The Last Call

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...

     Starlight Distillery has quietly built a strong reputation out of southern Indiana, expanding distribution while continuing to lean into what makes them unique. Their deep focus on finishing barrels, many of which are sourced directly from their own farm, has helped them carve out a recognizable identity in the craft whiskey space. This bottle, however, steps slightly outside of what most people expect from Starlight.      This is a single barrel Indiana Light Whiskey, selected by Indiana Liquor Group. It immediately caught my attention, partly because light whiskey remains an underrepresented category on shelves and partly because I had never tried Starlight’s take on it. I’ve been vocal in the past that some Starlight releases hit for me and others do not, so this felt like a fair chance to see how age and barrel selection shape a style that’s already unconventional.      Light whiskey often confuses people, but it has nothing to do wi...

     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.      World Whiskey Society isn’t just dabbling anymore, they’re deep in the game. Over the last few years, they’ve become known for tracking down rare barrels, blending and finishing them with finesse, and then releasing bottles that are as stunning to look at as they are to drink. When I saw this one, a 20-year-old American Light Whiskey dubbed their “Cigar Blend” I was instantly intrigued. Multiple finishes, a bold age statement. Count me in.      The “Cigar Blend” name tells you what they’re going for: a whiskey that pairs well with a cigar, meaning bold, sweet, and rich. And while I don’t smoke cigars, I love cigar blends for exactly those reasons, especially in the summer when I want something sweeter without being flavored. For the full video review visit the link h...