Carbon & Oak

Uncle Nearest finally finds a buyer, Sazerac sweeps the International Whisky Competition, new distilleries open their doors, and the James Beard Awards crown a new class of restaurants. Plus: BBQ festivals and bourbon events on the calendar this weekend.

Walk into any liquor store and you'll eventually spot the phrase "Barrel Proof" on a label. For many bourbon drinkers, it's become a sign of quality. In some circles, it's even treated as the highest expression a distillery can offer. But what does barrel proof actually mean? More importantly, does it automatically make a bourbon better? The short answer is no. The longer answer is a little more interesting. First, Let's Talk About Proof Proof is simply a measurement of alcoh