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The Thompson Bros Mystery Malt series is a gamble. You don’t know what you’re buying but trust the tastes of the Thompsons. They’ve demonstrated their good taste, so, I gambled. Turns out I lost this round. This bottle is a 4-year very sherried Raasay. The age statement doesn’t bother me so much as the dry sherry bomb taste profile. I’m just not into sherry bombs. My last experience with Raasay was also young and unimpressive, and I gave that bottle away. So, oh well. Sláinte…? At first I found this single cask release from Isle of Harris Distillery to be fine—good, but overpriced. (I’d picked it up when it went on sale.) But over time it really grew on me. I enjoyed it neat and in cocktails like the Penicillin and Rob Roy. Sláinte! What should I call this one? It uses the classic 5:1 martini ratio of Roku Gin to Bigallet China-China Amaro, garnished with orange zest. Tastes great, and look at that color! (📸2) Any ideas for a name? Cheers!

Now also on THREADS and BLUESKY 🧵🦋🥃

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Established 2019

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Jefferson’s Reserve
What's on the red table?

Jefferson’s Reserve

JEFFERSON’S RESERVE Very Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey MASH BILL – Unknown (rumored 60% corn, 30% rye, 10% malted barley) … Continue reading Jefferson’s Reserve

Flight: Three Whiskeys From Home Base Spirits
What's on the red table?

Flight: Three Whiskeys From Home Base Spirits

HOME BASE BOURBON Batch 11 (2019) blended from three New American Oak 30-gallon barrels, all Medium Char #3 MASH BILL … Continue reading Flight: Three Whiskeys From Home Base Spirits

Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year + an Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year bottle kill!
What's on the red table?

Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year + an Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year bottle kill!

OLD RIP VAN WINKLE 10 YEAR 2016 Bottling  MASH BILL – Buffalo Trace Wheated Mash Bill PROOF – 107 AGE … Continue reading Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year + an Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year bottle kill!

Interview: Ali and Sam Blatteis / Home Base Spirits
F.Y.I.

Interview: Ali and Sam Blatteis / Home Base Spirits

My first encounter with Home Base Spirits was a batch of their namesake bourbon, which I picked up in 2016 … Continue reading Interview: Ali and Sam Blatteis / Home Base Spirits

Comparison: Blanton’s Single Barrel / Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel
What's on the red table?

Comparison: Blanton’s Single Barrel / Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel

BLANTON’S SINGLE BARREL Barrel #1587 bottled 9/12/18 MASH BILL – Buffalo Trace Mash Bill #2 (high-rye) PROOF – 93 AGE … Continue reading Comparison: Blanton’s Single Barrel / Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel

Good story. But is it good whiskey?
P.O.V., What's on the red table?

Good story. But is it good whiskey?

Truthiness and the Ethics of Marketing plus new notes on Bertie’s Bear Gulch Bourbon Whiskey is known for its stories, … Continue reading Good story. But is it good whiskey?

Old (and I mean old) Grand Dad 86
What's on the red table?

Old (and I mean old) Grand Dad 86

OLD GRAND DAD 86 Bottled in 1997 MASH BILL – 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% barley PROOF – 86 AGE … Continue reading Old (and I mean old) Grand Dad 86

Revisiting: Tom’s Foolery Cask Strength Bourbon
What's on the red table?

Revisiting: Tom’s Foolery Cask Strength Bourbon

TOM’S FOOLERY CASK STRENGTH BOURBON K&L Single Barrel #121 (2019) MASH BILL – 56% corn, 25% rye, 19% barley PROOF … Continue reading Revisiting: Tom’s Foolery Cask Strength Bourbon

Four Roses Barrel Strength Single Barrel OBSK
What's on the red table?

Four Roses Barrel Strength Single Barrel OBSK

FOUR ROSES BARREL STRENGTH SiB OBSK Selected by Bounty Hunter, Napa Valley, CA, 2016 MASH BILL – 60% corn, 35% … Continue reading Four Roses Barrel Strength Single Barrel OBSK

Disputing Taste
P.O.V.

Disputing Taste

I believe we should. I’ve come to appreciate how whiskey is a conversation starter, an enabler of new understandings. It’s other things … Continue reading Disputing Taste

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