One of the biggest questions we are asked in store is have you tried this? So, therefore, here are some thoughts on a item I have tried recently.

Bulleit Bourbon: 750ml $25.88/ 1.75L $40.97

This Kentucky Bourbon sits at 90 proof and comes in a very cool looking, old school bottle which plays on the name Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whisky. I like a good looking bottle as much as the next person, so I decided to give it a shot. Upon pouring, this bourbon had a great color to it, and a wonderful nose which was only mildly affected by the alcohol. The nose gave lots of spicy notes and also some light vanilla as well. This bourbon has a higher rye content than some, with about 28% of the mash bill consisting of rye. This gave the bourbon some nice spice on the palate and enough bite to really blend well with the sweetness of the bourbon. I tasted some nice caramel notes and also, some cinnamon notes as well. The bourbon was a nice blend of sweetness and also spiciness as well. Overall, I rate this bourbon 94 points and in my opinion, for the price, it is an amazing deal. If you do not like any bite in your bourbon, this one might not be for you, but for all the rye lovers out there, this is one to try!

Kyle

When we evaluate our wines, our process boils down to two essential elements: the nose and the palette. In our experience, wines that deliver on one aspect tend to follow through on the other. However, there are exceptions to the rule. One of those exceptions is the Firesteed 2014 Pinot Grigio.

After the initial pour, this Pinot Grigio exuded aromas of pear and white peaches with faint scents of pineapples over a slightly honeyed chalkiness. With 25 minutes of decanting, light struck-white-flint minerality, pear blossoms, and lanolin join the initial aromas. There's even a curious and subtle whiff of soft rubber like a white eraser or beach ball.

This profoundly complex aromatic profile had us confident that we were about to depart on an equally impressive journey on the palate. Sadly, this Pinot Grigio simply did not deliver on the palate. We found the wine to be linear and dominated by tart, energetic lemon and peach flavors.

What the wine did offer on the palate, it did so quite well, but it paled in comparison to our aroma influenced expectations. We at Kats disagree with Wine Review's 94 point score. This wine may certainly be a 94 on the nose, but with its linear palette, we feel that a 90 would be more appropriate.

That in mind, this wine does have a place. For warm days on the patio or for those who truly enjoy dissecting the complexity of a wine's aromas and want an energetic, refreshing palate, the 2014 Firesteed Pinot Grigio may still be a fair shake at $16.98.

- Andrew Dunaway, Jimm Brumley, and Tasho Katsaboulas