Woodinville Port Barrel Finished
Bourbon Review

Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey Port Finished Review

According to the bottle of Woodinville Straight Bourbon Whiskey Port Finished, “This truly small-batch bourbon starts with traditionally grown corn, rye, and malted barley. All of our staple grains are grown for us on the Omlin Family Farm in Quincy, Washington. The grains are mashed & distilled in our Woodinville distillery, then trucked back over the Cascade Mountains to our private barrel houses, where Central Washington’s extreme temperature cycles promote the extractions of natural flavors from the oak. Prior to being coopered, the barrel […]

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Nicaragua Cigar Review

Cigar Review: Aganorsa Leaf Supreme Leaf Perfecto

In 2020 at the Tobacco Plus Expo Aganorsa Leaf debuted the limited edition/limited production Supreme Leaf. When the brand was first unveiled the purple, yellow and orange box was straight out of MS-Paint and didn’t have a look of a cigar that would stick as one of the most anticipated limited release. The Aganorsa Leaf Supreme Perfecto is the 7th release in the line since its inception. Prior releases have been Robusto (5 x 52, […]

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Bourbon Review

Bourbon Review: Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel

Blanton’s is known for three offerings all of which are increasingly difficult to find as the bourbon market grows. The basic entry is the Blanton’s Original  which is followed by Blanton’s Gold and lastly today’s review Blanton’s Straight From The Barrel. There is a fourth offering only available in the international markets called, Blanton’s Reserve which comes in at 80 proof. According to the Buffalo Trace website,  “Named after former distillery president Colonel Albert B. […]

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Nicaragua Cigar Review

Cigar Review: Stillwell Star Holiday Blend Y2023

In 2022 some people say Steve Saka finally jumped the shark with the release of Stillwell Star. The cigars are rolled with a small amount of pipe tobacco which created a new segment in the premium cigar marketplace and it was met with mixed reviews. But Steve Saka not being one to back down raised the ante with the release of a limited edition holiday blend. The Stillwell Star Holiday Blend Y2023 which is limited […]

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HVC Seleccion No. 1
Nicaragua Cigar Review

Cigar Review: HVC Seleccion No. 1 Poderosos

The HVC Seleccion No. 1 line is produced at Fabrica de Tabacos HVC, SA; which is brand owner Reinier Lorenzo’s boutique factory exclusively rolling for HVC. According to their website, “The Seleccion No. 1 is features binders and fillers from the most famous regions of Nicaragua: Jalapa and Esteli; covered with a beautiful dark San Andres Maduro wrapper from Mexico. The blend is a medium full body cigar with a rich flavor and clean to […]

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Top 5 Liquors of 2023

Top 5 Liquors of 2023: Number 1 – Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Our Number 1  selection in our Top 5 Liquors of 2023 is Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey and it changed the way I drink my bourbon. I use to be fearful of higher proof bourbons with concern the high ABV would mute the flavor. It turned out to be just the opposite as it opened a whole new tasting experience. According to their website, “The Horse Soldier brotherhood was forged in fire during the first days […]

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Top 5 Liquors of 2023

Top 5 Liquors of 2023: Number 2 – Booker’s 2023-03 Rare Uncut & Unfiltered “Mighty Fine Batch”

Our Top 5 Liquors of 2023 sees our highest ABV/Proof entry on the list. Booker’s 2023-03 Rare Uncut & Unfiltered “Mighty Fine Batch” comes in with an ABV of 63.30% (126.6 Proof) and it doesn’t hide the fact it is that strong. The Bookers 2023-03 has an incredible nose that pulls you in from the first pour with an aroma of oak, honey, melon and cinnamon. The first sip has some significant heat to it but […]

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Top 5 Liquors of 2023

Top 5 Liquors of 2023: Number 3 – Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series Limited Release 2023

Coming in at Number 3: Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series Limited Edition 2023 on our Top 5 Liquors of 2023. This is a bourbon that is put into the barrel at a higher proof than most other bourbons. The 110 Proof barreling versus the normal 100 Proof results in a smoother finish and the alcohol absorbing more of the oak during the aging process. The bourbon on first sip comes off as being a higher proof than […]

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Top 5 Liquors of 2023

Top 5 Liquors of 2023: Number 4 – Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond

Our Top 5 Liquors of 2023 continues… The bottled in bond act of 1897 changed the way bourbon would be made and put in place higher quality standards that revolutionized the bourbon industry. The Number 4 – Old Forester 1897 Bottled in Bond is our lowest proof bourbon on our year end list coming in a 100 proof (50% ABV). All the ingredients in a BiB bourbon are from one distilling season. The Old Forester 1897 Bottled in […]

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Top 5 Liquors of 2023

Top 5 Liquors of 2023: Number 5 – Four Roses Small Batch Select

Over the course of the year I had a fun time tasting the alcohol that would become the Top 5 Liquors of 2023. Perhaps on certain days, a little too much fun.  The requirements to be named liquor of the year were simple. I had to review them in the course of the year from January 1st, 2023 until the publishing of this list. The score awarded to the bourbon wasn’t the only requirement in […]

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