Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch is named in honor of Nathan "Nearest" Green — the enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review this landmark small batch expression while diving into the remarkable history behind the brand. Nathan Green was the first African American master distiller on record, and Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey exists to ensure his legacy is never forgotten. The 1884 Small Batch is

Monkey Shoulder is one of the most accessible blended Scotch whiskies on the market — and on this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger give it a proper review. Named after a repetitive strain injury suffered by maltmen who turned barley by hand, Monkey Shoulder blends single malts from three of Speyside's most celebrated distilleries to create a smooth, versatile whisky. With notes of vanilla, biscuit, and subtle fruit, it's an easy drinker that works beautifu

Barrel-rested gin is one of the most exciting intersections in the spirits world — and on this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger settle it with a head-to-head: Blackland Barrel Rested Gin vs. Rabbit Hole Bespoke Gin. Two very different approaches, two very different outcomes. Blackland, born right here in Fort Worth, Texas, takes their gin through bourbon barrel aging, giving it warm vanilla and oak notes alongside botanical complexity. Rabbit Hole's Bespok

All tequila is mezcal — but not all mezcal is tequila. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger unpack that fundamental truth as they review Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, one of the most respected expressions in the category. Del Maguey pioneered the single-village mezcal movement and Vida is their flagship — an Espadin mezcal made in San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca using traditional wood-fired pits and clay pots. The result is a beautifully smoky, complex spirit with

Is The Macallan 12 Year Sherry Oak worth the price tag? On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger pull this iconic bottle from The Liquor Library and give it a proper review. The Macallan 12 Sherry Oak is aged exclusively in hand-picked sherry-seasoned oak casks from Jerez, Spain, giving it a rich, fruit-forward profile loaded with dried fruits, ginger, and rich oak. It's one of the most recognized Scotch expressions in the world — but does the name carry m

Una Familia Tequila is everything the modern tequila movement stands for: no additives, no celebrity ownership, no shortcuts. Just great agave spirit made with intention. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger take flight — reviewing the full line of Una Familia, from blanco through añejo. Each expression showcases the pure, unmanipulated character of 100% Blue Weber Agave from the Jalisco Highlands. The blanco is bright and herbaceous, the reposado deve

Presidente Brandy is the most popular drink in all of Mexico — and on this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger find out why. Presidente is a Mexican brandy made from a blend of aged grape spirits with a light, smooth character that has made it a staple across the country for over a century. It's affordable, approachable, and wildly versatile — equally at home in a cocktail or sipped on the rocks on a warm evening. Crystal and Roger pull Presidente from The Li

The holiday season is upon us, and Crystal and Roger of The Liquor Connoisseur have you covered. In this Christmas episode, they share their top spirit recommendations for gifting — and for treating yourself. From cognac and scotch to bourbon, tequila, vodka, and rye, they break down what to give, what to receive, and what to look for across every category and budget. Whether you're shopping for a spirits lover in your life or building out your own home bar for the New Year,

It's a 101 showdown. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger go head-to-head with two of the most iconic 101-proof bourbons on the market: Wild Turkey 101 and Maker's Mark 101. Both bottles command serious respect on the shelf, but which one truly earns its proof? Wild Turkey 101 leans bold and spicy with deep oak and rye character, while Maker's 101 takes the classic wheated softness of the standard Maker's and cranks up the intensity. Crystal and Roger

Vodka has grown up. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review Belvedere Organic Infusions Pear & Ginger with a Drop of Honey — a sophisticated, naturally flavored vodka that raises the bar for what infused spirits can be. Unlike artificial flavored vodkas loaded with sweeteners, Belvedere's organic infusions use real botanicals and zero added sugar, letting the natural flavors of ripe pear, warming ginger, and golden honey speak for themselves. The r

Please welcome the first guest to ever sit across from The Liquor Connoisseur: DJ Maverick of the Maverick Podcast! In this special crossover episode, Crystal and Roger turn the tables and hand the interview over to DJ Maverick as the conversation flows between music, spirits, and what both mean to each of them personally. The crew sips through some of their most memorable tequilas while discussing how notes — whether musical or on a tasting card — shape the way we experience

Maker's Mark is already a household name — but Maker's 46 is where innovation meets tradition. On this episode of The Liquor Connoisseur, Crystal and Roger review this iconic expression and explore the creative process behind it. Maker's 46 takes the classic Maker's Mark wheated bourbon and finishes it with seared French oak staves inserted directly into the barrel, adding layers of caramel, vanilla, and spice without over-aging. It was Maker's first new product in over 50 ye

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