The Last Call

Ampersand Opimus 15 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review.      Ampersand is one of those new labels that seemed to appear almost overnight at the start of 2026, and it immediately caught the attention of enthusiasts. Founded by legendary blender and distiller Chip Tate, this release feels like a statement piece rather than a tentative first step. Seeing his name attached to a 15-year Kentucky straight bourbon finished in Tokaji casks was enough to send me bottle hunting the moment it hit the radar.      Opimus is clearly positioned as the flagship of the lineup, and the transparency here is refreshing. From mash bill to finishing time, there’s a level of openness that builds confidence before the cork is even pulled. Add in the fact that this is cask strength and reasonably priced for its age, and expectations were already running high. The mash bill is disclosed at 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley, a combination that closely mirrors classi...

J.T. Meleck High Proof Whiskey Review.                I received this spirit as a review sample from JT Meleck,  linked here . It is important to clarify this did not impact the ratings of this review.      J.T. Meleck is doing something genuinely special in the American craft whiskey space, and it starts long before the whiskey ever touches a barrel. Based in Louisiana, J.T. Meleck farms over 20 acres of rice fields, a crop deeply rooted in the region’s culture and history. Instead of simply selling that rice, they decided to ask a much bigger question. What happens if you turn it into whiskey?      This bottle represents the full commitment to that idea. J.T. Meleck grows, harvests, distills, ages, and bottles everything on site, using 100 percent rice and aging the whiskey in new charred American oak. Rice whiskey is something most of us associate with Japan, not the United States, which makes this releas...

 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....

 Journeyman Distillery Fine Girl Brandy Review.      Journeyman Distillery has become a familiar name on this channel, and for good reason. Originally rooted in Michigan and now operating a second distillery in Indiana, Journeyman continues to push craft spirits forward while keeping production fully in-house. More recently, some of the releases that once felt exclusive to Michigan have started showing up in Indiana as well, which is always a welcome sight.      Fine Girl Brandy immediately stands out as something a little different from the usual whiskey fare. Brandy doesn’t show up often on the channel, but it’s a category I genuinely enjoy when done well. After having a pour of this at the bar months ago and remembering it fondly, I was excited to revisit it with a focused tasting and see how it holds up on its own.      Fine Girl Brandy is made using Vidal Blanc grapes sourced from St. Julian Vineyards, a longtime Michigan producer k...

Stranahan's Single Barrel Single Malt Whiskey Review.            Stranahan's is one of those names I’ve seen on shelves for years, but somehow never really sat down with until now. This bottle changed that in a big way. This is a Market District single barrel pick of Stranahan’s American single malt, bottled at a healthy 56.71% ABV and aged for five years and one month. It was my first experience with a Stranahan’s single barrel, and honestly, I went into it curious but cautious.      Part of the excitement here comes from the format. Single barrel, cask strength, American single malt, all from a distillery doing everything in-house. When you add in a sub-$50 price tag, expectations naturally start climbing. Before even pouring the glass, this already felt like a bottle worth spending some real time with.      Stranahan's distills, ages, and bottles their whiskey in Colorado, using 100% malted barley and new charred Americ...

Peerless Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review.      Peerless Distilling is a name most bourbon drinkers recognize instantly, largely thanks to that unmistakable bottle design. It’s bold, beefy, and looks fantastic on a shelf. I’ll admit right away, I’ve had a bit of a complicated relationship with Peerless releases over the years. Some of their offerings, like the Double Oak Bourbon and Double Oak Rye, have been standouts for me, while others have left me scratching my head. Until now, I’d never actually sat down and reviewed their standard Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and curiosity finally won out despite my ongoing hesitation with their pricing.       While there’s no age statement on the bottle, Peerless does confirm on their website that they adhere to a four-year minimum. I always wish that transparency made it onto the label, but it is what it is. What truly sets Peerless apart from many other Kentucky distilleries is their use of a sweet mash ...

 Journeyman Distillery Cherrywood Smoked Single Malt Whiskey Review.      Journeyman Distillery has become a familiar name on this channel for good reason. They continue to push boundaries within the craft space while staying rooted in doing things the hard way, distilling, aging, and bottling everything in-house. With locations in Three Oaks, Michigan and a newer Indiana outpost, Journeyman has positioned itself as one of the more creative forces in American craft whiskey.      The moment I saw the label for this Cherrywood Smoked Single Malt, I knew it was something I wanted to explore. American single malts already have my attention, but when a distillery starts experimenting with smoked grain, especially using cherrywood, that curiosity ramps up fast. This whiskey is made from 100% single malt that was cherrywood smoked prior to distillation.      The inspiration behind the release pays tribute to the cherrywood trees introduced to t...