BOOZEMAKERS
A Gentleman's Lifestyle
In-depth spirit reviews, intimate maker interviews, expert guides, and stories celebrating the craft behind the world's finest drinks.
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Interviews
Master Distiller James Calloway on the Art of Patience and Bourbon
We sat down with Heritage Creek's legendary Master Distiller to talk barrel selection, the bourbon boom, and why great whiskey can't be rushed.
The Quiet Revolution: Four Roses' Brent Elliott on 10 Recipes and Infinite Patience
Four Roses' Master Distiller on managing 10 bourbon recipes, the OBSV vs. OESV debate, and why limited releases aren't always the best bottles.
Behind the Barrel: How Wilderness Trail's Shane Baker Is Rewriting Kentucky Bourbon
Wilderness Trail's co-founder on sweet mash science, proprietary yeast, and why the best bourbon innovations are happening in Danville, not Louisville.
Best Of Guides
Calories in Bourbon vs Scotch vs Rye vs Irish Whiskey: The Full Breakdown
At the same proof, bourbon, scotch, rye, and Irish whiskey all have identical calories. The differences come from proof — and we break down every major brand.
Brew in a Bag (BIAB): The Simplest Path to All-Grain Brewing
All-grain brewing doesn't require a three-tier system and an engineering degree. BIAB gets you there with one kettle, one bag, and one afternoon.
How to Fix Common Homebrewing Problems: A Troubleshooting Guide
Your beer tastes like Band-Aids. Or won't ferment. Or turned into a volcano. Here's how to diagnose and fix the most common homebrewing problems.
Kegging vs. Bottling: Which Is Right for Your Homebrew?
Bottling 50 bottles after a 5-hour brew day is where dreams go to die. Here's the real cost of switching to kegs — and whether it's worth it.
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.
Nikka Whisky From The Barrel
Nikka (Yoichi & Miyagikyo Distilleries)
At 51.4% ABV in a bottle that fits in your pocket, Nikka From The Barrel punches harder than whiskies twice its size and three times its price.
The Definitive Ranking
Best Tequilas of 2026
From blanco to extra añejo — the finest agave spirits ranked.
G4 Blanco 108 Proof
El Pandillo Distillery / NOM 1579
Bottled at 108 proof—nearly the legal maximum—G4's high-proof blanco is an unfiltered, undiluted expression of what highland agave can truly deliver.
The Definitive Ranking
Best Cigars of 2026
Premium cigars rated by construction, flavor, and value.
Padron 60th Anniversary Perfecto Natural
Padron Cigars
Cigar Aficionado's #1 Cigar of 2025. At $75 per stick, it forces the ultimate question: is any single cigar worth that much? After smoking ours, we have a very clear answer.
Latest Booze News
Bourbon Age Statements: Does Older Mean Better?
What bourbon age statements actually mean, the 6-12 year sweet spot, why NAS bottles aren't necessarily young, and when over-aging hurts more than it helps. Specific bottles and prices included.
Barrel Proof vs Cask Strength vs Bottled-in-Bond: What's the Difference?
Barrel proof, cask strength, and bottled-in-bond are three different designations — not interchangeable terms. What each one guarantees about the whiskey in your glass, with specific bottle examples and prices.
Bourbon Mash Bills Explained: Why the Grain Recipe Matters
What a bourbon mash bill is, why it matters for flavor, and how to tell the difference between traditional, high-rye, wheated, and four-grain recipes. Specific distillery examples and percentages included.
How Bourbon Is Made: From Grain to Glass
Every step of bourbon production explained — from mashing and fermenting to distilling, barreling, and aging in new charred oak. Real distillery details, specific proofs and temperatures, and the choices that define each brand.
Homebrewing Water Chemistry: The Beginner's Guide to Water Profiles
Water is 90-95% of your beer, and most homebrewers ignore it completely. Here's how pH, minerals, and water profiles actually affect what's in your glass.
Essential Homebrewing Equipment: What You Actually Need to Start
Skip the $500 starter kit. Here's what you actually need to brew your first batch — and what's worth upgrading once you're hooked.
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