The Last Call

     Smoke Wagon has built a reputation on bold presentation and even bolder sourced whiskey, and their “Triple 7” release leans right into that identity. A blend of three 7-year-old MGP whiskeys, this limited batch (1,600 bottles) plays on symmetry and selection rather than age statements or barrel proofs.      After sourcing from MGP, Smoke Wagon brings the barrels to Nevada, allowing the desert climate to influence the whiskey before blending and bottling it. It’s not barrel proof or single barrel, but rather a carefully selected multi-barrel blend designed to highlight balance across mash bills. What makes this one interesting isn’t just the concept, but the pricing chaos around it. Depending on where you look, this bottle can swing wildly from reasonable to downright ridiculous. So the real question becomes: is what’s in the glass worth the hunt? For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/QHqdG2uYk3g . Age Statement: 7 years...

          Rare Saint, based in the Indianapolis area and connected to well-known establishments like  St. Elmo Steak House ,  1933 Lounge , and  Harry & Izzy’s , has been steadily releasing sourced MGP whiskey over the past few years. After being underwhelmed by one of their previous rye releases, I admittedly stepped away for a bit. But I am a sucker for port cask finishes, and this one pulled me right back in.      The Trinity of Port is an ambitious concept: a blend of four MGP mash bills, each at least five years old, finished separately in ruby, tawny, and white port barrels before being blended back together. Limited to just 834 bottles, this release swings for the fences on paper. After blending and resting, the whiskey was divided and finished in ruby, tawny, and white port barrels. Those three components were then blended back together to create the final product.      The transparency here is apprec...

     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...

 Knob Creek Bourbon X Rye Blended Whiskey Review.      Jim Beam has been on a roll this year, and this release certainly piqued my interest. Here in 2024 they have been doing some great releases with the Jim Beam Black getting an age statement, the Knob Creek Rye following suit. Even the Baker's lineup going a "High Rye" and the Winter reserve release. But, I'll be honest, I didn't have a bourye on my bingo sheet for any of the big distilleries. First, what is a bourye. Well essentially this is where a release is a blend of both a bourbon and a rye. A lot of times people think of Redwood Empire with the Lost Monarch or High West with their Bourye.           Now I will give Knob creek some props. They are using their two current releases for this; the 9 year bourbon and the 7 year rye. So keeping at least a 7 year age statement on this is great. Plus it helps making it feel less of a cash grab release. Now the question still bugs me....

 Shinobu Mizunara Oak Finish Blended Whisky Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from  CNS Wine & Spirits . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.     Now I am a of Japanese whiskey. I love the nods it gives to its Scottish roots but still brings in that subtle flavors that Japanese culture is known for. Now this release from Shinobu not only blends two types of Japanese whiskey together but then finishes it in Mizunara Oak. If you are unsure what Mizunara Oak is, basically it is Japanese Oak that is 200 years old. It tends to bring a subtle spice with a cedar and sandalwood note for me. Several Japanese whiskeys use Mizunara to add these finishes to their whiskey and I am a big fan of them. Being a 50/50 blend of grain and malt whiskey I am excited to see how well they play together  with that finish! For the full video review visit the link here!:  https://youtu.be/NStiVrXZTBw Age St...

Tipsy Irish 5 Year Old Irish Whiskey Review. I received this spirit as a review sample from Tipsy Irish. It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Late one night I was scrolling on instagram, as I typically do, and I ran across this bottling. Now, seeing a new Irish brand hitting the shelves, specially with an age statement caught my eye. After checking out their website I was very curious and hooked by what they creating and why they were creating it.      Tipsy Irish  unique isn’t just its blending but also the personal connection of the family behind it. The brand was founded when a daughter approached her father about starting a whiskey company. So to honor their Irish  heritage they headed out to find an Irish whiskey that fit their detailed profile.  The family took this seriously, sourcing and blending their whiskey in Ireland before bringing it stateside. Even the name, “Tipsy Irish,” has family s...