Borrowed coffee cups, a sherry-finished pour, and a market plot twist: we crack open Horse Neck’s Kentucky Bourbon and unpack why the bourbon world suddenly feels upside down. We’re joined by our resident spirits pro to translate tasting notes into plain English, orange marmalade, licorice, toasted oak, and that cherry-friendly finish, and to explain why this bottle works neat, with a splash, or in an old-fashioned.

From there, we zoom out. Shelves that were bare a year ago now show Buffalo Trace by the case. E.H. Taylor and other favorites are popping up at or near MSRP. Meanwhile, several distilleries have paused production because inventory on hand can meet demand in the near term. That’s the X-point: a glut from years of aggressive barreling meeting consumer downtrading in a wobbly economy. We talk through what that means for pricing, secondary markets, and why some bottles may sit longer in oak, potentially turning good whiskey into great whiskey over the next few years.

If you’re tired of the bourbon chase, you’re not alone. Reposado, Añejo, and extra Añejo tequilas, especially additive-free standouts, are winning over bourbon palates with ex-bourbon barrel character and clearer value. Rum is a dark horse too, with well-aged, ex-American oak releases offering caramel, spice, and depth without the bourbon premium. We share practical strategies: build relationships with independents, test “walk by” labels you’ve ignored for years, and follow a simple rule of thumb, hold treasured allocations, buy quality value now, and skip panic selling.

If you enjoyed this, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who still thinks everything good is only behind the counter. What bottle are you hunting, or rediscovering, this week?