Author: bourbonjourney

The Fall of Seagram’s: Tasting the Spirits That Built an Empire

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Welcome to Your Bourbon Journey! Today, Wayne and Rebecca are taking a vintage “vertical leap” across three different countries with a historic Seagram’s flight spanning the 1970s and 1980s. 

Before the empire was dismantled, Joseph E. Seagram & Sons ruled the global spirits landscape. In this tasting, we unseal and explore three pristine, dusty bottles representing Canada, Scotland, and Kentucky straight bourbon. 

How does 1970s Benchmark compare to today’s Buffalo Trace expression? Why did vintage Canadian whisky hit so differently from the Waterloo stills? Pour yourself a dram and join us for the ride!

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Revival Vintage Spirits https://revivalky.com/ 

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❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Featured Bottles & Tasting Order:

🥃 Pour 1: Seagram’s V.O. Canadian Whisky (Distilled 1978, Bottled c. 1984–1985)

  • Classification: Blended Canadian Whisky
  • Distillery: Historic Waterloo Distillery (Waterloo, Ontario – closed 1993)
  • Age & Proof: 6 Years Old | 80.0 Proof (40% ABV)
  • Origin: From Rebecca’s parents’ collection, complete with its original presentation box and bilingual 1978 Canadian excise tax stamp.
  • Notes: Light, delicate sweet corn, subtle butterscotch, soft mouthfeel, and surprisingly great viscosity for an 80-proof blend.

🥃 Pour 2: Seagram’s 100 Pipers Blended Scotch Whisky (c. 1971–1974)

  • Classification: Blended Scotch Whisky
  • Distilleries: Chivas Brothers blending house; malt core sourced from Allt-a-Bhainne and Braeval (Braes of Glenlivet)
  • Specs: NAS (approx. 5–8 yr components) | 86 Proof (43% ABV) | Pre-metric 4/5 Quart
  • Sourced: Picked up for $30 at Revival Vintage Spirits in Covington, KY, inside its iconic original zippered retro travel caddy.
  • Notes: Golden Delicious apple, fresh pear, sweet malted barley, and a whisper of delicate Speyside peat. Perfect intro-level vintage Scotch that outperforms modern shelf staples.

🥃 Pour 3: Seagram’s 6 Year Benchmark Premium Bourbon (Bottled 1973)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Calvert / Henry McKenna Plant (DSP-KY-1 / D-126, Louisville, KY)
  • Age & Proof: 6 Years Old | 86 Proof (43% ABV) | 4/5 Quart Decanter
  • Dating: Confirmed 1973 via base Owens-Illinois glass date stamp and Series 112 red tax stamp. Purchased via Unicorn Auctions.
  • Notes: Rich, dark confectionery butterscotch, heavy vintage oak, rich mouthfeel, and zero thinness. An absolute masterclass in 1970s Kentucky dusty bourbon that shows why selling off Seagram’s spirits portfolio was a massive industry fumble.

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

#Bourbon #VintageWhiskey #DustyBourbon #Seagrams #BenchmarkBourbon #ScotchWhisky #CanadianWhisky #WhiskeyReview #BourbonTasting #VintageSpirits #YourBourbonJourney #WhiskeyHistory #SeagramsVO #100Pipers #RevivalVintageSpirits

Autumn in the Rickhouse: The Only Fall Cocktail You Need

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Step inside the rack house this October with the ultimate fall whiskey sour: “Autumn in the Rickhouse.” 🍂🥃

In Episode 91, we pivot from last week’s stirred Manhattan riff into a vibrant, textural autumn sour designed to capture the earthy barrel oak, rich sugars, and crisp chill of walking through a Kentucky rickhouse in autumn.

To build a drink that punches through ice dilution and citrus, we anchor the shaker with 120-proof Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve. Its robust profile of charred oak, roasted peanut brittle, and deep caramel creates an unshakeable backbone. We balance that heat with an equal-parts modifier split: fresh strained lemon juice for crisp acidity, bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup for woodsy sweetness, and Amaro Nonino Quintessentia for alpine herbs and bittersweet burnt orange.

To take it into true rickhouse territory, we introduce a dual-bitters split—bright Fee Brothers Plum Bitters for orchard stone fruit, paired with Turkish Tobacco Bitters for cured leaf and seasoned oak staves—all crowned with freshly grated nutmeg.

Drop a comment below: What’s your go-to high-proof bourbon for fall cocktails? 

🎃 NEXT WEEK: Episode 92 kicks off our Halloween cocktail series with “The Phantom’s Cloak”! Be sure to subscribe and hit the bell so you don’t miss it!

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🥃 RECIPE: AUTUMN IN THE RICKHOUSE

  • 2.0 oz Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon (120 Proof)
  • 0.50 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (fine-strained)
  • 0.50 oz Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup
  • 0.50 oz Amaro Nonino Quintessentia (or Amaro Montenegro)
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Plum Bitters
  • 2 dashes Turkish Tobacco Bitters
  • Garnish: Freshly grated whole nutmeg

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. 

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Ranking Four 2026 Penelope Bottle: Which One Is The Flop? 

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Happy Hump Day! We are diving into a massive, four-bottle 2026 Penelope flight picked up straight from Lux Row Distillers during Kentucky Bourbon Festival week. From unique wine finishes and high-rye single barrels to ultra-aged vintage bourbon and a 139-proof monster, we don’t buy bottles just to collect them—we open them and taste them!

In this review, we line up four standout 2026 releases from Penelope Bourbon / Ross & Squibb Distillery. Join Wayne and Rebecca as we break down the specs, nose, palate, finish, and overall value of each bottle. Which one took our top pour of the day, and which bottle missed the mark? Watch to see our full ranked breakdown!

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Penelope Riviera (Cooper Series)

  • Classification: Blended American Whiskey Finished in Rosé Wine Casks
  • Company: MGP Ingredients / Luxco (Penelope Bourbon)
  • Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery, Lawrenceburg, IN
  • Mash Bill: 74% Corn, 16% Wheat, 7% Rye, 3% Malted Barley (blend of 8-Year American Light Whiskey & Straight Bourbon)
  • Age: 8 Years
  • Proof: 94 Proof (47% ABV)
  • SRP: $90
  • Released: Spring/Summer 2026
  • Other: Part of Penelope’s Cooper Series highlighting specialty cask finishes; finished in Spanish rosé wine casks; non-chill filtered.
  • Purchased: 09.11.26 for $110 at Lux Row Distillery

Penelope Estate Collection Single Barrel

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Single Barrel)
  • Company: MGP Ingredients / Luxco (Penelope Bourbon)
  • Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery, Lawrenceburg, IN
  • Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
  • Age: 10 Years
  • Proof: 107
  • SRP: $90
  • Released: Fall 2026 (Estate Collection allocation)
  • Other: Rickhouse location: Warehouse N, Floor B, Barrel PEN26-109; non-chill filtered.
  • Purchased: 09.11.26 for $90 at Lux Row Distillery

Penelope Estate Collection Founders Reserve (2026 Release)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Cask Strength)
  • Company: MGP Ingredients / Luxco (Penelope Bourbon)
  • Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
  • Age: 13 Years
  • Proof: 101.4
  • SRP: $200
  • Released: September 2026 (Distillery & select national allocation)
  • Other: Packaged in the signature deep green Estate Collection collector’s box; non-chill filtered; matured in #3 char barrels.
  • Purchased: 09.11.26 for $200 at Lux Row Distillery

Penelope 18 Year American Light Whiskey

  • Classification: American Light Whiskey
  • Company: MGP Ingredients / Luxco (Penelope Bourbon)
  • Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery, Lawrenceburg, IN
  • Mash Bill: 99% Corn, 1% Malted Barley
  • Age: 18 Years
  • Proof: 139
  • SRP: $110
  • Released: Spring 2026
  • Other: Distilled at >160 proof and matured in used oak barrels; Penelope’s oldest Light Whiskey release to date; non-chill filtered.
  • Purchased: 09.11.26 for $1110 at Lux Row Distillery

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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Remus Repeal Reserve Series X vs Ezra Brooks 12-Year: Which Bourbon Reigns Supreme?

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Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey! It’s “Two for Tuesday,” and we are cracking into two heavy-hitting, highly anticipated bottles fresh from our trip to Bardstown, Kentucky: the ultra-exclusive Ezra Brooks 12-Year Single Barrel (Lux Row Hand-Bottled Program) and the milestone 10th Anniversary Remus Repeal Reserve Series X!

We picked both of these bottles up at Lux Row Distillers during an incredible event with master distillers John Rempe, Stephen Beam, and Ian Stirsman. But at very different price points, which bottle truly earns its place on your home bar shelf?

Let us know in the comments: Have you picked up Remus Repeal Reserve Series X yet? Would you pay $200 for a 12-year hand-bottled single barrel from Lux Row? 

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❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

1️⃣ Ezra Brooks 12-Year Single Barrel Bourbon (Lux Row Hand-Bottled)

• Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley

• Age: 12 Years | Proof: 99 (49.5% ABV)

• Barrel No.: 6155211 | SRP / Paid: $199.99

• Notes: Hand-filled, wax-dipped distillery exclusive, charcoal filtered prior to aging in deep char American oak. 

2️⃣ Remus Repeal Reserve Series X (10th Anniversary Edition)

• Mash Bill: Medley of 5 vintages (2008–2017) spanning 3 high-rye mash bills:

   – 35% 2016 Bourbon (60/36/4 LBSV)

   – 19% 2014 Bourbon (60/36/4 LBSV)

   – 17% 2017 Bourbon (51/49 LISV – Historic debut in Repeal Reserve!)

   – 15% 2016 Bourbon (75/21/4 LESV)

   – 14% 2008 Bourbon (75/21/4 LESV)

• Age: Blend of 9- to 18-year-old bourbons | Proof: 107

• SRP: $79.99 | Paid: $89.99

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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Is MGP’s First Official Bottle Worth the Hype? | Chapter One Review

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MGP has finally stepped out from behind the curtain! For decades, MGP Ingredients in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, distilled and aged award-winning whiskey for countless non-distiller producers (NDPs) across the industry. Now, for the first time in company history, they have released a brand bearing the MGP name prominently on the label: MGP Chapter One: Out of the Shadows.

In this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca review this historic 10-year-old straight bourbon whiskey. Blended by Master Distiller Ian Stirsman from 10+ year barrels aged in Lawrenceburg’s historic 1936 Rickhouse G, this pour features MGP’s signature LBSV high-rye mash bill (60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley) bottled at 111 proof. 

We were fortunate to preview this release with Ian Stirsman earlier this year at Lux Row Distillers and picked up our bottles during Kentucky Bourbon Festival week before the nationwide rollout. From its unique bottle profile to a layered, effervescent “cherry cola extravaganza” and sassafras finish on the palate, find out why this bottle is already an early contender for our Whiskey of the Month!

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Check out Master Distiller Ian Stirsman on the official MGP Distillery channel:

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❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

MGP Chapter One: Out of the Shadows

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: MGP Ingredients, Inc.
  • Distillery: MGP Distillery (Lawrenceburg, Indiana)
  • Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley (MGP’s signature high-rye bourbon mash bill, coded internally as LBSV)
  • Age: 10 Years Old
  • Proof: 111 Proof (55.5% ABV)
  • SRP: $69.99 (750 ml)
  • Purchased: 09.10.26 for $79.99 at Lux Row distillers
  • Released: September 2026 (Fall 2026 national rollout)
  • Historic Milestone: This is the first-ever brand and bottle released bearing the MGP name prominently on the label, marking their shift from working purely behind the scenes for third-party NDPs to standing directly in front of consumers.
  • Rickhouse Origin: Selected and blended by Master Distiller Ian Stirsman from 10+ year barrels aged in Rickhouse G (built in 1936 during the Seagrams era; unique 6-story reinforced concrete frame construction with 8-inch brick walls and individual floors creating distinct microclimates).

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: The spirit in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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5 Whiskeys, One Champion: Our September Blind Journey

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Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey! It’s the first Friday of October, which means it’s time to crown our September Whiskey of the Month! 

During September, we tasted 25 different whiskeys across 12 sessions—from legacy heritage releases and hazmats to wild craft experiments. After whittling the field down, 5 standout bottles earned a spot on our tasting table for an epic head-to-head blind showdown. 

This lineup is a massive clash of unique mash bills and complex cask finishes, boasting an average age of 6.2 years, an average proof of 113.54, and an average price of $105.14. With the cutoff for our year-end Sweet 16 sitting between 95 and 99.5, the stakes couldn’t be higher. In fact, first and second place were separated by just a quarter of a point!

Which pour took the September crown and punches a ticket toward our Whiskey of the Year tournament? Grab a glass and taste along with us!

🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to follow along on the journey! Which bottle would you pick blindly? Let us know in the comments below!

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🥃 THE SEPTEMBER CONTENDERS (Alphabetical Order):

  • Glenns Creek Distilling — B.O.B. (Best Oat Bourbon) | 106.8 Proof
  • Single barrel Kentucky straight bourbon with 19% oats in the mash bill.

  • Good Times Bourbon — Cigar Batch “Mexican Vanilla” (Barrel 709) | 116 Proof
  • 10-Year Indiana straight bourbon finished in Oloroso Sherry, Cognac, Armagnac, & Mexican vanilla staves.

  • James B. Beam Distilling Co. — Booker’s “The Reserves” (2026 Batch) | 125.1 Proof
  • Uncut Kentucky straight rye finished in French apple brandy casks & steeped with cinnamon sticks.

  • New Riff Distilling — DUET American Whiskey (Rhinegeist Collaboration) | 111.2 Proof
  • 6-Year high-barley blend aged in oak, Oloroso, and PX sherry, married in a craft beer oak foeder.

  • Shortbarrel — Sapsquatch (Batch SB-2) | 108.6 Proof
  • 6+ Year high-rye straight bourbon finished in Kelvin toasted barrels, Vermont maple syrup casks, & sugar maple spirals.

🥃 OUR SCORING PROCESS: We’ve revamped our scoring to be more transparent than ever. No more “Redundancy”—just pure, data-driven blind competitions. Read the full breakdown of our new rubric and the “Sweet Sixteen” bracket process on our website: 👉 https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/02/27/decoding-the-pour-the-new-your-bourbon-journey-scoring-woty-process/ 

📊 SEE THE LIVE LEADERBOARD: Want to see where this bottle ranks against the rest of the field? Check out our real-time leaderboard here: 👉 https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/02/27/the-live-leaderboard-road-to-the-sweet-sixteen/

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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Why You Should Add Allspice Dram to Your Manhattan 

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Kick off the harvest season with The Orchard Ember, a bold, dry, and spirit-forward spiced Manhattan riff crafted to welcome autumn! 🍂🥃

In Episode 90 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, Rebecca builds a rich fall sipper anchored by Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel 7-Year. This 114-proof powerhouse delivers cracked black pepper, bright citrus oils, and rich Kentucky char that stands up tall against luxurious Cocchi di Torino Sweet Vermouth.

To deliver an authentic October profile, we up the ante with St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, loading the glass with Jamaican pot-still warmth, clove, and nutmeg, all tied together by the earthy, roasted notes of Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters. If you dislike cloying drinks and crave a dry, sophisticated, high-rye autumn cocktail, this one belongs in your coupe glass tonight!

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🥃 The Orchard Ember Recipe

Glassware: Chilled Coupe

Method: Stirred over dense ice (35–45 seconds)

Profile: Dry, Spiced, Rich Oak & Harvest Aromatics

Ingredients:

  • 2.0 oz Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel (7-Year) Bourbon
  • 0.75 oz Cocchi di Torino Sweet Vermouth
  • 0.50 oz St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram
  • 3 generous dashes Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters

Garnish:

  • Expressed orange peel (expressed over surface & discarded)
  • 1 Brandied cocktail cherry (Luxardo)

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. 

#Bourbon #Cocktails #FallCocktails #Manhattan #Whiskey #OldGrandDad114 #AllspiceDram #BourbonCocktails #Mixology #CraftCocktails #ThirstyThursday #AutumnVibes #WhiskeyTribe #YourBourbonJourney #CocktailRecipe

3 Rare Michter’s Bottles: Which One is the Best Pour? 

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We scored big at Michter’s Fort Nelson in downtown Louisville! After three years of trying, Rebecca finally landed a coveted spot for the exclusive “Bottle Your Own” (BYO) Barrel Strength Bourbon experience. But that wasn’t all—we also walked away with the brand-new Michter’s US★1 Barrel Strength Sour Mash (Batch 26D0898) and the highly anticipated 2026 Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon finished in Chinquapin oak (Batch 26C0634)!

Join Wayne and Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey as we pop the tops, break down the specs, and taste all three of these limited Michter’s releases side-by-side. Is the inaugural Barrel Strength Sour Mash worth the $120 retail price tag? Does the 2026 Chinquapin-finished Bomberger’s outshine the lineup? And how does the 116.4 proof Fort Nelson Reserve hand-fill hold up against the hype? 

Grab a pour and join us in the tasting room! Drop a comment below and let us know: Have you ever done the Bottle Your Own experience at Fort Nelson, and which 2026 Michter’s drop are you hunting this year?

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❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Michter’s US★1 Barrel Strength Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey

  • Classification: Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey
  • Distillery: Michter’s Distillery (Louisville, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed (proprietary blend where no single grain reaches 51%, straddling bourbon and rye profiles)
  • Age: NAS
  • Proof: 111.2 (55.6% ABV)
  • SRP: $120
  • Released: May 2026 (Inaugural barrel-strength release of the US★1 Sour Mash)
  • Other: Batch No. 26D0898; limited small batch; 103-proof barrel entry; signature Michter’s filtration.
  • Purchased: 08/15/2026 for $119 at Michter’s Fort Nelson (Louisville, KY)

Bomberger’s Declaration Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2026 Release)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Michter’s Distillery (Louisville, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed (high corn content balanced with a significant portion of malted rye)
  • Age: NAS
  • Proof: 108 (54.0% ABV)
  • SRP: $120
  • Released: June/July 2026 (Part of the annual Michter’s Legacy Series alongside Shenk’s Homestead)
  • Other: Bottle 826 of 2,503; Batch No. 26C0634; incorporates bourbon aged/finished in custom toasted and charred Chinquapin oak barrels air-dried and seasoned for three years.
  • Purchased: 08/15/2026 for $129 at Michter’s Fort Nelson (Louisville, KY) 

Michter’s Fort Nelson Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Barrel Strength – Bottle Your Own)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Michter’s Distillery (Louisville, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed (standard Michter’s bourbon mash bill)
  • Age: NAS (Non-Age Stated)
  • Proof: 116.4 (58.2% ABV)
  • SRP: $160 (Distillery Exclusive / BYO Experience)
  • Released: Bottled 08/15/2026
  • Other: Michter’s Fort Nelson “Bottle Your Own” hand-fill experience; Barrel No. FN26F2246; single barrel; barrel entry proof 103.
  • Purchased: 08/15/2026 for $160 at Michter’s Fort Nelson (Louisville, KY)

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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Kentucky vs Ireland: Which Single Malt Wins? 

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Join Wayne and Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey for a special transatlantic single malt tasting featuring two sister distilleries under the Alltech umbrella: Pearse Lyons Distillery in Dublin, Ireland, and Town Branch Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky!

Both whiskeys share a 100% malted barley mash bill and maturation in ex-bourbon barrels, but their aging environments and regional styles offer two completely distinct experiences across the Atlantic.

First, we pour the Pearse 12-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey (Founder’s Choice) at 86 proof ($69.99 SRP), matured in former Town Branch bourbon barrels. Expect vibrant green apple, bright orchard fruit, and classic Irish malt character.

Then, we crack open an ultra-rare unicorn: the Town Branch 16 Year Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Single Malt Whiskey (Archive Series, Volume 2) at 100 proof ($399.99 SRP). Distilled in 2009 and bottled in 2025, this single-barrel release (Bottle #38 of 57) currently stands as the oldest Bottled-in-Bond American Single Malt Whiskey released to date. It even comes with a minted collector’s coin granting lifetime tours and tastings at Town Branch!

How does Irish maritime aging compare to 16 hot Kentucky summers? Is the $400 archive release worth the hype? Pour yourself a dram and join us to find out!

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❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Pearse 12-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey – Founder’s Choice

  • Classification: Single Malt Irish Whiskey
  • Company: Alltech
  • Distillery: Pearse Lyons Distillery (Dublin 8, Ireland; early stock sourced from Bushmills)
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Age: 12 Years (in ex-bourbon barrels)
  • Proof: 86 Proof (43% ABV)
  • SRP: $69.99
  • Released: Core / Ongoing Small Batch (Batch 2019-B5750)
  • Other: Non-Chill Filtered, Natural Color; matured in former Town Branch Bourbon barrels.
  • Purchased: 07/04/2026 for $69.99 at Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.

Town Branch 16 Year Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Single Malt Whiskey (Archive Series, Volume 2)

  • Classification: Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Single Malt Whiskey (American Single Malt)
  • Company: Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. (Alltech)
  • Distillery: Town Branch Distillery (Lexington, KY – DSP-KY-15004)
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley (Double Pot Distilled)
  • Age: 16 Years (Distilled/Filled: July 15, 2009 [Lot 09G15] | Bottled: October 27, 2025)
  • Proof: 100 Proof (50% ABV – Bottled-in-Bond)
  • SRP: $399.99
  • Released: October 2025 (Ultra-limited single barrel yield; Bottle No. 38 of 57 from Serial No. 223)
  • Other: Non-Chill Filtered; matured in ex-bourbon barrels; includes a minted Collector’s Coin granting the holder complimentary lifetime tours and tastings at Town Branch Distillery; stands as the oldest Bottled-in-Bond American Single Malt Whiskey released to date.
  • Purchased: 07/04/2026 for $399.99 at Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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Don’t Buy A Cigar Whiskey Until You Watch This

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Heading into the weekend with four heavyweight cigar blend whiskeys on the table! On this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca dive into an incredible lineup inspired by our recent Whiskey University cigar pairing masterclass. We’re putting four distinct, cask-finished expressions to the test to see how their layered wood finishes stack up, which bottles truly need a cigar in hand, and which are rich enough to sip neat.

From our first official Cigar Malt Scotch to the holy grail blend from Nancy Fraley, a 5-cask traveler from Old Elk, and a thieved single-barrel powerhouse from Cox’s Creek Distilling, we break down tasting notes, mash bills, finishing casks, and recommended cigar pairings for each.

Which pour takes the crown and earns a spot in our September Whiskey of the Month competition? Drop your favorite cigar-pairing whiskeys in the comments below!

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The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve

  • Classification: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
  • Company: Whyte & Mackay
  • Distillery: The Dalmore Distillery (Alness, Highlands, Scotland)
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Age: NAS (Components aged roughly 10–15 years)
  • Proof: 88 Proof (44% ABV)
  • SRP: ~$179.99–$199.99
  • Released: Ongoing core expression (re-introduced 2012)
  • Other: Matured in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, 30-year-old Matusalem Oloroso sherry butts, and premier cru Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques
  • Purchased: 08/11/26 for $134.94 at Hi Proof (online)
  • Recommended Cigar: Davidoff Winston Churchill The Late Hour

Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon (Batch 507, Bottle 49)

  • Classification: Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Sherry, Cognac, and Armagnac Casks
  • Company: Jos. A. Magnus & Co.
  • Distillery: Distilled in Indiana (MGP); blended and finished by Jos. A. Magnus & Co.
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed MGP high-rye & low-rye bourbon blend
  • Age: Blend of straight bourbons aged 9 to 20 years
  • Proof: 111.7 Proof (55.85% ABV)
  • SRP: ~$199.99–$219.99
  • Released: Periodic small-batch releases (Batch 507)
  • Other: Nancy Fraley’s signature “coupage” process; finished in vintage Armagnac, Cognac, and Sherry casks
  • Purchased: 08/11/26 for $169.99 at Hi Proof (online)
  • Recommended Cigar: My Father The Judge 

Old Elk Cigar Cut “Island Blend” Straight Whiskies

  • Classification: Blend of Straight Whiskies Finished in Port, Rum, Sherry, and Sauternes Casks
  • Company: Old Elk Distilleries (Fort Collins, CO)
  • Distillery: Distilled in Indiana (MGP); blended and bottled by Old Elk
  • Mash Bill: Blend of Old Elk High-Malt Bourbon (51% Corn, 34% Malted Barley, 15% Rye), 95/5 Rye, and Wheated Bourbon (51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Malt)
  • Age: 6 Years base whiskies (finished an additional 6 months to 2 years across casks)
  • Proof: 114.6 Proof (57.3% ABV)
  • SRP: ~$129.99
  • Released: Late 2023 / 2024 (Second national Cigar Cut release)
  • Other: Secondary aging breakdown: 2 years in Sherry, 6–10 months in Port, 8 months in Rum, 6 months in Sauternes
  • Purchased: 08/11/26 for $99.99 at Hi Proof (online)
  • Recommended Cigar: Padrón 1926 Serie Natural

Good Times Cigar Batch “Mexican Vanilla” (Barrel #709)

  • Classification: Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Mexican Vanilla, Oloroso Sherry, Cognac, and Armagnac Casks
  • Company: Good Times Bourbon
  • Distillery: Distilled in Indiana (MGP); secondary finished and bottled by Good Times Bourbon
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed MGP Bourbon (typically 75/21/4 or 60/36/4)
  • Age: NAS (typically 4–6 years base)
  • Proof: 116 Proof (58% ABV)
  • SRP: ~$149.99–$169.99
  • Released: 2025/2026 Limited Rare Release
  • Other: Barrel Strength, Non-Chill Filtered; finished using charred Mexican vanilla wood staves alongside classic cigar blend fortified casks
  • Purchased: 09/04/26 for $149.99 at Coxs Creek Distilling
  • Recommended Cigar: Liga Privada No. 9 (or Arturo Fuente Hemingway).

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

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