David Tao
Starting in 2025, Barrell Craft Spirits began introducing several lineup rebrands. To kick off 2026, we’ve got the latest in their “Red Label Series”: a 12 year, age-stated blend of straight bourbons, finished in toasted American oak. The release is the most immediate followup to last year’s (fantastic) French Oak bottling, which cracked our Top…
The team at Kentucky-based Barrell Bourbon (operating under the noms de plume Barrell Craft Spirits, Barrell Rum, or Barrell Whiskey, depending on the spirit in question) is famous for some unapologetically complex blends. Today’s review focuses on one such new release: Barrell Whiskey Cabernet Sauvignon & Sauternes Finish, aged 18 Years. In this case, focusing…
Today, we’re reviewing the oldest Irish whiskey ever sold to the public: a 50 year single pot still, containing the last drops of liquid from the Old Midleton Distillery. Before we dive into tasting notes, this one warrants more than a bit of backstory. This release — Midleton Very Rare Silent Distillery Collection Chapter Six…
For the fifth time in history, Michter’s Celebration Sour Mash is back. It’s the rarest and most expensive offering in the entire Michter’s lineup, and this 2025 release — which actually went on sale in early 2026 — is limited to just 315 bottles globally. The series was initially developed by former Michter’s Master Distiller…
Since being acquired by MGP in 2023, Penelope has been steadily expanding its lineup of American whiskeys, including blends of stock sourced from across Indiana and Kentucky. Some of the brand’s most prominent releases include novel finishes, from the rum-kissed Havana to the (excellent) Omega, which gave 11 year old Kentucky bourbon a secondary maturation…
Founded in 2015, Isle of Harris Distillery is one of the UK’s most remote distilling operations. And with a total island population under 2,000, it’s also a business of note, at max capacity employing about 1 out of 40 people on the island. While the distillery has several whiskies in distribution both in the UK…
South Carolina’s High Wire Distilling is known for various brandies and Revival Rye, but its biggest claim to fame is undoubtedly Jimmy Red Bourbon. The house style whiskey is distilled from 100% Jimmy Red corn, an heirloom grain with kernels the shade of ripe pomegranate seeds. Over the years, High Wire has expanded the Jimmy…
Bourbon, but make it cologne. No, really. That’s the impetus behind a new fragrance fashioned after one of the world’s most popular whiskey brands. Will it actually make you smell like Elijah Craig? Elijah Craig Char No. 3 Cologne is a custom scent developed and produced by multinational fragrance company Crafting Beauty, in partnership with…
Buckle up, Bowmore fans. Islay’s oldest licensed distillery is introducing four new expressions to the U.S. market, each from its Sherry Oak Cask Collection. These include 12, 15, 18, and 21 year-old single malts, all matured across a variety of both ex-bourbon and sherry seasoned casks. The 12 and 15 year old expressions hit stateside…
Founded in 2021, Kentucky-based Rare Character has become something of a fan darling among non-distilling producers. In addition to their branded releases — which include both single barrels and batched products — the company has revived and relaunched a number of historic labels, including Fortuna, Brook Hill, and Old Cassidy. The company’s latest offering is…