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...

     There’s been a lot of anticipation around this release, and for good reason. The standard Woodford Double Oaked is one of those gateway bottles that pulls people deeper into bourbon, myself included. It’s rich, dessert-like, and widely available at a great price, making it an easy recommendation for just about anyone.      So when word started spreading in late 2025 into early 2026 that a  single barrel, barrel proof version  was hitting shelves, expectations were high. This felt like the natural next step, take everything people love about Double Oaked and turn up the intensity. But as these bottles started appearing, one detail stood out immediately: the proof.      What’s unusual here is how this “barrel proof” version is handled. Based on available information and how these are presenting, it appears the whiskey may be proofed down before going back into that second barrel for additional aging. The result is a final ABV hov...

I received this spirit as a review sample from Austin 101,  linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Austin 101 is a name that takes me back to the early days of diving into light whiskey, long before the category started getting the attention it deserves. Fast forward to 2026, and American light whiskey is finally having a moment, showing up on more shelves and in more conversations. Revisiting this bottle now feels like checking in on an old favorite to see if it still holds up.      There’s also something immediately appealing about what Austin 101 is doing. This is a fully in-house operation, distilling, aging, and bottling their own spirit using local Texas grains and repurposed bourbon barrels. It’s a true craft approach that leans into both sustainability and regional identity, and that always adds a layer of intrigue before the first sip. Austin 101 produces this light whiskey using a mash bi...

       Barrell Craft Spirits has built a reputation on bold blending and creative finishing, and their Cigar Blend Bourbon immediately caught my attention the moment it was announced. As someone who gravitates toward sweeter, richer profiles, cigar-style batches tend to land right in my wheelhouse, though they can be hit or miss depending on execution. This release is bottled at cask strength, and features a blend of straight bourbons sourced from Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee. The blend includes barrels ranging from 7½ years all the way up to 18 years, creating a layered foundation of mature whiskey.           Where things really get interesting is the finishing. This blend is finished in a combination of Madeira, Armagnac, rum, and Hungarian oak casks. Each component plays a role in shaping the final profile, with the goal of creating a whiskey that pairs well with the richness and depth typically associated with a cigar-style pour....

I received this spirit as a review sample from Travelers Point,  linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Some bottles feel like they represent more than just another release, and this one definitely falls into that category. Travelers Point continues to be one of the most interesting craft distilleries here in Indiana, and this newest Signature Series release feels like a big step forward for them. From the moment I saw this one announced for 2026, I knew it was something I had to go check out in person.      The distillery itself sits in Kirklin, Indiana, a small town you could easily miss if you blink while driving through. But right next to that lone stoplight is a tasting room that feels like a hidden gem. After spending some time there and learning more about this release, it became clear this wasn’t just another bottle for them. This was a project built around experimentation and confidence in...

       Knob Creek stepping into a “blender’s edition” series honestly caught me off guard in a good way. For a brand that already has such a recognizable identity, seeing them experiment with different batch concepts feels like a smart move rather than a risky one. When I found this bottle at a surprisingly low price, it went from “I’ll pass on the hype” to “okay, you’ve convinced me.”      This first batch sits right in the middle of the Knob Creek lineup with a 10-year age statement and a slightly higher proof than the standard offerings. The idea behind this release is simple but interesting. Instead of chasing extreme oak or pushing toward high proof, this batch seems designed to highlight a sweeter and more approachable side of the brand’s profile.      What makes this bottle stand out isn’t just the age or proof, but the concept behind it. This is meant to be the first in a sequence of releases where different batches highlight dif...

     Traveler’s Point Distillery has quietly been building something special out in Indiana, and this barrel proof wheated bourbon feels like a real step forward. With their focus on locally sourced grains and full control over distilling, aging, and bottling, this release shows what happens when a craft distillery starts hitting its stride. Seeing this expression reach over four years old at barrel proof is a strong sign of growth.      There’s a clear intention here too. Instead of chasing aggressive, high-proof heat, Traveler’s Point leans into balance and drinkability. That philosophy immediately sets expectations for something a little different from the usual barrel proof experience. The distillery uses a lower barrel entry proof, along with 53 gallon barrels, allowing the whiskey to mature gradually and develop complexity without becoming overly tannic or hot. A      Everything is handled in-house in Indiana, from grain to glass, reinf...

     Buffalo  Trace  has  a  habit  of  releasing  bottles  that  generate  conversation  before  anyone  even  tastes  them.  Traveller  Whiskey  was  one  of  those  releases.  Originally  launched  through  a  collaboration  between  country  artist  Chris  Stapleton  and  Buffalo  Trace,  the  first  version  hit  shelves  quickly  and  sold  out  just  as  fast.  The  hype  was  immediate,  though  the  whiskey  itself  landed  somewhere  in  the “ perfectly  fine  but  forgettable”  category  for  many  drinkers.      Fast  forward  to  2026  and  Buffalo  Trace  has  introduced  a...

     Hard  Truth  Distilling  has  become  one  of  the  most  recognizable  craft  distilleries  coming  out  of  Indiana  in  recent  years.  Known  primarily  for  their  sweet  mash  rye  whiskey,  the  distillery  has  steadily  been  expanding  into  bourbon  as  well.  While  some  of  their  earlier  bourbons  felt  fairly  standard,  the  newer  releases  with  higher  age  statements  and  barrel  proof  offerings  have  started  to  show  real  promise.           This  particular  bottle  is  a  distillery- selected  single  barrel  called  Decadence.  Bottled  at  cas...