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Whiskey Traveler

My name is Jon Arrowood. I am an Executive Bourbon Steward, and Certified Scotch Professional. A guided whiskey exploration.

We can do private guided whiskey tastings in your location, or corporate gatherings. I am certified as an Executive Bourbon Steward, and will bring together the history, science, and experience of whiskey in an entertaining and educational evening.

10/05/2026

The return of Mini-Bottle Monday: Still Austin The Artist Straight Rye Wh***ey.

Nose: Green, herbal, maraschino cherry, green apple, fresh hay

Palate: spicy, very herbal, sneaky sweet, a bit thin, green apple (not yet ripe vs Granny Smith)

Finish: medium-long, subtly spicy, not strong, mild heat, turns tannic late

This is an example of a wh***ey that is clearly well-made, but not quite my preference. I don’t dislike it, but there are plenty of ryes that I enjoy considerably more. I do like the bourbon from Still Austin, though, and will be posting a review of that in the coming weeks.

***ey

09/25/2026

Bourbon Heritage Month 2026 - Day 25: 2XO Gem of Kentucky, Barrel Number 119.

absolutely knows how to make great wh***ey. This is big and bold, but still particularly well-balanced. Very complex, but nothing overpowers, everything just plays so well together. Sweet balanced with spice, and the depth and richness you expect from a double oaked bourbon.

***ey

09/19/2026

Fresh Crack Friday and Day 18 of Bourbon Heritage Month 2026 - Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Proof (Total W**e Barrel Pick).

This one comes in at a respectable 65.6% ABV (131.2 Proof).

Nose: strong cherry, big spice, eventually toasted marshmallow and butter toffee

Palate: the kind of big and bold you expect from over 130 proof, the classic profile you expect from Old Forester. Cherry, raisins, toasted marshmallow, cinnamon, peppery

Finish: very long, starts super spicy, acts like it’s going to soften and sweeten, then doesn’t

This is an outstanding spirit, and at $80 for this bottle, it is a great value.

09/15/2026

Bourbon Heritage Month - Day 15: Big Winston Bottled-in-Bond 5 Year Bourbon from the fine folks at .

As we’ve reached the halfway point of the 2026 Bourbon Heritage Month, I have decided to spotlight this North Carolina bourbon from Winston-Salem. While Broad Branch is best known for its Rye Fidelity (which is genuinely special), don’t sleep on this bourbon.

With the boldness and backbone you expect from a B-i-B, complemented by a spot-on balance of sweet and spicy, the craftsmanship is unmistakable.

***ey

08/31/2026

Saying goodbye to a very interesting, and frankly underrated, bottle: Hirsch Single Barrel Double Oaked Cask Strength.

Classic bourbon profile, with typical (but excellent) double oaked character. And at 63% ABV, it’s as bold as you would expect.

To be completely honest, this makes me think what a double oaked Stagg might be like.

***ey

08/07/2026

Sometimes you just need your F-Rye-Day pour to hit a little extra hard.

That’s what you get with a 134.9 proof Jack Daniels Single Barrel!

Happy Friday and welcome to the weekend.

08/03/2026

When Mini-Bottle Monday meets Malt Monday - Tamdhu 12 Year.

Nose: malt forward, honey, dark fruit, stewed pears

Palate: barrel spice, malt funk, honey, citrus zest, somehow creamy and sharp at the same time

Finish: medium-long finish, but stays very high, turns from sweet to quite tannic, spicy throughout (especially for 43% ABV)

**ky.uk

07/25/2026

Welcome to the weekend; let’s kick it off with Finished Wh***ey Friday - Dark Arts 8.5 Year Old Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Finished in Armagnac Casks.

Sweet, fruity, rich, balanced with a healthy dose of spice, proof (60% ABV), and barrel influence.

I don’t think I can say enough about the exquisite blending and finishing being pulled off by the wizards over at ***ey.

Also, I want to acknowledge that this is a barrel pick by the great folks at in Tega Cay, SC.

***eyfriday

07/20/2026

Happy Old Fashioned Monday. Today was the second try with the MyBar Infuser.

Today’s recipe: 6 fresh cherries, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, and 6 dashes of Orange bitters, with a little over 2 ounces of Penelope Architect bourbon. All through the infuser, then strained into a glass with a 2” clear ice cube.

Notably better than my first attempt. I think the secret is that you have to use more of the infusion ingredients than you think. I know this looks extremely dark and red, but the cherry flavor is pretty spot on (not at all overwhelming) despite the look. I also think this works better with bourbon than with rye (at least as far as this compared with my first attempt.

The experiments shall continue.

🥃

06/27/2026

This is a big Fresh Crack Friday for me; my first ever taste (and review) of a Campbeltown Single Malt Scotch Wh**ky - Springbank 10 Year.

Nose: Sweet, stewed pears, bitter citrus, malty, light peat, candied almonds

Palate: Much less sweet than the nose, earthy, mild peat, seaside brine, heavy dose of minerality, just a hint of fruit

Finish: Reasonably long, but finishes quite high, rather tannic/dry

Overall, this is an excellent pour, and proves the point that I have heard for a long time, that Campbeltown wh**ky is very high quality, and also very distinctive.

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