Townie Regular Bourbon, Townie Fine Rye, & Townie First Class Bourbon

I’d like to thank the folks at Bluebird Distilling and their PR partner for sending these samples with no strings attached.

IMAGE: Three bottles of Townie Whiskey on a wooden surface outdoors: Regular Bourbon (84 proof), Fine Rye Whiskey (86 proof), and First Class Bourbon (100 proof).

It has been a rough week since we last spoke. My wife’s grandmother passed at the age of 99, and one of my dogs may or may not have had a stroke. I’m pretty sure those two things are unrelated, as they never met each other. But there has been a lot of stress in the household as we worked through grief on two fronts.

The good news is that my pup seems to be getting better, even if she does currently need to be hand-fed like a baby. But the vet thinks it should be a temporary thing, so I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep my pup living a good life, even if that good life now seems like it will be shorter than it did at this time last week. So since I am not in a great headspace at the moment and because we have a lot to cover, let’s jump straight into the whiskeys, shall we?

Townie Whiskey is a brand of “procured” whiskey put out by Bluebird Distilling in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. The line is not distilled in-house—at least not entirely—but are instead a line of less expensive offerings that are intended to be…they don’t explicitly say “well bourbon,” but that’s the vibe I’m getting from their marketing. Here is what the brand has to say for themselves:

The brainchild of Jared Adkins, founder and owner of Bluebird Distilling, Townie Whiskey is an approachable and economic counterpart to his scratch-made craft spirits. An unpretentious whiskey line made to be enjoyed straight up or paired with a light beer in a boiler maker. Adkins and his distillers hand selected barrels and blended each expression (with their own scratch-made juice) in order to deliver a high quality yet affordable product.

So, now onto the important part, how do they taste?

Townie Regular Bourbon

Purchase Info: This was sent by the producer for review purposes at no charge. The suggested retail price is $34.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $2.33

Details: 42% ABV.

Nose: Green apple, dried grain, and fresh cut hay.

Mouth: Baking spice, apple and dried grain.

Finish: Medium in length and warmth. Lingering notes of green apple and fresh cut hay.

IMAGE: A neutral face because this isn't bad, but it isn't for me.

Thoughts: Not a fan of this one when poured neat. That said it does ok in a highball or an Old-fashioned. It's a little more expensive than I'd want my cocktail-only pour to be (almost 1.5 bottles of Wild Turkey 101) but pricing tolerance is a personal issue. I'm giving this one a neutral rating. It's not for me, but it isn't like there is anything objectively wrong with it.

Townie Fine Rye

Purchase Info: This was sent by the producer for review purposes at no charge. The suggested retail price is $34.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $2.33

Details: 43% ABV.

Nose: Cedar, wintergreen, and cinnamon

Mouth: Cedar, molasses, caramel, and a subdued cinnamon spice.

Finish: Bright and of medium length- Notes of cedar, molasses, cinnamon, and caramel.

IMAGE: A neutral face. This one isn't for me, but others may like it.

Thoughts: Neutral on this one too. I think the lack of proof on this dilutes it a little too much. It doesn't have the spicy burn I expect from a rye. This is not to say that it is bad; it is just that it isn't for me.

Townie First Class Bourbon

Purchase Info: This was sent by the producer for review purposes at no charge. The suggested retail price is $39.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $2.67

Details: 50% ABV.

Nose: Caramel, baking spice, and dried grain.

Mouth: Caramel, vanilla, baking spice, and green apple.

Finish: Medium in length and warmth. Lingering notes of floral vanilla, green apple, baking spice, and dried corn.

IMAGE: This is a smiley face. Because I like it.

Thoughts: This is much better than the 84° proof version of their bourbon. The online description says it is made from their favorite barrels. Which makes sense based on the increase in quality. I do think the added proof helps too. It has a nice burn throughout the tasting process. Just a touch more green apple and corn than I'd like on the finish, but this isn't bad. Much like all of these, I will probably set it aside for cocktail use, but this one especially would also be ok if it were just poured neat and served to me that way.

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Drinks by the Dram "Bourbon and American Whiskey Advent Calendar" from Master of Malt

I‘d like to thanks the folks at Master of Malt for sending this to me with no strings attached.

IMAGE: The front cover of the Master of Malt Bourbon and American Whiskey Advent calendar, featuring a burning barrel. Inset phtos of the 30cl wax sealed bottles.

It’s Friday, and I’m here, so that must mean it’s time for another bonus post! This week, we’re diving into the Drinks by the Dram Bourbon and American Whiskey Advent Calendar from Masters of Malt. This was sent to me in celebration of the fact that Masters of Malt is finally able to ship to the United States again.

The last time we talked about Masters of Malt was back in 2018, just before they had to stop shipping to the U.S. At that time, I had a fantastic experience with them. They were a great resource for purchasing bourbons that were available in Europe but unavailable stateside. I took a quick look at their site now, and while they do have a few items I can’t get in Minnesota, it’s probably not quite enough to justify the cost of international shipping. However, their Drinks by the Dram program still stands out—it lets you purchase 30 mL (about 1 ounce) sample bottles of spirits you might not otherwise have access to. If you want to try a variety of spirits but don’t want to commit to a bunch of full bottles, this is definitely something to consider. Personally, I don't like Scotch so I skip it and stick to bourbons, other whiskeys, or even brandies.

Which brings us to the Advent calendars. Master of Malt offers a wide range of them—more than I could possibly list here. They’ve got calendars for gin, rum, Scotch, vodka, and even niche options like Peaty Whisky or Spiced Rum. Prices range from $52 to $260, depending on the spirit category and how many days your calendar includes. You can even build your own, though let’s be honest—half the fun of an Advent calendar is the surprise!

The one I received is the Bourbon and American Whiskey Advent Calendar. It’s priced at $136.85 plus shipping, and so far, I’m having a lot of fun with it. Without giving too much away, I’ll say it’s a solid mix of widely available big-name brands, smaller niche distilleries, and even a few gems from UK independent bottlers—like a 24-year-old bourbon from That Boutique-y Whisky Company.

So, should you rush to their website and grab one for yourself? Well, that depends on your situation. For me, $137 plus international shipping is a steep price for the equivalent of 750 mL of whiskey. But if you’re looking for an awesome gift for the whiskey lover in your life? Absolutely. This is a unique and entertaining gift that would last the recipient 12 to 25 days, depending on the calendar you choose. I can think of plenty of people I’d spend that much (or more) on, and I’d grab this as a gift for them in a heartbeat.

If you want to support our work at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or paypal.me/BourbonGuy. Or you could buy some merch that I’ve designed and/or built (tasting journals, t-shirts, stickers, pins, signs, posters, and more) at BourbonGuyGifts.com. Use code BOURBONGUYREADER at checkout for 5% off any order of $50 or more.

Bib & Tucker: The Golden Spike

I’d like to thank Bib & Tucker and their PR team for providing these review samples with no strings attached.

IMAGE: Front label of a 100mL bottle of Bib & Tucker Golden Spike. The bourbon was aged 15 years and was bottled at 100.8 proof. The bottle sits on a wooden surface.

Date night tonight, so we’re going to keep it short. I mean, I don’t want to let that 16-ounce, 30-day dry-aged ribeye wait. Yes, you can be jealous; it’s going to be a nice time (thank you gift card from dog clients). Of course, once we get home, we’d be hard-pressed not to enjoy a nice after-dinner drink. And I tell you what, tonight’s bourbon from Bib & Tucker would be a good choice.

The Golden Spike is a 15-year-old, limited-edition bourbon from Bib & Tucker. It is bottled at 100.8° proof and is available for sale in Texas, Florida, and Tennessee. And of course, being Bib & Tucker, it has a fun bottle stopper, in this case, shaped like a train. But why a train, and where does the name The Golden Spike come from? Here is what the company has to say:

The first locomotive was introduced in America in 1830; just 15 years later, the first resolution was presented to Congress proposing a railroad that would stretch to the Pacific, connecting east and west. A 17.6 karat gold spike was used to complete the line connecting the intercontinental railroad, marking a transformative moment, and The Golden Spike celebrates the completion of this great achievement in American history.

Let’s see how this piece of history tastes, shall we?

Bib & Tucker: The Golden Spike 15-Year-Old Bourbon

Purchase Info: This 200 mL sample was provided at no charge for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $199.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $13.33

Details: 15 years old. 50.4% ABV. Distilled in Tennessee.

Nose: Toffee, leather, oak, and stone fruits.

Mouth: Toffee, cinnamon, cherry, oak, and leather.

Finish: Warm and medium-long with notes of stone fruits, cinnamon, oak, and a mineral note.

IMAGE: This is a tasty bourbon so it gets a smile rating.

Thoughts: This is delicious. Probably the best product from Bib & Tucker that I've had—top two at least. It reminds me of a very good Dickel release, though I’ve got no info as to the provenance of the juice other than the “Distilled in TN” on the back label. I'm a fan. I'm digging the sweetness on the mouth and the spice. The finish hangs around. It’s just very tasty.

If you want to support our work at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or paypal.me/BourbonGuy. Or you could buy some merch that I’ve designed and/or built (tasting journals, t-shirts, stickers, pins, signs, posters, and more) at BourbonGuyGifts.com. Use code BOURBONGUYREADER at checkout for 5% off any order of $50 or more.

Woodinville Bourbon Sauternes Finish & Woodinville Founder’s Find Whiskey from a Bourbon Mash

I’d like to thank Woodinville Whiskey Company for providing these review samples with no strings attached.

IMAGE: Two limited-edition Woodinville whiskey bottles side by side: Founder’s Find 12-Year Whiskey (107 proof) and Sauternes Cask Finished Bourbon (105 proof), both set against a fall foliage background.

Writing this in the morning is a weird feeling. I look outside, and the fog is deep as the sun comes up. There’s coffee in my cup. I’ve finished feeding the dogs but haven’t fed myself yet. I’ve read the news, checked my email, and gotten a good start to the day. But here I am, trying to write about whiskey at a time of day when I’m normally not even thinking of it.

And why? Because I have plans. Like, outside-the-house plans. It’s okay, you can be shocked that the hermit is leaving his cave. It’s very strange for me, too. But the tattoo artist I like is in a different state, so I need to leave the house if I’m going to get more work done. So here we are: talking about two different whiskeys when I usually think about coffee.

That’s right, we’ve got another two-fer on our hands. These two whiskeys were both sent to me by the Woodinville Whiskey Company to help promote their upcoming release. If you are a Woodinville fan who was at their distillery a couple of weeks ago, you might already have tried/purchased them at their annual Harvest Release party. But if you aren’t, here is a little background info on them.

These are both limited releases. You can preorder them now on the Woodinville website. Both are over 100 proof, and both have deviated from the standard aging process in various ways. The Sauternes Cask Finish is pretty self-explanatory. Woodinville took the bourbon that they make and finished it in casks that previously held a sweet dessert wine from France. We’ve covered a few whiskeys that have used casks from this wine as a barrel finish in the past.

The Founder’s Find, though, is a little more complicated. First off, they did not distill this one; it was sourced from a distillery in Tennessee. Secondly, it isn’t a bourbon—well, at least not entirely. This is what is known as a “Whiskey from a Bourbon Mash,” which means that if it had been poured into a new, charred oak barrel, it would have been a bourbon. But in this case, the barrels weren’t new; they were reconditioned. This means that the previously used barrel was scraped clean of the char and burned again to make a new char layer. Some of the flavor of the barrel would have already been pulled from it due to the first use. The other unusual thing about this whiskey is that it’s a blend that happened partway through the aging process. About six years in, a small amount of 15-year-old bourbon that had been distilled in Indiana was added to it before it finished the last six years of its rest. Quoting the press release now:

Years ago, a group of renowned distillers proposed the use of these [reconditioned] barrels and began experimenting, only to be rebuffed by lawmakers. Which is how [Woodinville founder] Orlin uncovered this forgotten barrel in the back corner of a legendary rickhouse, patiently waiting for someone to notice and appreciate it.

So now that we’ve learned a bit about them, let’s jump into the tasting notes and see if these are any good, shall we?

Woodinville Bourbon Sauternes Finish

Purchase Info: This sample was sent for review purposes at no cost. The suggested retail price is $69.99.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $4.67

Details: 52.5% ABV. Finished in Sauternes wine casks.

Nose: Dried grains lead off, with notes of brown sugar, molasses, and red fruit following.

Mouth: Nice, thick mouthfeel with notes of cinnamon, brown sugar, vanilla, pear, and dried grains.

Finish: Medium in length and warmth, with notes of dried grains, vanilla, caramel, and a touch of both dried red fruits and fresh pears.

IMAGE: Not bad, but not for me. So it gets a neutral face.

Thoughts: I’m neutral on this one. I'd love a touch less dried grain on all aspects of this. That said, this is not a flaw but a personal preference, and by no means do I think this should keep anyone from trying it—especially since there are a lot of people who enjoy the grain-forward style of bourbon. I do find it fun, though, that the final notes to fade are "wine" notes of pear and red fruit. Thematically, that’s just about perfect for a wine-cask-finished bourbon.

Woodinville Founder's Find Whiskey from a Bourbon Mash

Purchase Info: This sample was sent for review purposes at no cost. The suggested retail price is $129.99.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $8.67

Details: 96% Tennessee whiskey aged for 12 years in reconditioned barrels (used and recharred) and 4% 15-year-old Indiana bourbon. 53.5% ABV.

Nose: Cinnamon, Flintstone Vitamins, and a touch of red fruit and oak.

Mouth: Caramel, cinnamon, red fruit, and oak notes follow a rich, thick mouthfeel.

Finish: Warm and long with notes of oak, leather, cinnamon, caramel, and red fruit.

Thoughts: The bottle says that the whiskey that the Woodinville founder discovered in Tennessee was "too extraordinary not to share." I agree with that sentiment wholeheartedly. This may not technically be a bourbon, but it has all the notes and characteristics that you would want in one. So much so that, even though I poured a glass after receiving the sample, I didn't notice that it was a "whiskey from a bourbon mash" until I went to record the details in my tasting notes. It's damn good. Lots of "dark" flavor notes and a rich mouthfeel. Really liking it.

If you want to support our work at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or paypal.me/BourbonGuy. Or you could buy some merch that I’ve designed and/or built (tasting journals, t-shirts, stickers, pins, signs, posters, and more) at BourbonGuyGifts.com. Use code BOURBONGUYREADER at checkout for 5% off any order of $50 or more.

Larceny Barrel Proof C924 & Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C924

I’d like to thank Heaven Hill for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

IMAGE: Two bottles of bourbon displayed side by side on a wooden surface outdoors. The left bottle is Larceny Barrel Proof Wheated Bourbon (125.1 proof), and the right is Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon (64.4% ABV).

Covering both of the recent Heaven Hill Barrel Proof releases tonight, so let’s skip the chitchat and get down to business, shall we?

C924. By now, you probably know what that means in this context, but in case you don’t, let’s define it. C denotes the release order of the calendar year: A = first, B = second, C = third. 9 is the month of the release, September being the 9th month. 24 is the year of release (2024, in case you were unaware). Both bottles we’re looking at today are the third release of the year, both released in September 2024. Easy peasy.

Let’s dig in.

Larceny Barrel Proof, C924

Purchase Info: This bottle was provided at no charge by Heaven Hill for review purposes and to showcase the new bottle design. The suggested retail price is $64.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $4.33

Details: 62.55% ABV. Age: 6-8 Years. Mashbill: 68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley

Nose: Lots of vanilla and caramel with oak underneath.

Mouth: Very warm with notes of cinnamon, red fruit, vanilla, caramel, and oak.

Finish: Warm and of medium length with notes of oak, caramel, and cinnamon.

IMAGE: This is very good, it earns a smile.

Thoughts: As always, this is delicious. I'm really enjoying the strong vanilla, caramel, and oak notes present throughout the tasting experience.

Comparison to the last batch: The nose on C924 is much more vibrant than B524, showing much less nutty nougat and more vanilla and caramel. B524 is much hotter in the mouth and finish. Overall, I prefer C924 for its sweetness and drinkability, as it’s less hot.

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, C924

Purchase Info: This bottle was provided at no charge by Heaven Hill for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $74.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $5.00

Details: 64.5% ABV. Age: 11 Years.

Nose: Cinnamon candies, caramel, chocolate, and oak.

Mouth: Cinnamon candies, chocolate, caramel, and oak.

Finish: Warm and medium length. Notes of cinnamon, and chocolate with dusty oak appearing after a while.

iMAGE: This is very good, it earns a smile.

Thoughts: This is incredibly drinkable neat, even at 129° proof. It has a nice sweetness to it. The chocolate and cinnamon notes are delicious. I’m a fan.

Comparison to last time: Very similar on the nose, with B524 having just a touch more "dark" notes. The mouth on B524 is a bit more vibrant than C924. Both are very good and quite similar, but if I had to choose, I’d go with B524.

If you want to support our work at BourbonGuy.com, please consider a one-time donation at ko-fi.com/bourbonguy or paypal.me/BourbonGuy. Or you could buy some merch that I’ve designed and/or built (tasting journals, t-shirts, stickers, pins, signs, posters, and more) at BourbonGuyGifts.com. Use code BOURBONGUYREADER at checkout for 5% off any order of $50 or more.