129 Proof Bourbon

Knob Creek vs Booker’s: 2026 New Releases Tasted!

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The Big Easy Meets Master Blending! | Booker’s 2026-01 & Knob Creek Blender’s Edition Review

Today on Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca are heading to the heart of Clermont, KY, for a double-header from the James B. Beam Distilling Co.! We’re breaking down the first major releases of 2026: the powerhouse Booker’s Batch 2026-01 “The Big Easy” and the innovative Knob Creek Blender’s Edition 01.

One is a 129.1 proof tribute to Booker Noe’s love for New Orleans street food, and the other is a 10-year-old deep dive into the “sweeter side” of Knob Creek, curated by Freddie Noe and his blending team. From deep char and oak to confectionery vanilla bean, we’re covering the full spectrum of the Beam profile.

In this video, we discuss:

  • The legend of Booker Noe and the Lucky Dog street carts in the French Quarter.
  • A breakdown of the five warehouses that created “The Big Easy.”
  • How the Blender’s Edition deviates from the classic Knob Creek “spice bomb” profile.
  • Full tasting notes: Nose, Palate, and Finish for both expressions.

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Knob Creek Blender’s Edition 1

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Beam Suntory
  • Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co. (Clermont/Beam, KY)
  • Mash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
  • Age: 10 years
  • Proof: 106
  • MSRP: $44.99
  • Released: March 2026
  • Purchased: 03/28/26 for $44.99 at Jim Beam American Outpost

Booker’s 2026-01 The Big Easy

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Beam Suntory
  • Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co. (Clermont/Beam, KY)
  • Mash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
  • Age: 7 years, 2 months, 15 days
  • Proof: 129.1
  • MSRP: $99.99
  • Released: March 2026
  • Purchased: 03/28/26 for $99.99 at Jim Beam American Outpost

❌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.

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Better Than a Manhattan? The Seelbach Sparkling Bourbon Special 

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The Seelbach Cocktail: A Sparkling Bourbon Classic for the New Year! (Ep. 51)

Happy New Year and welcome to 2026! We are kicking off the year with Episode 51 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails. If you have leftover Champagne or sparkling wine from your New Year’s Eve celebrations, this is the ultimate way to use it.

Today we are diving into the history and the “lore” of the Seelbach Cocktail, a legendary drink from Louisville’s historic Seelbach Hotel. It’s the perfect bridge for whiskey lovers—it has the celebratory sparkle of Champagne but hits with the complexity of a Manhattan.

The Star of the Show: To stand up to the “heavy hand” of bitters in this recipe, I’m using a powerhouse: Old Forester Single Barrel Bourbon. At a whopping 129 proof, this bourbon brings the “pop” and spice needed to shine through the bubbles.

The Secret Sauce: Traditional Seelbachs can be sharp, but we are perfecting the balance today by adding 0.5 oz of Demerara syrup. This rounds out the 14 dashes of bitters and integrates perfectly with the dark brown sugar notes of the Old Forester.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why high-proof bourbon is essential for sparkling cocktails.
  • How to achieve the perfect “bitters bloom” in a coupe glass.
  • My pro-tip for using Demerara syrup to balance heavy aromatics.

The Recipe:

  • 1.5 oz Old Forester Single Barrel Bourbon (129 Proof)
  • 0.5 oz Cointreau
  • 0.5 oz Demerara Syrup
  • 7 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
  • 7 dashes Aromatic (Angostura) Bitters
  • 5 oz Chilled Brut Champagne
  • Garnish: Expressed Long Orange Twist

Join the Journey: If you enjoyed this New Year’s Day special, please LIKE this video and SUBSCRIBE to Your Bourbon Journey!

Coming Up Next: Stay tuned as we kick off our January Winter Series next week! We’ll be focusing on “Warm & Weathered” pours to get you through the bitter cold of winter.

Drink Responsibly & Happy New Year!

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🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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.

#Bourbon #OldForester #CocktailRecipes #NewYear2026 #Seelbach #HomeBartender #BourbonCocktails #ChampagneCocktails #WhiskeyLover #OldForesterSingleBarrel #ThirstyThursday #ClassicCocktails #DrinkResponsibly #YourBourbonJourney #LouisvilleKentucky