David Tao

David Tao is a writer for Drinkhacker.

Review: TX Whiskey Experimental Series Straight Rye Whiskey Full Proof

By David Tao | June 8, 2026 |

Out of Fort Worth comes another experimental release from TX Whiskey, the 16th total in their series, and the second so far this year. We previously reviewed Experimental Series #15, which was a rye/bourbon blend with the latter portion finished in Vino de Naranja barrels. The latest release is a Texas straight rye whiskey, aged…

Review: Cedar Ridge Quintessential Pete & Sherri Married 2nd Anniversary

By David Tao | June 2, 2026 |

Out of Iowa’s Cedar Ridge comes another edition of “Pete & Sherri Married,” a single malt blend meant to capture the best of the distillery’s peated and sherried liquid streams. The series initially launched in 2019 and returned later with a 1st Anniversary bottling. This latest 2026 version is titled “2nd Anniversary,” a 114.4 proof…

The Face of Malort: An Interview with Katey “Bunny” Rafanello

By David Tao | May 24, 2026 |

It’s a Jeppson’s Malört world, and we’re all just living in it. To be fair, that’s probably a stretch. Chicago’s bitter, wormwood-flavored liqueur isn’t exactly omnipresent. But it’s certainly on a hot streak, powered by an extremely vocal fan base and more than a few viral moments. The brand itself has capitalized on that increased…

Review: GlenDronach 56 Years Old

By David Tao | May 21, 2026 |

The GlenDronach has been making whisky since 1826. To celebrate its bicentennial, the historic distillery has released (in very limited supply) its oldest expression to date: The GlenDronach Aged 56 Years. True to form for the Highland producer, this whisky certainly leans into sherry maturation, having spent its entire life across Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez…

Review: New Riff Duet American Whiskey

By David Tao | May 1, 2026 |

Northern Kentucky’s New Riff isn’t afraid to experiment with grain varieties, blends, and mash bills. An adventurous release calendar has certainly paid off, and in recent years, the distillery has been on a tear with excellent single malts and other age-stated whiskeys. New Riff’s collaborations with other companies have also spanned several categories. They’ve twice…

Review: TX Whiskey Experimental Series Vino de Naranja

By David Tao | April 28, 2026 |

Fort Worth’s TX Whiskey has been on something of a tear when it comes to experimental releases, with new versions currently dropping multiple times per year. One of the latest is Experimental Series #15, which features two main components, both produced and matured on-site at the Pernod Ricard-owned distillery: 5 year-old straight rye whiskey bourbon whiskey,…

Review: Eagle Rare Bourbon 30 Years Old

By David Tao | April 27, 2026 |

When Buffalo Trace announced Eagle Rare 25 in late 2023, the news effectively came with a wink and a nod: Yes, it was the oldest Eagle Rare to date, but don’t be surprised to see more “ultra-aged” whiskey coming down the pipeline. By 2018, the distillery had already invested millions in Warehouse P, an experimental…

Review: Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon (2026)

By David Tao | April 21, 2026 |

If it seems like we just visited Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Bourbon, you’re not taking crazy pills. The 2025 batch dropped around November, and not even six months later, we’ve got a new release. Indeed, along with a new (age-stated) rye, this year’s bourbon is part of a double-header that coincides with the company moving…

Review: Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Rye 10 Years Old (2026)

By David Tao | April 9, 2026 |

When it comes to rye, Angel’s Envy is best known for its always-on, rum-finished expression. But over the past few years, the brand — under the guidance of Master Distiller Owen Martin — has gradually expanded its rye lineup. That includes an inaugural Cask Strength Rye in 2023, which featured both Sauternes and toasted oak…

Review: Roku Gin Minori Select Edition

By David Tao | April 4, 2026 |

Around seven years after introducing its hallmark gin, the House of Suntory is expanding the Roku line with a more fruit-forward special release: Roku Gin Minori Select Edition. The limited offering is meant to coincide with a Spring seasonal harvest. It features six total botanicals, in addition to juniper berry: melon, white peach, ume (Japanese…