The Knucklehead Behind the Blog

I'm a retired technology guy living in San Diego, CA. After decades in tech I traded the keyboard for a golf club — and somewhere along the way, a serious appreciation for brown liquor. These days you'll find me on the course, in the garage with a pour in hand, or at the local whiskey club passing bottles around a table.

Whiskey Knucklehead started in early 2024 because I couldn't find reviews that spoke my language. Most whiskey content falls into one of two camps: overly technical tasting notes that read like a chemistry paper, or breathless hype that conveniently lines up with whoever's paying for the ad. I wanted something in the middle — honest, approachable, and written by someone who genuinely loves the stuff without pretending to be an expert.

What You'll Find Here

Mostly bourbon, because that's where my heart lives. But I'll venture into rye, blended whiskey, and anything else that ends up in my glass. I pay for my own bottles (or my whiskey club does), I have no sponsorships, and nobody tells me what to say. If I don't like something, I'll tell you. If I love something, I'll tell you that too.

I tend to gravitate toward higher-proof expressions — barrel proof and cask strength are where I spend most of my time. I also have a soft spot for wheated bourbons and anything that offers genuine value at a reasonable price. Life is too short for mediocre whiskey at a premium price.

We Won't Always Agree

Whiskey is deeply personal. My palate is mine, and yours is yours. If I give something a Bottom Shelf rating and you love it, that's not a problem — that's the whole point. Use my reviews as a starting point, not a verdict. Check out my rating system to understand how I think about scores, then make your own call.

Thanks for reading. Let's explore the world of bourbon together — one knucklehead pour at a time.

The Rest of the Family

The tech habit never fully died — I built Simple Golf Stats, an iOS app for golfers who want to track their game without drowning in spreadsheets. If you're a golfer who found your way here through the whiskey, you might want to check it out.

My wife Bridget runs Bridget's Kitchen, a food blog full of recipes that hold up to real life — weeknight dinners, holiday meals, and the occasional thing worth pairing with a good pour. Highly recommended, and not just because I have to say that.

Get in Touch

Have a bottle recommendation, a question, or just want to talk bourbon? Drop me a line at contact@whiskeyknucklehead.com.