The Last Call

Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 21 Years Review.      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 ...

Maker's Mark Cask Strength 7 Year Bourbon Whiskey Review.           As 2025 winds down, Makers Mark surprised everyone with what appears to be a limited-age-stated run of their beloved cask strength bourbon. I’ve always had a soft spot for Makers Mark. It wasn’t a brand I fell in love with immediately, but somewhere along the way, it became a comfort bottle, a pour I reached for between bigger, flashier releases. Their lineup consistently offers strong value, and while I still haven’t tried the Cellar Aged, the rest are genuinely solid. Seeing this on the shelf at standard cask strength pricing made it an easy pickup.      This release is still their classic wheated bourbon, although Makers Mark doesn’t publish the exact mash bill. The side label offers some intriguing production details: a 110-proof barrel entry, 378 hand-rotated and hand-selected casks, and the note that each batch is “aged to taste.” That wording alone hints at future vari...

 Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Bottled in Bond Bourbon Review.      There are few bottles in the whiskey world as immediately recognizable and Old Fitzgerald is high on that list. That iconic decanter shape has long made the Heaven Hill release a collector’s trophy, often tucked away behind glass or proudly displayed on a bar cart. But 2025 brings something different: a shelf-stable version of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond, with the promise of wider availability and a more approachable price point. Ironically, just as I found this 7-year version, I was also pulled for Priority Access at Total Wine and snagged a 9-year decanter release, making this the perfect time to finally dive into the Old Fitz lineup for the very first time.      What’s interesting about this release is that it represents a shift for Old Fitzgerald, moving from high-demand, allocated decanters to something that may eventually become a true shelf option. Depending on where you find it, the...

 2XO White Oak Finished Rye Whiskey Review.      From the mind of Dixon Dedman, known for his work with Kentucky Owl, 2XO has made quite an impression on the whiskey scene. Their early Phoenix Blend set a strong foundation, and Dedman’s reputation as a blender gave fans a reason to be excited. But as the brand expanded with a variety of limited releases and oak experiments, I found myself a bit overwhelmed by the constant flow of black and gold bottles. So, when 2XO announced their first rye, the White Oak Rye, I was intrigued enough to give them another shot. After all, double-oaked rye is still a rarity in today’s market. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/Lq3qNIS8Jzo . Age Statement: N/A. ABV: 46%. Mash bill: 95% Rye, 5% malted barley. (Chained white oak finished). Area of Distillation: Kentucky. Appearance: Golden hue. On the nose:      The aroma is far more delicate than expected. Herbal and medicinal notes min...

 Dark Arts Whiskey House Mizunara Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review.         D ark Arts Whiskey House is a brand that’s been steadily building a reputation for craftsmanship and creativity. I first encountered them back in 2024 when they sent a few bottles my way for review, and by the end of that year, I found myself hunting down nearly everything they released. Here in 2025, that trend has only grown worse… or better, depending on how you look at it. Their new Mizunara Oak Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon is the latest addition to their core lineup, and from the looks of things, it’s aiming to make a lasting impression. The mash bill immediately stood out to me: a recipe identical to Wilderness Trail’s bourbon mash bill. While not confirmed, the similarity is intriguing, as Wilderness Trail consistently produces some exceptional whiskey. That connection alone had me excited to pop the cork on this one. For the full video review visit the link...

 Milam & Greene Provisions Blend Bourbon Whiskeys Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from Milam & Greene, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Tonight’s pour comes from Milam & Greene, a distillery that has quickly gained a reputation for doing things differently. Heather Greene and her team have been blending Kentucky straight bourbon with Texas pot still whiskey, crafting something unique that bridges two very different traditions. When I first heard about the Provisions Blend, I was intrigued, especially since it promised to bring a budget-friendly option to the shelf without sacrificing quality. The commemorative first-release bottle design is elegant without being flashy, a welcome sight on any shelf.      The Provisions combines Kentucky bourbon and Texas pot still bourbon, both aged in standard 53-gallon barrels, no shortcuts with small casks ...

Angel's Envy Botted in Bond Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey Review.      Angel’s Envy is one of those distilleries you instantly recognize—whether it’s the distinctive winged bottle or their reputation for unique cask finishes. For me, it was one of the first brands that pulled me deeper into the whiskey world, particularly their rum cask–finished rye. Over the years, I drifted away from their offerings, often finding more affordable finished whiskeys on the shelves. But this release caught my attention: their first-ever non-finished Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey, bottled in bond, at cask strength. It’s a bold step from a distillery known for finishes, and I was curious to see how it would hold up.      Released in 2024, this bourbon is a blend of two bottled-in-bond bourbons: one distilled at a lower entry proof, and another at a higher proof, married together to land at exactly 50% ABV. That means it follows all the bottled-in-bond rules—aged at least f...

Elijah Craig Single Barrel Private Barrel Bourbon Whiskey Review.      Every so often, bourbon hunting pays off in unexpected ways. On a routine stop at a local shop, I stumbled upon something I had only heard whispers about: an Elijah Craig Single Barrel Private Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon. I’ve seen people mention these online, but I had never come across one in person.       This particular pick was a store selection collaboration between Winfield Five Star and The Country Seat. Much like the Elijah Craig Small Batch, it carries Heaven Hill’s classic Elijah Craig's mash bill. Being a single barrel, flavors can shift depending on the rickhouse location and the nuances of that specific cask. At 11 years old, it falls right in the sweet spot for aging, old enough to show depth, but not so long that oak takes over. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/54na0IpTgRU . Age Statement: 11 years. ABV: 47%. (Single Barrel...

Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Proof Bourbon Whiskey Review.       Every once in a while, luck strikes in the bourbon aisle. That was the case when I stumbled across Old Forester’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Bourbon, sitting almost unnoticed on the shelf with only a couple bottles left. My relationship with Old Forester is an odd one, I’ve never gone deep into their core lineup, but I’ve had great experiences with their store picks, limited editions, and the famous Birthday Bourbon. This bottle was one of those rare finds I just couldn’t walk away from, especially knowing how quickly Old Forester’s barrel proof offerings vanish in my market.      This particular single barrel comes is drawn from Warehouse K, floor five. Warehouse K is known for running hot, which often brings bold character to the whiskey. And as with all single barrels, each release will vary, but that unpredictability is part of the fun. For the full video review visit the link he...

 Peerless Toasted Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review.      Peerless has never been shy about pushing bold, barrel proof whiskey with a style all their own. Their sweet mash process, eye-catching bottles, and dedication to non-chill filtration have earned them a loyal following, myself included. I’ve long been a fan of their Double Oak Bourbon and Rye, and when I heard a toasted version was hitting the shelves, I knew I had to track one down. Originally a distillery-only release, Batch 03 finally made its way to Indiana, and thanks to my buddy Rich over at Holly’s Package Store, one found its way into my hands.      Peerless takes the extra-labor route of sweet mash fermentation, fully emptying and cleaning the fermentation tanks between every batch. It’s a slower, more meticulous approach, but it allows each batch to develop its own unique fingerprint. This release takes their Kentucky Straight Bourbon and finishes it in toasted barrels, a techni...

 Augusta Buckner’s 15 Year Single Barrel Cask Strength (BuffTrukey) Bourbon Whiskey Review.      Tonight’s pour is a special one—not just for the whiskey itself, but for the lore wrapped around it. From Augusta Distillery comes Buckner’s 15-Year Single Barrel Barrel Proof Bourbon, picked by Preet Liquor. This isn’t just any pick, this is what many in the enthusiast community affectionately (and cryptically) refer to as a “Buff Turkey.” And yes, I know that sounds like something you’d toss on the smoker come November, but stick with me.      Now, Augusta Distillery has been steadily making noise with their Old Route 8 release and a growing lineup of sourced bourbons at varying ages. Personally, I never hopped on the Route 8 hype train, price point and timing just didn’t line up for me. But what they’re doing now with their single barrel offerings is turning heads, and this Preet Liquor pick had me curious. For the record, I trust Preet Liquors they’ve b...

 1792 Full Proof Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review.      There are bottles you enjoy, and then there are bottles that pleasantly surprise you, 1792 often falls in that second category for me. Their Small Batch offering has always hit the spot as a dependable daily pour. It doesn’t get the spotlight it probably deserves, especially when you're hunting in the more budget-friendly tiers. While digging through shelves one day, I stumbled on this LiqGo store pick out of Valparaiso, Indiana. The price was so good I couldn’t walk away. Under $50 for a high-proof, single barrel pick? That’s an immediate yes.             I haven’t had the standard Full Proof yet, but I figured this would give me a strong sense of what the line has to offer, even if single barrel variations carry their own quirks. There’s no age statement on this bottle, but judging from the color and character, there’s enough maturity here to speak for i...

 Dark Arts Whiskey House Amburana Maple Finished Rye Whiskey Review.      There’s something undeniably exciting about cracking open a new bottle from Dark Arts Whiskey House. Based out of Kentucky, they’ve carved out a loyal following in the craft space by sourcing solid whiskey, often from MGP, and giving it bold, thoughtful finishing treatments. Tonight’s pour is their “Ripple Rye,” a straight rye finished in maple syrup casks and with toasted amburana staves. It’s been getting plenty of love online, and as someone who’s gone on a personal rampage buying nearly every release I can find, I’m eager to dive into this one. Dark Arts tends to walk the line between bold and refined, and when amburana’s involved, that line can get blurry fast. Let’s see if Ripple Rye can strike the balance.     T his is a 95/5 Indiana rye (MGP, of course), aged for at least 7 years before undergoing a dual-finishing process. First, it’s placed into maple syrup casks, and then it...

     Popcorn Sutton Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskeys Review.      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 p...

   Bulleit Bourbon Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review.     Now, Bulleit is one of those iconic names in the spirits world. They been doing some solid sourcing over the years with their standard Bourbon and Rye and expanding their portfolio with their 10 year Bourbon, 10 year Rye, 12 year Rye, and are recently American Single  Malt. Now, Bulleit is ready to step into the distillation field with their first release containing 100% their own whiskey. Barreled in 2017, they decided to keep this release a Bottled in Bond, though having no official age statement outside of the 4 years that comes with Bottled in Bond.     I was a bit shocked to actually find this on the shelf so soon from release here in Indiana. We typically don't see new drops that quickly, but I can honestly say I am excited to jump on this one when I saw it on the shelves.  For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/pMthA7PIuwo Age Sta...

 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....

 Peerless Distilling Rum Finished Bourbon Whiskey Review.      Every now and then, a bottle sneaks into Indiana that makes you stop mid–liquor store lap. This was one of those moments. Peerless is already a distillery I have a soft spot for, their Double Oak Bourbon and Rye are mainstays for me, but the Rum Barrel Finished Bourbon? That’s a rare sighting here. This is batch 02 of the release and while the label keeps its secrets on age and finishing time, curiosity got the better of me. I cracked it open with my wife the other night, and the experience was… not exactly what I’d pictured from Peerless.      Peerless keeps things true to their style here: barrel proof, sweet mash, and crafted with their signature approach to balance and body. This batch began life as their straight bourbon before moving into rum barrels for finishing. It’s a bold concept — in theory, a marriage of deep Kentucky bourbon richness with tropical rum complexity. Peerless does...