Chris | NYC Whiskey Review

christopher.dias.nyc@gmail.com

Taconic Sampler Premade Cocktails – Maple Old Fashioned

May 21, 2026 NYC

Taconic Distillery is situated in the Hudson Valley region, but its official location is at 179 Bowden Rd. Standfordville, NY. The distillery is a former farm and is now owned by Paul Couglin, who used to be a Wall Street guy. He made the switch to the whiskey world in 2013 and has been making is mark ever since. If you follow my reviews you have read Paul has sent me several bottles to review and invited me up for a visit.

A couple of weeks ago I got a surprise package in the mail from Taconic. They now have a 3 pack of their popular premade cocktails that they serve at the distillery bar. The “Sampler” includes a Maple Old Fashioned (45% abv), Negroni (25% abv), and Rye Manhattan (35% abv) that are in 375ml bottles.

The Maple Old Fashioned has fresh summer taste with bourbon, orange/oak notes, and sugar finish. The quality of the local NY Maple Syrup is very noticeable and elevates the drink. It is sweeter than I usually take my Old Fashioned’s and I don’t usually drink them in the summer. However, I found it very refreshing and once the ice melted a little I really enjoyed it. Perhaps I am seasonally limited my Old Fashioned options? I will do more research.

Taconic expressions: Dutchess Private Reserve, Barrel Strength Bourbon Whiskey, Founder’s Straight Rye Whiskey, Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey, Double Barrel Maple Bourbon Whiskey, New York Wheated Bourbon, Bottled in Bond Bourbon, New York Single Malt Whiskey, Horse & Jockey Bourbon, Fox & Hare Rye Whiskey, Bourbon Cream, Rolling Hills Rum, Stubbornly Different Gin, Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup, Sampler Premade Cocktails, and a few other specialized expressions.

This is a great Sampler priced at $50 and I look for forward to trying the Negroni and Manhattan. Many thanks again to Paul and his team at Taconic.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

My Father Cigar – La Promesa

May 6, 2026 Cigars

Name: My Father Cigar – La Promesa

Size: Varies

Wrapper: Ecuadorian Habano Oscuro

Binder: Nicaraguan

Filler: Nicaraguan

My Father – La Promesa was purchase and handed out to celebrate the birth of my daughter a few weeks ago. The cigar is a medium to full smoke with a nutty, earthy, and light chocolate notes. It has a nice draw with an even burn and lasted about 45 minutes.

I used a straight cut and it started off a little dry tasting, but then it went away and the full flavor came in. The draw was a little hard as it was packed tight but I sent a needle down it and it fixed the problem.

Other La Promesa’s to sample: Petite 4.5 x 50, Corona Gorda 5.5 x 48, Robusto Grande 5.5 x 54, Toro 6 x 52, and Lancero 7.5 x 38.

Priced around $12 per cigar and worth the price for the quality.

If you like it, drink it (or smoke it)! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Dalwhinnie 15

April 29, 2026 Scotland

Name: Dalwhinnie 15

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Malt, white fruits, heather, fruit, honey, light oak

Taste: Malt, white fruits, honey

The Dalwhinnie Distillery is located in the village of Dalwhinnie in the Highlands of Scotland. The name “Dalwhinnie” is derived from Scottish Gaelic “Dail Chuinnidh”, which means “meeting place” and refers to ancient cattle drovers’ routes through the Highland mountains. The 15 year is aged aged in ex-bourbon casks made from American white oak and is bottled at 43% abv.

I have seen Dalwhinnie on shelves for years and never got around to sampling it for some not good reason. A coworker gave me a sample recently and I must say I was very impressed. The nose was light and lovely notes of fresh fruits and honey and the taste was very well balanced with light malt and oak. The 15 year is more of a summer whisky than a winter and would make a good introduction for a non scotch drinker.

Other expressions: 15, 25, 29, 36, Distillers Edition, and Winter’s Gold.

Priced around $70 and worth the money and I had to laugh at myself for not trying this one sooner.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Penderyn – Celt

April 15, 2026 Wales

Name: Penderyn – Celt

Color: Light Yellow

Nose: Malted barley, peat, lemon citrus, flowers

Taste: Malted barley, peat, citrus, oak, green grass

The Penderyn Distillery was founded in 2000 and is in the Village of Penderyn near Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales. I am big fan of Penderyn, but it is hard to find in the stores and sadly I do not see it on the shelves of most bars in the NYC area.

Celt is 100% malted barley, non-aged stated, non-chilled filtered, and natural colored. It is aged in ex-bourbon and peated quarter casks and bottled at 40% abv. The balance is very good with a touch of cream on the finish. This expression is a softer and fresh tasting expression with a touch of peat that is forward on the nose and palate, but not overpowering. The balance is very nice and the light peat and citrus flavors work well together. If you are interested in getting into peated whiskey’s I would recommend you start with this expression.

Penderyn Celt expression is part of “Dragon Series” which contains Celt, Legend, and Myth. I am going to take a guess they call it “Dragon Series” due to the Welsh Flag, but I have an American education so I don’t know much.

Priced around $65+ and worth the money. I have not had a bad Penderyn whiskey yet!

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Note: I contacted the distillery to purchase some samples, and they sent me this bottle for gratis.

Old Soul – Tintype Series #2 “Hermon Hitson”

April 1, 2026 America

Name: Old Soul – Tintype Series #2 “Hermon Hitson”

Color: Dark Copper

Nose: Corn, malt, spices, citrus, light oak

Taste: Corn, malt/rye blend, species, vanilla, caramel, orange cream

Cathead Distillery was founded in 2010 and is based in Jackson, Mississippi. This second expression I am reviewing this year and the “Tin Type Series” and is Series #2 “Hermon Hitson”. The Tintype Series is inspired by Southern States influence on American music. Series #2 has a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. It is aged 9+ years, is unfiltered, uncut, and bottled at 55.05% abv (110.1 proof).

Unlike my first taste of Series #1 where I thought, “Do you think you used enough dynamite there Butch?” This expression was not as explosive and much smoother on the nose and tongue. The extra two plus years of maturing and lower proof did a lot for the whiskey was much easier to enjoy. The nose was light and the flavor was well balanced and smooth, but packed just enough punch. Series #2 has the same mash bill as Series #1 so as far as I am concerned it is the same whisky, but the lower proof and a little more maturing makes a big difference.

Series #2 is very good and easy to drink. It can been enjoyed neat, with a few drops of water, or a small piece of ice. I did not make an Old Fashioned cocktail as I felt it would be a waste of this whiskey.

Other Expressions: Cathead Original Vodka, Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka, Cathead Satsuma Mandarin Vodka, Cathead Raspberry Vodka, Bristow Gin, Hoodoo Chicory Liquor, and Old Soul Bourbon Whiskey, Cathead Sparkling, and canned cocktails.

Priced around $125+ and well worth the price. This would make a very good Christmas gift this year if you can find a bottle.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Note: I contacted the distillery to purchase some samples and they sent me this bottle for gratis.

Spy Trail Straight Bourbon Whiskey

March 18, 2026 NYC

Name: Spy Trail Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Corn, malt, oak, vanilla, pepper spices

Taste: Corn/malt, rye, oak, dark fruits, sugar/vanilla

Spy Trail Distillery is located in Ronkonkoma, NY (Long Island) and was founded in the last few years. They produce vodka, bourbon, honey bourbon, and black tea bourbon in small batches.

Spy Trail Straight Bourbon Whiskey has a mash bill of 60% corn, 20% wheat, 11% malted barley, 9% rye and is bottled at 45.6% abv in Batch #3. The nose comes off as a solo corn/malt blend, but has a little dryness from the wheat and rye. When I sampled the bourbon neat, I did find it a little hot and rough, but with a small ice cube the flavors released more. I noticed more dark fruit notes and the creamy vanilla/sugar flavor on the finish. This expression is overall good for being a younger whiskey and new to the marketplace and would make a good mixer in a cocktail or enjoyed on the rocks.

I also very much like the 375ml bottle (half bottle) and I wish more distilleries would release bottles in this size. It is perfect for throwing in your backpack for a hike, camping, fishing, etc. It says, “I brought some whiskey! How about we all have a wee dram…” . Sometimes when you bring a full bottle you say (without words), “I am raging alcoholic asshole and I need a full bottle of booze to enjoy this day trip”. The 375ml bottle can keep things classy.

Priced around $50 and worth it if you like the flavor profile. If I am on Long Island this year I will make a point to stop by and check it out the distillery and the tasting room.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Note: I contacted the distillery to purchase some samples, and they sent me this bottle for gratis.

Iron Smoke Straight Bourbon Whiskey

March 4, 2026 NYC

Name: Iron Smoke Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Corn, oak, vanilla, white fruit

Taste: Corn/rye, toasted oak, vanilla/caramel, apple, and pepper

Iron Smoke Distillery is based in Fairport, NY which is in the upstate area of New York near Lake Ontario. It was established in 2011 by Tommy Burnett who wanted to create a whiskey with the flavor of apple smoke barbecue. I have never heard of such a flavor combination in a whiskey and I had my doubts, but I am always will to try something new.

Iron Smoke Straight Bourbon Whiskey is aged 2+ years in new American white oak that is triple charred and is then bottled at 40% abv. The mash bill is a four-grain combination that is sourced from farmers in the Finger Lakes region. The official mash bill is not released, but I found it more corn mash forward.

When I first opened the bottle my immediate reaction “this stuff is young, rough, and affordable baseline whiskey…”. I was also surprised at how hot it tasted for a 80 proof whiskey. As I sampled a bit more, I noticed there was something hidden on the backend. The more I sampled with water/ice the more I could detect the apple and wood smoke flavors. I was surprised how nice they tasted. I am not going to lie, I thought it was going to be a gimmick cocktail type whiskey but I was pleased to see that Iron Smoke was not making a gimmick whiskey. I will not say Iron Smoke Bourbon is a slow sipper, but on ice it works very well for me. I think with one or two more years in the barrel the whiskey would soften to a level that would be more enjoyable served neat.

Priced around $50 and worth the money if you like the profile and I am looking forward to trying more expressions.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Note: I contacted the distillery to purchase some samples, and they sent me this bottle for gratis.

Town Branch Overproof

February 18, 2026 America

Name: Town Branch Overproof

Color: Light Brown

Nose: Corn, vanilla, oak, spices, orange

Taste: Corn, vanilla, dry oak, white pepper, orange cream

Town Branch Distillery is located in Lexington, Kentucky and was founded in 2012. I believe St. Matthew and I dropped by around 2015 but we realized we could not visit as we were on our way to Keeneland for the first race of the day.

The Town Branch Overproof is a four barrel blend that is made up of 90% bourbons and 10% rye. The whiskeys used are Bourbon, Wheated Bourbon, Double Oak, & Rye. The average aging is five to six years and it is bottled at 52% abv (104 proof). From my research I learned this expression was released restaurant/bars as a mixer for higher end and higher proofed cocktails.

On my first taste the dry wood finish was very noticeable and the orange cream finish complimented well with the blend of the four whiskeys. On my second taste I noticed more of the spice and orange cream blend along with the hot taste due to the proof. I immediate thought was “this was created to be a mixer”. I could tell by the high proof, balance, and that solid Kentucky Straight Bourbon Chew. A lot of bourbons are “Straight Bourbon” but many are just weak, unbalanced corn mash that gets the job done. They like to masquerade as quality bourbons but nothing more than a cheap mixer. Town Branch Overproof is not that type of whiskey.

Old Fashioned: Town Branch Overproof makes an excellent cocktail. The four whiskey flavor profile and the high proof work very well. I enjoyed the touch of spice with the bourbon as I usually use high rye to get a spicy kick.

Priced around $40 a bottle and I recommend it for the home bar or as base for your cocktail of choice at the bar.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Note: I contacted the distillery to purchase some samples, and they sent me this bottle for gratis.

Penderyn – Peated Finish

February 4, 2026 Wales

Name: Penderyn – Peated Finish

Color: Light Yellow

Nose: Peat, white fruit, vanilla

Taste: Peat, white fruits, light oak, vanilla, fresh spring water

The Penderyn Distillery was created in 2000 and is in the Village of Penderyn near Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales, UK. I am big fan of Penderyn, but it is hard to find in the stores and sadly I do not see it on the shelves of most bars in the NYC area.

Peated Finish is a medium-light bodied, fresh smelling and tasting whisky. It has flavors of fresh white fruits, cream vanilla, and a fair amount of peat, but not too much mask the other flavors. The baseline all the Penderyn’s I have sampled (more coming this year) is a fresh spring water taste which makes the whisky go down like spring water. Buyers & Drinkers beware; you can consume a fair amount of this whisky in one sitting.

Penderyn Peated Finish expression is part of “Gold Range”. Peated is non-aged stated, non-chilled filtered, and non-colored. It is aged in ex-bourbon and peated scotch barrels and bottled at 46% abv. If you are interested in getting into peated whisky I would recommend you start with this expression. However, if you immediately jump into the big boy peated whiskies like Laphroaig or Lagavulin you will be shocked and might lose your interest.

Penderyn Gold Range Series contains the following: Peated Finish, Sherrywood, Portwood, Rich Oak, & Maderia Finish. The photo below is their sample 3-pack.

Priced around $55-60 and worth the money if you like fresh tasting peated whisky.

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Note: I contacted the distillery to purchase some samples, and they sent me this bottle for gratis.

Old Soul – Tintype Series #1 “Captain Luke”

January 21, 2026 America

Name: Old Soul – Tintype Series #1 “Captain Luke”

Color: Copper

Nose: Corn, rye/malt mix, vanilla, orange, spices

Taste: Corn, malt, rye, spices, oak, vanilla, caramel

Cathead Distillery was founded in 2010 and is based in Jackson, Mississippi. This expression is from their “Tin Type Series” and is Series #1 “Captain Luke” inspired by the Southern States influence on American music. Series #1 is distilled in Indianna and has a mash bill of 75% corn, 21% rye, and 4% malted barley. It is aged 7 years, is unfiltered/uncut, and bottled at 60.9% abv which equates 121.8 proof.

When took my first sip of Series #1 I thought of famous quote from Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid movie. So if I ever get the chance to meet the distiller I will ask, “Do you think you used enough dynamite there Butch?” At 121.8 proof Series #1 is the strongest whiskey I think I have ever sampled in my life. I am struggling to remember a stronger one and if you read my reviews I generally do not like cask strength whiskeys, but this one is very good once you soften it up a little bit.

On my first tasting I really struggled to nose and taste this whiskey neat. I added a few drops of water and I struggled less, but it was still a challenge. I added a small ice cube and tried again, but I think I was in a bit of a shock so I stopped tasting. I re-tasted two weeks later and I was prepared for the shock. The second tasting was only with a small ice cube and that allowed me to really detect and enjoy the flavor profile. Old Soul Series #1 is a very strong whiskey, but the mash bill and the vanilla, orange, and spice notes on the finish are very good.

Old Fashioned Cocktail: This cocktail has a lot of kick to it and now is giving my go-to mixer (Sagamore Rye Cask Strength) a real run for the top spot. Series #1 holds the flavor for a long time and works very well in a cocktail. I need to do a side-by-side cocktail tasting with Series #1 vs. Sagamore Cask in the near future.

Other Cathead Distillery Expressions: Cathead Original Vodka, Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka, Cathead Satsuma Mandarin Vodka, Cathead Raspberry Vodka, Bristow Gin, Hoodoo Chicory Liquor, and Old Soul Bourbon Whiskey Series, Cathead Sparkling, and canned cocktails.

Priced around $100 and well worth the price. This stuff needs to be in the NYC bars and stores immediately!

If you like it, drink it! – Chris

If you like it, drink it!

Note: I contacted the distillery to purchase some samples and they sent me this bottle for gratis.

christopher.dias.nyc@gmail.com

Taconic Sampler Premade Cocktails – Maple Old Fashioned

My Father Cigar – La Promesa

Dalwhinnie 15

Penderyn – Celt

Old Soul – Tintype Series #2 “Hermon Hitson”

Spy Trail Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Iron Smoke Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Town Branch Overproof

Penderyn – Peated Finish

Old Soul – Tintype Series #1 “Captain Luke”

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