Charitable organizations have held raffles forever, but usually for a low ticket price and for modest items, especially when compared to silent and live auction items.  In the bourbon world, though, raffle item value has been increasing, and now 2023 is taking shape as the year of the bourbon raffle. Not only have more bourbon raffles been launched so far this year than we typically see in an entire year, but we’re also beginning to see multiple lots available for each raffle ticket purchased, instead of just a single bottle or a vertical of particular brand.  Some current raffles ha ..read more

Ever since Old Crow and Old Taylor aggressively protected their trademarks in the 1800’s, setting the stage for current-day trademark law, whiskey has kept trademark attorneys busy. Brown-Forman’s Jack Daniel’s brand and VIP Products’ “Bad Spaniels” dog toy now have the opportunity to establish limitations on how far an alleged “parody” use of another’s famous brand and trade dress can go before it becomes illegal infringement.  On January 31, the Supreme Court of the United States set oral argument for March 22, 2023 in this epic legal battle. Basically, VIP sells a dog toy that is shape ..read more

News broke on January 3 that Sazerac was terminating its distribution relationship with Republic National Distributing Company and moving to numerous smaller distributors in about 30 states.  This was such a massive change in the industry that a few days later, we covered it on the Bourbon Community Roundtable. Now, just days after the release of that Roundtable episode, Sazerac sued Republic in federal court in Louisville on January 13.  Sazerac came out of the gate with allegations that Republic has refused to pay for tens of millions of dollars for Sazerac products, has stopped pa ..read more

I found a new book to add your personal collection or holiday gift list—Lawyerly Libations, Concoctions for the Counselor, Apéritifs for the Attorney, Elixirs for the Esquire, and Additional Alcoholic Anecdotes: A Cocktail Compilation for the Burgeoning Barrister’s Bar, by Michael J. McCormick. While the title is a mouthful, and maybe only funny to a lawyer, don’t be dissuaded.  The title is a tongue-in-cheek prelude to McCormick’s witty style, through which he showcases cocktail history while diving into related (sometimes tenuously related) legal stories and even more historical context ..read more

Need a gift? I do enough guided tastings to know that sometimes you need a nudge—a reminder of an aroma memory—to help articulate what you’re experiencing during a bourbon tasting.  I just helped a friend with a Bottled-in-Bond tasting of Heaven Hill 6-year (the discontinued one), E. H. Taylor Small Batch, and Henry McKenna 10-year.   My friend warned me that while he knew what he liked, he could never really find the words to describe what he was tasting.  Because I discovered the Nose Your Bourbon Bourbon Nosing Kit in 2020 (see my review here: Sipp’n Corn Review), I suggested ..read more

The spring edition of Old Fitzgerald was a surprising 17 years old.  People went nuts.  Then Heaven Hill followed it up with a 19-year old release and enthusiasts clamored for it like no Old Fitzgerald before.  For the smart few who open their bottle, will it be worth the $240 price tag?  Plus, now with two extra-aged releases, are the days of 8 and 9-year Old Fitzgerald a thing of the past?  Heaven Hill certainly keeps us on our toes for each Spring and Fall release. Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond Fall 2022 Bourbon:        Old Fitzge ..read more

One of this past fall’s newest bourbons was 15 Stars Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.  15 Stars is a merchant bottler with the good fortune of being able to source from Kentucky—which of course is getting easier, but not yet for the age obtained by 15 Stars.  This 15 Stars bourbon is a blend of 7 and 15-year old bourbons, which is almost unheard of in the Kentucky sourced market. 15 Stars Tasting Notes Whiskey: 15 Stars Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey ABV: 53.5% (107 proof) Cost: $140.00 Appearance: Dark amber consistent with its age. Nose: The age is also evident in the aromas ..read more

You can make 2022 brighter with the right bottle of Bourbon or Rye Whiskey paired with Bourbon Justice.  Think of these bottles for gifts as Holiday parties ramp up, for the whiskey enthusiast on your list, or just for treating yourself.  Brian’s Book and a Bottle has the right suggestion for everyone on your list: For your business partner:  Bourbon Justice and Pursuit United because partners Kenny Coleman and Ryan Cecil are showing everyone how to do it right.  You’ll show yourself to be the creative brain of the operation. For your impossible family member:  Bourbon Just ..read more

I’ve always encouraged blind tastings. Most often it’s fun when you’re trying new bourbons, but it’s also a fantastic way to get real with a brand that you think is your favorite and to mix in a brand that you claim to not like so much.  Blind tastings are, to put it paradoxically, eye-opening. But it’s sort of impossible to do a blind tasting without help… Until now. The Blind Barrel Tasting Kit from Blind Barrles provides the samples for a blind tasting for you with a subscription kit on a quarterly basis.  The kit includes four 50 ml samples of craft whiskey brands, providing an o ..read more

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