rare whiskey

The April Lineup: Which Whiskey Earned the Top Spot?

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Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey! đŸ„ƒ

It’s that time of the month again! With the “Road to the Sweet 16” in full swing, we have curated an absolute powerhouse lineup for our April Whiskey of the Month. This month, we went bold—tasting five unique expressions that span the entire spectrum of flavor and finish. From Finished Rye and Wheat whiskeys to high-proof American Light Whiskey and Kentucky Straight Bourbon, we are all over the map!

We put these contenders to the ultimate test in a blind tasting format to see which bottle has what it takes to advance toward our Whiskey of the Year title. The competition was fierce, the legs were luscious, and the results? Let’s just say we were genuinely stunned.

In this episode: We dive into five distinct expressions, evaluating them on the nose, palate, and finish. We break down the unique profiles, discuss the impact of finishing casks (Armagnac, Madeira, Port/Sherry), and score them live to see who reigns supreme this month.

Featured Candidates:

  • Dark Arts Cask Strength Bourbon (Armagnac Finish)
  • Dark Arts Blunt Blend (Batch 3)
  • Knob Creek Blender’s Edition 1
  • Penelope American Light Whiskey (18 Year)
  • Remus Master Distiller Experimental Series 2

Stay tuned until the end for the Big Reveal! We break down the math, discuss the “Sweet Sixteen” leaderboard implications, and find out which of these bottles are destined for our Whiskey of the Year tournament.

If you enjoy our blind tasting series, hit that SUBSCRIBE button and join us on our journey! 🔔 Don’t forget to like and comment: Which of these bottles would be your top pick? Are you a fan of the finishes in this lineup?

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📊 SEE THE LIVE LEADERBOARD: Want to see where these bottles rank against the rest of the field? Check out our real-time leaderboard here: 👉 https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/02/27/the-live-leaderboard-road-to-the-sweet-sixteen/

đŸ„ƒ OUR NEW SCORING PROCESS: We’ve revamped our scoring to be more transparent than ever. Read the full breakdown of our new rubric and the “Sweet Sixteen” bracket process on our website: 👉 https://yourbourbonjourney.com/2026/02/27/decoding-the-pour-the-new-your-bourbon-journey-scoring-woty-process/

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Dark Arts Cask Strength Bourbon (Armagnac Finish)

  • Classification:  Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distilled: Sourced from MGP in Indiana  
  • Produced by: Dark Arts Whiskey House LLC
  • Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
  • Age: 10 Years
  • Proof: 113 (Cask Strength)
  • Released: Early 2026
  • Other: Finished in Armagnac Cask; Batch AT2; Bottle 132
  • Original Review:

Dark Arts Blunt Blend (Batch 3) Dank Arts

  • Classification: Rye Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Dark Arts Whiskey House
  • Distillery: Distilled in Indiana; Blended/Bottled in Sparta, KY
  • Mash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
  • Age: 8 Years
  • Finished: Madeira Cask and Armagnac Cask
  • Proof: 113.8
  • Released: Late March 2026
  • Other: Bottle 3370
  • Original Review:

Knob Creek Blender’s Edition 1

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Beam Suntory
  • Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co. (Clermont/Beam, KY)
  • Mash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
  • Age: 10 years
  • Proof: 106
  • MSRP: $44.99
  • Released: March 2026
  • Original Review:

Penelope American Light Whiskey 18 Year Limited Release

  • Classification:  American Light Whiskey
  • Company: Penelope Bourbon (A subsidiary of MGP/Luxco)
  • Distillery: MGP (Lawrenceburg, IN)
  • Mash Bill: 99% Corn, 1% Malted Barley
  • Age: 18 Years
  • Proof: 140.2
  • Released: 2026
  • Original Review:

Remus Master Distiller Experimental Series 2

  • Classification: Straight Wheat Whiskey
  • Distillery: Ross & Squibb Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 95% Wheat, 5% Malted Barley (LKSV formula/rare)
  • Age: Distilled in 2017 – Approximately 9 years
  • Quattro-Finish: (separately) Tawny Port, White Port, Oloroso Sherry and Ruby Port Casks (then blended)
  • Proof: 113
  • Released:  March 2026
  • Original Review:

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

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NOTE: The spirits in this review were purchased by us.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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3 Michter’s Ryes You NEED to Try: Tasting & Review 

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The Rye Trifecta: A Deep Dive into Michter’s Fort Nelson Experience! đŸ„ƒ

Welcome back to another episode of Bourbon Trail Tales and Tastes! Today, we are heading to the heart of Louisville’s “Whiskey Row” to revisit a personal favorite: Michter’s Fort Nelson. As Distillery #15 and Stamp #13 on our Kentucky Bourbon Trail journey, this historic site is more than just a distillery—it’s a masterclass in whiskey maturation.

In this episode, Wayne and Rebecca are breaking down three incredible (and hard-to-find) Michter’s Ryes. From the raw power of the Barrel Strength to the “sugar rush” of the Toasted Barrel Finish, and finishing with the elegance of the 10 Year Rye, we’re exploring why Michter’s is a must-stop for any whiskey enthusiast.

We also share our tips for visiting the Fort Nelson bar, the “Bottle Your Own” experience (and why you need to get in line early!), and a shoutout to Master Distiller Dan McKee and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson.

Whiskeys Tasted in This Episode:

  • Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Rye (2022): The bold, spicy baseline at 112.4 proof.
  • Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye (2023): Secondary maturation magic featuring campfire marshmallow and dark chocolate notes.
  • Michter’s 10 Year Kentucky Straight Rye (2024/2025): Sophisticated, herbal, and refined. Is it actually older than 10 years? 

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✎Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Rye (2022)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
  • Distillery: Michter’s Distillery (Louisville, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed (Proprietary “Kentucky Style” rye; high corn and malted barley content)
  • Age: NAS (Non-Age Stated, but generally understood to be 5–7 years)
  • Proof: 112.4
  • Released: March 2022 
  • Other:  Low Entry Proof: Distillate enters the barrel at 103 proof, much lower than the industry standard (125 proof), which Michter’s claims results in a richer mouthfeel.
  • Purchased: 09/03/22 for $119 at Michter’s Fort Nelson

✎Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Rye (2023)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
  • Distillery: Michter’s Distillery (Louisville, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed
  • Age: NAS (The base rye is typically 5–7 years old before the secondary finish)
  • Proof: 108.6
  • Released: September 2023
  • Other: Finishing Process: After aging in charred new American oak, the whiskey is moved to a second barrel made of 24-month air-dried wood that has been toasted but not charred. Entry Proof: Like the others, this began its life at a low 103 entry proof, which helps maintain that “creamy” mouthfeel even after the second barreling.
  • Purchased: 12/16/23 for $139.00

✎Michter’s 10 Year Kentucky Straight Rye (2024/2025)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
  • Company: Michter’s Distillery
  • Distillery: Undisclosed (Contract distilled to Michter’s specifications in Kentucky)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed (Known as a “Kentucky Style” Rye, heavy on corn and malted barley)
  • Age: 10 Years (Though widely rumored to be aged closer to 12–15 years)
  • Proof: 92.8
  • Released: Mid-2024 
  • Other: Barrel No. 24C1550: .
  • Single Barrel: Unlike the Small Batch US*1 line, this is pulled from a single, exceptional barrel chosen by Master Distiller Dan McKee and Master of Maturation Andrea Wilson.
  • Purchased: 02/22/25 for $210.00

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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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Revival Vintage Spirits: Finding Rare Vintage Whiskey & Bourbon

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đŸ„ƒ Vintage Spirits Haul! Rare Whiskey & 70s Liqueurs at Revival Vintage Spirits! 🍒

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey on a special trip to Revival Vintage Spirits in Covington, Kentucky! While known for vintage bourbon and whiskey, this time we’re diving deep into a treasure trove of vintage liqueurs and rare spirits perfect for classic cocktails!

🌟 What We Found in Our Vintage Spirits Haul!

đŸ„ƒ Rebecca’s Rare Liqueur Finds:

We scored some incredible vintage bottles for Rebecca’s upcoming vintage cocktail series (check out her other cocktail videos!):

  • 1971 Cherry Heering: The legendary cherry liqueur—perfect for classic drinks! We’ll be comparing it to a modern sample.
  • 1970s Swiss Chocolate Cherry Liqueur: An absolute jewel in stunning opal glass! Swiss chocolate and cherry… what kind of decadent vintage drink will this make?
  • 1966 DuBouchett CrĂšme de Menthe: A vintage bottle for an authentic Grasshopper cocktail! We got the idea after enjoying Revival’s delicious vintage cocktails made with 1970s Hiram Walker.
  • 1979 KahlĂșa (Vintage Pour): We were blown away by the taste of this old-school, coffee-made KahlĂșa—thick, rich, and amazing! We bought the last pour to make a special vintage KahlĂșa cocktail.
  • 1970s Amaretto: Complete with an adorable box and original liqueur glasses! Get ready for a classic Amaretto Sour!

đŸ„ƒ Wayne’s Rare Whiskey Finds:

Of course, Wayne couldn’t leave without a few vintage whiskey and spirit bottles of his own!

  • 1990s Four Roses (Japan Release): A highly sought-after vintage Four Roses—the closest we could get to the 1970s Yellow Label that blew us away on a previous visit! A future “official review” is coming!
  • 1970s Sunny Brook Mini Bottle: A National Distillers brand from way back! Vintage minis are a great, affordable way to “dip your toe into vintage pours.”
  • 1970s Italian Swiss Colony Port: A vintage California ruby port we snagged for a steal!
  • 1960s  Schenley Reserve Blended Whiskey! We couldn’t resist a spontaneous tasting of this 8-year blended whiskey (likely 60s/70s) found on an inventory tray. 

đŸ„ƒ TASTING! Schenley Reserve Mini: The Shocking Lemon Whiskey!

We found a legendary piece of history! This mini-bottle of Schenley Reserve is a pristine example of 1960s/70s American blended whiskey. The label confirms its recipe: 8-years-old, composed of 35% straight whiskey (well above the legal minimum!) and 65% Neutral Grain Spirits.

The result is mind-blowing: incredible viscosity, rich creaminess, and an unexpected explosion of flavor that smells exactly like a lemon grove and delivers a bright, beautiful lemon-citrus palate. This tiny bottle is an absolute must-try! We’re already hunting for a bigger one!

Revival Vintage Spirits is an absolute must-visit in Covington, KY! They have so much more than whiskey—including vintage wine, port, tequila, gin, and current single barrels.

👉 Want to see more of our vintage finds or have a specific vintage spirit you want us to review? Let us know in the comments below!

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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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