Education
Bourbon 101: The Complete Beginner's Guide
Everything you need to know about bourbon: legal requirements, production, tasting notes, key terms, and building your cellar.
·5 min read
Read articleThe Bourbon Journal
Guides, comparisons, and insights for the curious bourbon enthusiast.
This Week in BourbonApr 13, 2026
Bourbon News April 2026: Sazerac Eyes Brown-Forman, MGP Halts Two Distilleries
Sazerac approaches Brown-Forman, MGP idles Lux Row and Limestone Branch, Buffalo Trace revives Single Oak, and a $40 craft bourbon takes World's Best.
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22 articles
Industry News
Bourbon News: Jim Beam Shuts Down, Exports Crater, and a Hot Dog Bottle Flips for $1,000
Jim Beam's Clermont shutdown drags on, US whiskey exports to the EU drop 35%, Knob Creek launches a new series, and a Costco hot dog bourbon hits four figures on the secondary market.
·7 min read
Recipes
Three Bourbon Cocktails for Easter Brunch
Bourbon pairs with spring flavors better than most people expect. Elderflower, carrot-ginger, and milk punch recipes built around bottles you probably already own.
·5 min read
Industry News
Bourbon News This Week: Gallo Buys Four Roses, Brown-Forman Eyes Merger
Four Roses returns to American ownership for $775M, Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard explore a merger of equals, and Angel's Envy drops its first age-stated rye.
·8 min read
Guides
Best Barrel Proof Bourbons: Full-Strength Expressions Worth Seeking
Seven barrel proof bourbons that deliver unfiltered intensity and depth. What cask strength means and why enthusiasts seek it.
·7 min read
Drops & Alerts
How to Catch Bourbon Drops in Your City (Without the Noise)
A practical playbook to find bourbon releases before they are gone, including maps, watchlists, alerts, and ethical sourcing tips that work.
·3 min read
Distillery Guides
Maker's Mark Distillery Guide: Every Expression Worth Knowing
A complete guide to Maker's Mark Distillery: the wheat decision, the production philosophy, and every expression from the flagship to Cellar Aged.
·11 min read
Guides
All 6Guides
Best Barrel Proof Bourbons: Full-Strength Expressions Worth Seeking
Seven barrel proof bourbons that deliver unfiltered intensity and depth. What cask strength means and why enthusiasts seek it.
·7 min read
Guides
Best Bourbon for an Old Fashioned: Cocktail-Ready Bottles
Seven bourbons that hold their own in an Old Fashioned. Bold enough to stand up to bitters and sugar, balanced enough to keep things elegant.
·6 min read
Guides
Best Wheated Bourbons: Soft, Rich, and Worth Exploring
Eight wheated bourbons worth exploring, from Weller and Maker's Mark to the exceptional 46 Cask Strength. How wheat shapes flavor and what it means for your palate.
·6 min read
Education
All 4
Education
How to Start a Bourbon Collection: A Practical Guide
Build a bourbon cellar with intention. Five foundation categories, common mistakes to avoid, and why tracking what you drink changes how you buy.
·7 min read
Education
The Bourbon Flavor Wheel: A Guide to Tasting Notes
Learn how to use the bourbon flavor wheel to identify tasting notes. Covers sweet, spice, fruit, oak, grain, and floral categories with practical examples.
·8 min read
Education
How to Read a Bourbon Label: Proof, Age, Mashbill & What Actually Matters
Decode bourbon labels in minutes. Proof vs ABV, age statements, single barrel vs small batch, and the hints that predict your flavor.
·3 min read
Industry News
All 3
Industry News
Bourbon News April 2026: Sazerac Eyes Brown-Forman, MGP Halts Two Distilleries
Sazerac approaches Brown-Forman, MGP idles Lux Row and Limestone Branch, Buffalo Trace revives Single Oak, and a $40 craft bourbon takes World's Best.
·8 min read
Industry News
Bourbon News: Jim Beam Shuts Down, Exports Crater, and a Hot Dog Bottle Flips for $1,000
Jim Beam's Clermont shutdown drags on, US whiskey exports to the EU drop 35%, Knob Creek launches a new series, and a Costco hot dog bourbon hits four figures on the secondary market.
·7 min read
Industry News
Bourbon News This Week: Gallo Buys Four Roses, Brown-Forman Eyes Merger
Four Roses returns to American ownership for $775M, Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard explore a merger of equals, and Angel's Envy drops its first age-stated rye.
·8 min read
Comparisons
All 2
Comparisons
Stagg vs E.H. Taylor: Two Buffalo Trace Icons Compared
George T. Stagg and E.H. Taylor Small Batch compared side by side. Proof, flavor profiles, availability, and which suits your palate.
·4 min read
Comparisons
Weller vs Maker's Mark: The Wheated Bourbon Showdown
W.L. Weller Special Reserve and Maker's Mark compared head to head. Flavor, availability, the Pappy connection, and which wheated bourbon fits your palate.
·5 min read
Distillery Guides
All 2Distillery Guides
Maker's Mark Distillery Guide: Every Expression Worth Knowing
A complete guide to Maker's Mark Distillery: the wheat decision, the production philosophy, and every expression from the flagship to Cellar Aged.
·11 min read
Distillery Guides
Buffalo Trace Bourbon Guide: Every Expression Worth Knowing
A complete guide to Buffalo Trace Distillery's bourbon lineup. Mash bills explained, core bottles profiled, and allocated expressions mapped.
·7 min read
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