craft spirits

Caribbean Rum Trail Part 3: The Oldest Site in St. Kitts

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The Oldest Rum Site in the Caribbean? 🥃 St. Kitts Old Road Rum Distillery Tour

Celebrate a milestone 60th birthday with us on Part 3 of our Caribbean Rum Trail! Today, we’re stepping back in time at the Old Road Rum Company at Wingfield Estate, St. Kitts—the oldest surviving rum distillery site in the Caribbean, with records dating back to 1681.

From navigating the “awkward” taxi situation in St. Kitts to wandering through a lush rainforest filled with monkeys and 400-year-old trees, this was more than a tasting—it was an archeological adventure. We explore the ruins of the 17th-century distillery, uncover the surprising connection to Thomas Jefferson, and learn why 12 years of tropical aging makes this rum a dream for bourbon lovers.

Stick around for our full tasting of Old Road Rum Batch 019, where we break down why this “pure” rum (no sugar, no color, no additives) stands up to the best Kentucky Bourbons.

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🥃 About Old Road Rum

  • Founder: Jack Widdowson
  • Age: 12 Years (Tropical Aging)
  • Proof: 92
  • Process: No added sugar, no caramel color, no flavorings.
  • Casks: Aged in ex-bourbon barrels for a complex, viscous profile.

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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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Old Grand-Dad 114 Old Fashioned | Velvety, Bold, Unforgettable

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Kick Back with the Post Parade Old Fashioned | Episode 62 Thirsty Thursday Cocktails

Last week’s Dublin Botanist was a crisp linen suit, but the Post Parade Old Fashioned is your favorite broken-in leather jacket. In this episode of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, we’re leaving the botanical gardens of Ireland behind and heading home to the bold, barrel-charred heart of Kentucky.

If you love a high-proof bourbon with a velvety finish, this is the build for you. We’re using the iconic Old Grand-Dad 114 to provide a “cinnamon-red-hot” punch, balanced by the “silken secret” of gum syrup for a luxurious, viscous mouthfeel. With the earthy, aromatic spice of cardamom bitters and the bright pop of expressed orange oils, this cocktail is a masterclass in texture and high-rye spice.

Whether you’re a bourbon aficionado or just looking for a cozy, high-end drink to wake up your palate, the Post Parade is the ultimate “Kentucky Hug” in a glass.

Next Week: We’re celebrating the shift in seasons! Join us for Episode 63: The Vernal Equinox, where we’ll be leaning into bright, fresh, and balanced flavors for Spring.

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🥃 Ingredients & Recipe

The Components:

  • 2 oz Old Grand-Dad 114 Bourbon (High-Rye Backbone)
  • 1/4 oz Gum Syrup (The Silken Secret)
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Cardamom Bitters (The Warm Notes)
  • Garnish: Thick Orange Peel

Instructions:

  1. Combine: Add the bourbon, gum syrup, and cardamom bitters into a mixing glass filled with plenty of ice.
  2. Stir: Stir for 20-30 seconds. Because of the high proof and the gum syrup, a longer stir ensures a perfectly integrated, silky texture.
  3. Strain: Strain the mixture into a rocks glass over one large clear ice cube.
  4. Garnish: Express the orange peel over the glass to release those essential oils, then drop it in.

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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. Please drink responsibly.

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Woodford Double Double Oaked 2026: Way Darker Than 2025!

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Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked (2026) | The Ultimate Dark & Decadent Bourbon?

Is the 2026 Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked worth the $200 price tag? 🥃 In today’s New Whiskey Monday on Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca dive into one of the most coveted annual releases in the whiskey world.

After hunting this bottle down at MSRP, we’re breaking down how this year’s expression compares to the legendary 2025 release. Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall promised a “deeper and darker” profile this year—and she delivered. From the heavy toasted second barrel to the complex notes of burnt butterscotch, dark baking cocoa, and espresso, this 90.4 proof powerhouse is an absolute flavor journey.

We explore why the “double-double” process (finishing for two additional years in a second heavily toasted barrel) creates a spicier, more jammy profile than the standard Double Oaked. Does it live up to the hype? Watch to find out!

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✴️ Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked Bourbon

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Brown-Forman
  • Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
  • Age: NAS
  • Press Release stated: 5-7 Years in first barrel, then up to 2 years in second barrel
  • Proof: 90.4
  • MSRP: $199.99 (700 ml)
  • Released: January 2026
  • Purchased: 02/11/26 for $199.99 at High Spirits 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.

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Shortbarrel Cigar Batch vs. Single Barrel: Which is Better? 

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Whether you’re a seasoned cigar aficionado or a high-proof bourbon hunter, this week’s “Wednesday Small Pours” is one you can’t miss! 🥃

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as they dive into two powerhouse expressions from Shortbarrel Bourbon. First up is the complex Cigar Batch (Gauge 36), a masterfully blended bourbon finished in four distinct casks—Armagnac, Cognac, Rum, and Tawny Port. Is it the ultimate pairing for your favorite full-bodied cigar?

Then, things get intense with a Watch Hill Proper Single Barrel clocking in at a massive 134 proof. We’re breaking down the legs, the “pops of pepper,” and that surprising minty finish. Plus, find out which bottle we’d actually “pull the trigger on” for our own collection!

Special thanks to Michael and Dawn from Chasing Neat for the bottle exchange at Bourbon Con!

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✴️ Shortbarrel Cigar Batch (Guage 36)

  • Classification: Finished Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
  • Company: Shortbarrel Bourbon
  • Distillery: Blend of MGP (Indiana) and Bardstown (Kentucky) sourced barrels
  • Mash Bill: Blend of 36% Rye (MGP) and a lower-rye Kentucky bourbon
  • Age: 8-Year-Old MGP blended with various KY barrels; finished for 1–3 years
  • Proof: 114
  • MSRP: approximately $90–$95
  • Other: Non-chill filtered; finished in four distinct casks: Armagnac, Cognac, Rum, and Tawny Port. Designed specifically to pair with full-bodied cigars.

✴️ Shortbarrel Single Barrel (Watch Hill Proper)

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Single Barrel)
  • Company: Shortbarrel Bourbon
  • Distillery: Sourced (Likely MGP/Indiana based on the 7.8-year age and proof)
  • Mash Bill: Likely 21% or 36% Rye (Shortbarrel frequently picks high-rye MGP barrels)
  • Age: 7.8
  • Proof: 134
  • MSRP: approximately $80–$100 (Single barrel pricing varies by retailer)

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were provided to us by friends.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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The Toronto Cocktail: The Old Fashioned’s Muscle Car 

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Upgrade Your Old Fashioned: The Toronto Cocktail 🏎️💨

If the Old Fashioned is your daily driver, consider The Toronto your high-performance muscle car. It’s got more torque, more grip, and a bold flavor profile that demands your attention!

In Episode 55 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, Rebecca breaks down this sophisticated “Bitter Old Fashioned.” Originally appearing in 1948, this classic cocktail swaps standard bitters and sugar for the powerhouse punch of Fernet-Branca and the rich, smoky depth of Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup.

We’re putting a unique twist on the original by using Old Grand-Dad 114. This high-rye bourbon (27% rye mashbill) brings the heat of a rye whiskey, while its signature “peanut and vanilla” sweetness acts as a silencer, perfectly taming the medicinal notes of the Fernet.

In this video, you’ll learn:

  • Why Fernet-Branca is the “seasoning” your home bar needs.
  • How to use maple syrup as a bridge between Kentucky bourbon and Canadian history.
  • The secret to balancing herbaceous “snap” with rich, coating sweetness.

Stay tuned until the end for the full tasting notes—from the bright orange oil nose to the dry, minty finish that will leave you wanting another sip.

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🥃 The Recipe: The Toronto

  • 2 oz High-Rye Bourbon (Old Grand-Dad 114)
  • 1/4 oz Fernet-Branca
  • 1/4 oz Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
  • 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
  • Garnish: Large Orange Twist

Preparation: Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with plenty of ice. Stir for 20-30 seconds until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe or a rocks glass over one large clear ice cube. Express the orange peel over the drink and drop it in.

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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. Please drink responsibly.

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