by Don Williams | May 8, 2026 | American History, Bourbon history, Bourbon Information, Rye Whiskey, Whiskey
American whiskey can generally be divided into two major categories: straight whiskey and blended whiskey. While both legally qualify as American whiskey, they differ dramatically in production methods, flavor, quality, and price. American Straight Whiskey American...
by Don Williams | May 1, 2026 | Bourbon history, Bourbon News, Bourbon Travel, Kentucky, Whisky history
Certain pairings in life make sense. Steak and a good cabernet. Cigars and a slow-burning evening on the porch. And in the state of Kentucky, nothing feels more natural than Kentucky Bourbon and the Kentucky Derby. It’s not just a coincidence. It’s history, culture,...
by Don Williams | Mar 19, 2026 | American History, Bourbon basics, Bourbon history, Bourbon Information, Bourbon News, Whisky history
There was a time—not all that long ago—when bourbon could do no wrong. New distilleries were popping up faster than rickhouses at Buffalo Trace. Limited releases vanished in minutes. Prices climbed, and nobody blinked. If you had barrels, you had gold. If you had a...
by Don Williams | Feb 27, 2026 | American History, Bourbon history, Bourbon Tasting, History, Unique Bottles, Whiskey, Whisky history
This week, I was able to sample some very different whiskeys with one common trait: each was a Chicken Cock bottle. From Cotton Club Rye to their Wheated bourbon, each was very interesting. I especially enjoyed Miller’s Reserve Whiskey. So, here is a deeper look at...
by Don Williams | Feb 13, 2026 | Bourbon history, Bourbon News, Bourbon Travel, Distilleries
In a bourbon industry increasingly dominated by multinational corporations, Heaven Hill Distillery stands apart. Not because it is small. Quite the opposite. Heaven Hill is the largest family-owned and operated distillery in America. What makes them remarkable is not...
by Don Williams | Feb 6, 2026 | Bourbon history, Bourbon Information, Bourbon Trivia, Kentucky, Whisky history
A longtime supporter of Bourbonfool.com recently reached out with a deceptively simple question: Is the drinking straw connected in any way to bourbon whiskey? It’s the kind of question that sounds like bar trivia until you really think about it. Mint juleps. Silver...
