Who Survived the Sweet Sixteen Gauntlet? The Scores are In!

The opening round of the 2025 Whiskey of the Year Tournament is officially in the books, and the results are staggering. This wasn’t just a tasting; it was a battle of the best. With an incredible 93.5 average winner score, the margin for error was non-existent. Even the bottles sent home averaged a 92.1, proving that every contender in this year’s field is a “must-try” for any serious enthusiast.

From massive wildcard upsets to #1 seeds holding their ground by a single point, the Elite Eight is now set. Who moved on? Who fell short? Explore the full scorecard below and track the live bracket as we head into the Quarterfinals.

The Sweet Sixteen Scorecard

Key Takeaways from the Round

  • The High-Score Hero: Patriotic Meri-COB (Battle 8) took the highest score of the entire opening round with a massive 95, narrowly edging out a phenomenal Neeley 4-Grain.
  • The Power of the #1 Seed: All four of our #1 seeds (Old Louisville, Bardstown, Wild Turkey, and McBrayer) successfully defended their brackets, though several battles came down to a single point.
  • The “Wheat” Surprise: Star Hill Farms Wheat Whisky remains the only non-bourbon in the field, proving its complexity can stand up to the biggest names in Kentucky Bourbon.

What’s Next?

The tournament shifts gears tomorrow as we begin the Elite Eight. The matchups only get tougher from here as we fight for a spot in the Final Four.

📺 Catch up on all the happenings on the Tournament Tracker Page

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The Road to WOTY: Who Made the Elite Eight?

🏆 WHISKEY OF THE YEAR: The Sweet Sixteen Finale! (Battles 7 & 8)

The opening round of the 2025 Whiskey of the Year Tournament concludes today! After 12 months of evaluations, it all comes down to the final two spots in the Elite Eight.

In this episode, we face our final #1 seed taking on a high-scoring Wildcard, followed by a clash between our final #2 and #3 seeds. Will the heavy hitters hold the line, or are we about to witness the ultimate “Giant Slayer” upset right before the quarterfinals?

🥃 In This Episode:

We wrap up the Sweet Sixteen with two massive matchups that pushed our palates to the limit.

  • Battle 7: A high-proof showdown where one bottle “sings” with complexity while the other brings a “bag of peanuts” to the face.
  • Battle 8: A battle of the “beast mode” noses. One bottle smells like a Crème Brûlée dessert, while the other offers an intriguing ginger-spice balance.

Watch as we break down the nose, palate, and finish—completely blind—to see which two bottles survive the gauntlet to join the Elite Eight.

📉 The Sweet Sixteen Scorecard

The competition in this opening round was incredibly tight. To give you an idea of the caliber of these whiskeys, here is how the scoring broke down across all 16 contenders:

  • Average Winner Score: 93.5 (Elite Eight Bound)
  • Average Eliminated Score: 92.1 It is rare to see a tournament where the “losers” are still scoring in the 90s! This proves that every bottle in this bracket truly earned its spot among the best of 2025.

🏆 The Elite Eight Reveal

Stick around for the end of the video where we finally pull the tape! For the first time, we reveal the 8 Bottles moving on to the Quarterfinals.

The Elite Eight Field includes: 

✅ Our final #1 seeds that held the line. 

✅ The “Giant Slayers” that pulled off the upset. 

✅ A mix of Heritage Kentucky brands and Craft powerhouses.

📢 Join the Journey!

Who are you rooting for in the Elite Eight? Did your favorite bottle get eliminated too early? Let us know in the comments!

Subscribe to follow the rest of the bracket as we head toward the Grand Finale!

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🥃 THE ROAD TO 2025 WOTY: We spent 12 months hunting for the best juice—see our complete selection process and the 100% blind bracket logic on our website: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/01/01/the-road-to-the-2025-whiskey-of-the-year-the-blind-bracket-revealed/

NOTE: All spirits in this tournament were purchased by us for the purpose of evaluation. We were not compensated by any producer for reviews or inclusion in this series. These rankings are based solely on our blind tasting scores and the performance of the liquid in the glass throughout the 2025 season.

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

#whiskeyoftheyear #bourbon #blindtasting #whiskeytournament #bourbonreview #yourbourbonjourney #bestwhiskey2025 #sweet16 #whiskeybracket #kentuckybourbon

The Ultimate Sweet 16: Whiskey of the Year Battles 5 & 6

🥃 THE ROAD TO 2025 WOTY: We spent 12 months hunting for the best juice—see our complete selection process and the 100% blind bracket logic on our website: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/01/01/the-road-to-the-2025-whiskey-of-the-year-the-blind-bracket-revealed/

NOTE: All spirits in this tournament were purchased by us for the purpose of evaluation. We were not compensated by any producer for reviews or inclusion in this series. These rankings are based solely on our blind tasting scores and the performance of the liquid in the glass throughout the 2025 season.

🥃 Sweet Sixteen Battles 5 & 6: The Road to Whiskey of the Year!

The hunt for the 2025 Whiskey of the Year continues! We are officially in the thick of the Sweet 16, where the competition is tighter than ever. Today, we’re breaking down Battles 5 and 6 in a 100% blind tasting to see which bottles have the “legs” to survive and which ones are shuffling off to Buffalo.

In this episode, we witness a massive #1 seed take on a hungry wildcard, followed by a neck-and-neck battle between a #2 and a #3 seed. From unexpected “sweet and sour” lemon zest notes to traditional “bourbon drinker’s bourbon” profiles rich with cherry and oak, the scores were razor-thin.

🏆 Inside Today’s Blind Bracket:

  • Battle 5 (The 1 Seed vs. 4 Seed): Candidate I vs. Candidate J. Can a wildcard pull off the ultimate upset? One bottle delivers heavy barrel and cinnamon, while the other surprises the palate with a unique confectionery sugar and citrus zest profile.
  • Battle 6 (The 2 Seed vs. 3 Seed): Candidate K vs. Candidate L. It’s a battle of styles! We compare a dark, rich, baking-spice powerhouse against a bright, floral, and fruity pour featuring pear and apple notes.

Which bottles advanced to the Elite Eight? Watch to see the scores and the struggle!

💬 Join the Conversation: Which profile do you prefer—the dark, oaky “cherry bombs” or the light, floral, and fruity pours? Drop a comment below and let us know if you’ve guessed any of the bottles in this year’s bracket!

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Total Blind Chaos! Sweet 16 Whiskey Battles 3 & 4

🥃 THE ROAD TO 2025 WOTY: We spent 12 months hunting for the best juice—see our complete selection process and the 100% blind bracket logic on our website: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/01/01/the-road-to-the-2025-whiskey-of-the-year-the-blind-bracket-revealed/

NOTE: All spirits in this tournament were purchased by us for the purpose of evaluation. We were not compensated by any producer for reviews or inclusion in this series. These rankings are based solely on our blind tasting scores and the performance of the liquid in the glass throughout the 2025 season.

Can a Wild Card pull off an upset? 🥃

We’re back for the 2025 Whiskey of the Year Sweet Sixteen Battles 3 & 4! Today, a #1 seed defends its title and a neck-and-neck #2 vs #3 battle takes center stage. Who moves on in the ultimate blind bourbon tasting?

In this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca continue the road to the 2025 Whiskey of the Year. We are tasting completely blind—no labels, no bias, just the liquid in the glass.

In Battle 3, we compare two distinct profiles: one “quintessential bourbon” filled with butterscotch and brown sugar, up against a sweet, nutty contender that reminds us of confectionary sugar. Then, in Battle 4, we dive into a mystery floral profile that has us questioning if we’ve found a finished whiskey or a rare wheat whiskey in the bracket.

What’s inside this video:

  • Battle 3: A quintessential #1 seed vs. a sweet & nutty Wild Card.
  • Battle 4: The “Group of Death” – A #2 vs. #3 seed matchup that was too close to call.
  • Blind Scoring: See our real-time reactions and final point totals.

Which of these bottles belongs on your shelf? Let us know your predictions in the comments!

📅 Don’t miss out: We’re dropping Battles 5 & 6 tomorrow! Hit that Subscribe button and ring the bell so you don’t miss a single sip of the tournament.

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🏆 The Definitive 2025 Whiskey of the Year Bracket

Searching for the best bourbon of 2025? Welcome to the official hub of the Your Bourbon Journey WOTY Tournament.

We don’t just pick a winner—we earn it through a rigorous, 100% blind tasting process. We’ve taken the top-rated whiskeys from our monthly reviews and pitted them against each other in a single-elimination playoff. From heritage Kentucky distilleries to the most innovative craft whiskey brands, this is the ultimate quest for the best bottle of the year.

Bookmark this page to track live results, scoring averages, and the updated Elite Eight and Final Four standings as we crown our 2025 Champion.

2025 WOTY Tournament Tracker

RoundMatchupResults AvailableVideo Link
Sweet 16Battles 1 & 2Jan 2S16 Round 1
Sweet 16Battles 3 & 4Jan 3S16 Round 2
Sweet 16Battles 5 & 6Jan 4S16 Round 3
Sweet 16Battles 7 & 8 + RevealJan 5S16 Round 4
Elite 8Battles 9 & 10Jan 6E8 Round 1
Elite 8Battles 11 & 12 + RevealJan 7E8 Round 2
Final 4Semi-FinalsJan 8Final Four
FINALECHAMPIONSHIPJan 9Championship

🥃 THE ROAD TO 2025 WOTY: We spent 12 months hunting for the best juice—see our complete selection process and the 100% blind bracket logic on our website: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/01/01/the-road-to-the-2025-whiskey-of-the-year-the-blind-bracket-revealed/

NOTE: All spirits in this tournament were purchased by us for the purpose of evaluation. We were not compensated by any producer for reviews or inclusion in this series. These rankings are based solely on our blind tasting scores and the performance of the liquid in the glass throughout the 2025 season.

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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Which Whiskey Wins? Sweet 16 Showdown Starts Now

🥃 THE ROAD TO 2025 WOTY: We spent 12 months hunting for the best juice—see our complete selection process and the 100% blind bracket logic on our website: https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/01/01/the-road-to-the-2025-whiskey-of-the-year-the-blind-bracket-revealed/

NOTE: All spirits in this tournament were purchased by us for the purpose of evaluation. We were not compensated by any producer for reviews or inclusion in this series. These rankings are based solely on our blind tasting scores and the performance of the liquid in the glass throughout the 2025 season.

The Road to Whiskey of the Year: Sweet Sixteen Battles 1 & 2! 🥃🏆

Welcome to the Sweet Sixteen! We are kicking off the ultimate tournament to crown our Whiskey of the Year. We’ve taken the winners from our Whiskey of the Month and Whiskey of the Quarter competitions, added four high-scoring wildcards, and now it’s time for the ultimate blind taste test.

In this episode, we tackle Battle 1 (1-seed vs. 4-seed) and Battle 2 (2-seed vs. 3-seed). We’re tasting these completely blind—no labels, no proofs, no prices—just pure flavor profiles. Through the magic of editing, you’ll see the winners revealed while we remain in the dark until the very end of the round!

What’s on the Menu Today?

  • Battle 1: A clash of classics. One glass is packed with rich vanilla, brown sugar, and cinnamon, while the other brings a lighter, butterscotch-forward pop with surprising proof.
  • Battle 2: This one gets wild. We’re talking “grilled cherries” and deep barrel notes versus a bright, citrusy, and drier bourbon profile.

Will the top seeds hold their ground, or are we heading for an early-round upset? Grab a pour, hit play, and follow along with Wayne and Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey.

Inside the Tasting Room:

  • The Process: 16 whiskeys, blind pairings, and a scoring system based on Nose, Taste, and Finish.
  • The Stakes: Only the winners move on to the Elite Eight.
  • The Reveal: We won’t know the identities until all eight battles are done, but you get to see the winners as they advance!

Which bottle are you rooting for? Are you Team Cherry & Barrel or Team Vanilla & Spice? Let us know your predictions in the comments!

📅 Don’t miss out: We’re dropping Battles 3 & 4 tomorrow! Hit that Subscribe button and ring the bell so you don’t miss a single sip of the tournament.

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The Road to the 2025 Whiskey of the Year: The Blind Bracket Revealed!

January 1, 2026

Happy New Year, Bourbon Family!

At Your Bourbon Journey, we spent all of 2025 searching for the absolute best pours on the market. We tasted over 100 expressions, from heritage Kentucky legends to innovative craft distillers. But now, the “fun” part of the year is over, and the evaluation begins.

Starting tomorrow, January 2nd, we launch our 2025 Whiskey of the Year Sweet Sixteen Playoff.

The Integrity of the Process

We believe the label on the bottle shouldn’t dictate the score. To find our winner, we use a 100% Blind Bracket System.

  1. Selection: We took our 12 Monthly Winners and our 4 highest-scoring runners-up (Wildcards).
  2. Seeding: Bottles were seeded based on their performance in our “Whiskey of the Quarter” battles.

The Playoff: A head-to-head, single-elimination tournament where we have no idea what is in the glass until the Championship trophy is awarded.

The Class of 2025: The Contenders

To make it into the Sweet Sixteen, these bottles had to be the best of their respective months. Here is the field of 16 that earned a spot in the starting bracket: (with links to the original tasting videos)

The #1 Seeds (Quarterly Winners)

The #2 Seeds (Quarterly Runners-Up)

The #3 Seeds (Quarterly 3rd Place)

The #4 Seeds (The Wildcards)

How to Follow the Tournament

We will be releasing the results in stages. Every bottle you see on the table will be masked. We won’t know the winners of the early rounds until the very end, ensuring that our palates stay objective through the Grand Finale.

  • Jan 2–5: The Sweet Sixteen (4 Videos)
  • Jan 6–7: The Elite Eight (2 Videos)
  • Jan 8: The Final Four
  • Jan 9: The Grand Finale & 2025 Champion Reveal

Who is your pick for the title? Will a #1 Seed hold the line, or are we looking at a “Cinderella Story” from the Wildcard ranks?

Subscribe to our Your Bourbon Journey YouTube channel to see every battle as it happens.

Cheers to the journey! — Wayne & Rebecca

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NOTE: All spirits in this tournament were purchased by us for the purpose of evaluation. We were not compensated by any producer for reviews or inclusion in this series. These rankings are based solely on our blind tasting scores and the performance of the liquid in the glass throughout the 2025 season.


#whiskeyoftheyear #bourbon #blindtasting #whiskeytournament #bourbonreview #yourbourbonjourney #bestwhiskey2025 #sweet16 #whiskeybracket #kentuckybourbon

The BEST Whiskey of Q4 2025? Full Blind Tasting & Scores!

Getting ready for the ultimate bourbon showdown? This Whiskey of the Quarter (WOTQ) Final features three heavyweight contenders battling for the top seed in the Sweet 16 bracket. From heirloom grains to complex secondary finishes, these are the best of the best from 2025.

In this blind tasting, Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey put the highly anticipated Bardstown Discovery #13, the unique Fountain Run Bottled in Bond, and the heritage-rich Patriotic Meri-COB to the test. Which bottle delivers the perfect “fastball,” and which one is the “changeup” that steals the show?

🥃 Featured Whiskeys:

  • Bardstown Discovery Series #13: A masterclass in blending, featuring an 8-year-old base finished in a mix of New American White Oak and Hungarian Oak. Released in August 2025, it’s being hailed as one of the best “Discos” yet.
  • Fountain Run Bottled In Bond: A rare release from Kentucky Artisan Distillery using a complex mash bill of Hickory Cane White Corn and Chocolate Malt. This fruit-forward “flower in a bottle” is a one-time run you don’t want to miss.
  • Patriotic Meri-COB (Glenns Creek Distilling): A 100% heirloom corn bourbon (Bloody Butcher, Hickory King, and Hoppi Blue) crafted with the expertise of heirloom grain specialist Tom Jones. It’s a vintage-style “dusty funk” powerhouse.

Who takes the #1 seed for the Whiskey of the Year tournament? Watch to find out!

Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell to follow our journey to the 2025 Whiskey of the Year!

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

✴️ Bardstown Discovery #13

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Bardstown Bourbon Company
  • Mash Bill: Blend
  • Age: youngest is 8 years
  • Secondary Finish: (4 months) 61 percent of final blend finished in new American White Oak; 39 percent of final blend finished in Hungarian Oak
  • Proof: 110.8
  • Released: August 2025

Original YouTube Review:

✴️ 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
  • Age: 7 Years 4 Months
  • Proof: 100

Original YouTube Review:   

✴️ Patriotic Meri-COB

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Glenns Creek Distilling
  • Mash Bill: 100% Corn:  Bloody Butcher Red, Hickory King White, Hoppi Blue
  • Age: At least 36 months
  • Proof: 105
  • Released: July 2025

Original Video:  

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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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Hard Truth Farmer’s Reserve: Better Than a Cigar Blend?

Is This the Ultimate Cigar Whiskey? 🥃 Hard Truth Farmer’s Reserve Review

Can a whiskey taste like a churro? Today, Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey are cracking open a special find from High Spirits Liquor: the Hard Truth Farmer’s Reserve Sweet Mash Whiskey.

This isn’t just any bottle—it’s a limited-edition collaboration between Hard Truth Distilling Co. and the Mellencamp Whiskey Company. This “Release #2” in their collector’s series brings together two of Hard Truth’s most unique spirits and finishes them on exotic toasted Amburana wood.

The result? A high-viscosity, 106-proof pour that is absolutely “sweet-forward” and packed with notes of cinnamon, mocha, and dark chocolate.

In This Video, We Discuss:

  • The Blend: A marriage of Hard Truth’s Chocolate Malt Rye and their flagship Sweet Mash Bourbon.
  • The Amburana Effect: Does the “Brazilian Oak” take over, or does it play well with the chocolate malt?
  • The Perfect Pairing: Why Wayne thinks this bottle belongs in every cigar lover’s cabinet.
  • Value Proof: Is it worth the $70 MSRP (and the $76 we paid on Black Friday)?

Whether you are a die-hard rye fan or someone who usually finds whiskey too “spicy,” this Sweet Mash blend might be your new favorite entry point.

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✴️ Hard Truth Farmer’s Reserve Sweet Mash Whiskey

  • Classification: A Blend of Straight Whiskeys
  • Company: Hard Truth Distilling Co. (in collaboration with Mellencamp Whiskey Company)
  • Distillery: Hard Truth Distilling
  • Blend of two whiskeys: 
    • Hard Truth’s Chocolate Malt Rye Whiskey (51% Rye, 38% Corn, 11% Chocolate Malted Barley)
    • Hard Truth’s Sweet Mash Bourbon Whiskey (73% Corn, 19% Rye, 8% Malted Barley)
  • Age: NAS – at least 4 Years
  • Finished: Rested on toasted Amburana wood
  • Proof: 106
  • MSRP: $70
  • Released: 2024
  • Other: Limited-Edition Collector’s Series
  • Purchased: 11/28/25 for $76.49 at High Spirits Liquor Store, Evansville IN

YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL

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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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Blind Whiskey Battle: December 2025 Champion Revealed! 

Bourbon Battle: Whiskey of the Month (December 2025) 🥃

Happy Friday, Bourbon lovers! In this special holiday edition of Whiskey of the Month, Wayne and Rebecca sit down in the bourbon room to crown the December champion. This month’s lineup is one of the most competitive yet, featuring heavy hitters from Jim Beam, New Riff, Wenzel, and Glenns Creek Distilling.

From the oldest expression in Knob Creek history to a uniquely crafted 100% corn bourbon, this blind tasting was full of surprises. Watch as we break down the nose, palate, and finish of these four incredible whiskeys to see which bottle earns a spot in our Whiskey of the Year competition!

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

  • Knob Creek 21 Year Old
  • Patriotic Meri-COB
  • Silver Grove Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2025)
  • Wenzel Toasted Barrel Proof Batch #01

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): 

✴️ Knob Creek 21 Year Old

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: James B. Beam Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
  • Age: 21 Years > The oldest expression in distillery history
  • Proof: 100
  • Released: Oct 2025

Original Video:

✴️ Patriotic Meri-COB

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Glenns Creek Distilling
  • Mash Bill: 100% Corn:  Bloody Butcher Red, Hickory King White, Hoppi Blue
  • Age: At least 36 months
  • Proof: 105
  • Released: July 2025

Original Video:

✴️ 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

Original Video:

✴️ Wenzel Toasted Barrel Proof Batch #01

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Wenzel LLC
  • Distillery: Sourced & Undisclosed Mashbill
  • Age: NAS (at least 4 years)
  • Proof: 111.8
  • Released: Sep 2025

Original Video:

YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL

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NOTE:  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 #BlindTasting #KnobCreek #NewRiff #GlennsCreek #WhiskeyReview #BourbonLovers #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyOfTheMonth #BourbonJourney #CraftDistilling #BourbonHunting #WhiskeyTasting #DrinkResponsibly