Must Try

Silverthorn Reserve Blender’s Art Bourbon Blend 10 Year (Batch 1)
A Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskies

57.5% ABV
$100
Website

We would like to thank Silverthorn Reserve and The Whiskey Bard for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

The Blender’s Art Series explores the art of marrying exquisite whiskies to develop new, one-of-a-kind flavor profiles, showcasing nano-blends of only 2 to 10 barrels. Silverthorn Reserve is built on a passion for the art and science of crafting exquisite whiskies, focusing on single barrel curation, custom finishing, and nano-blending projects.
This blend of 8 barrels brings together 14Y 4-grain bourbon from GA, with 10Y high-malt bourbon from IN and 10Y low-rye bourbon from KY. It has caramel, vanilla, and maple on the nose. It opens with caramel and light brown sugar on the pallet before transitioning into baking spices across the mid-palate, and then finishing with a clean, light oak.
“As a blender, my goal is to create whiskey that is greater than the sum of its parts. While every barrel contributes its own character, bringing those elements together distinctively and harmoniously is the craft,” said Drew Thorn, Founder and Master Blender.

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, chocolate fudge, vanilla, oak, coffee cake, hint of maple syrup with an earthy, mineral note.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel with caramel, cinnamon, chili oil, oak, honey, brown sugar, hint of dark cherry and chocolate.
Finish: Moderate in length with oak, white pepper and toffee.
Comments: Very interesting dram. Nose is layered and complex. Palate is a tad hot – this drinks more like 125 proof than 115 proof. But it takes water well – bringing out graham cracker and German chocolate cake on the nose, and tamps the heat on the palate while bringing maple and chocolate forward. I definitely preferred it with some water. I appreciate the transparency about the components as well!

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

Remus Repeal Reserve Series X
Straight Bourbon Whiskey

53.5% ABV
$80
Website

We would like to thank Luxco and The Brand Guild for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

For the last decade, the Remus Repeal Reserve Series has honored the repeal of Prohibition with an evolving annual blend inspired by the legendary “King of the Bootleggers,” George Remus. Series X is bottled at 107 proof and features a blend of three mash bills, the historic LBSV, LESV and the rarely seen LISV recipe — for the first time. A complex medley of multiple batches aged between 2008 and 2017, Series X is expertly blended by Master Distiller Ian Stirsman.

The nose offers French oak layered with vanilla, tobacco, and dark chocolate; the palate unfolds with almond croissant and vanilla alongside balanced oak and a subtle pistachio richness; and the finish is smooth and indulgent, carrying English toffee and candied almond.

“Series X captures everything the Repeal Reserve collection has stood for over the last ten years, pushing the boundaries of what a blended bourbon can be while honoring the history behind it,” said Ian Stirsman, Master Distiller at Ross & Squibb Distillery.

What Gary Says

Nose: French oak, cocoa, vanilla, tobacco, caramel and a hint of leather.
Palate: Rich mouthfeel with caramel sauce, almond cookie, vanilla, cinnamon, dried fruit, dark chocolate, oak with a hint of mint.
Finish: Moderately long, slightly drying with oak, caramel and bitter dark chocolate.
Comments: Lovely. I like the higher ABV, and this is well balanced with sweet, some savory and oak. I happened to have some Remus Repeal Reserve Series IX so did a side-by-side comparison, and this is slightly less sweet with a bit more oak. Based on the components, this has a slightly higher combined rye mashbill, as well as a bit more age. With a few drops of water, I got a bit of cherry on the nose, and the oak on the palate is tamped a bit while bringing more toffee forward. Overall, I preferred Series IX but this is still a really good bourbon.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

Baker’s 13 Year Old Single Barrel (2026 Release)
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

53.5% ABV
$150
Website

We would like to thank Beam Suntory and SAVONA COMMUNICATIONS for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says:

Unapologetically unique, this thirteen-year expression honors the Baker family’s long history of whiskey making and celebrates what makes us different. Bottled at 107 proof and distilled for a minimum of thirteen years, this limited expression offers a distinctive rich and decadent flavor, owing to its longer aging period. Each release is made different, every bottle born from a single barrel, distinct and individual. A true original.

This extra-aged expression explores how time and location in the warehouse drives distinction from barrel to barrel. While the notes of every barrel of Baker’s offer a unique tasting journey, you can expect a few defining characteristics:

TASTING NOTES
Aroma: Fruit, vanilla and caramel.
Taste: Medium bodied with flavors of oak, toasted nuts, with vanilla and fruity notes.
Finish: Robust, medium long, and warmly rounded.

What Gary Says

Nose: Rich caramel, toffee, oak, vanilla, Beam peanut note, black cherry, a hint of leather and pipe tobacco.
Palate: Creamy mouthfeel, caramel, oak, cinnamon, clove, brown sugar, vanilla, dark chocolate turtle brownie and mint.
Finish: Long and drying with oak, caramel, cinnamon & pepper.
Comments: I have always a fan of Baker’s. I feel in love with it back when it was 7 years age stated and 107 proof (which is just a great proof). I won’t lie — this has some oak on it for 13 yrs old, and a bit hot with cinnamon hot-candy vibes. Good news is that it takes water well, bringing out some clove on the nose and thickening the palate nicely while bringing out some chocolate orange and honey notes.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try