Drink the Bottles

  What do you get when you take a top-rated country music superstar, a seasoned businessman and an expert whiskey maker who could rest on his laurels?   It sounds like the start of a funny story that is waiting for a punchline, but it is far from that - very far.  Eric Church (think the incredibly popular song "Springsteen"), businessman and entrepreneur Raj Alva and esteemed whiskey creator Ari Sussman teamed up to create Whiskey JYPSI, a brand that reflects the "gypsy spirit", where everyone has a free-spirited and wild side.   The brand has set out to disrupt industry norms and to explore unique and unusual ways to source and blend their whiskeys.  Today we are looking at two flagship products from the JYPSI label - Tribute and Explorer. Tribute is not only a blend of straight bourbon whiskeys that were finished in secondary oak barrels, but it is also a testimony to the quality and attention of what this company is doing.  Ari Sussman's backgr...

It seems pretty simple, but it is more difficult than it sounds.  Create the finest whiskey.  Sure, everyone with a still and an idea has the same dream.  But in this case, I think they're onto something - BIG!   About three years I stumbled across a liquor store in Colorado Springs, Colorado and popped in to see if they had something I hadn't tasted before.  The good-looking bottle of Blue Note Juke Joint Uncut Unfiltered Bourbon Whiskey caught my eye, and I was even more interested when I saw the single barrel sticker on the side.  For about fifty bucks I thought it was worth a gamble. The folks at B.R. Distlling Company will tell you that their brand was "Born in Kentucky.  Raised in Memphis.  Finished with Soul."   The branding and smoothness of their offerings ties in directly with the blues and soulful sounds of Memphis.  It's a seemless marriage and both Blue Note and Memphis seem to accidentally compliment each oth...

If you want something done right, do it yourself.  That's what "dad" said.  Founder and Distiller Herman Mihalich remembers those words like they were spoken yesterday and they resounded with him over and over.  It's only fitting that Mihalich had a dream of creating Dad's Hat Rye in the birthplace of rye whiskey - Pennsylvania because he too wanted to do things the right way.  And from what we can tell, they are doing just that. Small batch.  Hand crafted.  Local Ingredients.  These arent't just descriptors.  These simple words are the backbone of the business and Dad's Hat Rye doesn't use them lightly.  They take pride and care in creating a footprint in a fast-paced, busy and crowded world.  Their bottles are meant to remind you of kinder, gentler, optimistic times in America.   This bottle of  Dad's Hat Classic Pennsylvania Rye Whiskey is a flagship product in their portfolio.  If you don't appreciate this bottle...

  A historic Kentucky distillery located in Frankfort, KY was once the producing machine of a brand called Kentucky Senator Bourbon.  Like scores of labels and brands throughout the history of distilled spirits, this one fell by the wayside and became only a fond and mysterious memory for most.  But in 2019, Andre Regard and Damon Thayer (who would later become a Kentucky State Senator), did their due diligence and brought the brand back from non-existence. Today, Kentucky Senator Bourbon is alive and well and is receiving praise and attention from the spirits community.  This non-distilling producer (NDP) is bottling bourbon that is between six and fifteen years old and the age statement is clearly displayed (which we love) on each bottle.  Each release is 107 proof and the mash bill is generally comprised of corn (75%), rye (21%) and malted barley (4%).  Every expression is a nod to an actual Kentucky State Senator that includes a history lesson and a QR...

  Finished whiskeys are super, SUPER hot right now.  That has caused some distilleries to branch out, swing for the bleachers, only to miss the big score.  That is definitely not the case  here!  Liberty & Plenty Distillery out of Durham, North Carolina is taking finished whiskey to the next level.   Liberty & Plenty's formation was unfortunate, as that was the start of lockdown for Covid.  But this 100% woman owned craft distillery was ambitious enough and had the determination to overcome any obstacle thrown in their way. This is their Bronze Bull Spirits Bourbon Whiskey Batch #4 .  It is a three year old whiskey and a 90 proof stunner that was finished in fig-infused honey barrels. Unlike many honey-finished spirits in the market, this one stands above most of the others.  First and foremost, it is not a sugar bomb.  You don't get super sweetness that covers your mouth and hides the flavor.  You get layers of flavor ...

  We need start this review with a small, albeit important disclaimer.  Your eyes are not deceiving you.  There is  wine missing from the bottle (it's in the glass!) and the capsule and cork are still in tact.  We bought a new Coravin wine system for Christmas and this was our first time using it. To say we are excited about everything in this bottle and behind the label is a huge understatement.  You know that our mouths water over 100% varietal wines, Napa Valley, family-owned wineries, and, of course -farmers!  The fact that the Smith Family (owners of Barlow Vineyards) use a John Deere tractor on their property tugs at our heart strings even more. But enough about that, right?  We are here for the WINE!  This family operation produces just over 1,500 total cases annually and they've been in the same location for over thirty years.  The  2021 Barlow Vineyards Petit Verdot is beautifully inked with dark purple colors and a medium...