The Last Call

     Region 5 is one of those brands that feels rooted in passion before anything else. Born from a group of bourbon enthusiasts in Indiana, they’ve started to gain traction by focusing on transparency, solid age statements, and approachable pricing. This single barrel pick, selected by the Kokomo Whiskey Club, leans into that same philosophy while adding a layer of local collaboration that’s always great to see.      At 9 years old and bottled at 54.9% ABV, this MGP-sourced bourbon checks a lot of boxes on paper. Single barrel, cask strength, and a proven mash bill, it’s the kind of release that doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but instead aims to execute the fundamentals really well. For the full video review visit the link here:  https://youtu.be/uimN7j1Lm4Y . Age Statement: 9 years (Single barrel). ABV: 54.9% (Cask strength). Mash bill:  75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. Area of Distillation:  Lawrenceburg, Indiana. Appearance: ...

     Some celebrity whiskeys feel like quick cash grabs. Others feel like someone actually cared about what went into the bottle. Jonny James is an Indiana-based country artist, and while I’m not someone who listens to a ton of country music, I’ll admit he’s got a few songs I actually enjoy. So seeing him partner with Journeyman Distillery instantly made this release more interesting than most celebrity bottles.      What really caught my attention wasn’t just the name. It was the process. This isn’t simply bourbon with a fancy label. This is a blend that includes bourbon, neutral grain spirits, added cinnamon, and actual smoke from applewood and cherrywood. There’s a lot going on here, and normally that would make me nervous. But after trying a small pour at the distillery months ago, I walked away more impressed than I expected. Now it’s time to see how it holds up from a fresh crack.      This release blends bourbon whiskey with neutral gr...

     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 start to finish, distilled, aged, and bottled right there in Indian...

     I received this spirit as a review sample from Dovetail Distillery, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.           Cutthroat Oat Whiskey immediately grabbed my attention, not just because of the name, but because it leans heavily into a grain you rarely see take center stage: oats. Based out of Nevada and proudly operating as one of the smallest craft distilleries in the state, Dovetail Distillery is the kind of producer that embodies what craft whiskey is all about. Experimentation, creativity, and a willingness to push beyond traditional mash bills.      The spirit is double distilled and then aged in 15-gallon barrels. Small barrels can be risky. The increased surface area means the whiskey can become over-oaked quickly, and youthful notes can be amplified if not carefully monitored. When done right, however, small barrel aging can accelerate integration and depth in a...

     Foxs Bow is a newer name in the Irish whiskey space, and it immediately caught my attention through social media. What pulled me in wasn’t just the branding, but the curiosity around its finishing process. With a team that has some real experience behind it, there’s a sense that this isn’t just another sourced whiskey it’s a chance to see thoughtful blending and finishing come together in a meaningful way.      Foxs Bow starts with a sourced Irish whiskey base, matured in ex-bourbon casks. It’s a blend of both pot still and column still whiskey, using 100% barley, which is typical for Irish whiskey and tends to produce a softer, more approachable profile. Where things get interesting is in the finishing. The whiskey is first finished in Oloroso sherry casks, then further influenced by ex-rye casks. That second finishing step is fairly uncommon, and it introduces the potential for added spice and herbal character layered onto an otherwise smooth Irish b...