Craft Distillery

Augusta’s Historic Distillery: A Visit to Becker & Bird

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Becker & Bird: The Historic Kentucky Bourbon Time Capsule

Think you’ve seen everything on the Bourbon Trail? Think again. Join us for Bourbon Trail Tales and Taste, Episode 60, as we travel to Augusta, Kentucky, to visit the historic Becker & Bird Distillery.

This isn’t your average commercial distillery tour. Set on a property that’s on the National Register of Historic Places, Becker & Bird honors the legacy of Johannes Becker, a Revolutionary War veteran who began distilling on this land in 1798. You’ll learn the fascinating (and sometimes frustrating) story of why they had to shift their name from “Baker” to “Becker” to avoid a corporate legal battle, and why this site is a true bourbon time capsule.

The real showstopper? The cellar. We’re taking you inside one of the largest wine and spirit cellars in the U.S.—a hand-built stone masterpiece that survived the Battle of Augusta in 1862. Its consistent, cool, humid environment acts as a natural rickhouse, unlike anything you see in modern metal-clad warehouses.

In this episode: 

🥃 The Bourbon: We’re tasting the Historic Becker & Bird Straight Bourbon (100 proof, 2-year age statement, MGP-sourced). We break down the profile, the “grain-forward” notes, and why we think it’s important to support these up-and-coming craft distillers. 

🍷 The Winery: We discover their amazing bourbon-barrel-aged wine, a must-try if you visit the tasting room!

If you love exploring the history behind the bottle and want to support the preservation of our Kentucky spirits heritage, this is a stop you need to add to your list.

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✴️ Historic Becker & Bird Straight Bourbon

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Baker-Bird Winery & Distillery (Owned by Dinah Bird)
  • Distillery: MGP (Lawrenceburg, IN)
  • Mash Bill: Most likely MGP’s 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
  • Age: 2 Years
  • Proof: 100
  • MSRP: $78.99 (Price may vary; some winery-direct bottles are priced at a premium due to the historic site maintenance)
  • Released: 2018 (Brand launch)
  • Purchased: $90 03/15/25 at Becker & Bird Distillery
  • Other: Bottled by Kentucky Artisan Distillery (Crestwood, KY). The label pays homage to Johannes Becker (John Baker), a Revolutionary War veteran who moved to Augusta in 1797.

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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.

#BourbonTrail #BeckerAndBird #KentuckyBourbon #DistilleryTour #WhiskeyTasting #BourbonHistory #AugustaKY #BourbonReview #SmallBatchWhiskey #WhiskeyHistory #YourBourbonJourney #BourbonLife #StraightBourbon #CraftDistillery #BourbonLove

Why This Wheated Bourbon is a Total “Change Up” 

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Unlock the Castle! 🏰 Castle & Key Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon Review

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!

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Castle & Key Cask Strength Wheated, Batch 1

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Castle & Key (Frankfort, KY)
  • 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

❌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.

#Bourbon #WhiskeyReview #CastleAndKey #WheatedBourbon #CaskStrength #KentuckyBourbon #BourbonJourney #WhiskeyTasting #CraftDistillery #SweetMash #BourbonLife #DrinkResponsibly #WhiskeyCommunity #FrankfortKY #BourbonCollection

GCD Experimental Series: Testing the “Mad Scientist’s” Newest Blends! 

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The “Mad Scientist” Does It Again! | GCD Experimental Series Review

Can Glenns Creek Distilling’s “Mad Scientist” (aka David Meier) push the boundaries of bourbon even further? Today on Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca are diving into three brand-new releases from the GCD Experimental Series (February 2026).

From a complex seven-grain mash bill to a mysterious Rich Mountain expression, these bottles are anything but traditional. We break down the nose, palate, and finish of each to see if these experiments were a success!

The Bottles on the Table:

  • .44 CAG: A 23-month, 112.4 proof powerhouse featuring Red, White, Blue, and Yellow corn.
  • Heirloom Blend: A 47-month, 108.8 proof “best of” blend of various GCD mash bills.
  • Rich Mountain: A 117.8 proof undisclosed mash bill aged for 47 months.

In this video, we discuss:

  • The uniqueness of Glenns Creek Distilling.
  • The complexity of a 7-grain bourbon.
  • Why the Heirloom Blend stands out in the 2026 lineup.
  • Our final verdict: Which bottle should you track down?

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GCD Experimental .44 CAG

  • Classification: Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Glenns Creek Distilling
  • Mash Bill: Seven Grain (Red, White, Blue and Yellow corn, rye, wheat, barley)
  • Age: 23 months
  • Proof: 112.4
  • Released: February 2026

Other: 375 ml, Barrel 1, Bottle 50

GCD Experimental Heirloom Blend

  • Classification: Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Glenns Creek Distilling
  • Mash Bill: A mix of the various mashbills
  • Age: 47 months
  • Proof: 108.8
  • Released: February 2026
  • Other: 375 ml, Barrel 1, Bottle 5

GCD Experimental Rich Mountain

  • Classification: Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Glenns Creek Distilling
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed
  • Age: 47 months
  • Proof: 117.8
  • Released: February 2026
  • Other: 375 ml, Barrel 1

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

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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.

#Bourbon #WhiskeyReview #Glenns CreekDistilling #GCDExperimental #YourBourbonJourney #KentuckyBourbon #CraftDistillery #WhiskeyTasting #BourbonCommunity #SingleBarrel #HighProof #BourbonHistory #WhiskeyGram #NewRelease #BourbonEducation

We Found a Winner! Burnt Tavern Whiskey Tasting

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Reviewing Burnt Tavern: A Toasty Surprise from BourbonCon!

Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey! In today’s episode, Rebecca Herman and Wayne McBrayer dive into one of their most exciting finds from BourbonCon 2026 in Lexington, KY: Burnt Tavern Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Distilled in Kentucky and finished under the expert eye of legendary master distiller Chip Tate, this 7-year-old bourbon packs a punch at 105 proof. What makes it truly stand out is the double-barreling process, finished in slow-toasted American oak, which delivers a complex, layered experience that surprised us both!

In this video, we explore:

  • The Story: Our first impressions meeting the team at BourbonCon and the history behind the William Berkele Distillery.
  • The Nose: Dive into notes of dark caramel, brown sugar, and a sweet, toasted oak smokiness.
  • The Palette: Experience the “yin and yang” of confectionary sugar sweetness versus deep leather, tobacco, and nutty “caramel-coated” flavors.
  • The Finish: Why this 105-proof pour hits fast but smooths out into a luscious, lingering finish.

Is Burnt Tavern worth the $69.99 MSRP? We discuss why we think this bottle actually drinks like a much more expensive pour and why it’s a “must-buy” if you find it on the shelf.


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✴️ Burnt Tavern

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: William Berkele Distillery (Lead Founder: Royce Blevins)
  • Distilled By: Undisclosed Kentucky Distillery (Sourced)
  • Bottled By: William Berkele Distillery (Bardstown, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed (thought to be high-rye style)
  • Age: 7 Years
  • Proof: 105
  • MSRP: $69.99
  • Other: Double-barreled and finished in slow-toasted American oak.
  • Chip Tate (of Balcones and Tate & Co. fame), acted as the master distiller and finishing expert for this project.
  • Purchased: 01/16/26 for $70 at BourbonCon in Lexington, KY

Learn more at: www.BurntTavernBourbon.com  

❌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.

#BourbonJourney #YourBourbonJourney #RebeccaHerman #WayneMcBrayer #BurntTavern #BourbonReview #WhiskeyTasting #KentuckyBourbon #BourbonCon #ChipTate #ToastedOak #BourbonLife #WhiskeyTube #CraftBourbon #LexingtonKY

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 

The Starlight 10 Year Bourbon Is Finally Here!

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Starlight 10 Year Old Bourbon: The Oldest Release from Starlight Distillery!

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as they get their hands on a highly sought-after bottle—the Starlight 2025 10 Year Old Bourbon. This is the oldest release ever from Starlight Distillery in Borden, Indiana, and it’s a bottle they’ve been waiting for since they first tasted a sample at a Repeal Dinner almost a year ago!

In this review, Wayne and Rebecca discuss the unique aspects of this special release, including the specific three-grain mash bill (60% corn, 20% rye, 20% malted barley), its sweet mash process, and the incredibly rare Seguin Moreau Iconic Barrels it was aged in.

Poured at a bold 120.3 proof, they explore the rich, dark amber color and complex notes on the nose and palate. Can they find the pipe tobacco, dark chocolate, and caramel notes they’re looking for? And what does a 10-year-old bourbon with a low barrel entry proof taste like?

This isn’t just a review; it’s a celebration of a family-owned Indiana distillery that is making waves in the American whiskey world. If you love discovering craft distilleries and special, limited-release whiskey, this video is for you.

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

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

Are you a true bourbon fanatic, always on the hunt for the next exceptional pour? Then smash that like button 👍 to show your appreciation for fine whiskey! Hit subscribe 🔔 so you never miss our reviews of rare and remarkable spirits, and share this video ➡️ with your fellow whiskey lovers. Let’s build a community of enthusiasts who appreciate the art of exceptional bourbon! 

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✴️ Starlight 2025 10-Year Cask Strength

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Starlight Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 20% Rye, 20% Malted Barley
  • Other: Grain-to-glass; sweet mash; double pot distilled; barrel entry proof 112-116
  • Age: 10 Years
  • Proof: 120.3
  • MSRP: $250
  • Released: July 2025
  • Aging: Sequin Moreau Icone barrels.
  • Purchased: 08/14/25 for $250 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.

Is Town Branch Distillery Worth a Stop on the Bourbon Trail?

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Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes Episode 34 – Town Branch Distillery

Get ready for an adventure down the Kentucky Bourbon Trail as we revisit a nice stop in Lexington, KY in April 2023.  In this episode, we’re taking you back to our very first visit to Town Branch Distillery which was our 39th distillery and our 31st stamp in our Kentucky Bourbon Trail Book!

Join us as we relive every moment from our initial tour of the Town Branch Distillery. But the excitement doesn’t stop there! We’ll then uncork a bottle of their Town Branch True Cask for an in-depth tasting. What hidden notes and unique flavors await us in this one-of-a-kind pour? 

Click play ▶️ now to join the adventure!

Join the YBJ Family! 

  • 👍 Like this video if you’re a bourbon lover! 
  • 💬 Comment below with your favorite Town Branch whiskey! 
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What’s a bourbon trail journey without a good story? 🥃 Welcome to Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes, where we dive into the unforgettable moments and hidden gems we discovered while exploring Kentucky’s iconic trail. Join us as we uncork the profound memories that have stayed with us long after the last pour. We’ll revisit the unexpected finds and the bottles that truly surprised us with their exceptional, intricate flavors. So, what stood out as the most memorable sip, and how have those experiences shaped our palates today? Get ready for a passionate retelling of the adventures, the connections, and the spirits that make the Bourbon Trail so much more than just a destination.

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#bourbonreview  #KentuckyBourbonTrail #TownBranch 

Learn more about Town Branch: https://lexingtonbrewingco.com/

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

ABOUT THE BOTTLE REVIEWED

✴️ Town Branch True Cask

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Lexington Distilling Co
  • Distillery: Town Branch Distillery
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed – A blend of our two Kentucky mashbills
  • Age: NAS – at least 4 years
  • Proof: 108.6
  • Other: An uncut blend of our two Kentucky mashbills
  • Purchased: 04/14/23 for $65.99 at Town Branch Distillery

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

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✅ Please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button!

❓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.