#167: Barrel Picks... Better than Allocated?

If you enjoy this show, please take a moment to check out the Patreon page, which has bonus episodes, meet-ups, and even more: http://patreon.com/whiskeynoobs It's one of the most common questions in whiskey: How can I find *insert allocated bottle here*? What a lot of people don't realize is that there's an alternative way to get bottles that you feel are a good deal - barrel picks. At least... that was once the case. Now there are a TON of barrel picks on the market, so how can you find one that is worth it? In this episode, Chris breaks down what a barrel pick is, how it works, and how YOU can find one that is worth your money.

If you enjoy this show, please take a moment to check out the Patreon page, which has bonus episodes, meet-ups, and even more: http://patreon.com/whiskeynoobs Whiskey labels and terms can be about as confusing as rocket science. Let's keep it simple. In this episode, Chris breaks down some of the most common terms that you will come across when talking whiskey with friends, coworkers, or strangers. 

If you enjoy this show, please take a moment to check out the Patreon page, which has bonus episodes, meet-ups, and even more: http://patreon.com/whiskeynoobs Ireland is known for a lot of things, and of course, it's whiskey is the one of the most interesting! In this episode, Chris breaks down a few Irish distilleries and their whiskeys, gives a brief background on the history that has created the current landscape of whiskey in Ireland, and then rounds it out with a full review of the Midleton distillery flagship tour in County Cork!

Patreon: http://patreon.com/whiskeynoobs If you want to have your own selection of whiskey at home for tastings, guests, etc, what is the perfect set up? How do you avoid wasting money on bottles that you won't really drink? How many bottles should you have, and how do you break that down into different types? These are the questions that Chris tackles in this episode of Whiskey Noobs, before finally giving his insight into what exactly he would keep on-hand in a perfect world. 

Patreon: http://patreon.com/whiskeynoobs We've all heard of them - "toasted" whiskeys, *insert bourbon name here* Toast, etc. In this episode, Chris breaks down what exactly it means for a whiskey to be "Toasted" and walks through a blind tasting of four toasted bourbons: Basil Hayden Toast, Nulu Toasted Bourbon, Elijah Craig Toast, and Penelope Toasted Barrel. 

Patreon: http://patreon.com/whiskeynoobs Sticking with our summer theme, in this episode I walk through some of my favorite cocktails and mixed drinks that use whiskey, and I explain what to expect from them, how strong they are, and a few extra tips to make them taste better in the summer time. As always, we round it out with a Q&A from our awesome patrons!

If there is any topic in the whiskey world that has the MOST myths, fake tips, and out-right incorrect information surrounding it, aging has to take the cake. In this episode, Chris breaks down what is ACTUALLY happening when a whiskey is aging, as well as some of the most common myths about aging whiskey (especially home aging). Finally, we round it out with some questions from our awesome Patrons! Learn More about the Kentucky Bourbon Festival: https://kybourbonfestival.com/ Patreon: http://patreon.com/whiskeynoobs

Please consider checking out our Patreon: http://patreon.com/whiskeynoobs Summer is almost here, and with the heat, many of us change our whiskey preferences a bit. Let's talk about some of the ways you can improve your whiskey tasting experience in the summer heat, and then of course, some of my favorite whiskeys to drink in the summer time! Of course we have to add in a blind tasting of a few bourbons, both with AND without ice. Bourbons tasted: Redwood Empire Pipe Dream, Russell's Reserve 10yr, and Brothers Bond Bottled in Bond

Patreon: http://patreon.com/whiskeynoobs In 2024, Ohio launched it's "Distillery Trail", highlighting the up-and-coming craft distilleries in the state. I have had the pleasure to visit four of them, so in this episode I break down the purpose of the trail as well as my review of each distillery I have visited! This includes a review of Minglewood, Watershed, High Bank, and Echo Spirits distilleries. 

Patreon: http://patreon.com/whiskeynoobs What is an American Single Malt Whiskey? If you have enjoyed your share of scotch whisky, you may have been confused when you first heard the term. In this episode, I break down this new category of American Whiskey, and taste through a few of my favorite brands in a blind tasting