It’s with a heavy heart that I announce my departure from Whisky Advocate. Over the past decade, I wrote more than 500 (maybe even more) blog posts, features and reviews for this magazine. And I am so thankful for the opportunities Whisky Advocate and its … Continue readingWhisky Advocate: Thanks for the Memories
Woodford Reserve named Master Taster Elizabeth McCall the Assistant Master Distiller, the company said. McCall has worked in Brown-Forman’s Research & Development Department since 2009. In her new role as Assistant Master Distiller, per a press release, she reports to master distiller Chris Morris and … Continue readingWoodford Reserve Promotes McCall to Assistant Master Distiller
For years, I’ve unofficially tracked bourbon sales in Kentucky liquor stores. Anecdotally, store managers and owners have told me their top three volume brands were Woodford Reserve, Maker’s Mark and Buffalo Trace. Jim Beam, Evan Williams, Henry McKenna, Four Roses, Bulleit and few others have … Continue readingWhy Woodford Reserve Just Won Kentucky
Remember when you were a new bourbon consumer? Ah, the good old days. You walked into a store, chatted with the liquor store owner and grabbed a bottle in the perfect price point for your wallet. Then, you started reading about bourbon, maybe found a … Continue readingThe Cycle of Bourbon Geeks
Every day, I think about my military service. Usually, it’s “thank God, I don’t have to wake up at 4 a.m..” Or, I’m thankful my coffee doesn’t taste like boiled peanuts mixed with motor oil–Army coffee. And I remember my fallen friends, my close calls and … Continue readingEvery Woodford Bought, an Eagle Screams
In celebration of #BourbonRebirth, I’m ranking the most-influential bourbon brands since 1980, when bourbon mattered little on the national scene. Bourbon made its comeback because of passion, good bourbon and great effort. Meet brands 10 through 6. Read Part 1. 10. Willett An argument could be … Continue readingBourbon Rebirth: The Brands That Saved The Spirit, Part 2