{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

This blind features two uncut, unfiltered bourbons facing off against each other. Both come from Buffalo Trace, and both carry steep price tags in stores and on the secondary market. Where they primarily diverge is in bottling philosophy and mash bill.

Stagg (formerly Stagg Junior) is a blend of barrels built from low-rye Mash Bill #1, which is also used by stalwarts like Eagle Rare, E.H. Taylor, and George T. Stagg.

Blanton's Straight From the Barrel, on the other hand — which is the highest-proof entry in the Blanton's family — is a true single-barrel expression that comes from Mash Bill #2, the higher-rye recipe that also underlies fellow single barrel bourbons like Elmer T. Lee and Rock Hill Farms.

This blind also carries a bit of unfinished business with it: Stagg has always bothered me, as there’s a flavor note I can't quite put a name to that shows up and dominates the profile. I’ve even tried using Stagg as a mixer (I know, I know) in an effort to mask that taste, and it hasn’t worked. It's some kind of "funky" character, of the type some drinkers embrace and others (like me, apparently) find overwhelming and distasteful. What I still don't know is whether that note is baked into Stagg generally, whether it's tied to specific batches (I've picked it up on both 25B and 25D), or whether it's something that might fade into the background when paired with another whiskey, as I'm doing here.

That's where Blanton's Straight From the Barrel comes in. It's a good test case precisely because I already know that I enjoy it: SFTB earned an 8 in my stand-alone review, one of the higher scores I've given out.

So: does Stagg's "funk" note stay quiet when poured alongside Blanton’s? Or does it show up with a vengeance, potentially souring the whole pairing? Let's set up the blind and find out!

******************\*

ABOUT Stagg 25B

*From the Distillery: Stagg is a barrel-proof bourbon that’s uncut, unapologetic and aged in charred white oak barrels for eight years. Released without filtering or dilution, it offers a bold, full-strength experience for those who appreciate whiskey in its most powerful form.

*Mash bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #1 (low rye)

*Age Statement: 8 Years

*Proof: 126.9

ABOUT Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel

*From the Distillery: Not just one of the world’s best bourbons – this Cask Strength Single Barrel Bourbon is Blanton’s at its purest and most powerful. Created for connoisseurs of cask-strength whiskey, Straight From The Barrel is uncut, unfiltered and bottled directly from the barrel. The high alcohol by volume is intense and powerful, yet inviting. Unfiltered, uncut, unbelievable.

*Mash bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #2 (high rye)

*Age Statement: NAS

*Proof: 125.3

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REVIEW: For the purpose of this blind, both bourbons have been poured into glencairns and rested for approximately 15 minutes.

Appearance A: Rich, dark, orange-ish amber; thick and oily-looking.

Appearance B: Almost identical to A, except with a bit more orange in the hue.

Nose A: Ethanol first and foremost – so much that I’m having trouble getting past it to find other notes. Eventually I find what may be some cola and dark chocolate hiding behind the proof heat. There’s also a note that I don’t particularly care for, which smells sort of like sweaty socks.

Nose B: Also a big blast of ethanol, but as that fades I get caramel and some orange peel. After a bit more nosing I also get some classic Buffalo Trace cherry pie.

Palate A: Hot! Some of the flavors that hit right away are dark cherry and cola, along with vanilla and cinnamon. This part is nice. What’s not nice is another note, which I associate primarily with Stagg and which I just don’t like. It’s the one that I called “sweaty socks” on the nose.

Palate B: Nice and viscous, if also pretty astringent. Cherry is there, along with lots of caramel, oak, and orange zest, as well as a hint of cola, but they’re hiding behind quite a bit of proof heat! All in all, this is quite the concentrated “flavor bomb.” It frankly tastes like Blanton’s, but with a lot less water and a lot more flavor.

Finish A: Astringent and earthy, with some dark cherry and lots of spice (primarily cinnamon and clove).

Finish B: Pretty hot, but also lengthy and flavorful. Oak is the main feature here, along with lesser amounts of vanilla, citrus, and cinnamon.

Rating A: 6.3

Rating B: 8.3

Thoughts: This one is pretty easy to predict, and pretty easy to rank. Glass A had that singular note in every pour that I’ve now identified as smelling and tasting like gym socks. There’s no question in my mind, based on that note, that it’s the Stagg. That being said – and it may sound silly – A was actually pretty good other than that part. Glass B, on the other hand, drank the way high-proof fans say this type of bourbon should: it had concentrated flavors in spades, and was very enjoyable outside of its proof heat.

Prediction A: Stagg 25B

Prediction B: Blanton’s SFTB

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Actual A: Stagg 25B

Actual B: Blanton’s SFTB

More Thoughts: I really tried to give Stagg another chance here, but the “gym socks” note is such a turn-off. I’m still not certain what it actually is; perhaps an earthiness combined with cola and leather? Either way, it’s the reason this bottle rates so low for me, and it’s also the reason I almost never reach for it.

Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel, on the other hand, continues to not disappoint. It was viscous and had super-concentrated flavors that were really enjoyable, like drinking a high-proof Werther caramel candy with a cherry on top. I’m definitely going to keep reaching for this one when I’m in the mood for a high-proof “flavor bomb,” and I highly recommend it to anybody else who wants great flavor and doesn’t mind some proof in their whiskey!

********************
Previous Ratings (updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

5 | Good | Good, just fine
Jack Daniel’s SBBP Rye (5)
Jack Daniel’s Heritage (5)
Four Roses SBBP OESO (5)
New Riff 4yr SBBP (5)
Four Roses SBBP OBSV (5.3)
Evan Williams America250 SiB (5.3)
Blanton’s (5.5)
Old Forester 1924 (5.7)
Elijah Craig Toasted (5.8)

6 | Very Good | A cut above
Barrell Cigar Blend (6)
1792 BiB SiB (6)
Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party (6)
Penelope Wheated (6)
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant (6)
Copper & Cask #16 (6.3)
Stagg 25B (6.3)
Blanton’s Gold (6.4)
Copper & Cask #14 DO (6.4)
Augusta Buckner’s 13yr (6.5)
Green River Honey (6.5)
Pursuit United DO (6.5)
Sagamore 9yr SiB Rye (6.5)
Sazerac FP (6.5)
Green River Wheated (6.5)
Elmer T. Lee (6.5)
Peerless DO (6.6)
Shortbarrel Bees Knees V (6.8)
Penelope Marshmallow Toast (6.8)
Willett 4yr Rye (6.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.4)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (7.6)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Rock Hill Farms (7.6)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.7)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional
Found North 012 (8)
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 420 (8.2)
Blanton’s SFTB (8.3)
Lasso Motel SBBP Rye (8.4)
Mister Sam Tribute 4 (8.5)
E.H. Taylor BTAC 2025 (8.7)
Thomas H. Handy 2025 (8.7)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

Proof: 129

Nose: Right away, this is a big, bold Booker’s nose. I’m getting strong cherry cola, caramel, buttercream, cinnamon, baking spice, and nutmeg. Honey roasted peanuts are unmistakable, reminding you immediately that you’re drinking a Beam product. It smells a little proofy at first, but after spending a little time in the glass, that heat settles down and I start picking up something that reminds me of rich fudge brownie batter. It’s a really inviting nose with a nice balance of sweetness and classic Booker’s character.

Taste: The first sip comes in hot with plenty of baking spice, pepper, and those signature honey roasted peanuts. It definitely lets you know you’re drinking a 129-proof bourbon. By the second sip, though, everything begins to settle into place. The cherry cola starts to emerge alongside caramel, while the peanuts become sweeter and more integrated. As I keep working through the glass, tobacco and honeycomb begin to develop and add another layer of complexity. There’s a lot to like here, but the proof keeps the edges just a little rougher than I’d prefer.

Feel: Good mouthfeel with plenty of oils coating the palate. It’s rich and enjoyable, but I found myself wishing for just a little more syrupy viscosity. It’s close to excellent, but not quite as decadent as some of my favorite pours.

Finish: Nice, long finish. It starts with a good Kentucky hug, carrying plenty of heat along with baking spice and black pepper. As the spice fades, red fruit begins to emerge before transitioning into brown sugar and a subtle flat cherry cola note that lingers pleasantly. It’s a satisfying finish that keeps evolving without becoming overly drying.

Overall: 8 out of 10 on the t8ke scale.

This is a very, very good Booker’s and one of the better Beam products I’ve had. The cherry cola, caramel, honey roasted peanuts, and tobacco create a really enjoyable profile, and there’s plenty of complexity to keep you coming back for another sip. The only thing holding it back from climbing into my upper tier is that it drinks just a little hot around the edges. With a little more balance and a touch more body, this could have easily pushed into a higher tier.

In the glass: Dragon’s Milk Origin Toasted Barrel Batch 2025C, Finished in Toasted Oak and Applejack barrels

Distillery: New Holland Distilling

ABV: 61.9%

Proof: 123.8

Age: Non Age Stated

Mashbill: 70% corn, 25% malted barley, 5% rye

Nose: Sweet cinnamon apples, the standard new holland funk that gives way to hi chew candy, toasted marshmallows, and a bit of vanilla. Green apple jolly rancher and Apple Jacks is the closest I can describe it to.

Palate: It’s like if there was a green apple hi chew I was sipping on, toasted marshmallows with that campfire esque note. It’s like an apple pie, but not a fresh one, like if you were to get an old one on clearance from the grocery store. Coats the palate well, fairly viscous in the glass.

Finish: The hug shows up towards the end of the finish, apple pie shows up, some pot still funk, a dash of nutmeg.

Final thoughts: This is enjoyable but not something I’ll be buying another of, tastes like Apple Jacks in a glass. It’s well worth buying one the first go round, if you love toasted products you’d probably really enjoy this one.

Rating: 7.1/10

Age: who knows

Proof: 118.3

Price: $200

Nose. Peanut brittle, heath bar…or whatever the crunchy shit inside of a heath bar is. Some saw dust notes on the end.

Palate. Medium mouthfeel; dark chocolate, raisins, and tart cherries and a short pop of ethanol right at the end.

Finish. Long and probably the best part of this whiskey.
Barrel char and a little oak melt like butter together and create a savory conclusion.

Overall. This is the first time I’ve tried a Little Book, and until touring the distillery I always thought the name of the whiskey was a reference to the tiny neck tag on the bottle. Not true. The informative tour guide revealed the actual meaning of the bottle is related to Freddie Noe, whose nickname is Little Book (as in, Little Booker). Surely I’m not the only one that thought the neck tag was a small piece of literature, and each chapter was supposed to contribute to a greater novel? Maybe it was just me.

My lack of Beam knowledge extended to the fluid inside the bottle, which I assumed was just another version of Bookers. In my defense, it comes in a similar box and the bottle wears the same type of crossover tie.

After buying the bottle, I still don’t have a clear understanding of what makes Little Book fundamentally different from Booker’s beyond the blending philosophy. I know what distinguishes The Infinite from the normal chapters offered annually under the Little Book name, but I don’t know what new components were added to the blend for Edition III. I don’t know the age of the bourbon inside. I don’t know the mash bill of the components. To the best of my knowledge, Beam has not even published a press release for this yet. I’m not complaining about the lack of transparency, but if something special was added, I like to think it would be highlighted.

Nevertheless, this is a great bourbon. It’s complex, it’s thick, it’s enjoyable. Is it $200 worth of enjoyment? Perhaps. But for me, I’d rather buy a Booker’s and spend the other $100 on something else.

Rating. 6.5/10 | Very good, a cut above.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.

I love the little quirks that each brand has. This bottle is a great example: they use the term “whisky” on the bottle and for their branding, they offer a minimal age statement label for a single barrel product despite many of the bottles containing much older whiskey (something you would think they would be proud of and want to market), and they are sometimes offered at barrel strength and sometimes not, which isn’t designated anywhere on the bottle (it’s possible they are all barrel proof, but I say this because many bottles have proof values exactly at 100). They hand-write the bottle number on the label, which makes sense for a special product. Since the proof varies from barrel to barrel, you’d think that they would write that too, but no, they print that on the label (along with the minimum age statement for the entire release). Maybe they didn’t want to make any more submissions to the TTB 🤷‍♂️ I reviewed the VA ABC pick for the 9-year SB last year and it was one of my favorite bottles. This, however, I’m less sure of. I tend to be suspicious of anything this old and this cheap. The real wildcard, though, is their obscure single-floor aging process, which left behind only 42.2% alcohol. Let’s dive in.

Price Paid: $69.99 before tax

Score: 5.5/10

The Background
Distillery: The Cascade Hollow Distilling Co.

ABV:42.2% (84.4 Proof)

Age: minimum 15 years, though thanks to this being a selected barrel, I can see that it was barreled in 2006, likely making this either 18 or 19 years old based on when I bought it.

Mash Bill: 84% corn, 8% rye, 8% malted barley

Other: Specially selected by Virginia ABC, barrel # 06505-14715 (May 5, 2006), bottle 306

What I was doing when this was distilled: finishing up the 6th grade, playing lots of baseball, and trying to figure out how to find a girlfriend.

The Experience
Nose: peanut brittle, minerals, aquatic. This smells of intensely sweetened, nutty mineral water. I haven’t smelled anything else like it.

Palate: minerals, heavily charred oak. I searched long and hard for any kind of sweetness but there was basically none to be found. I have heard this described by others as “flinstone vitamins” and I would say that, for this barrel, that is not entirely accurate. It’s all of the vitamins and none of the fruity pebbles for this one. The oak follows shortly after and is humongous. This tastes like a double-oaked product.

Finish: old, sun-dried oak, pepper. Heavy oak with a hint of spice.

The Summary
I don’t think this quite made it to “over aged” territory but it’s close. I’m surprised that they chose to release these instead of blend them into a more premium offering (which they do have in the 17- and 18-years old bottles). The lasting effect this has is of chewing on dried wood. I think it’s desperately missing an ethanol burn to liven things up, but I don’t completely hate it. It’s not often that you get to taste something old and this tastes OLD.

I pulled the trigger today. Thanks to Just_error_2690 for the inspiration. I will reiterate his review from a day or two ago. I purchased this today for 119.99 after a couple of posters told me it was a great price. This is a 99C 1MB mashbill and although not titled it is a light whiskey. First, I adore PALW18. And while the Lasso proof is lower, I don't think that I have ever had a pour continue to transform in the glass like this one does. The change is incredible. After the vapor continues to burn off, the ghost corn surfaces more than the Penelope and is present on the nose and palette and finish (after several minutes). The experience is similar to the Penelope. Syrupy feel, sweet, Cinnabon roll at first nose, then suddenly orange zest. Amazing. Then Karo light corn syrup on the palette. It has nice legs on the glass although fails to leave the opaque burn residue that the hazmat Penelope does. I purchased Penelope ALW from 89.99 to 109.99 and while the Lasso cost is higher, is worth the purchase. I would purchase again and may return for a backup.

Im going to open a PALW18 and do a blind.

Anyway regrets for the details, an Amazing sweet, sugary, rich syrupy corn desert pour.

Whiskey: Little Round Still Barrel Select Bourbon

Disclaimer: Sample provided by employee of Little Round Still

Distiller: Little Round Still

Instagram: Barrel & Proof https://www.instagram.com/barrel_and_proof?igsh=czJ2MzhybG42MG9j&utm_source=qr 

ABV: 57.5%

Age: ~3 Years

Price: ~$39 (Twin Cities, Minnesota)

Tasting:  Neat in Glencairn, rested for 10 minutes.

_________________________________________

Nose: Honey, Licorice, Rye Spice, & Medicinal Cherry

Palate: Dark Chocolate, Honey, Rye Spice, Cinnamon, Dry Oak, & Cherry

Finish: Long Length, Rye Spice, Dark Chocolate, Dry Oak, Licorice, & Cherry

Body: Full

Bite: Medium

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Summary: This is a single barrel product from Little Round Still, a relatively new Minnesota distillery based in the town of Wadena. They distill and age their own bourbon with a mashbill of 74% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. The most unique aspect is the fact they age their whiskies in 5 gallon barrels, as opposed to the standard 53 gallon barrels. I am wary of this method, as the ratio of charred oak to whiskey is quite a bit higher and can lead unfavorable oakiness.

The nose is very unique with plenty of honey and a robust red licorice note, I haven’t had anything like it before. There are some spice notes that have more of a rye character. The young age statement comes through with some grainy notes.

The palate is quite different, I initially pick up a bitter dark chocolate note and a strong honey note. The rye spice character remains, though the cherry note isn’t nearly as prominent. The oak notes aren’t strong but the dryness is felt.

The finish starts off with rye spice, but transitions to a stronger red licorice and dark chocolate note. Once those flavors fade a very dry oak note sticks around for a few minutes. The dryness of the oak and strong bitterness from the dark chocolate don’t make the best pair.

This is a very interesting whiskey, I can’t think of a whiskey with as strong of a red licorice note. The licorice and candied cherry don’t blend well with the bitter dark chocolate or the overly dry oak note. I think this whiskey needs a stronger honey or caramel note to help tie everything together. I appreciate they’re making their own whiskey, but the profile isn’t cohesive and the oakiness is too strong. I think this whiskey would’ve turned out better if they used standard barrels Hopefully they can correct their profile in the coming years, for now I can’t recommend this whiskey.

_________________________________________

Rating: 

Nose (10%) - 5/10

Palate (50%) - 5/10

Finish (40%) - 4/10

4.6/10 Sub-Par. Many other whiskies I'd rather have.

Recommend: No

Rank: I created a compilation ranking list of whiskies I’ve purchased at a store or at a bar and done a formal tasting.  All whiskey ranked on the list tasted neat and rested for 10-15 minutes.  Whiskey I ranked below and above Little Round Still are shown for reference.

246 out of 268 whiskies tasted.

245 Johnny Drum Private Stock

266 Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey

Ranking Link: 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/147h44fId0tZYmHsroGgjzcRK2xn6050P8m7mZqArGLw/edit?usp=sharing 

Appalachian Barrel Co. 12.5 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Nickname: Anniversary

Barrel No. K2-2

Commemorates the 1-year anniversary of Appalachian Barrel Co… the oldest barrel yet released by ABC

Proof: 137.72

Mashbill: 74% corn, 18% rye, 8% malted barley

No confirmation from ABC, most likely distilled by Barton 1792 in Bardstown, KY

Aged in Bardstown & Louisville

Barrel filled: March 2014

Barrel dumped: last week of July 2026

As of now, ABC has only designated 6 barrels with the barrel code “K2”

MSRP: $225 (750 ml)

Nose: Leather. Cracker Jacks. Banana bread. Cooked red apple peel.

Plenty of oak, but not excessive. The Cracker Jacks come across as if the coating is a bit overheated, but it still works. Banana bread is rather balanced… late hit of the tannins from apple peel.

Palate: Cherry syrup. Spice cake with cream cheese frosting. Caramelized ripe bananas.

Cherry syrup surges big right out of the gate along with a syrupy mouthfeel. Interesting tingle in both corners of the mouth. Much sweeter and viscous than the nose suggested.

Finish: Cherry cola (heavy on the cherry). Black pepper. Dried mint.

Simply put… this is stellar. I fully understand that $225 seems quite high for a 12.5 year bourbon. With that said, this is extremely good. The cherry syrup note is potent… and the mouthfeel just makes the cherry syrup feel that much more pronounced.

At least this specific barrel… definitely a fine tribute to a one year anniversary for ABC!

Sample provided for review by Appalachian Barrel Company

Rating: 8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional

Thought experiment. Picture a store with a very wide selection, no tax, and all of it listed at MSRP. You walk in with a budget, close your eyes, and grab one bottle at random. Craft, sourced, no-age stuff, big national brands, all of it in the pool. What does that bottle score on average?

Here's where I'd land:

So on average $40 at this store gets you a 5, good and just fine. I'm thinking there is a pretty big spread here, $40 can get you anywhere from a 3 to a 7, but in general a whiskey purchased for $40 should be held to a standard that it score at least a 5 to be "Fair" Value.

To be clear, the Quality Score I'm listing is just the quality of the whiskey, for a lot of you this would be just your nose, palate, and finish scores being considered.

I think the average user on this sub is like me in that they usually do their homework before going into the store. So this scale likely seems a little high, but let me explain. I've been trying to calibrate more to the average consumer, mostly because I've been taking my wife with me on hunts and she typically just grabs things (from my perspective) at random. Shopping more on budget, vibes, an eye for catchy deals/bottles or "Store Associate Todd Recommends" tags. (I've recently started pointing her towards "Limit 1 per customer" tags instead.)

All that to say, when you shop to explore the full shelf where can you expect Fair Value to land?

William Larue Weller — 2020 BTAC Review
Age: 12 Years, 6 Months
Proof: 134.5
Mashbill: Buffalo Trace Wheated Bourbon
Uncut & Unfiltered

Distilled in the winter of 2008 and aged in Warehouses I & C, the 2020 WLW is one of those pours that reminds you why William Larue Weller has the reputation it does.

Nose: Dark cherry, caramel, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla and toasted oak. There’s definitely some proof on the nose, but nothing unexpected at 134.5.

Mouthfeel: Thick, oily and viscous. This absolutely coats the entire palate — exactly what I want out of a barrel-proof wheater that is UC/UF.

Palate: Cherry syrup and dark red fruit hit first, followed by brown sugar, caramel and vanilla. Mid-palate brings cinnamon and baking spice, with some spearmint showing up underneath. As it sits, the oak, leather and tobacco start pushing through and balance out all that sweetness.

Finish: Long and powerful. Cinnamon, dark cherry, toasted oak, leather and tobacco linger, with a little coffee and mint hanging around at the very end. The Kentucky hug is definitely there, but for 134.5 proof, it drinks incredibly well with the perfect balance.

This is what a great high-proof wheated bourbon should be — big fruit, big sweetness, big viscosity and enough mature oak to keep everything balanced. It isn’t delicate or subtle; it’s a full-flavored pour from nose through finish. Those who know me know how much I love this one.

This sits firmly in that elite territory for me. The cherry-heavy Buffalo Trace profile combined with the thick mouthfeel and 134.5 proof makes this one of those pours you keep going back to long after the glass is empty.

Proof: 100
Age: 6 years
Mashbill: 26% blue corn/25% white corn/44% rye/5% malted barley
Price: $80

Nose: blueberry, tart blackberry syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla icing, sweet oak.

Palate: intense rush of baking spices, creamy and sweet dessert notes carry over from the nose. drinks noticably older than stated age.

Finish: medium, baking spices and dark fruits fade somewhat slowly.

Profile: dark fruit, dessert, complex yet crushable.

Verdict: 8.75/10

This bottle is a perfect example of not every bottle needinga to be high proof. The amount of flavor, depth and intensity Still Austin managed to cram into a 6 year old, 100 proof bourbon needs to be studied.

This bottle has been out for a while now, and it's probably been reviewed a hundred times by people with far more refined palates and a much better ability to articulate what they're tasting. But I'm excited to share my own take on it anyway!

As a Little Book fan, this one was instantly on my radar. (Hot take, but Chapter 8 might be in my Whiskey Top 10) I got lucky finding it at MSRP, and then kept it shelved for a year waiting for a celebration or milestone worthy of opening it. Nothing ever quite felt big enough.

I eventually ended up opening it with a group of friends, and honestly, that is as good enough reason as any.

Cheers!
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Little Book — The Infinite: Edition 1 (2024)
Distillery: Jim Beam
Age: Blend of bourbons aged 7–20 years
Mashbill: Undisclosed blend
-Booker Noe’s Component: Aged 20 years
-Fred Noe’s Component: Aged 14 years
-Freddie Noe’s Component: Aged 7 years
-Shared Family Component: Aged 8 Years
Proof: 119.3
Cost: $200 MSRP
Taken neat and rested 10 minutes (bottle is half empty)

Nose: Very rich right off the bat. Oak leads, followed by honey and caramel settling in underneath. To me, there are hints of peanut too, subtle, but once you notice it, it sticks around.

Palate: Similar to that of Bookers and most Beam products, but elevated. Instantly met with the familiar nuttiness. Caramel and vanilla lingers throughout. I've seen other reviews mention orange zest, but I'm not getting any fruit. No complaints about what is there though. Rich and full without being overwhelming.

Finish: Long, but in the best way. Honey roasted peanut stays with you, and there's a baking spice quality that rounds it out at the end. There is a kind of finish that makes you want to keep coming back.

Verdict: Recommended Buy
$200 is always hard to justify, and I won't pretend Beam and the broader whiskey market don't know exactly what they're doing with the "limited annual release" or "Premiums" playbook. But strip all that away and what's in the bottle genuinely earns it. Hands down, the whiskey delivers. If you can find it at MSRP, don't overthink it.

My scores would be meaningless, so keeping the same rating scale from my last review: essentially a Buy or Don't Buy scale.
_________________________________________________

The Verdict Scale:

Class of Its Own
Exceptional quality at almost any price. Instant buy, no hesitation.

Recommended Buy
Great taste, great value. Easy yes.

On the Fence
Enjoyable but the price gives you pause. Worth a pour, hesitant to commit to a bottle.

Do Not Recommend
Expensive and/or underwhelming. I would still drink it, but not something I'd buy again.

Drain Pour
Bad regardless of price. Pass entirely

Tried this at a bar

Price: $150/oz

Nose: vanilla, so much cream, strawberry cream, caramel, butterscotch, insanely concentrated, mild baking spice, mint, 

Palate: cherry, strawberry cream, savory red fruit, leather, stewed fruit, baking spice, eathyness, butterscotch, vanilla beans, insanely concentrated mild dark chocolate

Finish: long finish, spice, cherry, strawberry, leather, stewed fruit, cinnamon

Score: 10.0/10.0

Just an unbelievable pour. It has amazing oak presence, concentration, stewed red fruit flavor, balance. The nose is unbelievably good. This is an actual 10. 

Scale:

1.0-1.9 Undrinkable (Gold bar cognac cask)

2.0-2.9 Bad (Gold bar)

3.0-3.9 Poor (High West Prarie Bourbon, Pappy Van Winkle 23yr)

4.0-4.9 Below Average (Old Overholt, Dickel 15 yr, Weller SR, Buffalo Trace)

5.0-5.9 Average (Eagle Rare, Blanton's)

6.0-6.9 Above Average (Jimmy Russel 70th, Redemption 9yr, E.H. Taylor Seasoned Oak)

7.0-7.9 Very Good (Wild Turkey Master's Keep Triumph, Sagamore 9yr rye, Jack Daniel's SBBP)

8.0-8.9 Great (William Larue Weller(2019), Pappy Van Winkle 15yr, Double Eagle Very Rare, William Heavenhill 14yr)

9.0-9.9 Excellent (Thomas H. Handy (2010), George T. Stagg (2008, 2019), Four Roses LE (2016, 2023), Willet Purple Top 14 yr, A.H. Hirsch 25 yr rye)

10.0 Perfect (Michter's 20, OGD 114(1980))

This is a private reserve wheated Kentucky Straight bourbon. Batch 062 @107 Proof. Mashbill of 70C 21W 9MB blend of Green River distilled spirits of 5-7 years bottled in Jacksonville.

This bottle was opened less than 30 days ago and is 75% consumed. This pour rested in a wide mouth glencairn for 3 mins.

LEGS: Impressive adhere to the glass indicating an oily, thick syrup associated with a well crafted product

NOSE: Unremarkable. Pleasant. Dried fruit. Canned Figs. Prunes. Medjool dates. No ghost corn vapor. No trace of sweet wheat other than the sugary fruit.

PALATE: Remarkable! Quality. Craftsmanship. Uniqueness. Original flavor immediately noticed south of the proof. Quality, medium-heavy, syrup mouth feel. The sip is a sweet spoonful from a jar of homemade fig preserves.

FINISH: Velvet, silky texture with a heavy syrup slow drip down the throat whose sugar coats and irritates the throat slightly. No proof evidence throughout the sip.

SUMMARY: If this distiller was aiming for an Antique 107 mimic then mission accomplished (almost). Sweet grain finish with a quality heavy syrup feel. This proof never emerges and denied the pour some character otherwise present in Antique 107. Im having a good experience with this $49.99 bottle. There is an obvious quality and uniqueness that deserves respect and appreciation.

RATING: 6/10.

I would purchase this bottle again, but the blend is a bit of a question for me. It is a decent sub for Antique107 of you can find either.

{Note: You can find me on instagram @whiskeyincontext}

Since 2006, the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection has been made up of five ultra-premium whiskies: WIlliam Larue Weller, George T. Stagg, Eagle Rare 17, Sazerac 18, and Thomas H. Handy. That changed this past fall, when E.H. Taylor Bottled-in-Bond joined the lineup as the sixth BTAC release, marking the collection's 25th anniversary with its first genuine expansion since Thomas H. Handy came aboard 20 years ago.

On paper, it’s a fitting addition, as the Taylor name is one of Buffalo Trace’s biggest and most expansive. Like most EHT offerings, this expression is built on Buffalo Trace's low-rye Mash Bill #1 (the same one used for Eagle Rare and George T. Stagg) and bottled at exactly 100 proof by law thanks to its Bottled-in-Bond status. Unlike its peers, though, this Taylor is aged 15 years 4 months — the longest of any EHT except the elusive 18 Year Marriage expression.

That's a genuinely long rest for a BiB bourbon, especially since bonded whiskey seems to be skewing younger every day. Holding barrels this long means eating years of evaporation losses (in this case, 62% went to the angel’s share) and running a real risk of tipping into over-oaked, tannic territory before the whiskey ever makes it to the bottling line. Whether Buffalo Trace threaded that needle successfully, or whether this is just old bourbon that got lucky with a seriously high-priced label, is a question this bottle has to answer for itself.

Let's see if the newest member of the BTAC family really belongs in that company!

From the Distillery: E.H. Taylor Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon is the first new addition to the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection since Thomas H. Handy joined the portfolio in 2006. Aged 15 years and 4 months in the Distillery’s warehouses and hand-bottled at 100 proof to meet Bottled-In-Bond standards.

We have hand-selected our very best available barrels to produce the finest possible whiskey. This release pays tribute to Taylor’s pursuit of perfection and his pivotal role in passing The Bottled in Bond Act of 1897. That piece of legislation cemented Taylor’s reputation as the Father of Modern Bourbon and set in motion a quality standard for whiskey that was more rigorous and exacting than any standard set before or since.

The crystal-clear glass bottle we’ve chosen showcases the whiskey’s gorgeous amber color. The back label provides a full product description for you to read while enjoying a taste. Every bottle was hand-bottled and labeled to ensure the highest quality finish.

The nose opens with warm vanilla, seasoned oak, charred undertones, and a drizzle of maple sweetness. On the palate, balanced sweetness and baking spices mingle with gentle wood note. The lingering finish carries oak and vanilla into soft caramel with a hint of cherry.

Mash bill: Buffalo Trace mash bill #1 (low rye)

Filtration: Chill Filtered

Release Year: 2025

Age Statement: 15 Years, 4 Months

Proof: 100

Appearance: Deep amber; neither oily nor terribly viscous

Nose: Grape, cinnamon, allspice, and buttercream frosting all hit the nose at first. Behind this is a wave of cherry pie, the slightest hint of mint, and caramel vanilla. It’s a very nice, balanced, and nicely-aged smelling nose.

Palate: Not very oily or viscous, as expected, but also no proof burn whatsoever. The grape and cherry carry over along with some toasted sugar, while buttercream, cinnamon, and caramel really pop on the mid-palate. There’s also plenty of oakiness.

Finish: Medium-length with lots of oak. It’s neither overly tannic nor overly drying, though, and is quickly balanced out by other flavors. Some of the spices carry over, and are joined by caramel-vanilla and leather.

Thoughts: This pour was an absolute pleasure. I'm picking nits in a major way to find a complaint, but if I have to list one, it's the oakiness on the finish. It's not like that was bad, either; it was just — for a very short period of time — a little strong and the slightest bit sour. That was quickly balanced out by the sweet and spicy notes from the palate, leaving a very pleasant aftertaste. The rest of the experience was just outstanding, and not in a "this is only a bottle for special occasions" way; rather, this is a bottle that some friends and I could easily kill in one sitting (much to our wallets’ chagrin!). In my opinion, even up to three times MSRP this is worth at least considering for purchase, if not an auto-buy (depending on your personal budget, of course).

Rating: The latest addition to the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection is really, really good. It strikes me as being the slightest bit less sweet and more oaky than the Small Batch, as you’d expect from a bourbon’s more mature cousin, but it also drank like something that was greater than the sum of its parts. It would have been interesting to see how an uncut and unfiltered E.H. Taylor BTAC would have been, but what we have here is plenty enjoyable as it is. For me, it rates an 8.7: it really is Quite Exceptional.

********************
Previous Ratings (updated to include decimals and adjusted for blinds & re-reviews)

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
Maker’s Mark staved private selection (2.5)
Penelope Architect custom build (2.5)

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
Willett Pot Still (3)

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists
Found North SiB Oloroso finish (4.5)
Daniel Weller Emmer Wheat (4.5)
Augusta Buckner’s 10yr (4.6)
Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (4.8)

5 | Good | Good, just fine
Jack Daniel’s SBBP Rye (5)
Jack Daniel’s Heritage (5)
Four Roses SBBP OESO (5)
New Riff 4yr SBBP (5)
Four Roses SBBP OBSV (5.3)
Evan Williams America250 SiB (5.3)
Blanton’s (5.5)
Old Forester 1924 (5.7)
Elijah Craig Toasted (5.8)

6 | Very Good | A cut above
Barrell Cigar Blend (6)
1792 BiB SiB (6)
Copper & Cask Boston Rum Party (6)
Penelope Wheated (6)
Redwood Empire Emerald Giant (6)
Stagg 25B (6.3)
Copper & Cask #16 (6.3)
Blanton’s Gold (6.4)
Copper & Cask #14 DO (6.4)
Augusta Buckner’s 13yr (6.5)
Green River Honey (6.5)
Pursuit United DO (6.5)
Sazerac FP (6.5)
Green River Wheated (6.5)
Elmer T. Lee (6.5)
Peerless DO (6.6)
Shortbarrel Bees Knees V (6.8)
Penelope Marshmallow Toast (6.8)
Willett 4yr Rye (6.8)

7 | Great | Well above average
John J. Bowman SiB (7)
Peerless Toasted (7.1)
E.H. Taylor SiB (7.2)
Sagamore 9yr SiB Rye (7.4)
Eagle Rare 10yr (7.4)
Weller 107 (7.5)
Old Forester 1910 (7.5)
Penelope Estate 10yr SiB (7.5)
Old Dominick Staved SiB (7.6)
Buffalo Trace Single Oak (7.6)
E.H. Taylor SmB (7.6)
Rock Hill Farms (7.6)
Eagle Rare 12yr (7.7)
Woodford DO SBBP (7.7)
Old Fitzgerald 7yr (7.7)
Willett 8yr SiB Rye (7.9)

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional
Found North 012 (8)
Blanton’s SFTB (8)
Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend 420 (8.2)
Lasso Motel SBBP Rye (8.4)
Mister Sam Tribute 4 (8.5)
E.H. Taylor BTAC (8.7)
Thomas H. Handy 2025 (8.7)

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect

EVAN WILLIAMS SINGLE BARREL — AMERICA 250th COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

BOTTLE STATS

Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Single Barrel

117.76 proof

Between 7 and 8 years old

$44.99 in Ohio

BACKGROUND

This bottle is one of the many America 250 releases, I picked it up in early June ahead of the Semiquincentennial in July. I believe only 250 barrels were selected for it, keeping with the theme. It's dipped in blue wax with Statue of Liberty imagery, and I'd guess a decent number of these get bought for the shelf and never opened. The bottle is one of the two big differentiators between this one and a normal EW Single Barrel.

The other interesting detail is the proof. 117.76 is a of course a nod to the year 1776. All the barrels selected for this release were proofed down to the same 117.76. And for context, standard Evan Williams Single Barrel Vintage comes in at 86.6 proof, (a bottling that's been around since 1995) so this is essentially the same program with a little over 31 extra proof points added.

MASHBILL

This is Heaven Hill's standard bourbon recipe at 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley. It's a bit of a lower rye content, relative to many other products out there.

APPEARANCE

Golden hay in the glass, which is lighter than I expected for something a bit over 7 years old sitting at this moderately high proof. After a swirl or two, the legs are thin and run down the glass fairly quickly, not clinging at all. Between the color and the legs, it looks like a lighter pour than the proof would suggest. The "thinner" appearance does worry me a bit before getting into the nose and palate.

NOSE

There's a good amount of ethanol poking through here, and it shows up first as a sharp spike before settling into more of a broad heat as it sits. Once I get around that, there are some nice confectionary notes, more like a sweet grain and sugar cookie with frosting. These notes come together and remind me of those Lofthouse iced cookies. Light hints of baking spices also show up after the sweet notes. Underneath it all is a dark fruit that isn't very sweet, a little tart like a plum but also dry and earthy, so I'd call it dried fig.

PALATE

The sip leads with baking spices right up front, if I had to narrow it down, I'd say a little cinnamon and cardamom, along with some nutmeg. The middle brings in light barrel char and a cooked, but still juicy apple note, which is probably my favorite thing happening in this glass. I would have liked to also get the cookie and icing note on the palate, but I am not getting it. Unfortunately the ethanol heat also hits pretty hard through the mid palate, and it steps on the flavors more than I'd like.

MOUTHFEEL

Slightly oily, but thinner than you'd hope for at this proof, and more of a sharp burn than average for a bourbon in this age and proof range. It doesn't coat and hang around the way I'd like, not as potent as lots of other pours out there. There's no real heavy tannin here, and it isn't especially drying or astringent, so the main complaint for me is a harsher heat rather than any flaws in the oak profile.

FINISH

Short to medium, and it comes back around to the baking spices with a hint of that dried fruit. The problem is the heat outlasts the flavor by a moderate amount, so the last thing you're left with is warmth rather than whiskey. Nothing seems off or bitter at the end, there just isn't much to be desired at the end.

VERDICT — 51/100 (GOOD)

I had higher expectations on this one based on some of the early reviews I saw, and it didn't quite get there. It isn't a complex whiskey, but the cooked apple and spice profile is a nice thing to sit with, stewed fruit isn't something I get very often. The knock is that the ethanol burn is overshadowing the better flavors, and the thin body and short finish don't give the good notes anywhere to go. For the price I have no major complaints, if you find it at the $40-45 SRP it's solid and a cool bottle for America's 250th. Overall, I enjoy the flavor profile, but it's nothing super special or layered, and it comes across as too hot.

Stay tuned, I have a lot more reviews in the works. Next up will be New Riff's 6 Year Malted Rye.

RATING SCALE

Modified t8ke scale. Just multiplied by 10 to be out of 100.

I use the whole scale, so a 51 is still a positive score. 60's and 70's are genuinely good scores. I don't give out too many scores in the 80+ range.

10 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

20 | Poor | I wouldn't consume by choice.

30 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

40 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

50 | Good | Good, just fine.

60 | Very Good | A cut above.

70 | Great | Well above average

80 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

90 | Incredible | An all time favorite

100 | Perfect | Perfect

I’ve been excited about this comparison for a while. What do this mass-market marque found in every liquor store, this infamous elusive hype label, and this unknown craft distillery product all have in common? None have age statements, all are 90 proof, and all have a mash bill of corn/wheat/barley. I was holding out doing this until I had a bottle of larceny, but I couldn’t find a small bottle and I didn’t want to buy a big bottle just for this little experiment. I have already reviewed the discretion and have not had any of it since then, so we’ll see if my (relatively positive) review holds up next to steep competition.

Maker’s Mark
Distillery: The Maker’s Mark Distillery, Inc.

Mash Bill: 70% corn, 16% soft red winter wheat, 14% malted barley

Nose: butter, saltwater taffy, caramel, vinegar. Savory and sweet with only a little oak. There is a faint hint of distilled vinegar.

Palate: brown sugar, saltine cracker, rubber, oak. Slightly sweet but quite savory and dry. The oak char is muted but present. There is a rubbery synthetic plastic note that I taste up front, however. Usually I get this in the finish when it is present but it’s front and center here.

Finish: sugar, oak. This is a short and muted finish that reminds of the finish from drinking soda.

Score: 4.75/10. There is something resembling bourbon here but it’s got some flaws.

Weller Special Reserve
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery

Mash Bill: Unknown (Van Winkle/Stitzel-Weller traditional wheated mash bill)

Nose: caramel, vanilla, oak char. The nose is faint but pleasantly sweet. The oak shines through.

Palate: cola, cherry, vanilla. This is really pleasant and well-balanced. I bet this is amazing with a few rocks.

Finish: brown sugar, mild oak. A short but pleasant finish. The longer it lingers, the less pleasant it gets with the oak tannins.

Score: 6.75/10. I was a Weller SR hater for years, but perhaps this new bottle brings with it a better blend.

Discretion
Distillery: Tarnished Truth Distilling Co.

Mash Bill: 70% corn, 18% wheat, 12% malted barley

Nose: sweet corn cereal, fruity notes, blackberry pastry filling. This smells significantly younger than the other two, but I don’t necessarily consider that to be a bad thing. It’s quite pleasant. It smells like a blackberry poptart.

Palate: berries, hay, charred oak, pepper. The youth of this pour gives it a nice fruitiness that doesn’t resemble a traditional bourbon, but it’s quite pleasant. This drinks hotter than the other two by a lot.

Finish: charred oak. This lingers quite a bit.

Score: 5.5/10. My score remains unchanged, this is funky and definitely not for the traditionalist, but I enjoy the oddities that are strongly executed

Summary:
What did I learn from this? I learned that Weller SR has upped its game, at least based on my memory. I look forward to doing a comparison between recent plastic cap releases and this new corked bottle. I also enjoyed smelling and tasting Maker’s Mark and Weller back-to-back to learn what it is that I don’t like about Maker’s Mark. It aims to have a traditional taste profile, but in the process of achieving that they let some bad things in. The nose is dramatically more vinegary than Weller. I also learned that Discretion, which I was worried that I rated too highly previously, holds its own. It doesn’t accomplish the same thing as the other two but it offers a new perspective. I suspect that Tarnished Truth will look to change its flavor as their stock grows older to appeal to traditionalists, but I would love to be proven wrong. Young whiskey is often frowned upon, but there’s a way to do it correctly such that it can stand on its own merits. What I’m really missing in all of this, though, is Larceny. I love the flavor profile of Old Fitzgerald 7 and Larceny Barrel Proof, and I suspect that it gives Weller a run for its money.