Flaviar Advent 2025: Days 7, 8, 9 Surprise Whiskeys

🥃 Flaviar Advent Calendar 2025: Days 7, 8, & 9 Reveal & Review! Heirloom Corn Whiskey, Farm-to-Glass Rye & Tequila Finished Bourbon! 🇺🇸

Welcome back, Travelers! Join Wayne and Rebecca, Your Bourbon Journey, as we open Days 7, 8, and 9 of the exclusive Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar 2025! This episode is a deep dive into American innovation, featuring three must-try whiskeys from Kentucky and Nevada. We uncover a high-rye bourbon finished in tequila barrels, a 100% farm-to-glass rye, and a unique small-batch bourbon using heirloom corn.

Don’t miss our full tasting review, breakdown of the unique stories behind each brand, and final thoughts on this incredible flight of American whiskey.

Day 7: 15 STARS First West Small Batch Bourbon We revisit this exceptional Kentucky Bourbon, which features a blend of 5, 6, and 7-year-old bourbons, including a proprietary mash bill with rare red, white, black, and blue heritage corns! Get our tasting notes on the vanilla, brown sugar, butterscotch, and nuttiness this small-batch whiskey delivers.

Day 8: Frey Ranch Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey We land in Reno, Nevada, for the Frey Ranch Bottled-in-Bond Rye! Made from 100% sustainably grown winter rye using a true Farm-to-Glass approach. This 100 proof rye surprises us with floral notes, a soft start, and a beautiful lingering pepperiness. 

Day 9: Mary Dowling Tequila Barrel Finished Bourbon Honoring the “Mother of Bourbon,” Mary Dowling, this exciting high-rye bourbon is finished in authentic Reposado Tequila barrels—a nod to her distilling history in Mexico during Prohibition! We explore the nose of sweet agave and rye spice, and the surprising palate of chocolate, agave, and a long, clean finish. Tequila finish bourbon is the hottest trend of 2025, and this one is a must-try!

Did you snag the Flaviar Advent Calendar 2025? Let us know your favorite pour in the comments!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

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.

#FlaviarAdventCalendar #whiskeytasting #bourbon #FlaviarDays7-9 #TequilaFinishBourbon  #freyranch #15StarsBourbon #WhiskeyReview #AmericanWhiskey #FarmToGlass #TequilaFinish #Whiskey #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyLover 

New Riff’s Newest Releases Are Incredible—Here’s Why

🥃 New Riff Double Feature! Silver Grove Bourbon & High Note Wheat Whiskey Review 🥃

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as they dive into two brand-new, exciting, and highly-anticipated releases from New Riff Distilling: the 2025 Silver Grove Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and the groundbreaking High Note Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey (The Confluence Project: Vol. 1 collaboration with Chattanooga Whiskey)!

Featured Whiskeys

1. Silver Grove Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2025)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Proof: 110.3 (Barrel Proof Blend)
  • Give Back: Supports the Silver Grove Community Foundation and local community projects, like the park at Green Valley Pond.
  • Special Feature: This is the first New Riff product to carry Master Distiller Brian Sprance’s signature!

2. New Riff High Note Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey – The Confluence Project: Vol. 1

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey (100% Wheat)
  • Proof: 120.9 (Barrel Strength Single Barrel)
  • The Collaboration: This is the inaugural volume of The Confluence Project, a unique seven-year collaboration between New Riff’s Brian Sprance and Chattanooga Whiskey’s Grant McCracken. Both distilleries made a 100% wheat whiskey from the same mash bill but applied their own distinct techniques, highlighting the effect of different terroirs and distilling philosophies (New Riff’s Kentucky Regimen vs. Chattanooga’s Tennessee High Malt style).

Don’t miss the hosts’ final thoughts on value and their strong recommendation to visit the distillery’s beautiful upstairs bar, The Aquifer Tasting Room, in Newport, KY!

Are you a member of the New Riff Online Whiskey Club? Let us know in the comments if you picked up these bottles!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL

✴️ Silver Grove Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2025)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: New Riff Distilling
  • Mash Bill: 65% Corn, 30% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
  • Age: 4 Years
  • Proof: 110.3
  • Released: October 2025
  • Other: First New Riff product to carry Brian Sprance’s signature
  • Purchased: 10/30/25 for $59.99 at New Riff Online Whiskey Club

✴️ New Riff High Note Kentucky Straight Wheated Whiskey

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey
  • Distillery: New Riff Distilling
  • Mash Bill: 60% Red Turkey Wheat, 24% Appalachian Malted Wheat, 8% Dark Malted Wheat, 8% Caramel Malted Wheat
  • Barrel Entry Proof: 110
  • Age: 6 Years
  • Proof: 120.9
  • Released: October 2025
  • Other: Confluence Project: Volume 1, a collaboration with Chattanooga Whiskey
  • Purchased: 10/30/25 for $69.99 at New Riff Online Whiskey Club

YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

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.

#NewRiff #SilverGrove #ConfluenceProject #HighNoteWhiskey #wheatwhiskey #bourbonreview #KentuckyBourbon #whiskeytasting #BarrelProof #WhiskeyReview #NewRiffDistilling #ChattanoogaWhiskey #LimitedEdition #CraftWhiskey #bourbonjourney 

Flaviar Advent 2025: US Bourbon vs. Japanese Whisky! 

✈️ Global Whiskey Flight Review! Flaviar Advent Calendar 2025 Days 4, 5, & 6 | Chicken Cock, Oaklore, Kujira Kyojin 

Welcome back, Travelers, for Episode Two of our Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar 2025 journey! We’re strapping in for an exciting “two-continental tasting flight,” comparing America’s bourbon heritage with an exotic leap across the globe.

In this episode, we unlock Days 4, 5, and 6 of the calendar, tasting three wildly different spirits:

  1. Day 4: Chicken Cock Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (100 Proof) – A Prohibition legacy spirit from Bardstown, KY, with notes of cinnamon red hot, caramel, and nuttiness. Is the “pre-prohibition style” a hit?
  2. Day 5: OaklLore Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey (92 Proof) – A groundbreaking blend of four grains (corn, rye, wheat, barley) aged in the ideal climate of North Carolina’s Piedmont region. Find out why this balanced bourbon is described as a “floral bakery.”
  3. Day 6: Kujira Kyojin Okinawa Whisky (80 Proof) – A truly unique rice-based Japanese whisky from Okinawa, Japan, aged in American white oak. We discover fascinating tropical, sweet & sour, and floral/roselike notes thanks to its special Indica Rice and black Koji berries fermentation.

Join Wayne and Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey for an in-depth, country-to-country tasting review! 

Which whiskey will be the best international pour? Buckle up and Cheers! 🥃

Did you grab a calendar? Let us know your favorite of the first three days in the comments below!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

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.

#FlaviarAdventCalendar #WhiskeyAdventCalendar2025 #whiskeytasting #bourbonreview #japanesewhisky #WhiskyReview #ChickenCockBourbon #OakLoreBourbon #KujiraKyojinOkinawa #WorldWhisky #KentuckyBourbon #CraftWhiskey #WhiskeyLover #DramADay #SpiritReview 

Turkish Tobacco Manhattan: The Ultimate Winter Cocktail 

🥃 The Turkish Tobacco Manhattan (Rye Twist) | December Cocktail Series Part 1/5 | Thirsty Thursday E47

Welcome to Episode 47 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails and the exciting start of our five-part December Cocktail Series!

Tonight, we’re kicking off the holidays with a sophisticated, deep, and woodsy cocktail: The Turkish Tobacco Manhattan. This is more than just a twist on a classic; it’s a slow-sipper built for contemplation and chilly nights.

We anchor this drink with 2 oz of Sagamore Spirit Small Batch Rye Whiskey for a fantastic backbone of spice and pepper. We maintain the classic 2:1 ratio using Valdespino Sweet Vermouth, which adds a rich, almost savory depth.

The magic is in the bitters blend! We use 3 dashes of Turkish Tobacco Bitters for that deep, smoky, earthy base note (it’s all about the aroma of the cured leaf!) and 2 dashes of Cherry Bitters to provide a crucial, bright ‘lift.’

For the final touch of luxury and aroma, we smoke the coupe glass with Cherry Wood before straining. This creates a woodsy, “fireplace” aroma that ties the whole concept together. 

This is a complex, flavorful, and perfect welcome to your holiday entertaining!

🛒 Shop the Bar Cart (Amazon Affiliate Links) 

Get the exact ingredients and tools Rebecca uses to make this amazing Turkish Tobacco Manhattan:

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

🚨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.

#turkishtobaccomanhattan #RyeWhiskey #manhattancocktail #SmokedCocktail #HolidayCocktails #WinterDrinks #cocktailrecipe #WhiskeyCocktail #TobaccoBitters #ClassicCocktails #ThirstyThursday #SagamoreRye #HomeBar #SophisticatedSip #DecemberCocktails 

Nearest Green Distillery Tour: MUST SEE in Tennessee

🎉 BTTT E48: Uncle Nearest Single Barrel (123.3 Proof) Review & World’s Longest Bar! 🥃

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey for Episode 48 of Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes as they kick off their Tennessee Whiskey series with a visit to the historic and beautiful Uncle Nearest Distillery in Shelbyville, TN! Experience a virtual tour of the stunning, 400+ acre former Tennessee Walking Horse Farm (Distillery #51 for them!) and get the inside scoop on their multi-dimensional tour, speakeasy, and impressive rick house.

But the real showstopper? The world-record-holding Humble Baron Bar! Find out how this incredible 518-foot bar earned its place in the Guinness World Records.

Whiskey Review Spotlight: Uncle Nearest Single Barrel 070

After an extensive tasting at the distillery, they review their special purchase: Uncle Nearest Single Barrel 070.

  • Classification: Tennessee Whiskey (Lincoln County Process)
  • Proof: 123.3 (Cask Strength!)
  • Tasting Notes: Discover why Wayne (getting black pepper and cinnamon warmth) and Rebecca (finding toffee, dark chocolate, and brown sugar notes) have a savory vs. sweet experience! This high-proof, aged expression is a far cry from the baseline and is a must-try for any true whiskey enthusiast.

If you weren’t a fan of the standard Uncle Nearest, this Single Barrel review will challenge your impression!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL

✴️ Uncle Nearest Single Barrel 070

  • Classification: Tennessee Whiskey
  • Distillery: Sourced/Tennessee (Possibly Dickel)
  • Mash Bill: Unknown
  • Age: NAS (estimated to be 8-11 years)
  • Proof: 123.3
  • MSRP: $79.99
  • Purchased: 08/19/23 for $79.99 at Uncle Nearest Distillery

YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

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.

#UncleNearest #TennesseeWhiskey #SingleBarrel #HumbleBaron #WorldsLongestBar #WhiskeyReview #CaskStrength #NearestGreen #whiskeytasting #ShelbyvilleTN #DistilleryTour #BourbonTrailTalesAndTastes #BlackOwned #HighProof #LincolnCountyProcess 

Starlight Distillery Triple Threat Whiskey: Which Bottle Wins? 

🥃 Starlight Whiskey Triple-Threat Review! Light Whiskey vs. 7-Year vs. 10-Year American Single Malt 

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey for an in-depth tasting of three exceptional and very different whiskeys from Starlight Distillery (Huber’s) in Indiana! We’re putting Starlight’s innovation to the test with a Light Whiskey and two distinct American Single Malts — a 7-year-old and the highly-anticipated 10-year-old Small Batch #1.

The Huber family are true pioneers, growing their own grains and crafting spirits with a unique farm-to-bottle, sweet mash, and double pot distilled approach. You won’t want to miss our thoughts on these complex, flavorful, and age-stated releases!

We discuss why Starlight’s owner, Ted Huber, and his son, Blake Huber (signed our bottle!), exemplify a class act and how their incredible Repeal Dinner is a must-attend event in the whiskey calendar.

Starlight Distillery VIP Repeal Day Preview Dinner Info

What’s your favorite Starlight release? Let us know in the comments! 👇

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL

✴️ Starlight Light Whiskey Single Barrel 24-8190

  • Classification: Indiana Straight Whiskey
  • Company: Huber’s; Distillery: Starlight
  • Mash Bill: (Likely) 99% Corn and 1% Malted Barley
  • Other: Grains grown on property; sweet mash; double pot distilled.
  • Barrels: Aged in oak casks from around the world; finished 6 months in a Cognac barrel
  • Age: 8.5 Years; Proof: 129.7
  • Purchased: 06/26/25 for $99.98 at Seelbach’s Online

✴️ Starlight Single Malt Whiskey Small Batch B2305

  • Classification: American Single Malt Whiskey
  • Company: Huber’s; Distillery: Starlight
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Other: Sweet mash; double pot distilled.
  • Age: 7 Years; Proof: 94
  • Purchased: 07/18/25 for $64.74 at Starlight Distillery

✴️ Starlight Single Malt Whiskey Small Batch 1

  • Classification: American Single Malt Whiskey
  • Company: Huber’s; Distillery: Starlight
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Other: Sweet mash; double pot distilled.
  • Age: 10 Years
  • Barrels used for this 10-year release included:
    25% PX Sherry Casks
    25% Used Bourbon Casks
    20% Vino De Naranja Casks
    20% Peated Scotch Casks
    10% Rum Cask
  • Proof: 98
  • Purchased: 07/18/25 for $83.24 at Starlight Distillery

YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

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.

#StarlightDistillery #AmericanSingleMalt #lightwhiskey #WhiskeyReview #StarlightWhiskey #IndianaWhiskey #HubersStarlight #CognacFinish #whiskeytasting #CraftWhiskey #ASMW #bourbon #Whiskey #PeatedWhiskey #SingleMalt 

Thanksgiving Cocktail: Mole Bitters Bourbon Old Fashioned

🍁 The Mole Harvest Old Fashioned Riff | Thanksgiving Cocktail Finale | Thirsty Thursday Cocktails E46

Welcome to the Thanksgiving Finale of our Fall Cocktail Series! In Episode 46 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, Rebecca crafts the Mole Harvest Cocktail, a complex, spirit-forward Old Fashioned riff that perfectly captures the warming, savory, and sweet flavors of the holiday season.

This cocktail is a deep dive into mole bitters, featuring a high-proof Knob Creek Single Barrel bourbon backbone balanced by rich demerara syrup and a trio of aromatic bitters. The 3-2-1 bitters ratio (Mole, Aztec Chocolate, and Orange) creates a profile reminiscent of a deep, dark, spiced chocolate pie—it’s the ultimate Thanksgiving cocktail for bourbon lovers!

Whether you’re looking for an impressive holiday cocktail recipe, a unique bourbon drink, or the best Old Fashioned variation for fall, the Mole Harvest is your answer.

If you enjoyed this ultimate Thanksgiving Finale cocktail, please LIKE this video and SUBSCRIBE for more weekly Thirsty Thursday Cocktails! Let me know in the comments: What is your favorite holiday bourbon drink?

Always drink responsibly. Cheers!

🛒 Shop the Bar Cart (Amazon Affiliate Links) 

Get the exact ingredients and tools Rebecca uses to make this amazing Mole Harvest Cocktail:

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

🥃 Mole Harvest Cocktail Recipe: Thanksgiving Old Fashioned Riff

This savory and spirit-forward cocktail is easy to make and guaranteed to impress your guests this holiday season.

  • 2 oz of high-proof bourbon (Knob Creek Single Barrel 120 proof used)
  • .25 oz of Demerara Syrup
  • 3 Dashes of Mole Bitters (the star flavor)
  • 2 Dashes of Aztec Chocolate Bitters (adds depth)
  • 1 Dash of Orange Bitters (bright lift)

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass.
  2. Add a small amount of ice and stir briefly to dissolve the syrup.
  3. Fill the mixing glass with ice and stir for 20-30 seconds to chill and dilute.
  4. Strain the mixture into an Old Fashioned glass over a large ice cube or sphere.
  5. No garnish needed—the aroma is perfection!

🚨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.

#thanksgivingcocktail #oldfashioned #bourboncocktail #MoleBitters #cocktailrecipe #oldfashionedriff #FallCocktails #holidaydrinks #knobcreek #spiritforward #ThirstyThursday #homebartender #chocolatecocktail #ClassicCocktails #thanksgivingdrinks 

Cigar Blend Bourbon: Is Buzzard’s Roost the BEST

🥃 Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Cigar Blend Bourbon Review | The Ultimate Cigar Pairing Whiskey?

Welcome to Your Bourbon Journey! Wayne and Rebecca are diving into one of the most exciting, limited-edition releases of 2025: the Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Cigar Blend Straight Bourbon Whiskey!

Released for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival (KBF), this 6-year, 105-proof high-rye bourbon (60% Corn, 36% Rye) uses Buzzard’s Roost’s proprietary double oak process—a secondary maturation in their custom, lightly-charred, heavily-toasted barrels. This technique is designed specifically to enhance the pairing experience with a fine cigar.

On the Nose & Palate: We found intense notes of confectionary sweetness, oak, and a beautiful, non-overpowering campfire smokiness. The finish delivers lovely coffee notes that make this a fantastic pour on its own, but we discuss why this profile is perfectly engineered for a premium cigar pairing!

The company’s co-founder and master blender, Jason Brauner (also of The Bourbon Bistro), definitely nailed it with this limited-time offer. Did this bottle live up to the hype? Watch our full review to see why we’re fans of Buzzard’s Roost and why this might be their best release yet!


What cigar would YOU pair with this Double Oak Bourbon? Let us know in the comments!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL

✴️  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

YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

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.

#bourbon #cigarblend #buzzardsroost #DoubleOak #bourbonreview #Whiskey #bourbontasting #KBF #kentuckybourbonfestival #WhiskeyReview #bourbonjourney #CigarPairing #ToastedBarrel #StraightBourbon #LimitedRelease 

Mint Julep VIP Tour: Log Still ’23 Bardstown Collection Review 

🍒🔥 Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes Episode 47: Log Still Bardstown Collection 2023 Review (Toasted Cherry S’mores?!)

Join Wayne and Rebecca on Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes Episode 47 as they finally crack open a very special, two-and-a-half-year-old bottle: the Log Still Distillery Bardstown Collection 2023 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey!

This unique and highly-coveted limited edition bourbon was secured during the exclusive Mint Julep VIP Bardstown Bourbon Collection Tour. Wayne and Rebecca share all the details of their special two-day experience, including a scenic train ride, an exquisite lunch, meeting founders Wally, Lynne, and Charles Dant, and a memorable first tour of the beautiful Log Still Distillery campus in New Haven, KY.

Is this bottle worth the hype (and the $199.99 price tag)? Find out if this toasted oak finished bourbon is a must-have for your collection!

🥃 The Whiskey: Log Still Bardstown Collection 2023

This 8-year-old, 117.7 proof high-rye bourbon is a truly distinctive pour. Sourced from the renowned Barton 1792 Distillery‘s high-rye mash bill, Log Still added an innovative final touch: a finishing period in highly-toasted oak barrels.

Tasting Notes (Their Journey): Get ready for a fascinating flavor profile! Wayne and Rebecca dive deep into the nose and palate, discovering:

  • Nose: Distinct cherry notes (classic Barton profile) with a beautiful toasty character.
  • Palate: An explosion of Luxardo cherry upfront, quickly followed by a savory, delicious toasted oak and char goodness. Rebecca even finds surprising notes of dark cocoa, leading to the fun description of a “chocolate cherry s’more” vibe!
  • Finish: Long, warm, and effervescent, carrying the barrel notes and a unique combination of toasted cherry and black pepper.

Don’t forget to hit the like button, subscribe for more whiskey adventures, and share your thoughts in the comments!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL

✴️ Log Still’s Bardstown Collection 2023

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Sourced – Barton 1792 Distillery
  • Mash Bill: High-Rye Bourbon Mash Bill
  • Age: 8 Years
  • Finishing: Highly-toasted oak barrels
  • Proof: 117.7
  • Other: 2023 with the Bardstown Collection
  • Purchased: 06/30/23 for $199.99 at Log Still Distillery

YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

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.

#LogStillDistillery #BardstownCollection #bourbonreview #KentuckyStraightBourbon #ToastedOakFinish #WhiskeyReview #LimitedEditionBourbon #HighRyeBourbon #bourbontrail #Barton1792 #LogStill #whiskeytasting #BourbonVlog #NewHavenKY #WhiskeyCollector 

Affordable 15 STARS Bourbon! First West Series Review 

🥃 15 STARS First West Series Review! Trio Tasting: Small Batch, Toasted Oak, & Extra Aged 🇺🇸

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as they dive into the highly anticipated, and more affordably priced, 15 STARS First West Series of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys! This father-son company (Rick & Ricky Johnson) with roots in gourmet popcorn, and a commitment to heirloom corn, is making waves with their expert blending and “Flavor Proofing” technique.

🤔 Are these new, more accessible bourbons from 15 STARS worth the price point? Watch to find out which bottle offers the best “bang for your buck” and which one they would skip!

In this in-depth tasting, they sample all three unique expressions, bottled in gorgeous, historic blue glass:

The Flight:

  1. First West Small Batch (Blue Label): (5, 6, & 7 Year Blend | 102 Proof | $59.99)
    • The Difference: Includes the brand’s own distillate made from proprietary red, white, and blue heirloom corn for a unique profile.
    • Tasting Notes: Rich caramel, baking spices, vanilla, and a distinct nuttiness reminiscent of roasted nuts or a classic bourbon profile.
    • Verdict: A winner! Wayne and Rebecca agree this is the best value and their favorite, showcasing a unique and distinct flavor profile that sets the brand apart.
  2. First West Toasted Oak (Red Label): (5, 6, & 7 Year Blend | 98 Proof | $69.99)
    • The Difference: Finished in a blend of two different toasted oak barrels for 5 weeks.
      Tasting Notes: Intense sweetness like confectionary sugar and marshmallow, roasted nuts, and a warming cinnamon heat on the back.
    • Verdict: An excellent toasted pour, but the hosts prefer the complexity and uniqueness of the Small Batch for the price.
  3. First West Extra Aged (White Label): (8 & 9 Year Blend | 100 Proof | $79.99)
    • The Difference: Extra-aged and 100% sourced from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery (no 15 STARS distillate).
    • Tasting Notes: Sweet caramel, cardamom/nutmeg spice, and heavy, savory barrel notes.
    • Verdict: A good, older bourbon, but it feels disconnected from the other two and has a surprisingly short finish.

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL

✴️ First West Small Batch Bourbon

  • Classification:  Blend of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
  • Company: 15 Stars
  • Mash Bill: Includes a portion of 15 STARS’ own distillate made from proprietary red, white, and blue heirloom corn—a first for the brand’s blends.
  • Age: Blend of 5, 6, & 7 Year
  • Proof: 102 (“flavor proofed”)
  • MSRP: $59.99
  • Released: July 2025
  • Other: Bottled in a unique, historic blue glass bottle inspired by the earliest whiskey bottles crafted in Kentucky.
  • Purchased: 10/16/25 for $59.99 at High Spirits Liquor in Evansville, IN

✴️First West Toasted Oak

  • Classification:  Blend of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: 15 Stars
  • Mash Bill: Includes bourbon distilled by 15 STARS (at Bardstown Bourbon Company) from proprietary red, white, and blue heritage corns (first use in a 15 STARS blend); the other component bourbon(s) are not disclosed
  • Barrels: Blend of two different toast profiles
  • Age: Blend of 5, 6, & 7 Year
  • Proof: 98
  • MSRP: $69.99
  • Released: July 2025
  • Other: Bottled in a unique, historic blue glass bottle inspired by the earliest whiskey bottles crafted in Kentucky.
  • Purchased: 10/16/25 for $69.99 at High Spirits Liquor in Evansville, IN

✴️First West Extra Aged

  • Classification:  Blend of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
  • Company: 15 Stars
  • Mash Bill: 
  • Age: Blends of 8 & 9 Years
  • Proof: 100 “flavor proofed”
  • MSRP: $79.99
  • Released: July 2025
  • Other: Bottled in a unique, historic blue glass bottle inspired by the earliest whiskey bottles crafted in Kentucky.
  • Purchased: 10/16/25 for $79.99 at High Spirits Liquor in Evansville, IN

YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

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.

#15STARSBourbon #FirstWestSeries #bourbonreview #KentuckyBourbon #whiskeytasting #SmallBatchBourbon #ToastedOakFinish #ExtraAgedBourbon #FlavorProofed #bourbonjourney #NewRelease #HeirloomCorn #CraftBourbon #MustTryBourbon