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2 weeks ago | 
drinkhacker.com | Drew Beard
Fosforo Mezcal is a one of a growing list of mezcal brands launched by famous people. But its founder isn’t exactly your typical celebrity spirits backer. The mezcal was launched in 2022 by Jim Cramer, the animated former hedge fund manager famous for emphatic “Booyahs” and bizarre sound effects on his long-running financial advice show, Mad Money. Jim and his wife, Lisa Detwiler, caught the mezcal bug while vacationing at their home in Mexico.
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2 weeks ago | 
drinkhacker.com | Drew Beard
Ross & Squibb Master Distiller Ian Stirsman has already proven he knows how to blend a great bourbon (Repeal Reserve being a particular favorite), but he hasn’t had the chance to really innovate much in Lawrenceburg. That appears to be changing now with the launch of a new experimental series from the distillery that will reportedly explore different grains, recipes, and maturation techniques.
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2 weeks ago | 
drinkhacker.com | Christopher Null |Drew Beard
The Pathfinder is an up-and-coming non-alcoholic brand with a unique production method. The core product, Hemp and Root, is fermented from hemp and then distilled. The non-alcoholic spirit is then infused with a variety of botanicals, including wormwood, angelica root, ginger, sage, juniper, saffron, orange peel, and Douglas fir. Note that though it’s made from hemp,… Read More
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3 weeks ago | 
drinkhacker.com | Drew Beard
Tres Generaciones is an old school tequila brand. The premium offering from the Sauza portfolio launched in 1977 when it was difficult to find many tequila options at most American bars. How times have changed. We first reviewed the core portfolio – plata, reposado, and anejo – back in 2009, and even in that time, the agave spirits world has transformed drastically.
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3 weeks ago | 
drinkhacker.com | Drew Beard
We thought that we had diligently kept up with Midleton’s “Spot” whiskeys over the years, but we completely missed the youngster in the lineup. This 7-year-old release got quite a bit of buzz when it relaunched in 2020. And rightly so. It had been over five decades (!) since the last Blue Spot release, and its triumphant return marked the reunification of the entire Spot Family. What’s more, it was the first release in the lineup to be bottled at cask strength.
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3 weeks ago | 
drinkhacker.com | Drew Beard
When I traveled to Islay last summer, I had two goals for my visit to the iconic Ardbeg Distillery. One was to see the brand new stillhouse, which had effectively doubled Ardbeg’s production capability, and the other was to meet the guy that ran the place, Colin Gordon. I knew he had bounced between Islay and mainland Scotland in a variety of whisky roles before landing at Ardbeg, and I was anxious to hear about his journey. Our conversation would have to wait, however.
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3 weeks ago | 
bourbonbanter.com | Drew Beard
BOTTLE DETAILSDISTILLER: BHAKTA SpiritsMASH BILL:60% – 2018 Rye whiskey finished in virgin French Oak30% – XO Calvados10% – Blend of Armagnacs from 1928, 1941, 1962, 1973, 1996AGE: 15 years old (average)YEAR: 2023PROOF: 100MSRP: $69BUY ONLINE: Buy from BHAKTA SpiritsDREW'S NOTESSHARE WITH: The adventurous American whiskey lover looking for something a little bit different. If they are already a fan of exotic whiskey finishes, chances are good they will enjoy this one. WORTH THE PRICE: Yes.
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3 weeks ago | 
bourbonbanter.com | Drew Beard
BOTTLE DETAILSDISTILLER: Old Elk DistilleryMASH BILL: Undisclosed blend of straight bourbons including Old Elk's flagship, high-malt recipe (51% corn | 34% malted barley | 15% rye)AGE: No age stated, the flagship component is reportedly 4-7 years oldYEAR: 2025PROOF: 88 proofMSRP: $40BUY ONLINE: Purchase at Old ElkDREW'S NOTESSHARE WITH: Old Elk bourbon lovers. Fans of smooth, easy drinking whiskeys. Hell, at this price, you can even waste it on your wine and vodka friends.
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1 month ago | 
drinkhacker.com | Drew Beard
Raj Bhakta is one of the most colorful personalities in the spirits world. And I know this from personal experience. I hung out with him for a few days at his brand campus/booze camp in Vermont, Bhakta-Griswold. Part of my time spent there involved a deep dive on this newest offering, Hogsworth. As the founder of the successful WhistlePig brand, Raj clearly has an affinity for swine, but the name is meant to be more than just a play on his pig-inspired past.
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1 month ago | 
drinkhacker.com | Drew Beard
If the recent release trends continue, this year’s Barrel Strength Rye will be the last until 2027 with a Toasted Rye expression on deck instead for 2026. So, stock up if what you read below sounds appealing (and it will). I know I should probably do myself, and you, a favor and stop theorizing about release calendars. Michter’s, like lots of other Kentucky distilleries, could be so awash in whiskey now that they deliver both limited edition, rye options in the coming year. Or not.
