Jim Vorel
@jimvorel.bsky.social
Movies editor at Paste Magazine, rabid genre geek. Spirits and cocktail wonk.
Charbay S “Hop-Flavored” distilled stout whiskey review:
Nose: Toasted malt, crisp grain and hints of more assertive roast, dark chocolate and a little smoke. Faint hints of earthiness and resin as well, maybe similar hop character but much more subtle than the R5. Slightly musty.
Nose: Toasted malt, crisp grain and hints of more assertive roast, dark chocolate and a little smoke. Faint hints of earthiness and resin as well, maybe similar hop character but much more subtle than the R5. Slightly musty.
November 12, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Charbay S “Hop-Flavored” distilled stout whiskey review:
Nose: Toasted malt, crisp grain and hints of more assertive roast, dark chocolate and a little smoke. Faint hints of earthiness and resin as well, maybe similar hop character but much more subtle than the R5. Slightly musty.
Nose: Toasted malt, crisp grain and hints of more assertive roast, dark chocolate and a little smoke. Faint hints of earthiness and resin as well, maybe similar hop character but much more subtle than the R5. Slightly musty.
Charbay R5 Whiskey (distilled IPA beer) review:
Nose: Honey Graham cracker, sweet malt, citrus, resin and grass. A very interesting nose, it has floral elements but also a bit of warming spice that crosses over into the citrus, like coriander or chamomile. Could almost pass as a barrel-aged gin.
Nose: Honey Graham cracker, sweet malt, citrus, resin and grass. A very interesting nose, it has floral elements but also a bit of warming spice that crosses over into the citrus, like coriander or chamomile. Could almost pass as a barrel-aged gin.
November 12, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Charbay R5 Whiskey (distilled IPA beer) review:
Nose: Honey Graham cracker, sweet malt, citrus, resin and grass. A very interesting nose, it has floral elements but also a bit of warming spice that crosses over into the citrus, like coriander or chamomile. Could almost pass as a barrel-aged gin.
Nose: Honey Graham cracker, sweet malt, citrus, resin and grass. A very interesting nose, it has floral elements but also a bit of warming spice that crosses over into the citrus, like coriander or chamomile. Could almost pass as a barrel-aged gin.
1. George T. Stagg Bourbon 2025
Nose: Big, bold, oak driven and spicy. Old funky rickhouse oak, spiced cherry lozenge, hot cinnamon, brown sugar and nutmeg. Dark chocolate, roast and considerable ethanol.
Nose: Big, bold, oak driven and spicy. Old funky rickhouse oak, spiced cherry lozenge, hot cinnamon, brown sugar and nutmeg. Dark chocolate, roast and considerable ethanol.
November 6, 2025 at 3:30 AM
1. George T. Stagg Bourbon 2025
Nose: Big, bold, oak driven and spicy. Old funky rickhouse oak, spiced cherry lozenge, hot cinnamon, brown sugar and nutmeg. Dark chocolate, roast and considerable ethanol.
Nose: Big, bold, oak driven and spicy. Old funky rickhouse oak, spiced cherry lozenge, hot cinnamon, brown sugar and nutmeg. Dark chocolate, roast and considerable ethanol.
2. Eagle Rare 17 Year Bourbon 2025
Nose: A deeper combination of sweet and funky oakiness. Espresso, dark chocolate, toffee, black cherry, but more unexpectedly light florals dancing around as well. The sweet roast is great, but slightly muted overall.
Nose: A deeper combination of sweet and funky oakiness. Espresso, dark chocolate, toffee, black cherry, but more unexpectedly light florals dancing around as well. The sweet roast is great, but slightly muted overall.
November 6, 2025 at 3:30 AM
2. Eagle Rare 17 Year Bourbon 2025
Nose: A deeper combination of sweet and funky oakiness. Espresso, dark chocolate, toffee, black cherry, but more unexpectedly light florals dancing around as well. The sweet roast is great, but slightly muted overall.
Nose: A deeper combination of sweet and funky oakiness. Espresso, dark chocolate, toffee, black cherry, but more unexpectedly light florals dancing around as well. The sweet roast is great, but slightly muted overall.
3. William Larue Weller 2025
Nose: Strawberry jam, toasted wheat, tobacco, slightly earthy, a little bit of smoke. Some clove and cinnamon as well. It’s actually more distinctly grainy than Weller nose tends to be, but gets sweeter and more caramelly with air.
Nose: Strawberry jam, toasted wheat, tobacco, slightly earthy, a little bit of smoke. Some clove and cinnamon as well. It’s actually more distinctly grainy than Weller nose tends to be, but gets sweeter and more caramelly with air.
November 6, 2025 at 3:30 AM
3. William Larue Weller 2025
Nose: Strawberry jam, toasted wheat, tobacco, slightly earthy, a little bit of smoke. Some clove and cinnamon as well. It’s actually more distinctly grainy than Weller nose tends to be, but gets sweeter and more caramelly with air.
Nose: Strawberry jam, toasted wheat, tobacco, slightly earthy, a little bit of smoke. Some clove and cinnamon as well. It’s actually more distinctly grainy than Weller nose tends to be, but gets sweeter and more caramelly with air.
4. Thomas H. Handy Rye Whiskey
Nose: Toasted oak, cocoa, herbal rye. A greater sense of oakiness, but also some greater freshness. Big spearmint and a more grassy rye character, with lingering rye grain. Ethanol isn’t as big as you might expect.
Nose: Toasted oak, cocoa, herbal rye. A greater sense of oakiness, but also some greater freshness. Big spearmint and a more grassy rye character, with lingering rye grain. Ethanol isn’t as big as you might expect.
November 6, 2025 at 3:30 AM
4. Thomas H. Handy Rye Whiskey
Nose: Toasted oak, cocoa, herbal rye. A greater sense of oakiness, but also some greater freshness. Big spearmint and a more grassy rye character, with lingering rye grain. Ethanol isn’t as big as you might expect.
Nose: Toasted oak, cocoa, herbal rye. A greater sense of oakiness, but also some greater freshness. Big spearmint and a more grassy rye character, with lingering rye grain. Ethanol isn’t as big as you might expect.
5. Sazerac 18 Year Rye Whiskey
Nose: Toasty, really evoking buttered rye bread with caraway seed. Pepper, toasted sugar, orchard fruit, glazed donut. Rye grain certainly expresses itself with a slightly malty sweetness.
Nose: Toasty, really evoking buttered rye bread with caraway seed. Pepper, toasted sugar, orchard fruit, glazed donut. Rye grain certainly expresses itself with a slightly malty sweetness.
November 6, 2025 at 3:30 AM
5. Sazerac 18 Year Rye Whiskey
Nose: Toasty, really evoking buttered rye bread with caraway seed. Pepper, toasted sugar, orchard fruit, glazed donut. Rye grain certainly expresses itself with a slightly malty sweetness.
Nose: Toasty, really evoking buttered rye bread with caraway seed. Pepper, toasted sugar, orchard fruit, glazed donut. Rye grain certainly expresses itself with a slightly malty sweetness.
6. E.H. Taylor Bottled in Bond bourbon
Nose: Cherry pie, grape jelly and significant fruitiness, meeting halfway with sweet roast, dark chocolate and barrel char. A certain tart dimension to the fruitiness, but also some caramel candies and hints of leather. On the mild side.
Nose: Cherry pie, grape jelly and significant fruitiness, meeting halfway with sweet roast, dark chocolate and barrel char. A certain tart dimension to the fruitiness, but also some caramel candies and hints of leather. On the mild side.
November 6, 2025 at 3:30 AM
6. E.H. Taylor Bottled in Bond bourbon
Nose: Cherry pie, grape jelly and significant fruitiness, meeting halfway with sweet roast, dark chocolate and barrel char. A certain tart dimension to the fruitiness, but also some caramel candies and hints of leather. On the mild side.
Nose: Cherry pie, grape jelly and significant fruitiness, meeting halfway with sweet roast, dark chocolate and barrel char. A certain tart dimension to the fruitiness, but also some caramel candies and hints of leather. On the mild side.
High West Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 13 review:
Nose: Big dark fruit and dried fruit here. Currant, raisin, plums, blackberries, with vanilla custard and wafers. Honeyed tones and modest spicy rye swirling below, with traces of mint and roasted nuts. #whiskey
Nose: Big dark fruit and dried fruit here. Currant, raisin, plums, blackberries, with vanilla custard and wafers. Honeyed tones and modest spicy rye swirling below, with traces of mint and roasted nuts. #whiskey
October 29, 2025 at 12:51 AM
High West Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 13 review:
Nose: Big dark fruit and dried fruit here. Currant, raisin, plums, blackberries, with vanilla custard and wafers. Honeyed tones and modest spicy rye swirling below, with traces of mint and roasted nuts. #whiskey
Nose: Big dark fruit and dried fruit here. Currant, raisin, plums, blackberries, with vanilla custard and wafers. Honeyed tones and modest spicy rye swirling below, with traces of mint and roasted nuts. #whiskey
The sentiment holds for Bluesky film posting as well.
October 24, 2025 at 4:17 AM
The sentiment holds for Bluesky film posting as well.
Heaven Hill Grain to Glass LE Chinquapin Oak rye review:
Nose: Deeply toasted rye bread, honey, caramel. Sweet roast, caraway and faint pepper. Big cigar wrapper and more savory notes, with hints of black cherry. This nose is really inviting. Reminds me of very mature MGP rye.
Nose: Deeply toasted rye bread, honey, caramel. Sweet roast, caraway and faint pepper. Big cigar wrapper and more savory notes, with hints of black cherry. This nose is really inviting. Reminds me of very mature MGP rye.
October 21, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Heaven Hill Grain to Glass LE Chinquapin Oak rye review:
Nose: Deeply toasted rye bread, honey, caramel. Sweet roast, caraway and faint pepper. Big cigar wrapper and more savory notes, with hints of black cherry. This nose is really inviting. Reminds me of very mature MGP rye.
Nose: Deeply toasted rye bread, honey, caramel. Sweet roast, caraway and faint pepper. Big cigar wrapper and more savory notes, with hints of black cherry. This nose is really inviting. Reminds me of very mature MGP rye.
Heaven Hill Grain to Glass LE Chinquapin Oak wheated bourbon:
Nose: Brown sugar cinnamon, toasted wheat strands, more delicate floral tones, nougat, vanilla pudding, a little cocoa. Similar toasted oakiness hinting at the secondary barrel finish.
Nose: Brown sugar cinnamon, toasted wheat strands, more delicate floral tones, nougat, vanilla pudding, a little cocoa. Similar toasted oakiness hinting at the secondary barrel finish.
October 21, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Heaven Hill Grain to Glass LE Chinquapin Oak wheated bourbon:
Nose: Brown sugar cinnamon, toasted wheat strands, more delicate floral tones, nougat, vanilla pudding, a little cocoa. Similar toasted oakiness hinting at the secondary barrel finish.
Nose: Brown sugar cinnamon, toasted wheat strands, more delicate floral tones, nougat, vanilla pudding, a little cocoa. Similar toasted oakiness hinting at the secondary barrel finish.
Heaven Hill Grain to Glass LE Chinquapin Oak bourbon review
Nose: Sweet, toasty and lots of baking spice. Molasses cookie and toasted sugar, with sweet cinnamon, licorice candy, faint rye and toasted oak. Definitely does feel like another level of oak.
Nose: Sweet, toasty and lots of baking spice. Molasses cookie and toasted sugar, with sweet cinnamon, licorice candy, faint rye and toasted oak. Definitely does feel like another level of oak.
October 21, 2025 at 2:43 AM
Heaven Hill Grain to Glass LE Chinquapin Oak bourbon review
Nose: Sweet, toasty and lots of baking spice. Molasses cookie and toasted sugar, with sweet cinnamon, licorice candy, faint rye and toasted oak. Definitely does feel like another level of oak.
Nose: Sweet, toasty and lots of baking spice. Molasses cookie and toasted sugar, with sweet cinnamon, licorice candy, faint rye and toasted oak. Definitely does feel like another level of oak.
Jim Beam Booker’s Bourbon Jerry’s Batch review:
Nose: Dark caramel, clove, rickhouse funk, vanilla bean, maybe a hint of banana. Candy apple and delicate florals. Not the most assertive nose, but also quite light on ethanol for the proof. Easygoing, honestly. #whiskey
Nose: Dark caramel, clove, rickhouse funk, vanilla bean, maybe a hint of banana. Candy apple and delicate florals. Not the most assertive nose, but also quite light on ethanol for the proof. Easygoing, honestly. #whiskey
October 19, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Jim Beam Booker’s Bourbon Jerry’s Batch review:
Nose: Dark caramel, clove, rickhouse funk, vanilla bean, maybe a hint of banana. Candy apple and delicate florals. Not the most assertive nose, but also quite light on ethanol for the proof. Easygoing, honestly. #whiskey
Nose: Dark caramel, clove, rickhouse funk, vanilla bean, maybe a hint of banana. Candy apple and delicate florals. Not the most assertive nose, but also quite light on ethanol for the proof. Easygoing, honestly. #whiskey
Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Sweet Mash review:
Nose: Really rich, sweet nose. Brown sugar, caramelized bananas, butterscotch and something a little bit more earthy, almost peat-like without the smoke element. The fruity-grainy-sweet combination of apple crisp. Interesting.
Nose: Really rich, sweet nose. Brown sugar, caramelized bananas, butterscotch and something a little bit more earthy, almost peat-like without the smoke element. The fruity-grainy-sweet combination of apple crisp. Interesting.
October 15, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Sweet Mash review:
Nose: Really rich, sweet nose. Brown sugar, caramelized bananas, butterscotch and something a little bit more earthy, almost peat-like without the smoke element. The fruity-grainy-sweet combination of apple crisp. Interesting.
Nose: Really rich, sweet nose. Brown sugar, caramelized bananas, butterscotch and something a little bit more earthy, almost peat-like without the smoke element. The fruity-grainy-sweet combination of apple crisp. Interesting.
There's something truly wonderful about using a service like Kanopy/your library card to access film content as deeply tawdry as "CHOLO ZOMBIES." It's like using some ancient library full of beautiful manuscripts to read Danielle Steel romance novels. #horrormovies #halloween
October 8, 2025 at 3:07 PM
There's something truly wonderful about using a service like Kanopy/your library card to access film content as deeply tawdry as "CHOLO ZOMBIES." It's like using some ancient library full of beautiful manuscripts to read Danielle Steel romance novels. #horrormovies #halloween
Buzzard’s Roost Cigar Blend Bourbon review:
Nose: Caramel chews, molasses cookie and intense wood spice. Cinnamon combo of cinnamon and vanilla icing, and a deeply toasted sugar. Strong woodiness that hits both toast and also sawdust-like note. Cedar cigar box and baking spice.
Nose: Caramel chews, molasses cookie and intense wood spice. Cinnamon combo of cinnamon and vanilla icing, and a deeply toasted sugar. Strong woodiness that hits both toast and also sawdust-like note. Cedar cigar box and baking spice.
October 7, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Buzzard’s Roost Cigar Blend Bourbon review:
Nose: Caramel chews, molasses cookie and intense wood spice. Cinnamon combo of cinnamon and vanilla icing, and a deeply toasted sugar. Strong woodiness that hits both toast and also sawdust-like note. Cedar cigar box and baking spice.
Nose: Caramel chews, molasses cookie and intense wood spice. Cinnamon combo of cinnamon and vanilla icing, and a deeply toasted sugar. Strong woodiness that hits both toast and also sawdust-like note. Cedar cigar box and baking spice.
Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Beacon Bourbon review:
Nose: Heavy, rich caramel sweetness, paired with underlying herbal rye and tobacco notes. Dark vanilla, flan, cigar wrapper. Mildly funky rickhouse oak. Baked apples? Over time in glass, showing more roast and old, dusty leather.
Nose: Heavy, rich caramel sweetness, paired with underlying herbal rye and tobacco notes. Dark vanilla, flan, cigar wrapper. Mildly funky rickhouse oak. Baked apples? Over time in glass, showing more roast and old, dusty leather.
September 30, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Beacon Bourbon review:
Nose: Heavy, rich caramel sweetness, paired with underlying herbal rye and tobacco notes. Dark vanilla, flan, cigar wrapper. Mildly funky rickhouse oak. Baked apples? Over time in glass, showing more roast and old, dusty leather.
Nose: Heavy, rich caramel sweetness, paired with underlying herbal rye and tobacco notes. Dark vanilla, flan, cigar wrapper. Mildly funky rickhouse oak. Baked apples? Over time in glass, showing more roast and old, dusty leather.
Michter’s Sour Mash Whiskey Toasted Barrel Finish review:
Nose: Toasted marshmallow, fragrant cinnamon, honeycomb cereal, toasted oak, complex and warm oaky spice. Can’t miss the toasted barrel. It dominates a bit, but there’s also baked apple fruitiness and a hint of cocoa.
Nose: Toasted marshmallow, fragrant cinnamon, honeycomb cereal, toasted oak, complex and warm oaky spice. Can’t miss the toasted barrel. It dominates a bit, but there’s also baked apple fruitiness and a hint of cocoa.
September 26, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Michter’s Sour Mash Whiskey Toasted Barrel Finish review:
Nose: Toasted marshmallow, fragrant cinnamon, honeycomb cereal, toasted oak, complex and warm oaky spice. Can’t miss the toasted barrel. It dominates a bit, but there’s also baked apple fruitiness and a hint of cocoa.
Nose: Toasted marshmallow, fragrant cinnamon, honeycomb cereal, toasted oak, complex and warm oaky spice. Can’t miss the toasted barrel. It dominates a bit, but there’s also baked apple fruitiness and a hint of cocoa.
Castle & Key 6-Year Small Batch bourbon review:
Nose: Toasted panela sugar, fresh apple flesh, floral-type rye character. Hints of cinnamon sugar, clove, with wood split between fresh sawed lumber and toasted oak. A hint of yeasty, “doughiness” from the higher malted barley.
Nose: Toasted panela sugar, fresh apple flesh, floral-type rye character. Hints of cinnamon sugar, clove, with wood split between fresh sawed lumber and toasted oak. A hint of yeasty, “doughiness” from the higher malted barley.
September 24, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Castle & Key 6-Year Small Batch bourbon review:
Nose: Toasted panela sugar, fresh apple flesh, floral-type rye character. Hints of cinnamon sugar, clove, with wood split between fresh sawed lumber and toasted oak. A hint of yeasty, “doughiness” from the higher malted barley.
Nose: Toasted panela sugar, fresh apple flesh, floral-type rye character. Hints of cinnamon sugar, clove, with wood split between fresh sawed lumber and toasted oak. A hint of yeasty, “doughiness” from the higher malted barley.
Heaven Hill Master Distillers Unity Bourbon review:
Nose: molasses cookie, cigar wrapper, antique oak. Some mild but distinct rickhouse funk. Fudge with chopped hazelnuts. A little bit of maple butter. Hints at the advanced maturity, but isn’t the most assertive nose overall.
Nose: molasses cookie, cigar wrapper, antique oak. Some mild but distinct rickhouse funk. Fudge with chopped hazelnuts. A little bit of maple butter. Hints at the advanced maturity, but isn’t the most assertive nose overall.
September 22, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Heaven Hill Master Distillers Unity Bourbon review:
Nose: molasses cookie, cigar wrapper, antique oak. Some mild but distinct rickhouse funk. Fudge with chopped hazelnuts. A little bit of maple butter. Hints at the advanced maturity, but isn’t the most assertive nose overall.
Nose: molasses cookie, cigar wrapper, antique oak. Some mild but distinct rickhouse funk. Fudge with chopped hazelnuts. A little bit of maple butter. Hints at the advanced maturity, but isn’t the most assertive nose overall.
Tequila Ocho Reposado Barrel Proof review:
Nose: Sweet & savory roasted agave. Salted caramel and the faintest hint of cocoa, with cardamom syrup and touch of mint. Lovely, verdant agave notes here, like you just opened the oven where the pinas were roasting. Extremely inviting.
Nose: Sweet & savory roasted agave. Salted caramel and the faintest hint of cocoa, with cardamom syrup and touch of mint. Lovely, verdant agave notes here, like you just opened the oven where the pinas were roasting. Extremely inviting.
September 17, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Tequila Ocho Reposado Barrel Proof review:
Nose: Sweet & savory roasted agave. Salted caramel and the faintest hint of cocoa, with cardamom syrup and touch of mint. Lovely, verdant agave notes here, like you just opened the oven where the pinas were roasting. Extremely inviting.
Nose: Sweet & savory roasted agave. Salted caramel and the faintest hint of cocoa, with cardamom syrup and touch of mint. Lovely, verdant agave notes here, like you just opened the oven where the pinas were roasting. Extremely inviting.
Baker’s 13 Year Single Barrel Bourbon review:
Nose: Lots of Beam nuttiness here. Peanut brittle, caramel chews, praline, vanilla extract. Mature elements of leather and hints of cigar wrapper. A little licorice as well. Slightly hot at first, then it blows off.
Nose: Lots of Beam nuttiness here. Peanut brittle, caramel chews, praline, vanilla extract. Mature elements of leather and hints of cigar wrapper. A little licorice as well. Slightly hot at first, then it blows off.
September 14, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Baker’s 13 Year Single Barrel Bourbon review:
Nose: Lots of Beam nuttiness here. Peanut brittle, caramel chews, praline, vanilla extract. Mature elements of leather and hints of cigar wrapper. A little licorice as well. Slightly hot at first, then it blows off.
Nose: Lots of Beam nuttiness here. Peanut brittle, caramel chews, praline, vanilla extract. Mature elements of leather and hints of cigar wrapper. A little licorice as well. Slightly hot at first, then it blows off.
Remus Repeal Reserve IX Bourbon review:
Nose: Quite roasty. Charred oak, tobacco, clove. Black cherry and some chocolate cherry cordial. The chocolate has a nice fudgy, mocha note. A wisp of sweet smoke and toasted rye bread. #whiskey
Nose: Quite roasty. Charred oak, tobacco, clove. Black cherry and some chocolate cherry cordial. The chocolate has a nice fudgy, mocha note. A wisp of sweet smoke and toasted rye bread. #whiskey
September 8, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Remus Repeal Reserve IX Bourbon review:
Nose: Quite roasty. Charred oak, tobacco, clove. Black cherry and some chocolate cherry cordial. The chocolate has a nice fudgy, mocha note. A wisp of sweet smoke and toasted rye bread. #whiskey
Nose: Quite roasty. Charred oak, tobacco, clove. Black cherry and some chocolate cherry cordial. The chocolate has a nice fudgy, mocha note. A wisp of sweet smoke and toasted rye bread. #whiskey
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2025 review:
Nose: Sweet roast, French roast, clove and smoked oak. More distinctly charred than these tend to be. A little dessert banana, toffee, dark vanilla, dark chocolate under that. I like the sweet roastiness of it.
Nose: Sweet roast, French roast, clove and smoked oak. More distinctly charred than these tend to be. A little dessert banana, toffee, dark vanilla, dark chocolate under that. I like the sweet roastiness of it.
September 1, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2025 review:
Nose: Sweet roast, French roast, clove and smoked oak. More distinctly charred than these tend to be. A little dessert banana, toffee, dark vanilla, dark chocolate under that. I like the sweet roastiness of it.
Nose: Sweet roast, French roast, clove and smoked oak. More distinctly charred than these tend to be. A little dessert banana, toffee, dark vanilla, dark chocolate under that. I like the sweet roastiness of it.