View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mr. Whiskey (@whiskeynomics101)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mr. Whiskey (@whiskeynomics101)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mr. Whiskey (@whiskeynomics101)

  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mr. Whiskey (@whiskeynomics101)

Handcrafted Bourbon Whiskey Custom Bottle Gifts WhiskeyGifter.com Elijah Craig 12 Yr. BP Batch #C921 (120.2 Proof) Another INCREDIBLE 12 Year bourbon release by Elijah Craig to finish out 2021.  This is well worth purchasing for any barrel proof enthusiast. Rare, balanced and beautiful! Notes:  Heaven Hill Distillery uncut, unfiltered barrel proof release no.3 2021 Fair Bottle Value:  $90 (price paid : $100) Color:  dark honey amber Nose: cloves, rosebud, toffee, oak char, leather, caramel, cinnamon & vanilla Palate:  spicy & oily : peppercorn, vanilla, caramel and ripe red apple peel Finish:  Long : Vanilla, maple syrup, brown sugar & caramel with just enough heat to linger and hold the flavor together Rating:  4.5/5 Recommend:  Yes : Another great buy for quality and value. A little more floral forward than the current Larceny Barrel Proof in profile (won heads up in my blind vs. ECBP), but very well balanced and a joy to drink.  Larceny and Wild Turkey Rare B

Handcrafted Bourbon Whiskey Custom Bottle Gifts WhiskeyGifter.com Product: Larceny Barrel Proof  Proof: 122.2  Notes: B520  6-8yr Blend Fair Bottle Value:  $90 Color: Dark Amber Nose: Rich cherry, molasses, toffee campfire & oak, sugary vanilla, graham cracker crust, leather (this smells amazing, like a cherry cream cheese pie) Palate:  oily rich oak, thick creamy vanilla, cherry, dark fruit, hint of pepper, very sweet Finish: Long : wonderful barrel funky oak, cherry, baking spice ends with a lite sweet walnut  Rating:  5/5 Recommend:  Yes : The nose is very rich and complex, it is flavorful and tastes like the aromas you smell from the nose. Vry well balanced, everything is complimented nicely and amplifies into a long and strong finish. The oak tapers off after several minutes into a hint of nut and baking spice. Opinions expressed are the personal experience and works of the author "Ike Gilbert" and are based upon the sampling of one unique bottle among ma

Handcrafted Bourbon Whiskey Custom Bottle Gifts WhiskeyGifter.com Product: Joseph Magnus Finished Bourbon Whiskey (Sherry & Cogniac Casked) Proof:      100 Notes: The website for Joseph A Magnus may have recommendations for mixing cocktails, but I would strongly advise against that! You need to appreciate this bourbon "neat" and sip slowly savoring every last droppeddy drip ;) Fair Bottle Value:  $ 100 Color: dark amber Nose:  beautiful fruit forward and musty rich leather, tobacco, licorice, oak, dark cherry, vanilla Palate:  waxy cherry cordial, vanilla, sweet oak, brown sugar Finish: long :  beautiful oily long finish, cherry, oak, plum, vanilla, maple syrup Rating:  5/5 Recommend: Yes : The fans of the Old Forrester lineup, Stagg Jr. or Wild Turkey Rare Breed should give this finished bourbon whiskey a ride. 100 proof is an easy sipper for anyone who prefers the higher octane of a Stagg or RB, but all of the flavor still shines through. This is rich tobacco, black li

  Handcrafted Bourbon Whiskey Custom Bottle Gifts WhiskeyGifter.com Product: Buffalo Trace Proof:      95 Notes: A beautiful daily drinker at 95 proof that everyone will enjoy. This is the flagship of the Buffalo Trace Distillery, possibly the best entry level bourbon available under $30 Fair Bottle Value:  $30 (price paid $23) Color: Amber Honey Nose: subtle complexity :  leather, tobacco, cherry, oak, honey, caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, grape Palate:  very sweet oak, vanilla, brown sugar, caramel Finish: short / medium : the palate transfers smoothly into the finish with a lingering mile peppercorn and leathery oak Rating:  5/5 Recommend:  Yes : If you are able to readily find this product under $30, you are likely sipping some very often. It should at least be a staple on the home bar shelf where available. Fans of Old Forester, Bulliet, Wild Turkey 101 should have a  bottle. If you don't, keep your eye out for it! Opinions expressed are the personal experience and works of th

  Handcrafted Bourbon Whiskey Custom Bottle Gifts WhiskeyGifter.com Product: Garrison Brothers Small Batch 94 proof Notes: I expected the small batch to hit harder considering the $90 pricetag, but it does go down very nicely. CONS : not overly complex, drinks like a youthful 3-4 yr bourbon PROS : Well balanced with a great nose. Everything just works together beautifully in the glass from a balance perspective, you taste what you actually smell and it all transitions nicely while drinking. Fair Bottle Value:  $55 (MSRP: $85) Color: amber Nose: tobacco, cherry, smokey oak, brown sugar, bananna Palate: cherry, oak, vanilla Finish: medium : cherry, oak, hint of pepper tapers down quickly with a nice coat to the roof and middle of tongue Rating: 4/5 Recommend : Yes : If dollars aren't an obstacle for your budget, this is abeautiful bottle design and an easy sipping small batch that is done well. If you can't get this served at a local bar, you will likely appreciate the craftsman

  Handcrafted Bourbon Whiskey Custom Bottle Gifts WhiskeyGifter.com Product: Blanton's Boubon WH-H Barrel #424 Rick #9 B194 Proof:      93 Notes: This bottle has had plenty of time to open up completely for this review, nearly a full year! I was somewhat underwhelmed when I gave it an honest evaluation last year in a private setting. At roughly the same proof as Buffalo Trace, one would expect a big step up in flavor and finish, and that it does. I remember having this a few times in the last 15 years and typically viewed it as a nice bourbon after a surf and turf dinner. Who would ever think that this was going to become such a coveted bottle that folks would literally camp out on the sidewalks for to have a shot of puchasing the next day? This year, I was a bit more enthusiastic when I found another bottle for $80 and decided to give it another shot. Gotta admit, this bottle does look good on the dancefloor ;) Fair Bottle Value:  $70 [Price paid $80] Color: Lite amber honey Nose

  Handcrafted Bourbon Whiskey Custom Bottle Gifts WhiskeyGifter.com Product: George Dickel 13Yr Bottled In Bond  Proof:      100 Notes: Hard to believe we are seeing a 13 year whisky release under $50, this time from the little town of Tullahoma, Tennessee comes a BiB from the Dickel Farm Cascade Hollow Distillery Fair Bottle Value:  $60 (price paid $43) Color: Dark Amber Honey Nose: cherry, chocolate malt, vanilla, beautiful rich oak, peanut brittle, leather, tobacco, bubblegum, caramel Palate:  cherry, vanilla wafer, milky chocolate, mint, heavy oily wonderful oak char Finish: long : oak, ground cinnamon, cherry, graham cracker that coats the roof of the mouth, middle and front of the tongue Rating:  5/5 Recommend:  Yes : I am surprised by the complexity of this whisky at only 100 proof. The mouth feel on nose and palate definitely attest to the 13 year age statement. The flavours don't necessarily fade or fall away to a finish, but smoothly transitions into a long lingering lis

  Handcrafted Bourbon Whiskey Custom Bottle Gifts WhiskeyGifter.com Product: Old Tub by Jim Beam Distillery Proof:   100 Notes: Surprising flavors in a sub $25 bottle! Fair Bottle Value:  $22 Color: medium honey Nose: oak, char, caramel, vanilla  Palate:  vanilla, caramel, peppercorn Finish: short / medium : caramel, pepper, oak, leather Rating:  3.5/5 Recommend:  Yes : There are not many $20 bottles on the market that can work as a good starting point for the casual or bourbon beginner, I can see where this would easily sit in a collection as a daily quick sipper for many folks. There is nothing complex, just simple, traditional, sweet and refreshing notes and flavor to drink. Well done. Opinions expressed are the personal experience and works of the author "Ike Gilbert" and are based upon the sampling of one unique bottle among many. Skol. Follow me on my social media channels: Instagram Twitter Facebook Flipboard © 2021 Ike Gilbert

Handcrafted Bourbon Whiskey Custom Bottle Gifts WhiskeyGifter.com SmokeWagon Uncut Unfiltered Batch 71  Proof (115.58) Notes: Very complex from nose to finish. The finish is excellent and has a lot to offer. Very little "Kentucky Hug", just a long linger slow pepper burn that is nuanced and lovely for several minutes after each sip! Fair Bottle Value: $75 Color: dark amber Nose: fruity, banana, brown sugar, oak, molasses, pipe tobacco, rich leather, fall candy corn Palate: cherry, honey, molasses, vanilla, caramel, tobacco, cinnamon Finish: Long lingering oils coat the front of the mouth and back of tongue : cherry, oak, cracked peppercorn, vanilla, graham crackers Rating: 4.5-5 Recommend: Yes : all who enjoy a lingering finish with notes of tobacco, molasses &  caramel will appreciate this batch very much. It is very unique, reminiscent of a Jack Daniels SiB BP Gold, Old Forester 1920 or Widow Jane proofed up. Opinions expressed are the personal experience an

Handcrafted Bourbon Whiskey Custom Bottle Gifts WhiskeyGifter.com How I ranked these head to head 1-4: (Transitioning between each pour individually, and completely through all stages before moving to the next. The use of tonic water to clear my palate respectively - something I highly recommend for any tasting or comparison of bourbons)  #1 -  Dovetail  124.16 Proof Fair Bottle Value: $65 (Current Retail Avg $80) Color: med dark honey Nose: sea salt, oak, caramel Palate: caramel, honey, vanilla Finish: med : oak, vanilla, cinnamon, salted caramel Rating: 4.5/5 Recommend: Yes : This is a purchase I don't think you will regret adding into your collection, even at the higher $80 current retail. I would like to see a slightly longer finish, however the entire experience of a caramel sea salt nose that transitions well throughout the palate and finish is definitely unique. If you are a fan of Wild Turkey Rare Breed, you will really appreciate this offering! ---------------------- #2 - 

Handcrafted Bourbon Whiskey Custom Bottle Gifts WhiskeyGifter.com Blinded! Firstly, all 3 of these are exceptional bourbons in their own way and we love all three... but there has to be a winner and Jack Daniels SiB Gold 132.8 Proof edged out competition in a surprising blind competition Friday. Here is the quick & dirty:  #1 Jack D. SiB - Last on finish, but first on total package. The nose is sweet cherry cream cheese pie, oak, brown sugar and melted butter. Palate is very balanced transitioning well into a medium finish with oak, vanilla, graham cracker & cinnamon spice. The finish (even though the shortest of the 3) sticks to the roof and front of the tongue for a well balanced, complex bourbon. I've said it before, this is one terrific bottle value in the $60 category... #2 Booker's Tagalong : Cinnamon, oak, vanilla and a terrific barrel char on the nose. Palate transitions seamlessly to the finish with sweet cherry, cinnamon and vanilla. This one has t

   Handcrafted Bourbon Whiskey Custom Bottle Gifts WhiskeyGifter.com Product: Four Roses SiB [HW-13*3H] Proof:      100 Notes: The Four Roses SiB batches have a 7-9 yr average barrel age and are a good value if you are a bourbon enthusiast looking for single barrel uniqueness. The selection process at Four Roses has been  stable in the last 2 years IMO, making it rare to get a bottle that does not live up to expected standards. Flavor profile of a SiB will normally have some changes from bottle to bottle. This review is based on Warehouse HW, barrel #13-3H which I picked up from the distillery a few months ago visiting Kentucky. Fair Bottle Value:  $45 / MSRP $40 Color: Medium / Dark Honey Nose: chocolate, oak, cloves, molasses, cherry Palate:  vanilla pudding, molasses, cloves Finish: medium : cherry, peppercorns, oak Rating:  5/5 Recommend:  Yes : There is a good reason why this SiB has been consistently winning awards since 2008 with it's first Gold in San Fransisco. I was surp

   Handcrafted Bourbon Whiskey Custom Bottle Gifts WhiskeyGifter.com Product: Old Forester 1910 Proof:  93 Notes:  The Old Forester lineup continues to amaze and prove itself as one of the most solid distilleries today, producing exceptional bourbon no matter the label they spin on it! Fair Bottle Value:  $70 (price paid $57) Color:  Dark Caramel Nose: Fantastic :  cherry cream cheese pie, vanilla wafers, oak, cigar tobacco, rich leather, graham cracker crust, peanut butter cups.  This is "Wisdom In A Glass", perfection was attained in the complexity of aromas in price point. There are few bourbons today that are this rich and complex to smell.  Palate:  Vanilla pudding, oak, cherry, pie crust, campfire coffee and smores Finish: Long :  oak, vanilla, maple syrup, cinnamon toast Rating:  5/5 Recommend:  Yes : Don't wait on this purchase, if you see this on the shelf go put it in the cart and just checkout now.  Long lingering cinnamon toast finish is terrific on thi

   Handcrafted Bourbon Whiskey Custom Bottle Gifts WhiskeyGifter.com Product: Southern Bourbon Whiskey | MGP Sourced Proof:    95  Notes: Small town distillery in Americus, Georgia brings a surprisingly complex 4+yr sipper. At 95 proof there is little burn hug and lots of character. The high corn mashbill brings sweet oak, brown sugar and vanilla quickly to the forefront...  Fair Bottle Value:  $45 (retail local $35) Color: Honey Caramel Nose: Surprisingly complex for a 4 yr. old product : Butterscotch, toffee, oak, toasted butter bread, popcorn, brown sugar Palate:  oak, brown sugar, vanilla pudding, cinnamon Finish: med : oak, butterscotch, vanilla Rating:  4/5 Recommend:  Yes : The fact that this bottle can be obtained locally for around $35 makes it an easy score for anyone dabbling into the craft distillery marketplace. Drinkers who enjoy the characteristics of Weller Special Reserve, Old Forester 86 and Evan Williams SiB selections will likely benefit from adding this to the coll

Handcrafted Bourbon Whiskey Custom Bottle Gifts WhiskeyGifter.com Castle & Key 2021 Batch 1 Rye Whiskey (101 Proof) Notes:  Earlier this summer I was blessed with a private tour of the old E.H. Taylor distillery renovated by Castle & Key distillery. It was an amazing experience and I was equally excited to sample all 3 of the rye whiskeys they had released to date. This bottle was purchased on site at the conclusion of the tour and tastings, my favorite of the 3 available at the time... Fair Bottle Value:  $45 (price paid : $35) Color:  medium dark amber Nose: bubblegum, rye spice, grape, banana & oak Palate:  spicy rye kicks things off with additional cracked black peppercorn heat, oak, cherry, vanilla Finish: med / long : oak, caramel, cherry, menthol Rating:  4.5/5 Recommend:  Yes : I love this rye for the all around complexity it offers. The nose is a complete rollercoaster. Thr palate is simple, quickly transforming into a powerful and long dark peppery fin

     Handcrafted Bourbon Whiskey Custom Bottle Gifts WhiskeyGifter.com Elijah Craig 12 Yr. BP Batch #A121 (123.6 Proof) Some have called this the Stagg Jr. killer? I say no, but only because of profile. This is an INCREDIBLE 12 Year bourbon that is typically obtainable at MSRP (or slightly over) in most markets. It is generally more available than Stagg Jr. For that reason, I call this a definite winner and well worth purchasing for any barrel proof enthusiast!   Notes:  Heaven Hill Distillery in Bardstown, Ky. creates an amazing, uncut, unfiltered barrel proof release in the ECBP series 3 times yearly. No collection should be without one of these releases each year IMHO. See below for the WHY... Fair Bottle Value:  $75 (price paid : $65) Color: dark cherry amber Nose:  rich oak char, leather, clove, caramel & vanilla pudding Palate:  oily : cinnamon, vanilla, molasses, apple peel Finish:  Long : Oak, vanilla, maple syrup fading to a medium / dry oak and orange peel that hangs and

    Handcrafted Bourbon Whiskey Custom Bottle Gifts WhiskeyGifter.com Ever wonder what Buffalo Trace Bourbon tastes like if it ages another 6 years inside the barrel, under strict conditions, solely for the specific flavor profile leading to Stagg Jr.? This is it! My understanding is that Eagle Rare is still a single barrel product, but cannot be labeled as such due to the distillery not flushing lines out at each barrel change. I would love to have an official verification of this from the distillery, but will not hold my breath. As they say... most tales are born of legend and legends are born of some truth. This review is based on one bottle "neck pour" from a 2021 batch picked up directly at the Buffalo Trace Distillery this summer. Eagle Rare 10 Yr Bourbon (90 Proof ) Notes:  For me, Eagle Rare has always had the best notes, flavor and experience from the initial bottle opening. After a few weeks and months it tends to mellow a little too much and will lose some of the f