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Whiskey Review: Bardstown Bourbon Company Distillery Reserve Hokkaido Mizunara Oak Finish
This week, we’re diving into a special release from one of our favorite producers—Bardstown Bourbon Company. This bottle is part of their Distillery Reserve Series, and it’s called the Hokkaido Mizunara Oak Finish. What makes this release special? It’s a blend of four straight whiskeys: two from Kentucky, one from Indiana, and one from Tennessee—the Tennessee whiskey being 18 years old. Altogether, the whiskeys range from 9 to 18 years in age, and the final product is finished for 28 months in Japanese Mizunara Oak barrels. It clocks in at 109.3 proof and is only available at the distillery in 375ml format. Nose Bob: I really like this. It’s got some super exotic fruit notes. It’s caramel-heavy, with a lot of maple and brown sugar, but underneath it all, I’m getting toasted coconut and almond—reminds me of a German almond cake. Really nice. 8.5/10 Brad: Man, the nose is absolutely delicious. I get cinnamon, almonds, a simple syrup v
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James Gunn’s Superman Doesn’t Soar: A Misfire of Tone and Timing
I’ve had an up-and-down relationship with James Gunn’s superhero films. Only one of the three Gunn-directed Guardians of the Galaxy films totally worked for me, and while I’ll cherish Guardians 2 forever, the others in the series were more indicative of the poles of Gunn’s overbearing style. On one hand, the first Guardians film undercut its serious moments and strained too much for laughs. Guardians 3 had the opposite issue: Gunn overindulged in schmaltz and manipulation (but learned that cute animals in danger could be a winning formula). Likewise, Gunn’s The Suicide Squad followed in the irreverent footsteps of its Guardians predecessors. Now, Gunn takes over the DC Comics film universe, and in turn, a franchise that’s been rather inflexible in its presentation. Unfortunately, Gunn’s deft touch with the wise-cracking heroes of Guardians and Suicide Squad doesn’t translate to Superman, a figure who embodies sincerity and earnestness. Su
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Jurassic World: Rebirth Is the Best Sequel Since Spielberg Left the Park
Just outside the theater hosting my screening of Jurassic World: Rebirth was a marketing installation featuring life-sized velociraptors, an archway bearing the words JURASSIC PARK, and at least one Jeep Wrangler patterned directly after Spielberg's 1993 film. It was clear from the jump that the marketing team behind Rebirth wanted the audience to associate the film not with the at-times-awful Jurassic World trilogy that immediately preceded it, but specifically with the original Park , still far and way the best of the bunch. That Rebirth manages to live up to such lofty expectations at all is a minor miracle, but director Gareth Edwards rustles up some uncharacteristic Spielberg cheese and charm, and the result is the best Jurassic sequel since at least Spielberg's own follow-up, The Lost World: Jurassic Park . Indeed, there are long stretches here that shamelessly allude to Spielbergian horror—who knew an extended Jaws homage cou
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Whiskey Review: WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye
Introduction In this episode, we’re reviewing WhistlePig PiggyBack Rye —a six-year, 100% rye whiskey that sits at the entry-level end of WhistlePig’s otherwise high-end portfolio. Known for its masterful blending of sourced whiskies—especially from Canada—WhistlePig has long been a staple in the rye whiskey world. But with PiggyBack, they’re offering something more accessible, while still showcasing their signature rye-forward style. Bottled at 96.56 proof , PiggyBack is crafted from a 100% rye mash bill , giving it a sharp, spicy edge right from the nose. Let’s dive into how this whiskey holds up across the board. This review is taken from our episode " Babe / WhistlePig Piggyback Rye ." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format. Nose Brad : I’m getting cinnamon and some baking spices—maybe even allspice. It’s a really interesting nose. I’m enjoying it. Score: 8/10 Bob : I’m picking up bright, crisp
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Whiskey Review: West Fork Bottled-in-Bond Wheated Bourbon
Introduction Today, we're checking out West Fork's Bottled-in-Bond Wheated Bourbon , a 100-proof expression from a rising Indiana craft distillery. West Fork Whiskey Co., founded in 2014 by three Indiana natives, distills its own products rather than sourcing from the state's better-known juggernaut, MGP. This bottle is their flagship four-year-old bourbon, produced in accordance with the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. That means it comes from a single distilling season, aged at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof. The mash bill, courtesy of Breaking Bourbon, is 73% corn, 17% wheat, and 10% rye—a slightly higher rye content than we expected from a wheated bourbon. This was our first experience with West Fork Whiskey, and we were excited to see how it stacked up. Nose Brad: This smells very young to me. It has the craft vibe, which sometimes is good, sometimes not. I smell sawdust and corn and youth—like a street youth. 6/10 Bob:
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Whiskey Review: Ezra Brooks Distiller’s Collection Bourbon
We’re back with another entry from Lux Row Distillers , this time diving into the E zra Brooks Distiller’s Collection —a high rye bourbon whiskey that clocks in at 107 proof. We’ve previously tried Ezra Brooks 99 , Old Ezra 7 Year , and the standard Ezra Brooks , but this Distiller’s Collection is a special small-batch release. It comes out every few weeks in batches of just 30–40 cases, often hand-selected by Lux Row’s master distiller or designated team members. We’ve long been fans of the Rebel Distiller’s Collection (Lux Row’s wheated bourbon line), but we’ve had more mixed experiences with Ezra Brooks. Could this one change our minds? Let’s dive in. Nose Brad: The first thing that hit me was how astringent it came across. It mellowed a bit with time and revealed some caramel, black pepper, and a hint of red apple. But that sharp astringency never fully faded for me. Score: 6.5/10 Bob: I got a totally different
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Hugh Hamer Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Rum Barrels Review
Introduction For this episode, we’re diving into a unique offering from the Old Hamer line by West Fork Whiskey: Hugh Hamer Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Rum Barrels . Though it shares some DNA with Old Hamer, this expression takes a distinct turn by finishing in rum casks, and we couldn’t resist dubbing it “Huge Hammer” throughout the episode. This bourbon boasts a 99% corn, 1% malted barley mash bill , is aged 4–6 years , and clocks in at 103 proof . The label doesn’t specify what kind of rum barrels are used, which leads us to believe it could be a mix. Regardless, we were excited to see how this high-corn bourbon would hold up with a rum finish. Let’s jump in. Nose Brad: This is a really pleasant nose. There is caramel, there’s maple frosting. It’s got a nice vanilla zest to it. There is a decent amount of like a corn pops vibe—like a really sugary corn cereal that I like a lot. 8/10 Bob: I’m getting a lot of
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Whiskey Review: Old Hamer Cask Strength Bourbon
Introduction For this episode of Film & Whiskey, we’re sticking with West Fork Whiskey, but switching gears to explore one of their other labels: Old Hamer Cask Strength Bourbon . Old Hamer is a resurrected Indiana brand that dates back over a century. West Fork acquired the rights to the name and revived it—though unlike their core West Fork products, Old Hamer uses sourced distillate from MGP. This particular expression comes in at 118.2 proof (59.1% ABV) and features a 99% corn, 1% malted barley mash bill , which makes it about as corn-heavy as you can get. Interestingly, it’s only aged for three years , and the barrels were previously designated as light whiskey. After aging in new charred oak, though, it meets the requirements to be considered a bourbon. The bottle we sampled is from Batch #32 . Let’s dive in. Nose Brad: This is like a just a beautiful classic bourbon experience. There is caramel and vanilla. The vanilla reminds me of like a really rich
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Whiskey Review: Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whiskey
Introduction Today, we’re wrapping up our Bushmills trilogy with Bushmills Black Bush . A couple of years ago, Bob bought a bottle of Bushmills during the holidays, and it came with two 50ml samples of Red Bush and Black Bush. So we got to try all three for the price of one. We really loved the Red Bush , which was aged exclusively in bourbon barrels. Now we’re on to Black Bush, which is all sherry-cask-aged Irish whiskey . It’s 80 proof , triple-distilled, and aged at least three years , just like the others in the lineup. Given how meh we found the standard Bushmills and how fantastic Red Bush was, we’re curious where Black Bush will land. Will it bring balance to the force, or will it be the one dragging down the lineup? The following review is taken from our episode " Lawrence of Arabia / Bushmills Black Bush ." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format. Nose Brad: This comes across extremely malty. I get a little bit of honey, some stone fruit
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Whiskey Review: Hardin's Creek Jacob's Well Bourbon
Introduction Today, we’re diving into Hardin's Creek Jacob's Well , the premium expression from Beam’s Hardin's Creek line. This label is the first under Freddie Noe , whom we interviewed a few seasons ago. Freddie is leading this line, which includes Colonel James B. Beam , the younger-stock offering. But today, we're focusing on Jacob's Well , a blend of 15-year-old high-rye bourbon and 16-year-old traditional bourbon , averaging 15 years and 4 months . It comes in at 108 proof and retails for around $150 , putting it near the luxury bourbon threshold. Let's see if it lives up to the price tag. This review is taken from our episode " Godzilla Minus One (2023) / Hardin's Creek Jacob's Well Bourbon ." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format. Nose Bob: The color on this thing is a deep, rich amber—you can tell it's well-aged. I'm picking up some notes I don’t think I’ve ever gotten on a bourbon before. Lavender. It’s super delicate, ju
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Whisky Review: Glengoyne 15-Year Single Malt Scotch
Introduction We’re diving into something new (at least for us) today: Glengoyne 15-Year Single Malt Scotch . This Highland Scotch has been on our radar, and while we weren’t sure if we’d tried it before, the name just screams classic Scotch, so we were excited to finally sit down with it. Glengoyne 15 is, of course, a single malt made from 100% malted barley , and it clocks in at 43% ABV (86 proof) . The aging process is a mix of casks: 20% first-fill bourbon casks, 25% first-fill sherry casks, and 55% refill casks —a combination that had us curious to see what kind of depth and character it would bring to the glass. This review is taken from our episode " How to Train Your Dragon (2010) / Glengoyne 15 Year Scotch ." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format. Nose Brad: This is really beautiful on the nose. It reminds me of a nice fall apple cider, nutmeg, and there’s an almond nuttiness to it. It’s got that nice barley note on the nose
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Whiskey Review: Hirsch The Departure American Single Malt
Introduction We’re excited to dive into a whiskey that marks a bold new chapter for Hirsch: The Departure American Single Malt Whiskey . This is Hirsch’s first single malt, coming from the well-known Hotaling & Company out of San Francisco. If you’re familiar with the American craft whiskey scene, you might know them for their Old Potrero line, especially their rye whiskeys. But today, we’re stepping into new territory with them. Hirsch began working on The Departure back in 2015, eager to explore barley. The result is a non-age-stated, 100% malted barley whiskey , double distilled in copper pot stills, and aged for six years and nine months in 24-month air-dried, 53-gallon American oak barrels—both new char #3 and toasted barrels. It clocks in at 98 proof , making it a serious contender in the fast-growing American single malt category. This review is taken from our episode " 1917 (2019) / Hirsch the Departure American Single Malt ." Click the link to
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Whiskey Review: Almost Old Bones Bourbon
Introduction In this week’s review, we’re diving into Almost Old Bones Bourbon , a 9-year-old whiskey from Backbone Bourbon Company, sourced from Bardstown, Kentucky and bottled at 110 proof. Despite the cheeky name, this isn’t a young whiskey—it's a high-rye bourbon aged just shy of a decade and meant to bridge the gap between Backbone’s standard offerings and their 10+ year “Old Bones” line. Batch No. 1 of Almost Old Bones was released at an MSRP of $89, and it caught our eye thanks to its bold labeling and generous proof point. We poured it neat and let it ride—here’s how it fared. This review is taken from our episode " Prisoners (2013) / Almost Old Bones Bourbon ." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format. Nose Brad: This is just a really beautiful honey, caramel, apple peel, brown sugar. It has all sorts of deep, rich bourbon notes going on. But the honey is what stood out to me—there’s a little bit
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Whisky Review: Macallan Double Cask 12 Year Scotch
Introduction This week, we’re diving into one of the most iconic names in single malt Scotch— Macallan . And not just any Macallan, but their Double Cask 12 Year expression. If you’ve ever glanced at the Scotch section of a liquor store, you’ve seen the wall of Macallan bottles and age statements. It’s a lot. In fact, Brad counted 37 different entries when searching online here in Ohio. Today, we’re focusing specifically on the Double Cask, aged in two types of ex-sherry barrels and bottled at 43% ABV (86 proof). It’s a smooth, approachable pour from the Speyside region—and this is our Macallan 12 review. This bottle was actually sent in by one of our Discord followers, so shout-out to them for making this episode possible. We’ve reviewed other Speyside whiskies before—most notably Aberlour—but Macallan’s reputation precedes it. The most expensive bottle of whiskey ever sold was a Macallan. This Double Cask might b
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Whiskey Review: Penelope Wheated Bourbon
Introduction We’re back with another offering from Penelope, a brand we've always appreciated for their well-crafted sourced whiskeys. Today, we’re reviewing Penelope Wheated Bourbon , a four-grain bourbon that leans into wheat as its secondary grain. Like their other expressions, this is sourced from MGP—an Indiana distillery that consistently produces excellent whiskey. This bottle clocks in at 95 proof , with a mash bill of 74% corn, 16% wheat, 7% rye, and 3% malted barley . It’s non-age stated, but we know it’s at least four years old . Let’s dive in. This review is taken from our episode " Ratatouille / Penelope Wheated Bourbon ." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format. Nose Bob: It smells like a sort of less viscous, kind of thinner, bright wheated bourbon to me. Notes of orange zest, peach, and red apple peel. It’s got all those nice fruity notes we love. I don’t quite get the cherry cola that you get with more wel
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Whiskey Review: Old Elk Infinity Blend
Introduction This week on the Film & Whiskey podcast, we’re diving into the 2023 edition of Old Elk Infinity Blend , a unique yearly experiment from the Colorado-based distillery. We’ve had Old Elk on the show before, but it’s been a while, so we were excited to see what their latest Infinity Blend has to offer. This particular iteration features a blend of Old Elk’s own distillate, marking the first time they’ve skipped sourcing from other producers (aside from a small leftover portion from the 2022 blend). The breakdown of the blend is: 15.3% of the 2022 Infinity Blend 40% high malt bourbon (8 years) 43.2% wheat whiskey (7 years) 1.5% wheat whiskey (10 years) The whiskey clocks in at 111.15 proof (55.575% ABV) and is classified as a blended whiskey , not a bourbon, due to the combination of mashbills. With all that background out of the way, let’s jump into our review. This review was taken from the episode " Her (2013) / Old Elk Infinity Blend
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Whiskey Review: Barrell Craft Spirits Dovetail Gold Label
Introduction We’re back with another premium offering from one of our favorite whiskey producers: Barrell Craft Spirits . Today, we’re diving into Dovetail Gold Label , a luxury-tier expression that builds on the already beloved Dovetail lineup. This one clocks in at an explosive 140.18 proof and blends whiskeys aged up to 25 years , sourced from Indiana, Tennessee, and Canada , and finished in rum, port, and cabernet barrels . The Gold Label line takes Dovetail’s already complex finishing process and applies it to Barrell’s rarest stocks—making this not just high-proof, but also high-concept. With a price tag of $500 , this bottle is very much in the “collector” category. But is it worth the splurge? Let’s break it down. The following review is taken from our episode " Jojo Rabbit (2019) / Barrell Dovetail Gold Label ." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format. Nose Brad: This nose is stunning. Normally, with higher-proof
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Whisky Review: Cutty Sark Blended Scotch
Introduction This week on Film & Whiskey, we cracked open a bottle of Cutty Sark Blended Scotch Whisky , one of the most recognizable (and historically underrated) Scotch brands on the market. Named after the famous clipper ship that’s still tourable in England, Cutty Sark has been around since 1923 , making it a staple of the affordable Scotch world. It’s a blended Scotch, bottled at 80 proof , and usually priced around $13–$15 , making it a true budget contender. We weren’t sure what to expect from this one. Bob had a bottle sitting around for about a year and offloaded half to Brad, which is usually a sign that expectations are low. But what we found inside that unmistakable green bottle genuinely surprised us. This review is taken from our episode " If Beale Street Could Talk / Cutty Sark ." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format. Nose Brad: The overarching note of this nose is that it is young and pungent. It stings the nostrils, if you
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Whisky Review: Talisker 10 Year Single Malt Scotch
When it comes to peated Scotch, there’s a whole spectrum of intensity, and we’re starting to realize Talisker might have found the sweet spot. This week, we’re diving into the Talisker 10 Year, our first-ever review from the Talisker distillery. It's a single malt Scotch whisky aged for a decade and bottled at 91.6 proof (45.8% ABV). We got our hands on a 200ml sample bottle as part of a “coastal” themed Scotch set—and it turns out this bottle has a whole lot to say for itself. Here's our full breakdown. The following review is taken from our episode " Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 / Talisker 10 ." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format. Nose Brad: Man, it is a really nice nose. I'm getting like soft peat. It's not like overpowering—with little bits of brine and a bit of caramel to kind of underlay it. It's got almost like that salted caramel smell. And then there's leather and tobacco and green apple as I got deeper into it.
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Whiskey Review: John J. Bowman Single Barrel Bourbon
Introduction Today, we’re diving into John J. Bowman Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey , a unique expression from Virginia’s A. Smith Bowman Distillery. This bourbon has an interesting production process—it starts as Buffalo Trace’s new make, which is distilled twice in Kentucky before being shipped to Virginia, where it undergoes a third distillation and is aged entirely on-site. Bottled at 100 proof , this single barrel offering carries the DNA of Buffalo Trace while introducing its own spin through the final distillation in Virginia. Bob is tasting this one live, while Brad has already completed his notes. Will this bourbon hold up to the high expectations set by its Buffalo Trace lineage? Let’s find out. this review is taken from our episode " Aliens / John J. Bowman Bourbon ." Click the link to listen to this review in audio format. Nose Bob: The nose on this reminds me immediately of Eagle Rare , which is fitting given its Buffalo Trace origins. There&rs
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Whisky Review: Rich and Rare Reserve Canadian Whisky
Introduction Today, we’re diving into Rich and Rare Reserve (or Rich & Rare Reserve, as the bottle states), a Canadian whisky that, if nothing else, has a name that exudes class. But does the whisky live up to the moniker? This is a blended Canadian whisky, aged for a minimum of three years in used barrels, coming in at 80 proof (40% ABV). Unlike many other Canadian whiskies that have gained a strong reputation in blending for American brands, Rich and Rare Reserve is a budget bottle produced by Sazerac , a company best known for their American bourbon portfolio. We don’t review Canadian whisky often—and frankly, that’s by design. The category doesn’t always deliver on complexity or depth. But with this one sitting at just under $10 for a full bottle, we had to see if it over-delivers at its rock-bottom price. Let’s dive in. This review is taken from our episode " Brief Encounter / Rich & Rare Reserve ." Click the link to listen to this revie
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Whiskey Review: Rare Character The Exceptional Series 11-Year Kentucky Straight Malt
Introduction Today, we’re diving into a unique offering from Rare Character: The Exceptional Series 11-Year Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey . This might be the first Rare Character product we’ve officially reviewed on the podcast, but it’s certainly not our first encounter with the brand. They have a reputation for sourcing well-aged barrels and selling them as premium, single-barrel releases. This one, aged 11 years, has a mash bill of 65% malt and 35% corn , and it’s a cask-strength Kentucky straight malt whiskey —a rare find in the American whiskey world. Rare Character describes this as an "incredibly uncommon" mash bill, and it’s distinct from traditional American single malts. Instead of being pot-distilled, it was made using column stills and aged in new barrels like a bourbon or rye. It’s a whiskey that immediately piqued our interest. So, let’s see if it lives up to the Exceptional title. This review is taken from our episode " Ar
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Whiskey Review: Eagle Rare 17-Year (2024) Bourbon
Introduction For the second time this season, we're reviewing Eagle Rare 17-Year. That alone is wild—after nine seasons of the podcast without ever getting our hands on a bottle, we've now had it twice in one season. Buffalo Trace has somehow let us into their good graces, despite everything Brad has said about them over the years. This is the 2024 edition of Eagle Rare 17, which officially released in fall 2023 as part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC). Earlier this season, we reviewed the 2023 edition, which Brad rated as one of the best whiskeys he’s ever had on the podcast—an astonishing 45.5/50 score. So, this release has a lot to live up to. A few key stats: Age : 17 years, 4 months Proof : 101 (50.5% ABV) Evaporation Loss : 86% (only 14% of the original liquid survived maturation) With all that in mind, let’s dive into the 2024 Eagle Rare 17 and see how it stacks up. This review is taken from our episode " Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood (201
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Bourbon Review: Bardstown Bourbon Company Distillery Reserve Cathedral French Oak
Introduction This week on Film & Whiskey , we're diving into something special: the Bardstown Bourbon Company Distillery Reserve Cathedral French Oak Bourbon. As the inaugural release in Bardstown’s new Distillery Reserve line, this bottle carries some serious pedigree. It's a blend of five Kentucky straight bourbons, aged between nine and eighteen years, and finished for 14 months in 300-year-old French oak barrels—originally harvested for the Notre Dame Cathedral restoration. Clocking in at 110.1 proof, this release is as much about storytelling as it is about flavor. But does it live up to the hype? Let's find out. This review is part of our upcoming episode "Moneyball / Bardstown Bourbon Company Cathedral French Oak Bourbon." Stay tuned for the full episode release! Nose Bob: The nose on this is just phenomenal. Right after pouring, it hits with that classic “mature bourbon” scent—deep, rich, and complex without being over-oaked. It immediately rem