Spirit Tastings

Distillery Secrets! Dickel 17-Year Reserve Whiskey

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🥃 George Dickel 17-Year Cask Strength Reserve Review | Cascade Hollow Distillery Tour (Tennessee Whiskey)

Join us as we take you to Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. (George Dickel) in Tullahoma, Tennessee! This is part two of our Tennessee journey, where we explore the beautiful, off-the-beaten-path distillery and get an exclusive tasting of a highly sought-after, limited-edition bottle: the George Dickel 17-Year Cask Strength Reserve Tennessee Whiskey.

The tour provided a fascinating look at the Lincoln County Process, specifically showcasing the unique use of wool blankets in their famous charcoal mellowing. From spotting rattlesnakes and minks to finding a “secret” tasting room, the visit to George Dickel was unlike any other!

We dive deep into a pour of the George Dickel 17-Year Reserve. This Tennessee Whiskey (Mash Bill: 84% Corn, 8% Rye, 8% Malted Barley) is aged a remarkable 17 years and bottled at a gentle 92 proof. Is this $350 bottle worth the price, or should you save your money for their popular 15-Year Single Barrel or the high-value Bottled-in-Bond expressions?

🔎 Tasting Notes & Discussion:

  • Nose: We find it lovely, fragrant, and smooth with notes of cherry blossom, floral aspects, fruitiness, and a touch of caramel.
  • Palate: It’s fruity and floral, but introduces a drying, almost chalky/mineral texture that is classic Dickel, along with brown sugar, barrel spice, and a hint of toffee and dark baking cinnamon.
  • Finish: Surprisingly gentle, warm, and lingering, with no heat.

We discuss why, despite the special nature of this 17-Year bottle, we might still prefer the incredible value and flavor profile of the George Dickel 15-Year-Old ($80 price point).

Whether you’re a die-hard Dickel fan or looking for an honest review before a big purchase, this is a must-watch episode! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more bourbon and whiskey reviews!

Sláinte to George Dickel and Master Distiller Nicole Austin!

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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.

#GeorgeDickel #TennesseeWhiskey #cascadehollow #WhiskeyReview #bourbonjourney #CaskStrength #whiskeytasting #NicoleAustin #GeorgeDickel17Year #LimitedEdition #Whiskey #LincolnCountyProcess #Tullahoma #AgedWhiskey #Spirits 

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

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🥃 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!

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✴️ 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🚨

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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.

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

Flaviar Advent 2025: US Bourbon vs. Japanese Whisky! 

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✈️ 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!

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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.

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

ECBP A125 vs C925 vs B525: Blind Bourbon Battle!

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🥃 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!

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✴️ 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🚨

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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.

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

The Best Whiskey Calendar? Flaviar 2025 Tasting (Part 1)

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✈️ Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar 2025 Reveal: Day 1, 2, & 3 Tasting Review! (Part 1/8)

Welcome aboard Flight FLVR 2025! We’re kicking off the holiday season with the highly anticipated Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar 2025 in this epic Day 1, 2, and 3 tasting review. This calendar is a first-class ticket to 24 days of non-stop flavor, and we’re breaking down the first three doors on Your Bourbon Journey.

In this first episode (Part 1 of 8!), join Wayne and Rebecca as we embark on a triple-distilled trip from Vermont, to Houston, and finally to Glasgow.

Fasten your seatbelts as we review three completely new and unique drams:

🥃 The Lineup (Doors 1, 2, & 3):

  1. BHAKTA 1928 “Golden Age” Blend (Vermont): An exclusive and luxurious 100-proof blend of American rye and rare French Armagnac vintages (including the award-winning 1984!). Does the combination of rye spices and Armagnac deliver on the “Golden Age” promise? Find out our first impressions and tasting notes (spoiler: we loved the complexity and the wine-like sweetness!).
  2. Sir Davis American Rye Whiskey Finished in Sherry Casks (Houston, TX): We sample the much-talked-about Beyoncé whiskey brand at 88 proof. This Texas whiskey is finished in Sherry casks, but did we pick up the classic Sherry notes, or was the flavor profile dominated by the intense pine on the nose? We discuss why we wish this one had a higher proof point!
  3. Loch Lomond 12-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch (Glasgow, Scotland): Our final destination is a 92-proof Highland single malt aged in three varieties of American oak. We dive into the subtle peat smoke and fruity notes like fig and prunes. Is this approachable single malt a new favorite, even for non-Scotch drinkers?

If you’re wondering what’s inside the 2025 Flaviar Advent Calendar, looking for detailed whiskey tasting notes, or deciding if the FlaviAir Advent Calendar is worth the price, this is the video for you!

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

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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.

#FlaviarAdventCalendar2025 #WhiskeyAdventCalendar #whiskeytasting #SingleMaltScotch #RyeWhiskey #BHAKTA1928 #SirDavisWhiskey #BeyonceWhiskey #LochLomond12 #WhiskeyReview #HolidayGiftGuide #WhiskeyLover #DramADay #WhiskeyCommunity #bourbonjourney 

Starlight Distillery Triple Threat Whiskey: Which Bottle Wins? 

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🥃 Starlight Whiskey Triple-Threat Review! Light Whiskey vs. 7-Year vs. 10-Year American Single Malt 

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey for an in-depth tasting of three exceptional and very different whiskeys from Starlight Distillery (Huber’s) in Indiana! We’re putting Starlight’s innovation to the test with a Light Whiskey and two distinct American Single Malts — a 7-year-old and the highly-anticipated 10-year-old Small Batch #1.

The Huber family are true pioneers, growing their own grains and crafting spirits with a unique farm-to-bottle, sweet mash, and double pot distilled approach. You won’t want to miss our thoughts on these complex, flavorful, and age-stated releases!

We discuss why Starlight’s owner, Ted Huber, and his son, Blake Huber (signed our bottle!), exemplify a class act and how their incredible Repeal Dinner is a must-attend event in the whiskey calendar.

Starlight Distillery VIP Repeal Day Preview Dinner Info

What’s your favorite Starlight release? Let us know in the comments! 👇

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✴️ Starlight Light Whiskey Single Barrel 24-8190

  • Classification: Indiana Straight Whiskey
  • Company: Huber’s; Distillery: Starlight
  • Mash Bill: (Likely) 99% Corn and 1% Malted Barley
  • Other: Grains grown on property; sweet mash; double pot distilled.
  • Barrels: Aged in oak casks from around the world; finished 6 months in a Cognac barrel
  • Age: 8.5 Years; Proof: 129.7
  • Purchased: 06/26/25 for $99.98 at Seelbach’s Online

✴️ Starlight Single Malt Whiskey Small Batch B2305

  • Classification: American Single Malt Whiskey
  • Company: Huber’s; Distillery: Starlight
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Other: Sweet mash; double pot distilled.
  • Age: 7 Years; Proof: 94
  • Purchased: 07/18/25 for $64.74 at Starlight Distillery

✴️ Starlight Single Malt Whiskey Small Batch 1

  • Classification: American Single Malt Whiskey
  • Company: Huber’s; Distillery: Starlight
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Other: Sweet mash; double pot distilled.
  • Age: 10 Years
  • Barrels used for this 10-year release included:
    25% PX Sherry Casks
    25% Used Bourbon Casks
    20% Vino De Naranja Casks
    20% Peated Scotch Casks
    10% Rum Cask
  • Proof: 98
  • Purchased: 07/18/25 for $83.24 at Starlight Distillery

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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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.

#StarlightDistillery #AmericanSingleMalt #lightwhiskey #WhiskeyReview #StarlightWhiskey #IndianaWhiskey #HubersStarlight #CognacFinish #whiskeytasting #CraftWhiskey #ASMW #bourbon #Whiskey #PeatedWhiskey #SingleMalt 

Which Whiskey Wins? Blind Tasting & Ultimate Ranking

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🥃 The ULTIMATE Blind Bourbon Battle! | November Whiskey of the Month (WOTM) Selection!

We are back for our November Whiskey of the Month (WOTM) blind tasting! Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey face off against four incredible bourbon contenders, ranging from high-proof stalwarts to unique double-oaked blends and limited-edition releases.

Can a Bottled-in-Bond bourbon with the lowest proof on the table take down two of the biggest names in barrel-proof whiskey? You won’t believe the results in this exciting blind battle!

Prepare your senses for an immersive journey into the captivating aromas and tantalizing flavors of these contenders (alphabetical order):

✴️ Booker’s 2025-03 “Jerry’s Batch”

✴️ Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Cigar Blend

✴️ Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C925

✴️ Fountain Run Bottled In Bond

🚫 No labels, no biases – just pure, unadulterated whiskey appreciation! 👀 Join us as we meticulously nose 👃, sip 😋, and savor each dram, dissecting the intricate notes on the nose, the delightful dance on the palate 👅, the satisfying lingering finish ✨, and that crucial je ne sais quoi that makes a whiskey truly special. 🤔

Will the barrel-proof powerhouse 💪 dominate the competition? Will the elegantly aged spirit ⏳ steal the show? Or will a unique finish 🍇 or a captivating single barrel charm ✨ take home the ultimate crown? We’re ranking them from 4th place to the coveted 1st place spot🥇, and the suspense is building with every sip! 🤯

Smash that play button ▶️ and join the ultimate tasting party! 🎉 Grab your own glass 🥂 (of whatever you’re sipping on!), settle in for some serious whiskey talk 🗣️, and experience the thrill of the grand reveal with us! Get ready for potential surprises 🎁 and definitely a fantastic time! Cheers to an unforgettable evening of delicious discovery! 🥳 Sláinte! 🍀

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🔥DETAILS REGARDING OUR FOUR FINALISTS🔥 (in alphabetical order): 

✴️ Booker’s 2025-03 “Jerry’s Batch”

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: James B Beam
  • Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
  • Age: 7 Years, 4 Months, and 21 Days
  • Proof: 124.7
  • Other: Jerry’s Batch comprises nine different barrels from 9 warehouses: 3, 1, X, Z, K, L, O, 4, and G
  • Released: September 2025
  • MSRP: $99.99
  • Purchased: 10/17/25 for $100 at Archie & Clyde’s in Newburgh, IN

✴️ Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Cigar Blend

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Buzzard’s Roost Spirits, LLC
  • Distillery: Undisclosed/Indiana (Likely MGP)
  • Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
  • Age: NAS on bottle but PR has 6 years
  • Proof: 105
  • Released: September 2025 for KBF
  • Other: Came with a branded cigar cutter
  • Purchased: 09/04/25 for $85 at Buzzard’s Roost via the KBF

✴️ Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch 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

✴️ Fountain Run Bottled In Bond

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Kentucky Artisan Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 65% Hickory Cane White Corn, 20% Rye, 12% Distiller’s Malt, 3% Chocolate Malt
  • Barrel: Entry proof of 103; Heavy Toast, Char No. 3
  • Age: 7 Years 4 Months (low in the rickhouse)
  • Proof: 100
  • MSRP: $100
  • Released: October 2025
  • Purchased: 10/30/25 for $99.99 at Seelbach’s Online: https://seelbachs.com/products/fountain-run-kentucky-straight-bourbon-whiskey

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

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

#bourbon #blindtasting #WhiskeyOfTheMonth #fountainrun #ElijahCraigBarrelProof #ECBP #BookersBourbon #buzzardsroost #bourbonreview #WhiskeyReview #KentuckyBourbon #bottledinbond #BlindReview #NewReleaseBourbon #MichaelVeatch 

Cigar Blend Bourbon: Is Buzzard’s Roost the BEST

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🥃 Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Cigar Blend Bourbon Review | The Ultimate Cigar Pairing Whiskey?

Welcome to Your Bourbon Journey! Wayne and Rebecca are diving into one of the most exciting, limited-edition releases of 2025: the Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Cigar Blend Straight Bourbon Whiskey!

Released for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival (KBF), this 6-year, 105-proof high-rye bourbon (60% Corn, 36% Rye) uses Buzzard’s Roost’s proprietary double oak process—a secondary maturation in their custom, lightly-charred, heavily-toasted barrels. This technique is designed specifically to enhance the pairing experience with a fine cigar.

On the Nose & Palate: We found intense notes of confectionary sweetness, oak, and a beautiful, non-overpowering campfire smokiness. The finish delivers lovely coffee notes that make this a fantastic pour on its own, but we discuss why this profile is perfectly engineered for a premium cigar pairing!

The company’s co-founder and master blender, Jason Brauner (also of The Bourbon Bistro), definitely nailed it with this limited-time offer. Did this bottle live up to the hype? Watch our full review to see why we’re fans of Buzzard’s Roost and why this might be their best release yet!


What cigar would YOU pair with this Double Oak Bourbon? Let us know in the comments!

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✴️  Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Cigar Blend

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Buzzard’s Roost Spirits, LLC
  • Distillery: Undisclosed/Indiana (Likely MGP)
  • Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
  • Age: NAS on bottle but PR has 6 years
  • Proof: 105
  • Released: September 2025 for KBF
  • Other: Came with a branded cigar cutter
  • Purchased: 09/04/25 for $85 at Buzzard’s Roost via the KBF

❌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.

#bourbon #cigarblend #buzzardsroost #DoubleOak #bourbonreview #Whiskey #bourbontasting #KBF #kentuckybourbonfestival #WhiskeyReview #bourbonjourney #CigarPairing #ToastedBarrel #StraightBourbon #LimitedRelease 

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

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🍒🔥 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!

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✴️ 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 

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🥃 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.

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✴️ 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