Your Bourbon Journey

🚘 The ULTIMATE Guide for the Kentucky Bourbon Train (LOUISVILLE)

🚘 The ULTIMATE Guide for the Kentucky Bourbon Train (BARDSTOWN)

ABOUT THESE BOTTLES

✴️ The QuintEssential American Single Malt Whiskey

The richness of our American Single Malt Whiskey is strengthened by our immediate access to fresh, once-used barrels from a variety of sources, including our own wine and Port casks. The complexity of The QuintEssential develops as we add each unique finishing cask in the proper proportion. There is an element of interest or surprise being incorporated into the overall blend with each addition from our arsenal of complex casks.

🥃Classification: American Single Malt Whiskey
Distillery: Cedar Ridge Distillery
Mash Bill: 100% 2-Row Pale Malted Barley
Age: NAS (at least 4-5 Years Old)
Proof: 92
MSRP: $59.99
Released: 2021
Other: Batch 008
Purchased: 01/10/25 for $59.99 online from Cedar Ridge

✴️ The QuintEssential Single Cask Series – Ex-Bourbon Cask

The QuintEssential Single Cask Series explores our award winning American Single Malt in our most unique single cask selections. Aged in an ex-bourbon cask to highlight the unique flavors of our American Single Malt Whiskey in its truest form. The barrels were hand-selected by Murphy Quint, Master Distiller & Master Blender of Cedar Ridge, and release as single barrels at true cask strength.

🥃Classification: American Single Malt Whiskey
Distillery: Cedar Ridge Distillery
Mash Bill: 100% 2-Row Pale Malted Barley
Age: 7 Years
Proof: 124.3
MSRP: $69.99
Released: 2024
Other: Cask 15-56
Purchased: 01/10/25 for $79.99 online from Cedar Ridge

Cedar Ridge Distillery: https://cedarridgedistillery.com/

🛍️ AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS (commissions earned):

➡️ GLENCAIRN Whiskey Glass, Gift Set of 4: https://amzn.to/4ak8DOR 
➡️ CairnCaps Bamboo Whiskey Glass Lids – Set of 6: https://amzn.to/4hgIJh0
➡️ CairnCradle Whiskey Glass Rack: https://amzn.to/4amLZ8k

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

✅ Please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button!

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

Our Stitzel-Weller Pilgrimage: Epic Bourbon Tasting & Tour Memories!

March 25, 2025March 24, 2025 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Step back in time with us to September 4th, 2022, as we revisit our unforgettable first encounter with the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distilling in Shively, Kentucky! In Episode 12 of Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes, we’re uncorking cherished memories and the very bottles that made that day so special. Join us as we recount our 14th stamp on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, diving deep into the captivating Stitzel-Weller tour experience. We’re tasting the rich, nuanced I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve and the elegant Blade & Bow Bourbon, reliving the magic and sharing the moments that truly resonated with us. Have you made your pilgrimage to Stitzel-Weller? Share your favorite memories in the comments!

In this series, Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes, we navigate the rich tapestry of our memorable experiences on the Bourbon Trail, a journey that has undeniably enriched our appreciation for this iconic American spirit. We tackle intriguing questions such as: What stands out as the most profound memory of that bourbon trail experience, one that has etched itself firmly in our minds? What exceptional and bourbon or whiskey did we discover during this journey, perhaps one that surprised us with its intricate and delightful flavor profiles? What lasting impressions do we have of that bourbon or whiskey today, as we reflect on its complexities and how they resonate with our evolving palates and preferences? Through this exploration, we passionately recount our adventures and celebrate the stories and connections we’ve forged along the way, highlighting the essence of the Bourbon Trail.

ABOUT THESE BOTTLES:

✴️ I.W. Harper Cabernet Cask Reserve

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Company: I.W. Harper Distilling Company
Distillery: Sourced (From undisclosd distillery[ies] in Kentucky)
Mash Bill: Undisclosed
Age: NAS (at least 4 years before secondary finishing)
Other: Finished in Cabernet Sauvignon Casks
Proof: 90
Released: February 2022
MSRP: $50.00
Purchased: 09/04/22 for $65.00 at Stitzel-Weller Distillery

✴️ Blade & Bow Bourbon

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Company: Diegeo
Distillery: Combination of bourbon distilled by the Stitzel-Weller Distilling Company and other straight bourbons
Mash Bill: Undisclosed
Age: NAS (at least 4 years)
Proof: 91
Released: April 2018
MSRP: $50
Purchased: 09/04/22 for $63.00 at Stitzel-Weller Distillery

🛍️ AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS (commissions earned):

➡️ GLENCAIRN Whiskey Glass, Gift Set of 4: https://amzn.to/4ak8DOR 
➡️ CairnCaps Bamboo Whiskey Glass Lids – Set of 6: https://amzn.to/4hgIJh0
➡️ CairnCradle Whiskey Glass Rack: https://amzn.to/4amLZ8k

✅ Recommended for You!

🚘 The ULTIMATE Guide for the Kentucky Bourbon Train (LOUISVILLE)

🚘 The ULTIMATE Guide for the Kentucky Bourbon Train (BARDSTOWN)

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY

✅ Please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button!

❓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

Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 2025: Does It Live Up to the Hype?

March 24, 2025March 23, 2025 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Uncork the Legend! 🥃 Dive deep with us into the Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Old Tennessee Whiskey 2025 Limited Release! From the first sip to the lingering finish, we’ll analyze every aspect. Is it worth the hunt? We’ll dissect the finish, evaluate the price, and give you our honest recommendation on whether this Jack Daniel’s 12 Year earns a spot on your shelf. Don’t miss this in-depth review!

ABOUT THIS BOTTLE

✴️ Jack Daniels 12 Year (Batch 3)

Classification: Tennessee Whiskey
Company: Brown-Forman
Distillery: Jack Daniels Distillery
Mash Bill: 80% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 8% Rye
Age: 12 Years
Proof: 107
MSRP: $95.00
Released: February 2025
Other: 700 ml bottle
Purchased: 03/22/25 for $199.99 at High Spirits in Evansville Indiana

🛍️ AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS (commissions earned):

➡️ GLENCAIRN Whiskey Glass, Gift Set of 4: https://amzn.to/4ak8DOR 
➡️ CairnCaps Bamboo Whiskey Glass Lids – Set of 6: https://amzn.to/4hgIJh0
➡️ CairnCradle Whiskey Glass Rack: https://amzn.to/4amLZ8k

Recommended for You!

🚘 The ULTIMATE Guide for the Kentucky Bourbon Train (LOUISVILLE)

🚘 The ULTIMATE Guide for the Kentucky Bourbon Train (BARDSTOWN)

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY

✅ Please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button!

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

Rare 1960 Barclay’s Bourbon: A Deep Dive into Hiram Walker’s Legacy

March 21, 2025August 8, 2025 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🤩 Ever wondered what a 61-year-old bourbon tastes like? In this special tasting, we’re exploring a time capsule of whiskey history: a vintage Barclay’s Bourbon Straight Whiskey, distilled by Hiram Walker & Sons in 1960. 🌟 We’ll take you on a journey through the fascinating story of Hiram Walker, a distillery that shaped the bourbon landscape. 🌟 Expect detailed tasting notes, historical insights, and an appreciation for the craftsmanship that went into this incredible bottle. 🌟 Join us as we experience a true taste of the past!

✴️ Barclay’s Bourbon

Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Company: Barclay’s Bourbon
Distillery: Hiram Walker & Sons Distillery, Peoria Illinois
Mash Bill: Unknown
Age: 4
Proof: 86
Released: 1964
Other: It was exported to the French markets.
Key Figures: C.S. Buroff was identified as the Master Blender at Hiram Walker from the post-Prohibition era into the 1960s.
Purchased: 03/14/2025 at Revival Vintage Spirits, Covington, KY

🛍️ AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS (commissions earned):

➡️ GLENCAIRN Whiskey Glass, Gift Set of 4: https://amzn.to/4ak8DOR 
➡️ CairnCaps Bamboo Whiskey Glass Lids – Set of 6: https://amzn.to/4hgIJh0
➡️ CairnCradle Whiskey Glass Rack: https://amzn.to/4amLZ8k

Recommended for You!

🚘 The ULTIMATE Guide for the Kentucky Bourbon Train (LOUISVILLE)

🚘 The ULTIMATE Guide for the Kentucky Bourbon Train (BARDSTOWN)

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

✅ Please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button!

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

✅ REFERENCE LIST FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION

Extra: Peoria’s Hiram Walker was once the largest distillery in the world: https://www.pjstar.com/story/news/2015/08/28/extra-peoria-s-hiram-walker/33618842007/

Goodbye ADM, hello BioUrja: After almost 40 years, Peoria ethanol plant to change hands: https://www.pjstar.com/story/business/2021/10/22/biourja-to-take-over-adm-ethanol-plant-peoria-illinois/6134147001/

Images Of The Past – Hiram Walker Distillery In Peoria Illinois: https://bourbonveach.com/2022/02/11/images-of-the-past-hiram-walker-distillery-in-peoria-illinois/

MEANWHILE, BACK IN PEORIA’S PAST – THIS WEEK: HIRAM WALKER DISTILLERY: http://meanwhilebackinpeoria.com/?offset=1717344310963

Presentation Photo Album Showing the Facilities of Hiram Walker & Sons Whisky Distillery in Peoria, Illinois: https://www.walkaboutbooks.net/pages/books/21448/presentation-photo-album-showing-the-facilities-of-hiram-walker-sons-whisky-distillery-in-peoria

Maple Habanero Sour: A Flavor Explosion You NEED to Try!

March 20, 2025March 20, 2025 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

In episode 10 of Thirsty Thursday Bourbon Cocktails, we present the Maple Habanero Sour cocktail recipe. This spicy cocktail is a complex and exciting sensory experience. This easy Maple Habanero Sour Recipe is made with Russells Reserve 10, bourbon barrel aged maple syrup, fresh lemon juice, habanero bitters, and black walnut bitters.

🍁 SWEETNESS: The first sensation is often the rich, warm sweetness of maple syrup. This sweetness coats the palate, providing an inviting first impression.

🍋 CITRUS ZEST: Quickly following the maple, the tartness of the lemon juice cuts through the sweetness. This provides a refreshing, zesty counterpoint. The habanero’s heat emerges gradually. It’s not always an immediate, overwhelming burn, but rather a slow, warming sensation that builds.

🌶️ SUBTLE HEAT: Habanero peppers have a distinct fruity quality, so the heat is often accompanied by subtle floral or tropical notes.

🎆 FLAVOR FUSION: The interplay between the sweet, sour, and spicy elements creates a layered flavor profile. The maple syrup and citrus work to balance the habanero’s heat, while the habanero adds depth and complexity to the sweet-and-sour base.

🥰 FINISH: The finish can linger, with the warmth of the habanero remaining on the tongue. The sweetness of the maple may also persist, leaving a pleasant aftertaste.

🎉 The overall experience is a delightful dance of contrasting flavors. It’s a cocktail that stimulates multiple taste receptors, offering a balance of sweet, sour, and spicy that can be both refreshing and invigorating.

RECIPE

Maple🍁Habanero🌶️Sour🍋

2 oz of bourbon
.5 oz of barrel aged maple syrup
.5 oz of lemon juice (freshly squeezed, if possible)
3 dashes of habanero bitters (for the heat)
3 dashes black walnut bitters (added depth)
5 dashes of Fee Foam (or one egg white)
Dry shake 15-20 seconds
Add ice and shake 15-20 seconds
Pour into cocktail glass with an ice ball/block
Garnish with 1 dash of black pepper & 1 dried lemon slice

🛍️ AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS (commissions earned):

➡️ True Bar Mat: https://amzn.to/4hi23ua 
➡️ Briout Jigger for Bartending: https://amzn.to/3DUjva3 
➡️ A Bar Above Professional Boston Shakers Set, 18oz Weighted & Unweighted Cocktail Shaker Set: https://amzn.to/3QKiKmV 
➡️ Fee Brothers Black Walnut Cocktail Bitters: https://amzn.to/4hfmUhL 
➡️ Fee Brothers Habanero Cocktail Bitters: https://amzn.to/4hrCQ0d 
➡️ Fee Brothers Fee Foam Cocktail Foamer: https://amzn.to/43jMWwD 
➡️ Dried Lemon Slides: https://amzn.to/41OwNhE

Recommended for You!

🥃 Bourbon Tastings & Reviews

🚘 The ULTIMATE Guide for the Kentucky Bourbon Train (LOUISVILLE)

🚘 The ULTIMATE Guide for the Kentucky Bourbon Train (BARDSTOWN)

**REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY**

✅ Please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button!

NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. Please drink responsibly.

Rabbit Hole Dareinger & Rabelo Review: Limited Edition Bourbon Tasting

March 19, 2025March 19, 2025 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

❇️ In this bourbon review episode, we revisit our visit to Rabbit Hole Distillery, where we acquired the Dareinger Founders Collection 2023 and the Rabelo Cask Strength Distillery Series. We dive deep into the tasting of these two exceptional, Limited Edition, offerings from Rabbit Hole Distillery, thoroughly exploring and comparing their unique aromas, tastes, and finishes. With each sip, we uncover the intricate layers of flavor that define these spirits, taking note of the subtle nuances that distinguish one from the other. Every element tells a story of craftsmanship and dedication. Ultimately, this tasting journey not only heightens our senses but also deepens our understanding of the distillery’s commitment to quality and innovation. Without a doubt, we highly recommend adding Rabbit Hole Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky, to your bourbon journey-book a tour, take a step down the rabbit hole, and savor some outstanding bourbon!

ABOUT THESE BOTTLES

✴️ Rabelo Cask Strength Distillery Series 375mil

Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Company: Rabbit Hole Distillery
Distillery:
Mash Bill: 65% Corn, 25% Wheat, 10% Malted Barley
Age: 3+ Years; Aged in #3, wood-fired, toasted & charred new American Oak barrels
Finish: 4 Months in Ruby Port Cask
Proof: 100.8
Released: 2023
Purchased: 12/15/23 for $49.99 at Rabbit Hole, Louisville KY

✴️ Dareinger Founders Collection 2023

Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Company: Rabbit Hole Distillery
Distillery: Undisclosed
Mash Bill: 65% Corn, 25% Wheat, 10% Malted Barley
Age: 3 years initially
Then Finished:
- Aged in Alligator-char oak barrels for five years
- Finished and aged in Pedro Ximenez sherry casks for two years
- Aged in 60-year-old American white oak barrels for an additional month
Proof: 102.1
Purchased: 12/15/23 for $295.00 at Rabbit Hole, Louisville KY

🛍️ AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS (commissions earned):

➡️ GLENCAIRN Whiskey Glass, Gift Set of 4: https://amzn.to/4ak8DOR 
➡️ CairnCaps Bamboo Whiskey Glass Lids – Set of 6: https://amzn.to/4hgIJh0
➡️ CairnCradle Whiskey Glass Rack: https://amzn.to/4amLZ8k

Recommended for You!