Reviews
Independent tasting notes, context, and thoughtful pours — no hype, no gatekeeping.
-
Old Elk — 10-Year Wheat Whiskey: Watermelon, Cream & Spice
Old Elk 10-Year Wheat Whiskey brings watermelon candy, vanilla cream, apple pie and peppery spice at 103 proof, and it’s my favorite of the three.
-
Old Elk — 10-Year Wheated Bourbon: Creamy, Balanced & Crowd-Pleasing
Old Elk 10-Year Wheated Bourbon is a creamy, balanced 105-proof pour with caramel, banana bread, molasses and a lingering cherry-caramel finish.
-
Old Elk — 10-Year Straight Bourbon: Mature Oak, Dark Fruit & Grapefruit
Old Elk 10-Year Straight Bourbon delivers mature oak, dark fruit, caramel and unexpected grapefruit at 105 proof and just $69.99.
-
Veritable — Ships Bell: Young Kentucky Bourbon Blend with Craft Distillate Potential
Veritable Ships Bell blends 3-year ASM bourbon with Kentucky-sourced bourbon. An approachable young whiskey with potential, but the $37.99 price feels slightly high.
-
Row 94 Full Proof Bourbon Review: Green River’s Celebrity Bourbon Hits the Right Notes
Row 94 Full Proof Bourbon combines Green River’s proven bourbon with Dierks Bentley’s approachable branding. Read tasting notes, value analysis, and whether it’s worth the $55 price tag.
-
Full Ryde Bourbon Batch 2: A Bold Blend of 8-Year Indiana and 13-Year Kentucky Bourbon
Full Ryde Bourbon Batch 2 blends 8-year Indiana MGP and 13-year Kentucky bourbon at 115 proof. Explore tasting notes, transparency, value, and whether this celebrity-backed bourbon delivers.
-
Old Elk — 10-Year Wheat Whiskey: Watermelon, Cream & Spice
Old Elk 10-Year Wheat Whiskey brings watermelon candy, vanilla cream, apple pie and peppery spice at 103 proof, and it’s my favorite of the three.
-
Old Elk — 10-Year Wheated Bourbon: Creamy, Balanced & Crowd-Pleasing
Old Elk 10-Year Wheated Bourbon is a creamy, balanced 105-proof pour with caramel, banana bread, molasses and a lingering cherry-caramel finish.
-
Old Elk — 10-Year Straight Bourbon: Mature Oak, Dark Fruit & Grapefruit
Old Elk 10-Year Straight Bourbon delivers mature oak, dark fruit, caramel and unexpected grapefruit at 105 proof and just $69.99.
-
Veritable — Ships Bell: Young Kentucky Bourbon Blend with Craft Distillate Potential
Veritable Ships Bell blends 3-year ASM bourbon with Kentucky-sourced bourbon. An approachable young whiskey with potential, but the $37.99 price feels slightly high.
-
Row 94 Full Proof Bourbon Review: Green River’s Celebrity Bourbon Hits the Right Notes
Row 94 Full Proof Bourbon combines Green River’s proven bourbon with Dierks Bentley’s approachable branding. Read tasting notes, value analysis, and whether it’s worth the $55 price tag.
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.