The Last Call

 Bhakta 1928 A Blend of Straight Rye, Calvados, & Armagnac Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from Bhakta Spirits, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.     Now Bhakta Spirits is somewhat of a newer producer of spirits. Started in 2019 Bhakta was founded by  Raj Bhakta, who was the original founder of Whistlepig. Their 1928 release showcases creativity and skill, blending Rye whiskey with Calvados and Armagnac to create a one-of-a-kind spirit. Baku 1928 is a blend that combines traditions from different regions. It’s made up of 60% Rye whiskey from Indiana, 30% Calvados (an apple or pear brandy aged in Norway), and 10% Armagnac from France. The Armagnac includes vintages from as far back as 1928, with others from 1941, 1962, and 1973, giving the blend an average age of about 15 years.     So more than just "finishing" a spirit in  specific barrels of Calvados and/...

 Lasso Motel Amburana Cask Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review.      I received this spirit as a review sample from Lasso Motel, linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Though relatively new, Lasso Motel came out swinging with a lineup of expressions. Now when it comes to Amburana, this can be a dividing finish in the Whiskey world, a very love/hate situation. When comes to Lasso Motel I really appreciate the transparency they are giving everyone. That includes sourcing from the well-regarded Green River Distillery and clearly listing a mash bill on their website.     Now, if you are  unfamiliar with Ambarana it is a dense hardwood typically used in furniture and to age cachaça, Brazil’s national spirit. In whiskey, it’s known for imparting notes of cinnamon sugar and a distinctive oily texture. Personally, I love what Amburana can do when done right, rather that is via ...

 High Bank Distillery Whiskey War Double Oaked Whiskey Review.      High Bank has been on my radar for a while, especially since I’ve frequently passed by their bottles during trips to Ohio. Today, I decided it was time to take the plunge and pick up two of their offerings; the Barrel Proof and the Double Oaked. Personally I am a sucker for double oaked, even ones that pull a slighty higher price point.       Now this is a blend of straight whiskeys, NOT a bourbon, so keep that in mind during this review. Speaking of a few things to keep in mind...there’s no age statement on the bottle. The distillery’s website mentions a minimum of five years, so we can reasonably assume that this is a blend of whiskey aged for at least that long.  However, I do wish this was on the bottle. Also, there is not a state of distillation or sourcing location noted....nor mash bill(s) being used. While none of this is necessary for the review, I always commend tra...

 West Fork Whsky Co. High Corn Rum Finished Bourbon Whiskey Review.      The moment West Fork Whiskey Company announced they were finishing their high-corn bourbon in a rum cask, I was mentally in the car, halfway to Westfield. I’ve been following West Fork for years, they’ve got their sourced Old Hammer series, sure, but their in-house line is where they really get to show off. And a 99% corn bourbon? That’s already a curveball. Finish it in rum for a year and a half? That’s a “clear the shelf space, this is coming home” kind of situation. I didn’t even taste it at the distillery, wanted my first sip to be a clean, fresh hit at home.      This bourbon starts life almost entirely as a 99% corn 1% malted barley, spending four years soaking up flavor in new oak. They moved it into a rum cask for an  eighteen-month  finish, long enough that the rum doesn’t just whisper over the top, it moves in and starts redecorating. That kind of extended fini...

 Proof and Wood Tumblin' Dice Single Barrel Double Oaked Bourbon.      I received this spirit as a review sample from Proof and Wood,  linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      Proof and Wood has always been a brand I respect because they’re straight with people. They are out sourcing their whiskey, but they’re upfront about where the whiskey comes from, the mash bills, the finishing; none of that smoke-and-mirrors marketing you see from some others. And to top it off, they usually keep the bottles pretty wallet-friendly, which in today’s bourbon market is something worth calling out. Double oaked whiskeys are one of my sweet spots, they tend to layer on that extra depth of sweetness and oak that just works for me. So this pour had my attention from the start.           Now, the TTB has the final say when it comes to labeling, and officially this bourbon carries a 4-...

 West Fork Whsky Co. Honey Barrel Finished High Rye Bourbon Whiskey Review.      West Fork Whiskey Company, based in Westfield, Indiana, where they have two sides of distilling. Side one is their in house made West Fork Whisky Co. and Old Hamer/Hugh Hamer being the second side sourced from MGP.  Overall West Fork is transparent on what they are doing, aging times, disclosure on sourcing, and even finishing. This release is a partnership with a local Bee farm and Orchard, Mumbee's.      Essentially, West Fork gives a barrel to Mumbee's to fill with honey. Then after some time, they empty out the honey and return the barrel to West Fork to fill with bourbon. Personally, honey finishing can be hit or miss for me. Sometimes it can give just enough sweetness and "honey" notes, other times it can bring the "funk" and drown out the bourbon and go south. Prior to this honey release, I have reviewed West Fork's Hot Honey finished bourbons that were crazy u...

Whiskey Acres Blue Popcorn Bourbon Whiskey Review.      There’s something about Whiskey Acres that’s really grabbed me in 2024. Maybe it’s their dedication to true grain-to-glass craft, or maybe it’s that they keep dropping bottles like this—bold, unusual, and somehow still grounded. Based in DeKalb, Illinois, Whiskey Acres isn’t just distilling and aging their own spirits, they’re growing the grain themselves. That kind of vertical integration is rare, and it shows in the spirits. This particular release, their Blue Popcorn Bourbon, is one of their annual limited runs. And yes, it’s made with actual blue popcorn, just because it’s bourbon doesn’t mean the corn has to be conventional.         I've had just one other release using "popcorn grade corn" from Journeyman distillery, and it ended up taking the top bourbon of 2022 for me with how amazing it was. Now, for them it was just using standard popcorn...well corn. So I am really interested to se...