The Last Call

Stranahan's Single Barrel Single Malt Whiskey Review.            Stranahan's is one of those names I’ve seen on shelves for years, but somehow never really sat down with until now. This bottle changed that in a big way. This is a Market District single barrel pick of Stranahan’s American single malt, bottled at a healthy 56.71% ABV and aged for five years and one month. It was my first experience with a Stranahan’s single barrel, and honestly, I went into it curious but cautious.      Part of the excitement here comes from the format. Single barrel, cask strength, American single malt, all from a distillery doing everything in-house. When you add in a sub-$50 price tag, expectations naturally start climbing. Before even pouring the glass, this already felt like a bottle worth spending some real time with.      Stranahan's distills, ages, and bottles their whiskey in Colorado, using 100% malted barley and new charred Americ...

 Journeyman Distillery Cherrywood Smoked Single Malt Whiskey Review.      Journeyman Distillery has become a familiar name on this channel for good reason. They continue to push boundaries within the craft space while staying rooted in doing things the hard way, distilling, aging, and bottling everything in-house. With locations in Three Oaks, Michigan and a newer Indiana outpost, Journeyman has positioned itself as one of the more creative forces in American craft whiskey.      The moment I saw the label for this Cherrywood Smoked Single Malt, I knew it was something I wanted to explore. American single malts already have my attention, but when a distillery starts experimenting with smoked grain, especially using cherrywood, that curiosity ramps up fast. This whiskey is made from 100% single malt that was cherrywood smoked prior to distillation.      The inspiration behind the release pays tribute to the cherrywood trees introduced to t...

     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.    ...

     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...

     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...

          I received this spirit as a review sample from Brother Justus,  linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      American single malt continues to be one of the most exciting categories in whiskey right now, and Brother Justus is clearly aiming to push that frontier even further. Their Cold Peated American Single Malt immediately caught my attention, not just for the concept, but for the story behind it.      Brother Justus, the distillery, draws inspiration from a real historical figure during Prohibition. Brother Justus believed that while whiskey was illegal to make it wasn’t immoral. Through his knowledge of copper pot stills and whiskey, he assisted over 1,600 family owned distilleries make a living during the times of Prohibition. That mindset of independence and craftsmanship feels like it carries forward into everything this distillery does.   ...

     I received this spirit as a review sample from Brother Justus, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Brother Justus American Single Malt Whiskey isn’t just another craft bottle on the shelf, it’s a story poured into glass. Hailing from Minneapolis, Minnesota, this whiskey is a tribute to a real bootlegging legend who lived before and through Prohibition. Brother Justus believed that while whiskey was illegal to make it wasn’t immoral. Through his knowledge of copper pot stills and whiskey, he assisted over 1,600 family owned distilleries make a living during the times of Prohibition. And that spirit clearly lives on in the modern vision behind this distillery.      The water is sourced from the Mississippi River less than a mile from the distillery. The barley is sourced from about 30 miles away. Even the barrels are Minnesota through and through, crafted from locally harvested Amer...

     There are certain releases that instantly grab your attention, and this Backbone Bourbon Company single barrel American single malt was one of them. As soon as news broke about a hazmat-level American single malt with an extremely limited yield, I knew I had to try to get my hands on one. Backbone has earned my trust over the years through transparency, thoughtful sourcing, and some genuinely standout single barrels, so this bottle already had a lot going for it before the cork was ever pulled.      This particular barrel was selected by T8ke, a well-known figure in the whiskey community and the mind behind the r/bourbon community. After tasting through several options at Backbone, this was the barrel he couldn’t walk away from. With a final yield of just 68 bottles, it was never going to be an easy find. When I got the chance to purchase one, there was no hesitation. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/HFEgS_q-STU . A...

     There are certain bottles that hook you early in your whiskey journey, and for me, Smokehead was one of them. The edgy branding, the skull on the label, and the promise of unapologetic peat drew me in years ago when I was chasing the smokiest Scotch I could find. What I discovered was a brand that consistently delivered bold Islay character at a fair price.      The big mystery, of course, is the distillery source. Like many independent Islay bottlings, the brand keeps that detail under wraps. That secrecy adds a bit of intrigue, even if transparency would be welcome. There is no confirmed information on chill filtration or added coloring, and the brand tends to lean into style and flavor over technical breakdowns.      Fifteen years in oak is significant for heavily peated whisky. With extended aging, peat can often mellow, soften, or even fade into the background. The question going in was simple: would this still carry that signature ...

          Three Floyds has long been a staple in the craft beer world, but in recent years they’ve been turning heads with their distilling program. Based in Indiana, they’ve been releasing some unique whiskeys, often playing with high malt bills and even incorporating grains tied to their brewing heritage. Their newest release for 2025, the Well of Whispers American Single Malt, is bottled in bond at 100 proof and made entirely with malted barley grown in Lebanon, Indiana. That transparency and local sourcing is exactly what I love seeing from craft producers, and I was eager to see how Three Floyds would handle a straight-ahead American single malt.      The Well of Whispers is crafted from 100% Indiana-grown malted barley, distilled and aged entirely in-house by Three Floyds. As a bottled in bond whiskey, it carries the guarantee of being at least four years old, distilled in a single season, and bottled at 100 proof, and under one master ...

     Kirkland’s Lowland single malt scotch whiskey immediately caught my attention, not just because it’s a bit of a rare find here in Indiana, but also due to Kirkland’s reputation for solid, well-priced bottlings, often available at Costco. While I’m a big fan of Kirkland’s Highland and Islay releases, this Lowland offering had me curious but cautious, wondering how it would stack up.      Now, this whiskey’s story is pretty classic. It spent most of its time in ex-bourbon barrels like most scotches, but then got finished in ex-sherry casks, something I always appreciate because it usually adds a nice layer of sweetness and complexity. It’s bottled by Alexander Murray & Company, who do a lot of these Kirkland releases, and honestly, they tend to nail it more often than not. I didn’t see a distillery name, which isn’t unusual, but the cask choices and the 46% proof tell me they were aiming for something that hits that sweet spot, rich enough to enjoy n...

            Penelope has long been a name to watch in the whiskey world, and with their 2025 release of  Cigar Series Chapter One , they’re pushing the boundaries again. This bottle, which I stumbled upon in mid-July, had been out for about a month and a half, but there it was, sitting on a shelf like it was waiting for me. It felt like one of those “last one left” moments, maybe even a bottle someone stashed in the back hoping to grab later. Regardless, it came home with me.      Now, I’m not a cigar smoker myself, but I’ve always had a soft spot for cigar blends. There’s something about the sweeter, often multi-finished profiles that tend to hit my palate just right. This particular entry from Penelope doesn’t rely on multiple barrel finishes the way others in the space do. Instead, they’ve opted for a more blend-forward approach, and honestly, that’s what made me so curious. It’s a bold swing in a genre that’s often dominated by ...

          Ardbeg is no stranger to ambitious special releases, and Eureka immediately stood out once I dug into the story behind it. Created as a tribute to the Ardbeg Committee itself, this bottling represents a thoughtful, almost celebratory approach to experimentation rather than a gimmick-driven release. Ardbeg puts out multiple special bottles every year, and while they do not always land perfectly, I am always intrigued by their willingness to push boundaries, especially when peat and sherry are involved.           What finally pulled me in was the concept. Instead of a straightforward finish, Eureka blends two distinct components: whisky matured in PX sherry casks and a roasted malt whisky, which are then brought together and allowed to marry in ex-bourbon casks. On paper, it sounded like something that could either be chaotic or brilliant. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/Iwt5c8Jaum4...

I received this spirit as a review sample from the World Whiskey Society, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.     Let's just pull off the bandaid real quick here, I LOVE decanter style bottles. The more unique the better. It reminds me of how we use to have decanter bottles more often back in the day. Now a days we associate a "fancy bottle" with bad spirits. And while that happens (probability) more times than not, I'll still appreciate the look. Now this release from the World Whiskey Society is a collaboration project with Ducks Unlimited, hence the shotgun shell bottle.          When it comes to the spirit inside, this is also right up my alley. We have an American single malt, a now official label for the TTB being distilled in Oklahoma. Now while there is no age statement on this release, the other bottlings I've had from this region have already been very solid. For the full video re...

 Bhakta 2012 Cask Strength Indian Single Malt Whiskey Review.     I received this spirit as a review sample from Bhakta Spirits. It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Here in Indiana we do not see many Indian whiskeys on the shelf. I'd say maybe five total in a given area. Which is an increase from basically zero a few years ago. Being a Scotch fan, Indian whiskey is quite an interesting spin on malt whiskey. Though it can be a dividing spirit for some. Now, when it comes to Bhakta, they are focusing on vintage spirits or unique expressions overall. While most of these are way out of my budget, the pure age on these do bring a big price tag. I've had two different spirits from their line up and I think the bottlings are very solid, specifically the blending and finishing job they did with their 1928 Rye.      Now, when it comes to 2012, this peaked my curiosity. Not only with the age statement, at cas...