Bourbon Hunting for 7 Days in Kentucky (32 Bottles)

September 15, 2025 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Get ready for an epic bourbon adventure! Join us on a week-long journey through the heart of Kentucky, including a can’t-miss trip to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival. We’re not just tasting bourbon—we’re on a mission to hunt down some of the most sought-after bottles in the state.

In this video, we’re detailing our 32-bottle bourbon haul, breaking down everything we found both inside and outside the festival grounds. We hit up legendary spots like Heaven Hill, Preservation, and Lux Row, and even managed to snag a coveted Booker’s Reserve 2025. But the biggest highlight? Finally scoring a bottle of the elusive Jim Beam Bowling Pin after striking out multiple times.

Whether you’re a seasoned bourbon connoisseur or just starting your collection, you’ll love the detailed breakdown of each bottle we acquired, from the unique OCD Premium Hazmat to the intriguing Blind Pig Santa Claus Lawn Gnome Decanter. We’ll cover every bottle, share our honest recommendations, and give you a glimpse into what it’s really like to spend seven days immersed in Kentucky’s bourbon culture.

Don’t miss out on the full bottle list and our final recommendations. This is one bourbon hunt you won’t want to skip!

Did you attend the 2025 Kentucky Bourbon Festival? Let us know in the comments below!

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

What’s the most exciting bottle you’ve ever hunted down? 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!

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#bourbonhunting #BARDSTOWN #kentuckybourbonfestival

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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NOTE: The spirits in this episode were purchased by us and for us. Your Bourbon Journey does NOT sell alcohol.

July’s Whiskey of the Month!

August 1, 2025August 1, 2025 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🔥🥃 Blind Whiskey BATTLE ROYALE! Who Will Be Our July 2025 CHAMPION?! 🏆

Alright, buckle up, whiskey fanatics! 🚀 Get ready for a showdown of EPIC proportions! 🥃 In this thrilling blind tasting adventure, we’re putting FOUR incredible contenders head-to-head to crown the UNDISPUTED champion of our July 2025 whiskey lineup! 👑

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

✴️ Booker’s 2025-02 “By the Pond” Batch
✴️ Maker’s Mark Keepers Release
✴️ Penelope: Cigar Sessions – Chapter 1
✴️ W.H. McBrayer 2025 Release, Batch 5

🚫 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! 🍀

#WhiskeyOfTheMonth #BlindWhiskeyTasting #bourbonreview

Half Way – 2025 Whiskey of the Year Preview:

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

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

✴️ Booker’s 2025-02 “By the Pond” Batch

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Company: Beam Suntory
Distillery: Jim Beam Distillery
Mash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
Age: 7 years, 1 month, and 20 days
Proof: 126.5
Blend: This particular batch is a complex blend of barrels from various locations within 8 different warehouses. The largest percentage (29%) came from the sixth floor of warehouse G at Waterfill, a seven-story warehouse.
MSRP: $100
Released: June 2025
Purchased: 07/03/25 for $110 at Archie & Clyde’s Restaurant in Newburgh IN
Original YouTube Review:

✴️ Maker’s Mark Keepers Release

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Company:
Distillery: Maker’s Mark
Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 16% Wheat, 14% Malted Barley
Age: NAS (about 6 years)
Proof: 109.2
MSRP: $74.99
Released: March 2025
Purchased: 05/01/25 for $74.99 at Maker’s Mark Distillery
Original YouTube Review:

✴️ Penelope: Cigar Sessions – Chapter 1

Classification: American Whiskey
Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery (MGP)
Blend: Straight Bourbon, American Single Malt, and American Light Whiskey
Bourbon: 72% Corn, 15% Rye, 13% Malted Barley; Non Chill-Filtered; Finished with French Oak Staves
Age: 6
Proof: 101
MSRP: 79.99
Released: June 2025
Other: Pair with medium-bodied cigars
Purchased: 06/13/25 for $192.27 at High Spirits Liquor Store, Evansville IN
Original YouTube Review:

✴️ W.H. McBrayer 2025 Release, Batch 5

Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Company: McBrayer Legacy Spirits
Distillery: Undisclosed
Mash Bill: 88.4% Bloody Butcher Corn, 5.8% Heritage Rye, 5.8% Malted Barley
Age: NAS; blend of 15 barrels – 8 are 6.5 years old and 7 are 5.5 years old
Proof: 106.8
MSRP: $100
Other: Small Batch (15 hand-selected barrels), Non-Chill Filtered
Released: May 10, 2025
Purchased: 05/10/25 for $100 at McBrayer Legacy Spirits
Original YouTube Review:

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

✅ Please SUBSCRIBE and hit the LIKE button!

❓Questions❓ 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.

Penelope Cigar Sessions: A Game Changer?

June 23, 2025June 23, 2025 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Excited to dive into the Penelope Bourbon Cigar Sessions Chapter 1? 🥃💨 This isn’t just another whiskey; it’s a revolutionary cigar pairing bourbon designed to elevate your favorite medium-bodied cigars! In this whiskey review, we’re exploring Penelope’s innovative approach to blending, featuring Straight Bourbon, American Single Malt, and American Light Whiskey.

Join us as we uncork this limited release aged six years and bottled at a robust 101 proof (50.5% ABV). We’ll cover everything from its unique mash bill (72% corn, 15% rye, 13% malt) to its rich, balanced profile crafted specifically for whiskey and cigar lovers.

This video introduces Penelope Bourbon Cigar Sessions Chapter 1, a groundbreaking cigar pairing whiskey. We share how we acquired this sought-after bottle before diving deep into its unique characteristics, including its beautiful color and appearance and captivating aromas—truly a whiskey for cigar aficionados. Our review culminates with a first taste of this innovative whiskey, followed by a discussion of its finish and our honest thoughts on this exceptional Penelope Bourbon release.

Don’t miss out on this groundbreaking Penelope Bourbon Cigar Sessions Chapter 1 review! Click play ▶️ now for our completely unfiltered tasting notes.

Passionate about bourbon and exceptional whiskey? Hit that LIKE 👍 and SUBSCRIBE 🔔 so you never miss our deep dives into the most exciting new releases! Share this with your bourbon buddies and let’s celebrate the art of fine spirits together! Cheers to rare finds and unforgettable pours! 🥂

#bourbon #penelope #CigarSessions

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ Penelope: Cigar Sessions – Chapter 1

Classification: American Whiskey
Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery (MGP)
Blend: Straight Bourbon, American Single Malt, and American Light Whiskey
Bourbon: 72% Corn, 15% Rye, 13% Malted Barley; Non Chill-Filtered; Finished with French Oak Staves
Age: 6
Proof: 101
MSRP: 79.99
Released: June 2025
Other: Pair with medium-bodied cigars
Purchased: 06/13/25 at High Spirits Liquor Store, Evansville IN

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✅ 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.

March 2024 Industry Highlights

April 1, 2024March 31, 2024 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

04/01/24

The bourbon and whiskey market continues to perform well. American whiskey exports hit a record US$1.4bn. Beam Suntory and University of Kentucky deepen partnership. Log Still Distillery to open luxury restaurant in downtown Louisville. Frey Ranch Distillery expands into new markets. Multiple notable bourbon releases and festival announcements. New Orleans Bourbon Festival and Whisky Magazine Awards winners announced.

Industry Market News

American whiskey exports bring in record US$1.4bn

Beam Suntory and University of Kentucky Advance Strategic Partnership

Distillery News

Log Still Distillery to open luxury restaurant in downtown Louisville

Frey Ranch Distillery expands into new markets

Bottle Releases

Michter’s is Releasing its Barrel Strength Rye Again

Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company Releases Toasted Bourbon Batch 1

New Riff Distilling Unveils Eight-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey

Old Forester Releases 117 Series: High Angels’ Share

Yellowstone launches rum-finished Bourbon

Penelope Bourbon returns to Rio

Woodford Reserve releases rare $15,000 whiskey in crystal decanter for Kentucky Derby 150

Bardstown Collection 2024 Release During National Bourbon Week

Michter’s Is Releasing Its 10 Year Bourbon

Hard Truth and Mellencamp Whiskey Co. Just Dropped a Blend of Bourbon and Rye Whiskeys That Supports American Farmers