MGP Bourbon

Why Bourbon Lovers Are Flocking to Old Louisville Whiskey Co

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Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey! Today, Wayne and Rebecca are diving deep into a lineup from one of our absolute favorite stops on the trail: Old Louisville Whiskey Co. Founded by Amine Karaoud, this family-owned brand has become a go-to for incredible, well-aged MGP barrels, unique finishes, and the absolute best single barrel thieving experience in the business.

In this episode, we are cracking open three incredible expressions, including a highly anticipated private club exclusive bottle and two unique wood-finished single barrels. We’ll break down the nose, the palate, and the finishes—and compete in a classic “Your Bourbon Journey” taste-off to see which bottle wins the day!

Featured Bottles in This Tasting:

  • Old Louisville Single Barrel Bourbon (Columbian Oak Finish)
  • Old Louisville Wheated Bourbon (OL Club Batch 1)
  • Old Louisville Single Barrel Bourbon (Hungarian Oak Finish)

Have you visited Amine at the brand-new Old Louisville Whiskey Co. location yet? What is your favorite unique wood finish on a bourbon? Let us know in the comments below!

If you love honest bourbon reviews and whiskey tasting adventures, hit that SUBSCRIBE button, drop a like, and always remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!

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❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Old Louisville Whiskey Co. Single Barrel Bourbon (Columbian Oak)

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Columbian Oak Casks
  • Company: Old Louisville Whiskey Co.
  • Distillery: Distilled in Indiana (MGP), Bottled by Old Louisville Whiskey Co.
  • Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
  • Age: 10 Years
  • Proof: 101 Proof
  • Released: Limited Small-Batch / Single Barrel Release

Old Louisville Whiskey Co. Wheated Bourbon (OL Club Batch 1)

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Old Louisville Whiskey Co.
  • Distillery: Distilled in Indiana (MGP), Bottled by Old Louisville Whiskey Co.
  • Mash Bill: 51% Corn, 46% Wheat, 3% Malted Barley
  • Age: 10 Years
  • Proof: 107.4 Proof
  • Released: Private Club Exclusive / Limited Batch (Bottle 9/200)

Old Louisville Whiskey Co. Single Barrel Bourbon (Hungarian Oak)

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Hungarian Oak Casks
  • Company: Old Louisville Whiskey Co.
  • Distillery: Distilled in Indiana (MGP), Bottled by Old Louisville Whiskey Co.
  • Mash Bill: Unknown (Typically uses their signature high-rye or traditional bourbon base before finishing)
  • Age: 8 Years
  • Proof: 122.6 Proof
  • Released: Limited Single Barrel Selection

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: The spirits 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.

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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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❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ 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.

🚨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.

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We Tasted 14 Whiskeys! Wayne’s 58th Birthday Bourbon Tour

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A Birthday Detour to Remember: Old Louisville Whiskey Co.

February of 2024 – What started as a trip home from Mattingly’s turned into one of our favorite Bourbon Trail memories! In this episode of Bourbon Trail Tales and Tastes, we celebrate Wayne’s 58th birthday with a visit to Distillery No. 59: Old Louisville Whiskey Company.

Join us as we recount our incredible experience with Amine, a master of blending and aging who went above and beyond for our first visit. From barrel thieving in the back of their industrial Louisville home to tasting 14+ incredible pours, this visit proved why Amine is one of the best in the business. 

We also dive into a tasting of two unique bottles we brought home that day: a 10-year old “barely legal” bourbon with a massive 49% barley mashbill and a 7-year-old mysterious, sweet 119-proof bourbon.

Whether you’re a fan of MGP sources, unique finishes like Hungarian or Colombian oak, or just love a great distillery story, you won’t want to miss this one.

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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.

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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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❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ 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🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

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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