Awards season is well and truly underway. The San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) 2024 recently published the results of this year’s contest.  Held by The Tasting Alliance, the SFWSC is one of the most prestigious competitions in the spirits industry, with thousands of entrants and numerous medals up for grabs. The competition was first held in 2000 and is the oldest competition of its kind in the United States.  The Tasting Alliance has over 40 years of expertise in blind tastings, and the judges at the SFWSC hold the spirits they taste to exacting standards.  The ..read more

We review Hard Truth Bottled-In-Bond Four Grain Bourbon, a 100-proof offering aged five years after being distilled from a mash bill of 79% corn, 9% rye, 9% wheat, and 4% malted barley. (image via Hard Truth) Editor’s Note: We received a review sample of this whiskey from the brand. However, in accordance with our editorial policies, this has not influenced the outcome of our review in any way. Since its start in distilling back in 2015, Indiana’s Hard Truth distillery has primarily focused on being a whiskey producer, more specifically, a maker of bourbon. Some of the earliest things they pro ..read more

Londoners, will you answer the call to become untamed? Rendered image credit: Buffalo Trace Distillery London This bank holiday weekend in the UK (May 4th and 5th) Buffalo Trace Distillery is staging a pop-up with a twist ahead of the opening of Buffalo Trace Distillery London on May 6th.  In rebranding the iconic British phone booth, Buffalo Trace Distillery London is asking the public one important question: “Will you answer the call to become untamed?”  The Buffalo Trace Distillery London Phone Booth  During the weekend, visitors to London’s Covent Garden will find a phone bo ..read more

We review Hard Truth Bottled-In-Bond Wheated Bourbon, a 100-proof offering aged five years after being distilled from a mash bill of 69% corn, 19% wheat, and 12% malted barley. (image via Hard Truth Distilling) Editor’s Note: We received a review sample of this whiskey from the brand. However, in accordance with our editorial policies, this has not influenced the outcome of our review in any way. Since its start in distilling back in 2015, Indiana’s Hard Truth distillery has primarily focused on being a whiskey producer, more specifically, a maker of bourbon. Some of the earliest things they p ..read more

$200,000 worth of rare and highly sought-after bourbons are set to be raffled to raise funds for the West End School in Louisville, Kentucky.  Brands such as Pappy Van Winkle, Maker’s Mark, Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr., and Michter’s will appear in the Ultimate Bourbon Raffle, with the bottles having been donated by distilleries, collectors, and industry executives.  West End School  Funds raised in the raffle will go to the West End School, a tuition-free all-boys school that supports children from underprivileged backgrounds in their education. Over 70% of West End School graduate ..read more

The results are in! The TAG Global Spirits Awards 2024 judges have named the ‘Best In Show’ bourbons and American whiskeys. Previously, I broke down the best American whiskeys and bourbons as named in the 2023 TAG Global Spirits Awards.  As promised, here is a breakdown of the 2024 results including the compositions of the winning spirits, the distilleries, and where you can buy these award-winning whiskeys.  Looking for more award-winning whiskeys? Check out the rest of my Awards Series.  Cedar Ridge Double Barrel Bourbon Whiskey – 96 points  Credit: Cedar Ridge TAG Globa ..read more

We review Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon, the next chapter in an Indiana whiskey producer known for its sweet mash style. (image via Hard Truth Distilling) Editor’s Note: We received a review sample of this whiskey from the brand. However, in accordance with our editorial policies, this has not influenced the outcome of our review in any way. Since its start in distilling back in 2015, Indiana’s Hard Truth distillery has primarily focused on being a whiskey producer, more specifically, a maker of bourbon. Some of the earliest things they produced were bourbon, but it wasn’t something they were ..read more

We review Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 18-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, produced from 133 barrels laid down in December 2005 that were pulled from the third floor of Heaven Hill’s Rickhouse 1I. (image via Heaven Hill) Editor’s Note: We received a review sample of this whiskey from the brand. However, in accordance with our editorial policies, this has not influenced the outcome of our review in any way. Heaven Hill Distillery is one of the more preeminent American whiskey makers, starting in 1935 and growing today to the point where over 2 million barrels of the brown stuff are aging ..read more

The geography and weather of Kentucky and Scotland vastly affect how their respective spirits mature. Scotch whisky and bourbon, for the most part, go hand-in-hand. On the surface, they seem very similar. However, there are some big differences between scotch and bourbon, particularly in their geography. Of course, they are made on completely separate continents: scotch is produced in Scotland and bourbon in the USA. But it is not only the distance that separates these two spirits. It is also how geography and weather affect everything from selecting the grains to maturing casks in a warehouse ..read more

Launched in 2022, The TAG Global Spirits Awards recognize the best distilled spirits in the world. From bourbon to scotch, and tequila, industry experts meticulously taste and score hundreds of spirits, awarding “Best In Show” to a select few in each category.  Previously, I broke down The Best Bourbons According To The TAG Global Spirits Awards 2023. So, today, I thought we could take a look at the best American whiskeys.  Many blends, ryes, and Bottled-In-Bond American whiskeys were entered into the competition last year. Only seven were named “Best In Show”.  So, let’s take ..read more