Opulent Bourbon Cocktails: The Golden Jubilee Recipe

Celebrate with me! 🥂 In honor of my birthday and Episode 68 of Thirsty Thursday, I’m dipping into the “Library” for a truly opulent pour. Meet The Golden Jubilee—a luxury Old Fashioned designed for milestones and high-proof treasures.

Tonight we are featuring the incredible Wenzel’s Packard Proof, a 16-year-old Kentucky single barrel (affectionately known as a “BuffTurkey” pour) sitting at a massive 126 proof. This bourbon is a total cherry bomb, and we’re elevating it with velvet textures and exotic spices to create a “Chewy” foundation that feels like a high-end dessert in a glass.

We’re swapping standard simple syrup for Gum Syrup to achieve that signature silky mouthfeel and adding Bluegrass 5-Spice Orange Bitters for a complex layer of star anise, clove, and cinnamon. To top it all off, we’re adding Edible Gold Glitter for a shimmering visual toast to the journey ahead!

In this video:

  • How to use Gum Syrup for a velvety cocktail texture.
  • Reviewing the 16-year Wenzel’s Packard Proof.
  • Tips for working with 5-spice bitters and edible luster dust.
  • A sneak peek at next week’s Mother’s Day cocktail: The Dandelion Crown!

📋 THE RECIPE: THE GOLDEN JUBILEE

Ingredients:

  • 2.5 oz Wenzel’s Packard Proof Bourbon (or your favorite 16yr+ Library Pour)
  • 0.25 oz Gum Syrup (for that velvety mouthfeel)
  • 1 Bar Spoon Demerara Syrup
  • 10 Drops Bluegrass 5-Spice Orange Bitters
  • 1 Pinch Edible Gold Glitter
  • Garnish: Gold-dusted Luxardo Cherry

Instructions:

  1. Add Gum Syrup, Demerara, and 5-spice bitters to a mixing glass.
  2. Pour in your luxury bourbon.
  3. Add a generous pinch of gold edible glitter.
  4. Fill with ice and stir thoroughly for about 25 seconds to chill and suspend the shimmer.
  5. Strain into a crystal rocks glass over a clear ice sphere.
  6. Garnish with a gold-luster Luxardo cherry and enjoy!

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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.

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We Spent a Weekend at BourbonCon 2026: Was It Worth It?

BourbonCon 2026 Recap: Our Favorite Sips, Stories, and Hauls! 🥃

What a weekend in Lexington! We just returned from BourbonCon 2026 (Jan 16-17) at the Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate, and we have so much to share. From elite masterclasses to a table full of new bottles, this was an unforgettable experience for any whiskey lover.

In this video, we break down why the $999 Two-Day Platinum Package for TWO was a “heck of a deal.” It wasn’t just about the whiskey—it included our room, 5 meals (including those killer breakfast and lunch buffets), and exclusive access to the Griffin Vault and the hourly VIP Speakeasy for rare pours.

Inside the Glass:

  • The Masterclasses: Hearing stories from industry legends like Craig Beam (Jackson Purchase) and Owen Martin (Angel’s Envy).
  • The Education: Tasting “veiled” expressions with Sara Ahlgrim (Dark Arts) and learning the 4-grain story behind Four Branches with Rick Franco.
  • Pro Tips: Picked up home bartending tricks from mixologist Gabe Briseno.
  • The Haul: We review our 9 bottle purchases and unique finds like Sailor Smoke Rubs, Bluegrass Bitters, and Toasted Simple syrups.
  • Bonus Stop: A visit to our favorites at Glen’s Creek Distilling on the way home.

Whether you’re curious about Jackson Purchase Batch 1, the AI-integrated General Thomas bottle, or the Peter E Hart Smoked Rye, we’ve got you covered. Plus, see the Barrel House Cask Strength Kroger Pick that we almost missed out on!

Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast or just starting your bourbon journey, BourbonCon is an event you need to put on your 2027 calendar! https://www.bourbonconlex.com/ 

Don’t forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for our upcoming individual reviews of every bottle on this table! 🥂

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NOTE: The spirits and items in this overview were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this. This is simply our opinion.

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