A collection of Thirsty South reviews and tasting notes for (mostly) Southern artisan spirits, from bourbon to vodka, and cocktail cherries to tonic. Those receiving the highest rating (WOW) are noted.
Bourbon:
Bulleit 10 year old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Elijah Craig, 12 years old, Barrel Strength – WOW
Elijah Craig, 21 years old, Single Barrel
Elijah Craig, 23 years old, Single Barrel
FEW Bourbon Whiskey
Four Roses Single Barrel, 17 years old, Warehouse QS, Barrel 78-2C, OBSV
Four Roses Single Barrel, 13 yrs 10 mo old, Warehouse NS, Barrel 16-4B, OBSK – WOW
Four Roses – Yellow Label, Small Batch, and Single Barrel comparison
Maker’s 46
Old Charter 8 Year Old
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, 2013 (12 years old)
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, 2014 (12 years old)
Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon 15 years old – WOW
2012 Parkerâs Heritage Collection Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
2013 Parker’s Heritage Collection Promise of Hope Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
W.L. Weller Special Reserve
William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 2011 Release – WOW
William Larue Weller Kentucky Straight Bourbon, 2012 Release
Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection, Maple Wood Finish
Woodford Reserve Masterâs Collection, Four Wood
Rye:
Booker’s Rye, 2016 Limited Edition, Big Time Batch – WOW
Bulleit 95 Small Batch Rye
Crown Royal Northern Harvest Rye
FEW Rye Whiskey
George Dickel Rye
Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye, Fall 2012 Release – WOW
High West Rendezvous Rye
Hochstadter’s Vatted Straight Rye Whiskey
Lot 40 Canadian Rye Whisky, 2012 Release – WOW
Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey
Rittenhouse 100 Bottled in Bond Rye
Russellâs Reserve 6 Year Old Rye
Sazerac 18 Year Old Rye, Fall 2012 Release – WOW
Templeton Small Batch Rye
Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye – WOW
Other Whiskey – including Moonshine and White Whiskey:
American Spirit Whiskey
Clyde May’s Conecuh Ridge Alabama Style Whiskey
Crown Royal Monarch 75th Anniversary Blend
Dickel White Corn Whisky No. 1
Dickel Barrel Select Tennessee Whisky
Dickel Hand Selected Barrel Sour Mash Whisky, Aged 9 Years
Distillery 291 Colorado Whiskey
Distillery 291 American Whiskey
High West Campfire Whiskey (Bourbon, Rye, Scotch Blend)
Outlier No. 3 Bierschnaps (Independent Distilling Co.)
Monday Night Scottish-Style Single Malt Whiskey (ASW Distillery)
New Southern Revival Sorghum Whiskey, High Wire Distilling Co.
Ole Smoky Distillery Original Unaged Corn Whiskey
Parker’s Heritage Collection, 2014, Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey – WOW
Parker’s Heritage Collection, 2015, Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey
Piehole Whiskey (Apple Pie, Cherry Pie, Pecan Pie)
Southern Comfort Fiery Pepper
St. George Single Malt Whiskey, 30th Anniversary Edition – WOW
Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey
Thirteenth Colony Southern Corn Whiskey, 2010 Limited Release
Tin Cup American Whiskey
Troy & Sons Distillers Small Batch Moonshine
Woodford Reserve Masterâs Collection Classic Malt Whiskey
Woodford Reserve Masterâs Collection Straight Malt Whiskey
Gin:
FEW American Gin
FEW Barrel Gin
Thirteenth Colony Southern Gin
Rum:
Cayrum
High Wire Distilling Co. Lowcountry Agricole (and Watermelon Brandy)
Sea Island Spice Rum
Sea Island Java Rhum
Plantation Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple Rum
Vodka:
Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka
Thirteenth Colony Southern Vodka
Cocktails / Mixers / etc.:
Battle Aperitivo: Aperol vs. Peychaud’s
Bloody Mary Mixes: H&F Bottle Shop, Charleston Mix
High West 36th Vote Barreled Manhattan
High West Barreled Boulevardier
Jack Rudy Small Batch Tonic
Maraschino Cherries: H&F Bottle Shop, Luxardo, Ole Smokey
Beer (and not quite beer):
SweetWater Brewing Co. Second Helping IPA
Redd’s Apple Ale