Bourbon Journey

Booker’s Southern Thunder vs. Little Book The Infinite III: A Beam Family Battle

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We are completely on the Beam today with a side-by-side tasting and review of two powerhouse fall 2026 releases from the James B. Beam Distilling Co.: Little Book The Infinite Edition III and Booker’s Bourbon Batch 2026-03 “Southern Thunder”! Both of these premium Kentucky straight bourbons were picked up directly from the Jim Beam American Outpost in Clermont, Kentucky.

Tasting these releases side by side reveals surprising family connections across the palate, blending legendary past heritage with innovative modern craft.

What has been your favorite Beam release so far in 2026?

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Little Book The Infinite Edition III

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Blend of Straight Bourbons)
  • Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co. (Clermont, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed blend across 10 straight bourbon components
  • Age: NAS (blend of straight bourbons aged 7 to 23 years)
  • Proof: 118.3 Proof (59.15% ABV)
  • Released: September 2026
  • Other: Perpetual infinity blend curated by 8th Generation Master Distiller Freddie Noe. Composed of ~30% base carried over from Edition II (which preserved liquid from Edition I) married with 70% new components: a 23-Year Knob Creek Bourbon distilled under Booker Noe, an 11-Year Knob Creek Bourbon distilled under Fred Noe, and a 9-Year Baker’s Bourbon distilled under Freddie Noe.
  • SRP: $199.99
  • Purchased: 09/04/26 for $200 at Jim Beam American Outpost

Booker’s Bourbon Batch 2026-03 “Southern Thunder”

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co. (Clermont, KY)
  • Mash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
  • Age: 7 years, 1 month, 14 days
  • Proof: 127.3 Proof (63.65% ABV)
  • Released: October 2026
  • Other: Drawn from center-cut rickhouse barrels. Named “Southern Thunder” in tribute to 6th Generation Master Distiller Booker Noe’s booming, larger-than-life voice and presence.
  • SRP: $99.99
  • Purchased: 10/10/26 for $99.99 at Jim Beam American Outpost

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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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Elijah Craig 21-Year: Is This $300 Bottle Actually Worth It?

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Is the legendary Elijah Craig 21-Year Single Barrel worth its $300 price tag, or did 21 long years in the wood push it over the edge?

Join Wayne & Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as we pop the cork on the newly reintroduced Elijah Craig 21-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Barrel 47)! Aged for over two decades on the cooler lower floors of Heaven Hill’s historic rickhouses and bottled at 94 proof, this expression marks the first official return of the coveted 21-year age statement since 2013.

We scored this commemorative wooden-box release in person during Kentucky Bourbon Festival week at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown, KY. Today, we sip from our official Heaven Hill crystal tasting glasses to give you an unfiltered, palate-by-palate review.

Does the nose deliver on sweetness? How intense is that 21-year oak, cocoa, and Maduro cigar tobacco on the palate? And most importantly—should you hunt this rare allocated bottle down?

Hit Subscribe to join our journey through the best spirits and barrel picks in whiskey country! Always remember to drink responsibly. Cheers! 🥃✨

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Elijah Craig 21-Year-Old Bourbon (Barrel 47)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Single Barrel)
  • Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery (Bernheim Facility, DSP-KY-1, Louisville, KY; aged & bottled at Bardstown, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Traditional Heaven Hill Bourbon Mash Bill — 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
  • Age: 21 Years
  • Proof: 94 Proof (47.0% ABV)
  • Bottled on 03/06/2026 from Barrel 47; first reintroduction of the Elijah Craig 21-Year age statement since 2013; pulled from the lower, cooler floors of Heaven Hill’s traditional rickhouses to temper excessive wood tannin and evaporation over 21+ years of aging; packaged in a custom commemorative wooden display case.
  • Released: June 14, 2026 (distillery release at Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience)
  • SRP: $299.99
  • Purchased: 09/11/26 for $299.99 at Heaven Hill in Bardstown, KY

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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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Release 19 Blind Barrels: The Good, The Bad, and The Surprise

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After last quarter’s box left Wayne questioning everything, Blind Barrels is back for Release XIX (19)—marking nearly five years of blind craft whiskey curation! This quarterly release, titled the “Eyes Wide Shut” box, was compiled entirely from member recommendations showcasing the best hidden gems across American craft distilling.

Join Wayne and Rebecca as they taste through four mystery pours completely blind—guessing the style, age, and proof before revealing the bottles, sharing tasting notes, and deciding whether each pour earns a permanent spot on their home bar. From a sweet vermouth cask finish that converts a non-rye drinker to a rare Civil War heirloom corn bourbon, a pioneer craft wheater, and a French-oak-finished Kentucky powerhouse, Release 19 delivers some massive surprises!

Which bottles earned an instant “BUY,” which was a low maybe, and which pour took the crown as the overall flight favorite? Pour yourself a dram and taste along with us!

If you enjoy authentic whiskey tastings, honest reviews, and craft distillery discoveries, make sure to like, comment with your thoughts, and subscribe to the channel for more whiskey adventures every week!

To learn more about a Subscription to Blind Barrels, this is our Affiliate Link (commissions can be earned): https://blindbarrels.com/#subscription_plan?sca_ref=7200023.Ze2fVg6fhr

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Featured Blind Barrels XIX Sample Details

Sample A: Dad’s Hat Pennsylvania Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Sweet Vermouth Casks

  • Distillery: Mountain Laurel Spirits (Bristol, PA)
  • Proof: 94 Proof (47% ABV)
  • Age: 1 Year (Blend of ~8-month rye aged in charred oak quarter casks and 4-year-old rye; finished 3 months in sweet vermouth casks)
  • Mash Bill: 80% Rye, 15% Malted Two-Row Barley, 5% Malted Rye
  • Pricing: $39.99 Member Price ($54.99 Regular)
  • Fun Fact: One of the only vermouth-finished whiskeys in North America, crafted

Sample B: Ironclad The Old Colonel Straight Bourbon Whiskey

  • Distillery: Ironclad Distillery (Newport News, VA)
  • Proof: 100 Proof (50% ABV)
  • Age: 6.5 Years
  • Mash Bill: 78% Pungo Creek Heirloom Indian Corn, 12% Rye, 10% Malted Barley (100% Virginia-grown grains)
  • Pricing: $49.99 Member Price ($74.99 Regular)

Sample C: McKenzie Bottled-in-Bond Wheated Bourbon

  • Distillery: Finger Lakes Distilling (Burdett, NY)
  • Proof: 100 Proof (50% ABV)
  • Age: 7 Years (Bottled-in-Bond)
  • Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 20% Red Winter Wheat, 10% Malted Barley
  • Pricing: $49.99 Member Price

Sample D: Lucky Seven “The Frenchman” Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

  • Distillery: Lucky Seven Spirits (Shelbyville, KY)
  • Proof: 113 Proof (56.5% ABV)
  • Age: 6 Years
  • Finish: Finished in new French oak barrels (blend of Kentucky straight rye-bourbon mash bills)
  • Pricing: $54.99 Member Price ($75.00 Regular)

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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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How to Make The Phantom’s Cloak | The Ultimate Halloween Bourbon Drink

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Step into the shadows this Halloween season with The Phantom’s Cloak! In Episode 92 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails on Your Bourbon Journey, Rebecca crafts a brooding, dry, and deeply herbaceous stirred cocktail designed to bring dramatic aromatics and complex bittersweet layers to your glass.

Anchored by bold, 115-proof Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style bourbon, this cocktail features a rich amaro split blending the earthy artichoke bitterness of Cynar 70 with the citrus-and-cola herbal profile of Averna Amaro. Accented with Aztec Chocolate Bitters, layered over an absinthe rinse, and infused with trapped cherry wood smoke, this cocktail looks like a phantom and drinks with unbelievable elegance.

Grab your mixing glass, ignite the smoker, and let’s craft the ultimate mysterious fall cocktail!

🔔 Don’t Miss Next Week!

Next Thursday marks our 2-Year Anniversary Special (Episode 93)! Wayne joins Rebecca for a special “Double Barrel” split-pour cocktail challenge. Hit Subscribe and turn on the notification bell so you don’t miss it!

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🥃 The Recipe: The Phantom’s Cloak

  • Glassware: Rocks glass
  • Ice: 2-inch clear cube
  • Smoke: Cherry wood chips
  • Ingredients:
  • 1.75 oz Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon (115 Proof)
  • 0.75 oz Cynar 70 Amaro
  • 0.50 oz Averna Amaro
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters
  • Absinthe Rinse (Neeley’s Loathing in KY)
  • Garnish: Notched orange peel (charred edges)

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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. 

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Nashtucky Honey vs Louisville Rickhouse Double Oak Review

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Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey! Today, Wayne and Rebecca are diving into two standout bottles picked straight from a recent Bourbon Trail day trip through NuLu in Louisville, Kentucky.

After stopping by The Vault (WhistlePig) and The Last Refuge (Heaven’s Door), we finished our tour at Louisville Rickhouse (part of the Nashville Barrel Company family). We did a single barrel flight and each got to pick a bottle to bring home. Wayne went sweet and balanced with a single barrel honey finish, while Rebecca went heavy and robust with an ultra-limited experimental double oak!

Join us as we crack both open, break down the tasting notes, discuss whether they drink their proof, and decide if they’re worth a spot on your bar.

Have you visited Louisville Rickhouse or tried anything from Nashville Barrel Company / Nashtucky? Let us know your favorites down in the comments!

If you enjoyed the tasting, please give this video a thumbs up, leave a comment, and hit Subscribe to join us on our bourbon journey. Always remember to drink responsibly! Cheers!

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Nashtucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Honey Cask (Single Barrel, Barrel No 5162)

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Honey Cask
  • Company: Connected Spirits / Nashtucky Whiskey Co.
  • Distillery: Undisclosed Kentucky Distillery (Distilled in Kentucky, aged in Tennessee; bottled by Nashtucky Whiskey Co., Nashville, TN, DSP-TN-21095)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed
  • Age: 6 Years
  • Proof: 106.54 Proof (53.27% ABV)
  • Released: 2026
  • Other: Barrel 5162; Cask Strength; Non-Chill Filtered; Hand Bottled; 750 mL
  • SRP: $79.99
  • Purchased: 08/14/2026 for $79.99 at Louisville Rickhouse

Louisville Rickhouse Experimental Series Double Oak’d Kentucky Bourbon (Barrel Strength, Barrel No 8919)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Louisville Rickhouse Whiskey Co.
  • Distillery: Undisclosed Kentucky Distillery (Distilled in Kentucky; bottled by Louisville Rickhouse, Louisville, KY, DSP-KY-20181)
  • Mash Bill: 78% Corn / 10% Rye / 12% Malted Barley
  • Age: 9 Years (initial aging + 2 years double oaked)
  • Proof: 124.28 Proof (62.14% ABV)
  • Released: 2026
  • Other: Barrel 8919; Re-barreled into New Char 4 Kelvin Barrels for 2 years; Non-Chill Filtered; Barrel Strength; Total Bottle Count: 80 bottles; 750 mL
  • SRP: $129.99
  • Purchased: 08/14/2026 for $129.99 at Louisville Rickhouse

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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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We Won the Starlight Lottery! 10 YR Mizunara Reserve Review 

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Winner, winner, chicken dinner! In this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca crack open one of the rarest, most anticipated craft bourbon releases of 2026: the ultra-limited Starlight Mizunara Reserve 10-Year Bourbon (Batch 1).

With only 250 bottles produced by Starlight Distillery in Borden, Indiana, this bottle was released via an exclusive lottery in September 2026 for $250. Coming off double-gold acclaim at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for their 8-year Mizunara finish, Starlight dialed it up by finishing their flagship 10-year sweet mash bourbon in rare Japanese Mizunara oak casks.

Bottled at 110 proof from a mash bill of 60% corn, 20% rye, and 20% malted barley, does this rare craft pour earn a spot on our Allocated Whiskey of the Year shortlist alongside Pappy and Peerless? Join us as we explore the legs, crackling crème brûlée nose, creamy mouthfeel, exotic sandalwood, and lingering toasted barrel notes.

Shoutout to Ted, Christian, and Blake at Starlight Distillery for crafting incredible spirits—and cheers to drinking local!

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Starlight Mizunara Reserve 2026, Batch 1

  • Classification: Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Japanese Mizunara Barrels
  • Company: Huber’s Orchard, Winery & Vineyards (Starlight Distillery)
  • Distillery: Starlight Distillery (Borden, IN)
  • Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 20% Rye, 20% Malted Barley
  • Age: 10 Years
  • Proof: 110
  • Released: September 2026
  • Other: Limited to 250 Bottles
  • Purchased: 09/12/26 for $250 at Starlight Lottery & Direct Shipped

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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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Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Review! Was 4 AM Worth It?

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When you get in line at 4:00 AM at Four Roses, sometimes things work out well! Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as we share our morning drop experience at the Cox’s Creek Bottling Facility and deliver our fresh-from-the-car review and tasting notes for the highly anticipated Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

We break down everything that went into this release—from early morning 5:30 AM tailgating pours with fellow whiskey fans and running into bourbon creator Sara Havens in line, to uncovering a surprise Mellow Moments Club gift and analyzing Master Distiller Brent Elliott’s latest masterpiece.

Is this 14-to-23-year blend featuring vintage OESK, OESV, and OBSK recipes the best Four Roses Limited Edition? Find out our full nose, palate, and finish impressions!

If you enjoyed the review, please hit the Like button, drop a comment with your thoughts on the 2026 Limited Edition release, and don’t forget to Subscribe for weekly reviews, distillery trail updates, and tasting flights! Always remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!

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Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Barrel Strength, Non-Chill Filtered)
  • Company: Kirin Brewery Company / Four Roses Distillery LLC
  • Distillery: Four Roses Distillery (Lawrenceburg, KY; DSP-KY-370 / Bottled at Cox’s Creek, DSP-KY-522)
  • Mash Bill: Multi-Mashbill Blend featuring Four Roses’ B (60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley) and E (75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley)
  • Age: Blend of 4 batches aged 14 to 23 Years:
    • 23-Year-Old OESK
    • 15-Year-Old OESV
    • 14-Year-Old OESK
    • 14-Year-Old OBSK
  • Proof: 109.2 Proof (54.6% ABV)
  • Released: October 10, 2026
  • Other: 19th annual LE release; total run of approximately 16,800 hand-numbered bottles; 750 mL
  • SRP: $249.00
  • Purchased: October 10, 2026 for $249.00 at Four Roses Bottling & Warehouse (Cox’s Creek, KY)

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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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Autumn in the Rickhouse: The Only Fall Cocktail You Need

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Step inside the rack house this October with the ultimate fall whiskey sour: “Autumn in the Rickhouse.” 🍂🥃

In Episode 91, we pivot from last week’s stirred Manhattan riff into a vibrant, textural autumn sour designed to capture the earthy barrel oak, rich sugars, and crisp chill of walking through a Kentucky rickhouse in autumn.

To build a drink that punches through ice dilution and citrus, we anchor the shaker with 120-proof Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve. Its robust profile of charred oak, roasted peanut brittle, and deep caramel creates an unshakeable backbone. We balance that heat with an equal-parts modifier split: fresh strained lemon juice for crisp acidity, bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup for woodsy sweetness, and Amaro Nonino Quintessentia for alpine herbs and bittersweet burnt orange.

To take it into true rickhouse territory, we introduce a dual-bitters split—bright Fee Brothers Plum Bitters for orchard stone fruit, paired with Turkish Tobacco Bitters for cured leaf and seasoned oak staves—all crowned with freshly grated nutmeg.

Drop a comment below: What’s your go-to high-proof bourbon for fall cocktails? 

🎃 NEXT WEEK: Episode 92 kicks off our Halloween cocktail series with “The Phantom’s Cloak”! Be sure to subscribe and hit the bell so you don’t miss it!

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🥃 RECIPE: AUTUMN IN THE RICKHOUSE

  • 2.0 oz Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon (120 Proof)
  • 0.50 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (fine-strained)
  • 0.50 oz Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup
  • 0.50 oz Amaro Nonino Quintessentia (or Amaro Montenegro)
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Plum Bitters
  • 2 dashes Turkish Tobacco Bitters
  • Garnish: Freshly grated whole nutmeg

🚨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. 

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Ranking Four 2026 Penelope Bottle: Which One Is The Flop? 

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Happy Hump Day! We are diving into a massive, four-bottle 2026 Penelope flight picked up straight from Lux Row Distillers during Kentucky Bourbon Festival week. From unique wine finishes and high-rye single barrels to ultra-aged vintage bourbon and a 139-proof monster, we don’t buy bottles just to collect them—we open them and taste them!

In this review, we line up four standout 2026 releases from Penelope Bourbon / Ross & Squibb Distillery. Join Wayne and Rebecca as we break down the specs, nose, palate, finish, and overall value of each bottle. Which one took our top pour of the day, and which bottle missed the mark? Watch to see our full ranked breakdown!

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Penelope Riviera (Cooper Series)

  • Classification: Blended American Whiskey Finished in Rosé Wine Casks
  • Company: MGP Ingredients / Luxco (Penelope Bourbon)
  • Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery, Lawrenceburg, IN
  • Mash Bill: 74% Corn, 16% Wheat, 7% Rye, 3% Malted Barley (blend of 8-Year American Light Whiskey & Straight Bourbon)
  • Age: 8 Years
  • Proof: 94 Proof (47% ABV)
  • SRP: $90
  • Released: Spring/Summer 2026
  • Other: Part of Penelope’s Cooper Series highlighting specialty cask finishes; finished in Spanish rosé wine casks; non-chill filtered.
  • Purchased: 09.11.26 for $110 at Lux Row Distillery

Penelope Estate Collection Single Barrel

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Single Barrel)
  • Company: MGP Ingredients / Luxco (Penelope Bourbon)
  • Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery, Lawrenceburg, IN
  • Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
  • Age: 10 Years
  • Proof: 107
  • SRP: $90
  • Released: Fall 2026 (Estate Collection allocation)
  • Other: Rickhouse location: Warehouse N, Floor B, Barrel PEN26-109; non-chill filtered.
  • Purchased: 09.11.26 for $90 at Lux Row Distillery

Penelope Estate Collection Founders Reserve (2026 Release)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Cask Strength)
  • Company: MGP Ingredients / Luxco (Penelope Bourbon)
  • Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
  • Age: 13 Years
  • Proof: 101.4
  • SRP: $200
  • Released: September 2026 (Distillery & select national allocation)
  • Other: Packaged in the signature deep green Estate Collection collector’s box; non-chill filtered; matured in #3 char barrels.
  • Purchased: 09.11.26 for $200 at Lux Row Distillery

Penelope 18 Year American Light Whiskey

  • Classification: American Light Whiskey
  • Company: MGP Ingredients / Luxco (Penelope Bourbon)
  • Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery, Lawrenceburg, IN
  • Mash Bill: 99% Corn, 1% Malted Barley
  • Age: 18 Years
  • Proof: 139
  • SRP: $110
  • Released: Spring 2026
  • Other: Distilled at >160 proof and matured in used oak barrels; Penelope’s oldest Light Whiskey release to date; non-chill filtered.
  • Purchased: 09.11.26 for $1110 at Lux Row Distillery

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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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Remus Repeal Reserve Series X vs Ezra Brooks 12-Year: Which Bourbon Reigns Supreme?

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Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey! It’s “Two for Tuesday,” and we are cracking into two heavy-hitting, highly anticipated bottles fresh from our trip to Bardstown, Kentucky: the ultra-exclusive Ezra Brooks 12-Year Single Barrel (Lux Row Hand-Bottled Program) and the milestone 10th Anniversary Remus Repeal Reserve Series X!

We picked both of these bottles up at Lux Row Distillers during an incredible event with master distillers John Rempe, Stephen Beam, and Ian Stirsman. But at very different price points, which bottle truly earns its place on your home bar shelf?

Let us know in the comments: Have you picked up Remus Repeal Reserve Series X yet? Would you pay $200 for a 12-year hand-bottled single barrel from Lux Row? 

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1️⃣ Ezra Brooks 12-Year Single Barrel Bourbon (Lux Row Hand-Bottled)

• Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 10% Rye, 12% Malted Barley

• Age: 12 Years | Proof: 99 (49.5% ABV)

• Barrel No.: 6155211 | SRP / Paid: $199.99

• Notes: Hand-filled, wax-dipped distillery exclusive, charcoal filtered prior to aging in deep char American oak. 

2️⃣ Remus Repeal Reserve Series X (10th Anniversary Edition)

• Mash Bill: Medley of 5 vintages (2008–2017) spanning 3 high-rye mash bills:

   – 35% 2016 Bourbon (60/36/4 LBSV)

   – 19% 2014 Bourbon (60/36/4 LBSV)

   – 17% 2017 Bourbon (51/49 LISV – Historic debut in Repeal Reserve!)

   – 15% 2016 Bourbon (75/21/4 LESV)

   – 14% 2008 Bourbon (75/21/4 LESV)

• Age: Blend of 9- to 18-year-old bourbons | Proof: 107

• SRP: $79.99 | Paid: $89.99

🚨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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