[10.29.2025] Well, the new job has its perks and a tour of the Stitzel-Weller was one of them. Learned about black ethyl alcohol-digesting mold, the first Van Winkel, how Old Fitzgerald got its start as a rot gut swill, the Stitzel-patented racking system, what a blade and bow are on a key, and how the whiskey is made. They won't outwardly say it but pretty clear the old barrels are being blended into new pot still bourbon so take my tasting notes with a grain of salt; I'm not sure how relevant they'll be when the barrels run out. Maybe it's because we drank Bulleit (yikes) then Harper (does it taste like anything?) before but I was pleasantly surprised by Blade and Bow. Smooth(er), reasonable proof, small batch effect with typical barrel flavors and a healthy dried fruit throughout. Mellower than I expected for a start-up brand and that's how we learned about the blending - ask a lot of questions and learn a few things. Decent brand that's only a little overpriced.