Stands Out

Maker’s Mark No. 46 French Oaked 2023 Cask Strength Bourbon Whisky

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Maker’s Mark No. 46 French Oaked Cask Strength 2023
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
Barrel Finished with Ten Virgin French Oak Staves

55.15% ABV
$65
Website
Maker's Mark No. 46 French Oaked Cask Strength Bourbon Whisky

What the Distillery Says

This rare expression is uncut, bottled at cask strength to deliver layers of caramel, almond, fig and chocolate that reach the palate in waves. Not your typical barrel proof, it offers standout flavor and smoothness – the result of a singular, French-oak finishing.

My distillery team swore up and down I had to try Maker’s 46 at cask strength. It took some convincing—because 94 proof is my sweet spot for 46. It’s where that French oak finishing comes through with layers of caramel, vanilla and baking spice. But the intensified experience delivered at barrel proof opened up deeper and darker notes of chocolate and almond with a more complex finish. Well, they convinced me. And I think you will be convinced, too. This is a different kind of cask strength and a different side of 46.
BILL SAMUELS JR.
SON OF THE FOUNDERS, BILL & MARGIE

What Gary Says

Nose: Rich, chocolate turtle brownie, oak, vanilla, walnuts, cinnamon with a hint of graham cracker.
Palate: Thick mouthfeel, caramel, charred oak, cinnamon, cocoa, vanilla and cherry cola.
Finish: Moderate in length, drying with oak, cinnamon and pepper over brown sugar.
Comments: Maker’s Mark Cask Strength is often a no brainer pickup for me. I know, it isn’t age stated (or even pretending to be that old), but it’s tasty as hell. This follows that tradition and doesn’t disappoint. Wish this wasn’t just an annual release. A bit of water tamps the cinnamon and thickens the mouthfeel further, bringing out more chocolate notes. Just a really solid bourbon.

Rating: Stands Out/Must Try

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Old Grand-Dad 7 Year Bottled-In-Bond

/ / Bourbon /

Old Grand-Dad 7 Year Bottled-In-Bond
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50% ABV
$40
Website
Old Grand-Dad 7 Year Bottled-In-Bond
We would like to thank James B. Beam Distilling Co. and SAVONA COMMUNICATIONS for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says:

Released in 2025, JBBDCo. has introduced an annual expression of Old Grand-Dad® 7 Year Bonded Bourbon. Each year’s release of our high-rye Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey will be produced from a single distillation season in accordance with the Bottled-In-Bond Act. This year’s 2026 release highlights its distillation and barreling in the Fall of 2018. Historically inspired by vintage releases, this fine bourbon is cut to 100 proof to reach its optimal and distinctively classic OGD flavor and body. Patiently aged to a minimum of 7yrs while converging the high rye recipe bourbon drinkers know and love.

TASTING NOTES
Color: Golden with deep copper tones
Aroma: Bold caramel, cinnamon, and vanilla
Taste: Full-bodied. Sweet velvety caramel flavors with notes of charred oak and vanilla
Finish: Long lingering peppery finish
How to serve: Best served in any number of classic cocktails calling for a full and layered bourbon.

What Gary Says

Nose: Peanut brittle, vanilla, toasted oak, hint of caramel and baking spices.
Palate: Caramel, orange zest, cinnamon, vanilla, oak and nutmeg.
Finish: Moderate in length, drying with brown sugar and baking spices.
Comments: A nice, solid, spicy bourbon. I’ve always been a fan of the Old Grand-Dad lineup, and this one sits comfortably in that wheelhouse. The extra age brings a little more oak and structure, but there’s still plenty of that familiar caramel, peanut and spice character underneath. It’s straightforward, flavorful bourbon—and sometimes that’s exactly what I’m looking for.

Rating: Stands Out

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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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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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