Jim Beam bourbon

Upgrade Your Boulevardier Cocktail With This High-Proof Trick

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Welcome to Episode 78 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails on Your Bourbon Journey! Tonight, we are crafting “The Darker Boulevardier,” a brooding, spirit-forward riff on the classic Boulevardier cocktail. If you love a classic Negroni or a traditional Boulevardier but want something with more depth, complexity, and a savory backbone, this recipe is for you.

Instead of the bright, sweet citrus snap of traditional Campari, this recipe features the high-proof intensity of Cynar 70. This amaro brings an assertive, velvety, and deeply savory artichoke-and-herbal bitterness to the glass. To stand up to that heavy modifier, we are anchoring the build with 2 full ounces of the Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel 7-Year bourbon. With its famous high-rye mash bill, this 114-proof powerhouse brings a sharp punch of black pepper, cinnamon, baking spices, and a classic Jim Beam nuttiness that remains the absolute star of the glass.

We round out the sharp edges with the rich cocoa-and-berry sweetness of Cocchi di Torino Sweet Vermouth and bind the structure together with Orange Bitters. The result is a bold, viscous, and unapologetically complex aperitivo-style cocktail that opens up beautifully as the clear ice melts.

Are you a fan of using Cynar in whiskey cocktails? Let me know your thoughts on this spec in the comments below!

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🥃 THE RECIPE: THE DARKER BOULEVARDIER

  • 2.0 oz Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel 7-Year Bourbon
  • 0.75 oz Cynar 70 Amaro
  • 0.75 oz Cocchi di Torino Sweet Vermouth
  • 2 dashes Orange Bitters
  • Garnish: Expressed Orange Peel

📖 INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice.
  2. Stir thoroughly for 30 to 45 seconds to achieve an ice-cold chill and proper dilution.
  3. Strain into a chilled rocks glass over a single large, clear ice cube.
  4. Express a fresh orange peel over the top to release the bright essential oils, and drop it in as the garnish.

🚨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. 

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Which Whiskey Wins? Blind Tasting & Ultimate Ranking

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🥃 The ULTIMATE Blind Bourbon Battle! | November Whiskey of the Month (WOTM) Selection!

We are back for our November Whiskey of the Month (WOTM) blind tasting! Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey face off against four incredible bourbon contenders, ranging from high-proof stalwarts to unique double-oaked blends and limited-edition releases.

Can a Bottled-in-Bond bourbon with the lowest proof on the table take down two of the biggest names in barrel-proof whiskey? You won’t believe the results in this exciting blind battle!

Prepare your senses for an immersive journey into the captivating aromas and tantalizing flavors of these contenders (alphabetical order):

✴️ Booker’s 2025-03 “Jerry’s Batch”

✴️ Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Cigar Blend

✴️ Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch C925

✴️ Fountain Run Bottled In Bond

🚫 No labels, no biases – just pure, unadulterated whiskey appreciation! 👀 Join us as we meticulously nose 👃, sip 😋, and savor each dram, dissecting the intricate notes on the nose, the delightful dance on the palate 👅, the satisfying lingering finish ✨, and that crucial je ne sais quoi that makes a whiskey truly special. 🤔

Will the barrel-proof powerhouse 💪 dominate the competition? Will the elegantly aged spirit ⏳ steal the show? Or will a unique finish 🍇 or a captivating single barrel charm ✨ take home the ultimate crown? We’re ranking them from 4th place to the coveted 1st place spot🥇, and the suspense is building with every sip! 🤯

Smash that play button ▶️ and join the ultimate tasting party! 🎉 Grab your own glass 🥂 (of whatever you’re sipping on!), settle in for some serious whiskey talk 🗣️, and experience the thrill of the grand reveal with us! Get ready for potential surprises 🎁 and definitely a fantastic time! Cheers to an unforgettable evening of delicious discovery! 🥳 Sláinte! 🍀

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🔥DETAILS REGARDING OUR FOUR FINALISTS🔥 (in alphabetical order): 

✴️ Booker’s 2025-03 “Jerry’s Batch”

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: James B Beam
  • Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
  • Age: 7 Years, 4 Months, and 21 Days
  • Proof: 124.7
  • Other: Jerry’s Batch comprises nine different barrels from 9 warehouses: 3, 1, X, Z, K, L, O, 4, and G
  • Released: September 2025
  • MSRP: $99.99
  • Purchased: 10/17/25 for $100 at Archie & Clyde’s in Newburgh, IN

✴️ 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

✴️ Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Batch 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

✴️ Fountain Run Bottled In Bond

  • 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
  • Barrel: Entry proof of 103; Heavy Toast, Char No. 3
  • Age: 7 Years 4 Months (low in the rickhouse)
  • Proof: 100
  • MSRP: $100
  • Released: October 2025
  • Purchased: 10/30/25 for $99.99 at Seelbach’s Online: https://seelbachs.com/products/fountain-run-kentucky-straight-bourbon-whiskey

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE:  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.

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Booker’s “Jerry’s Batch” 2025-03: The BEST of the Year?

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🥃 Booker’s Bourbon “Jerry’s Batch” 2025-03 Review: A Fruity, Creamy, and Unique Barrel-Proof Pour! 🍒

Get ready to uncork a piece of Jim Beam history! In this exciting review, Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey dive into the highly anticipated third release of the year: Booker’s 2025-03 “Jerry’s Batch”. This unique, uncut, and unfiltered Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a special tribute to Jerry Dalton, the only non-Beam family Master Distiller at the distillery, and a close friend and mentor to Booker and Fred Noe.

We share the fascinating story behind the name—from Jerry’s days as a chemist living behind the Noe family to becoming a key figure who steered the ship between Booker’s retirement and Fred’s takeover. Plus, we celebrate Jerry’s overdue induction into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame!

This particular batch is a master blend of barrels from nine distinct warehouses (3, 1, X, Z, K, L, O, 4, G), creating a complex profile influenced by varied micro-climates. Aged for an impressive 7 Years, 4 Months, and 21 Days and bottled at a robust 124.7 Proof, this is a powerful yet surprisingly smooth sipper.

Watch the full review and tell us your thoughts! 👇

Tasting Notes Highlights:

  • Nose: Rich brown sugar, vanilla, and a hint of fruit/cherry.
  • Palate: Creamy, viscous mouthfeel, with more sweetness than typical Booker’s. Expect notes of vanilla, caramel, cinnamon, and a unique tart cherry and toffee profile—noticeably missing the classic “Beam funk” or nuttiness.
  • Finish: Long, warming, and delightful.

Is this different profile a deliberate nod to Jerry Dalton’s preferred taste? We discuss why this batch might be the best since the acclaimed Jimmy’s Batch (2024-04)! If you’re a devoted Booker’s fan, a collector, or just love high-proof bourbon with a great story, you NEED to hear our full thoughts on this exceptional pour.

Bourbon Specs:

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: James B Beam
  • Batch: 2025-03 “Jerry’s Batch”
  • Age: 7 Years, 4 Months, and 21 Days
  • Proof: 124.7 (Uncut and Unfiltered)
  • Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
  • Barrel Blend: 9 different barrels from 9 different warehouses
  • MSRP: $99.99
  • Where We Got It: Archie & Clyde’s in Newburgh, IN: https://www.archieandclydes.com/

👍 Did you enjoy this Booker’s review?

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Cheers and remember to always drink responsibly!


❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

❓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.

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