Review

Stillman’s Sonder Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 10 Years

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Stillman’s Sonder Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 10 Years

47% ABV
$70
Website
Stillmans Sonder Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged 10 Years
We would like to thank Dancing Goat Distillery and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says:

The Dancing Goat team embarked on an eighteen-month journey—analysis, blending, reentry testing, gauging, finishing, re-blending, and regauging—to take the most choice barrels from their elusive aged stocks. Stillman’s Sonder is a whiskey that is polished and reimagined, crafted through generational knowledge and responsibility. From 2010 to 2016, distillation in Indiana included a series of large exploratory test runs and orphaned barrels. The Maas Family carefully collected these barrels in secret until their stocks grew and aged to a point where a 10+ year aged whiskey could be blended and produced with consistency and growth.

The 10-Year Straight Bourbon Whiskey utilizes both Andean and American oak aged barrels with texture and concentration pushed through several double oaked components. Spoon proofed in barrels at times with encouraged oxidation through short fills and vatting, this is a remarkably expressive bourbon crafted through extreme care and reflection.

TASTING NOTES
Aroma: Milk chocolate, ripe strawberry and chai tea with a curious hint of the outdoors like a forest stream in autumn.
Taste: Sweet cream and brown sugar touched with vanilla bean. Strawberry notes transform to a more structured sweet cardamom.
Finish: What starts as sweet meets a robust wall of oak and tannin. Chocolate and berry notes prevail with an inviting, long and pleasant finish.

What Gary Says

Nose: Rich chocolate malt, vanilla, caramel, oak and a hint of black cherry.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, dark chocolate, vanilla, peanut brittle, nutmeg, strawberry and a hint of tobacco.
Finish: Moderately long with chocolate covered strawberries and oak.
Comments: Wow! I’ve had plenty of MGP bourbon (which is where this was distilled, although the finishing, re-barreling and blending was all done in Wisconsin), but this is some of the best by far. Strawberry is a note I rarely get (in fact only once before have I gotten that from a bourbon, and less than a handful of times in Scotch). The thick, richness of the nose and palate are a treat – and definitely a unique pour. While I’d love to see this with a bit more proof on it – this is one of the best new bourbon’s I’ve had in a while.

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

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Cambus 35 Year Old “Old Particular” K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Grain Scotch Whisky

/ / Review, Scottish Whisky, Single Grain / ,

Cambus 35 Year Old “Old Particular”
K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Grain Scotch Whisky

52.3% ABV
$180
Website
1982 Cambus 35 Year Old "Old Particular" K&L Exclusive Single Barrel Cask Strength Single Grain Scotch Whisky

What the Retailer Says

The Cambus distillery is easily one of the best grains out there. The large facility just to the north of the River Forth has been converted to a cooperage and connects to Diageo’s massive Blackgrange warehousing facility. That’s why it’s so tragic Diageo mothballed the distillery in 1993. Its right around 30 years of age that Cambus begins to take on a complexity that made the great old blends (like Johnnie Blue) so well loved across the world. This is absolutely decadent stuff. Grain whisky, which was once written off by aficionados, is becoming more accepted not only because you can find great old whiskies from closed distilleries for relatively affordable prices, but because sometimes you just don’t need the intensity of a single malt. When you’re craving something with depth and complexity, but don’t necessarily want want to get intellectual about it, grab the Cambus. You might not be inspired to write a dissertation, but you will have an unsurpassable drinking experience that’s all about pleasure. We’re moving toward the upper echelons with this one in terms of texture and complexity, but it remains full of sweet confectioners’ sugar and stewed fruit. No bitterness or harshness and the mouth feel is voluptuous, nearly chewy in texture, with a length that few grains under 50 years old can match. Here is a whisky that you can literally give to almost anyone in any context and they’ll appreciate it. Easily one of the finest grains we’ll put out this year.

What the Bottle Says

Cambus Distillery 35 Glorious Years Old

One of 197 Bottles Charged from a Refill Hogshead Ref – DL12716
This Single Cask Was Distilled December 1982 and Bottled August 2018
No Colouring | No Chill Filtration

Specially Selected for K&L Wines
NOSE: Tinned peaches, dried apricots, candy floss and charred oak deliciousness
PALATE: Peach cobbler with thick vanilla ice cream alongside milky cereal and cocoa
FINISH: Lingers sweetly with caramelized bananas, apple peel and brown sugar

What Gary Says

Nose: Vanilla buttercream on a freshly baked pastry, hint of maple and peaches.
Palate: Pastry with maple and vanilla frosting, honey, slowly building spice notes and caramel.
Finish: Moderately long and drying slightly with oak spice.
Comments: A lovely, gentle single grain whisky. This one benefits from some time in the glass (some say a minute in the glass for each year in the cask; I wasn’t that patient but 15-20 minutes definitely helped). It also benefits from a couple drops of water, which on the nose brings out a toffee note along with brown butter, and on the palate brings out some fruit notes as well we thickens the mouthfeel nicely. A really nice example of a well aged single grain! A shame that Cambus was shut down in 1993..

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Glenmorangie Spìos Private Edition No. 9

/ / Highland, Review, Scottish Whisky /

Glenmorangie Spìos Private Edition No. 9
Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

46% ABV
$60-100
Website
Glenmorangie Spìos Private Edition No. 9 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

What the Distillery Says

A spirited tribute to American rye

Step into a world of bold spice and silky sophistication with Glenmorangie Spìos – the ninth release in our esteemed Private Edition series. Gaelic for ‘spice’, Spìos is inspired by America’s iconic rye whiskey heritage, and is the first Glenmorangie ever fully matured in ex-American rye whiskey casks.

These rare casks infuse our signature Highland single malt with a vibrant, peppery character, elegantly balanced by creamy vanilla and sweet toffee. On the nose, expect curious hints of clove, cinnamon and fresh herbs. The palate opens into a lively burst of orchard fruits, nutmeg and baking spice, before melting into a long, warming finish.

Non-chill filtered and bottled at 46% ABV, Spìos is a connoisseur’s celebration of spice – complex, adventurous, and unmistakably Glenmorangie.

Tasting Notes
Aroma: Fresh, herbal nose with hints of cherry, clove, green grass and perfumed oak.
Taste: A full-bodied, spicy dram with bursts of toffee, clove, cinnamon and sweet spice.
Finish: Long and warming, with layers of sweet and dry spice unfolding gently.

What Gary Says

Nose: Herbal and floral, with both citrus and grape notes, hint of Riesling.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, orange creamsicle, cherries, apples, cinnamon, clove and honey.
Finish: Tilting towards long with citrus spices building.
Comments: This is a very interesting dram. My first impression (without knowing anything about it at the time) was this was a white-wine matured single malt, as the grape notes on the nose reminded me a bit of cognac. Definitely different with the rye cask maturation; I like it! I hadn’t heard of rye casks being used like this, but I can see where this would provide a lot of interesting possibilities in blending (and with American rye whiskey gaining popularity over the last decade, those casks need a home!)

Rating: Stands Out

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Remus Repeal Reserve Series VIII Straight Bourbon Whiskey

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Remus Repeal Reserve Series VIII
Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50.5% ABV
$100
Website
Remus Repeal Reserve Series VIII Straight Bourbon Whiskey

What the Distillery Says

Remus Repeal Reserve Series VIII is the eighth annual limited-edition release in the Remus Repeal Reserve collection, created by Ross & Squibb Distillery to commemorate the repeal of Prohibition on December 5, 1933.

The 101-proof, non-chill-filtered bourbon is a blend of three high-rye bourbons aged between 10 and 17 years:
• 9% 17-year bourbon with a 21% rye mash bill
• 24% 10-year bourbon with a 21% rye mash bill
• 67% 10-year bourbon with a 36% rye mash bill

For Series VIII, Master Distiller Ian Stirsman and the blending team increased the proportion of the 36% rye recipe and selected 101 proof after evaluating the blend at several proofs.

Official tasting notes describe aromas of cherry, candied pecans and leather, followed by maple syrup, cherry and fig on the palate. The finish features vanilla, oak and lingering baking spice.

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, dark chocolate, vanilla, oak, leather, wood polish, cigar paper, black cherries and tobacco.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, cherry, figs, black walnut, caramel, chocolate, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, honey and vanilla.
Finish: Moderately long with tobacco, caramel and baking spices.
Comments: I bought this in 2026 at Lux Row distillery (on-sale even!) As I loved Remus Repeal Reserve Series VII and Remus Repeal Reserve Series IX even more, it was a no brainer to pick this up. I’m not sure why they still had it on the shelves in late April 2026, because this is just delightful! Right in-line with those, and even at full retail (I think I paid $90 at the distillery) this is a really well made bourbon and I’d have had no regrets. A bit of water brings out notes of cherry cola on the nose, and some orchard fruit notes (apple) on the palate.

Rating: Must Try/Must Buy

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Elijah Craig 2026 PGA Championship Edition Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Elijah Craig 2026 PGA Championship Edition
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

54% ABV
$38
Website
Elijah Craig PGA 2026 Championship Bourbon

What the Distillery Says

Elijah Craig Launches 108-Proof 2026 PGA Championship Commemorative Edition Bourbon
SMALL BATCH CRAFTED AT HIGHER 108 PROOF NODS TO 108TH PLAYING OF THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

BARDSTOWN, Ky., April 16, 2026 – Elijah Craig, the Official Bourbon of the 2026 PGA Championship, today announced its next commemorative edition release, the 2026 PGA Championship Commemorative Edition Small Batch Bourbon, to toast the best of major championship golf. Bottled at a wholly appropriate 108 proof from a small batch of barrels pulled from Heaven Hill Distillery’s N and S rickhouses, the new release honors the championship’s 108th edition and return to the legendary Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, PA, from May 14 – 17.

The new expression delivers the signature warm spice and smooth character that fans of Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon know and love, with elevated intensity. It opens with inviting aromas of vanilla, clove, cinnamon and citrus, followed by layered notes of butterscotch, ripe berries and baking spices on the palate, culminating in a rich, warm finish marked by lingering sweetness and complex spice that’s right on par for the occasion.

“Elijah Craig’s strong partnership with PGA of America brings together the best in golf and the best in Bourbon, and reflects our shared spirit of craftsmanship and dedication”
— Max Stefka, AVP, Global Whiskey Brands at Heaven Hill

“We look forward to toasting a glass of this 108-proof Small Batch Bourbon to mark the 108th PGA Championship at Aronimink.”

The Elijah Craig Small Batch 2026 PGA Championship Commemorative Edition bottle features a distinctive design, highlighted by special labels that proudly showcase Elijah Craig’s “Official Bourbon” designation alongside the official 2026 PGA Championship logo, and finished with a signature gold coin cork bearing Aronimink Golf Club’s official logo.

“Elijah Craig plays an instrumental role in bringing the PGA Championship experience to life”
— Ernie Vilar, PGA of America Senior Director, Global Partnerships

“The PGA of America is proud to continue our partnership with this iconic brand, offering spectators both at-home and along the fairways the opportunity to toast this year’s historic return to Aronimink with Elijah Craig’s award-winning Bourbon.”

Elijah Craig continues to leave its mark on the golf world through its partnerships with PGA TOUR® professionals, including PGA Tour Pros Robert MacIntyre and J.T. Poston, who proudly represent Elijah Craig Bourbon. The brand is also recognized as the Official Bourbon of the PGA of America, the Ryder Cup, KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, and as an Official Partner of the PGA National Club Championship. Together, these relationships underscore the brand’s deep ties to the sport, rooted in the same attention to detail and commitment to quality that define both the game and every bottle of Elijah Craig Bourbon.

The 108-Proof 2026 PGA Championship Commemorative Edition Small Batch Bourbon is now shipping in limited quantities to retailers nationwide with a suggested retail price of $36.99.

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, vanilla, subtle oak spice, with toasted oak and a note of rickhouse mustiness.
Palate: Rich mouthfeel with caramel, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, chocolate and black cherries.
Finish: Moderate in length with chocolate, honey and pepper spice.
Comments: I bought this having not heard anything about it at the time (was in Bardstown this April and it was in the Heaven Hill Bourbon Heritage Center gift shop; thought higher proof Elijah Craig for under $40? Why not!) Honestly, when I first cracked, I was a bit disappointed – and now I’m not sure why. Initially it came across a tad hot, but not particularly special – and before sitting down to do a more studied tasting I used it in cocktails. Not that I regret that, but as I do a more focused approach I’ve found this is quite nice – if not mind-blowing (but hey – it was priced really reasonably). A bit of water brings out notes of citrus on the nose, and more honey on the palate (while tamping down some of the chocolate notes). I wouldn’t rush to go find one, but if I saw another on the shelf at retail – might pick it up to spend more quality time with it.

Rating: Stands Out

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