Experience a masterclass in “dark” flavors with The Velvet Root, a sophisticated, spirit-forward twist on the classic Black Manhattan. In Episode 70 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey breaks down this rich, earthy drink that balances the heavy-hitting Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon with the nostalgic botanical notes of Root Beer Whiskey.
Whether you love a traditional Manhattan or you’re looking for a cocktail with notes of charred oak, leather, and sarsaparilla, this recipe is for you. We dive deep into why the Averna Amaro provides that signature Sicilian silkiness and how a few dashes of molasses bitters create a savory, dark-sugar backbone that lingers on the finish.
Bourbon Review: Is the NEW Maker’s Mark “The Stewards” Release
Happy day, everyone! Today on Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca are diving into the highly anticipated 2026 Maker’s Mark: The Stewards Release. This is the third of five entries in the second Wood Finishing Series, and we found a killer deal on it at Costco!
“The Stewards” honors the hardworking operations team at Star Hill Farm—the folks who manage everything from fermentation to bottling. But does this bottle live up to the legacy of the people it celebrates?
In this video, we break down the unique stave profile (10 virgin toasted American oak staves), the 109.8 proof point, and the complex flavor journey that goes from bright raw honey to dark chocolate and spicy black pepper. Whether you’re a die-hard Maker’s collector or just looking for a solid $60 bottle, you won’t want to miss our honest thoughts on this 2026 release.
In this video, we cover:
🥃 Where we found it for $15 under MSRP.
🥃 The technical specs: Mash bill, proof, and the “Steward” backstory.
🥃 Nose, Palate, and Finish: From honey and vanilla to dark cocoa and barrel char.
🥃 How it compares to previous Wood Finishing Series releases.
If you enjoy our whiskey reviews, make sure to hit that Subscribe button and join our community of bourbon lovers!
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.
Explore the fascinating world of American Single Malt Whiskey with Your Bourbon Journey! Fresh off our American Single Malt Academy certification (which we highly recommend you check out!), Wayne and Rebekah dive into three fascinating expressions from Virginia Distillery Co. in Lovingston, Virginia.
Join us for a definitive tasting “showdown” as we compare three completely distinct barrel finishes. We’ll see how wood management can totally transform a 100% malted barley mash bill.
We are tasting:
Cider Cask: A light, orchard-fresh core release finished in French Calvados, Virginia Cider, and Laird’s Apple Brandy barrels. Perfect for summer!
Courage Club Coffee Cask: A potent, 112-proof Courage & Conviction club exclusive, 5 years old and finished in coffee casks. Think chicory and espresso!
Cigar Blend “First Cut”: A 7-year-old masterpiece and the distillery’s first cigar blend. It’s a complex “cask cocktail” featuring Spanish Oak, Sherry, Port, STR, Cabernet, Armagnac, Cognac, and Fino casks, with a whisper of Islay smoke.
From entry-level value to rare club exclusives, this video is your guide to Virginia Distillery Co.’s impressive lineup. Check out their website for more details on these bottles and their amazing club perks!
Distillery: Virginia Distillery Co. (Lovingston, VA)
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Age: NAS (No Age Statement); matured for multiple years (typically 4+ years) in ex-bourbon barrels before the finish.
Finished: French Calvados, Virginia Cider, & Laird’s Apple Brandy Barrels
Proof: 93
MSRP: $44.99 (700 ml)
Released: Core Release (ongoing)
Purchased: 04/03/26 for $44.99 at Virginia Distillery Online
American Single Malt Coffee Cask
Classification: American Single Malt Whiskey
Company: Virginia Distillery Co.
Distillery: Virginia Distillery Co. (Lovingston, VA)
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Age: 5 Years
Primary Maturation Cask: Ex-Bourbon
Finishing Cask: Coffee
Proof: 112
MSRP: $99.99 (750 ml)
Released: Courage Club Exclusive, Bottle 289
Purchased: 03/22/26 for $99.99 at Virginia Distillery Online
American Single Malt Cigar Blend “First Cut”
Classification: American Single Malt Whiskey
Company: Virginia Distillery Co.
Distillery: Virginia Distillery Co. (Lovingston, VA)
Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
Age: 7 Years
Finished: A complex “cask cocktail” including Spanish Oak, Sherry, Port, STR (Shaved, Toasted, Re-charred), Château Palmer Cabernet, Armagnac, Cognac, and Fino casks. Note: Contains a “whisper” of smoke from rare Islay casks.
Proof: 108
MSRP: $59.99 (700 ml)
Released: February/March 2026
Purchased: 04/03/26 for $59.99 at Virginia Distillery Online
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.
Celebrate Mother’s Day with the Dandelion Crown! 🥂🌼
Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey for Episode 69 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails. Today, we are taking the legendary Kentucky classic—the Seelbach—and transforming it into a floral, effervescent masterpiece called The Dandelion Crown.
For this high-proof riff, we’ve swapped traditional orange liqueur for the graceful sweetness of Elderflower Liqueur and introduced a unique, savory element: Jeptha Creed Dandelion Bitters. This “star of the show” adds an earthy, herbaceous depth that perfectly balances a heavy-hitting Four Roses OBSV (126 Proof). Hand-selected by Master Distiller Brent Elliott, this bourbon brings vibrant notes of apricot, pear, and brown sugar that shine through the bubbles of a chilled Brut Champagne.
Whether you’re a “bubbles girl” or a bourbon enthusiast, this cocktail is springtime in a glass. It’s sophisticated, festive, and the perfect toast for Mother’s Day!
Hard Truth’s 7-Year Indiana Whiskey: Bourbon, Wheated, and Rye!
The 7-year mark has officially arrived at Hard Truth Distilling Co., and we are breaking down the entire lineup! In this video, we deep dive into the brand new Hard Truth 7-Year Straight Bourbon, the 7-Year Wheated Bourbon, and the 7-Year Sweet Mash Rye.
Hard Truth has been making waves in Nashville, Indiana, but do these age-stated bottles live up to the premium MSRP? We explore the mash bills, the proof, and the flavor profiles of these highly anticipated February 2026 releases. Whether you are a fan of high-rye bourbons, soft wheated profiles, or punchy sweet mash ryes, we’re finding out exactly where these bottles sit in the current craft whiskey landscape.
In this tasting, we cover:
Hard Truth 7-Year Straight Bourbon (112.3 Proof): The core profile.
Hard Truth 7-Year Wheated Bourbon (116.1 Proof): The smooth operator.
Hard Truth 7-Year Sweet Mash Rye (107 Proof): The rye lover’s dream.
Let us know in the comments if you’ve managed to snag a bottle and what your tasting notes are!
Don’t forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more whiskey reviews, bourbon hunts, and distillery deep dives!
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.
It’s that time of the month again! With the “Road to the Sweet 16” in full swing, we have curated an absolute powerhouse lineup for our April Whiskey of the Month. This month, we went bold—tasting five unique expressions that span the entire spectrum of flavor and finish. From Finished Rye and Wheat whiskeys to high-proof American Light Whiskey and Kentucky Straight Bourbon, we are all over the map!
We put these contenders to the ultimate test in a blind tasting format to see which bottle has what it takes to advance toward our Whiskey of the Year title. The competition was fierce, the legs were luscious, and the results? Let’s just say we were genuinely stunned.
In this episode: We dive into five distinct expressions, evaluating them on the nose, palate, and finish. We break down the unique profiles, discuss the impact of finishing casks (Armagnac, Madeira, Port/Sherry), and score them live to see who reigns supreme this month.
Featured Candidates:
Dark Arts Cask Strength Bourbon (Armagnac Finish)
Dark Arts Blunt Blend (Batch 3)
Knob Creek Blender’s Edition 1
Penelope American Light Whiskey (18 Year)
Remus Master Distiller Experimental Series 2
Stay tuned until the end for the Big Reveal! We break down the math, discuss the “Sweet Sixteen” leaderboard implications, and find out which of these bottles are destined for our Whiskey of the Year tournament.
If you enjoy our blind tasting series, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and join us on our journey! 🔔 Don’t forget to like and comment: Which of these bottles would be your top pick? Are you a fan of the finishes in this lineup?
NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us.We were not compensated by the spirit producers for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.
Celebrate with me! 🥂 In honor of my birthday and Episode 68 of Thirsty Thursday, I’m dipping into the “Library” for a truly opulent pour. Meet The Golden Jubilee—a luxury Old Fashioned designed for milestones and high-proof treasures.
Tonight we are featuring the incredible Wenzel’s Packard Proof, a 16-year-old Kentucky single barrel (affectionately known as a “BuffTurkey” pour) sitting at a massive 126 proof. This bourbon is a total cherry bomb, and we’re elevating it with velvet textures and exotic spices to create a “Chewy” foundation that feels like a high-end dessert in a glass.
We’re swapping standard simple syrup for Gum Syrup to achieve that signature silky mouthfeel and adding Bluegrass 5-Spice Orange Bitters for a complex layer of star anise, clove, and cinnamon. To top it all off, we’re adding Edible Gold Glitter for a shimmering visual toast to the journey ahead!
In this video:
How to use Gum Syrup for a velvety cocktail texture.
Reviewing the 16-year Wenzel’s Packard Proof.
Tips for working with 5-spice bitters and edible luster dust.
A sneak peek at next week’s Mother’s Day cocktail: The Dandelion Crown!
📋 THE RECIPE: THE GOLDEN JUBILEE
Ingredients:
2.5 oz Wenzel’s Packard Proof Bourbon (or your favorite 16yr+ Library Pour)
0.25 oz Gum Syrup (for that velvety mouthfeel)
1 Bar Spoon Demerara Syrup
10 Drops Bluegrass 5-Spice Orange Bitters
1 Pinch Edible Gold Glitter
Garnish: Gold-dusted Luxardo Cherry
Instructions:
Add Gum Syrup, Demerara, and 5-spice bitters to a mixing glass.
Pour in your luxury bourbon.
Add a generous pinch of gold edible glitter.
Fill with ice and stir thoroughly for about 25 seconds to chill and suspend the shimmer.
Strain into a crystal rocks glass over a clear ice sphere.
Garnish with a gold-luster Luxardo cherry and enjoy!
🛒 Featured Cocktail Ingredients & Tools
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We’re heading back to Frankfort, Kentucky! After a visit to the historic Castle & Key Distillery during the Glen’s Creek Chili Fest, we finally got our hands on a bottle of their Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon (Batch 1).
Is this 7-year-old “sweet mash” wheater the bottle that changes everything for Castle & Key fans? In this episode, Wayne and Rebecca dive into the unique mash bill—featuring white corn and a surprisingly high 17% malted barley—to see if this Double Platinum ASCOT Award winner lives up to the hype.
From the “bakery-like” nose to a palate that Wayne describes as a “barley punch” and Rebecca finds “soft and luscious,” we break down the mouthfeel, the “squeaky teeth” finish, and why this craft distillery is finally hitting its stride.
Whether you’re a fan of wheated bourbons or have been waiting for Castle & Key’s own distillate to age, you won’t want to miss this Tuesday tasting!
Mash Bill: 73% White Corn, 10% White Winter Wheat, 17% Malted Barley
Age: 7 Years
Proof: 108.2
MSRP: $60-65
Released: Blended in 2025
Other: Non-chill filtered; earned Double Platinum at the 2025 ASCOT Awards. It uses a “Sweet Mash” process and a notably high percentage of malted barley for a wheated bourbon.
Purchased: 02/28/2026 for $70 at Castle & Key Distillery
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.
George Remus is making history with his first-ever Wheat Whiskey! 🌾🥃
In this episode, we’re diving into the Remus Master Distiller Experimental Series No. 2, a groundbreaking 95% wheat whiskey release from Ross & Squibb Distillery. Distilled in 2017 and bottled at a robust 113 proof, this “Quatro” finish is a masterclass in secondary aging. Master Distiller Ian Stirsman has taken this rare LKSV mashbill and finished it in a unique combination of four different casks: Tawny Port, White Port, Oloroso Sherry, and Ruby Port.
Is it a “jam session” in a bottle? We’re breaking down the complex layers—from the bready, bakery-style wheat notes to the intense red fruit and unexpected black pepper finish. We’ll also share our experience picking this up at Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown and why we think this $69.99 bottle is a “must-buy” for any collector.
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.
140.2 PROOF?! Penelope 18yr Hazmat vs. 15yr Founders Reserve | American Light Whiskey Battle
Is older and higher proof always better? Today on Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca dive into a massive “Paradox of Light Whiskey” vertical tasting! We are cracking open two heavy-hitters from Penelope Bourbon: the 15 Year Founders Reserve and the brand new 18 Year Limited Release (clocking in at a massive 140.2 proof!).
Many people are confused by the “Light Whiskey” name—thinking it means low calorie or low alcohol. It’s actually the opposite! We explain the science behind why these MGP-distilled corn whiskeys reach such high proofs while maintaining a “dessert-forward” profile of butterscotch, vanilla, and crème brûlée.
We compare these modern giants to vintage pours like Old Crow Light Whiskey and explore why these high-proof expressions are surprisingly delicate and creamy. Stick around to find out which bottle wins on the nose and which takes the crown on the palate!
In this video, we cover:
The technical definition of American Light Whiskey (ALW).
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.
