Today we’re stepping out of bourbon territory and into tequila with Avión Reserva Cristalino Tequila — a filtered aged tequila meant to combine barrel character with a crystal-clear look.

When we poured this week’s glass for DadDimes on the Rocks, we stepped into something that tries to bridge two worlds, tradition and polish with Avión Reserva Cristalino Tequila. Right away, it’s clear this isn’t your typical visual cue for an aged tequila. You expect color… that warm barrel-kissed amber. Instead, you get crystal clarity, filtered smoothness that almost dares you to forget it spent time resting in oak.

On the nose, though, the barrel story shows up fast. There’s vanilla and caramel lifting off the glass, backed by roasted agave sweetness and a light oak spice. It’s refined and approachable, not aggressive, not challenging more of a welcoming handshake than a firm grip. Letting it breathe a moment reveals faint cocoa and a touch of citrus brightness hiding underneath.

First sip lands soft. That Cristalino filtration rounds the edges, and the mouthfeel leans silky rather than weighty. You get hints of toasted sugar, mild pepper warmth, and that signature agave backbone that keeps it grounded.

The oak influence comes through in waves, never dominating, but definitely shaping the experience. It’s the kind of pour that invites slow conversation rather than analysis paralysis.

Mid-palate is where the personality settles in: gentle sweetness, light spice, and just enough complexity to keep it interesting without demanding attention. It’s approachable for someone new to sipping tequila, but polished enough for seasoned drinkers to appreciate what it’s trying to accomplish.

The finish is clean and measured. Not particularly long, but balanced, leaving traces of vanilla, light oak, and a whisper of pepper warmth that fades without overstaying its welcome.

At the DadDimes table, this is the type of bottle that sparks discussion about intention. Cristalinos aren’t about showcasing raw, rustic character, they’re about refinement and accessibility. Avión Reserva leans into that lane confidently. It may not be the pour you reach for when you want bold, earthy agave punch, but when you want something smooth, composed, and easy to share, it absolutely delivers.

Another glass poured, another conversation had, and that’s really what this show is about.

Welcome back to DadDimes on the Rocks! Today we’re saddling up with a bottle that’s as rugged in its story as it is neat in its bottle design — Horse Soldier Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Let’s see if this bourbon is more cavalry charge or gentle trail ride. 🥃🐎

🏇 The Backstory — Story First, Spirit Second

Horse Soldier puts its history front and center: this brand was founded by a group of U.S. Special Forces veterans who rode horseback into Afghanistan after 9/11 — hence the name Horse Soldier. Their philosophy blends tradition and intensity: a bourbon for those who appreciate history, grit, and flavor.

But what’s in the glass?

• Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Proof: 90 (45% ABV) — approachable but not timid
• Mash Bill: Corn-forward with rye and malted barley (typical bourbon formula — high corn base, moderate rye)
• Age Statement: NAS (No Age Statement) — aged in new charred American oak
• Distillery Source: Likely sourced from established producers (often MGP or similar), then bottled under the Horse Soldier label

The brand leans into its character, telling a story of bravery and purpose — and that story often becomes part of the reason people try it. But on this podcast, we’re here for flavor and experience first.

👃 The Nose — What You Smell First

Right away, Horse Soldier gives you:

✔ Caramel and vanilla — classic bourbon sweetness up front
✔ Honeyed corn and oak — nothing too aggressive, but inviting
✔ A little baking spice — like cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg

It’s unpretentious — warm, familiar, and easy to dive into. This isn’t trying to be elusive or niche; it smells like bourbon should.

👄 The Palate — What You Taste

On your first sip:

🍯 Sweet caramel and brown sugar — the backbone of classic bourbon
🥃 Light oak spice — enough to remind you you’re sipping aged whiskey
🌾 Rye spice whispers — pepper and mild baking spice, not too assertive
🍌 Subtle fruit sweetness — maybe a hint of dried fruit or orchard fruit

🔥 The Finish — How It Ends

The finish on Horse Soldier is:

• Medium in length
• Warm and pleasant
• A gentle drop-off of oak, caramel, and mild spice

No aggressive burn, no sudden bitter clench — it just fades with familiar bourbon notes. Perfect if you want a bourbon that sips easy rather than throws punches.

🍹 Sidecar Talking Points

Here’s how Horse Soldier stacks up in some common bourbon moments:

Neat:
A great place to start — soft, familiar notes with clean sweetness and approachable oak.

On the Rocks:
A cube or two smooths things even more and lets the caramel and grain notes bloom.

In a Cocktail:
Old Fashioned, Boulevardier, or even a Whiskey Sour — Horse Soldier is versatile enough for classic bourbon cocktails.

🧠 Who This Bourbon Is For

Perfect for:
✔ New bourbon drinkers who want something smooth and easy
✔ Fans of classic, balanced bourbon without sharp edges
✔ A versatile pour for cocktails and sipping alike
✔ People curious about the story behind the bottle

Maybe skip it if:
✖ You want bold, barrel-proof intensity
✖ You’re chasing massive oak depth or spicy complexity
✖ You prefer heavy rye kicks or craft barrel nuance

⭐ DadDimes Rating — Final Score

⭐ 3.8 / 5

Why this score?

🎯 Final Thoughts

Horse Soldier Straight Bourbon isn’t the wild stallion of the bourbon world — it’s more like a seasoned trail horse: reliable, smooth, approachable, and ready for the next campfire story. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it gets the job done with dignity and charm.

Whether you’re new to bourbon or looking for an easygoing pour to serve at gatherings, this bottle makes a solid case.

That’s it for today’s episode of DadDimes on the Rocks! Until next time — keep your glass poised, your stories loud, and your bourbon neat. 🥃🇺🇸

Cheers!

Welcome back to DadDimes on the Rocks! Today we’re exploring something a little off the beaten path — Koval Bourbon Whiskey, a craft expression from Chicago’s own Koval Distillery. This bottle isn’t about age statements or barrel proof heat — it’s about approachability, unique craft character, and a different take on American bourbon.

Let’s dive into the glass and find out what Koval is all about. 🥃

🏙️ The Backstory — Craft Meets Grain

Koval Distillery was founded in Chicago with a simple idea: make whiskey using traditional techniques, diverse grains, and no shortcuts. Unlike most bourbons, Koval often incorporates less conventional mash bills and uses lighter-toasted barrels, giving its whiskey a distinctive voice in the American craft world.

For this Bourbon specifically:

• Type: Kentucky-style bourbon
• Mash Bill: Corn-forward with non-traditional grain additions (often including millet, quinoa, wheat, or rye depending on batch)
• Proof: Typically around 80–92 proof (40–46% ABV) — softer and more approachable than many high-proof bourbons
• Aging: Young to medium-aged — no big age statement, which is normal for craft runs

Koval doesn’t chase the big, bold profiles of Buffalo Trace or Elijah Craig. Instead, it’s about clarity of grain, nuance, and a lighter touch.

👃 Nose — What Meets the Sniffer

On the nose, Koval Bourbon leans bright and fragrant:

🍯 Sweet corn & honey
🍎 Fresh orchard fruit (apple/pear)
🍌 A touch of banana or tropical fruit
🍞 Biscuity malt character

There’s elegance here — it smells inviting and clean, not weighed down by heavy oak or char. If you’re coming from big, heat-forward bourbons, this might feel delicately expressive rather than punchy.

👄 Palate — What You Taste

The sip is smooth and accessible:

• Soft vanilla and honey sweetness up front
• Gentle caramel and baked bread notes
• A dash of spice — but not peppery rye heat
• Light oak and toast, with a mouthfeel that’s easygoing and drinkable

Koval’s bourbon isn’t about brutal wood impact. Instead, the grain shine comes through, giving it a clean, almost European grain-spirit character, with the warmth of bourbon but without the barrel-dominant punch.

🔥 Finish — How It Wraps Up

The finish is:

• Mild to moderate in length
• Sweet and smooth with lingering vanilla, mild caramel, and a whisper of oak
• No big burn — just a pleasant warmth that invites another sip

If you want a big, fiery bourbon finish that grabs you by the collar — this isn’t it. But if you want something soft, balanced, and mellow, it fits beautifully.

🥃 Comparisons

If you’re familiar with bourbon classics:

• Koval is lighter and fruitier than Maker’s Mark
• Not as oak-forward as Knob Creek or Elijah Craig
• More craft-forward and grain driven than most mainstream bourbons

It’s almost like bourbon meets craft rye ethos in a smoother package.

🧠 DadDimes Verdict

Rating: ⭐ 3.8 / 5

Best For:
• New bourbon drinkers
• Craft spirit explorers
• Those who prefer smooth over spicy
• A great cocktail base

Maybe Skip If:
• You want heavy char, high proof heat, or deep aged wood flavor
• You’re chasing deep, layered complexity

🥂 Final Thoughts

Koval Bourbon is a unique twist on the traditional bourbon template. It’s not a heavyweight champion — it’s more like the smooth, technical player your lineup sometimes needs. It’s refined, easygoing, and surprisingly flavorful for its lighter style.

If you love craft spirits that break the mold of “standard bourbon,” give this a pour. Neat, on the rocks, or mixed in a cocktail — it’s versatile and friendly on the palate.

That’s our review for Koval Bourbon on this episode of DadDimes on the Rocks. Until next time — keep your glass full, your palate curious, and your pours generous. Cheers! 🥃✨

Welcome back to DadDimes on the Rocks. Tonight’s pour needs no hype—Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year, better known as Lot B. It’s one of the most talked-about wheated bourbons on the planet. The real question: does it live up to the legend in the glass?

🥃 The Basics

• Full Name: Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year (Lot B)
• Style: Wheated Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Proof: 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV)
• Mash Bill: Corn, wheat (instead of rye), malted barley
• Distillery: Buffalo Trace (for the Van Winkle family)
• Age: 12 years
• MSRP: ~$90 (real-world prices… we all know how that goes)

Lot B often gets overshadowed by its older siblings (Pappy 15, 20, 23), but many longtime bourbon drinkers quietly say this is the sweet spot of the lineup.

👃 Nose

Right away, this bourbon is soft and refined:

• Vanilla custard
• Honey and light caramel
• Toasted oak without sharpness
• Subtle dried fruit (apple, light cherry)

No ethanol punch. No aggression. It smells polite—and confidently so.

👄 Palate

This is where wheated bourbon lovers smile:

• Creamy vanilla and caramel
• Soft baking spice (think cinnamon roll, not red-hot candy)
• Gentle oak that’s present but never drying
• A rounded, silky mouthfeel that coats without weight

Nothing jumps out to shock your palate—and that’s exactly the point. This is balance over bravado.

🔥 Finish

• Medium length
• Sweet oak, vanilla, and a touch of leather
• Clean, warming fade with zero bitterness

The finish doesn’t linger forever, but it leaves you wanting another sip—and that’s a quiet strength.

✅ What It Does Exceptionally Well

✔️ Incredible balance — nothing dominates
✔️ Ultra-smooth without feeling watered down
✔️ Approachable for any experience level
✔️ A true example of what wheated bourbon elegance looks like

⚠️ What to Keep in Mind

• At secondary prices, expectations can get unrealistically high
• If you want bold spice, barrel proof heat, or big oak—this isn’t that bottle
• It’s subtle by design; complexity is layered, not loud

This is a bourbon for sipping, not flexing.

🎯 DadDimes Rating

⭐ 4.4 / 5

At MSRP: Absolute buy.
At inflated prices: You’re paying for rarity and reputation—but the quality is there.

Lot B doesn’t try to impress you with power. It wins you over with restraint.

🥂 Final Thoughts

Van Winkle 12 Year (Lot B) is the kind of bourbon that reminds you why balance matters. It’s not about chasing proof or age—it’s about harmony. If you’re lucky enough to pour a glass, slow down, drink it neat, and let the subtlety do the talking.

This one isn’t shouting its legacy.

It doesn’t need to.

That’s today’s review on DadDimes on the Rocks. Until next time—sip slow, share pours, and never let the hype drown out the experience. Cheers 🥃

Welcome back to DadDimes on the Rocks! Today we’re diving into a craft bourbon that’s been turning heads on shelves and in bars — Coppercraft Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey — a single-barrel expression from Coppercraft Distillery in Holland, Michigan. Here’s how this bottle stacks up in the glass.

🥃 What Makes It Special

Coppercraft Single Barrel Bourbon isn’t your run-of-the-mill blended bourbon. As the name implies, each bottle comes from one individual barrel — which means no two barrels taste exactly the same. That’s the beauty of single-barrel bourbon: unique flavor profiles and personality from barrel to barrel.

According to the distillery, this version is aged at least 11 years in traditional new American oak barrels — longer than their standard small-batch releases — contributing to deeper wood influence and richer complexity.

Many bottles tend to be sourced from Indiana distilleries like MGP — which is widely respected for high-quality whiskey bases — and then selected and bottled by Coppercraft.

👃 Nosing It

Right out of the glass:

• Expect rich caramel and vanilla, with hints of toasted oak and deep sorghum-like sweetness — typical hallmarks of older barrels.
• Many batches also bring dark chocolate, dried fruit (think plum or cherry) and warm baking spice — particularly if the barrel has spent extra time maturing.

Because each barrel is unique, some single barrels lean more fruit-forward and dessert-like, while others show classic bourbon spice, leather, and tobacco on the nose. That “only one barrel” story is part of the magic.

👄 On the Palate

Sip by sip, this bourbon often shows:

• Caramel and rich vanilla, the backbone of many bourbons.
• Toffee or brown sugar sweetness with hints of spice — cinnamon, nutmeg or even light pepper depending on the barrel.
• Some bottles show a layered, chewy feel with dark fruit or dried stone fruit notes — especially older barrels (9-13 years+).
• A medium-full mouthfeel with oak in the mid-palate — smooth but definitely mature.

Because this is a true single barrel and not a blend of many barrels, the spice, sweetness, and oak interplay can vary significantly, which is part of the fun for enthusiasts who enjoy discovering barrel-specific quirks.

🔥 Finish

Most versions finish:

• Warm and lingering, with oak tannins and spice carrying through.
• Some bottles fade gently into earthy or leather notes, while others leave you with a longer-lasting fruit-and-wood sweetness.
• Because of its age and barrel influence, the finish is often smoother and more complete than many budget craft bourbons.

🧠 DadDimes Verdict

Coppercraft Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey brings a compelling story and real barrel character to your glass. It’s craft at heart — expressive, unique from bottle to bottle, and a great way to explore what single-barrel bourbon can be outside the usual big-name Kentucky offerings.

Rating: ⭐ 4.0 / 5
Why?
✔️ Unique character: Every barrel tells its own story — from rich caramel and spice to dark fruit and oak.
✔️ Aging shows: Extended oak time adds depth versus many everyday craft pours.
✔️ Worth trying neat: Great sipping whiskey and conversation starter.

Notes:

• Bottle flavor will vary — check tasting notes if buying a specific barrel.
• At ~$90–$100 (many retail listings), flavor often rivals bourbons at higher price points.
• For best experience, choose a barrel with an age statement (e.g., 9+ years) if available.

🥃 How to enjoy: Neat or with a splash of water — give it time to breathe and let those barrel nuances open up. A large ice cube brings out a little more chocolate and toffee, if you like mellow.

That’s a wrap on Coppercraft Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey — one of the craft world’s unsung barrel treasures. Until next sip, keep your glass generous and your palate curious. Cheers!