Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Glenns Creek Patriotic Meri-COB: Red, White & Blue Corn

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

In this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca head to the historic grounds of Glenns Creek Distilling to crack open a very special bottle: the Patriotic Meri-COB.

This isn’t just any bourbon; it’s the first new product release from the distillery since 2021! Distilled in the shadow of the former Old Crow ruins, this 100% Corn Bourbon is a masterclass in heirloom grains. We’re breaking down the “Red, White, and Blue” mash bill featuring Bloody Butcher Red, Hickory King White, and Hoppi Blue corn.

From its buttery “kettle corn” sweetness on the nose to a surprising savory, black pepper finish, this 105-proof powerhouse is a contender for our Whiskey of the Month. Is it the “Tail of Two Bourbons”? Watch to find out if this $80 bottle lives up to the hype!

⭐ Tasting Notes:

  • Nose: Incredibly sweet and complex. Heavy notes of butterscotch, vanilla, and sweet heirloom corn without the typical “dusty funk.”
  • Palate: Thick viscosity with a “buttery popcorn” or “kettle corn” mouthfeel. Initial caramel sweetness transitions into a deep, savory complexity.
  • Finish: Long and warming with a touch of black pepper and a lingering “sugary” kettle corn essence.

We were shocked by that buttery kettle corn note on the finish! Have you ever picked up a popcorn note in your bourbon before, or are we just crazy? Let us know in the comments! 👇

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ Patriotic Meri-COB

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Glenns Creek Distilling
  • Mash Bill: 100% Corn:  Bloody Butcher Red, Hickory King White, Hoppi Blue
  • Age: At least 36 months
  • Proof: 105
  • MSRP: $80
  • Other: This is the first new release of a product since 2021
  • Released: July 2025

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨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.

#BourbonReview #GlennsCreekDistilling #PatrioticMeriCOB #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyTasting #HeirloomCorn #BourbonJourney #CraftDistillery #WhiskeyLover #BourbonLife #KentuckyStraightBourbon #BloodyButcherCorn #WhiskeyOfTheMonth #SmallBatchWhiskey #BourbonCommunity

Booker’s “Phantom Pipes Batch” Review (2025-04)

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 Booker’s 2025-04 “Phantom Pipes Batch” Bourbon Review & Tasting! | Is This the Best Batch of the Year?

In this video, Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey dive into the final and most mysterious release of the year: Booker’s 2025-04 “Phantom Pipes Batch”! We snagged this bottle right at the Jim Beam Distillery and are ready to share the uncut and unfiltered review of this Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

The Phantom Pipes Batch is named after a maze of pipes Master Distiller Booker Noe left behind at the Boston Distillery—a symbol of his “stubborn genius” and dedication to making bourbon the right way. At a bold 126.4 Proof and aged over 7.5 years, this is a quintessential, high-proof Booker’s experience.

What We Found:

  • The Nose: Strong brown sugar, cinnamon, and that signature high-proof Booker’s intensity.
  • The Palate: A punch of toasty roasted peanuts, combined with warm brown sugar and cinnamon—like a crunchy, charred cinnamon-sugar-peanut treat!
  • The Finish: Exceptionally long, warm, and consistent, carrying that delightful blend of brown sugar, cinnamon, and char goodness all the way through.

We’re big Booker’s fans—Wayne even credits an earlier batch as his first bourbon love! We discuss why Booker’s is the “stamp of bourbon” and whether its consistent, traditional flavor profile helps or hurts it in a bourbon blind tasting. Will this batch stand up to the rest of the 2025 releases? Stick around for our full review and find out!

Don’t forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more bourbon reviews! Let us know in the comments if you’ve tried the Phantom Pipes Batch and what you thought!

We will be doing a blind tasting of all four 2025 Booker’s releases in January—hit the bell so you don’t miss it!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ Booker’s 2025-04 Phantom Pipes Batch

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Suntory Global Spirits
  • Distillery: James B. Beam Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
  • Age: Youngest barrels – 7 years, 6 months, and 15 days
  • Proof: 126.4
  • MSRP: $110
  • Released: Nov 2025
  • Purchased: Dec 05, 2025 for $110 at Jim Beam Distilling

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨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.

#BookersBourbon #PhantomPipesBatch #bourbonreview #whiskeytasting #KentuckyStraightBourbon #BarrelProof #Bookers2025 #JimBeam #Whiskey #bourbon #HighProofBourbon #UncutUnfiltered #BookerNoe #whiskeytube #NewReleaseBourbon 

Is Knob Creek 21 Year Worth $250 MSRP?

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🎉 Knob Creek 21 Year Old Bourbon Review! 🎉 Is this the ultimate extra-aged whiskey?

Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey finally got their hands on the historic Knob Creek 21 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey—the oldest expression ever released by the James B. Beam Distilling Co.! Watch as they pour, nose, and taste this highly-anticipated, limited-edition small batch bourbon, bottled at a perfect 100 proof.

We were lucky enough to score this bottle at the Jim Beam Distillery for the MSRP of $249.99! Was the two-decade wait worth it? Does it live up to the hype established by the Knob Creek 9 and 12-Year expressions?

🥃 Knob Creek 21 Year Old Tasting Notes & Review Highlights

  • The Nose: Right out of the gate, the aromas are incredibly inviting! Get ready for notes of butterscotch, toffee, and a rich, cooked brown sugar. It smells like what a 21-year-old whiskey should smell like!
  • The Palate: This is a surprisingly barrel forward bourbon, but perfectly balanced! You’ll find deep tannins and robust char notes, but the 100 proof prevents it from being an “oak bomb.”
  • The Finish: Long, warm, and not drying! Enjoy lingering notes of cinnamon, dark cocoa (dark chocolate), and a nice pop of black pepper. It’s the perfect deep, dark, rich sipper for the winter.

Master Distiller Freddie Noe said they weren’t chasing an age statement, but focused on crafting a great bourbon—and they hit it out of the park! We discuss the value of a $250, 21-year-old bourbon and compare it to the popular Knob Creek 18-Year and 12-Year expressions.

❓ Have you tried the Knob Creek 21 Year Old? What did you think of the barrel notes? Let us know in the comments!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ Knob Creek 21 Year Old

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Suntory Global Spirits
  • Distillery: James B. Beam Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
  • Barrel: Char #4, Barrel Entry 125 Proof
  • Age: 21 Years
  • Other: The oldest expression in distillery history
  • Proof: 100
  • MSRP: $249.99
  • Released: Oct 28, 2025
  • Purchased: Dec 5, 2025 for $250 at Jim Beam Distillery

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨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.

#knobcreek21 #bourbon #Whiskey #knobcreek #bourbonreview #whiskeytasting #KentuckyBourbon #Aged21Years #JimBeam #LimitedEdition #SmallBatchBourbon #whiskeytube #BourbonLife #Toffee #ExtraAgedWhiskey 

Flaviar Advent 2025: Days 7, 8, 9 Surprise Whiskeys

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 Flaviar Advent Calendar 2025: Days 7, 8, & 9 Reveal & Review! Heirloom Corn Whiskey, Farm-to-Glass Rye & Tequila Finished Bourbon! 🇺🇸

Welcome back, Travelers! Join Wayne and Rebecca, Your Bourbon Journey, as we open Days 7, 8, and 9 of the exclusive Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar 2025! This episode is a deep dive into American innovation, featuring three must-try whiskeys from Kentucky and Nevada. We uncover a high-rye bourbon finished in tequila barrels, a 100% farm-to-glass rye, and a unique small-batch bourbon using heirloom corn.

Don’t miss our full tasting review, breakdown of the unique stories behind each brand, and final thoughts on this incredible flight of American whiskey.

Day 7: 15 STARS First West Small Batch Bourbon We revisit this exceptional Kentucky Bourbon, which features a blend of 5, 6, and 7-year-old bourbons, including a proprietary mash bill with rare red, white, black, and blue heritage corns! Get our tasting notes on the vanilla, brown sugar, butterscotch, and nuttiness this small-batch whiskey delivers.

Day 8: Frey Ranch Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey We land in Reno, Nevada, for the Frey Ranch Bottled-in-Bond Rye! Made from 100% sustainably grown winter rye using a true Farm-to-Glass approach. This 100 proof rye surprises us with floral notes, a soft start, and a beautiful lingering pepperiness. 

Day 9: Mary Dowling Tequila Barrel Finished Bourbon Honoring the “Mother of Bourbon,” Mary Dowling, this exciting high-rye bourbon is finished in authentic Reposado Tequila barrels—a nod to her distilling history in Mexico during Prohibition! We explore the nose of sweet agave and rye spice, and the surprising palate of chocolate, agave, and a long, clean finish. Tequila finish bourbon is the hottest trend of 2025, and this one is a must-try!

Did you snag the Flaviar Advent Calendar 2025? Let us know your favorite pour in the comments!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

🚨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.

#FlaviarAdventCalendar #whiskeytasting #bourbon #FlaviarDays7-9 #TequilaFinishBourbon  #freyranch #15StarsBourbon #WhiskeyReview #AmericanWhiskey #FarmToGlass #TequilaFinish #Whiskey #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyLover 

New Riff’s Newest Releases Are Incredible—Here’s Why

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 New Riff Double Feature! Silver Grove Bourbon & High Note Wheat Whiskey Review 🥃

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as they dive into two brand-new, exciting, and highly-anticipated releases from New Riff Distilling: the 2025 Silver Grove Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and the groundbreaking High Note Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey (The Confluence Project: Vol. 1 collaboration with Chattanooga Whiskey)!

Featured Whiskeys

1. Silver Grove Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2025)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Proof: 110.3 (Barrel Proof Blend)
  • Give Back: Supports the Silver Grove Community Foundation and local community projects, like the park at Green Valley Pond.
  • Special Feature: This is the first New Riff product to carry Master Distiller Brian Sprance’s signature!

2. New Riff High Note Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey – The Confluence Project: Vol. 1

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey (100% Wheat)
  • Proof: 120.9 (Barrel Strength Single Barrel)
  • The Collaboration: This is the inaugural volume of The Confluence Project, a unique seven-year collaboration between New Riff’s Brian Sprance and Chattanooga Whiskey’s Grant McCracken. Both distilleries made a 100% wheat whiskey from the same mash bill but applied their own distinct techniques, highlighting the effect of different terroirs and distilling philosophies (New Riff’s Kentucky Regimen vs. Chattanooga’s Tennessee High Malt style).

Don’t miss the hosts’ final thoughts on value and their strong recommendation to visit the distillery’s beautiful upstairs bar, The Aquifer Tasting Room, in Newport, KY!

Are you a member of the New Riff Online Whiskey Club? Let us know in the comments if you picked up these bottles!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ Silver Grove Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2025)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: New Riff Distilling
  • Mash Bill: 65% Corn, 30% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
  • Age: 4 Years
  • Proof: 110.3
  • Released: October 2025
  • Other: First New Riff product to carry Brian Sprance’s signature
  • Purchased: 10/30/25 for $59.99 at New Riff Online Whiskey Club

✴️ New Riff High Note Kentucky Straight Wheated Whiskey

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey
  • Distillery: New Riff Distilling
  • Mash Bill: 60% Red Turkey Wheat, 24% Appalachian Malted Wheat, 8% Dark Malted Wheat, 8% Caramel Malted Wheat
  • Barrel Entry Proof: 110
  • Age: 6 Years
  • Proof: 120.9
  • Released: October 2025
  • Other: Confluence Project: Volume 1, a collaboration with Chattanooga Whiskey
  • Purchased: 10/30/25 for $69.99 at New Riff Online Whiskey Club

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨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.

#NewRiff #SilverGrove #ConfluenceProject #HighNoteWhiskey #wheatwhiskey #bourbonreview #KentuckyBourbon #whiskeytasting #BarrelProof #WhiskeyReview #NewRiffDistilling #ChattanoogaWhiskey #LimitedEdition #CraftWhiskey #bourbonjourney 

Flaviar Advent 2025: US Bourbon vs. Japanese Whisky! 

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

✈️ Global Whiskey Flight Review! Flaviar Advent Calendar 2025 Days 4, 5, & 6 | Chicken Cock, Oaklore, Kujira Kyojin 

Welcome back, Travelers, for Episode Two of our Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar 2025 journey! We’re strapping in for an exciting “two-continental tasting flight,” comparing America’s bourbon heritage with an exotic leap across the globe.

In this episode, we unlock Days 4, 5, and 6 of the calendar, tasting three wildly different spirits:

  1. Day 4: Chicken Cock Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (100 Proof) – A Prohibition legacy spirit from Bardstown, KY, with notes of cinnamon red hot, caramel, and nuttiness. Is the “pre-prohibition style” a hit?
  2. Day 5: OaklLore Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey (92 Proof) – A groundbreaking blend of four grains (corn, rye, wheat, barley) aged in the ideal climate of North Carolina’s Piedmont region. Find out why this balanced bourbon is described as a “floral bakery.”
  3. Day 6: Kujira Kyojin Okinawa Whisky (80 Proof) – A truly unique rice-based Japanese whisky from Okinawa, Japan, aged in American white oak. We discover fascinating tropical, sweet & sour, and floral/roselike notes thanks to its special Indica Rice and black Koji berries fermentation.

Join Wayne and Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey for an in-depth, country-to-country tasting review! 

Which whiskey will be the best international pour? Buckle up and Cheers! 🥃

Did you grab a calendar? Let us know your favorite of the first three days in the comments below!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

🚨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.

#FlaviarAdventCalendar #WhiskeyAdventCalendar2025 #whiskeytasting #bourbonreview #japanesewhisky #WhiskyReview #ChickenCockBourbon #OakLoreBourbon #KujiraKyojinOkinawa #WorldWhisky #KentuckyBourbon #CraftWhiskey #WhiskeyLover #DramADay #SpiritReview 

ECBP A125 vs C925 vs B525: Blind Bourbon Battle!

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 Which 2025 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Is King? Blind Tasting A125 vs B525 vs C925!

Do Proof and Age REALLY Matter? In this highly-anticipated bourbon review, Wayne and Rebecca from [Your Channel Name] put all three 2025 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof batches (A125, B525, and C925) head-to-head in a true blind tasting!

Heaven Hill released some real curveballs this year, with the lineup featuring the lowest-proof batch ever, the oldest release since 2023, and the youngest release in series history!

We’re diving deep into the profiles of these coveted, uncut, and non-chill filtered Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys to determine our favorite pour of the year.

🍒 Tasting Notes & Surprises

We break down the classic Elijah Craig notes of cherry, caramel, and cinnamon and find some major profile differences this year. The blind tasting results surprised us, with the lowest-proof, A125, taking the crown for its incredible cherry-forward sweetness and perfect balance, despite the judges typically being “proofy people.” The oldest, B525, and the highest-proof, C925, didn’t quite live up to the winner in the final sip-off!

If you love high-proof bourbon, Heaven Hill, or collecting the annual ECBP releases, you don’t want to miss our honest review and ranking.

🚨 SPOILER ALERT! See which batch finished last (and why its high alcohol-forward nose and flavor pushed it back).

💬 What do YOU think?

Have you tried all three 2025 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof releases? Which one is your personal “banger” of the year? Let us know your favorite batch and why in the comments below!

Cheers to the great work by Heaven Hill’s Master Distiller, Conor O’Driscoll!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ ECBP A125

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Heaven Hill
  • Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
  • Age: 10 years, 7 months
  • Proof: 118.2
  • MSRP: $74.99
  • Released: January 2025
  • Purchased: 02/27/25 for $99.99 at High Spirits in Evansville, IN

✴️ ECBP B525

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Heaven Hill
  • Distillery: Elijah Craig Distillery Co.
  • Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
  • Age: 11 Years, 6 Months
  • Proof: 126.2
  • MSRP: $75
  • Released: May 2025
  • Purchased: 09/02/25 for $79.99 at Heaven Hill, Bardstown KY

✴️ ECBP C925

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
  • Age: 9 Years, 1 Month
  • Proof: 129
  • MSRP: $75
  • Released: September 2025; Final Batch of 2025
  • Other: This is the first time since the ECBP series began in 2013 that a batch has carried an age statement under 10 years (a “single digit” age statement).
  • Purchased: 10/29/25 for $65 at Archie & Clyde’s in Newburgh, IN

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨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.

#ElijahCraigBarrelProof #ECBP #bourbonreview #blindtasting #WhiskeyReview #A125 #B525 #C925 #HeavenHill #KentuckyBourbon #BarrelProof #Whiskey #BourbonLife #bourbon #whiskeytasting 

Mint Julep VIP Tour: Log Still ’23 Bardstown Collection Review 

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🍒🔥 Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes Episode 47: Log Still Bardstown Collection 2023 Review (Toasted Cherry S’mores?!)

Join Wayne and Rebecca on Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes Episode 47 as they finally crack open a very special, two-and-a-half-year-old bottle: the Log Still Distillery Bardstown Collection 2023 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey!

This unique and highly-coveted limited edition bourbon was secured during the exclusive Mint Julep VIP Bardstown Bourbon Collection Tour. Wayne and Rebecca share all the details of their special two-day experience, including a scenic train ride, an exquisite lunch, meeting founders Wally, Lynne, and Charles Dant, and a memorable first tour of the beautiful Log Still Distillery campus in New Haven, KY.

Is this bottle worth the hype (and the $199.99 price tag)? Find out if this toasted oak finished bourbon is a must-have for your collection!

🥃 The Whiskey: Log Still Bardstown Collection 2023

This 8-year-old, 117.7 proof high-rye bourbon is a truly distinctive pour. Sourced from the renowned Barton 1792 Distillery‘s high-rye mash bill, Log Still added an innovative final touch: a finishing period in highly-toasted oak barrels.

Tasting Notes (Their Journey): Get ready for a fascinating flavor profile! Wayne and Rebecca dive deep into the nose and palate, discovering:

  • Nose: Distinct cherry notes (classic Barton profile) with a beautiful toasty character.
  • Palate: An explosion of Luxardo cherry upfront, quickly followed by a savory, delicious toasted oak and char goodness. Rebecca even finds surprising notes of dark cocoa, leading to the fun description of a “chocolate cherry s’more” vibe!
  • Finish: Long, warm, and effervescent, carrying the barrel notes and a unique combination of toasted cherry and black pepper.

Don’t forget to hit the like button, subscribe for more whiskey adventures, and share your thoughts in the comments!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ Log Still’s Bardstown Collection 2023

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Sourced – Barton 1792 Distillery
  • Mash Bill: High-Rye Bourbon Mash Bill
  • Age: 8 Years
  • Finishing: Highly-toasted oak barrels
  • Proof: 117.7
  • Other: 2023 with the Bardstown Collection
  • Purchased: 06/30/23 for $199.99 at Log Still Distillery

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨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.

#LogStillDistillery #BardstownCollection #bourbonreview #KentuckyStraightBourbon #ToastedOakFinish #WhiskeyReview #LimitedEditionBourbon #HighRyeBourbon #bourbontrail #Barton1792 #LogStill #whiskeytasting #BourbonVlog #NewHavenKY #WhiskeyCollector 

Affordable 15 STARS Bourbon! First West Series Review 

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 15 STARS First West Series Review! Trio Tasting: Small Batch, Toasted Oak, & Extra Aged 🇺🇸

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as they dive into the highly anticipated, and more affordably priced, 15 STARS First West Series of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys! This father-son company (Rick & Ricky Johnson) with roots in gourmet popcorn, and a commitment to heirloom corn, is making waves with their expert blending and “Flavor Proofing” technique.

🤔 Are these new, more accessible bourbons from 15 STARS worth the price point? Watch to find out which bottle offers the best “bang for your buck” and which one they would skip!

In this in-depth tasting, they sample all three unique expressions, bottled in gorgeous, historic blue glass:

The Flight:

  1. First West Small Batch (Blue Label): (5, 6, & 7 Year Blend | 102 Proof | $59.99)
    • The Difference: Includes the brand’s own distillate made from proprietary red, white, and blue heirloom corn for a unique profile.
    • Tasting Notes: Rich caramel, baking spices, vanilla, and a distinct nuttiness reminiscent of roasted nuts or a classic bourbon profile.
    • Verdict: A winner! Wayne and Rebecca agree this is the best value and their favorite, showcasing a unique and distinct flavor profile that sets the brand apart.
  2. First West Toasted Oak (Red Label): (5, 6, & 7 Year Blend | 98 Proof | $69.99)
    • The Difference: Finished in a blend of two different toasted oak barrels for 5 weeks.
      Tasting Notes: Intense sweetness like confectionary sugar and marshmallow, roasted nuts, and a warming cinnamon heat on the back.
    • Verdict: An excellent toasted pour, but the hosts prefer the complexity and uniqueness of the Small Batch for the price.
  3. First West Extra Aged (White Label): (8 & 9 Year Blend | 100 Proof | $79.99)
    • The Difference: Extra-aged and 100% sourced from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery (no 15 STARS distillate).
    • Tasting Notes: Sweet caramel, cardamom/nutmeg spice, and heavy, savory barrel notes.
    • Verdict: A good, older bourbon, but it feels disconnected from the other two and has a surprisingly short finish.

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ First West Small Batch Bourbon

  • Classification:  Blend of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
  • Company: 15 Stars
  • Mash Bill: Includes a portion of 15 STARS’ own distillate made from proprietary red, white, and blue heirloom corn—a first for the brand’s blends.
  • Age: Blend of 5, 6, & 7 Year
  • Proof: 102 (“flavor proofed”)
  • MSRP: $59.99
  • Released: July 2025
  • Other: Bottled in a unique, historic blue glass bottle inspired by the earliest whiskey bottles crafted in Kentucky.
  • Purchased: 10/16/25 for $59.99 at High Spirits Liquor in Evansville, IN

✴️First West Toasted Oak

  • Classification:  Blend of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: 15 Stars
  • Mash Bill: Includes bourbon distilled by 15 STARS (at Bardstown Bourbon Company) from proprietary red, white, and blue heritage corns (first use in a 15 STARS blend); the other component bourbon(s) are not disclosed
  • Barrels: Blend of two different toast profiles
  • Age: Blend of 5, 6, & 7 Year
  • Proof: 98
  • MSRP: $69.99
  • Released: July 2025
  • Other: Bottled in a unique, historic blue glass bottle inspired by the earliest whiskey bottles crafted in Kentucky.
  • Purchased: 10/16/25 for $69.99 at High Spirits Liquor in Evansville, IN

✴️First West Extra Aged

  • Classification:  Blend of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
  • Company: 15 Stars
  • Mash Bill: 
  • Age: Blends of 8 & 9 Years
  • Proof: 100 “flavor proofed”
  • MSRP: $79.99
  • Released: July 2025
  • Other: Bottled in a unique, historic blue glass bottle inspired by the earliest whiskey bottles crafted in Kentucky.
  • Purchased: 10/16/25 for $79.99 at High Spirits Liquor in Evansville, IN

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨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.

#15STARSBourbon #FirstWestSeries #bourbonreview #KentuckyBourbon #whiskeytasting #SmallBatchBourbon #ToastedOakFinish #ExtraAgedBourbon #FlavorProofed #bourbonjourney #NewRelease #HeirloomCorn #CraftBourbon #MustTryBourbon 

Outlaw Kentucky Bourbon! 107 Proof Review (MUST TASTE!)

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 OUTLAW KENTUCKY BOURBON: Sundance Kid Review | Brown Sugar Bomb from Preservation Distillery?

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as they crack open a rare and highly-sought-after bottle: Outlaw Kentucky Bourbon – The Sundance Kid. Bottled by the mysterious Outlaw Distilling Company (wink, wink… same address as Preservation Distillery + Farm in Bardstown, KY!), this Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is part of a special series celebrating the Old West’s most notorious characters.

This 7-8 year old blend is bottled at a perfect 107.6 Proof (Barrel Strength / Cask Strength adjacent!) and delivers a profile Wayne and Rebecca describe as a “Brown Sugar Bomb!”

In this video, you’ll get:

  • Tasting Notes: Discover the dominant flavors of rich brown sugar, warm clove, a hint of vanilla on the nose, and a long finish that evolves into dark chocolate, cinnamon, and barrel char.
  • Deep Dive Info: Uncover the story of Harry Longabaugh, the real Sundance Kid, and his fictional connection to a payroll hijacking bound for Wattie Boone Distillery.
  • Bourbon Journey Verdict: Find out why this rare $159 bottle stood out among the high-dollar, limited-edition releases at Preservation Distillery’s gift shop during the Kentucky Bourbon Festival.
  • Smooth & Viscous Mouthfeel: Hear how the proof point is “just right” and why this whiskey has a delightful, lingering warmth.

Is this high-proof, sourced Kentucky Bourbon worthy of its outlaw name? Tune in to find out!

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more rare whiskey reviews and bourbon tasting adventures!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ Outlaw Kentucky Bourbon: Sundance Kid

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Undisclosed
  • Bottled: Under the name of Outlaw Distilling Company (same address as Preservation Distillery + Farm)
  • Mash Bill: unknown
  • Age: 7-8 years
  • Proof: 107.6
  • Other: Part of a Series
  • Purchased: 09/02/25 for $159 at Preservation Distillery in Bardstown, KY

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨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.

#OutlawBourbon

#PreservationDistillery

#KentuckyBourbon

#BourbonReview

#SundanceKid

#WhiskeyReview

#Bardstown

#CaskStrength

#BrownSugarBomb

#KentuckyStraightBourbon

#LimitedRelease

#WhiskeyTasting

#BourbonLife

#OldWestSeries

#RareBourbon