Tastes

This Blue Run Kentucky Straight Bourbon, chosen 3 barrel blend for Arizona, stands at a bold 118.6 proof. It greets you with a Hello! With a hint of brown sugar sweetness up front, followed by a smooth mouthfeel and just the right touch of oak. The oak is present but never overpowering, and then the finish delivers a satisfying spicy kick. Overall, it’s a well-rounded, complex bourbon that’s sure to leave an impression.

Garrison Brothers Sonora opens bold and astringent on the nose, but on the palate, it starts to open up. You still catch that initial sharpness, but then it smooths out, allowing the subtle honey sweetness to come through. There’s a complexity that reminds you this is unmistakably a Garrison Brothers bourbon. You can feel the legacy and craftsmanship in every sip. It’s a bourbon that evolves in the glass, offering a journey from bold and edgy to smoother, sweeter depths. All in all I would keep this in my bar.

Elmer T. Lee bourbon, from a woodworker’s perspective, is like a finely crafted piece of furniture. On the nose, there’s a crisp apple note that’s as refreshing as the scent of freshly planned wood. The palate is smooth, with a light oakiness that reminds you of well-seasoned timber. There’s a gentle caramel thread, subtle and sweet, like the final polish on a hand-finished piece. The finish is long, warm, but not overpowering. It lingers like the satisfying feel of a job well done. It’s a bourbon that i really enjoy and was happy to have with a friend over a nice cigar.

Every now and then, a pour comes along that reminds you why you fell in love with bourbon in the first place. The 2025 Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon does exactly that. This isn’t a casual sipper. It’s a full‑tilt Texas heavyweight that walks in the room already, knowing it’s the star of the show. I bought this from Nestors with a true MSRP and a christmas discount! From the first nose, you get that deolling molasses—rich, dark, and almost syrupy in the best way. It sets the tone before the oak steps forward, not sharp or drying, but seasoned and confident, like old barn wood that’s earned every mark. The palate is where this pour really flexes. Chocolate‑caramel layers come through thick and warm, almost dessert like, but never overly sweet. That signature Cowboy heat is there, but instead of punching, it rides in as a controlled spice..enough to remind you this is high proof, but balanced enough to keep you coming back for another sip again and again. The finish lingers long, with the molasses and oak hanging on while that spice slowly fades out. It’s the kind of finish that makes you pause, nod, and appreciate the craftsmanship. Bottom line: A damn fine pour. Bold, rich, and unapologetically Texas. Garrison Brothers didn’t miss with this one.

Day 4 advent On the Nose: Honey comes forward like a fresh coat of finish on a well-sanded board smooth, rich, and unmistakable. Orchard notes follow, crisp as autumn apples stacked in a crate, with vanilla and oak adding structure like dovetail joints holding it all together. On the Palate: The sip carries an orchard feel, golden apple, cinnamon, and a touch of clove; balanced by honey that acts more like a glaze than a flood. It’s layered, like grain patterns in walnut, each note distinct but flowing into the next. Finish: Long and harmonious, leaving honeyed spice and barrel warmth that lingers like the glow of a well-burnished piece. There’s a subtle herbal dryness at the end, chamomile-like, that keeps it grounded. Craftsman’s Impression: This isn’t a gimmick pour. it’s a well-built piece of work. The honey finish doesn’t overpower; it enhances, rounding edges and highlighting the natural character of the bourbon. Starlight shows the same respect for tradition and detail that a craftsman gives to reclaimed wood honoring the material, elevating the final product. Verdict: Bold nose, orchard-driven palate, and a finish that sticks around like a trusted tool in the shop. A standout so far.

Punk Without Splinters WhistlePig and Liquid Death walk into a barrel... and what comes out is GraveStock Wheat Whiskey. A collaboration that could’ve been all flash and fire, but, instead delivers a pour that's confidently smooth—more carefully milled than recklessly forged. It’s dressed in rebellion but built with refinement. - Nose: Soft and clean, like maple sanded to 220 grit. Vanilla lifts gently, accompanied by a faint sweet grain that hovers like sawdust in warm shop light. - Palate: Wheat lays the foundation—wide-grained and forgiving, like edge-glued boards with no filler. Rye adds quiet tension, never overpowering, like a chamfer that catches the light just enough. - Finish: Slow and deliberate warmth, like tung oil seeping into end grain—no char, no flash, just depth and patience. The proofing with Liquid Death Mountain Water feels like conditioning lumber with rare oil—an intriguing touch on paper, subtle in execution. It rounds corners, eases transitions, but doesn’t stamp its signature into the taste. A premium inclusion that whispers more than it sings. GraveStock is a well-executed biscuit joint: not flashy but precise and intentional. It holds without drama, balances without splinters, and rewards the drinker who listens for integrity over noise. A bottle that’s more benchcrafted than band branded.

Straight Cuts & Straight Bourbon Review Bottle: Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey – Toasted Applewood Finish Proof: 100 Setting: First pour came after a full day in the shop—tools racked, layout table cleared, and plans for the next dust collection run scratched out. Texas dusk creeping in, this pour marked the wrap. Nose: Soft and welcoming. Notes of caramel and vanilla drift up first, followed by a layer of baked apple and cinnamon bark—like walking past a pie cooling on a windowsill in a pine cabin. That applewood finish announces itself without shouting. Palate: This one rides lighter than you’d expect from its proof. Smooth entry with a touch of sweetness, reminiscent of apple butter or lightly spiced honey. I usually lean into deeper oak or toasted grain, but this has a quiet balance—refined without being dull. Like a clean dovetail that fits without glue, it’s subtle craftsmanship. Finish: Moderate length, tapering off with hints of clove, cocoa, and apple peel. Leaves the palate like a hand-sanded edge—clean, no burn, just enough warmth to invite another sip. Craftsman’s Verdict: For a guy who’s drawn to bolder bourbons with structure, this one surprised me. It’s not a big mallet swing—it’s a precision cut, clean and intentional. Wouldn’t hesitate to pour it again after a long day in the woodshop, especially during cooler months when a touch of warmth and familiarity goes a long way.

This is purely an amazing bottle. The oak resonates in the nose...smooth with some spice and with a hint of vanilla. the finish is warm and lingers.