZIg . Age Statement: 5 years (Single barrel). ABV:   59.125% (Cask strength). Mash bill: N/A. Area of Distillation:  Tennessee. Appearance:  Light golden oak. On the nose:    ...

    Here locally to  Indiana, West Fork Whisky Co. is one of my go to craft distillers. Not only because they release great whiskey, but always keep it priced correctly. One of their side brands, Old Hamer, is being sourced from MGP and they are transparent about that. This is taking the 99% corn, 1% barley and releasing it via age statements, finishing (under the name Hugh Hamer), single barrels, and cask strength.       I’ve previously enjoyed their 7 and 8 year offerings, but this marks their first foray into double-digit aging. With such a corn-dominant profile, the expectation is that most of the depth and character will come from the barrel itself rather than the grain.  For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/w6Ul2DxBhDs . Age Statement: 10 years. ABV: 50%. Mash bill: 99% Corn, 1% malted barley. Area of Distillation:  Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Appearance: Deep rich orange hue. On the nose:     Th...

     I received this spirit as a review sample from Ole Smoky, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Popcorn Sutton is one of those names that carries some serious Appalachian weight. Whether you know him from documentaries, his infamous moonshining past, or just the legend that surrounds his name, there's a kind of gritty charm baked into anything tied to him. This bourbon, bottled under the Ole Smoky label, is meant to be a tribute, and honestly, it wears that well.      Now, they don’t give us the full play-by-play on how this blend came together, no barrel breakdowns or exact sources, but we do know it pulls from both Tennessee and North Carolina bourbons. That regional blend alone is interesting, and it keeps things grounded in the very area Popcorn himself called home. Bottled at 100 proof, it doesn’t try to dazzle you with finishes or experimental grain bills. Instead, this feels ...

     I received this spirit as a review sample from Ole Smoky, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Ole Smoky Distillery offers a nod to its heritage with James Ownby Reserve. This expression pays tribute to the distillery’s fifth-generation great-grandfather and one of its founders, James Ownby. This isn’t Old Smoky's usual moonshine, this is a classic-styled Tennessee bourbon whiskey.      As a Tennessee whiskey, James Ownby Reserve undergoes the Lincoln County Process, a hallmark of the style that filters the new make spirit through sugar maple charcoal before aging. This not only adheres to regional tradition but also helps to mellow the final product.  For the full video review visit the link here:   https://youtu.be/pr3lWtZqgho . Age Statement: 6 years. ABV: 47%. Mash bill: N/A. Area of Distillation: Tennessee. Appearance: Warm golden hue. On the nose:    ...

    Now, Journeyman Distillery is one of my favorite local distilleries here in Indiana. I enjoy the craft profile they bring and willing to go against the grain (pun intended). I visit the distillery pretty often and during one of my recent trips I discovered this newest release. Now, from my memory this is Journeyman's first "High Rye" bourbon to the market and at least on paper, it is coming out swinging. One cool thing about this release is all the grains are grown on the  Welter Family Farm in Putnam County, Indiana. So dialing in that "Indiana craft" even more. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/B52UhENuxt8 . Age Statement: 7 years. ABV: 59.2% (Cask strength). Mash bill:  60% corn and 40% rye. Area of Distillation: Three Oaks, Michigan. Appearance: Oily amber. On the nose:      The nose opens with a soft, sweet corn-forward character. A bit of ethanol sneaks through—think light nail polish remover—but this is...

     Sometimes a bottle calls to you without rhyme or reason, and this was one of those moments. Dark Arts Whiskey House had just dropped a new Seelbachs pick: a double-oaked, two-barrel blend of well-aged MGP bourbon. Drink. Click. Order placed. Truth be told, I have been loving nearly everything I sampled from Dark Arts in 2024, I figured it was a safe bet. What followed was a bit of a rollercoaster.       This bottle brings together two sourced Indiana bourbons, one aged 11 years and the other 10. The final blend underwent a secondary maturation for double-oaking, and it was bottled at cask strength, uncut and unfiltered. The concept is promising: a rich, layered bourbon leaning heavily into oak and spice, with a base spirit old enough to carry some weight. On paper, it checks the boxes. But it’s always what’s in the glass that counts. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/3IM1pPUzXAw . Age Statement:  10 ye...

     I received this spirit as a review sample from Fior Whisky, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Fior Blended Scotch immediately stood out with its striking presentation, but what truly captivated me was the story behind the bottle. Founded by Eric Dominijanni, a Marine Veteran with over two decades of service, Fior was born from his passion project, an infinity bottle that captured a perfect blend he could never quite replicate again. Rather than let that final sip be the end, he worked with industry friends to bring Fior to life, making it the first Black veteran-owned Scotch whisky brand. That’s a compelling origin with authenticity and heart.           Fior is a blend of Highland and Speyside Scotch whiskies, bottled at 43% ABV. The team took a deliberate approach to blending, focusing on a 60/40 malt-to-grain ratio. The casks were hand-selected to recreate the c...

     For years, Wild Turkey’s 8 Year bourbon was a bottle you’d hear about but rarely see stateside, unless you were willing to hunt one down overseas or pay import fees. That changed in late 2024 when Wild Turkey released their 70th anniversary bottling, an 8-year bourbon, and hinted that a permanent version was coming. Sure enough, it’s finally here on U.S. shelves. Stock moves fast, but knowing this is a regular release should keep the panic buying in check. As a big fan of the standard 101, I was curious to see how a bit of extra age would shape the flavor.      This release keeps the classic Wild Turkey mash bill but the big change here is the 8-year age statement, which adds some maturity without altering the brand’s core character. It’s still non-chill filtered, still proudly Kentucky straight bourbon, but with a deeper oak influence. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/lBWqSPB6lDg . Age Statement: 8 Years. ABV:...

     There’s something comforting about pouring a glass from a distillery you’ve grown to trust. Tonight's pour comes from Backbone Bourbon Company, right here in Indiana, and if you've followed along for any amount of time, you’ll know I have a soft spot for them. This single barrel, uncut straight bourbon comes in at a bold 63.8% ABV and boasts over 8 years and 8 months in the barrel. Backbone’s approach to transparency and craft has always stood out to me. Whether it's sourcing, blending, or just having fun with good whiskey, they don’t hide behind gimmicks, and that earns my respect every time.      Backbone doesn’t play coy about their whiskey’s origin. This one is sourced from MGP, proudly stated both on the bottle and their website. Again, this is a barrel proof, single barrel expression, meaning no dilution, no blending, just one specific barrel chosen for its character. This particular single barrel was selected by my buddy Rich over at Holly’s Pac...