Author: Robbie

Hampden 8 Marks Collection Tasting at Whisky Live Singapore

~ Robbie ~ 1 Comment

Note: I started typing this in late 2021 before the collection was released. It’s since been released, and I’ve added a section at the end with release details. I’m publishing it today and leaving the first part of the article as-is, so you’ll see it referred to it as an upcoming release.

There’s been a lot of excitement around the upcoming Hampden Estate 8 Marks Collection release from Velier next year, but very few sightings and tastings of the actual set. Fortunately, Velier sent the great Daniele Biondi to Whisky Live Singapore in November, and I was able to taste the set at his Hampden masterclass!

The set on display at Velier’s Hampden Estate booth
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Old Fourth Distillery selling equipment

~ Robbie ~ 1 Comment

Back in September I wrote a bit about Atlanta’s Old Fourth Distillery hitting the market. I was afraid that this news might mean that the distillery would close (and my Spidey-senses started tingling when they posted that the distillery would be closed for a few days after the sale notice went online), but they’re still open and released a new finished bourbon last month.

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Hampden Estate announces 8 Marks Collection set

~ Robbie ~ 4 Comments

Hampden Estate announced their 8 Marks Collection set at Whisky Live Paris on 26 September. If you’re a lover of funky, fruity Jamaican rums this is a set you’ll probably want to look for.

You may remember hearing rumors about this set in early August, when an announcement was accidentally posted early to Hampden Estate’s Facebook page and then deleted once excited discussions started in rum forums.

Hampden Estate’s announcement of the set
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Trying a new theme that’s hopefully easier to read

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A quick admin note.

I set this blog up with only minor customizations so that I could stop bikeshedding and just start writing. I chose a minimal theme and just got on with it.

Now that there’s some content here, I’m trying to make sure it’s easy to view and search. I’m also playing with a new theme that adds some flexibility (like sidebar menus) the original one didn’t have.

Rolling barrels at a tour of ISC’s Kentucky Cooperage

~ Robbie ~ 1 Comment

Independent Stave Company is the world’s largest barrel company, and their Kentucky Cooperage in Lebanon, KY is the world’s largest cooperage. And let’s not forget that a key requirement for bourbon whiskey is that it be aged in new, charred oak barrels. So you might be surprised to learn that the Kentucky Cooperage isn’t on the official Kentucky Bourbon Trail, even though it plays an absolutely critical role in bourbon. So I had to visit and take a tour as part of my distillery roadtrip.

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When in Bardstown: Drink at Talbott’s Tavern

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How could I resist stopping in for a drink at the Talbott’s Tavern, the world’s oldest bourbon whiskey bar while I was staying in Bardstown on the distillery roadtrip? There’s also a restaurant, but I thought it would be more fun to go to the bar, where I could try whiskies that weren’t available in Singapore (that’s a long list, unfortunately).

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Enjoying the breeze at Bardstown Bourbon Company

~ Robbie ~ 1 Comment

We’ve now come to the Kentucky portion of my distillery road trip. I’ve been to Kentucky many times in my life, but this is my first trip into bourbon country. And I’ll never forget the first breath I took when I stepped out of my car in the Bardstown Bourbon Company parking lot. There’s nothing like the sweet smell of aging bourbon, and I had a huge grin on my face as I walked across the parking lot to the distillery. Now you know what I meant by the title – enjoying the breeze!

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A hot take on the Old Fourth Distillery sale

~ Robbie ~ 7 Comments

This morning I saw that Atlanta’s Old Fourth Distillery has hired a consultant to try and broker a sale. It’s sad to see but not terribly surprising. This is actually the second Georgia distillery to go on the market this month – Savannah’s Ghost Coast distillery is also up for sale through the same consultant. You can read (and see) more about what I saw at O4D this summer if you’re not familiar with them.

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Beer and whiskey at Corsair’s Marathon taproom and distillery

~ Robbie ~ 1 Comment

After a disappointing unplanned stop at another tasting room, I really needed a beer. Fortunately Corsair Distillery’s Marathon location was able to help, as they have sixteen taps of beers (and ciders) from Nashville craft breweries in addition to their own spirits! This is the next stop on the roadtrip.

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