Can you handle the truth in a blind tasting? Today on Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca are diving into the highly anticipated Blind Barrels Release XVII, a special collaboration with whiskey expert Fred Minnick titled “Vision Quest.”
This release features a curated selection of unique expressions that push the boundaries of craft distilling. From the first authentic Tennessee whiskey ever included in a Blind Barrels kit to an incredible rebirth of old-school Pennsylvania rye, this flight is designed to challenge your palate and your preconceptions.
Featured in this flight:
A 115-proof custom blend from some blending masters.
A bold 100-proof pour using the Lincoln County process with sugar maple charcoal.
A high-rye Monongahela throwback at 121.6 proof.
A 120.2 proof “mahogany” sweet mash beauty.
Watch as we break down the nose, palate, and finish of each sample blindly before the big reveal! Which one took the top spot, and which one surprised us the most?
To learn more about a Subscription to Blind Barrels, this is our Affiliate Link (commissions can be earned):
NOTE: We were not compensated by the spirit producers or Blind Barrels for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.
Can a $54 Craft Bourbon Take Down a $200 Kentucky Legend? 🥃 Blind Bourbon Tasting
We are back with another high-stakes Blind Whiskey of the Month tasting! This month, we’re putting four incredible contenders to the ultimate test using our brand-new, data-driven scoring rubric. From a New York-distilled “transplant” bottled at Glenn’s Creek to the highly anticipated 2026 Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked, this lineup is absolutely stacked.
In this episode, Wayne and Rebecca dive deep into the nose, palate, and finish of four mysterious samples. You won’t believe the scores—we actually witnessed a “Mr. Perfect” moment with one of the highest ratings we’ve ever handed out! Does the $200 price tag of the Woodford Double Double Oaked guarantee a win, or will a craft underdog like 5094 Transplant, General Thomas, or Robert’s Reserve pull off the upset?
Stay tuned until the end for the Big Reveal! We break down the math, discuss the “Sweet Sixteen” leaderboard implications, and find out which of these bottles are destined for our Whiskey of the Year tournament.
NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us.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.
Is it a Buy? Blind Barrels Release XVI “Best of the Best” Tasting! 🥃
Happy Friday, whiskey lovers! Today, Wayne and Rebecca are diving into Blind Barrels Release XVI, aptly titled “The Best of the Best.” This curated box features standout picks from award-winning craft distilleries, and we’re putting our palates to the test to see if we can identify these mystery pours.
From a rare bourbon finished on local wood to a high-proof whiskey ranked in the Top 20 of 2025 by Whiskey Advocate, this flight is full of surprises! Are these regional gems worth the hunt? Watch as we break down the nose, palate, and finish of each mystery pour to decide: Is it a BUY?
🕵️ The Mystery Lineup (Revealed in Video!):
Sample A: A unique bourbon from the “Cherry Capital of the World,” finished on toasted cherry wood staves for a bright, floral profile.
Sample B: An “out of this world” 100-proof, four-grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon released to celebrate a total solar eclipse.
Sample C: A 115-proof American Single Malt from the ADI “Distillery of the Year,” aged for 7 years and rarely seen outside its home state.
Sample D: A powerhouse 125-proof Wheat Whiskey from Ohio, recently honored as one of the most prestigious spirits in the world for 2025.
Enjoying the journey? If you like honest whiskey talk and real-world buying advice, hit SUBSCRIBE and the bell to join us for every pour!
NOTE: We were not compensated by the spirit producers or Blind Barrels for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.
The Ultimate Booker’s Bourbon Showdown: 2025 Full Batch Blind Tasting! 🥃
Is there a better way to kick off the weekend than a blind flight of Booker’s Bourbon? Today, Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey are diving deep into the 2025 Booker’s lineup to settle the debate: Which batch truly reigns supreme?
From the cherry-forward notes of Jerry’s Batch to the “stubborn genius” behind Phantom Pipes, we’re ranking all four releases based on Nose, Palate, and Finish. These are all Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys coming in at that powerhouse proof we love, but the profiles this year might surprise you!
In this video, we cover:
✅ Full breakdown of 2025-01 through 2025-04.
✅ Blind tasting notes: Identifying the peanuts, cherry, and “convection sugar” sweetness.
✅ Our personal scoring (Spoilers: We found a 95-point winner!).
✅ The stories behind the batches: Honoring Barry Berish, Jerry Dalton, and the Noe family legacy.
The 2025 Lineup:
Which 2025 Booker’s was your favorite? Did you prefer the traditional peanut funk or the unique fruit-forward profile of Jerry’s Batch? Let us know in the comments below! 👇
✨ SUPPORT THE CHANNEL ✨ If you love deep dives into bourbon culture and blind tastings, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and join our journey! Remember: Always drink responsibly.
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.
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!
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.
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! 🍀
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.
🥃 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!
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
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.
🥃 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! 🍀
🔥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
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.
🥃 Blind Rye Whiskey Battle: Which Bottle is the Champion?
Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as they go WAY off the beaten path for an epic blind rye whiskey tasting! Can these bourbon lovers pick their favorite rye when they don’t know what’s in the glass? Five incredible bottles are in the running, each with a unique mash bill and proof point. The results are surprising, revealing a range of flavors from chocolate malt and coffee to floral notes and citrusy orange!
Watch as we blindly review and rank:
Bardstown Bourbon Co. Origin Series Rye (96 Proof): The double-barreled rye finished in Toasted Cherry Wood and Oak.
Hard Truth Chocolate Malt Rye (109.6 Proof): A unique rye with a high percentage of Chocolate Malted Barley that tastes like an “after dinner coffee drink!”
Neeley Family Distillery Sweet Thumped Rye (108.9 Proof): The only Single Barrel in the group, praised for its pure sweet mash profile.
New Riff Balboa Rye Bottled in Bond (100 Proof): Featuring the heirloom Balboa Rye grain.
Tom’s Town Straight Rye Bottled in Bond (100 Proof): A Bottled-in-Bond rye with distinct citrus notes, perfect for a cocktail!
From high-rye Balboa to the unique chocolate malt, which bottle takes home the title of our personal favorite sipper? You won’t believe the final scores! Plus, we give a shoutout to the perfect bottle for making an amazing Manhattan!
Let us know in the comments: Have you tried any of these ryes? What are your favorite tasting notes in a rye whiskey?
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.
🔥🥃 Blind Bourbon BATTLE ROYALE! Who Will Be Our October 2025 CHAMPION?! 🏆
Alright, buckle up, whiskey fanatics! 🚀 Get ready for a showdown of EPIC proportions! 🥃 In this thrilling blind tasting adventure, we’re putting FOUR incredible contenders head-to-head to crown the UNDISPUTED champion of our October 2025 whiskey lineup! 👑
Prepare your senses for an immersive journey into the captivating aromas and tantalizing flavors of these contenders (alphabetical order):
Bardstown Discovery #13
Chicken Cock Private Cask Single Barrel
Cinder & Smoke Founder’s Select 10 Year
Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond 7 Year
🚫 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! 🍀
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.
Your Bourbon Journey 