The Last Call

 Journeyman Distillery Fine Girl Brandy Review.      Journeyman Distillery has become a familiar name on this channel, and for good reason. Originally rooted in Michigan and now operating a second distillery in Indiana, Journeyman continues to push craft spirits forward while keeping production fully in-house. More recently, some of the releases that once felt exclusive to Michigan have started showing up in Indiana as well, which is always a welcome sight.      Fine Girl Brandy immediately stands out as something a little different from the usual whiskey fare. Brandy doesn’t show up often on the channel, but it’s a category I genuinely enjoy when done well. After having a pour of this at the bar months ago and remembering it fondly, I was excited to revisit it with a focused tasting and see how it holds up on its own.      Fine Girl Brandy is made using Vidal Blanc grapes sourced from St. Julian Vineyards, a longtime Michigan producer k...

 New Holland Brewing Walleye Run Malted Rye Whiskey 7 Year Review.      Last year’s trip to Holland, Michigan for the Tulip Festival gave me the perfect excuse to visit New Holland Brewing’s Brew House, a must-stop for fans of their iconic Dragon’s Milk stout. That’s when I first picked up the Walley Run Malted Rye Whiskey, a newer release at the time. Now, it’s making its way onto shelves here in Indiana, and even available online. This 7-year-old rye, distilled, aged, and bottled entirely by New Holland. Knowing New Holland’s knack for blurring the lines between brewing and distilling, I was eager to revisit this bottle after a year in my cabinet.      Walley Run Malted Rye is crafted in-house on New Holland’s pot stills and bottled at 46% ABV. While they’re well-known for their beer barrel-aged bourbonsm and for aging beer in ex-bourbon casks,  this rye takes a different path, letting the grain and barrel speak for themselves. The malted rye ba...

 Detroit City Distillery Honey Finished Bourbon Whiskey Review.      Every now and then, a craft distillery does something just weird enough to make me stop and say, “Okay… tell me more.” That was the case with this honey barrel-finished bourbon from Detroit City Distillery. I’d heard rumblings of this project back in 2024 and knew I had to track it down, not just for myself, but because we’ve got a honey barrel blind flight coming up, and this one felt like it deserved a seat at the table.      Now, Detroit City Distillery is one of those smaller outfits doing a bit of everything—bourbon, gin, rum, vodka—you name it. I’ve reviewed a few of their whiskeys before and always found them pretty solid for the craft category. The only downside is I can’t get their stuff here in Indiana, but anytime I make a run up to Michigan, I try to keep my eyes peeled for something new and interesting. And this? A whiskey finished in honey barrels from an urban rooftop b...

 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...

Journeyman Distillery Cask Strength 7 Year High Rye Bourbon Whiskey Review.          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% (Barrel Proof). 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...

 Journeyman Distillery Corsets, Whips, Whiskey Beer Barrel Finished.      Over the past year I've been picking up so many spirits from Journeyman Distillery. Since they opened a second distillery right in Valparaiso Indiana, they are a short drive away. Honestly, I've really enjoyed so many of their offerings and they are becoming a great definition of what makes craft spirits. The other day I was up having dinner at the distillery (great food and cocktails by the way) and stopped into the gift shop as I normally do. Seeing this instantly caught my eye since I've noticed many distilleries using beer finishing casks. Not sure if that's the new thing or what, but it seems to be many of them coming out. While I've never had any beers from Half Acre Brewing, I figured I will take the dive! For the full video review visit the link here!:  https://youtu.be/033v_I65C70 Age Statement:  N/A. ABV:  54.44% (Cask Strength). Mashbill:  100% Organic Wheat. Area...