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Interviews
Scotch Roots, Smoky Grappa & Socratic Steak: Inside the Mind of Irons One's New Master Distiller
A fourth-generation distiller with degrees in Buddhist philosophy and medical science, a Grand National Champion bourbon, and a plan to turn Huntsville's Lowe Mill distillery into a Southeast destination. Meet Matthew McLain.
Where Botany Meets the Bar: How Paul Mathew Built Everleaf From the Ground Up
The conservation biologist who traded fieldwork for cocktails — then merged both worlds into one of the UK's most celebrated non-alcoholic aperitif brands. A deep dive into the Everleaf story.
From Kentucky Moonshine to a Million Brooklyn Bottles: The Colin Spoelman Story
How a Kentucky kid with a Yale architecture degree and a suitcase full of moonshine built NYC's most celebrated craft distillery in a 115-year-old building at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Best Of Guides
U.S. Home Distilling Laws by State (2026): Is Moonshining Legal Where You Live?
A comprehensive state-by-state breakdown of home distilling laws in the United States — fully updated for the April 2026 Fifth Circuit ruling, West Virginia's 2024 legalization, and the pending 2025 Texas bill.
Rising American Whiskey Trails (2026): Indiana, New York, Pacific NW & More
The emerging whiskey scenes you haven't visited yet — Brooklyn's Navy Yard, Indiana's Bourbon Trail, Pacific NW grain-to-glass, and Denver's Rocky Mountain rye. 40+ distilleries across 5 states where you'll be ahead of the curve.
The Whiskey Rebellion Trail Guide (2026): History, Bourbon & the $35 Pass
Pennsylvania's Whiskey Rebellion Trail — where American whiskey history and modern craft distilling collide. 20+ stops, the $35 passport, interactive budget calculator, and a journey through the original American whiskey revolt.
The Virginia Spirits Trail Guide (2026): America's Whiskey Origin Story
Trace American whiskey from its literal birthplace — George Washington's distillery at Mount Vernon to the Blue Ridge craft scene. 25+ distilleries, interactive tools, and the most scenic whiskey trail in America.
The Definitive Ranking
Best Bourbons of 2026
Over 100 bottles blind-tasted and scored. These three earned the podium.
Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style
Old Forester Distillery (Brown-Forman)
Named for an era when bourbon went underground, Old Forester 1920 has emerged as one of the best kept non-allocated secrets in Kentucky. Rich, bold, and revelatory.
The Definitive Ranking
Best Whiskeys of 2026
Scotch, rye, and world whiskeys — blind-tasted and ranked.
Bunnahabhain 12 Year Old
Bunnahabhain Distillery
Bunnahabhain 12 is the bottle I keep specifically for friends who say they want to try Scotch but hate smoke. It's the unpeated Islay malt that breaks every expectation — and at 46.3% NCF for $50, it tastes like a bottle that costs considerably more.
The Definitive Ranking
Best Tequilas of 2026
From blanco to extra añejo — the finest agave spirits ranked.
El Tesoro Reposado
La Alteña Distillery (NOM 1139)
El Tesoro Reposado is the tequila I hand to bourbon drinkers who claim they don't like tequila. Carlos Camarena's tahona-crushed, copper-pot reposado has converted skeptics in blind tasting after blind tasting. Here's why ex-bourbon barrels and 9-11 months of patience produce the most balanced reposado at any price near $45.
The Definitive Ranking
Best Cigars of 2026
Premium cigars rated by construction, flavor, and value.
My Father Le Bijou 1922 Torpedo Box Pressed
My Father Cigars (Garcia Family)
Full-bodied, relentlessly complex, and built with the craftsmanship of a family that has been rolling cigars since before most of us were born. Le Bijou 1922 is the Garcia family at their most uncompromising.
Latest Booze News
Best Bourbon Under $30: 10 Bottles That Punch Above Their Price
The sub-$30 bourbon tier is where you'll find the best value in American whiskey—bottles that deliver complexity, character, and quality without the premium markup. After tasting 35 bourbons in this price range, these 10 stand out as exceptional daily pours.
Best Bourbon Under $50: 10 Bottles Worth Every Penny
The $30-50 bracket is bourbon's sweet spot—where craft meets value without the hype tax. We blind-tasted 42 bottles to find the 10 that prove you don't need a second mortgage to drink exceptionally well.
Best Premium Bourbon Over $100: 10 Bottles Worth the Splurge
The $100+ bourbon tier separates casual drinkers from serious enthusiasts. It's where extended aging, limited releases, and exceptional craftsmanship meet allocation games and hype-driven pricing. We tested dozens of luxury bottles to find which ones justify the expense.
The Paloma Recipe: Mexico's Real Favorite Tequila Cocktail
Mexico's most popular tequila cocktail isn't the Margarita — it's the Paloma, a refreshing mix of tequila, grapefruit, and lime. Here's how to make both the fresh-squeezed version and the traditional soda-based classic.
Best Bourbon Under $100: 10 Premium Bottles That Deliver
The $50-100 bourbon tier is where craft meets value. We tested 38 premium bottles to find the 10 that actually justify their price tags—from cask strength bruisers to port-finished smoothness.
The Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe: How to Make It Right
The Old Fashioned is bourbon's greatest stage — a cocktail so simple it has nowhere to hide mediocrity. Here's how to make it right, with the techniques and bourbon picks that actually matter.
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