Basil Hayden’s Bourbon: Good for Bond, Not for Me
When you think of James Bond’s drink, you think of – well you know what it is. But it’s not simply agitated vodka drinks the suave spy goes in for – it’s bourbon too. In the 2011 Bond novel Carte Blanche, James keeps Basil Hayden’s…
Lot 40 Whisky Has a Lot to Offer
Canadian whiskey has traditionally gotten a bad rap. Mostly thanks to brands like Canadian Club serving the “bottom shelf mixer whiskey” slot with extreme consistency (although their Chairman’s Select Rye proves they can deliver a decent dram.) But dawn is breaking for Canadian whiskey lovers,…
Yellow Rose Rye Is a Tasty Texas Whiskey
Many people sipping American whiskey can get stuck in a rut bouncing between two states — namely Kentucky and Tennessee. But there’s amazing whiskey being produced all over America (one of my favourites is Rittenhouse Rye, made in Pennsylvania.) Recently I added to this list with Yellow Rose…
Dewar’s 12 Year Delivers a Delicious Dram
Among casual scotch snobs, blends are so often summarily dismissed you might think none are worthy of any attention. Even a casual run through of your local liquor store stock will likely provide evidence of their inferior status – they’re a lower price, on a…
Orphan Barrel Lost Prophet Bourbon: Gimmick Drink or Great Dram?
Smoth’s Rating: 9.2/10 It’s a rare occasion that I come across a whiskey as rare as Orphan Barrel’s Lost Prophet, a 22 year-old bourbon. Some claim the Orphan Barrel lineup is more marketing gimmick than quality. With it’s extremely high price, snappy branding and questionable background,…
Bulleit 10 Year Bourbon: A Mature Whiskey
I’m a fan of Bulleit bourbon. It’s a straight forward, unabashed whiskey that’s perfectly suited for decent cocktails and sipping alike. So when I got the chance to try Bulleit 10 bourbon, the big brother of the Bulleit line, I was excited — would this bring additional refinement…
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye: World’s Best Whiskey?
Let me give you a quick summary of the questions I know you have about Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye: Yes, I actually found a bottle for myself, and no — it’s not the world’s best whiskey. But you know what? It is pretty damn good, and…
Maker’s Mark Misses My Mark
Enter any frat house in North America, and behind the decaying furniture and overturned beer cans, you’ll almost certainly see the red-waxed necks of Maker’s Mark bottles strewn about. Its appeal to fraternity drinkers is threefold: It’s readily accessible at all liquor stores, it’s iconic (and thus…
A Dram of The Dalmore 15
I’m never one to refuse scotch, especially when that scotch is promised to be a 15 year old single malt. So when my Aunt opted to bring me a sample of her recently-purchased The Dalmore 15, I enthusiastically accepted (thanks again Paulette!) This Highland scotch…
Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whiskey: Bringing Refinement to Rye
Straight rye whiskeys are incredibly popular right now, and if you’ve hopped aboard the bandwagon, Rittenhouse Straight Rye Whisky is one you’re definitely not going to want to miss. In spite of its high ABV (50%) it is so easily sippable it seems a shame…