Reviews

Introduction: I’ve never been big on rye whiskey—most lean too herbaceous or spicy for my taste—but regular Sazerac Rye surprised me. It’s affordable, sweet, balanced, and makes a great Old Fashioned or Manhattan. My only gripe has always been its lack of depth. When this 100 proof version arrived, I was eager to see if the higher proof could fill that gap. Nose: The aroma starts much like the standard Sazerac Rye but with greater depth. Dark, stewed cherries mix with bitter orange pith and toasted oak. The higher proof dries things out a bit, toning down the honeyed beeswax sweetness of the original while emphasizing spice and char. Taste: A brief flash of salted caramel opens the sip before fading into darker fruit and orange pith. These flavors blend smoothly rather than standing apart, creating a balanced mix of sweet, tart, and faintly bitter notes. Toward the back, tannic oak and gentle rye spice build, smooth and approachable rather than prickly. The sweetness from the standard Sazerac is mostly gone, replaced by a richer, oak-driven profile. Finish: The higher proof shows itself here—warm and slightly fiery at first, then fading into bittersweet dark chocolate and barrel char. A soft black-peppercorn spice lingers longer than in the regular release, giving the finish both weight and presence. Conclusion: Sazerac Rye 100 Proof is deeper, spicier, and more complex than the standard version. It shines in cocktails and still drinks well neat—balanced, flavorful, and never harsh. Sold in one-liter bottles, the slight price bump feels entirely worth it. A bold yet approachable rye that earns a permanent spot on my shelf, especially as a go-to cocktail whiskey.

Introduction: Every year, when Blood Oath releases their annual Pact, I can hardly contain my excitement. I’ve been collecting Blood Oaths since around Pact VIII —some of the earlier releases were truly spectacular. These days, finding those older bottles usually means paying a small fortune, so when a new Pact hits the shelves, I make sure to grab one at SRP right away. This year, Blood Oath took an unexpected turn by finishing the bourbon in Añejo tequila barrels. I’ve been exploring Añejo tequilas myself lately, so this release felt perfectly timed—though I didn’t really know what to expect. Tequilas and bourbons are very different creatures in my eyes. So, there’s only one way to find out. Let’s get into these tasting notes. Nose: On the front, an immediate hit of brown sugar and maple sweetness rises first, quickly joined by a dusting of black peppercorn. Beneath that, there’s an unmistakable herbaceous quality—the familiar agave-like note from tequila—woven through the darker sweetness. It’s intriguing, balanced between warm bourbon character and something distinctly foreign yet inviting. As it opens, the sweetness and herbaceous tones stay intertwined, creating a mild, mellow profile without sharpness or heat. On the back of the nose, a faintly yeasty, sweet bakery-bun aroma appears, softening everything with bready warmth. Overall, the nose is dominated by sugary and herbaceous character, bridging bourbon and tequila worlds. Taste: It begins relatively innocent, showing the familiar character of a well-balanced high-rye bourbon. A touch of black peppercorn spice greets the front of the palate, underlaid by creamy caramel and a faint thread of bittersweet dark chocolate. About halfway through, a tongue-tingling herbaceousness emerges—clearly drawn from the Añejo barrel influence—carrying that earthy, agave-driven character toward the finish. The flavor is notably less sweet than the nose would suggest; none of the brown sugar or maple appears here. Instead, there’s a denser mouthfeel, almost a chewiness, echoing the faintly yeasty, bready tone from the nose. Toward the back, the spice intensifies—not baking-spice dry, but a black peppercorn and mild chili-pepper heat—with a touch of tannic dryness leading into the finish. Finish: The finish dries up considerably, letting the oak shine. Tannic oak and cinnamon linger before that familiar herbaceous agave returns, a clear reminder of the Añejo barrel. It’s a curious but tasty mix: a dry, high-rye, tannic bourbon finish blended with the spicy-sweet warmth of Añejo tequila—unexpected yet satisfying. Conclusion: This was an interesting one from Blood Oath—maybe not among my absolute favorites. It pales a bit next to Pact X, but it’s different and intriguing. That’s the hallmark of Blood Oath bourbons: even when they’re not the standout of the series, they never taste like anything else. I highly recommend picking up each yearly release at SRP if you can; they always deliver either a spectacular bourbon or a fresh, creative experiment. For Pact XI, I’d call it about seventy-thirty: 70 percent high-rye bourbon, 30 percent Añejo influence. The tequila character never overwhelms, but it definitely reminds you it’s there.

Has it really been 6 months since my last review on here? To anyone out there that actually reads my dribble, apologies on my hiatus. My life turned into an everlasting dumpster fire and I've just now gotten back into the swing of things again. But just because I wasn't reviewing, doesn't mean I wasn't buying alcohol. So I've now got a massive backlog to work through. I'm going to try a much more organized review style. Rather than a one very long paragraph of jumbled thoughts, I'll try my best to organize and stay coherent. And what a fitting start to my return to Distiller. Woodford Reserve's Sweet Oak. Introduction: Typically, when a new Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection releases, it’s a cause for celebration. These bottles, when purchased at RRP, tend to be some of the best bourbon you can buy for the money. The last one I had — Woodford Double Double Oak — was spectacular, and I have high hopes for this Sweet Oak Bourbon. Let’s get into it. Nose: Opens surprisingly dry with gentle spice — cinnamon, nutmeg, and that baked-goods warmth driven by toasted oak. A faint note of worn leather adds texture and depth. Dark stewed cherries and a hint of raisin unfold, joined by a touch of corn syrup sweetness that rounds it out without ever feeling bright or syrupy. Taste: Begins sweet, with light honey and peanut brittle leading the way, backed by a touch of caramel. The dark stewed cherries from the nose appear here if you focus, lending a mellow fruit depth before the sweetness starts to fade. The profile turns noticeably drier and spicier — baking spices return in full force, cinnamon most of all, leaving a pleasant tongue-tingling warmth. Leather reappears alongside a slightly astringent note reminiscent of black tea leaves. The mouthfeel is thick and slightly oily, coating the palate and carrying each layer of flavor through the sip. Finish: Begins where the taste leaves off — slightly tannic and spicy, with much of the cinnamon carrying through and lingering steadily. Charred oak makes its presence known, deepening the dryness and contributing to a slightly powdery mouthfeel — more dark cocoa powder than dark chocolate. The overall impression is spicier and more tannic than expected from Woodford Reserve, almost reminiscent of a bourbon with a higher rye mash bill. Conclusion: This was an interesting, if not slightly unexpected, release from Woodford Reserve. This one ventures much further into spice and tannin territory than usual. It’s good as a standalone bourbon — complex and engaging — though not quite on the level of Woodford Double Double Oaked. Still, if you can find a bottle at RRP, it’s worth a try. A solid pour and an intriguing detour for the brand.

Larceny barrel proof plays a role in my life similar to Bookers. If I just happen upon a bottle at SRP, I'll usually snag it up. If nothing else, it'll be some good, potent sipping bourbon. That said, unsurprisingly C924 doesn't taste its proof in the least bit. The nose is classic high proof bourbon. Dark cocoa powder, charred oak, honey roasted nuts and spicy cinnamon. This whiskey carries with it an incredibly viscous mouthfeel. Dark cocoa powder, honey roasted nuts, caramel, baking spice, and some slightly tart raspberries all jump into the mix together and actually work harmoniously with one another. The finish is long, oily and lingering. It carries some drying spice and heat. Cinnamon, dark cocoa powder, leather and ethanol all end the tasting on a satisfyingly hot and complex note. Quite a tasty one, this. Actually: the standout quality here is just how viscous and mouth coating this bourbon actually tastes. With the bottling coming in at a fiery 125.1 proof, a little goes a long way. If you can find a bottle at RRP, these Larceny Barrel Proof releases always constitutes a screaming deal.

Another Woodford Reserve Batch Proof. You know, I don't think I've actually had any Batch Proof that was bad. So obviously, seeing this gem sitting on the shelf at my local Total Wine for SRP, I had to snag it and have a taste. The nose is classic batch proof. Fruity and a little dry. Stewed cherries lead the charge with tannic, toasted oak and caramel. There's a faint little bit of bananas foster in there not unlike Larceny, surprisingly. The palate features spicy, tongue tingling cinnamon throughout. Those stewed cherries are pretty prevalent here, too; adding a tart twang. Some charred oak and a little bit of rye spice keeps things interesting. The finish is spicy and dry. Here's where some rye spice qualities come out with leather, charred oak and cinnamon. Also on the finish, the proof becomes significantly more noticeable but not unpleasantly so. Another great Woodford Batch Proof. I mean really, with each release becoming successively more obtainable, you can't go wrong. This is high proof served up the right way.

Admittedly, I've been a long time fan of Hedonism. It was always a staple on my shelf. I was absolutely devastated when I learned that Compass Box would pull Hedonism from their core lineup and instead make it an annual release. But then I tried 2024's expression. And that's when I realized that in fact with each passing year, there would be an opportunity to try a unique twist on one of the most beautiful blended whiskys in the world. And now, every year I will look forward to the annual Hedonism release. The nose on this 2025 release is noticeably different from 2024's release and the original core Hedonism. Immediately apparent is the toned down coconut notes and absence of toasted grain. 2024's nose had some ethanol heat on the nose and that is completely gone in 2025. Instead what's left is soft, creamy and sweet. Canned peaches in light syrup, crème brûlée, candied apricots and wildflower honey. And yes, some coconut but this time taking on a sweeter coconut macaroon scent, rather than the toasted coconut of 2024. The palate is a breathtaking combination of effervescence and sweet creaminess. My God what a whisky. Initial taste begins with sweet and silky caramel chews with crème brûlée. Mid palate you get just the slightest hint of tannic, toasted oak that gets more intense with each successive drink. Then, some dark cocoa powder opens up into sweet peaches in syrup and juicy pears. Cinnamon sends tingles through your tongue, timed just right with the pears to almost make a fizzy pear soda feel. The finish brings out some tart green grapes and apples with some of that familiar toasted grain and coconut that reminds me of core and 2024 Hedonisms past. Right at the tail end of the finish is just a bit of vanilla bean. WOW. What a follow up to 2024's bottling. In comparison this is softer, more dessert like but brings in some fruit without overdoing it. In reading about this year's blend, it appears that the whisky is further matured for two years in first fill Marsala Barrique. Absolute genius as that move introduced some very soft, sweet and luscious fruit without overpowering the recipe. Dare I say that this is my favorite Hedonism to date? Albeit I've only had 3, but this takes the cake. Its an absolute stunner and a must try. Whilst there are still bottles in the wild, go pick one up. You won't regret it. A rare perfect 5 from me.

Oh boy am I excited to try this one. Balvenie's Single Barrel 12 year is matured in first fill American white oak ex-bourbon barrels so this sounds like quite the mouth watering proposition. The nose explodes with fruit. Extremely sweet honey drizzled pears and grapes with candied apricots. Vanilla swirls with that honey to create a luscious sweetness. Although pleasant, it isn't overly complex and I'm really hoping there's significantly more bourbon barrel influence on the taste. The taste is very light and subtle. Immediately I feel that this single malt is probably a great "premium" pick for someone who isn't heavy into whisky. It is light, sweet and inoffensive but in some ways a bit of a disappointment for what I was expecting. That honey lingers throughout the taste, mixing with powdered sugar dusted apples, pears and grapes. There is the faintest hint of charred oak on the back of the taste but really, this whisky is predominately fruit forward and extremely bright, almost effervescent. The finish is light and a little spicy. Cinnamon sugar creates a little tongue prickle mixed with just enough tannic bite to balance out the finish. It actually kind of leaves you wanting those characteristics within the main body of the taste. This is a very light, airy single malt from one of the best distilleries in the world. Honestly, I'm not entirely convinced this was worth the price of entry. For just thirty or so dollars more, you could have a bottle of their absolutely stunning Curious Casks 14 year bourbon barrel that imparts way more character. In some ways, this single barrel 12 year perfectly fits the mold of " inoffensive, drinkable single malt" but at this price it really should have had something to make it stand out from the crowd.

It feels like forever ago that I was on Distiller writing up reviews and tasting notes. Unfortunately, almost the entirety of 2025 so far has been dumpster fire after dumpster fire and finally, I'm getting a quiet Friday night to put out said dumpster fires with some great bourbon. That said, I certainly haven't stopped purchasing. And I currently have about six bottles I've yet to write reviews for. Its high time I got caught up... A new Maker's Mark Wood Finishing Series is always a joyous occasion for me. Even my least favorite of the first run were still pretty darn good and the best of them were indeed some of the best bourbons that could be had in the price point. This second run of WFS started with the Heart Release which was surprisingly obtainable and unsurprisingly delicious. I actually ended up buying three bottles within its run and my local Total Wine still has it on the shelf at RRP. I love that this second run of WFS seems to have significantly wider spread availability than the first run. The nose on Keeper's release is deep, sweet and full of character. Brown sugar, dark and overripe cherry, dark cocoa powder, cinnamon and slightly burned kettle corn create a tannic and slightly sweet nose. The first thing that comes to mind on the drink is berries and dark cocoa. The proof lends a slightly viscous mouthfeel. Some tongue tingly cinnamon and peppercorn really spice up the taste, especially mid to back. That spice gives way to some tannic charred oak which leads into the finish. The finish is dry and spicy. Charred oak, spicy cinnamon and dark cocoa powder. This is definitely a departure from the standard Maker's Mark sweetness. It is spicy, features a darker flavor profile and complex. It serves up decently high proof without ethanol burn. Given the availability of this bottle, I'd say it is well worth a try. But I personally prefer the Heart Release of the two.

I began this taste with a question ~ Is Double Double Oaked really worth spending $199 SRP? ( but typically more, depending on your region ) And I can absolutely say that yes - it is. So there it is... review over. For those that want to read boring tasting notes, here it goes: The nose is sticky sweet but also smokey from that second maturation barrel. Thick maple syrup and caramel creates a viscous nose that is oh-so dessert like. A cool, mellow vanilla bridges that sweet and the caramel turns salted as you take in smokey charred cherrywood. The front of the taste is vanilla, butterscotch and maple syrup. For 90.4 proof this bourbon has a very thick and satisfying mouthfeel. Mid taste brings in cherries and some cinnamon and clove to add a little tannic kick. Tannins stick around for the finish with cinnamon still playing a big role along side black tea. There's a deep, darker overripened cherry quality about the finish as well. It is a long, satisfying finish. Wow! So early in the year and already tasting perhaps one of the best of 2025. Its complex and deep. Where the standard Double Oaked is typically a VERY good bourbon, it appears rough and simplistic next to Double Double Oaked which feels insane to say. Is it really worth 5x the price of Double Oaked? Absolutely, unequivocally yes. Go buy a bottle. Like now.

Compass Box has dropped Hedonism from their core lineup. What has the world come to?! But in all seriousness, I am quite devastated albeit I do understand their reasons for making this decision. However, Compass Box has upped the ante by utilizing more mature whiskys on the first limited annual release of Hedonism. Is it different enough from the original, core lineup Hedonism for you to run out and snag a bottle? The nose is deep, sweet and rich. Vanilla, caramel, butterscotch and honey make for a sweet and viscous nose. It doesn't lose the grain whisky quality. There is also just a bit of baking spice and coconut to balance out all that sticky sweetness. There's a noticeable ethanol heat to the nose I don't remember from the core selection, though. The palate and finish do conjure up original Hedonism vibes but add a bit of complexity. Milk chocolate and custard on the palate. A little bit of spicy peppercorn comes on mid taste along with some vanilla. There's an interesting quality about the spice that's now mixed in to this 2024 edition - definitely getting coconut shavings still but the back half of the taste has a peppercorn and clove thing happening. The finish lingers with that peppercorn and clove. It carries a pretty decent mouthfeel to the finish but surprisingly, a hint of orange pith makes an appearance right towards the end of finish. So is it different to the old core selection Hedonism? Yes, quite different. It's a slightly more complex, slightly spicier and bolder version of Hedonism which was always creamy, soft and sweet. I think this 2024 version pulls this whisky out of the dedicated dessert dram segment that it once occupied. Yes, it is still sweet but has much more to offer. Taste is subjective but whilst I'm not giving this any higher of a score than the original ( in fact, the very same ), I think this bottle is worth the price at around RRP but I would not pay inflated secondary pricing on this.