Bourbon Comparison

The Bourbon Trials: Testing the Liquid Behind the Labels

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Happy Friday! Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey with Wayne and Rebecca. Today, we are putting three politically themed, novelty whiskeys on trial to answer one ultimate question: Is it just a gimmick, or is the liquid behind the label actually high-quality?

We dive deep into a gifted bottle of Tears of the Left Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey ($99.99 MSRP), distilled and bottled in Bardstown, KY. We break down its premium dark display box packaging, continuous limited edition status, and give a completely honest tasting notes review of its 90.94 proof profile. Is the leather-bound “Book of Tears” cocktail recipe guide masking a subpar spirit, or does it hold its own neat?

Then, we transition to a special birthday gift set from an independent bottler: The Verdict “Not Guilty” and “Guilty” Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Marketed across conservative media networks like the Tatum Show, this sourced matching set acts as a fascinating control group. Both bottles sit at 90 proof and boast a solid 6-year age statement. We put them through a side-by-side comparison blind-style test to uncover a shocking “brown sugar bomb” flavor profile that left us craving pancakes.

Stick around until the final verdict to find out which novelty bourbon wins our stamp of approval and why you should always judge what’s inside the glass, not the presentation box!

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Tears of the Left Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Tears of the Left (Novelty/Independent Bottler)
  • Distillery: Distilled and bottled in Bardstown, KY
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed
  • Age: NAS
  • Proof: 90.94 Proof (45.47% ABV)
  • MSRP: $99.99
  • Released: Late 2025 / Continuous Limited Editions
  • Other: Numbered Bottle (#031246). This brand leans heavily into presentation, featuring a premium dark display box, custom inserts (including themed chilling stones or card sets depending on the specific edition), and an accompanying “Book of Tears” cocktail recipe guide.

Verdict: Guilty and Verdict: Not Guilty

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Independent Bottler / Novelty Brand
  • Distillery: Sourced
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed
  • Age: 6 Years Old
  • Proof: 90 Proof (45% ABV)
  • MSRP: Often retails around $60 per bottle (frequently sold as a matching set)
  • Released: Recent thematic small-batch release
  • Other: Designed as a matching set representing the scales of justice.

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were gifts from family members. 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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Bourbon Time Travel: Tasting 2004 W.L. Weller Special Reserve

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Is modern Weller just a shadow of its former self? Join us on this episode of Your Bourbon Journey as we step back in time to taste a piece of whiskey history: a 2004 W.L. Weller Special Reserve “Stubby” bottle.

Found at Revival Vintage Spirits in Covington, KY, this bottle dates back to the very early years of Buffalo Trace’s ownership of the Weller line (purchased in 1999). We put this 22-year-old time capsule head-to-head against a modern bottle to see how grain changes, barrel maturity, and production shifts have impacted the legendary wheated bourbon profile.

From “dusty funk” and lemon curd notes to a surprising lack of ethanol, this 2004 vintage proved that some things truly do get better with time—or perhaps, they just don’t make them like they used to.

In this video, we discuss:

  • How to identify a 2004 Weller using the laser code.
  • The transition from the “Stubby” bottle to the modern tall design.
  • The sensory differences: Lemon Danish vs. Wheat Bread.
  • Why 20-year-old grains, water, and wood create a superior viscosity.

Revival Vintage Spirits https://revivalky.com/ 

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2004 W.L. Weller Special Reserve

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Wheated)
  • Company: Sazerac Company
  • Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery (Frankfort, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Buffalo Trace “Wheated” Recipe
  • Age: NAS (No Age Statement) — Typical production estimates for this era were 4–7 years.
  • Proof: 90 Proof (45% ABV)
  • MSRP: ~$12.00–$15.00 (Historical estimate for 2004)
  • Released: Bottled in 2004 (Laser code: 04  5444 01)
  • Purchased: 04/30/26 for $225 at Revival Vintage Spirits

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

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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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Fred Minnick “Vision Quest” Blind Tasting Challenge! Blind Barrels Release XVII

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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?

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https://blindbarrels.com/#subscription_plan?sca_ref=7200023.Ze2fVg6fhr

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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.

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Woodford Double Double Oaked 2026: Way Darker Than 2025!

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Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked (2026) | The Ultimate Dark & Decadent Bourbon?

Is the 2026 Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked worth the $200 price tag? 🥃 In today’s New Whiskey Monday on Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca dive into one of the most coveted annual releases in the whiskey world.

After hunting this bottle down at MSRP, we’re breaking down how this year’s expression compares to the legendary 2025 release. Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall promised a “deeper and darker” profile this year—and she delivered. From the heavy toasted second barrel to the complex notes of burnt butterscotch, dark baking cocoa, and espresso, this 90.4 proof powerhouse is an absolute flavor journey.

We explore why the “double-double” process (finishing for two additional years in a second heavily toasted barrel) creates a spicier, more jammy profile than the standard Double Oaked. Does it live up to the hype? Watch to find out!

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✴️ Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked Bourbon

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Brown-Forman
  • Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
  • Age: NAS
  • Press Release stated: 5-7 Years in first barrel, then up to 2 years in second barrel
  • Proof: 90.4
  • MSRP: $199.99 (700 ml)
  • Released: January 2026
  • Purchased: 02/11/26 for $199.99 at High Spirits in Evansville, IN

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

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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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Limited Edition Bourbon from The Bard Distillery!

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We’re tasting three incredible bourbons from The Bard Distillery! Join us as we compare the exclusive Cinder & Smoke Founder’s Select 10 Year with both the 2022 and 2025 John Prine “You Got Gold” special editions. Get ready for a side-by-side Kentucky bourbon journey!

Hello bourbon friends! Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey are back with a super special tasting featuring our friends at The Bard Distillery in Graham, KY!

In this exciting side-by-side review, we dive deep into three distinct and acclaimed Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys:

🌟 Cinder & Smoke Founder’s Select 10 Year Review

We start with a very special bottle: the Cinder & Smoke Founder’s Select 10 Year (Batch X, Bottle 5 of 497). This ultra-small batch, 100 proof bourbon is the oldest and final three-barrel blend in this specific series.

  • Tasting Notes: Expect an incredible sweetness on the palate, rich caramel, cinnamon, and a very pleasant smokiness that reminds us of a smoked cocktail. At 10 years old, it boasts layers and body without being over-oaked or drying, finishing with tobacco and black pepper. This is a must-try for fans of aged bourbon!

🎶 John Prine “You Got Gold” Edition Comparison

Next, we taste and compare two special editions honoring the legendary singer-songwriter John Prine, with proceeds benefiting the Hello in There Foundation. The proof on both is set at 101.0 to honor Prine’s birthday (10/10).

  • 2022 Edition (Sold Out): A wheated bourbon (corn, wheat, malted barley) with a classic Muhlenberg bourbon profile. Notes of honey, honeysuckle, and sweet bread-like notes. We suggest checking out The Bard’s regular Muhlenberg as a highly available alternative!
  • 2025 Edition (New Release): A rye bourbon (corn, rye, malted barley), aged 5 years. This bourbon is completely different from the others, showcasing a beautiful profile of black tea on the front, caramel, brown sugar, and a vibrant, effervescent finish with cinnamon and pepper pops. This one is highly available online and at the distillery!

🗺️ Visit The Bard Distillery

We also share our love for The Bard’s commitment to community and their beautiful restoration of the historic Graham school building. Find out how you can visit the west end of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and grab a bottle before they’re gone!

So grab your favorite glass, settle in, and let’s explore this bourbon together! Click play ▶️ NOW!

👇 Have you tried spirits from The Bard Distillery? Let us know in the comments below! 👇

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Ordering Information – The Bard Distillery John Prine 2025 Edition: https://thebarddistillery.com/john-prine-2025-edition/ 

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ABOUT THE BOTTLES REVIEWED

✴️ Cinder & Smoke Founder’s Select 10 Year

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Blended & Bottled: The Bard Distillery
  • Mash Bill: Corn, Rye, Malted Barley
  • Age: 5 Years
  • Proof: 100
  • MSRP: $100
  • Released: September 2025
  • Other: Batch X – Bottle 5 of 497
  • Provided: 10/11/25 to us by The Bard Distillery at KBF

✴️ John Prine – You Got Gold (2022 Edition)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: The Bard Distillery
  • Mash Bill: Corn, Wheat, Malted Barley
  • Age: NAS
  • Proof: 101.0 (in honor of John Prine’s birthday, 10/10)
  • MSRP: $76
  • Released: October 2022, Limited to 6,000 Bottles
  • Other: 700 ml bottle
  • Purchased: 2022 for $76 at The Bard via online distribution

✴️ John Prine – You Got Gold (2025 Edition)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: The Bard Distillery
  • Mash Bill: Corn, Rye, Malted Barley
  • Age: 5 Years
  • Proof: 101.0 (in honor of John Prine’s birthday, 10/10)
  • MSRP: $79.99
  • Released: October 2025, Limited to 7,000 Bottles
  • Other: 700 ml bottle
  • Purchased: 10/11/25 for $79.99 at The Bard Distillery in Graham, KY

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NOTE: Two spirits in this review were purchased by us and one was gifted. 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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