Scotch Whisky

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

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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!

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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.

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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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Don’t Buy A Cigar Whiskey Until You Watch This

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Heading into the weekend with four heavyweight cigar blend whiskeys on the table! On this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca dive into an incredible lineup inspired by our recent Whiskey University cigar pairing masterclass. We’re putting four distinct, cask-finished expressions to the test to see how their layered wood finishes stack up, which bottles truly need a cigar in hand, and which are rich enough to sip neat.

From our first official Cigar Malt Scotch to the holy grail blend from Nancy Fraley, a 5-cask traveler from Old Elk, and a thieved single-barrel powerhouse from Cox’s Creek Distilling, we break down tasting notes, mash bills, finishing casks, and recommended cigar pairings for each.

Which pour takes the crown and earns a spot in our September Whiskey of the Month competition? Drop your favorite cigar-pairing whiskeys in the comments below!

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The Dalmore Cigar Malt Reserve

  • Classification: Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
  • Company: Whyte & Mackay
  • Distillery: The Dalmore Distillery (Alness, Highlands, Scotland)
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Age: NAS (Components aged roughly 10–15 years)
  • Proof: 88 Proof (44% ABV)
  • SRP: ~$179.99–$199.99
  • Released: Ongoing core expression (re-introduced 2012)
  • Other: Matured in American white oak ex-bourbon casks, 30-year-old Matusalem Oloroso sherry butts, and premier cru Cabernet Sauvignon wine barriques
  • Purchased: 08/11/26 for $134.94 at Hi Proof (online)
  • Recommended Cigar: Davidoff Winston Churchill The Late Hour

Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon (Batch 507, Bottle 49)

  • Classification: Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Sherry, Cognac, and Armagnac Casks
  • Company: Jos. A. Magnus & Co.
  • Distillery: Distilled in Indiana (MGP); blended and finished by Jos. A. Magnus & Co.
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed MGP high-rye & low-rye bourbon blend
  • Age: Blend of straight bourbons aged 9 to 20 years
  • Proof: 111.7 Proof (55.85% ABV)
  • SRP: ~$199.99–$219.99
  • Released: Periodic small-batch releases (Batch 507)
  • Other: Nancy Fraley’s signature “coupage” process; finished in vintage Armagnac, Cognac, and Sherry casks
  • Purchased: 08/11/26 for $169.99 at Hi Proof (online)
  • Recommended Cigar: My Father The Judge 

Old Elk Cigar Cut “Island Blend” Straight Whiskies

  • Classification: Blend of Straight Whiskies Finished in Port, Rum, Sherry, and Sauternes Casks
  • Company: Old Elk Distilleries (Fort Collins, CO)
  • Distillery: Distilled in Indiana (MGP); blended and bottled by Old Elk
  • Mash Bill: Blend of Old Elk High-Malt Bourbon (51% Corn, 34% Malted Barley, 15% Rye), 95/5 Rye, and Wheated Bourbon (51% Corn, 45% Wheat, 4% Malt)
  • Age: 6 Years base whiskies (finished an additional 6 months to 2 years across casks)
  • Proof: 114.6 Proof (57.3% ABV)
  • SRP: ~$129.99
  • Released: Late 2023 / 2024 (Second national Cigar Cut release)
  • Other: Secondary aging breakdown: 2 years in Sherry, 6–10 months in Port, 8 months in Rum, 6 months in Sauternes
  • Purchased: 08/11/26 for $99.99 at Hi Proof (online)
  • Recommended Cigar: Padrón 1926 Serie Natural

Good Times Cigar Batch “Mexican Vanilla” (Barrel #709)

  • Classification: Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Mexican Vanilla, Oloroso Sherry, Cognac, and Armagnac Casks
  • Company: Good Times Bourbon
  • Distillery: Distilled in Indiana (MGP); secondary finished and bottled by Good Times Bourbon
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed MGP Bourbon (typically 75/21/4 or 60/36/4)
  • Age: NAS (typically 4–6 years base)
  • Proof: 116 Proof (58% ABV)
  • SRP: ~$149.99–$169.99
  • Released: 2025/2026 Limited Rare Release
  • Other: Barrel Strength, Non-Chill Filtered; finished using charred Mexican vanilla wood staves alongside classic cigar blend fortified casks
  • Purchased: 09/04/26 for $149.99 at Coxs Creek Distilling
  • Recommended Cigar: Liga Privada No. 9 (or Arturo Fuente Hemingway).

🚨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.

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Johnnie Walker Black Ruby Review | A Bourbon Lover’s Bridge

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Can a Scotch whisky actually win over a die-hard Bourbon lover? Today, we’re tasting the Johnnie Walker Black Ruby, the groundbreaking new core-range release from Master Blender Dr. Emma Walker. Whether you’re a “recovering wine drinker” or a dedicated member of the Bourbon Journey, this expression promises a “jammy” bridge between worlds.

We first discovered this bottle during a tasting on the Enchanted Princess cruise, and it immediately stood out. With a backbone of Roseisle malt and a finish in First-fill Red Wine, PX, and Oloroso Sherry casks, Black Ruby trades medicinal peat for rich notes of raspberry jam, blackberry pie, and velvety honey.

Join Wayne and Rebecca as we break down the “Roseisle Factor,” the subtle Caol Ila smoke that acts like “salt in a cookie,” and why this 80-proof bottle is a must-buy for your home bar in 2026.

In this video:

  • The story behind the first female Master Blender’s “first baby.”
  • Why the 2026 U.S. rollout makes this the bottle to watch.
  • Deep dive into the tasting notes: From “Maraschino cherries” to “Dark Chocolate.”
  • Is it worth the $50 MSRP?

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Johnnie Walker Black Ruby

  • Classification: Blended Scotch Whisky
  • Company: Diegeo
  • Distillery: Roseisle (Backbone malt), with Clynelish, Glenkinchie, Cardhu, Cameronbridge, and Caol Ila (CUL-LELA)
  • Mash Bill: Blend of Single Malt and Single Grain whiskies
  • Age: NAS (Non-Age Statement)
  • Proof: 80 Proof (40% ABV)
  • MSRP: $50
  • Other: Finished in a combination of PX and Oloroso Sherry, First-fill Red Wine, and Ex-Bourbon casks
  • Purchased: 02/23 for $50 on Enchanted Princess Cruise

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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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Is Sam’s Club Private Label Whiskey Worth the Buy?

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Is Sam’s Club Whiskey Actually Good? | Member’s Mark Bourbon, Scotch & Canadian Review

Can you really find top-shelf quality on a big-box budget? Today on Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca are diving into the world of Member’s Mark spirits from Sam’s Club. We’re putting three “M” bottles to the test: a 10-Year Highland Scotch, a 15-Year Canadian Whisky, and a 110-proof Single Barrel Bourbon distilled at the legendary Barton 1792.

At prices ranging from $19 to $30, these bottles sound like an absolute steal—but do they hold up in the glass? We break down the mash bills, the “hidden” distillery rumors (Clynelish? Sazerac?), and give you our honest tasting notes on the nose, palate, and finish. Whether you’re looking for a low-cost daily sipper or a high-proof mixer for your next cocktail, you won’t want to miss this budget-friendly breakdown.

Whiskeys Tasted Today:

  • Member’s Mark Bourbon Single Barrel ($18.97)
    • Distillery: Barton 1792 | Proof: 110 | Notes: A budget “Full Proof” with heavy cherry and brown sugar.
  • Member’s Mark Canadian Whisky (15 Year) ($29.86)
    • Source: Likely Sazerac’s Old Montreal Distillery | Proof: 80 | Notes: A mature, blended sipper for fans of smooth Canadian profiles.
  • Member’s Mark Highland Scotch Whisky (10 Year) ($29.98)
    • Source: Alexander Murray & Co. | Proof: 80 | Notes: Light, citrusy, and crisp with a touch of nutty peat.

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✴️ Member’s Mark Bourbon Single Barrel

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Barton 1792 Distillery
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed but widely recognized as Barton’s high-rye recipe: 74% Corn, 18% Rye, 8% Malted Barley.
  • Age: NAS (No Age Statement), though industry consensus puts it at roughly 4–6 years.
  • Proof: 110
  • Note: Budget-friendly version of 1792 Full Proof
  • Purchased: 01/30/26 for $18.97 at Sam’s Club in Evansville IN

✴️ Member’s Mark Canadian Whisky (15 Year)

  • Classification: Blended Canadian Whisky
  • Bottled by: IWA Distilling Co., Louisville, KY (This is a Sazerac-owned bottling facility, which strongly suggests the juice is sourced from Sazerac’s Canadian assets, likely the Old Montreal Distillery).
  • Mash Bill: Predominantly Corn with some Rye and Malted Barley (Typical for premium aged Canadian blends)
  • Age: 15 years
  • Proof: 80
  • Purchased: 01/30/26 for $29.86 at Sam’s Club in Evansville IN

✴️ Member’s Mark Highland Scotch Whisky

  • Classification: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
  • Source: While the distillery is undisclosed, this is sourced through Alexander Murray & Co., the famous independent bottler that handles private labels for Costco and Sam’s Club.
  • Distillery Rumors: Given the profile (Highland, 10 years, light peat/citrus), many enthusiasts speculate the source is Clynelish or Dalmore, though Highland Park (technically an Island but often labeled Highland) is also a frequent source for Murray’s 10-year blends.
  • Mash Bill: 
  • Age: 10 years
  • Proof: 80
  • Purchased: 01/30/26 for $29.98 at Sam’s Club in Evansville IN

❌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.

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