The Last Call

     Chattanooga Whiskey is one of those distilleries that quietly grows on you until one day you realize half your shelf has their logo on it. For a long time, their bottles felt like the “bridesmaid, never the bride” option for me, always interesting, just never the one I grabbed first. Lately though, that’s changed in a big way. The more I’ve explored their lineup, the more I’ve come to appreciate how thoughtful and transparent their approach is, especially as a true grain-to-glass craft distillery.      This Straight Rye Malt is a perfect example of why Chattanooga keeps pulling me back in. It’s not the easiest bottle to find in my Indiana market, so when I spotted one, I didn’t hesitate. Chattanooga doesn’t give exact mash bill percentages, but they do something even better than most brands: they tell you exactly what’s in the whiskey, right on the bottle. This rye-forward mash is built around pale malted rye, supported by yellow corn, caramel malted r...

     Springbank is one of those distilleries that almost feels mythical at this point. Bottles appear, vanish, and suddenly everyone is talking about them again. Over the course of 2025, I was fortunate enough to track down the 10, 12, and 15 year expressions at close to SRP, and each one reinforced why Springbank has such a devoted following. The 10 was excellent, the 12 downright phenomenal, and the 15, while still very good, didn’t quite live up to the expectations set by its siblings.      So when Springbank announced a 5 year old release near the end of the year, curiosity immediately took over. On paper, it makes very little sense. This comes in younger than the flagship 10 year, at a higher proof, and priced almost identically. That combination raises questions right away, especially when the 10 year is only a few dollars more. Still, Springbank rarely releases anything without intention, so this felt like a bottle worth exploring.    ...

     Bondstone is one of those brands many bourbon drinkers first encounter on the shelves at Total Wine, often under the Spirits Direct umbrella. While that association can sometimes raise eyebrows, Bondstone has been slowly expanding beyond that lane, and the Quad Oak release feels like an attempt to stand out in a crowded field of finished bourbons. Now when it comes to Spirit Direct brands that can mean in-house bottlings, sourced projects, or partnerships with smaller distilleries, and Bondstone sits firmly in that sourced-project lane.      The “Quad Oak” name comes with a bit of creative interpretation. According to the bottle, Bondstone starts with a double-oaked bourbon matured twice in new charred oak barrels. They then blend that with a bourbon matured three times in new charred oak barrels, before finishing the combined whiskey with toasted American and French oak staves. While this may not be four full barrel maturations, there is no denying th...

     Three Floyds Distilling is a name I find myself revisiting more often than I ever expected. Based out of Munster, Indiana, they built their reputation in the beer world with cult favorites like Zombie Dust and Gumballhead before shifting serious focus toward distillation. Over the last several years, that same creative energy has clearly carried over into their spirits lineup. Wolfborne immediately stood out to me because it represents something truly uncommon in American whiskey, a bottled in bond malted wheat whiskey built around a mash bill that most distilleries would never attempt. As soon as I saw the grain breakdown, I knew this was a bottle I had to spend time with.       Wolforne is distilled, aged, and bottled entirely by Three Floyds using a single pot still and meets all bottled in bond requirements. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/b2ah02Sc1v8 . Age Statement: 4 years (bottled in bond). ABV: 50%. ...

     Knob Creek has never been shy about leaning into age, oak, and intensity, and in 2025 they took that philosophy one step further by extending their long-aged lineup to 21 years. As someone who genuinely loved the Knob Creek 18, including its bold, oak-forward profile that some found overwhelming, I was extremely curious to see what three additional years in the barrel would bring. Finding this bottle at SRP made the decision easy. This felt like a natural evolution of the Knob Creek story, and one I was excited to explore. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/yU0Kh7Adxag . Age Statement: 21 years. ABV: 50%. Mash bill:  75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. Area of Distillation:  Clermont, Kentucky. Appearance:  Deep espresso mahogany. On the nose:      Instantly rich and expressive. Classic Jim Beam nuttiness shows up first, leaning toward walnut and pecan rather than peanut. Dark vanilla follows, r...

Widow Jane is one of those brands that tends to drift in and out of my rotation, mostly because their pricing can feel wildly inconsistent depending on the release and where you live. Sometimes it’s approachable, other times it feels completely disconnected from reality. When I spotted Widow Jane Decadence sitting on a Costco shelf at one of the lowest prices I’ve ever seen, curiosity finally won. On paper, a 10-year-old bourbon finished in maple syrup casks sounds like a cozy fall pour, and with the price finally lining up, it felt like the right moment to pull the trigger.      Widow Jane Decadence begins as Widow Jane’s 10 Year Bourbon, a blend of sourced straight bourbons from Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Once blended, that whiskey is finished in maple syrup barrels sourced from Crown Maple, a well-known producer that many people probably already have sitting in their fridge. While Widow Jane doesn’t disclose an official finishing time, most estimates place it so...

       Journeyman Distillery has built a strong reputation in the craft whiskey world, operating out of Three Oaks, Michigan, with a newer presence in Indiana. Over the years, they’ve released some genuinely impressive bottles, even if a few have missed the mark. Their standard Featherbone Bourbon has been a consistent performer for me, so when a local Indiana chain store released a single barrel pick at cask strength, curiosity got the better of me.      Single barrels from Journeyman are not something we see every day. That exclusivity, combined with barrel proof presentation, certainly sets expectations a little higher. It’s aged in standard 53-gallon barrels and presented at cask strength. Like most of Journeyman’s lineup, it is also kosher certified, which is a significant undertaking in the production process. There is no official age statement, though this barrel was filled in 2018. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://yo...

     Starlight Distillery has quietly built a strong reputation out of southern Indiana, expanding distribution while continuing to lean into what makes them unique. Their deep focus on finishing barrels, many of which are sourced directly from their own farm, has helped them carve out a recognizable identity in the craft whiskey space. This bottle, however, steps slightly outside of what most people expect from Starlight.      This is a single barrel Indiana Light Whiskey, selected by Indiana Liquor Group. It immediately caught my attention, partly because light whiskey remains an underrepresented category on shelves and partly because I had never tried Starlight’s take on it. I’ve been vocal in the past that some Starlight releases hit for me and others do not, so this felt like a fair chance to see how age and barrel selection shape a style that’s already unconventional.      Light whiskey often confuses people, but it has nothing to do wi...

     Celebrity-backed whiskeys can be hit or miss, but Johnny James Smoke Whiskey immediately sets out to do something different. Created by Indiana-based country artist Johnny James in partnership with Journeyman Distillery, this release is inspired directly by his song “Smoke,” blending music, storytelling, and whiskey into one concept. After first trying this at the distillery from the tail end of a bottle, revisiting it on a fresh crack felt like the right moment to see if the experience held up. Johnny James Smoke Whiskey is produced, aged, and bottled by Journeyman Distillery. The base is a blend of bourbon whiskey and neutral grain spirits, with cinnamon added for sweetness and spice. What makes this whiskey truly unique is the smoke element. Applewood and cherrywood smoke are introduced during production, giving it a layered, campfire-inspired character meant to mirror the mood and tone of the music behind it.      It’s an ambitious build. Bourbon, ...

       My introduction to Bear Wallow Distillery came years ago through their core releases, and I immediately appreciated how proudly local their approach was. They distill, age, and bottle everything in-house, relying on Indiana grains and keeping things small enough that most of their whiskey never even makes it out of their own region. That kind of dedicated local following says a lot about a distillery’s character. So when I learned they were releasing long-aged single barrel offerings near the end of 2025, I made it a point to stop by while visiting the area, and I left with this bottle in hand, excited to dive deeper.      This single barrel straight bourbon is a big step forward for Bear Wallow. Coming in at 64.7% ABV and aged 8 years and 4 months, it carries a mash bill of 65% corn, 25% wheat, and 10% malted barley. No rye at all, which allows the wheat to take a more expressive supporting role. Everything in this bottle is Indiana to the core...

     Springbank is one of those names that immediately raises eyebrows among Scotch enthusiasts, and for good reason. Limited production, traditional methods, and a reputation that borders on cult status have made these bottles increasingly hard to find. Spotting the Springbank 15 Year on shelves in Indiana felt like a small miracle, especially after missing out the first time and circling back weeks later to grab one of the last remaining bottles.      Having already enjoyed the Springbank 10 and 12 Year expressions, expectations for the 15 were understandably high. This release carries extra intrigue thanks to its full maturation in Oloroso sherry casks, not merely a finish, which immediately sets the tone for something richer and more layered. Springbank’s production is famously hands-on, with traditional floor malting, direct-fired stills, and partial triple distillation contributing to the distillery’s unmistakable profile. For the full video review vi...

     Smoke Wagon is one of those brands that immediately draws attention, partly because of its striking bottle design with wax seals and etched glass, and partly because of the mystery surrounding its sourcing and blending philosophy. Based out of Nevada, Smoke Wagon has built a reputation around curated blends, often utilizing MGP distillate while being unusually transparent about what goes into the bottle. Unfortunately, distribution is limited, and for me that means a drive to Ohio just to pick one up, but curiosity finally got the better of me.      This release is a blend of two distinct rye mash bills. The first consists of 51% rye, 45% corn, and 4% malted barley. The second is one of MGP’s newer recipes, made up of 51% rye and 49% malted barley. These components are blended together and released at a robust proof without clear indication of whether it is true cask strength. The bottle reviewed here was bottled on September 30th, 2023, and is labeled...

     Bulleit’s 95 Rye 12 Year feels like a quiet surprise in a market that rarely leaves anything this good under the radar for long. Originally released years ago and then seemingly gone for good, it resurfaced in 2024 with little fanfare, almost as if Bulleit simply decided to remind people what well-aged MGP rye can be. With a 12-year age statement, a classic 95/5 mash bill, and a very approachable price point, expectations were already high before the cork was pulled.     As someone who has grown increasingly fond of rye over the past year, this bottle immediately caught my attention. The standard Bulleit Rye is okay overall, but this felt like a chance to see that familiar profile elevated by real age and careful barrel selection. According to  Bulleit they selected specific barrels for this release. For the full video review visit the link here:    https://youtu.be/6gFjqtBPsBc . Age Statement: 12 years. ABV: 46%. Mash bill: 95% rye, 5% ma...

     Springbank is one of those distilleries that seems to live in a constant state of pursuit. Bottles appear in waves, vanish just as quickly, and leave behind a trail of regret for anyone who hesitated. I didn’t expect to find the 12 Year Cask Strength sitting on a shelf months after missing it the first time, but when it showed up locally, there was no chance I was letting it slip again.      After being blown away by the Springbank 10 and securing the 15 shortly after, the 12 Cask Strength felt like the missing piece. Given Springbank’s reputation and scarcity, expectations were high, but the real intrigue lies in how this whisky is put together. This release is matured using a thoughtful and deliberate cask composition. Sixty percent of the whisky spent time in ex-bourbon casks, thirty-five percent comes from ex-sherry casks, while the final five percent is aged in ex-rum casks. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/qZq...

     High West is one of those distilleries I’ve always had a complicated relationship with. I genuinely enjoy what they do, but I’ve also been vocal about pricing and the occasional miss on some of their finished releases. That said, when they get it right, they really get it right. And I’ll still stand by this: bring back the Double Rye picks.      This particular bottle is part of their Cask Collection, featuring a blend of straight whiskeys finished in a Sauvignon Blanc wine barrel. I passed on it once in Ohio and regretted it almost immediately. A year later, I found it sitting on a local grocery store shelf and didn’t hesitate. Some bottles have a way of circling back around.      This release is a blend of straight whiskeys, likely a combination of bourbon and rye, possibly including both sourced distillate and High West’s own. As with many recent releases, finishing times and mashbill breakdowns are not disclosed.      ...

     Patrón has been experimenting with smokier tequilas, attempting to capture some of that bold, earthy essence found in mezcal but with a smoother, more approachable profile. Their Ahumado Reposado is a continuation of that effort, made from 100% Blue Weber agave roasted over charcoal to introduce a gentle smokiness. It’s aged between 2 and 12 months, giving it the character of a reposado while keeping it accessible for those new to smoky agave spirits. After trying their Blanco, I was curious how the aged version would perform, and whether that smokiness would come through on the palate.      The agave for Patrón’s Ahumado Reposado is carefully roasted over charcoal, then distilled and aged in barrels for up to a year. This short aging period keeps the color light and the flavors approachable, allowing the gentle smokiness to complement, rather than overwhelm, the natural sweetness of the agave. It’s a tequila that’s designed to introduce the ...

     Dark Arts Whiskey House continues to be one of the more intriguing brands I’ve been diving into throughout 2025, especially as availability remains limited here in Indiana. Empyrean immediately stood out, not just for the striking apothecary-style bottle and label design, but for its ambitious concept: a bourbon finished separately in both red and white port casks before being blended back together. That approach alone suggested a level of intention and control that had me genuinely excited to see how it translated in the glass.      Empyrean starts with an Indiana-distilled high-rye bourbon sourced from MGP. Dark Arts takes a slightly different approach when it comes to finishing. They split the bourbon into two finishing paths: one portion finished in red port casks, the other in white port casks. Instead of transferring the whiskey sequentially between barrels, Dark Arts blends the two finished components together, allowing them to dial in...

    New Riff is a distillery I’ve had the chance to visit a few times, and every trip has only strengthened my appreciation for what they’re doing. From releases like their Balboa Rye and Malted Rye to the newer eight-year bourbon, there’s a clear sense of intention behind their portfolio. While the eight-year rye didn’t fully hit the highs I was hoping for, it was still a respectable pour. This single barrel straight rye caught my attention when local Indiana store picks started popping up on sale, making it the perfect excuse to finally explore New Riff’s single barrel program.      This particular bottle carries an age statement of four years and four months, offering a bump in both proof and maturity compared to their standard bottled-in-bond rye. New Riff is refreshingly transparent with their production details, and this single barrel rye is no exception. The mash bill comes in at 95% rye and 5% malted rye, which effectively makes this a 100% rye whiskey u...

     Balcones has long been one of those distilleries that pulls me back in with every release, and this single barrel hazmat rye was no exception. When this pick from HiProof landed on my doorstep, the excitement was immediate, partly because I trust their picks, and partly because I’m a sucker for Texas whiskey and its bold edge. The moment I saw the deep, blood-red hue in the bottle, I had a feeling this one was going to leave an impression.      This release is a Texas straight rye whiskey aged exclusively in European oak casks. It clocks in at 73.2% ABV, making it one of the highest-proof bottles currently on my shelf. As a straight rye, we know it’s at least two years old, but based on the profile I’d guess it leans somewhere closer to three to four. What sets this apart is that full-term European oak maturation, which should leave a very different imprint than the American oak typically associated with Balcones’ releases. For the full video review vi...