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 Here you will find a selection of our top general articles from Castle & Cairn by topic. If you're looking to get started, this list should keep you busy for a while! Sections are updated as we publish new posts. For more background on this blog and our purpose, visit the About Us page.

a classroom where distillers are learning about whiskey

Whiskey General Information

Whiskey is both a beverage and a hobby. Educating yourself regarding the history of whiskey is a great way to connect with people the world over. Long a go-to topic for hotel bars, talking about a favorite pour or cocktail is a fantastic way to break the ice with strangers. The growing list below has a summary of everything I have learned along my whiskey journey, roughly broken out by level of depth. Feel free to peruse in any order you like, the sections are merely to break things into more palatable chunks, some of the articles are quite long!

Intro to Whiskey

This section holds what could be considered "common" whiskey facts as well as guidance for those just starting to get into the whiskey hobby.

Intermediate Whiskey Knowledge

By now you feed good about drinking whiskey neat and enjoy it. This section is geared to aid those who have tried a number of whiskeys and wish to take the hobby to the next level. The focus here is on the palate, detailing tasting experiences and sharing them. 

Advanced Whiskey Concepts

The "Advanced" section holds what is largely minutiae and science. These articles cover chemistry, food science, and production methods in depth and are written with the "whiskey nerd" in mind. 
For a full list of our reviews, complete with bottle backgrounds and history, visit: Reviews. For a table with all spirits reviews and their ratings, please reference the frame below. Note that all reviewed bottles have been tasted multiple times, often with a blind tasting to solidify the rating. Ratings are adjusted over the life of the bottle with updates noted (some bottles will get better, some worse).

General Spirits

These articles  focus on spirits broadly and will also be home to rum, gin, vodka, and tequila themed items.

Beer

Beer is good and stuff, let's go drink some:
image of a game controller next to a bottle of whiskey at night in front of a tv

Drinking & Video Games

Here you will find a section of our custom drinking game rules. Always remember to use good judgement and consume in moderation!

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🥃📰 First Look: NEW Old Fitzgerald 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

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In a TTB filing , Heaven Hill soft announces a new Old Fitzgerald edition whiskey: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7-Year Bourbon. The Old Fitzgerald decanter line has long been a coveted edition, but low supply and high demand means that it is terribly hard to find, particularly for anything close to suggested retail price. Official press from the distiller has not yet occurred, but we have put together the following details.  About Old Fitzgerald From Heaven Hill's wheated mash bill (68% Corn, 20% Wheat, 12% Barley), the Old Fitzgerald decanter series is a Bottled-in-Bond offering released twice annually. This mash bill is also likely shared by the Larceny series of products, all aged in #3 char barrels.  Old Fitzgerald Decanter Series Old Fitzgerald 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond credit @Bourbonconky posted on X.com by  Bourb Your Enthusiasm The new product will have a seven year age statement, and per the bottled-in-bond act will consist of bourbon produced by Heaven Hill wit...
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🥃Review #30: Kirkland Bourbon Casked Rum XO

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XO stands for "Extra Old" but how does this bottle of Bourbon Casked Rum from Costco's Kirkland Signature line measure up? 📚 Background: Finished in used Cognac barrels, this bottle is a product of Guatemala, imported for Costco by MISA IMPORTS out of Dallas Texas. MISA, named after the founder's children Michael and Sarah, started primarily as a sourcing partner for fine wines, but has since expanded operations into sourcing spirits. MISA's rum brand partners include 1731 , Autentico Nativo , and Navy Island. We would have to guess the maker if not for the back label which clearly identifies one Olivier Dumont, Master Blender. Mr. Dumont works for  Les Bienheureux , a French company growing at an alarming rate that has both a foothold in French Whisky and Costa Rican Rum. Les Bienheureux is the company behind "El Pasador De Oro " (roughly translated as "Gold Pin") which has two widely available iterations.  The XO version retails for $46.99 a...
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🍺🍷🥃 Beer, Wine, and Spirits Rebate Website Master List

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If there is anything I love more than a good drink, it's saving money buying that good drink! The rules for providing discounts on alcohol differ substantially between states with some allowing outright discounts or coupons and others entirely disallowing any sort of purchase incentive. Thankfully though, in my native Georgia as well as most states, a simple reimbursement approach is permissible.  Alcohol Rebate Site Master List The following sites are relatively stable for each manufacturer. New offers usually come out every few months. None of these are affiliate links and I provide no assurance as to the process. I have saved so much money using rebates and hope you have similar success. Best practices and general process advice will be presented at the bottom. New sites will be added as I uncover them. Beer Rebates Boston Beer Company Brands  - Angry Orchard, Dogfish head, Hard Mountain Dew, Samuel Adams, Sun Crusher, Truly, and Twisted Tea. Some brands may not have active...
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🥃 Review #40: Kirkland Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (2024)

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Like Costco's other Scotches, the Kirkland Signature Islay Single Malt is bottled for Alexander Murray and imported by MISA Imports after being distilled and aged in Scotland (TTB.gov plant registry TX-I-1277). The isle of Islay is one of the southern most islands in Scotland and is one of the five whisky regions ensconced in law. There are only nine active distilleries on the island, and the Islay style is typified by strong peat or smoky flavors. As a single malt, we know that the juice in this bottle comes entirely from one of those nine! All of the distilleries are significantly smaller than Glenlivet and many of the mainland producers. Taste testing has people split between Caol Illa, Bruichladdich (Port Charlotte), and Bunnahabhain as being the source. Caol Illa and Laphroig both have done deals for private brand scotch without rights to name the source distillery, but Laphroig does not match the flavor profile for this bottle. Realistically, Caol Illa is the most likely cand...
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🥃 Review #43: Jim Beam Black Label 7-Year Bourbon

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