Reviews
Independent tasting notes, context, and thoughtful pours — no hype, no gatekeeping.
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Southern Collective — P. Cola Select: A Wild Port-Finished Bourbon Full of Fruit and Dessert Notes
Southern Collective’s P. Cola Select is a 117.4-proof single-barrel bourbon finished in port barrels, bringing raspberry, blueberry, pineapple, coconut and vanilla.
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Old Cypress — Kentucky Mafia KSI-02: A High-Rye Bourbon Bursting With Apple Pie & Baking Spice
Old Cypress Kentucky Mafia KSI-02 is an 8-year, 121.3-proof Green River bourbon with baked apple, caramel, cinnamon and baking spice. Here’s the full review.
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Pilot House — Barrel & Tide: Coastal Salinity Meets Chocolate Malt at 80 Proof
Pilot House Barrel & Tide is an 80-proof American single malt blending 2–5 year-old malted barley whiskey. Coastal salinity, mocha, chocolate malt, fruit and honey make this a surprisingly complex low-proof pour.
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Brother Justus Founders Reserve IV: Silky Chocolate, Grain and Pepper in a Refined American Whiskey
Brother Justus Founders Reserve IV delivers silky milk chocolate, toasted grain, vanilla cream and black pepper in a remarkably refined young American whiskey.
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Burnt Tavern — Double Barreled Kentucky Bourbon: Smoky, Rich & BBQ-Forward
Burnt Tavern is a 7-year, 105-proof Kentucky bourbon with smoky brown sugar, blackberry, leather and BBQ character from its unique double-oaking process.
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Liberty Pole — Double Oaked: A Smoky, Rye-Forward Double-Oaked Bourbon
Liberty Pole Double Oaked Bourbon brings Bloody Butcher corn, Pennsylvania rye and 11 months of heavy-toast oak together for a smoky, spicy and distinctive pour.
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Southern Collective — P. Cola Select: A Wild Port-Finished Bourbon Full of Fruit and Dessert Notes
Southern Collective’s P. Cola Select is a 117.4-proof single-barrel bourbon finished in port barrels, bringing raspberry, blueberry, pineapple, coconut and vanilla.
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Old Cypress — Kentucky Mafia KSI-02: A High-Rye Bourbon Bursting With Apple Pie & Baking Spice
Old Cypress Kentucky Mafia KSI-02 is an 8-year, 121.3-proof Green River bourbon with baked apple, caramel, cinnamon and baking spice. Here’s the full review.
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Pilot House — Barrel & Tide: Coastal Salinity Meets Chocolate Malt at 80 Proof
Pilot House Barrel & Tide is an 80-proof American single malt blending 2–5 year-old malted barley whiskey. Coastal salinity, mocha, chocolate malt, fruit and honey make this a surprisingly complex low-proof pour.
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Brother Justus Founders Reserve IV: Silky Chocolate, Grain and Pepper in a Refined American Whiskey
Brother Justus Founders Reserve IV delivers silky milk chocolate, toasted grain, vanilla cream and black pepper in a remarkably refined young American whiskey.
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Burnt Tavern — Double Barreled Kentucky Bourbon: Smoky, Rich & BBQ-Forward
Burnt Tavern is a 7-year, 105-proof Kentucky bourbon with smoky brown sugar, blackberry, leather and BBQ character from its unique double-oaking process.
How I Review Spirits
I review whiskey based on true flavor, balance, and quality, not proof, age, hype, or rarity. Every bottle is tasted thoughtfully and scored on my 7-point Bourbon Bishope scale below. My goal is to give readers an honest, detailed picture of what each whiskey actually tastes like and whether it’s worth your glass. Clear, straightforward, and consistent — that’s how I rate every sip.
The 7 Categories
- Nose – First aromas and initial impressions
- Palate – Flavors, texture, and mouthfeel on the first sip
- Finish – Final flavors, overall impression, and lingering length
- Presentation – Bottle design, label clarity, and overall visual execution
- Distinctiveness – How memorable and unique the whiskey is within its category
- Transparency – Clarity around sourcing, mashbill, age, and finishing methods
- Value – How fairly the whiskey is priced when weighed against everything above
The 7 Point Scale
| Score | Descriptor | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 | Hell No | Drain pour. Seriously undrinkable. |
| 1.1–2 | Purgatory | Bad, but could be worse. Only in extreme cases. |
| 2.1–3 | Only Earthly | Just okay. Best used as a mixer. |
| 3.1–4 | Bliss | Passable sipper. Works well in cocktails. |
| 4.1–5 | Angelic | Good to great. High value for the price. |
| 5.1–6 | Divine | Top-shelf. Must-buy for fans of the style. |
| 6.1–7 | Holy Heaven | Out-of-this-world. A true unicorn. |
By Spirit Type
By Release Type
- Single Barrel
- Store Pick
- Club Pick
- Wide Release
- Limited Release
Every review is written independently. If a bottle was provided, it’s disclosed. Opinions are my own — always.