Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Don’t Buy the Old Forester Tribute Series Until You Watch This

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Is the brand-new Old Forester Tribute Series worth the $300 price tag? Today, Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey crack open the inaugural 2026 release of the Old Forester Tribute Series—an ultra-premium Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky bottled at 115 proof!

Rebecca attended the exclusive launch event at Old Forester Distilling Co. on Whiskey Row in Louisville and captured an exclusive clip of Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris, who revealed the secret behind the blend: 12 years is only the youngest barrel in the batch—they go up from there!

Chris also breaks down the concept behind the Tribute Series: Old Forester’s “Greatest Hits Album.” Each annual release will honor one of the historic “Number One Hits” from the legendary Brand of Firsts. Kicking off the series is an homage to Old Forester becoming the first brand to launch a dedicated holiday Decanter Series in 1950, featuring iconic mid-century designs by Ernst Spuehler and Raymond Loewy (including the famous 1957 “Sputnik”).

Watch as we share Chris Morris’s insider remarks, discuss the vintage decanters with the distillery archives team, and put the liquid to the test for rich dark caramel, Bananas Foster, dark chocolate, allspice, and clove. Does this heat-cycled blend hit a Tony Gwynn line drive in its prime?

Have you spotted the Old Forester Tribute Series, or are you a fan of vintage mid-century bourbon decanters? Let us know in the comments below!

👉 Don’t forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe to Your Bourbon Journey for 5 new whiskey reviews, distillery travelogues, and bottle tastings every week! Always drink responsibly. Cheers! 🥃

Connect With Us & Support The Journey!

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Old Forester Tribute Series (Inaugural 2026 Release)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
  • Company: Brown-Forman
  • Distillery: Old Forester Distilling Co. (Louisville, Kentucky)
  • Mash Bill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
  • Age: 12 Years
  • Proof: 115 Proof
  • Announced: October 15, 2026
  • Other: 700 mL custom mid-century homage decanter with metallic accents and an oversized stopper; small-batch blend sourced from heat-cycled warehouses rather than single lots.
  • SRP: $299.99
  • Purchased: 10/17/26 for $299.99 as part of the Tribute Launch Ticketed Event

🚨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.

#OldForester #OldForesterTribute #BourbonReview #WhiskeyReview #OldForesterBourbon #BourbonTasting #YourBourbonJourney #BrownForman #WhiskeyRow #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyDecanter #RareBourbon #WhiskeyTube #BourbonLife #CraftSpirits

Why We Bought the Wilderness Trail ‘Symphony of Disruption’ Without Tasting It

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Is Wilderness Trail’s ultra-rare 10-Year Wheated Bourbon worth the $190 price tag? Today on Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca crack open one of the most anticipated commemorative releases of the year: Wilderness Trail “Symphony of Disruption” Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame (KBHOF) 10-Year Single Barrel Cask Strength.

Released in September 2026 to celebrate the induction of co-founders Shane Baker and Dr. Pat Heist into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame (Class of 2026), this heavy-hitting sweet mash wheater clocks in at a blistering 123 proof (61.5% ABV). Bottled non-chill filtered from barrel/rick ID YS 927, this special release honors two rock-and-roll industry disruptors who transformed fermentation and distillation science across Kentucky.

Rebecca snagged this bottle on sight for $189.99 at Bourbon on the Banks in Frankfort, KY—without even tasting it first! Join us as we explore the divine dark caramel and warm clove aromas, heavy glass-coating legs, rich brown sugar palate, effervescent mouthfeel, and a lingering white pepper Kentucky hug. Is this certified banger heading straight into our Reserve of the Year consideration? Grab a pour and find out!

Enjoyed the review? Hit that SUBSCRIBE button, like the video, leave a comment with your favorite Wilderness Trail pour, and remember to always drink responsibly! Cheers! 🥃

Connect With Us & Support The Journey!

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Wilderness Trail “Symphony of Disruption” Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame (KBHOF) 10-Year

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Single Barrel / Cask Strength)
  • Company: Campari Group
  • Distillery: Wilderness Trail Distillery (Danville, KY)
  • Mash Bill: 64% Corn, 24% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley (Sweet Mash)
  • Age: 10 Years
  • Proof: 123 Proof (61.5% ABV)
  • Released: September 2026
  • Other: Special limited single-barrel release celebrating the induction of co-founders Shane Baker and Dr. Pat Heist into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame (Class of 2026); sweet mash process; non-chill filtered; barrel/rick ID: YS 927.
  • SRP: $189.99
  • Purchased: 10/3/26 for $189.99 at Bourbon on the Banks

🚨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.

#WildernessTrail #SymphonyOfDisruption #BourbonReview #WheatedBourbon #SweetMash #CaskStrength #SingleBarrel #BourbonHunt #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyTasting #BourbonCommunity #YourBourbonJourney #KentuckyBourbonHallOfFame #PatHeist #ShaneBaker

Brown-Forman Went CRAZY: Woodford Red Corn vs 117 Triple Char!

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Two rare, experimental Brown-Forman unicorn bottles go head-to-head!

Join Wayne and Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey as we crack open two elusive, limited-edition distillery releases picked up during our Bourbon Festival trip to Cox’s Evergreen Liquors in Bardstown, Kentucky:

🥃 Woodford Reserve Distillery Series: Red Corn (90.4 Proof / 45.2% ABV) Part of Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall’s experimental Distillery Series, this unique expression swaps traditional yellow dent corn for locally sourced heirloom red corn. Does this heirloom grain bring sweet vanilla ice cream, baking cinnamon, and dry savory funk—or does Wayne find his signature Brown-Forman banana note?

🥃 Old Forester The 117 Series: Triple Char (115 Proof / 57.5% ABV) An absolute historic milestone pour! This is the first-ever release distilled 100% on Main Street at the restored downtown Louisville distillery (DSP-KY-354). Aged in custom barrels given triple the standard char time, this high-proof pour packs heavy char, rich dark baking chocolate, allspice, and clove.

Which limited release takes the crown, and are these 375ml bottles worth adding to your home bar shelf? Grab a glass, pour along, and let’s dive in!

🔔 Subscribe to Your Bourbon Journey for weekly whiskey reviews, distillery exclusives, barrel picks, and hunting trips.

💬 Drop a comment below: Have you hunted down the Woodford Red Corn or the 117 Series Triple Char? Which experimental direction do you prefer: heirloom grains or extreme barrel char?

Connect With Us & Support The Journey!

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Woodford Reserve Distillery Series: Red Corn

  • Part of Woodford Reserve’s experimental Distillery Series. The expression showcases rare, locally sourced heirloom red corn, which delivers a distinctly sweeter, creamier grain profile compared to standard expressions.
  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Brown-Forman
  • Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery (Versailles, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Proprietary recipe replacing standard yellow dent corn with heirloom red corn (alongside Woodford’s traditional rye and malted barley base)
  • Age: NAS (No Age Statement)
  • Proof: 90.4 (45.2% ABV)
  • Released: May 2026 (375 ml)
  • Purchased: September 10, 2026 for $64.99 (SRP) at Cox’s Evergreen Liquors in Bardstown, KY

Old Forester The 117 Series: Triple Char

  • Historic milestone bottle for Old Forester—it is the very first release distilled entirely at the restored downtown Main Street distillery in Louisville. The whiskey was aged in custom barrels subjected to three times the char time of Old Forester’s standard specification.
  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
  • Company: Brown-Forman
  • Distillery: Old Forester Distillery (Louisville, KY / DSP-KY-354)
  • Mash Bill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley (Standard Old Forester mash bill)
  • Age: NAS (No Age Statement; aged at least 4 years per straight bourbon standards)
  • Proof: 115 (57.5% ABV)
  • Released: July 2026 (375 ml)
  • Purchased: September 10, 2026 for $69.99 ($64.99 SRP) at Cox’s Evergreen Liquors in Bardstown, KY

🚨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.

#Bourbon #WoodfordReserve #OldForester #BourbonReview #WhiskeyTasting #BrownForman #RareBourbon #WhiskeyTube #OldForester117 #DistillerySeries #KentuckyBourbon #BourbonHunting #HeirloomCorn #WhiskeyLovers #YourBourbonJourney

Don’t Buy Kentucky Boy Bourbon Until You Watch This!

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

What happens when Brown-Forman secretly blends stocks from Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, and King of Kentucky into a single 100-proof release? You get Kentucky Boy Straight Bourbon Whiskey, crafted as a surprise 50th-anniversary legacy tribute to Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris!

In this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca unbox, fresh-crack, and review this ultra-rare, one-time commemorative bottling acquired at the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown. Blended collaboratively by Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall and Old Forester Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo, this bottle revives a historic 1923 brand and label honoring Kentucky distilling heritage and retired racehorses through Second Stride.

Join us at the tasting table as we break down the specs, explore the aroma, and dive into complex tasting notes of dark chocolate, rich espresso bean, toasted barrel smoke, black pepper, and dark cherry.

🔔 Subscribe to Your Bourbon Journey for weekly whiskey reviews, bottle shares, and distillery explorations.

Connect With Us & Support The Journey!

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Kentucky Boy Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Chris Morris 50-Year Legacy Release)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Multi-component blend of straight bourbons)
  • Distillery / Producer: Brown-Forman Distillery Co. / Woodford Reserve Distillery (DSP-KY-414 / DSP-KY-398)
  • Mash Bill: Traditional Brown-Forman Bourbon Mash (72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley)
  • Blend Components: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, and King of Kentucky mature barrel stocks
  • Age: NAS (Blend of mature reserve stocks)
  • Proof: 100 Proof (50% ABV)
  • Release Date: September 10, 2026 (One-Time Commemorative Release)
  • Suggested Retail Price (SRP): $99.99
  • Philanthropy: Proceeds benefit Second Stride (retired Thoroughbred rehabilitation and rehoming)

🚨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.

#KentuckyBoy #BourbonReview #YourBourbonJourney #BrownForman #WoodfordReserve #OldForester #KingOfKentucky #BirthdayBourbon #ChrisMorris #BourbonTasting #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyTube #BourbonHunting #KentuckyBourbonFestival #StraightBourbon

Booker’s Southern Thunder vs. Little Book The Infinite III: A Beam Family Battle

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

We are completely on the Beam today with a side-by-side tasting and review of two powerhouse fall 2026 releases from the James B. Beam Distilling Co.: Little Book The Infinite Edition III and Booker’s Bourbon Batch 2026-03 “Southern Thunder”! Both of these premium Kentucky straight bourbons were picked up directly from the Jim Beam American Outpost in Clermont, Kentucky.

Tasting these releases side by side reveals surprising family connections across the palate, blending legendary past heritage with innovative modern craft.

What has been your favorite Beam release so far in 2026?

Connect With Us & Support The Journey!

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Little Book The Infinite Edition III

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Blend of Straight Bourbons)
  • Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co. (Clermont, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed blend across 10 straight bourbon components
  • Age: NAS (blend of straight bourbons aged 7 to 23 years)
  • Proof: 118.3 Proof (59.15% ABV)
  • Released: September 2026
  • Other: Perpetual infinity blend curated by 8th Generation Master Distiller Freddie Noe. Composed of ~30% base carried over from Edition II (which preserved liquid from Edition I) married with 70% new components: a 23-Year Knob Creek Bourbon distilled under Booker Noe, an 11-Year Knob Creek Bourbon distilled under Fred Noe, and a 9-Year Baker’s Bourbon distilled under Freddie Noe.
  • SRP: $199.99
  • Purchased: 09/04/26 for $200 at Jim Beam American Outpost

Booker’s Bourbon Batch 2026-03 “Southern Thunder”

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co. (Clermont, KY)
  • Mash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
  • Age: 7 years, 1 month, 14 days
  • Proof: 127.3 Proof (63.65% ABV)
  • Released: October 2026
  • Other: Drawn from center-cut rickhouse barrels. Named “Southern Thunder” in tribute to 6th Generation Master Distiller Booker Noe’s booming, larger-than-life voice and presence.
  • SRP: $99.99
  • Purchased: 10/10/26 for $99.99 at Jim Beam American Outpost

🚨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.

#Bourbon #Whiskey #LittleBook #BookersBourbon #JimBeam #BourbonReview #FreddieNoe #FredNoe #WhiskeyTasting #KentuckyBourbon #CaskStrength #BourbonCommunity #CraftSpirits #KnobCreek #WhiskeyTube

Elijah Craig 21-Year: Is This $300 Bottle Actually Worth It?

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Is the legendary Elijah Craig 21-Year Single Barrel worth its $300 price tag, or did 21 long years in the wood push it over the edge?

Join Wayne & Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as we pop the cork on the newly reintroduced Elijah Craig 21-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Barrel 47)! Aged for over two decades on the cooler lower floors of Heaven Hill’s historic rickhouses and bottled at 94 proof, this expression marks the first official return of the coveted 21-year age statement since 2013.

We scored this commemorative wooden-box release in person during Kentucky Bourbon Festival week at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown, KY. Today, we sip from our official Heaven Hill crystal tasting glasses to give you an unfiltered, palate-by-palate review.

Does the nose deliver on sweetness? How intense is that 21-year oak, cocoa, and Maduro cigar tobacco on the palate? And most importantly—should you hunt this rare allocated bottle down?

Hit Subscribe to join our journey through the best spirits and barrel picks in whiskey country! Always remember to drink responsibly. Cheers! 🥃✨

Connect With Us & Support The Journey!

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Elijah Craig 21-Year-Old Bourbon (Barrel 47)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Single Barrel)
  • Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery (Bernheim Facility, DSP-KY-1, Louisville, KY; aged & bottled at Bardstown, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Traditional Heaven Hill Bourbon Mash Bill — 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
  • Age: 21 Years
  • Proof: 94 Proof (47.0% ABV)
  • Bottled on 03/06/2026 from Barrel 47; first reintroduction of the Elijah Craig 21-Year age statement since 2013; pulled from the lower, cooler floors of Heaven Hill’s traditional rickhouses to temper excessive wood tannin and evaporation over 21+ years of aging; packaged in a custom commemorative wooden display case.
  • Released: June 14, 2026 (distillery release at Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience)
  • SRP: $299.99
  • Purchased: 09/11/26 for $299.99 at Heaven Hill in Bardstown, KY

🚨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.

#ElijahCraig #ElijahCraig21 #HeavenHill #BourbonReview #SingleBarrelBourbon #RareBourbon #WhiskeyTasting #BourbonHunting #KentuckyBourbon #YourBourbonJourney #AllocatedBourbon #BourbonPicks #WhiskeyTube #OldBourbon #HeavenHillDistillery

Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Review! Was 4 AM Worth It?

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

When you get in line at 4:00 AM at Four Roses, sometimes things work out well! Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as we share our morning drop experience at the Cox’s Creek Bottling Facility and deliver our fresh-from-the-car review and tasting notes for the highly anticipated Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

We break down everything that went into this release—from early morning 5:30 AM tailgating pours with fellow whiskey fans and running into bourbon creator Sara Havens in line, to uncovering a surprise Mellow Moments Club gift and analyzing Master Distiller Brent Elliott’s latest masterpiece.

Is this 14-to-23-year blend featuring vintage OESK, OESV, and OBSK recipes the best Four Roses Limited Edition? Find out our full nose, palate, and finish impressions!

If you enjoyed the review, please hit the Like button, drop a comment with your thoughts on the 2026 Limited Edition release, and don’t forget to Subscribe for weekly reviews, distillery trail updates, and tasting flights! Always remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Barrel Strength, Non-Chill Filtered)
  • Company: Kirin Brewery Company / Four Roses Distillery LLC
  • Distillery: Four Roses Distillery (Lawrenceburg, KY; DSP-KY-370 / Bottled at Cox’s Creek, DSP-KY-522)
  • Mash Bill: Multi-Mashbill Blend featuring Four Roses’ B (60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley) and E (75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley)
  • Age: Blend of 4 batches aged 14 to 23 Years:
    • 23-Year-Old OESK
    • 15-Year-Old OESV
    • 14-Year-Old OESK
    • 14-Year-Old OBSK
  • Proof: 109.2 Proof (54.6% ABV)
  • Released: October 10, 2026
  • Other: 19th annual LE release; total run of approximately 16,800 hand-numbered bottles; 750 mL
  • SRP: $249.00
  • Purchased: October 10, 2026 for $249.00 at Four Roses Bottling & Warehouse (Cox’s Creek, KY)

🚨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.

#FourRoses #FourRosesBourbon #BourbonReview #LimitedEdition #BourbonHunting #WhiskeyTube #MellowMomentsClub #YourBourbonJourney #KentuckyBourbon #BourbonTasting #SingleBarrelBourbon #WhiskeyReview #BrentElliott #BarrelStrength #BourbonCommunity

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

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

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!

🔔 Subscribe to Your Bourbon Journey for weekly vintage dusty tastings, distillery deep dives, blind flights, and cocktail tutorials!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 


Revival Vintage Spirits https://revivalky.com/ 

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

❌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.

🚨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.

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

New Riff’s Best Lineup Ever? 10-Year Bourbon vs Single Malt & DUET

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Today on Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca present “The Full Symphony” tasting flight featuring three incredible releases from New Riff Distilling in Newport, Kentucky! 

We recently picked up our New Riff Whiskey Club bottles and couldn’t wait to crack them open on the table. In this comprehensive review and side-by-side tasting flight, we break down mash bills, barrel maturations, tasting notes, and pick our top contender for Whiskey of the Month. 

Here is the flight lineup:

1️⃣ New Riff DUET American Whiskey (Rhinegeist Collaboration)
2️⃣ New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey (Spring 2026 Vatting 26.06.12.05)
3️⃣ New Riff High Note 10-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Which of these three pours took the crown, and how does the Rhinegeist beer foeder influence compare to the peated Scottish barley or the 10-year cherry bomb bourbon? Watch to find out!

Drop a comment below: Have you tried any of New Riff’s specialty malt projects or the High Note series? What’s your favorite pour coming out of Newport right now?

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with fellow whiskey lovers. Cheers! 🥃

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

New Riff DUET American Whiskey (Rhinegeist Collaboration)

  • Classification: American Whiskey
  • Company: New Riff Distilling
  • Distillery: New Riff Distilling (Newport, KY)
  • Mash Bill: 57% Malted Barley, 37% Raw Barley, 6% Rye
  • Age: At least 6 Years
  • Proof: 111.2 Proof (55.6% ABV)
  • SRP: $79.99
  • Released: June 2026
  • Other: A cross-river collaboration with Cincinnati’s Rhinegeist Brewery. Aged in new charred oak alongside select Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez sherry casks, married in a Rhinegeist oak beer FOODer, and finished in used American oak casks; non-chill filtered.
  • Purchased: June 4, 2026 for $79.99 at New Riff Distilling Online

New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey / American Single Malt
  • Company: New Riff Distilling
  • Distillery: New Riff Distilling (Newport, KY)
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley (a blend of distinct malt mash bills including Maris Otter, Golden Promise, Chevallier Heirloom, Scottish Peated, Barleywine-style, and Belgian Quadrupel-style malts)
  • Age: At least 7 Years Old
  • Proof: 111.7 Proof (55.85% ABV)
  • SRP: $69.99
  • Released: Spring/Summer 2026 (Vatting 26.06.12.05)
  • Other: Distilled using traditional sour mash fermentation; matured across new charred oak, sherry, and wine casks before vatting; bottled at cask strength, non-chill filtered.
  • Purchased: July 24, 2026 for $69.99 at New Riff Distilling Gift Shop (Newport, KY) 

New Riff High Note 10-Year-Old

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: New Riff Distilling
  • Distillery: New Riff Distilling (Newport, KY)
  • Mash Bill: 65% Corn, 30% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
  • Age: 10 Years Old
  • Proof: 116.9 Proof (58.45% ABV)
  • SRP: $89.99
  • Released: June 2026
  • Other: High Note Series limited release; bottled at natural barrel proof without chill filtration.
  • Purchased: June 4, 2026 for $89.99 at New Riff Distilling Online

🚨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 #BourbonReview #WhiskeyTasting #BourbonJourney #NewRiffDistilling #AmericanSingleMalt #CraftSpirits #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyReview #HighProofBourbon #Rhinegeist #FoederAged #SingleMaltWhiskey #BarrelProof #BourbonHunting

Neeley Family 10-Year Papaw’s Legacy Reserve Bourbon Review 

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Join Wayne and Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey for an exclusive pre-release tasting and review of two milestone whiskeys from Neeley Family Distillery (Sparta, KY) ahead of the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival! A massive thank you to Royce and Rebekah Neeley for sending these advance media samples to our table.

The Banana Batch Four Grain Bourbon (112.4 Proof Barrel Strength) Blended by Rebekah Neeley, this is her second Four Grain Small Batch creation featuring Neeley’s signature mashbill with oatmeal. Originally destined to be Bottled in Bond, Rebekah tasted the blend at cask strength and decided it was simply too exceptional to proof down! Sitting at a potent 112.4 proof, it delivers unmistakable notes of Banana Runts, vanilla, and warm, fresh-baked banana bread with an ultra-creamy mouthfeel. Wayne famously dislikes banana notes in whiskey—so does Rebekah’s barrel-strength blend finally crack the code?

PaPaw’s Legacy Reserve: 10-Year Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey (110 Proof) An emotional and historic release, this marks Neeley Family Distillery’s first-ever 10-year age statement. Distilled by Royce and his beloved late Papaw, Royce hand-selected 10 of their oldest, finest barrels and blended them together. Designed to never run out, this perpetual Solera-style blend will have a portion bottled annually and replenished with exceptional barrels so Papaw’s whiskey lives on decades into the future. Bottled at 110 proof barrel strength, only 750 bottles comprise this inaugural run, packaged in a custom presentation box. Expect profound notes of dark caramel, confectionary sugar, rich cocoa, and roast coffee.

Official Release Details:

  • The Banana Batch: Available now at the Neeley Family Distillery gift shop and pouring at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival!
  • PaPaw’s Legacy Reserve: Releases Friday, September 11 at 11:00 AM EDT at both the distillery in Sparta, KY, and at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, KY (Strictly limited to 750 bottles).

Heading to Bardstown? Make sure to visit the Neeley Family Distillery tent, taste these incredible pours, and tell Rebekah whether she made the right call keeping the Banana Batch uncut!

🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe to follow along with our whiskey travels and honest reviews! Always remember to drink responsibly. Cheers! 🥃

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Banana Batch Bourbon

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Neeley Family Distillery (Sparta, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Four Grain (Typically 63% Corn, 17% Oats, 8% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley)
  • Age: 5 Years
  • Proof: 112 Proof (56% ABV) – Barrel Strength
  • Released: Kentucky Bourbon Festival (September 2026)
  • Other: Annual single-batch release; kept uncut at barrel strength; pot-distilled; media sample taken 8/20/26

Papaws Legacy Reserve 10 Year

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Neeley Family Distillery (Sparta, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Wheated Bourbon (Typically 64% Corn, 28% Wheat, 8% Malted Barley or 68% Corn, 19% Wheat, 13% Malted Barley)
  • Age: 10 Years
  • Proof: 110 Proof (55% ABV)
  • SRP: TBD (Pre-release)
  • Released: Kentucky Bourbon Festival & Distillery Release (September 2026)
  • Other: Ultra-limited release of only 750 bottles; packaged in a custom presentation box; pot-distilled; media sample taken 8/20/26

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: The spirits featured in this review were provided to us as a media sample by the producer for review purposes. We were not compensated for this video, and our opinions remain entirely our own. Please drink responsibly.

#BourbonJourney #NeeleyFamilyDistillery #BourbonReview #KentuckyBourbonFestival #BourbonFestival #WhiskeyReview #KentuckyBourbon #CraftDistillery #BarrelStrengthBourbon #WheatedBourbon #PapawsLegacyReserve #BananaBatchBourbon #BourbonTasting #KBF2026 #WhiskeyTasting