You find out that two bourbons use the same grain recipe. Naturally, you expect them to taste alike. Then you pour them side by side—and they don’t. One feels brighter and fruitier. Another brings deeper oak, richer sweetness or a longer finish. If the ingredients are the same, where did those differences come from? This is one of my favorite conversations to have during a tasting. A bourbon mash bill gives us useful information about a whiskey, but understanding the recipe i

Do you prefer a bourbon with a softer, rounded character, or one with a lively thread of spice? You might already have a preference without knowing what’s behind it. Comparing wheated and high-rye bourbons is a useful way to start understanding why certain bottles appeal to you—and to find a few surprises along the way. But there’s more to the story than “wheat is sweet and rye is spicy.” Start With the Grain Recipe A mash bill is the combination of grains used to make whiske

One of my favorite descriptions of a Wine & Whiskey CLE tasting came from guests: “It’s like a bourbon trail experience at home.” That captures what I want every tasting to offer—stories behind the bottles, a better understanding of whiskey and the chance to learn something about your own palate, all while enjoying an evening together. My updated tasting menu brings that experience into focus with flights built around questions bourbon drinkers actually ask. What flavors do I

If you’ve ever read the back of a bourbon bottle and wondered how someone found toasted pecan, brûléed sugar, dried cherry and leather in a glass that just tastes like…bourbon, you’re not alone. One of the biggest misconceptions about bourbon tasting is that there is a correct answer. There isn’t. Learning to taste bourbon isn’t about memorizing the flavors someone else tells you should be there. It’s about learning to recognize the flavors you notice, the ones you enjoy, and

Four Roses’ new Anthology Chapter One release has bourbon lovers talking for obvious reasons. It is 21 years old. It is barrel strength. It is built around one of Four Roses’ ten distinct recipes. And it is extremely limited. But the most interesting part of this story is not just the age statement. It is what had to happen for that whiskey to survive long enough to become a 21-year bourbon in the first place. Because in American whiskey, age is not always a guarantee of grea

Four Roses just announced something that immediately caught the attention of bourbon collectors, recipe nerds, and anyone who follows the deeper story behind Kentucky whiskey. The distillery is releasing Anthology Collection Chapter One: Origin, a 21-year-old bourbon and the first release in a new annual storytelling series that will run through 2035. Each year will highlight one of Four Roses’ ten distinct recipes, turning the brand’s most famous production system into a dec

Buffalo Trace is bringing back Colonel E.H. Taylor Four Grain and Cured Oak in 2026. Here’s what bourbon lovers need to know about MSRP, availability, mash bills, tasting notes, prior releases, and whether they’re worth the hype. Buffalo Trace just gave bourbon hunters something new to obsess over — and in true Buffalo Trace fashion, the internet is already spiraling. The distillery has announced the return of two highly coveted Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. expressions: E.H. Tayl

There are some bourbon releases that feel like they were made for collectors. There are others that feel like they were made for conversation. Penelope Bourbon’s new Architects of Golf release feels like both. The limited-edition series expands on Penelope’s popular Architect line, but with a golf-inspired twist that feels especially fitting for the brand. Penelope’s story has always had a connection to the game. Co-founders Michael Paladini and Danny Polise have shared that

The Smarter Way to Start a Bourbon Collection (That Has Nothing to Do with Hunting Rare Bottles) Most people begin a bourbon collection the same way. They hear about a “must-have” bottle.They see a long line outside a liquor store.They read online that a certain release is “allocated” or “hard to find.” So they buy it. Then they buy another. Then another. Before long, the shelf looks impressive — but something is missing. They don’t actually know what they like. And ironicall

In a bourbon landscape dominated by legacy distilleries and headline-grabbing age statements, Penelope Bourbon has quietly — and now very visibly — earned its place among the most respected modern brands. Founded in 2018, Penelope built its reputation on precision blending, balance, and approachability, proving that thoughtful craftsmanship can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with tradition. Rather than chasing extremes, Penelope focuses on harmony: sourcing high-quality distillat

America has always had a complicated love affair with whiskey. From frontier stills and Prohibition speakeasies to today’s curated home bars and bourbon lotteries, whiskey— especially bourbon —has remained deeply tied to American identity. But how we drink it, why we drink it, and who’s drinking it has shifted dramatically over the last few decades. Let’s break down what’s actually happening with bourbon and whiskey consumption in the U.S.—beyond the hype. Bourbon: America’s

Frank August has rapidly become one of the most talked-about names in American whiskey. Since the brand’s launch in 2022, its approach — expertly sourced, thoughtfully blended, limited-release bourbons — has drawn both praise and debate within the whiskey community. With every release in its experimental Case Study series, Frank August continues to challenge expectations. The latest release, Case Study 06 | Legacy Reserve, may be the brand’s most ambitious — and most decorate

When people hear “wine tasting” or “bourbon tasting,” they often picture a bar, a retail event, or someone pouring drinks behind a table. What I offer is something very different. Wine & Whiskey is a mobile, education-first tasting experience designed to help people understand what they’re drinking, why it tastes the way it does, and how to talk about it with confidence — all in a fun, relaxed setting at your own location. A Fully Guided Experience — At Your Location I travel

Bourbon has always been a story of grain, wood, and time. But in 2025, a quiet revolution is taking place—one that doesn’t start in the rickhouse or the still, but in the soil. Across Kentucky and beyond, distillers are rethinking what it means to make a truly authentic bourbon. They’re asking questions that go deeper than proof or age: Where did our corn come from? Who grew it, and how was the land treated? Does the soil itself shape the flavor in the glass? This new wave of

Whether you're a bourbon beginner or a seasoned sipper, curating the right bottles at the start of your collection sets the tone for an enjoyable, educational journey. This guide covers two essential categories: classic bourbons to build your foundation and innovative blending house selections that represent the future of American whiskey. Part 1: 10 Classic Bourbons to Start Your Collection 1. Buffalo Trace A balanced bourbon with notes of vanilla, caramel, and light spice.

In a world where bourbon is often defined by tradition and heritage, Jonathan Crocker is carving a new path. As the CEO and Co-Founder of Frank August, Crocker has taken a modern and innovative approach to whiskey-making, blending creativity, quality, and storytelling to create a brand that appeals to a new generation of bourbon enthusiasts. A Vision Born During Challenging Times The idea for Frank August was born during the pandemic—a period that challenged norms and s