Barrels line long, short rickhouse hallway at Belmont Farms

Spirits Guides

Curated recommendations, distillery visits, seasonal picks, and practical advice for exploring whiskey and beyond.

Start Here

Not every spirits question needs a review score.

Sometimes you’re looking for the right bottle for a season, the first distillery to visit, or a shortcut through an increasingly crowded shelf.

These guides are built from firsthand tastings, distillery visits, conversations with producers, and years spent helping people navigate whiskey and other spirits with confidence.

Latest Guides

The Rise of True Small Batch Bourbon: How NDPs Are Giving the Term Meaning Again

Small Batch has no legal definition, but a growing number of independent bottlers and craft distilleries are redefining the term through transparency, intentional blending, and truly limited barrel counts.
The 250th Anniversary Whiskey Awards: Three Interpretations of American Oak, Sweetness, and Structure

Three 250th anniversary whiskey releases, three completely different interpretations of American whiskey. A tasting panel-style review featuring Copper & Cask, High Banks, and Dark Arts with awards for sweetness, structure, and blending.
10 Whiskies to Savor This Summer (From Easy Sippers to Cask Strength Favorites)

A curated list of 10 whiskies for summer—from easy RTDs and bright small-batch pours to finished drams and bold cask strength sippers for warm nights.
Distilleries Around Northern Virginia I’d Send a Friend To First

Looking for great Virginia distilleries? Here are the distilleries around Northern Virginia I’d recommend first, from whiskey-focused destinations to hidden gems and exclusive tasting experiences.
The Unexpectedly Elite Guide to Pairing Whiskey with Texas Pecans

Whiskey and Texas pecan pairings, including bourbon and rye recommendations from Texas and non-Texas distilleries. Flavor-driven pairing notes that explain why each match works.