Welcome to my whiskey reviews! You’ve found the place for anyone who’s passionate about the taste, story, and sheer fun of whiskey. As the founder of Whiskey Shenanigans, I bring decades of experience, adventure, a curious palate, and wisdom to every glass.
Here you’ll find my personal tasting notes of seven discovered and undiscovered whiskeys. I’ve highlighted each whiskey by its nose, palate, finish, and price/value, and ranked using my signature system:
5.0 Absolute Delight
4.0 Stellar Pour
3.0 Solid Sipper
2.0 Plain Pour
1.0 Approachable
Pour yourself a glass and discover what makes whiskey truly memorable.
Rare Character Single Barrel Cask Strength
Ranking: Absolute Delight – 5.0
The Rare Character Single Barrel Cask Strength is in competition for best ever. Rare Character is aptly named, I consider it equal to, or better than two of my favorites, Rebel Full Proof and Peerless Single Barrel. This pour is sourced expertly and finished to perfection—not for collecting but for celebrating.
Nose: Dark, rich, and creamy aromas, deeply complex with butterscotch, oak, rich caramel, roasted nuts, and subtle fruit.
Palate: Barrel no. WTN-010 at 128.42 proof pulsed with caramel, baking spices, cherry and apple, all wrapped in creamy oak character.
Finish: Long, smooth, and deeply satisfying—a true special occasion sipper.
Price/value: $100–$150. Worth every penny for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
See: https://www.rarecharacterwhiskey.com/single-barrel-series
Buffalo Trace Bourbon
Ranking: Stellar Pour – 4.3
At $26 per bottle, Buffalo Trace Bourbon sets the standard for value and quality. If it cost more, I would rate it lower, but for the price it’s unbeatable. Colonel E.H. Taylor, Stagg, and Eagle Rare may offer more at higher proofs, but Buffalo Trace is the champion for daily pours.
Nose: Light, floral, fruity, approachable, with delicate honey and orange.
Palate: Mellow sweetness—honey, vanilla, caramel—simple and clean, no spice.
Finish: Creamy, smooth, and short; the ultimate baseline bourbon.
Price/value: $26. Save your money, start here.
See: https://www.buffalotrace.com/
Four Roses Small Batch
Ranking: Stellar Pour – 3.8
Four Roses Small Batch is a great bourbon for the price. Other pours, like Small Batch Select ($49) is even better, but classic Small Batch excels for its balanced character. This batch isn’t meant for comparing to barrel picks or high-proof pours, but I really appreciate its blended smoothness.
Nose: Light, sweet, with ripe berries—raspberry and apple more than strawberry.
Palate: It’s blended rye mash gives vibrant baking spices, vanilla, caramel, and fruit.
Finish: Touches of cinnamon and spice, but not long.
Price/Value: $36.99. Offers more fruit and spice than Buffalo Trace for a bit more cash.
See: https://www.fourrosesbourbon.com/bourbon/small-batch
Widow Jane Paradigm Rye
Ranking: Solid Sipper – 3.4
Widow Jane Paradigm Rye is a great local spirit with a long Kentucky heritage, and very approachable for rye fans. Widow Jane is a pleasing taste, but I’d give it a higher rating if it had more complexity and the tasting notes were stronger.
Nose: Soft spring flowers and grass, later vanilla and caramel after 10 minutes.
Palate: Baking spices—cinnamon, pepper—easy drinking and approachable.
Finish: Spicy rye with black tea, distinctly “New York.”
Price/Value: $50. Good value, but bourbon may deliver more character at this price.
See: https://widowjane.com/whiskey/paradigm-rye
Angels Envy Triple Oak
Ranking: Solid Sipper 3.2
Angels Envy Triple Oak’s innovation lends subtle complexity; more details would help, but it’s a thoughtful sipper for fans of barrel-aged nuance.
Nose: Toasted oak, caramel, ripe dark fruit, vanilla, gentle spice.
Palate: Caramel, baking spices, dark fruits, subtle vanilla custard, lightly sweet.
Finish: Long, warm, lingering spice, hints of pepper, molasses, brown sugar.
Price/Value: About $60-$80 per bottle. The Triple Oak is well-crafted, but it’s premium price limits recommendation.
See: https://www.angelsenvy.com/us/en/product/triple-oak/
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Ranking: Solid Sipper – 3.2
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a good choice at $42 per bottle For more depth, the 13 year ($150–200) offers extra proof and complexity, if you can find it.
Nose: Graham cracker, leather, with caramel, vanilla. Unique high-rye builds character.
Palate: Bold sweet-spicy combination, noticeable heat.
Finish: Sweet and spicy linger, missing some expected complexity after 10 years.
Price/value: $42. A solid value, but not the thick complexity some may expect after 10 years in the making.
See: https://www.russellsreserve.com/en-us/our-products/10-year-old-bourbon/
Everglades Distillers Whiskey 25/80
Ranking: Solid Sipper – 2.4
Everglades Distillers Whiskey 25/80 is rooted in Florida tradition and heirloom red corn. Very drinkable, approachable, and easy for beginners or fans of sweeter whiskey. Everglades Distillers is family-run, and they pour their hearts and passion into every bottle. If you want true Florda grains with accompanying Florida taste this is the one for you.
Nose: Strong with honey, vanilla, caramel, strawberry, unique for an 80 proof.
Palate: Honey, caramel, vanilla—sweet and approachable.
Finish: Gentle, sweet, short—light honey, vanilla, touch floral.
Price/value: Around $37 per bottle, this is a solid value for handcrafted, locally sourced Florida whiskey.
See: https://evergladesdistillers.com/whiskey-2/
Devils River Distillers Select Straight Bourbon
Ranking: Solid Sipper – 3.1
Devils River Distillers Select Straight Bourbon is a solid and approachable Texas bourbon that’s easy to enjoy and a good introduction to craft whiskey.
Nose: Hints of toasted oak, caramel, and vanilla, with faint baking spice and dark fruit.
Palate: Smooth with sweet caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, and light peppery spice.
Finish: Medium, warming, lingering with gentle oak and mild baking spice.
Price/value: About $65 per bottle, which is a fair price for a regional small-batch complex high-proof bourbon.
See: https://devilsriverwhiskey.com/the-whiskey/distillers-select/
Horse Soldier Small Batch Hand Selected
Ranking: Plain Pour – 2.6
The Horse Soldier Small Batch Hand Selected brand is a wheated mash with a 70% corn component. Unfortunately, this particular Horse Soldier lacks complexity and punch for the price. Other Horse Soldier expressions may deliver more, I suggest trying Barrel Strength or Commander’s Select.
Nose: Mellow and lightly sweet, with hints of marshmallow, vanilla, and caramel.
Palate: Soft brown sugar, honey, vanilla, and subtle fruit.
Finish: Creamy, mellow, and slightly oaky.
Price/value: $50–$65 per bottle. I’m only giving it a 2.5 rating which doesn’t mean I didn’t like it, it just means that it gives off an “average” vibe. And at $50-65 I think it should be better than just an average bourbon.
See: https://horsesoldierbourbon.com/pages/signature-bourbon
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