
Below is a quick look at our latest reviews published at BevX on May 27, 2026. Click the links to get each beverage’s score and full analysis. Every Wednesday, we release new stories, introduce our latest reviews, and send subscribers their weekly, free digital newsletter. (Subscribe here.)
We had another busy week at BevX with new, tasty beverage reviews to share.
We have shifted our review format to offer more reviews for our review-hungry readers. The review pages (links below) will now feature a full tasting note, along with links to a comprehensive, detailed review of our Featured Beverages.
Sean Ludford’s book, Be A Beverage Expert (BABE), provides context for our weekly reviews, helping readers understand the materials, processes, and history of wine, beer, and spirits. Get a copy of BABE at Amazon.
As always, you can see all of our reviews here — BevX Reviews
Beverage of the Week
Great Lakes Dirty Helen Barrel Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey
This charming and delightful Bourbon is distilled in Milwaukee at Great Lakes Distillery from Wisconsin-grown grain. Dirty Helen Barrel Strength is the pinnacle of the trinity of Bourbons, all built from the same mash bill of 69% corn, 19% barley, and 12% rye. The high barley content is evident on the nose and palate, adding depth to the corn’s natural sweetness…
See the Beverage of the Week feature
Latest Reviews
Wine Reviews
Croce Di Mezzo Molino Rosso di Montalcino 2022Brilliant, medium ruby/scarlet color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of red cherry, earth, and licorice with supporting notes of leather, dried herbs, five spice, and hints of campfire. The palate echoes the nose, delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of red plum, black tea, clove, and subtle cranberry notes. The finish is long and lingering with dry tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture. $29.99 – 4 Stars/92 points
Spirits Reviews
Great Lakes Still & Oak Straight Rye WhiskeyBright, medium golden/amber color. The aromatics are very intense, presenting aromas of red currant, five spice, ginger biscuits, and banana bread with supporting notes of black pepper, charred oak, and vanilla. The aromatics are very intense, presenting notes of red currant, five-spice, ginger biscuits, and banana bread, with supporting notes of black pepper, charred oak, and vanilla. Full-bodied and flawlessly balanced with a supple texture. $36 – 4.5 Stars
Great Lakes Still & Oak Bottled-In-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, deep golden/amber color. The aromatics are very intense, offering notes of gingerbread, hazelnut, and baking spices, with supporting notes of praline, oak, red cherry, and cereal. The palate echoes the nose, delivering a roasted nuts-driven core with flavors akin to toffee, nutmeg, candied ginger, and caramel. The finish is long and lingering. Full-bodied and ideally balanced with a succulent texture. $49 – 4.5 Stars
Great Lakes Dirty Helen Barrel Strength Straight Rye Whiskey
Brilliant, deep amber color. The aromatics are very intense, offering scents of baking spices, red currant, and roasted nuts with supporting notes of gingerbread, leather, marzipan, and allspice. The palate confirms the nose, delivering a toffee-driven core with supporting flavors of almond butter, treacle, cinnamon, candied ginger, and charred oak. The finish is long and lingering. Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture. $49 – 5 Stars
Oxbow Rhum Louisiane Rum
Brilliant, medium golden/amber color. The aromatics are bold and intense, offering sweet tropical fruit notes that are foiled by fresh-cut grass, candied lime zest, lemongrass, and charred oak. The palate is in full agreement with the nose, delivering a fruity, sugar-driven core with supporting notes of cashew butter, honey, vanilla, and oak. The finish is long and lingering. Full-bodied and nicely balanced with trailing notes of candied nuts and vanilla. $60.99 – 4 Stars
False River Spiced Rum
Brilliant, pale golden color. The aromatics are pleasingly intense, offering notes of sweet tropical fruit and sugarcane juice with accents of orange peel and vanilla bean. The palate confirms the nose, delivering a sugar-and-spice-driven core with a burst of sweet orange and cream soda. Full-bodied and mostly balanced, though quite sweet. $32.99 – 3.5 Stars
