Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Proof vs 10 Year Private Barrel Review

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Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey! Join Wayne and Rebecca as we dive into two fascinating, high-proof releases from Heaven Hill’s legendary Elijah Craig lineup!

With Heaven Hill seemingly shifting strategy away from their traditional batch releases (A1, B5, C9), private store picks and special single barrel selections are stepping up to fill the void. Today, we’re tasting two completely different, heavy-hitting Elijah Craig Private Barrel Proof selections to see if they deliver that classic, full-throttle flavor profile we know and love.

Which expression takes top honors—the deep, campfire-charred marshmallow notes of the Toasted Barrel Proof, or the massive Cherries Jubilee power of the 10-year Sam’s Club pick? Watch as we break down the nosing techniques, taste profiles, and value for each bottle!

👇 Join the Conversation: What is your favorite nosing technique when tasting high-proof bourbons? Have you spotted Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Proof or local single-barrel picks in your area? Let us know in the comments below!

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Elijah Craig Private Barrel Bourbon (Toasted Barrel Finish)

  • Selection Name: “Kentucky On Premise” (Barrel #7294339)
  • Details: Straight Bourbon finished in a custom toasted second cask, non-chill filtered & bottled at Cask Strength.
  • Age / Proof: 8 Years | 125 Proof (62.5% ABV)
  • Price: $100.00 (Purchased at Revival Vintage Spirits)
  • Tasting Notes: Burnt marshmallow, rich toasted oak, cinnamon spice, and warm brown sugar.

Elijah Craig Private Barrel Bourbon (America’s 250th Birthday)

  • Selection Name: “America’s 250th Birthday Indiana Barrel 2026” (Barrel #7312805)
  • Details: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2026 Special Commemorative Allocation).
  • Age / Proof: 10 Years | 132.9 Proof (66.45% ABV)
  • Price: $57.62 (An incredible Sam’s Club volume deal in Evansville, IN!)
  • Tasting Notes: Decadent cherries jubilee, rich brown sugar, vanilla, and bold barrel heat.

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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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Bulleit Bourbon Distillery Tour & Double Bottle Tasting Review

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We are back on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail for Episode 63 of Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes! Today, we are sharing our recent second visit to the massive Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Distillery in Shelbyville, KY. While we’ve stopped by before, this was our very first time taking the official Bulleit Distillery Tour with our fantastic guide, Jeremy! 

Even though production was temporarily shut down, we got an up-close look at the incredible automated facility, stood inside a disassembled vintage Vendome column still to inspect the plates, and explored their fascinating microscope-blown yeast strain wall. Plus, we dive into their legendary “hippie trip” full sensory tasting room to experience the sensory orbs!

After hitting one of the best gift shops on the trail, we brought home two unique bottles purchased the same day. Today, we crack them open for a double first-pour tasting review:

ONE: Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength (Batch 08) An uncut, non-chill filtered powerhouse clocking in at 121.8 proof. 

TWO: Bulleit Bourbon Mesquite Smoked Malt (Limited Edition) A fascinating 6-year-old experimental release distilled in November 2018. 

Have you done the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience? What do you think of the experimental Mesquite Smoked Malt? Let us know in the comments below!

If you love what we do, hit that SUBSCRIBE button, join us on the journey, and always remember to drink responsibly. Go bite the Bulleit today! Cheers!

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Bulleit Bourbon Barrel Strength (Batch 08)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Diageo
  • Distillery: Sourced from undisclosed Kentucky distillery(ies) (Aged/Bottled at Bulleit Distilling Co. in Shelbyville, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Bulleit’s signature high-rye bourbon mash bill, typically ~68% Corn, 28% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
  • Age: NAS (at least 4 years)
  • Proof: 121.8
  • SRP: $60
  • Other: Uncut and non-chill filtered; aged in level 4 char barrels with level 2 char heads.
  • Purchased: 03/29/26 for $60 at Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience

Bulleit Bourbon Mesquite Smoked Malt (Limited Edition)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Diageo
  • Distillery: Bulleit Distilling Co. (Shelbyville, KY)
  • Mash Bill: 65% Corn, 30% Mesquite-Smoked Malted Barley, 5% Malted Barley
  • Age: 6+ Years (Distilled November 2018, dumped 2025)
  • Proof: 93
  • SRP: $50
  • Released: March 2, 2026
  • Other: Bulleit’s first-ever straight bourbon crafted without any rye grain in the mash bill. Part of their experimental new-make and grain exploration project.
  • Purchased: 03/29/26 for $50 at Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Experience

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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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Booker’s New Milkshake Batch: Too Sweet or Perfect?

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Is the new Booker’s 2026-02 Milkshake Batch the sweetest, most unique Booker’s release yet? 

In today’s episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca crack open this highly anticipated Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey to see if it truly lives up to its nostalgic name! A huge thank you to our friend Scott for picking this up for us directly from the Jim Beam Outpost!

Named after a cherished family tradition, the story goes that when Fred Noe was young, he and his dad, Booker Noe, would go fishing and reward themselves with chocolate malted milkshakes from a local ice cream dip. One day, Booker decided to spike his milkshake with a generous pour of uncut, unfiltered bourbon—and a legendary family recipe was born.

Aged 7 years, 6 months, and 12 days, and coming in at a roaring 124.4 proof, this bottle packs the classic Jim Beam power but with a surprisingly sweet twist. We break down the beautiful legs, the deep caramel and brown sugar nose, and a palate that completely alignment for both of us—delivering an incredible maltiness, nostalgic hints of Ovaltine and Nesquik, and a warm finish of dark cocoa and light cinnamon.

Is this the best batch since Jerry’s Batch? Should you hunt down a second bottle at the distillery? Pull up a glass, join our bourbon community, and let’s dive into this boozy chocolate milkshake pour together!

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Booker’s 2026-02 Milkshake Batch

  • The Story: Named after a cherished family tradition. When Fred Noe was young, he and Booker would go fishing and reward themselves with chocolate malted milkshakes from a local ice cream dip. One day, Booker decided to spike his milkshake with a generous pour of bourbon. Later, when Freddie was growing up, Booker perfected making these boozy chocolate malted milkshakes from scratch.
  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Suntory Global Spirits
  • Distillery: Jim Beam
  • Mash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
  • Age: 7 years, 6 months, 12 days
  • Proof: 124.4
  • SRP: $100
  • Released: June 11, 2026
  • Purchased: 07/03/26 for $100 at Jim Beam Outpost (via a friend)

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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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Parker’s Heritage 16th Edition Review: An Absolute Flavor Bomb!

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Happy Monday, bourbon family! Today, we are taking you back to the Caribbean for a special birthday trip story that ended in the ultimate unicorn bourbon find. While everyone else was hunting overpriced Buffalo Trace and Blanton’s “hand grenades,” we stumbled upon a massive bucket-list bottle hiding on a lower shelf in a St. Kitts liquor store: the Parker’s Heritage Collection 16th Edition (2022 Release) Double Barreled Blend.

In this video, we share the hilarious story of our strange birthday negotiation (featuring a surprise bottle of 2019 Baker’s 7!), unpack the incredible stats of this allocated masterpiece, and crack it open for an unfiltered, uncut first taste.

This 132.2 proof powerhouse is a meticulous blend of 13-year-old bourbon (double barreled in level 3 char American white oak for an extra 4 weeks) and 15-year-old bourbon using Heaven Hill’s traditional 78/10/12 mash bill. Even better, a portion of the proceeds from every single bottle helps support ALS research in honor of the legendary late Master Distiller Parker Beam.

We pour this deep, dark brown liquid into our official Heaven Hill lead crystal glasses to see if the palate lives up to the heavy, burnt-caramel nose. Does it drink like its secondary market value of $999, or did our $600 Caribbean gamble fall short? Grab a glass, hit that subscribe button, and join us on this library pour journey! 

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Parker’s Heritage Collection 16th Edition (2022 Release) – Double Barreled Blend

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Heaven Hill Brands
  • Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery (Bardstown, KY / distilled at Bernheim)
  • Mash Bill: Traditional Heaven Hill Bourbon Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley Age: A blend of 13-year-old (67% of the expression) and 15-year-old (33% of the expression) bourbons
  • Proof: 132.2 proof
  • SRP: $174.99 (at original release) 
  • Released: December 2022
  • Other: Uncut and non-chill filtered.
  • The 13-year-old component was pulled from floors 5–7 of Rickhouse Q and re-barreled into new American white oak barrels with a level 3 char for an additional 4 weeks before being blended with the 15-year-old component (sourced from floors 2 and 5 of Rickhouse II).
  • A portion of the proceeds from every bottle sold is donated by Heaven Hill to support ALS research and patient care in honor of the late Master Distiller Parker Beam.
  • Purchased: 02/21/26 in the Caribbean (St. Kitts)

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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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Can We Survive A Hazmat PROOF Blind Tasting? 🔥

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Happy Friday, whiskey lovers! With America’s 250th Birthday right around the corner, we are celebrating a day early by bringing some serious fireworks into the studio. Welcome to our ultimate Hazmat Whiskey Blind Tasting Showdown! 🔥

Wayne has been wanting to tackle this ultra-high-proof flight for months, and we finally cleared the schedule to put our palates to the ultimate test. Today, we are blinding five monster bottles ranging from 141.7 proof all the way up to a blistering 151 proof. We aren’t trying to guess the exact proofs today—this is a pure survival and flavor mission scored on a simple 0-5 rating scale to find out which high-octane pour actually delivers the best drinking experience without burning our palates out.

Our heavy-hitting lineup features rare single barrels and historic festival releases, including a highly coveted 15-year “BuffTurkey” Augusta Buckner’s, a beautifully rested 9-year Copper & Kings Apple Brandy finished in ex-bourbon casks, and a 150-proof extreme Hazmat Silk Velvet from Master Distiller Jacob Call. Plus, we throw in a 17-year Old Louisville American Straight Whiskey alongside a truly legendary, unreleased, ringer bottle: a bottle of OCD #5 Premium from Glenns Creek Distillery.

Will the extreme age of the 15 and 17-year bottles dominate the flight, or will the younger, heat-packed expressions sing to our palates today? Watch to see if we end up completely split on the heat levels, which bottle threw us a massive cherry-flavored curveball, and which craft distillery absolutely climbed to the top of the ladder to be crowned the King of the Hazmats!

Drop a comment below with your favorite high-proof bottle, hit that subscribe button to join us on the journey, and remember to always drink responsibly! Happy 4th of July! 🦅✨

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The Hazmat Lineup:

  • Augusta Buckner’s 15 Year | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Sourced “BuffTurkey” Distillate) | 141.7 Proof 
  • Copper & Kings Apple Brandy | Finished in Ex-Bourbon Barrels (100% Copper Pot Distilled) | 145.4 Proof 
  • Silk Velvet Whiskey Single Barrel | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Distilled by Jacob Call) | 150 Proof 
  • OCD#5 Premium (Glenns Creek) | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Private Unreleased Hazmat Barrel) | 150.5 Proof 
  • Old Louisville Whiskey Co. | 17-Year American Straight Whiskey (Bottle 100 of 106) | 151 Proof 

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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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Peerless Single Barrel Rye vs Bourbon Tasting

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Are these the ultimate fruit-forward single barrels from Kentucky Peerless? 🥃 Recently, Wayne and Rebecca, from Your Bourbon Journey, headed to Louisville, KY, for an exclusive express tasting at the historic Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. (DSP-KY-50). They walked away with two incredible June 2026 distillery-exclusive single barrel selections, and we are breaking them down side-by-side in this ultimate pour showdown!

First up is the Kentucky Peerless Single Barrel Rye: “Maple Blueberry Crumble” (112.3 Proof). If you think you know rye whiskey, this one will completely shock you. With a rich, sweet mash profile and a low barrel entry proof of 107, this non-chill filtered pour delivers massive brown sugar, maple, and blueberry notes with zero traditional harsh rye burn. Is it a “fake rye” or just a masterpiece? 

Next, we dive into the highly anticipated Kentucky Peerless Single Barrel Bourbon: “Wild Berries & Cream” (114.5 Proof). This sweet mash powerhouse hits the palate with immediate vanilla cream and heavy raspberry custard notes, transitioning beautifully into complex layers of pipe tobacco, white pepper, and seasoned leather. 

Which exclusive bottle takes the crown? Watch to find out why these unique yeast strains and heavy wood sugar extractions make Peerless a must-visit spot on your next Louisville bourbon trip!

Don’t forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button for more honest whiskey reviews, and drop a comment below: Have you tried a Peerless Single Barrel selection yet? 

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Kentucky Peerless Single Barrel Rye: “Maple Blueberry Crumble”

  • Classification: Straight Rye Whiskey
  • Distillery: Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. (Louisville, KY) (DSP-KY-50)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed (Recognized as a high-rye mash bill, using corn, rye, and malted barley)
  • Age: NAS (No Age Statement, but typically aged between 4 to 6 years)
  • Proof: 112.3 Proof
  • SRP: $129.99
  • Released: June 2026 (Exclusive Distillery Single Barrel Selection)
  • Purchased: 06/06/26 for $129.99 at Kentucky Peerless Distillery, Louisville KY

Kentucky Peerless Single Barrel Bourbon: “Wild Berries & Cream”

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. (Louisville, KY) (DSP-KY-50)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed (Corn, rye, and malted barley)
  • Age: NAS (No Age Statement, but typically aged between 4 to 6 years)
  • Proof: 114.5 Proof
  • SRP: $119.99
  • Released: June 2026 (Exclusive Distillery Single Barrel Selection)
  • Purchased: 06/06/26 for $119.99 at Kentucky Peerless Distillery, Louisville KY

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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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Massive Blind Whiskey Contest! June Whiskey of the Month

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Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey! In this video, Wayne and Rebecca are diving into a powerhouse lineup for our June Whiskey of the Month blind tasting! As we continue our high-stakes Road to the Sweet Sixteen, the competition is tighter than ever.

This month features an incredibly diverse flight jumping across three distinct whiskey classifications (Bourbon, Wheat, and American Single Malt) with a heavy emphasis on unique finishing methods—ranging from a honey barrel and sweet stout casks to complex sherry and toasted wood elements. With our leaderboard shifting every month based on total points earned, every single point counts. Will this month’s winner secure a permanent spot in the year-end playoffs?

The June Contenders (In Alphabetical Order):

  • Bernheim 20th Anniversary Edition | Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey (Heaven Hill)
  • Casey Jones Barrel Finished Series: Honey Bourbon (“Brown Beauty”) | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in a Honey Barrel (Casey Jones Distillery)
  • Little Book Chapter 10: All the Wiser | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Sherry and Toasted Bourbon Casks (Jim Beam)
  • New Riff Silver Grove Straight Bourbon Whiskey 2026 | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (New Riff Distilling)
  • VDC Brewer’s Coalition: 4 Hands Brewing Co. Madagascar Stout Cask | American Single Malt Whisky (Virginia Distillery Co.)

From sweet, confectionary aromas and rich dark caramel notes to toasted nuts, baking spices, and bold flavor explosions, this blind flight completely challenged our palates. Watch until the end to see our final score adjustments, the blind revelations, and how the leaderboard shuffles at the halfway point of the year!

Drop a comment below: Have you tried any of these expressions? What notes do you get from them?

If you love authentic, transparent whiskey reviews, hit that SUBSCRIBE button, drop a like, and 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

📊 SEE THE LIVE LEADERBOARD: Want to see where these bottles rank 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/

🥃 OUR NEW SCORING PROCESS: We’ve revamped our scoring to be more transparent than ever. 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/

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Original Reviews for Today’s Bottles:

🥃 Bernheim 20th Anniversary Edition:

🥃 Casey Jones Barrel Finished Series: Honey Bourbon:

🥃 Little Book Chapter 10: All the Wiser:

🥃 New Riff Silver Grove Straight Bourbon Whiskey:  

🥃 VDC Brewer’s Coalition: 4 Hands Brewing Co. Madagascar Stout Cask:

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were 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. 

#Bourbon #Whiskey #BlindTasting #YourBourbonJourney #WhiskeyOfTheMonth #BourbonReview #CraftDistillery #LittleBook #NewRiff #CaseyJonesDistillery #VirginiaDistilleryCo #BernheimWheatWhiskey #AmericanSingleMalt #SweetSixteen #WhiskeyTasting

Is This Apple Pie Bourbon? WH McBrayer 250th Special Edition Review

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Happy Friday, bourbon lovers! With the 4th of July right around the corner, we are incredibly excited to taste and review a highly limited, deeply historic pour: the WH McBrayer 250th Special Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey from McBrayer Legacy Spirits!

Commemorating America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, this special batch is a tribute to W.H. McBrayer (“The Judge”), one of Kentucky’s pioneering founding distillers. This unique expression features a historic mash bill of 88.4% Bloody Butcher Corn, 5.8% Heritage Rye, and 5.8% Malted Barley. Blended from just 11 barrels aged 5 to 7 years, it’s bottled at a perfect 105 proof with a low barrel entry proof and non-chill filtration.

Only 1,776 bottles were released! Does it live up to the legendary dark, leathery tobacco profile of “The Judge,” or does this special edition bring something completely different to the palate? We unpack the unexpected bakery notes, bright cinnamon, and long, delicate finish that has people comparing it to a quintessential American apple pie.

If you love whiskey history, rare mash bills, and honest reviews, hit that SUBSCRIBE button, drop a comment below, and always drink responsibly!

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👉 Grab Your Bottle Before They’re Gone: Secure yours directly from McBrayer Legacy Spirits: https://bourbonshop.mcbrayerspirits.com/products/w-h-mcbrayer-250th-special-edition Local Tip: If you are in the Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky area, you can also pick up a bottle from Brad Bonds at Revival Vintage Spirits!

🎓 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

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WH McBrayer 250th Special Edition

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: McBrayer Legacy Spirits
  • Distillery: Contract Distilled at Wilderness Trail
  • Mash Bill: 88.4% Bloody Butcher Corn, 5.8% Heritage Rye, 5.8% Malted Barley
  • Age: NAS (11 barrels that were 5-7 years old)
  • Proof: 105
  • SRP: $100
  • Released: June 5, 2026
  • Other: 1776 Bottles Released

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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NOTE: Thank you to McBrayer Legacy Spirits for providing this bottle for review. Your Bourbon Journey maintains strict editorial independence; samples are accepted for educational and review purposes only and are never a guarantee of a favorable review.

Disclaimer: We  are not affiliated with McBrayer Legacy Spirits—we just love great whiskey and supporting the revival of an incredible bourbon legacy.

Don’t Pass on This! Green River Distillery Select Review

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Is this the best new toasted bourbon of the year? 🪵🔥 Today, Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey are diving into an exclusive, first-look review of a historic new release: Green River Distillery Select Toasted Double Oak Bourbon!

Awarded a massive 96 points and a Double Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition before even hitting shelves, this highly anticipated bottle is making waves. As the oldest whiskey released by Green River to date, this 8-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon is aged in signature clay tile rickhouses (Warehouse B) and finished for an additional six months in new toasted American oak barrels from Independent Stave Company.

Clocking in at a bold 115.1 proof, it serves up an unbelievable flavor profile. Expect dominant notes of sweet, gooey toasted marshmallows, rich char, and a unique “freshly put-out campfire” smokiness that balances the sweet wood sugars perfectly.

Priced at $49.99 for a 375 mL bottle, this inaugural release from the Distillery Select series is an absolute must-have for bourbon geeks and historic DSP-KY-10 collectors alike.

📅 Release Details:

  • June 20, 2026: Distillery Release Celebration in Owensboro, KY (with special tours, food, and entertainment!)
  • June 26, 2026: Louisville Tasting Room Release

Don’t miss out on this amazing bottle! Hit that subscribe button for more authentic bourbon reviews, and 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❌

Green River Distillery Select Toasted Double Oak Bourbon

  • Classification:  Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in New Toasted Oak Barrels
  • Company: Lofted Spirits
  • Distillery: Green River Distillery, (Owensboro, KY — DSP-KY-10)
  • Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 21% Rye, 9% Malted Barley
  • Age: 8 Years (Aged 8 years in clay tile rickhouses, then finished for an additional 6 months in toasted barrels)
  • Proof: 115.1
  • SRP: $49.99 for 375 mL
  • Release Dates: Distillery release: June 20, 2026 (Owensboro) & June 26, 2026 (Louisville Tasting Room)

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NOTE: Thank you to Lofted Spirits and Green River Distillery for providing this bottle for review. Your Bourbon Journey maintains strict editorial independence; samples are accepted for educational and review purposes only and are never a guarantee of a favorable review.

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Unboxing Jim Beam’s NEW 2026 Releases: Little Book 10 & OGD 114

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We headed to Bardstown, Kentucky, and hit the Jim Beam American Outpost in Clermont to hunt down two of the most anticipated 2026 whiskey releases: the brand new Old Grand-Dad Single Barrel 114 and the 10th-anniversary milestone blend, Little Book Chapter 10: “All the Wiser.” Along the way, we also grabbed a bottle of A. Overholt Straight Rye to see if this historic, corn-free Monongahela-style mash bill lives up to the hype!

In this episode, we break down the incredible customer service at the Beam distillery that led us straight to our bottle of OGD Single Barrel at Liquor World. Then, we dive into the glasses for a full neat tasting. Does the massive jump to a 7-year age statement put the new Old Grand-Dad Single Barrel ahead of the classic 114? Is Freddie Noe’s crazy 10th-anniversary blend—featuring a mix of 14-Year Basil Hayden, Knob Creek, Booker’s, and a sherry-finished Jim Beam—worth the $160 price tag?

We uncover surprising dark fruit notes, rich roasted peanut viscosity, and an unexpected sherry lead that completely blindsided us. Whether you are looking for a new daily drinker or a special occasion pour, find out which of these bottles belongs on your shelf!

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A. Overhold Rye Whiskey

  • Classification:  Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
  • Company: Suntory Global
  • Distillery: Jim Beam, Clermont
  • Mash Bill: 80% Rye, 20% Soft Malted Barley (A historically accurate, corn-free Monongahela-style mash bill)
  • Age: 4 Years
  • Proof: 95
  • SRP: $39.99
  • Purchased: 05/29/26 for $40 at Beam American Outpost

Old Grand-Dad Single Barrel 7 Year

  • Classification:  Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Suntory Global; Distillery: Jim Beam, Clermont
  • Mash Bill: 63% Corn, 27% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
  • Age: 7 Years
  • Proof: 114
  • SRP: $49.99
  • Released: April 2026 (Brand new addition to the OGD line)
  • Other: Lot No. 001. Features a massive jump up to a 7-year age statement compared to the standard, non-age-stated OGD 114, introducing heavy notes of toasted peanut, baking spices, and deeper oak.
  • Purchased: 05/29/26 for $54.99 at Liquor World in Bardstown

Little Book Chapter 10: All the Wiser

  • Classification:  Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Sherry and Toasted Bourbon Casks
  • Company: Suntory Global; Distillery: Jim Beam
  • Mash Bill: Blend: Official neck tag component breakdown includes: 14-Year Basil Hayden, 11+Year Knob Creek, 10-Year Booker’s, 9-Year Knob Creek, 9-Year Baker’s, and 4-Year Jim Beam finished in sherry & toasted bourbon casks.
  • Age: 4 Year (youngest) but up to 14
  • Proof: 122.6
  • SRP: $160
  • Released: May 2026 (Marks the milestone 10th anniversary of the series)
  • Other: Named “All the Wiser” to honor Freddie Noe’s decade of learning, intuition, and experimentation leading the blending program.
  • Purchased: 05/29/26 for $160 at Beam American Outpost

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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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