We Tasted 14 Whiskeys! Wayneโ€™s 58th Birthday Bourbon Tour

A Birthday Detour to Remember: Old Louisville Whiskey Co.

February of 2024 – What started as a trip home from Mattinglyโ€™s turned into one of our favorite Bourbon Trail memories! In this episode of Bourbon Trail Tales and Tastes, we celebrate Wayneโ€™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 youโ€™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.

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

๐Ÿฅƒ Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

๐Ÿ”” YouTube

๐Ÿ“ธ Instagram 

๐Ÿ‘ Facebook

๐ŸšจREMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY๐Ÿšจ

โ“Questionsโ“ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

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 #Whiskey #OldLouisvilleWhiskeyCo #BourbonTrail #WhiskeyTasting #BourbonReview #KentuckyBourbon #BarrelThieving #BourbonJourney #CraftWhiskey #WheatedBourbon #MGP #WhiskeyLover #DistilleryVisit #BourbonLife

Your Bourbon Journey Crowns Patriotic Meri-COB from Glenns Creek Distilling as 2025 Whiskey of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

Newburgh, IN โ€“ January 10, 2026 โ€“ Following a rigorous year-long evaluation of over 100 whiskeys, Your Bourbon Journey, the digital spirits platform hosted by Wayne and Rebecca McBrayer, is proud to announce Patriotic Meri-COB from Glenns Creek Distilling as the winner of its inaugural 2025 Whiskey of the Year award.

The selection process was governed by a strict, multi-stage blind tournament designed to eliminate brand bias and focus solely on spirit quality. The field of 16 contenders – comprised of 12 “Whiskey of the Month” winners and four high-scoring “Wildcard” entries – competed in a bracket-style playoff.

โ€œOur goal was to find the best whiskey on the shelf, regardless of price point or prestige,โ€ said Rebecca, co-founder of Your Bourbon Journey. โ€œBy the time we reached the Final Four, we were tasting the elite of the elite. To see a #2 seed like Patriotic Meri-COB run the gauntlet against three #1 seeds was the ultimate proof of our blind process at work.โ€

The Road to the Championship

The tournament followed a “Sweet Sixteen” format, where bottles were seeded based on their performance in quarterly qualifying rounds. Patriotic Meri-COBโ€™s path to the title was a true “Giant Slayer” narrative, requiring head-to-head victories over Neeley Bottled in Bond Four Grain, Wild Turkey 101 8-Year, Old Louisville Cognac Finish, and ultimately, Bardstown Discovery Series 13.

โ€œThe consistency was what ultimately set the winner apart,โ€ noted Wayne. โ€œIn four separate rounds of blind tasting, the Patriotic Meri-COB never dipped below a 94-point score. It was a model of excellence from the first pour to the final championship glass.โ€

Award Presentation

In recognition of this achievement, Your Bourbon Journey will travel to the historic Glenns Creek Distilling in February 2026 to officially present the 2025 Whiskey of the Year Championship Trophy to the distilling team.

About Your Bourbon Journey

Your Bourbon Journey is a whiskey-focused digital platform dedicated to honest, tasting reviews, distillery tour highlights, home cocktail creation, and consumer education. Through their “Whiskey of the Year” program, Wayne and Rebecca aim to highlight exceptional craftsmanship in the spirits industry.

Media Contact

Dr. Rebecca Herman, Your Bourbon Journey, YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com, www.YourBourbonJourney.com

#Bourbon #Whiskey #WhiskeyReview #BourbonLife #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyGram #Cheers #WhiskeyOfTheYear #WOTY2025 #YourBourbonJourney #GlennsCreekDistilling #PatrioticMeriCOB #BlindTasting #BourbonAwards #BourbonSociety #WhiskeyTasting #CraftSpirits #SingleBarrel #DistilleryLife #WhiskeyLover #BourbonFinds #PressRelease

This Bourbon Spells Out “KENTUCKY” – Is It Good?ย 

Get ready to explore a true Kentucky classic! In this video, we’re diving into the Old Louisville Whisky Co.’s Kentucky Series, a premium straight bourbon that’s more than just a drinkโ€”it’s a collector’s dream.

We’ll be tasting this 8-year-old, 100-proof bourbon and exploring its rich, complex flavor profile. Expect to hear about the delicious notes of caramel, brown sugar, and maple syrup, with a peppery spice that adds the perfect kick.

Join us as we uncork a bottle and share our thoughts on what makes this robust bourbon so special. Whether you’re a seasoned whiskey connoisseur or just starting your journey, this review is for you.

Hit that like button and subscribe for more whiskey reviews and adventures!

So grab your favorite glass, settle in, and let’s explore this bourbon together! Click play โ–ถ๏ธ NOW!

๐Ÿ‘‡ What’s your favorite newly released bourbon? Let us know in the comments below! ๐Ÿ‘‡

Are you a true bourbon fanatic, always on the hunt for the next exceptional pour? 

Then smash that like button ๐Ÿ‘ to show your appreciation for fine whiskey! 

Hit subscribe ๐Ÿ”” so you never miss our reviews of rare and remarkable spirits, and 

Share this video โžก๏ธ with your fellow whiskey lovers. Let’s build a community of enthusiasts who appreciate the art of exceptional bourbon! 

#bourbonreview #OldLouisvilleWhiskeyCo #TheKentuckySeries 

โŒYOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOLโŒ

โœด๏ธ The Kentucky Series

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Old Louisville Whiskey Co
  • Distillery: Sourced/Undisclosed/Kentucky
  • Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
  • Age: 8 Years
  • Proof: 100
  • MSRP: $61.99
  • Released: 2025
  • Other: Collectible โ€“ Spell out KENTUCKY!
  • Provided to us by Old Louisville Whiskey Co.

โŒYOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOLโŒ

๐ŸšจREMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY๐Ÿšจ

โœ… Please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button!

โ“Questionsโ“ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: The spirit in this review was provided to us. However, 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.

Best Whiskeys of 2025 (So Far!): Our Top Picks!

Wow, 2025 has been an absolute blockbuster year for whiskey, bringing some truly unforgettable bottles to our glasses! In this can’t-miss video, we’re uncorking our BEST WHISKEYS of 2025 so far and trust us, you’re in for some surprises!

Join us as we take a thrilling journey through each month, revisiting our highly anticipated Whiskey of the Month winners and their fierce contenders. But that’s just the warm-up! We’re also thrilled to reveal the very first two Whiskey of the Quarter champions and give you an exclusive peek at the current Whiskey of the Year seeding results. The competition is heating up, and you’ll want to see who’s leading the pack!

And here’s a twist: We’re also sharing an absolutely mind-blowing release that, for special reasons, we decided to exclude from this intense competition. You won’t believe what it is and why it didn’t make the cut for our official rankings!

Ready to discover the must-have whiskeys of 2025? Click that play button now and find out if your favorites made our prestigious list!

What are your favorite whiskeys of 2025 so far? Did your top picks make our list, or do you have a dark horse contender we need to know about? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Passionate about bourbon and exceptional whiskey? Don’t miss out on another drop! Hit that LIKE ๐Ÿ‘ button and SUBSCRIBE ๐Ÿ”” to our channel so you never miss our deep dives into the most exciting new releases and hidden gems. Share this video with your bourbon buddies and let’s celebrate the art of fine spirits together! Cheers to rare finds and unforgettable pours! ๐Ÿฅ‚

#WhiskeyOfTheMonth  #WhiskeyOfTheQuarter #WhiskeyOfTheYear 

1st Quarter WOTQ Video

2nd Quarter WOTQ Video

โŒYOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOLโŒ

๐ŸšจREMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY๐Ÿšจ

โœ… Please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button!

โ“Questionsโ“ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

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.

๐Ÿฅƒ BLIND WHISKEY BATTLE! Who Will Be Crowned Q1 Champion?

Alright, buckle up, whiskey lovers! ๐Ÿฅƒ Get ready for a showdown of EPIC proportions! ๐Ÿ”ฅ In this blind tasting adventure, we’re putting three incredible contenders to the ultimate test to crown the UNDISPUTED CHAMPION ๐Ÿ† of our First Quarter 2025! ๐ŸŽ‰

Prepare your senses as we dive deep into the aromatic world ๐Ÿ‘ƒ and tantalizing flavors ๐Ÿ˜‹ of:

๐Ÿฅƒ Old Louisville Straight Whiskey Cognac Cask Finish 

๐ŸŒŸ Starlight Family Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon (Blakeโ€™s Pick) 

๐ŸŒณ Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked

No labels, no biases โ€“ just pure, unadulterated whiskey appreciation! ๐Ÿ‘€ Join us as we meticulously nose, sip, and savor each dram, dissecting the nose ๐Ÿ‘ƒ, the dance on the palate ๐Ÿ‘…, the lingering finish โœจ, and that all-important je ne sais quoi. ๐Ÿค”

Will the barrel proof powerhouse ๐Ÿ’ช dominate? Will the aged elegance ๐Ÿ‘‘ steal the show? Or will a unique finish or single barrel charm โœจ take the crown? We’re ranking them from 3rd place๐Ÿฅ‰ to the coveted 1st place spot๐Ÿฅ‡, and the suspense is BUILDING! ๐Ÿคฉ The results will be used for seeding in our Whiskey of the Year competition! ๐Ÿ†

Hit play โ–ถ๏ธ and join the tasting party! ๐ŸŽ‰ Grab your own glass ๐Ÿฅƒ (of whatever you fancy! ๐Ÿ˜‰), settle in ๐Ÿ›‹๏ธ, and experience the thrill of the reveal with us. Get ready for some serious whiskey talk ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ, maybe a few surprises ๐Ÿ˜ฎ, and definitely a good time! ๐Ÿ˜„ Cheers to an unforgettable evening of delicious discovery! ๐Ÿฅ‚

Don’t forget to subscribe! ๐Ÿ‘ and let us know in the comments below ๐Ÿ‘‡ which whiskey YOU thought would win! ๐Ÿค”๐Ÿ’ฌ

๐Ÿ”ฅDETAILS REGARDING OUR THREE FINALISTS๐Ÿ”ฅ (in alphabetical order): 

โœด๏ธ Old Louisville Straight Whiskey Cognac Cask Finish

  • Classification: Straight Whiskey
  • Distilled:  Indiana
  • Bottled: Old Louisville Whiskey Co, Louisville KY
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed
  • Age: 9 years
  • Proof: 106.6
  • Released: 2025
  • Other: Uncut, Non-Chill Filtered, Cognac Cask Finished
  • Original YouTube Review: https://youtu.be/H1GPKXkBNP0?si=hfgALrZ8U2D4vT4R 

โœด๏ธ Starlight Distillery Family Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon

โœด๏ธ WOODFORD RESERVE DOUBLE DOUBLE OAKED

  • Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distilled By: Woodford Reserve
  • Mashbill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
  • Aged: 5-7 Years then up to 2 Years in a second barrel
  • Proof: 90.4
  • Released: January 2025
  • Original YouTube Review: https://youtu.be/01ZUvh4JWKc  

๐ŸšจREMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY๐Ÿšจ

โœ… Please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button!

โ“Questionsโ“ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

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.