The Last Call

Backbone Bourbon Company Old Dragon Bones Single Barrel Rye Whiskey.           Every so often, a whiskey crosses your path that feels more like a legend than a release. Old Dragon Bones from Backbone Bourbon Company was one of those whispers, a mythical bottle I'd only seen mentioned in passing. Then came Take’s single barrel pick, and I knew I had to have it. This 20-year-old Canadian rye, bottled at a staggering 67.4% ABV, is one of those rare finds that blend power, elegance, and innovation in equal measure. Backbone has long been one of my favorite Indiana-based independents, known for sourcing exceptional barrels and bottling them honestly, high proof, minimal interference, maximum flavor.      Old Dragon Bones is a masterclass in cask finishing. Backbone took a 20-year-old Canadian rye and split it across three barrels. Each rested for over a year before being recombined into neutral oak to marry. Now, before you say  "Canadian whi...

Jack Daniel’s Heritage Barrel Toasted Barrel Whiskey Review.       Jack Daniel’s is no stranger to innovation, and the Heritage Barrel line continues to prove that the Tennessee giant still knows how to surprise even its long-time fans. The 2025  Toasted Barrel Edition  takes the brand’s familiar character and layers in new depth through an extended barrel toasting process. As someone who’s always appreciated the Single Barrel Selects for their rich balance and great value, I was eager to see what doubling the toast time could do.       What makes this expression unique is the barrel treatment: while standard Jack barrels are toasted for 12 minutes and then charred, the Heritage barrels are toasted for 24 minutes and flash-charred. That means more of those deep caramelized sugars and toasted oak flavors have time to develop. The whiskey goes though the Lincoln County Process of maple charcoal filtering and aged for at least seven years. ...

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...

 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...

West Fork Whsky Co. Swoleracha Hot Sauce Finished Bourbon Whiskey Review.      West Fork Whiskey Company has always been a personal favorite of mine, and for good reason. Based in Westfield, Indiana, they’ve been steadily building a reputation for bold, creative releases that showcase both skill and a playful sense of experimentation. I’ve supported them for years and have more bottles from West Fork than any other distillery in my collection. This particular release, Sorracha, might just be one of their wildest ideas yet.           It’s the product of a collaboration with King Butter, a local Indiana legend in the world of hot sauces, spice blends, and rubs. King Butter’s hot honey barrel finish has already made its way into West Fork releases in the past, but this time they’ve turned the heat way up. The process involved aging hot sauce in a West Fork barrel, emptying it, and then filling it with their wheated bourbon plus keeping it a sing...

Old 55 Distillery Single Barrel Cask Strength Sweet Corn Bourbon Whiskey Review.           Old 55 Distillery is a small craft operation tucked away in Newtown, Indiana, just south of Lafayette, and they’ve built a name for themselves by doing something very few dare to try, making bourbon with 100% sweet corn. I’ve crossed paths with a few of their spirits before and have always respected the level of care they bring to the table: all distilling, aging, and bottling is done in-house, with a heavy emphasis on local grains. Their Bottled-in-Bond Sweet Corn Bourbon is the bottle most people around here know, but this release, a single barrel, cask strength version, was something I’d only ever seen at the Market District in Carmel, Indiana.       Sweet corn isn’t just a novelty for Old 55, it’s an expensive, labor-intensive choice. A bushel of the common yellow dent corn runs about $4 (2020 prices), but the sweet corn they use costs over $1,...

 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...

 Old Hamer Single Barrel Cask Strength 8 Year Bourbon Whiskey Review.      There’s something oddly charming about Old Hammer. It’s like the quiet cousin of West Fork Whiskey Company—same bloodline, just a little more rough around the edges, and a lot more likely to knock your socks off with cask strength heat. This particular bottle is a single barrel pick selected by the in-house whiskey club over at West Fork, and while I wasn’t lucky enough to be on the tasting panel for the pick, I  was  there on release day. One pour in, and I knew it deserved a closer look. Here’s the deal: Old Hammer leans hard into the MGP pipeline, and this bottle is built on the classic 99% corn, 1% malted barley mash bill. That’s the sort of recipe that usually doesn't see much love, so to see it dressed up in an 8-year-old cask strength expression is great. Due to the mash bill you highly rely on the barrel, age, and proof to do the lifting scene there's really no other grains B...

 West Fork Whsky Co. Single Barrel Double Oaked Whiskey Review.      West Fork Whiskey Company has been steadily growing its reputation out of Westfield, Indiana, distilling and aging whiskey that speaks to both craft authenticity and bold flavor. Their double oaked bourbons have always had my attention, and when the r/bourbon community announced a barrel pick near the end of 2024, I knew it was going to be something special. Not only did they select a single barrel cask strength expression, but they chose to showcase it in double oak form, a profile I’m already partial to.           West Fork continues to handle all their own distilling, aging, and bottling under their primary label, while sourcing some whiskey under their Old Hammer line. This selection is all West Fork, presented at barrel proof and untouched beyond the double oaking. While there is no listed mash bill, if memory serves me correctly, I believe this was their High Rye ...

 Three Chord Single Barrel Double Oaked Bourbon Whiskey Review.      Three Cords has been on my radar for a while now, they’ve put out some fun finished bourbons, and the toasted/honey combo they released before was downright phenomenal. So when I spotted this six-year, cask strength, single barrel double oak pick from Lake Liquors, I knew it was coming home with me. Double oaks are a personal weakness, and this one had that “buy it now or regret it later” kind of look. At $50, it was an easy decision.      This one’s sourced from Indiana, yep, we’re talking MGP. It was barreled January 18, 2016, and bottled May 22, 2023, then given the double oak treatment in a fresh new charred barrel for extra depth and sweetness. That six-year age puts it right in MGP’s sweet spot, where the bourbon still has some liveliness but has built up enough oak character to really shine. The proof sits at 55.4%, giving you all the richness you want without tipping into pala...

 West Fork Whsky Co. Alder Smoked Single Malt Whiskey Review.      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 ...

Rattle and Snap Single Barrel Pick Straight Tennessee Whiskey Review.            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. ABV:   59.125% Mash bill: N/A Area of Distillation:  Tennessee. ...

Backbone Bourbon Company Uncut Unfiltered Single Barrel Bourbon Review.      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 pa...

Backbone Bourbon Company Old Bones 20 Year Single Barrel Rye Review.      Every once in a while, a whiskey crosses your path that makes you stop mid-pour just to admire what’s in the glass. Backbone Bourbon Company has been on a roll with their big, unapologetically bold releases, and tonight’s pour, the Old Bones Rye Whiskey Single Barrel, is a true statement piece. Bottled at a jaw-dropping ABV and clocking in at 20 years old, this Indiana-sourced rye proves that Canadian whiskey can still pack a punch when given the right treatment.      This particular barrel was selected by Rich over at Holly’s Package Store in Greentown, Indiana. One of those passionate folks who just knows how to find liquid gold. Backbone’s transparency has always been one of their strong suits. This whiskey originates from a distillery outside Montreal, Canada, where they sourced a rye recipe that leans heavier on corn than the usual rye mash bill, resulting in a more buttery, roun...

 Proof and Wood Tumblin' Dice Single Barrel Double Oaked Bourbon.      I received this spirit as a review sample from Proof and Wood,  linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Proof and Wood has always been a brand I respect because they’re straight with people. They are out sourcing their whiskey, but they’re upfront about where the whiskey comes from, the mash bills, the finishing; none of that smoke-and-mirrors marketing you see from some others. And to top it off, they usually keep the bottles pretty wallet-friendly, which in today’s bourbon market is something worth calling out. Double oaked whiskeys are one of my sweet spots, they tend to layer on that extra depth of sweetness and oak that just works for me. So this pour had my attention from the start.           Now, the TTB has the final say when it comes to labeling, and officially this bourbon carries a 4-...

Baker's 7 Year High Rye Bourbon Whiskey Review. Here in 2024 i've been giving a lot of props to Jim Beam. They have been releasing some amazing offerings. From the re-release of the Knob Creek rye giving it a 7 year age statement and the 10 year Knob Creek rye. Now I'll be the first of many to make mention of...does this expression need to exist? Now, standard Baker's is a solid pour overall, but never said, I wish there was a high rye version. I am all about seeing new expressions and seeing what new things a distillery can come up with either way. And being a "limited release" I am hoping you at home can make a decision if this is worth your dollar. For the full video review visit the link here!:  https://youtu.be/N8cdg5O4_9k Age Statement:  7 year 6 months. ABV:  53.5%. Mashbill:  Undisclosed, but labeled "High Rye." Area of Distillation:  Kentucky. Appearance:  Dark amber. On the nose: Lots of classic bourbon notes right out the gate. Vanilla, ca...