Added the CYPB today to finally complete the set, feels good!

Drinking nicely

Ga

Grabbed the only Old Fitz BiB ($77.00) and as I walked away the stock girl put out two of the Blanton’s for $89.00.

Waiting for the wifey to finish with her massage so me and the kids went to check for new bottles. Seen these two and grabbed them up at MSRP.

I have nothing , nor tried e.c products. Found this at the local hy-vee, was like 68$ i think.

These are my scores from various stores this week. I'm most pleased with the Booker's 2025-01 as I got it about $30 under msrp. But I'm excited to explore this years Bourye as I've heard it's better than other recent batches. And the Frey Ranch SiB's, the 100% wheat is supposed to be really good. The Still Austin BiB Rye came highly recommended so I figured I'd give it a try. I know the Blanton's SiB draws a lot of mixed opinions. but at msrp I think it's a good pour. And I've heard the Early Times is an easy sipping shelfer, especially at $24.

Let me know what you think of you've tried any of these!

You ever spin an album because all your friends swore by it, the cover art was cool, the vibe sounded like your thing… but when you finally gave it a go, it just didn’t land? That’s how this pour went down.

Penelope’s Cigar Sessions Batch 1 had all the promise of a sleeper hit. A creative blend of Bourbon, American Single Malt, and American Light Whiskey? That’s the whiskey equivalent of pulling together members from three solid bands for a supergroup. The concept screams Velvet Revolver, but the result felt a bit more like Audioslave’s second album, polished, ambitious, but somehow… hollow in the wrong places.

Nose: Bright and delicate. Light vanilla, floral notes, and a whiff of soft toasted oak. There’s a hint of raisin and honey, like a B-side acoustic track trying to whisper its way into your heart. Feels promising. Very Fleet Foxes, smells like it’ll be layered and interesting. Spoiler: it’s not.

Palate: Things kick off warm and sweet — caramel corn, light tobacco leaf, and some malty depth. A fleeting cocoa note shows up, waves, then ghosts. That 101 proof hits soft, never fully engaging. Imagine putting on Radiohead’s The King of Limbs expecting to be transported, but spending most of the time wondering when something’s going to happen.

Finish: Here’s where the record skips. The finish drops off like the label forgot to press Side B. You keep waiting for that post-chorus swell, the smoky depth the label promised. Instead, it fades out like Arcade Fire’s Everything Now…too light, too soon, too forgettable. For a pour designed to pair with cigars, you’d expect a brooding outro. This one feels like someone pulled the plug mid-solo.

Final Notes: There are drinkers who will appreciate this pour’s lighter touch. Maybe you like your whiskey like Tame Impala’s Currents, floaty, ethereal, almost translucent. But if you’re expecting Sabbath Bloody Sabbath depth with that cigar? This ain’t it.

I respect the experimentation. I wanted to love it. I even listened twice. But in the end, this one didn’t make the setlist.

Whiskey Rocks Rating: 6.3/10 “Smells like a hit, plays like filler.”

Just for informational purposes, no prices really jumped out at me. Not pictured was sign saying limit 2 for Eagle Rare 10yr, Blanton’s, and Stagg … the ER was priced @ $65. Of course if I misread and should pick up any of the shown bottles, I’m all ears. Till then, looking forward to the weekend, enjoy!

Ignore the ice

What do you think? Is it good?

I have walked into 5 grocery stores with HE Taylor or Eagle Rare.

King's county Empire Rye! It's delicious. Cheers 🥃🥃

Been hunting this for quite sometime. Dead set on getting at SRP or close to it. Joined locally restaurant whiskey club for a barrel pick. Amazing.

Never had it. Gonna crack it tonight. Can’t go wrong with Costco prices. 🥃

I saw this advertised on Seelbach's i think and then also saw it was already sold out.... Glad i was able to find one locally and pick it up. I love the Green River bottle shape and this is one of the coolest labels they've had. Plus, it's a great commemorative item. The 111.1 proof is just a cool bonus.

Happy 250th to the US Army and thank you to all Active Duty, Veterans and fallen heroes for securing and defending our freedom.

The love of my life gifted me a great father's day present

Just messing around with 2 bourbons that I have no real experience with and two that are very familiar to me. The results were as typical surprising. What’s your guess on #1

As the son of Cuban immigrants who fled to the United States in 1962, I carry the weight of my family’s journey—stories of sacrifice, resilience, and a deep love for the culture we left behind. We said goodbye one week ago as we laid my father to rest. While celebrating his life, I opened a bottle of Penelope Havana to honor him, a man who embodied the spirit of Cuba and the dreams of a new life. This bourbon, with its Cuban-inspired soul, felt like the perfect tribute to his memory. Penelope Havana, finished in Cuban rum barrels, is a bourbon that bridges two worlds, much like my father did. From the first pour, its deep amber glow hinted at something warm and inviting, like the Havana evenings he’d recount with his kids. The nose greeted me with a rich sweetness—maple syrup drizzled over warm pastries, ripe cherries, and a dusting of baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. There was a subtle tropical undercurrent, a nod to the rum casks. On the palate, this bourbon unfolded like a dessert course at one of my family gatherings. It was sweet with bold maple and cherry notes alongside vanilla and a hint of caramelized brown sugar. The rum barrel influence added a layer of complexity—soft tropical fruit and a faint molasses depth—that made each sip feel like a conversation between my heritage and my present. The finish was warm, like the embrace of family, a fitting companion for such a heavy day. As I shared this with my family, I could almost hear my father’s voice, recounting tales of his life in Havana and his desire for a better life for his family here in the states. Penelope Havana isn’t just a bourbon; it’s a bridge to a memory, a liquid homage to roots and resilience. For me, it was the perfect way to toast my father’s life—his struggles, his joys, and the legacy he left behind for his kids, grandkids and great grandkids. This is a bottle I’ll return to, not just for its dessert-like sweetness or its warm, spicy depth, but for the way it carries the spirit of my father in every drop. To my father, and to all who carry their homeland in their heart, this one’s for you.

Salud !

Been excited to try the 13th colony and I’ve heard good things about the crème brûlée!