The Weekly Pour: Your Votes, A Hidden Gem & A Southern Classic 🍂🥃

The People Have Spoken (Well, They’re Still Speaking...)

A few weeks ago, I dropped my list of the Top 5 Bourbons Under $50—and, folks, let’s just say, the comment section has been more heated than a Kentucky summer. 🌞🔥

Buffalo Trace, my #3 pick, is leading the fan vote so far, but it’s still early. The bourbon lovers out there are making their voices heard, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

If you haven’t voted yet, take a minute and weigh in below. Your feedback is what makes this whiskey-loving corner of the internet such a great place to be. Do you agree with the rankings? Do I need to rethink my life choices? Let me know!

CAST YOUR VOTE BELOW 👇

Pour of the Week: A Driftless Delight

Jerry Shumaker—one of our loyal readers—sent me an email with a strong recommendation: Driftless Glen Single Barrel from Baraboo, Wisconsin.

Now, I’ll be honest. Wisconsin isn’t exactly the first place I think of when it comes to bourbon. Cheese? Yes. Whiskey? Not so much. But, as always, I love being proven wrong when it comes to a good pour.

Driftless Glen’s Single Barrel Bourbon brings big caramel and vanilla notes, layered with cinnamon spice and a rich oak finish. This one drinks like a high-quality small-batch bourbon at a fair price, which is exactly what I love to see.

📝 Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Butterscotch, toasted oak, and a little fresh-baked bread

• Palate: Warm caramel, dark fruit, and baking spices

• Finish: Long and satisfying, with a touch of black pepper and honey

For those who love a good barrel-proof bourbon experience without the price tag of the big names, Driftless Glen deserves a spot on your shelf.

The Art of Mixing: The Alabama Slammer 🍊🥃

This week, I’m bringing back a classic Southern college-town favorite: The Alabama Slammer.

Now, let’s be clear. This drink is not for sipping neat in a leather chair while pondering life’s mysteries. It’s a full-throttle, fruity, party-ready cocktail that packs a punch. And sometimes, that’s exactly what the moment calls for.

Recipe: The Alabama Slammer

🥃 1 oz Southern Comfort
🥃 1 oz Amaretto
🥃 1 oz Sloe Gin
🥃 ½ oz Fresh Orange Juice
🧊 Shake well with ice & strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with an orange slice.

Sweet, boozy, and smooth as a backroad joyride. Drink responsibly, because these go down way too easy.

Distiller’s Diary: A Visit to Buffalo Trace

Speaking of Buffalo Trace, I recently took a trip to their legendary distillery in Frankfort, Kentucky. Now, I’ve toured plenty of distilleries, but there’s something about this place that just feels like stepping into history.

You walk past the massive brick warehouses, and the air is thick with the scent of vanilla, caramel, and aging bourbon. They call it the "angel’s share", but honestly, it’s also my share, your share, and anyone lucky enough to snag a bottle of their stuff.

One of my favorite stops? Warehouse C—the same warehouse where they age Eagle Rare and E.H. Taylor. If barrels could talk, these would have some stories.

And the tasting? Let’s just say I left with a smile, a bottle, and a newfound appreciation for why this distillery continues to be one of the best in the game.

Pairing Picks: What Goes with This Week’s Bourbon?

If you’re sipping Driftless Glen this weekend, here’s what you should pair it with:

🥩 Food: Smoked brisket or a thick ribeye—something with a little char to bring out the oak and caramel notes.
🍰 Dessert: Pecan pie. Trust me on this one. The bourbon’s warm spice pairs perfectly with that nutty sweetness.
🚬 Cigar: Oliva Serie V – rich, spicy, and bold enough to stand up to the bourbon’s complexity.

Coming Next Week: The Bourbon Matchmaker Tool

I’ve been working on something special: a Bourbon Matchmaker Tool that’ll help you find the perfect pour based on your flavor preferences. Love sweet, wheated bourbons? Prefer high-rye spice bombs? I got you covered. Stay tuned—it’s almost ready!

📚 FINALLY—DID YOU GRAB A COPY OF MY NEW BOOK?

WHISKEY, HISTORY & 5 DAMN GOOD STORIES TO SHARE OVER YOUR NEXT POUR

This isn’t just another whiskey book—it’s your passport to the greatest stories in bourbon history.

I wrote this to give you the kind of whiskey knowledge that turns you into the most interesting person in the room. From the Whiskey Rebellion to the legend of the Angel’s Share, to the outlaws who made whiskey an American icon, these are the stories every bourbon lover needs in their back pocket.

📅 Just released last weekend, and it’s already sparking great conversations among whiskey lovers. Don’t be the last one to grab a copy!

🥃 Know your whiskey. Impress your friends. Share a great story over a pour.

📖 Available now on Amazon! 👉 Get Your Copy Here

🥃 "Good whiskey, good stories, and good friends—what else do you need?"

Until next time,
Ethan “Neat” Whitmore

P.S. Have a bourbon you want me to try? Hit reply and let me know—I’m always on the hunt for the next great pour! 🚀