Bourbon

J. Rieger & Co.: From Prohibition to Modern Icon

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Step into the rich history and modern revival of Kansas City whiskey with us! In this video, we’re diving deep into J. Rieger & Co., a legendary distillery with a story that spans over a century. We’ll explore their stunning, historic facility and get to the heart of what makes their spirits so unique.

First, we’re tasting three incredible spirits:

✴️ J. Rieger & Co. Monogram Whiskey 2025 Edition: This exclusive Kansas City Whiskey Solera Reserve is a limited-edition blend with a complex mash bill of 56% corn, 30% rye, and 14% malted barley. Bottled at 100 proof, only 2,000 of these special releases were produced.

✴️ J. Rieger & Co. Private Stock Bourbon: We got to bottle our own! This straight bourbon whiskey has an age statement of 5 years and 8 months, with a mash bill of 56% corn, 30% rye, and 14% malted barley. It was bottled at a robust 127.9 proof.

✴️ J. Rieger & Co. Caffè Amaro: An innovative blend of coffee liqueur and amaro, this spirit is made with Sumatra coffee and clocks in at 62 proof.

But it’s not all about the whiskey! We’ll also be giving you a tour of the distillery’s stunning space, and you’ll get to see the famous distillery slide in action. You don’t want to miss our visit to this amazing Kansas City landmark!

Follow us on our Kansas City Whiskey tour! This is the third in a four-part series exploring the best of the Kansas City spirits scene. Click play ▶️ NOW!

What’s your favorite state for bourbon outside of Kentucky? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

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#bourbonreview #KansasCityWhiskey #JRieger 

J. Rieger & Co. Website: https://www.jriegerco.com/

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ Monogram Whiskey 2025 Edition

  • Kansas City Whiskey Solera Reserve
  • Distillery: J. Rieger & Co.
  • Bourbon Mash Bill: 56 Corn, 30% Rye, 14% Malted Barley
  • Rye Mash Bill: 96% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
  • Proof: 100
  • Other: 2000 bottles produced
  • Purchased: 07/25/25 for $130 at J. Rieger & Co

 Visit their site for details on the Oloroso sherry botas: https://www.jriegerco.com/our-spirits/monogram-whiskey

✴️ Private Stock Bourbon

  • Rieger Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: J. Rieger & Co.
  • Mash Bill: 56 Corn, 30% Rye, 14% Malted Barley
  • Sweet Mash Fermentation; pot still and column still
  • Age: 5 Years, 8 Months
  • Proof: 127.9
  • Other: Bottle-Your-Own Experience
  • Purchased: 07/25/25 for $85 at J. Rieger & Co

✴️ Caffè Amaro

  • Coffee Liqueur & Amaro
  • Distillery: J. Rieger & Co.
  • Coffee: Sumatra
  • Sweetener: Evaporated Cane Syrup
  • Proof: 62
  • Purchased: 07/25/25 for $32 at J. Rieger & Co

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨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.

Dusty Barn Distillery: An Indiana Bourbon Discovery!

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Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes Episode 27: Dusty Barn Distillery

Get ready to journey back with us as we relive our unforgettable first visit to Dusty Barn Distillery! From the rustic charm of their grounds to the passion poured into every barrel, we’re taking you behind the scenes of what makes this hidden gem so special.

But that’s not all! The main event kicks off with a live, unscripted tasting of a truly unique bottle we snagged during our visit: Doc’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey. What rare and delightful notes will we uncover in this one-of-a-kind pour? Will it be a smoky whisper, a sweet serenade, or something entirely unexpected? 

Click play ▶️ now to find out!

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What’s your favorite hidden gem on the Bourbon Trail? Let us know in the comments!

In this series, Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes, we navigate the rich tapestry of our memorable experiences on the Bourbon Trail, a journey that has undeniably enriched our appreciation for this iconic American spirit. We tackle intriguing questions such as: What stands out as the most profound memory of that bourbon trail experience, one that has etched itself firmly in our minds? What exceptional and bourbon or whiskey did we discover during this journey, perhaps one that surprised us with its intricate and delightful flavor profiles? What lasting impressions do we have of that bourbon or whiskey today, as we reflect on its complexities and how they resonate with our evolving palates and preferences? Through this exploration, we passionately recount our adventures and celebrate the stories and connections we’ve forged along the way, highlighting the essence of the Bourbon Trail.

#bourbontrail #IndianaDistillery #DustyBarnDistillery 

Dusty Barn Distillery

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

ABOUT THE BOTTLE REVIEWED

✴️ Doc’s Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

  • Classification: Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Dusty Barn Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 70% Corn, Rye, Malted Barley
  • Age: 18 Months
  • Proof: 106.8
  • Other: Batch WSBI, Single Barrel, Cask Strength
  • Purchased: 12/31/22 for $110 at Dusty Barn Distillery

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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❓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.

Blind Whiskey Taste Test! Unmasking 4 Mystery Drams

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Get ready for a thrilling taste adventure 🚀 into the shadowy world of Blind Barrels! 🕵️‍♂️ In this episode, we’re plunging headfirst into the unknown, blind tasting 👀 and dissecting FOUR ENIGMATIC MYSTERY WHISKEYS! 🥃🥃🥃🥃 Can our palates decipher their secrets? 🤔

Join us as we become whiskey detectives 🔎, meticulously sniffing👃, swirling 🔄, and savoring 😋 each anonymous dram. We’ll delve deep into their intriguing flavor profiles and captivating aromas ✨, piecing together the clues 🧩 to uncover what makes each one truly unique.

The anticipation is building! ⏳ Will we correctly identify their origins? 🌍 Which hidden gem 💎 will steal our hearts (and our taste buds 👅)? And ultimately… which mysterious whiskey will rise above the rest and claim the coveted top spot 🏆 in our ranking?

Prepare for unexpected twists 😲, surprising revelations 🎉, and maybe even a few gasps of delight! 😮 You might just discover your next favorite pour lurking within these blind barrels. Hit play ▶️ now and join the mystery! 😉

Blind Barrels

To learn more about a Subscription to Blind Barrels, this is our Affiliate Link (commissions can be earned):  https://blindbarrels.com/#subscription_plan?sca_ref=7200023.Ze2fVg6fhr

Our Original Review – J.T. Meleck Rice Whiskey Tasting: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2024/08/25/august-2024-j-t-meleck-rice-whiskey-tasting/ 

Distilleries in this Blind Barrel:

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NOTE: We were not compensated by the spirit producers for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

Unleash the Flavor: Old Louisville’s Cognac Finished Whiskey! 

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In this bourbon review episode, we highlight our recent visit to Old Louisville Whiskey Co, where we enjoyed an incredible barrel thieving experience with owner, Amine Kar. We delve into our exciting purchase from that visit – the 9 Year Old Cognac Finished Straight Whiskey. Join us as we explore this exceptional release, relishing its rich aromas, complex palate, and unforgettable finish. We wholeheartedly recommend adding Old Louisville Whiskey Co to your bourbon journey; make sure to book a tour the next time you’re headed to the Louisville, Kentucky area.

ABOUT THIS BOTTLE

  • Old Louisville Straight Whiskey Cognac Cask Finish
  • Classification: Straight Whiskey
  • Distilled:  Indiana
  • Bottled: Old Louisville Whiskey Co, Louisville KY
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed
  • Age: 9 years
  • Proof: 106.6
  • Released: 2025
  • Other: Uncut, Non-Chill Filtered, Cognac Cask Finished
  • Purchased: 02/21/25 for $149.99 at Old Louisville Whiskey Co, Louisville KY

Old Louisville Whiskey Co.: https://oldlouisvillewhiskey.com/ 

AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS (commissions earned):

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Visit: https://yourbourbonjourney.com  for additional stories to enhance Your Bourbon Journey!

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.

August 2024 Blind Match Up Tasting

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August 30, 2024
By Wayne McBrayer 

Rebecca and I have been doing tasting over the last year and it’s always fun.  Today, I decided to spring on her a mystery tasting that I called “Match Up.”  I placed stickers with the number 1 and 2 on the bottom of our Glencairn glasses.  Rebecca was instructed to enter the bourbon room, mix them up a bit (so I won’t know either), and bring the glasses out for the tasting.  For the notes, we will go with each person’s A (left) & B (right). I looked forward to having a fun and different tasting with my wife.

This will be fun since we don’t even know if we have the same pour in the A or B glass!

Wayne
Blind A		Wayne
Blind B		Rebecca
Blind A		Rebecca
Blind B
Aroma: It’s a lot of sweet. I get cherry and cotton candy, maybe a little vanilla – that’s three things I’m getting.
Aroma: Baking spices, there’s a stone fruit, and cinnamon. The nose might be cherry.


Aroma: Caramel cinnamon, maybe a hint of red apple.



Aroma: There are some darker tones in this one. Caramel – almost to a toffee, some wood notes coming through as well as some baking spices such as nutmeg.
Tasted Neat: I get a nuttiness, almost peanut, wood, and not very sweet.




Tasted Neat: I’m getting cinnamon, white pepper, light, brown sugar.




Tasted Neat: Vanilla, not very sweet, cinnamon on the back.





Tasted Neat: There’s a lot of spice on the palate. It does give way to some notes of vanilla & caramel. Very woody and very light on the spice – more like nutmeg and white pepper.
Finish: Finish is a little cinnamon and a little white pepper; short.



Finish: The finish is short.




Finish: The finish is somewhat woody, cinnamon, hints of white pepper, and
medium too long.

Finish: Medium in length, oak comes through on the finish as well as white pepper.


General Thoughts: I’m guessing the age is pretty young. I don’t think it’s older than four years. The proof is probably in the 90s. Short finish. Honestly, just OK.
General Thoughts: This is not bad and I get a little bit more on the taste and in the nose than I did the first one. Overall, it’s OK.


General Thoughts: The proof on this one is probably low-mid 90s, maybe 4 years old. I think it’s OK. It’s not overly dynamic. It’s got good flavors, just not a lot of them. It is a decent poor.General Thoughts: The nose matches the pallet pretty well. Sweet and with little spice. Proof is likely under 100. Young but maybe a bit older than the first one.
This was Wayne’s winner.This was Rebecca’s winner.
Wayne’s
Blind A = Our Bourbon Journey 2023 		Wayne’s
Blind B = Rebecca & Wayne 2022		Rebecca’s
Blind A = Our Bourbon Journey 2023 		Rebecca’s
Blind B = Rebecca & Wayne 2022

Ironically, we were tasting the same thing and selected the same winner!!

The Match Up Reveal

The bottles I selected were from Barrels & Billets.  It’s located next door to the Louisville Slugger Museum and it’s a place we recommend.  It’s fun experience where you can create your own bourbon based on a series of questions regarding your preferences.  Our winner was our Rebecca & Wayne 2022 bottle, which has no age statement and is 90 proof.

As I was putting this tasting together, I honestly thought we would end up selecting the Our Bourbon Journey 2023 bottle, which also has no age statement and is 90 proof. I was confident that I had selected the 2023 and was surprised I had selected the 2022. Rebecca was equally as surprised that she selected the 2022 as well. The 2022 represented a sweeter profile while the 2023 was a little more savory and smoky.

It appears on this day, we went back to the future with our pick.

Cheers,
Wayne & Rebecca

Photo by Wayne McBrayer

Bourbon Whiskey Requirements

Bourbon Whiskey: Such whiskeys have all the requirements of bourbon: Made in the U.S, distilled at <= 160 proof, barreled at <= 125 proof, aged in new, charred oak containers, bottled at >= 80 proof. For additional information on bourbon requirements, please read this post – Bourbon Whiskey.



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