The Chronicle
Latest dispatches
100 results across all types
- news
Whiskey Review: Sazerac Rye 100-Proof Straight Rye Whiskey
Introduction This week on the Film & Whiskey podcast, we cracked open a bottle that’s been staring at us from the desk for a while now: Sazerac Rye 100 Proof . Big thanks to the folks at Sazerac for sending us this hefty liter bottle. This is the amped-up version of the well-known “Baby Saz” rye, the non-BTAC (Buffalo Trace Antique Collection) release that’s gained popularity as the go-to rye for making classic cocktails. But here, we get it at 100 proof, in a liter-sized bottle, clearly meant to be your new home-bar workhorse. There’s no age statement, so it’s at least four years old, and Buffalo Trace—as usual—isn’t sharing the mash bill. But most speculation suggests it’s their low-rye rye mash, possibly just 51% rye, which gives this whiskey a unique hybrid character. We dove in to see whether this bottle is just a high-proof mixer, or something more. Nose Brad: This is a really robust nose. There’s a ton of mint
- news
Whiskey Review: Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon
We’re revisiting one of the whiskeys that helped shape our entire podcast: Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon . It might not be the flashiest pour on the shelf, but for a long time, this was our benchmark: everything we tried in the $30–$40 range got measured against it. So today, we’re asking: does Elijah Craig still deserve that pedestal? This Kentucky Straight Bourbon comes from Heaven Hill Distillery , with a mash bill of 78% corn, 10% rye, and 12% malted barley . It’s aged 8–12 years and bottled at 94 proof (47% ABV) . With its #3 char barrels and lower rye content, it’s built to be approachable while still offering a depth of flavor. Let’s break it down. This review is taken from our episode " Casablanca (1942) / Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon ." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format. Nose Brad: Dude, the nose is just like the platonic ideal of what you want from a bourbon. There is caramel. There’s brown sugar. Th
- news
Whiskey Review: Bardstown Bourbon Company Maison Ferrand Finish II
We’re back with another Bardstown Bourbon Company release—this time, the Maison Ferrand Finish II , a collaboration with the renowned French cognac house. This double-finished blend clocks in at 111 proof and was aged up to 12 years , with the finishing process adding a unique touch: 15 months in Maison Ferrand cognac casks . The blend includes Bardstown's own 95/5 rye whiskey (95% rye, 5% malted barley), among other components, making this a complex, layered pour. The bottle recently took home Double Gold at the San Francisco Spirits Competition , so we were eager to see if it lived up to the hype. Here’s how it fared in our glass. Nose Brad: I like this nose a lot. It is raisin-forward, there’s some dark cherry. For me, it reminded me of when I take heavy whipping cream and smell it to make sure it’s not gone bad. I’m like, “Oh, this kind of reminds me of heavy whipping cream a little bit.” There’s a little bit of vanilla in there
- news
Whiskey Review: Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Double-Barreled in American and Hungarian Oak Introduction We’re back with Bardstown Bourbon Company, and this time, we're tasting their Discovery Series #13 . This release is a double-barreled Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, finished first in American oak and then in Hungarian oak. It blends four Kentucky bourbons, aged 8, 9, 9, and 15 years , and comes in at 110.8 proof . As longtime fans of Bardstown's Discovery Series, we were excited to dig into this one. So let’s break down what we found. Nose Brad: The nose on this is stunning. It's like decadent maple syrup, with notes of candied almonds and a bit of nuttiness. It really reminded me of a Nutter Butter. There are a lot of raisins on it. It's just a decadent, beautiful nose. 8.5/10 Bob: Yeah, I get a surprising amount of wine character on the nose, like dark red grape, maybe a Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon vibe. There's definitely almond in there, too. My one knock on the Discov
- news
Whisky Review: Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Year Single Malt Scotch
In this episode of the Film & Whiskey Podcast, we revisit one of our early favorites: the Glenmorangie Lasanta 12 Year. This Highland single malt scotch whisky is aged in both ex-bourbon and sherry casks, though the distillery doesn’t specify the exact type of sherry casks used. Clocking in at 43% ABV (86 proof), the Lasanta is part of Glenmorangie’s core lineup and carries a 12-year age statement (though the company has recently rebranded this as a 15-year release). We first tried this expression in season one, and we were excited to see how it held up with a few more years of experience (and a lot more whiskey) under our belts. Nose Brad : Bob, the nose here is what you want out of a scotch. There’s honey, the barley comes through, and it’s a little bit minty. It gets a little herbaceous for me. And maybe it’s just the time of year, but it reminded me a little of a Cadbury egg—it’s kind of chocolatey and creamy. It’s not a strong no
- news
Whiskey Review: Old Overholt 4-Year Straight Rye Whiskey
For this week's episode of Film & Whiskey , we’re revisiting one of America’s oldest whiskey labels: Old Overholt. This rye whiskey, recently updated to include a four-year age statement and bottled at 86 proof, is an evolution of the brand we last tasted back in 2020. That previous version was 80 proof and blended, with the oldest whiskey being only three years old. Now owned by Suntory as part of the Jim Beam portfolio, Old Overholt has seen multiple refreshes, including bottled-in-bond and 114-proof versions. But today, we’re keeping it simple and reviewing the newly standardized 86-proof, 4-year straight rye. We picked up a one-liter bottle for about $21 in Kentucky, while a 750ml runs around $20 in Ohio. That makes this one of the most affordable straight ryes on the market. But how does it hold up in the glass? Nose Brad : I like the nose on this. It's all sorts of sweet mint, like a sweet mint-flavored gum. There's vanilla frosting on it. It's not overly co
- news
Whiskey Review: Phifer Pavitt Late Night Bourbon Whiskey
When we were just starting out as podcasters back in 2019, we reviewed Phifer Pavitt Reserve —a collaboration between Bardstown Bourbon Company and Napa Valley’s Phifer Pavitt Winery. That pour quickly became one of our all-time favorites and introduced us to the world of finished bourbons. It was rich, nuanced, and memorable enough that we still talk about it years later. Now, the folks behind Bardstown’s early innovations have formed Whiskey House of Kentucky , and one of their debut releases revisits the magic: Phifer Pavitt Late Night Bourbon Whiskey . Aged 11 years and finished in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon barrels for 13 months (with lees left in for added complexity), this expression clocks in at 107 proof and brings a depth of character that had us both eager to revisit the brand. Let’s dive into the review. Nose Brad: I already sampled this and think it has a wonderful nose. There’s oak and brown sugar. It gives me a bit of a crumbly fig newto
- news
Review: Bluegrass Bitters 5-Spice Orange Bitters and Smoky Simple Syrup
We don’t often get excited about cocktail components, but every now and then something new comes along that makes us rethink the idea of at-home mixology. In this week’s episode of the Film & Whiskey Podcast , we tried two products from a husband-and-wife company out of Louisville, Kentucky: Bluegrass Bitters ™. Their core offerings, a Smoky Simple Syrup and a 5-Spice Orange Bitters, promise a shortcut to elevated cocktails without a lot of effort. We wanted to see if they deliver. So we mixed up some drinks, tried each product on its own, and gave our honest impressions. Smoky Simple Syrup: Sweet, Smoky, and Surprisingly Balanced Bob: I'm going to start with the Smoky Simple Syrup. I’ll go on record and say, smoky stuff is really hit or miss for me. When it's done poorly, it just tastes like liquid smoke. It feels artificial. But here’s the thing—you know how to fix something that tastes too smoky? Brad: Sugar? Bob: Exactly. This is really
- news
Whiskey Review: Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey
Introduction This week on the Film & Whiskey Podcast, we're revisiting a classic: Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey . Or is it Tullamore “Dew”? The bottle label has periods (D.E.W.), but most references pronounce it simply as “Dew,” so we’re rolling with that. Tullamore D.E.W. is one of the most recognizable names in Irish whiskey. We’ve covered it before—including a few of their barrel-finished variants like the Caribbean cask—but today we’re going back to the flagship expression. This is a triple-distilled blended Irish whiskey that combines all three styles: malt whiskey, grain whiskey, and pot still whiskey. It’s bottled at 80 proof (40% ABV) and is non-age stated , though we know it’s at least three years old to meet Irish whiskey regulations. Tullamore D.E.W. has long been positioned alongside Jameson as a go-to budget pour, and we wanted to see how it holds up in 2025. Is it still a solid pick for the price? Or a
- news
Whiskey Review: Heaven Hill Green Label Bourbon
Every now and then, a bottle comes along that earns a cult following, not because it's flashy or rare, but because it's reliable, delicious, and absurdly affordable. For a long time, Heaven Hill Green Label was exactly that. Technically labeled as "Heaven Hill Old Style Bourbon," this 6-year age-stated bourbon became a beloved inside secret among whiskey fans, sporting a big green label and a price tag around $10–$15. Today, we're reviewing Heaven Hill Green Label Bourbon… posthumously. That's right: this bottle has been discontinued. In its place, Heaven Hill released a 7-year Bottled-in-Bond expression for around $40. And while the age and base mash bill may be similar (78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley) the value proposition certainly isn’t. So how does this budget-friendly bourbon hold up now that it’s gone? Let’s find out. Nose Brad : The nose is beautiful, Bob. It's candy corn. It's cornbread. There's some caramel. There's oatmeal cookie. And the
- news
Whiskey Review: Ancient Ancient Age 10 Star Bourbon
This week’s pour is a curious one: Ancient Ancient Age 10 Star , a 90-proof bourbon distilled at Buffalo Trace using their well-known Mash Bill #2 (the same one used in Blanton’s and Elmer T. Lee). We haven’t reviewed this bottle since 2019, but we were surprised by what we learned going into this one. Even though Buffalo Trace distills this whiskey, the brand itself is owned by Age International , a Japanese company that retained ownership of several labels, including Ancient Age, Blanton’s, Rock Hill Farms, and Hancock’s Reserve—even after selling the distillery back to Sazerac. At one time, “Ancient Ancient Age” had a 10-year age statement. Today, that age statement is gone, replaced with the ambiguous "10 Star" designation. It’s now rumored to contain bourbon as young as three years old . So what do you get for $16–$19 a liter? We popped the cork to find out. This review is taken from our episode " Iron Man (2008) / Ancien
- news
Whisky Review: Glenmorangie The Original 10-Year Highland Single Malt Scotch
Introduction This week, we’re diving into a classic single malt: Glenmorangie The Original 10-Year Highland Scotch . For Brad and me, this was the single malt scotch that marked our first step into the world of Scotch whisky on the Film & Whiskey Podcast. Back then, we picked up a sampler pack of four small Glenmorangie bottles that gave us a low barrier to entry. At the time, neither of us had much experience with scotch, but Glenmorangie became an early guidepost. This bottling was originally a 10-year age-stated whisky. Recently, Glenmorangie rebranded the expression, and it now carries a minimum age statement of 12 years. For this review, though, we tracked down an original 10-year bottle so that our guest, film critic Bilge Ebiri , could sip alongside us. Bilge admitted that he’s more of a bourbon drinker these days, but he was excited to revisit scotch with us. Glenmorangie is a Highland single malt , meaning a whisky made entirely from malted barley, and the &ldq
- news
Whiskey Review: Maker’s Mark 46: French Oaked Bourbon
Introduction Today, we’re reviewing Maker’s Mark 46 , a French-oaked bourbon that first hit shelves in 2010. When we first tried it in 2019, we both assumed this label had been around much longer, but it turns out it was only a decade old at that point. Maker’s Mark, of course, is one of the world’s best-selling wheated bourbons. In a wheated mash bill, wheat takes the place of rye as the secondary grain after corn, typically producing a softer nose and sweeter profile. We almost always find cherry notes in wheated bourbons, and even after all the whiskeys we’ve reviewed, this remains one of our favorite categories. Maker’s 46 starts out as standard Maker’s Mark—made in batches of less than 1,000 gallons—before being finished with ten heavily seared French oak staves inserted into the barrel. The whiskey is then aged for an additional two to three months. This finishing technique adds depth and a distinct oak character. Mash bill: 7
- news
Whiskey Review: Green River 250th U.S. Army Special Anniversary Bourbon
Introduction We’re excited for this one: Green River’s 250th Anniversary Special Release honoring the United States Army. This is a four-year age-stated bourbon that also includes up to seven-year-old whiskey in the blend. The mash bill is 75% corn, 15% rye, and 10% malted barley. Bottled at 111.1 proof, it retails for $49.99. We love Green River: between the quality of their regular lineup and the value they deliver, they’ve built a reputation that’s hard to beat—without ever feeling like “bargain bin” whiskey. Nose Bob: Honestly, the first thing I’m getting is ethanol. It’s a little more alcohol-forward than their typical releases. Now, it’s almost barrel proof here, but we’ve had their full proof many times and I think that has a little more character. This just leans more alcohol-forward. There’s a bit of minerality here too, almost like mineral water. If this were in a blind, I’d give it 6.5/10 on the no
- news
Whiskey Review: Beach Whiskey Island Coconut
Introduction We’re taking a break from our usual straight whiskey reviews to try something a little different: Beach Whiskey Island Coconut . The label on the bottle technically refers to the brand as “American Beach,” but the brand refers to itself simply as “Beach Whiskey.” This is a 52-proof coconut-flavored whiskey liqueur made from white dog as its base spirit. Normally, you’d expect coconut flavor in a rum or vodka-based liqueur, but here they’re using whiskey, and we think that’s a brilliant idea. With whiskey production at an all-time high and demand starting to cool off, why not experiment? Coconut whiskey is a new angle in the flavored spirits market, and we’re curious to see how it stacks up, especially at just $20 a bottle . They also make a cinnamon version, but today we’re focusing on the Island Coconut. While we won’t be giving full category scores for this one (since it’s not a traditional whiskey),
- news
Whiskey Review: Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Introduction We’re well underway on Season 10 of the podcast, and returning with a bottle that sparked strong opinions from us in the past: Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey . Formerly known as “Basil Hayden’s,” this small batch bourbon from Beam Suntory dropped the apostrophe a few years back, as if disowning the juice entirely. Now simply "Basil Hayden," it remains one of the most recognizable (and polarizing) names in modern bourbon. Part of the Beam small batch collection alongside Baker’s, Booker’s, and Knob Creek, Basil Hayden was first released in 1992. It’s bottled at 80 proof and, although the mash bill is undisclosed, it’s rumored to contain 62% corn, 27% rye, and 10% malted barley —making it a high-rye bourbon . This time around, Bob and Brad dive back into the bottle with open minds (well, mostly), ready to reassess whether this widely available bourbon is worth the $40 price tag. This review is taken from o
- news
Whiskey Review: Very Old Barton 80 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Welcome to Season 10 of Film & Whiskey! We're kicking things off with a return to an old favorite— Very Old Barton 80-proof , a brand we haven’t touched since Season 1. This is a Kentucky straight bourbon that has built a bit of a cult reputation for its affordability and surprising quality, especially if you’ve spent any time on whiskey Instagram. Today, we're diving into the 80 proof expression , which is now available in Ohio. It’s aged for 36 months (three years) and, based on the mash bill of its bottled-in-bond sibling, likely comes in at 75% corn, 15% rye, and 10% malted barley —making this a high-rye bourbon . Let’s see how this budget-friendly bourbon holds up in our six scoring categories. This review is taken from our episode " 12 Angry Men (1957) / Very Old Barton 80-Proof Bourbon ." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format. Nose Bob: Honestly, at three years and 80 proof, I’m pretty shocked at how pleasant this s
- news
Whiskey Review: Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve Straight Bourbon
For this episode, we’re diving into Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve—a straight bourbon finished in Reposado tequila barrels and bottled by Next Century Spirits. While the company is based in North Carolina, this is labeled as a Kentucky straight bourbon, indicating it’s sourced from within the state. It clocks in at 90 proof, though no age statement was provided. What caught our attention? That tequila cask finish—one of the most unpredictable barrel types when it comes to whiskey. Let’s see how this one stacks up. Nose Brad : Honestly, dude, maybe it’s because I’m primed for it, but I do smell agave. It’s not overwhelming—it’s a nice presence. There’s a little bit of an herbaceous note going on that I think is a mix of that agave. But besides that, it’s got just a really nice vanilla caramel experience that feels like a really traditional bourbon with a little bit of something-something going on. Score: 7/10 Bob : The
- news
Whiskey Review: Bear Fight American Single Malt
Introduction We're kicking off Season 10 with a review of a whiskey that might have the best name in the game: Bear Fight . Specifically, we’re diving into Bear Fight American Single Malt Whiskey, a small batch release labeled as a premium product. It's aged for a minimum of three years, and while we don’t have full details on the exact distillery origin, we do know it’s part of the growing—and unpredictable—American single malt category. American single malts are some of our favorite whiskeys to explore because every bottle feels like rolling the dice. Sometimes they lean more Scotch-like, sometimes they veer completely into their own lane. Either way, we're rarely disappointed, and this one intrigued us right out of the gate. Let’s get into it. Nose Bob : I’ve been letting it air out for a little while. When I first poured it, it had a bit of a saline note, but that’s mellowed. Now I’m getting what we usually find on a blended Sco
- news
Whiskey Review: Bushmills Red Bush Irish Whiskey
Introduction This week, we’re checking out Bushmills Red Bush , an affordable Irish whiskey aimed squarely at bourbon drinkers. It’s a non-age stated blend of single malt and grain whiskey, aged for at least three years , and matured exclusively in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels —unlike the standard Bushmills white label, which uses a combo of bourbon and sherry casks. Bushmills Black Bush, which we’ll review next week, leans in the opposite direction with solely sherry cask aging , so Red Bush represents one half of their flavor spectrum. Whether you're a bourbon loyalist or a curious whiskey drinker, Red Bush is positioned as an approachable gateway into the world of Irish whiskey—and we’re here to put that to the test. This review is taken from our episode "The Princess Bride / Bushmills Red Bush" Click the link to listen to this review in audio format. Nose Bob: Like a lot of Irish whiskeys, I'm getting a ton of melon on this. I think it's l
- news
Eddington (2025) Review: Ari Aster’s Grand Conspiracy Thriller Misses the Mark
Ari Aster’s Eddington continues a concerning trend among 2025’s major offerings, a growing list of prestige directors losing the throughline of their films through their own ambition. Aster ( Midsommar, Beau is Afraid) swings for a paranoid, post-pandemic epic full of grand commentary, but gets lost in abstraction and tonal confusion. Despite strong performances, Eddington fails to decide whether it wants to satirize, empathize with, or indict conspiracy thinking, and collapses under that indecision. It's at least a half hour too long, peaks at about the two-thirds point and doesn't know what to do from there, culminating in an over-the-top ending that feels like a forced escape. Eddington starts as a satire just a degree or two from reality, in which country sheriff Joe Cross (Joaquin Phoenix) fights both pandemic restrictions and home life riddled with mental illness and trauma. From the beginning, though, Aster muddies the water by blending the craziness of COVID with th
- news
Whiskey Review: Benchmark Old No. 8 Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Introduction When we first launched the Film & Whiskey podcast, our debut pairing was Goodfellas and Benchmark Old No. 8. We've since revisited Goodfellas (spoiler: Brad still didn’t like it), but never circled back to the whiskey—until now. Since then, Benchmark has expanded into a full product line, and we’ve reviewed all five of their other offerings. Now we’re coming back to where it all started. At 80 proof (40% ABV), Benchmark Old No. 8 is distilled by Buffalo Trace and blended from barrels across rickhouse floors. It’s not age-stated, but we estimate it's at least three years old. At just $13 in Ohio, it remains one of the most accessible bourbons on the market. This review is taken from our episode "Anchorman (2004) / Benchmark Bourbon." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format. Nose Brad: This nose is very average. It is caramel, there’s some baking spices. Everything is muted about it. There’s a little vanilla. It&r
- news
Whiskey Review: Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon
Introduction Today we’re reviewing a whiskey with a bit of a reputation: Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon . This bottle has become something of a polarizing figure in the whiskey world—some folks love it, others can’t stand it. Willett first launched this bourbon in 2008 , initially as a single barrel release . By 2011, they quietly changed it to a small batch , with batches capped at 12 barrels. For years, this was sourced whiskey—most assumed it came from Heaven Hill. But as of 2024, we can confirm that it’s now 100% distilled by Willett , using a pot still as the name and iconic bottle suggest. The whiskey clocks in at 94 proof , and while the mash bill isn’t disclosed , it’s believed to be Willett’s weeded bourbon recipe . No age statement appears on the bottle, and prices hover around $57 , depending on your state. This whiskey has been off our radar for years, so we were eager to revisit it with fresh eyes—and fresh palates.
- news
Whiskey Review: Heaven’s Door Revival Tennessee Bourbon
Introduction Today we’re checking out Heaven’s Door Revival Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey —our first time reviewing anything from the Heaven’s Door label. If the name sounds familiar, that’s because this is the Bob Dylan-endorsed whiskey line , named after his iconic song “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.” Brad pointed out that thematically, this might be the most appropriate whiskey pairing we’ve ever done for a movie with this high a body count. We couldn’t resist. This particular release is Tennessee straight bourbon , aged a minimum of six years . It’s 92 proof (46% ABV) and was sourced from a single-story rickhouse , where cooler temperatures keep aging conditions more stable. The barrels are batched and proofed down before bottling. Our sample came from friend-of-the-show Zach Johnston , who originally reviewed it for Uproxx. We had to do some sleuthing to confirm the exact expression, but we’re confiden