The Last Call

 Russell’s Reserve Private Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Review.                Russell’s Reserve has long been one of those dependable names that consistently delivers solid Kentucky straight bourbon without chasing hype. Between their approachable 10 Year, reliable rye, and well-structured core lineup, they’ve earned a permanent place on many shelves. This private barrel pick, discovered during a stop at West Clay Wine and Spirits, immediately stood out as something special, especially after learning it came from the highly regarded Camp Nelson warehouses.      What made this bottle even more exciting was the blind selection process behind it. The winning barrel was chosen from multiple Russell’s Reserve options, and after tasting it on the spot, both my wife and I agreed it was an exceptional pick. After letting it rest on my shelf for a few weeks, it felt like the right time to dig in and see how it truly performed....

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...

Penelope X T8KE Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Sauternes Casks Review.        Penelope has been on a real tear lately, and 2025 feels like the year they simply refused to miss. Their track record with MGP distillate has been impressive, but this collaboration with T8ke immediately stood out. Take has long been a respected reviewer and a guiding hand in the r/bourbon community, so hearing he was teaming up with Penelope made this an instant “must buy.”      The bottle itself looks regal, with a noble blue label that feels elevated without trying too hard. And once I learned this was a blend of five to seven-year-old bourbon finished in Sauternes casks at barrel proof, I knew this was going to be something different. Sauternes is a French dessert wine known for its sweetness and expensive barrel costs, so expectations were set high before the cork even moved. Amusingly, this is listed as a “single barrel” despite yielding 900 bottles. Whether that’...

Four Finger Distillery Bottled in Bond Bourbon Whiskey Review.           Four Finger Distillery is one of those craft producers that continues quietly building something special, and their Bottled in Bond Straight Bourbon feels like a meaningful milestone for where the distillery is today. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, Four Finger produces nearly everything in-house, from gin and vodka to absinthe, rye, and even peated bourbon. Released in 2025, this bourbon follows their Bottled in Bond rye and continues the distillery’s push toward more mature, transparent, and confidently crafted whiskey.      The name “Four Finger” itself tells a story. Formerly known as 1205 Distillery, the brand changed their name to pay tribute to the founder and master distiller Brad when he lost his pinky finger during the construction of the distillery. Rather than treating it lightly, the distillery embraced it as part of their identity, creating a name that stan...

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...

Wild Turkey 101 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 8 Year Review.      For years, Wild Turkey’s 8 Year bourbon was a bottle you’d hear about but rarely see stateside, unless you were willing to hunt one down overseas or pay import fees. That changed in late 2024 when Wild Turkey released their 70th anniversary bottling, an 8-year bourbon, and hinted that a permanent version was coming. Sure enough, it’s finally here on U.S. shelves. Stock moves fast, but knowing this is a regular release should keep the panic buying in check. As a big fan of the standard 101, I was curious to see how a bit of extra age would shape the flavor.      This release keeps the classic Wild Turkey mash bill but the big change here is the 8-year age statement, which adds some maturity without altering the brand’s core character. It’s still non-chill filtered, still proudly Kentucky straight bourbon, but with a deeper oak influence. For the full video review visit the link here: ...