Skip to main content

Latest by C. Osburn

Buffalo Trace

Bourbons over $300 worth the splurge

All whiskey drinkers need a few value bottles they intend to drink neat (or on the rocks) and use as the base for cocktails. We’re not talking about bottles that are found on the top shelf, but we definitely don’t mean bottom-shelf, plastic-handle bottles either. We’re referencing multi-layered, balanced, everyday expressions in the mid-range that […]
Whiskey glass

StilL 630 is launching a bourbon to celebrate America’s 250th birthday

If you somehow missed it, 2026 is America’s 250th birthday. To celebrate this momentous event, St. Louis, Missouri-based StilL 630 is releasing a new line of rare, single-barrel, bottled-in-bond bourbons crafted to celebrate the United States’ semiquincentennial. StilL 630 Indomitable Spirit of America 250th Birthday Bourbon Recently, the distillery launched the first in its series […]
Dos Maderas

Dos Maderas is launching a limited-edition 12-year-old Thai rum

Dos Maderas, the well-known rum brand under Bodegas Williams & Humbert, just announced the first release in its Dos Maderas Origen Series. This new series was created to show the diversity of rum throughout the world, and it all begins with an expression from a country not often associated with rum. Dos Maderas Origen Thailand […]
New Riff

New Riff is relaunching its award-winning Balboa Rye

First released in 2019, New Riff has announced the relaunch of its popular Balboa Rye Whiskey. Crafted with heirloom grains, this award-winning whiskey (unrelated to a certain fictional boxer) earns a place on your bar cart this winter. New Riff Balboa Rye Melding modern technology with tradition, this whiskey’s main grain is Balboa rye, a […]
Don Julio 1942

Tequila Don Julio 1942 is getting in on the Lunar New Year trend with Year of the Horse Edition

If you didn’t know it already, 2026 is the Year of the Horse in the Chinese Zodiac calendar. Tequila Don Julio 1942 is joining myriad other spirits brands in launching a special-edition expression to pay tribute to the Lunar New Year. Don Julio 1942 Year of the Horse Edition This limited-edition bottle contains the same […]
Scotch whisky

What is Burns Night and what are the Scotch whiskies you should celebrate with?

If you didn’t realize it, a big holiday for Scotch whisky drinkers and fans of epic poetry is coming up on January 25th. Celebrated each year on this date, it’s a night to honor Scotland’s national poet (hence the Scotch whisky imbibing), a man named Robert Burns. It’s also a great time to crack open […]
Lagavulin

The best single malt whiskeys for fans of smoke

When you think of single malt whisk(e)y, there’s a decent chance your mind immediately heads toward Scotland. In the pantheon of single malts, there’s none as well-known and historic as single malt Scotch whisky. But single malt whiskey is produced worldwide, including the US, Japan, Taiwan, Sweden, and India. Also, while Scotland’s Islay region is […]
Penelope Bourbon

Penelope Bourbon and home furnishings brand Serena & Lily are releasing a limited-edition bourbon

You might be surprised to learn this, but popular whiskey brand Penelope Bourbon is launching a new Four Grain Bourbon in collaboration not with a brewery, a celebrity, or another distillery, but with a home furnishings brand. Penelope Beaufain Four Grain Bourbon Inspired by the history and allure of South Carolina’s Lowcountry, Penelope Beaufain Four […]
Rebel Bourbon

Rebel Bourbon is relaunching the perfect whiskey for soda fans

Rebel Bourbon is one of the most underrated whiskey brands. And while you can’t go wrong with any of its flagship expressions, it recently announced the return of a popular flavored whiskey, and it’s one that soda fans will be fairly excited to try. Rebel Root Beer Whiskey Rebel Root Beer Whiskey uses the brand’s […]
SPYRT'

Ukrainian Spirit Limited Howitzer Edition is packaged in used artillery shell propelling charge cases

Recently, SPYRT Worldwide, a veteran-founded importer, announced the launch of the Ukrainian Spirit Limited Howitzer Edition. At first glance, it seems like just another limited-edition vodka hitting the market, but there’s more to this expression than it seems. Ukrainian Spirit Limited Howitzer Edition Vodka Instead of a classic bottle, Ukrainian Spirit Limited Howitzer Edition Vodka […]
Knob Creek

Knob Creek is launching Eli Manning’s Bold Pick: 2026 Batch cask strength bourbon

Fans of football and bourbon will be excited to learn that Knob Creek is once again releasing Eli Manning’s Bold Pick. The 2026 Batch is a limited-edition Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon perfect for slow sipping while you watch the NFL playoffs. Eli Manning’s Bold Pick: 2026 Batch The second limited-edition barrel release, Eli Manning’s […]
Beer

Bucket list beers every beer fan should try at least once

There’s a ridiculous number of breweries in the US. Even with the recent downturn in the market, there are still over 9,000 breweries operating in the US. That’s an awful lot of IPAs, lagers, and barrel-aged stouts. Even if you’re a big beer drinker, there’s no way you’ll ever drink a fraction of the total […]
Stone IPA

Essential West Coast IPAs for all seasons

The way we see it, there’s no wrong time of year for a hoppy, pleasantly bitter West Coast IPA. This timeless beer style is just at home on a humid, sunny summer day as it is on a cold, dark winter evening. But since there are seemingly countless West Coast IPAs on the market, your […]
Jack Daniel's

Is Jack Daniel’s a bourbon? Well, that’s complicated

Like tequila in Mexico or cognac in France, bourbon is defined by specific rules and regulations. These official standards go beyond geography. Even though Jack Daniel’s appears to meet them, it’s not labeled as a bourbon. Why is that? I’ve been writing about alcohol for more than twenty years. And I can understand the argument […]
Martini

To celebrate Dry January, Dry & Dirty is launching the first zero-proof, functional Martini

Dry January is here. Are you partaking in this booze-free month? Sadly, some drinkers taking part in it for the first time this month might be bummed when they sip on a mocktail, and it doesn’t taste enough like their favorite alcohol-based version. Luckily, Martini drinkers have a new zero-proof option that was crafted to […]
Alcohol, Beverage, Liquor

Kavalan Whisky is celebrating the Lunar New Year with its new whisky gift set

To celebrate the beginning of the Lunar New Year on February 17th and the Year of the Horse, Taiwan’s Kavalan Distillery and its importer, Hotaling & Co., recently announced the launch of a special gift box featuring its Triple Sherry Cask Single Malt Whisky. Year of the Horse Lunar New Year Gift Set The gift […]
Sierra Nevada

NA beers that actually taste like beer for Dry January

Dry January isn’t for everyone. Some people continue drinking their favorite whiskey, cocktails, wine, and beer straight through the Holidays and beyond. But, for folks looking for a healthy reset, Dry January is a great choice. For the unaware, Dry January is exactly as the name suggests. Since it takes place right after the gatherings, […]
Infused whiskey

How to infuse your favorite whiskey

We all have whiskey we love to drink neat, on the rocks, or with a splash or two of water to open up the aromas and flavors. But even though a well-made whiskey is great on its own, sometimes we just want some extra flavors. And while flavored whiskeys are alright, some of them are […]
New Riff

New Riff is adding a new malted rye single barrel whiskey experience to its core lineup

This month, New Riff introduces a new expression for bespoke whiskey drinkers. The popular Kentucky-based brand expands its Single Barrel Experience by adding Single Barrel Malted Rye. New Riff Single Barrel Malted Rye For those new to the brand’s Single Barrel Selection Experience, New Riff also offers a 6-year-old Single Barrel Bourbon, a 4-year-old Single […]
Teremana Tequila

Just in time for the NFL playoffs, Teremana Tequila is partnering with Wingstop

Founded by wrestler, actor, and personality Dwayne Johnson, Teremana Tequila is a big deal in the spirits world. Wingstop is one of the most well-known chicken wing restaurant chains in the world. It only makes sense that the two iconic brands would partner just in time for the NFL playoffs. What could be better than […]
Hennessy

Warming cognacs to drink this winter

While whiskey gets most of the attention during the winter months, you’re really missing out if you don’t have at least one or two bottles of cognac on your home bar cart. This French brandy has many of the same aromas and flavors that whiskey drinkers enjoy, like dried fruits, caramelized sugar, toasted vanilla beans, […]
Whiskey barrels

Start 2026 with Lock Stock & Barrel’s new 25-Year-Old Straight Rye Whiskey

If you’re a rye whiskey drinker, you’ve probably tried some iteration of Lock Stock & Barrel. While you can’t go wrong with any of its expressions, recently the brand announced the debut of a new, 25-year-old expression, and it’s one you definitely don’t want to miss out on. Lock Stock & Barrel 25-Year-Old Straight Rye […]
Garrison Brothers

Garrison Brothers just released one of its most popular annual whiskeys

Being a cowboy conjures images of grit, adventure, and a signature Stetson hat. But becoming one isn’t as simple as donning the iconic headwear. For most of us, living the cowboy life may be out of reach. Fortunately, we can still sip like a cowboy thanks to Hye, Texas-based Garrison Brothers Distillery, which just released […]
Whiskey glass

The best whiskeys of 2025

It’s time to turn the page on yet another year. 2025 was filled with memorable events across politics, sports, and news. It was also filled with an awful lot of whiskey releases. Now, we’re not going to say that a few bottles of bourbon, rye whiskey, and single malt Scotch are more important than lasting […]
Upstate Elevator

Celebrate Dry January with Upstate Elevator’s new THC spirit

If you’re celebrating Dry January, are sober-curious, or simply interested in alcohol alternatives, and you’re looking for something to imbibe instead of your usual rum, whiskey, or tequila, the folks at Upstate Elevator have the perfect replacement beverage. Known for its cannabinoid beverages, the brand recently announced the launch of its first-ever zero-proof THC Spirit. […]
Bully Boy

Just in time for Dry January, Bully Boy Distillers is launching a spirit-free cocktail line

Founded in 2010, Boston-based Bully Boy Distillers is well-known for its premium spirits lineup, including gin, amaro, vodka, rum, and whiskey. And while you can’t go wrong with any of its award-winning spirits, to celebrate Dry January, the distillery is launching a new line of spirit-free cocktails. Intermezzo It’s called Intermezzo, and this new line […]
Don Q

Start the new year with Don Q Double-Aged Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish Rum

Don Q has been made in Ponce, Puerto Rico, for six generations and more than 155 years. There’s a reason it’s one of the most well-respected rum brands in the world. Recently, the brand announced a new, unique expression just in time for your New Year’s revelry. Don Q Double-Aged Pedro Ximénez Cask Finish Rum […]
Remy Martin

Celebrate 2026 as the Year of the Horse with House of Rémy Martin’s special XO Cognac

2026 marks the Year of the Horse, the seventh sign in the Chinese zodiac’s 12-year cycle. To celebrate Chinese New Year on February 17th and its equine symbol, The House of Rémy Martin is partnering with well-known Chinese artist Xue Song for a special Lunar New Year bottle of its popular XO expression. Rémy Martin […]
Watch Hill Whiskey

Watch Hill Whiskey’s newest rare whiskey releases are not to be missed

Just in time for the new year, Watch Hill Whiskey announced the release of not one, but two unique whiskeys. The popular brand, known for its rare whiskey releases, is starting 2026 off on the right foot with a new bourbon and a rye whiskey. The latter is a collaboration with a well-known Louisville chef. […]
Jim Beam

Jim Beam and Kenan Thompson want you to “refresh your season” if your favorite NFL team didn’t make the playoffs

There’s only one week left in the NFL season, and for many fans, their teams have already been eliminated. To help these fans cope with missing the playoffs, Jim Beam is launching its “Refresh Your Season” campaign featuring comedian and actor Kenan Thompson. “Refresh Your Season” The campaign’s goal is to help fans whose teams […]
Glass of beer

How hazy IPAs became one of the most popular beer styles in America

Discover the hazy, juicy world of New England-style IPAs — one of the most popular beer styles today. Learn about their history, flavors, and the best hazy IPAs to try.
Christmas cocktails

The best large batch cocktails to make for guests this holiday season

If you’re anything like us, you’re going to be hosting (or attending) at least a handful of holiday gatherings in the next few weeks. On top of the appetizers, heavy meals, and lively conversation with friends and family, it’s also a great time of year for cocktails. In my years of writing about (and drinking) […]
digestif

The best digestifs to drink this winter

With the holidays here, you’re likely to enjoy some heavy, seasonal meals. After all the turkey, ham, and sides, you’ll want something to settle your stomach and aid in digestion. That’s where digestifs come in—but not just any will do. What is a digestif? This brings us to one crucial question: what exactly is a […]
Tequila Ocho

Tequila Ocho’s newest expressions support local community farmers

Tequila Ocho is known as a single-estate, single-field tequila brand. In an effort to show that terroir is as important to tequila as it is to wine, the brand is announcing new Terroir Select vintages. Tequila Ocho Terroir Select vintages The new Terroir Select vintages are single-region, multi-field tequilas produced from agave grown in one […]
Planteray Rum

Planteray Rum is launching one of the most authentic navy style rums ever

For those unaware, a navy-style rum is a high-proof expression distilled and bottled to taste like the spirit rationed to the British Royal Navy until 1970. Many brands make versions of this style. The newest and potentially most authentic comes from the folks at Planteray Rum. Planteray Mister Fogg Navy Rum Sail N°2 After five […]
Dark beer

A barleywine isn’t a wine, it’s a beer

If you live somewhere where cold temperatures and snow have already made an appearance, you might be surprised that winter hasn’t even officially started. But just because the coldest season doesn’t begin until December 21st, that doesn’t mean that you can’t start sipping wintry beers. The outside temperature would dictate that it’s time. A great […]
Caledonia Spirits

The makers of Barr Hill Gin are launching a new rye whiskey

Gin drinkers love the appeal of Barr Hill Gin, with its mix of botanicals and sweet, local honey. But the popular Vermont-based Caledonia Spirits, makers of this award-winning gin, make more than just this unique expression. In addition to a wide variety of spirits, the brand recently announced the launch of Phyllis Vermont Rye Whiskey. […]
whiskey glass

The World Whiskey Society is launching its first ever flavored whiskey

If you’re an avid whiskey drinker, you know about the appeal of the World Whiskey Society’s releases. While you can’t go wrong with any of its limited-edition expressions, until now, that brand had never released a flavored whiskey. And it couldn’t be more aptly named. Doc Holliday Huckleberry Edition Fans of the brand’s popular Doc […]
Scotch

Cask strength Scotch whiskies to warm you this winter

If you live in the northern part of the US, Canada, or literally anywhere in the upper part of the Northern Hemisphere, you’ve likely already found yourself immersed in winter weather (even though winter doesn’t officially begin until December 21st). If you asked us, frigid, snowy, downright miserable weather calls for a warming whisky. And […]
Samuel Smith's

What makes a winter beer?

Cozy up with a beer specifically designed for this time of year.
Aperol spritz cocktail

Moderation over indulgence: The shift in alcohol trends this year

Trends in the alcohol world come and go. While we’re used to trends like unique barrel-aged beers, over-the-top cocktails, and creatively aged and finished whiskeys, 2025 seems to be the year of moderation Being an elderly Millennial, this is news to me. I enjoy a nice glass of whiskey, a beer or two, or a […]
whiskey glass

Wilderness Trail is launching a limited-edition wheated bourbon paying tribute to Kentucky history

Not only is Wilderness Trail Distillery launching a limited-edition 10-year-old wheated bourbon, but it’s doing it to commemorate the 250th anniversary of The Wilderness Road. For those unaware, it was a Kentucky trail that played a key part in America’s Westward expansion. What better reason to make a new whiskey? Wilderness Trail 10-year-old Wheated Bourbon […]
Heaven Hill

Celebrate the start of the holidays with the newest release of the Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series

The folks at Heaven Hill are just about to crank the holiday season revelry up to eleven. That’s because they just announced the release of the Fall 2025 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Decanter Series. What could be better than this epic 11-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon shared with friends and family this winter? Fall 2025 […]
Old Hickory

Old Hickory Bourbon is releasing a pair of long-aged whiskeys you won’t want to miss

Fans of long-aged bourbon will be excited for the news from Old Hickory Bourbon. That’s because the historic brand, founded in 1868, isn’t launching one expression but two. And both spent more than a decade aging to perfection. Hermitage Reserve 12-year-old Rye and 15-year-old Barrel Proof Whiskey Recently, the brand announced the release of Hermitage […]
Empress 1908

Just in time for Dry January, Empress 1908 Gin is releasing a non-alcoholic spirit

If you’re anything like us, you’re going to imbibe a lot of beer, cocktails, and spirits during the holiday season. This means you’ll probably take part in “Dry January”. And, if you’re looking for a new non-alcoholic spirit to sip in the new year, make it the newest expression from Empress 1908 Gin. Empress 1908 […]
Barman pouring paper plane cocktail

These five cocktails define the cocktail renaissance

If you stroll into your local cocktail bar with its creative bartenders and unique, flavorful drinks, you might not realize that the mixology world hasn’t always been like this. Beginning in the 1990s and culminating in the early 2000s, the cocktail renaissance not only introduced a new generation of innovative bartenders and a resurgence of […]
Rum

The best dark rums every bourbon drinker should try

If you’re a whiskey drinker, but you haven’t branched out into aged rum, you’re really missing out on some amazing expressions. There are a variety of reasons why dark rums are well suited for the palates of bourbon drinkers. I’ve been writing about alcohol for nearly two decades. In those years, I’ve tried every type […]
Whiskey in a glass

Copperworks is releasing a winter whiskey in collaboration with Pike Brewing Company

Fans of beer and whiskey have a reason to get excited about the newest release from Copperworks Distilling Co. That’s because the Seattle-based distillery is collaborating with Pike Brewing for a unique winter whiskey. Pike Kilt Lifter Whiskey This limited-edition expression is called Pike Kilt Lifter Whiskey, and it’s an American whiskey that was distilled […]
Still Austin

Still Austin Whiskey Co. just launched the perfect bourbon for cigar fans

Fans of Still Austin Whiskey Co. know all about the brand’s exceptional releases. But, even with all of its award-winning whiskeys, it just announced the release of its most premium whiskey to date. And it’s a perfect choice for drinkers who prefer to pair their bourbon with a fine cigar. Still Austin Tanager Cigar Blend […]
Athletic Brewing

Rethinking happy hour: exploring the rise of sober curious drinking

If you’re paying attention to trends in the alcohol world, there’s a chance you’ve heard of the phrase “sober curious”. It’s a popular buzzword in the contemporary beer, liquor, wine, and cocktail scene. But what exactly does it mean, and why is it so popular lately? To me, as an alcohol writer (and drinker for […]