George Dickel Bottled in Bond Fall 2008 is more than just a great pour — it's a history lesson in a glass. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review this award-winning expression while sharing exclusive footage from one of their first-ever distillery tours. Bottled in Bond regulations date back to the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, one of the first consumer protection laws in U.S. history. Dickel's BIB delivers on those strict standards — a single dist

If you think rum is just for mai tais and mojitos, Flor de Caña is about to change your mind. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review this legendary Nicaraguan rum aged at the base of a volcano — yes, really. Flor de Caña is a 5th-generation, family-owned company with centuries of distilling tradition. The rum is made from naturally fermented virgin sugar cane and aged without added sugar or artificial flavors. If Scotch whisky can age for decades

Wait — where's the bottle? That's the first question on this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, as Crystal and Roger pull Tullamore D.E.W. 12 Year Special Reserve directly from The Liquor Library for a long-overdue review. Tullamore D.E.W. 12 is a triple-distilled, triple-blended Irish whiskey aged for a minimum of 12 years in three types of casks: ex-bourbon, sherry, and port barrels. The result is a layered, exceptionally smooth whiskey with dried fruit, toasted wood, and a

Don't judge a spirit by its label — or its color. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review LaGritona Reposado Tequila, an all-women tequila brand making a statement in a male-dominated industry. LaGritona is a lightly colored reposado aged for 8 months, which gives it a delicate golden hue and a flavor profile that bridges the brightness of a blanco with the subtle complexity of a longer-aged expression. From the agave forward notes to the soft oak

Same Old Moses from Wanderfolk Spirits in Guthrie, Oklahoma is already a fan favorite — but now the distillery has released two bold new specialty expressions: a Sauternes Double Barrel Rye and an Amarone Double Barrel Rye. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger dig into both to see if these wine cask finishes have the Rye(t) stuff. The Sauternes finish brings a honeyed sweetness and stone fruit complexity, while the Amarone delivers deep, wine-soaked ri

It's the final episode of 2023, and Crystal and Roger are looking back on a year full of incredible pours. From whiskey to tequila, rum to gin, vodka to cognac, they break down the spirits that truly stood out across every category this year. Whether it was a bottle that defied expectations, a brand that told a powerful story, or a pour that simply earned a permanent spot on the shelf — this is the recap episode that every connoisseur deserves to end the year with. Pour yours

On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review Brough Brothers Bourbon — a spirit with a story as bold as its flavor. Brough Brothers Distillery made history as the first African American-owned distillery in Kentucky, a state that is synonymous with bourbon. Founded by three brothers, this brand represents a milestone for diversity and representation in one of America's most storied spirits categories. The bourbon itself draws on Kentucky's rich distillin

Forget everything you thought you knew about white rum. On this episode, Crystal and Roger review Ten to One Caribbean White Rum — a spirit that truly reimagines what rum can be. Ten to One blends rums from multiple Caribbean islands, creating a blend that is at once clean, complex, and completely sippable. The name references the ratio of sugar cane juice to molasses used in production, a nod to the brand's commitment to transparency and quality. With notes of honeysuckle, j

This is The Liquor Connoisseur's special Valentine's Day episode — and they brought a guest! Joining Crystal and Roger in The Liquor Library is theokcfoodeater, here to help review Acre Distilling's Cinnamon Girl Whiskey and create a special Valentine's Day cocktail. Cinnamon Girl is a naturally flavored whiskey that delivers real cinnamon warmth without the burning, syrupy sweetness of Fireball. It's smooth, balanced, and craft-made — everything a flavored whiskey should be.

In this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, we sit down with Ursula Dunn, a member of The Sista Supply Chain Network, to learn more about this powerful organization and how women in the spirits industry are making their mark — and not just with pink drinks. During our conversation, Ursula earned us a special honor: she dubbed The Liquor Connoisseur a "real podcast," and even helped launch a Men Drink Pink campaign in Roger's likeness. This episode is all about community, repre

New year, new spirits. On this episode, Crystal and Roger kick off the year by reviewing Woodworks Distilling Company's 4 Grain Vodka — a craft spirit from right here in Oklahoma City. Most vodkas are made from a single grain or base ingredient, but Woodworks takes it a step further by incorporating four grains into the mash. The result is a noticeably more complex neutral spirit — one that has texture, depth, and a subtle character that sets it apart from the standard shelf

Apple wood, limestone water, and rye whiskey come together in a truly distinctive expression from Widow Jane Distillery. On this episode, Crystal and Roger go behind the label on Widow Jane Apple Wood Rye — a Brooklyn-based spirit that blends the spice of rye with the subtle sweetness imparted by apple wood smoke and the minerality of Rosendale limestone water. Widow Jane has undergone new ownership in recent years, and this expression reflects an evolved vision for what Amer

If you've ever wondered what separates a wheated bourbon from a traditional rye-mashbill bourbon, this episode is the perfect place to start. Crystal and Roger review Wilderness Trail's Wheated Bottled in Bond Bourbon — a benchmark expression from one of Kentucky's most respected craft distilleries. Bottled in Bond means it's at least 4 years old, bottled at exactly 100 proof, and produced at a single distillery in a single season. Wilderness Trail's wheated expression swaps

Blended spirits often get a bad rap — but Maggie's Farm is out to change that. On this episode, Crystal and Roger review Maggie's Farm 50/50 Rum, an award-winning expression that blends pot-still and column-still rums to create something genuinely complex and satisfying. Maggie's Farm is a Pittsburgh-based craft distillery with a reputation for quality and transparency, and the 50/50 is a showcase of their blending philosophy. The result is a rum that offers the richness and

On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review Armagnac de Montal — a lesser-known but deeply storied type of brandy with roots going back to the 14th century. If Cognac is Beyoncé, then Armagnac is Solange: equally impressive, arguably more artisanal, and criminally underrated. Unlike Cognac, Armagnac is produced in the Gascony region of southwestern France using continuous column distillation, giving it a more rustic, complex character. De Montal is a b