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Baker’s 13 Year Old Single Barrel (2026 Release)

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

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

53.5% ABV
$150
Website
Bakers Limited Edition 13 Year 107 Proof Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
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

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Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Bottled-in-Bond

/ / Bourbon, Review / ,

Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Bottled-in-Bond
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50% ABV
$60
Website
Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Bottled-in-Bond

What the Distillery Says

Old Fitzgerald Bourbon has a long history of excellence dating back to 1870. Today, Old Fitzgerald 7-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond is the signature flagship expression from Heaven Hill Distillery, marking 155 years after the trademark honoring John E. Fitzgerald was first introduced.

Produced under the exacting standards of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, this wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is distilled from a mashbill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley. After aging for seven years in Level 3 charred new American oak barrels, the Bourbon is bottled at exactly 100 proof (50% ABV).

“Seven years proved to be a sweet spot for a Whiskey that already transcends expectations for a wheated Bourbon,” said Master Distiller Conor O’Driscoll. “This refined Bourbon carries the same layered elegance its longer-aged sibling made famous, and the same commitment to excellence found in every bottle from Heaven Hill Distillery.”

TASTING NOTES
Color: Bright copper.
Aroma: Graham crackers and honey. Light citrus and summer fruit notes.
Taste: Rich and viscous. Fresh bread, brown sugar, and baking spices.
Finish: Long-lasting richness, brown sugar sweetness with cinnamon fades to a hint of oak.

What Gary Says

Nose: Vanilla, honey, soft oak, apricot jam with a hint of orange zest
Palate: Thick mouthfeel with honey, vanilla, caramel, graham cracker, apricot, cherry & cinnamon.
Finish: Moderate length with cinnamon, honey & citrus fruit notes.
Comments: As a wheater, it is more gentle than a rye mash bourbon. This is very soft. While 7 years is a respectable age, it just isn’t squarely in my wheelhouse (maybe at a higher ABV). I think back to 15 years ago when could get Old Weller Antique 107 at 7 years old, which was right in my sweet spot (yet Weller Special Reserve at 45%ABV and 7 years was absolutely not). This is better than WSR to my recollection, but at $60 it’d be tough to pick up.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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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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