Sam Houston | Rating 91

Coincidence brought me face to face with this very small batch bourbon. Soon after moving to Houston, I stumbled upon a bottle of bourbon named after the the city's namesake. The distiller also bottles Jefferson's Reserve and carries a handwritten label. Good start, and an even better finish. Although 90 proof, the initial nose is not overpowering. A dash of water brings out an excellent palate - sweet, but not sugary or fruity - the sweetness only found when aged by an expert. The finish only accents those flavors and leaves you wanting more. Being hand crafted, I highly doubt you will come across a bottle belonging to the same batch. However, I would bet the attention each bottle receives will reward you as well as it did me. I intend to find out soon for myself. Treat yourself and I'm sure you'll agree, Sam Houston should always be stocked in your private collection.

Price: $25

Rating: 91

--Marc

Bernheim Original Kentucky Stright Wheat Whiskey

Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey is not the typical whiskey made of corn, barley or rye. This whiskey is the newest venture in whiskey making since prior to the days of prohibition and it has turned out great. The whiskey is composed with a minimum of 51% wheat and adds a great flavor. The flavor is slightly sweat and incredibly smooth, yet maintaining a full body at the same time. No water is needed, but I do prefer it on the rocks. It is a great whiskey for summer...morning, evening or night. This innovation is far from the norm, but well worth trying. It is produced in traditional open rick warehouses in small batches and aged approximately five years.Bernheim is a 90 proof whiskey, but you would never know it. I would recommend this as a celabratory whiskey after a good hunt or an early morning on the lake. It is not a whiskey for saying farewell to a past lover or friend. Please don't take my word for it. Try Bernheim Original for yourself. It is truely an American classic in the works. Thank you Pulpan for a great present! (if you didn't get the first part of this let me know) You guys have truly done something worthwhile with your drinking of horrible and fine whiskeys alike, which is more than most of us can say.

---Guest Reviewer: Gavin McQueen

Old Whiskey River | Rating 77

Old Whiskey River presents a lot of expectation. When someone names a
bourbon after the song Willie Nelson has played twice every day for 50
years, you can't help but root for the damn drink to blow your doors
off. Upping the ante is the fact that this bourbon has been distilled in
Nelson County for eight generations. And it comes with a guitar pick
(don't try to actually use it) with Willie's signature on it. What is
not to like, right? Well, as much as this pains me, I cannot put this at
the top of my favorites. I'll tell you why, friends: 1) first smell -
heavy oak, which is a good sign; 2) first sip - excellent flavor with a
hint of vanilla, not sweet; 3) aftertaste - surprisingly bitter, and not
in a good way. Everything about this bourbon is great going down, but
the moment when you should be enjoying your recent purchase, you get a
shocker. After several tasting sessions, I must settle at a solid rating
of 82, mainly for presentation and reverence to the master musician. I
may purchase another bottle to try and redeem my hero, but not in the
near future. If you find the correct ratio of water (or other mixer) to
whiskey, please reply (but remember, the perfect bourbon stands by
itself). I leave you with a taster's quote: "A little citrus. Maybe some
strawberry. Mmm. Passion fruit, mmm, and, oh, there's just like the
faintest soupçon of like, uh, asparagus, and, there's a, just a flutter
of, like a, like a nutty Edam cheese." (Sideways, 2004). Keep Tasting.

--Marc

Old Montanta | Rating 40

You have to ask yourself a question when you prepare to drink Old Montana. What comes to mind when I think of Montana? Images of the wild west filled with tough mountain men clad in leather and fur and miners with copper flakes under their fingernails. Bar fights and dusty saloons where most men would just as soon punch you as shake your hand. Well, bottle up those ideas in liquid form and you have Old Montana bourbon whiskey. A recent trip to the third largest state in the union inspired me to buy this bottle and give it a try--hey, when in Rome. I must elaborate a bit on the bottle. First of all, this bourbon is distilled in Kentucky (obviously) but bottled in San Jose, CA for Montana Distillers in Helena, MT. Yep, I was confused too. Also, the bottle proudly contains accurate one-liners including, “Spirit of the Wild,” and “Traditional Western American Whiskey.” I splashed the 80 proof amber liquid on top of some ice (which is readily available in the treasure state). Dust and oak might be the main ingredients in this one were my initial thoughts. No need to cut with water though, as 80 proof is manageable. I didn’t mix it with coke, but I think that might have helped. However, I got about half a bottle down while playing poker with new found Montana friends. In other words, you can enjoy it while not completely focusing on the fluid you are imbibing. 

I would usually end my review with that, but I must make a follow up with my second sampling of Old Montana. A weekend in a mountain town in the middle of Colorado seemed like a good place to finish my bottle of Old Montana. Again, I found myself sitting with friends around a poker table. I drank a few glasses cut with water over ice. It also got “accidentally” mixed with some Limoncello and I agreed to drink it just so the whiskey didn’t go to waste--bad decision. The Old Montana kept me going well into the night, but when I laid down, my head wouldn’t stop spinning. I am not going to blame it all on the Old Montana, but I don’t think I’ll be enjoying another bottle for awhile. Contradictory to many of the things I’ve recently met in Montana, this bourbon is not one for your liquor cabinet.



Price

: $13/750mL


Rating

: 40
--Eric

Old Grand-dad (First Review) | Rating 75

Old Grand-dad bourbon is one that will make your eyes bulge out and you’ll exclaim “POHHEE!! “ My first taste, as in all my reviews, was made with a healthy portion of Old Grand-dad straight over ice.  Now I love bourbon, you can’t stop me loving bourbon, but this one made me pucker up like I just swallowed a lime.  It is not sour like a lime, but it provides a shock to the system.  At 114 proof, its no wonder it packs quite the punch.  There should be a warning label on the front that says, “Old Grand-dad should not be enjoyed near any open flames.”  But let’s move past the fact that this jet fuel of a bourbon is hard to drink straight up on the rocks.  After a few sips straight up, I cut the distilled pleasure with a splash of water.  Wow, what a difference!  Old Grand-dad comes alive with full flavors of smoke and caramel.  Caramel, yep, that’s what I said.  I sat and enjoyed a few glasses of the water cut bourbon while in the biggest little town in the Texas panhandle with two other bourbon connoisseurs.  With friends or sitting in a blizzard by yourself, this is a good bourbon--just drink cautiously.



Price

: $23/750mL


Rating:

75
--Eric

Dickle | Rating 85

At first you may just giggle at the name. After pouring a glass you may change your tune. This 90 proof Tennessee medal winner with the funny name has a serious taste. A connoisseur will appreciate the initial heavy oak and earthy flavors. I found something missing, however, and tried the next glass as a Manhattan. As all bourbon lovers should know, some whiskeys are better enjoyed with a little help. Some just need a splash of water, others play better with stronger pairings. Two parts Dickel, one part sweet vermouth, and a splash of bitters. The marriage was one I recommend for those bourbons that need a little help. But you'll find the cocktail better when using a quality base like Dickel.

Price

: $20

Rating

: 85

--Marc

Blanton's | Rating 99

The name is Blanton's but it should be called The Best, that is self explanatory. This perfectly selected single barrel bourbon has the perfect amount of wood, the perfect kick, with a perfect combination of bite and hint of vanilla at the finish. That might be alot of perfects, but that is just this bourbon. On top of brown goodness inside, this is bourbon is bottled, bagged and labeled by hand in a style fit for a king or kingpin. At 93 proof, I prefer mine with a little ice and a splash of water, but its never too much to keep in your flask.  If you like bourbon, this pony will make a lover out of you. Go baby go Blanton's. 

Age

: single barrel none needed  


Pro

of: 93


Pric

e: around $60


Ratin

g: Best there is
--Doc Jason