Review: Still Austin Straight Rye “The Artist”
First there was The Musician. Now there’s The Artist, Still Austin’s rye that follows up its straight bourbon. Like Still’s other bottlings, this is made from 100% Texas grains — this one entirely rye, with no other grains in the mash. Aged at least 2 years, let’s delve into the experience of The Artist. Shocker…
Review: Michter’s Single Barrel Straight Bourbon 10 Years Old 2023
Michter’s much-loved 10-year-old single barrel bourbon is already reportedly older than its age statement. Which is why it was a bit of a surprise last year when the distillery announced that it would be holding back the expression for 2022, citing the anticipated potential of one more year of barrel aging. Brand owner Joe Magliocco…
Review: Honey & Co. Mas Miel Liqueur
Honey-flavored whiskeys are widely available, but honey and Cognac? That’s a new category altogether. Honey & Co., aka “Mas Miel,” which means “more honey” in Spanish, is a partnership between Puerto Rican singer Rauw Alejandro and La Société des Vins et Eaux de Vie, a custom Cognac producer. Inspired by Alejandro’s custom pre-show concoction of…
Review: New Belgium Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale (2022)
New Belgium Brewing’s limited edition Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale has lived many lives during its brief existence. It began in 2018 as a holiday release in partnership with Knob Creek, which is where we first and last encountered it. In 2020, New Belgium used the label to dip their toe into the cocktail-inspired beer world…
Review: Papa’s Pilar Rum Legacy Edition 2022
Boutique rum brand Papa’s Pilar is back with another limited edition expression, this one dropping at the tail end of 2022. Celebrating the 70th anniversary of The Old Man and the Sea, the 2022 Legacy Edition rum features a dark rum blend sourced from Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Venezuela, and Florida. It’s then finished in French…
Review: Macorix Rum Gran Reserva
Ron Macorix is little seen in the U.S., but it’s been making rum in the Dominican Republic since 1899. Gran Reserva is the company’s top end spirit, though details on its production are decidedly scarce. This bottle was procured (not by me) directly from the distillery. It’s a perfectly serviceable rum, though hardly top shelf…
Review: WhistlePig Single Malt 21 Years Old The Beholden
WhistlePig is famous for its rye whiskeys, so the launch of a single malt comes as a big surprise. Even bigger than that, however, is its age: 21 long years in barrel. Formally known as The Béhôlden, this whiskey comes with plenty of punny, anti-Scotch goofiness that comes across as a bit of smoke and…
Review: Signatory Glen Rothes 2010 11 Years Old from Spec’s
This bottle of Glenrothes — “Glen Rothes” per this label — was independently bottled by Signatory as part of its Un-Chillfiltered Collection in 2021, after 11 years in a hogshead. It’s a single barrel selection “specially selected for Spec’s Texas,” with 252 bottles released at cask strength. It’s essentially a classic representation of Speyside —…