Bourbon Women

ECBP A125 vs C925 vs B525: Blind Bourbon Battle!

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🥃 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!

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✴️ ECBP A125

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Heaven Hill
  • Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
  • Age: 10 years, 7 months
  • Proof: 118.2
  • MSRP: $74.99
  • Released: January 2025
  • 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

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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.

#ElijahCraigBarrelProof #ECBP #bourbonreview #blindtasting #WhiskeyReview #A125 #B525 #C925 #HeavenHill #KentuckyBourbon #BarrelProof #Whiskey #BourbonLife #bourbon #whiskeytasting 

Nearest Green Distillery Tour: MUST SEE in Tennessee

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🎉 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!

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✴️ 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❌

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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.

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

Starlight Distillery Triple Threat Whiskey: Which Bottle Wins? 

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🥃 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! 👇

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✴️ 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❌

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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.

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

Cigar Blend Bourbon: Is Buzzard’s Roost the BEST

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🥃 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!

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✴️  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

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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.

#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 

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🍒🔥 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!

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✴️ 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❌

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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.

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

Affordable 15 STARS Bourbon! First West Series Review 

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🥃 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.

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✴️ 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❌

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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.

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

Outlaw Kentucky Bourbon! 107 Proof Review (MUST TASTE!)

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🥃 OUTLAW KENTUCKY BOURBON: Sundance Kid Review | Brown Sugar Bomb from Preservation Distillery?

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as they crack open a rare and highly-sought-after bottle: Outlaw Kentucky Bourbon – The Sundance Kid. Bottled by the mysterious Outlaw Distilling Company (wink, wink… same address as Preservation Distillery + Farm in Bardstown, KY!), this Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is part of a special series celebrating the Old West’s most notorious characters.

This 7-8 year old blend is bottled at a perfect 107.6 Proof (Barrel Strength / Cask Strength adjacent!) and delivers a profile Wayne and Rebecca describe as a “Brown Sugar Bomb!”

In this video, you’ll get:

  • Tasting Notes: Discover the dominant flavors of rich brown sugar, warm clove, a hint of vanilla on the nose, and a long finish that evolves into dark chocolate, cinnamon, and barrel char.
  • Deep Dive Info: Uncover the story of Harry Longabaugh, the real Sundance Kid, and his fictional connection to a payroll hijacking bound for Wattie Boone Distillery.
  • Bourbon Journey Verdict: Find out why this rare $159 bottle stood out among the high-dollar, limited-edition releases at Preservation Distillery’s gift shop during the Kentucky Bourbon Festival.
  • Smooth & Viscous Mouthfeel: Hear how the proof point is “just right” and why this whiskey has a delightful, lingering warmth.

Is this high-proof, sourced Kentucky Bourbon worthy of its outlaw name? Tune in to find out!

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more rare whiskey reviews and bourbon tasting adventures!

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✴️ Outlaw Kentucky Bourbon: Sundance Kid

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Undisclosed
  • Bottled: Under the name of Outlaw Distilling Company (same address as Preservation Distillery + Farm)
  • Mash Bill: unknown
  • Age: 7-8 years
  • Proof: 107.6
  • Other: Part of a Series
  • Purchased: 09/02/25 for $159 at Preservation Distillery 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.

#OutlawBourbon

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The Bourbon Trail’s Grand Finale: Woodford Reserve 

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🥃 FINAL STAMP! Woodford Reserve Wheat Review & Kentucky Bourbon Trail DOUBLE Complete! | Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes E46

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey for the emotional final stop on their incredible quest to complete the entire Kentucky Bourbon Trail (both the main and craft trails)! In Episode 46 of Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes, they take you back to May 21, 2023, at the stunning Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles, KY.

This visit was momentous — the 50th distillery and the 42nd and final stamp on the trail, achieved after 13 months and 394 days! Hear all about the beautiful limestone campus, the breathtaking cathedral-like still house featuring six massive Scottish copper pot stills, and the memorable bottle etching ceremony that book-ended their journey (starting with a Knob Creek bottle and ending with a commemorative Woodford Reserve).

Plus, they finally unveil their grand prize for completing the double trail (the Heritage and Craft trails): a commemorative bourbon barrel stave!

🥃 Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey Review

Wayne and Rebecca taste the Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey (90.4 Proof, 52% Wheat mash bill) that they picked up on a later trip.

The Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey features a unique mash bill of 52% Wheat, 20% Corn, 20% Malted Barley, and 8% Rye. Typically, wheat whiskeys are known for their sweet, bread, and confectionary notes. Did this one live up to the standard set by favorites like Bernheim or Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farms?

Watch the episode to see if this pour gets a recommendation and hear why, even if the Wheat Whiskey wasn’t their favorite, the Woodford Reserve Distillery tour is a must-see destination!

Tasting Notes (Spoiler Alert!):

  • Nose: Surprisingly off-putting, with notes of “industrial,” “turpentine,” and unexpected ethanol for a 90.4 proof pour.
  • Palate: Described as bitter and not featuring the expected sweet wheat notes. An unusual profile for this grain type.

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✴️ Woodford Reserve Wheat Whiskey

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey
  • Company: Brown-Forman
  • Distillery: Woodford Reserve
  • Mash Bill: 52% Wheat, 20% Corn, 20% Malted Barley, 8% Rye
  • Age: NAS (at least 4 years)
  • Proof: 90.4
  • Purchased: 05/21/23 for $39.99 at Woodford Reserve Distillery

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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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#FinalStamp

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Michael Veach’s Dream Bourbon: Fountain Run BiB Review

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🥃 Fountain Run Bourbon Review: Michael Veach’s Dream 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond! 🥃

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as they finally taste the culmination of “Bill and Mike’s Excellent Adventure:” Fountain Run Bottled In Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey! Bourbon Hall of Fame Historian Michael Veach (BourbonVeach) poured his heart and family history into this unique bottle, and the results are an absolute success.

Inspired by his grandfather’s Depression-era moonshine, this bourbon is crafted with a very special mash bill featuring Hickory Cane White Corn. After a seven-year, four-month journey, is this one-of-a-kind, fruit-forward, 19th-century-style bourbon the “hitters bourbon” they hoped for?

Watch to find out the unique tasting notes of green apple, pear, rye spice, and coffee/chocolate malt that make this a “tale of two halves” for the palate! Plus, hear about the unique bottling process and the potential for a future “baked apple pie” wheated version!

Tasting Notes & Specs

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Kentucky Artisan Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 65% Hickory Cane White Corn, 20% Rye, 12% Distiller’s Malt, 3% Chocolate Malt
  • Age: 7 Years 4 Months (Bottled In Bond)
  • Proof: 100 Proof (Drinks a little higher!)
  • Nose: Light, fruit-forward, sweet, like an orchard (green apple, pear).
  • Palate: Bright, fresh fruit (apple), followed by rye spice, with a chocolate/coffee hint on the back palate and finish.
  • Release Date: October 2025

Purchased: 10/30/25 for $99.99 at Seelbach’s Online Check Seelbach’s for availability: https://seelbachs.com/products/fountain-run-kentucky-straight-bourbon-whiskey

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

The Journey

This bourbon is the finale of Michael Veach and Bill Thomas’s multi-year project, affectionately called “Bill and Mike’s Excellent Adventure.” This limited release was produced at Kentucky Artisan Distillery with distiller Jade Peterson, using a traditional 19th-century approach, including a low 103 barrel entry proof, heavy toast, Char 3 barrel, a screw-top, and a period-correct tax seal—features beloved by Michael Veach.

Read all about the journey on Michael Veach’s blog (Bourbon Veach):

👍 If you enjoyed this review, please like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more bourbon reviews! 💬 Let us know in the comments if you were able to snag a bottle of Fountain Run!

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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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Best RYE Whiskey? Blind Taste Test 5 Bottles!

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🥃 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?

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

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🚨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.

#RyeWhiskey #blindtasting #whiskeytasting #WhiskeyReview #HardTruthDistilling BardstownBourbonCo #NewRiff #NeelyFamilyDistillery #TomsTown #RyeLife #BourbonVsRye #CraftWhiskey #bottledinbond #RyeCocktails #ChocolateMaltRye