Rebecca Herman

40-Year-Old Jim Beam Eight Star vs Modern Blend!

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Welcome to Vintage Friday on Your Bourbon Journey! Today, Wayne and Rebecca are diving into an eye-opening side-by-side comparison spanning more than four decades of American whiskey history: a dusty 1983 bottle of Beam’s Eight Star Kentucky Whiskey A Blend versus today’s modern plastic traveler edition.

Back in July 2026, we picked up this vintage 1983 bottle for $50 at Revival Vintage Spirits in Covington, Kentucky, and shared pours around the bar with Brad Bonds and friends. Now, we’re bringing it into the studio for a full side-by-side evaluation.

Bottled during the height of the historic American “whiskey recession” and the light whiskey era, this 1983 release from James B. Beam’s Clear Spring Distilling Co. arm (DSP-KY-230) in Clermont, KY, captures a unique moment in distilling history. Back then, excess mature bourbon stocks meant blended whiskeys often held 25% to 30% quality straight whiskey aged 2 to 4 years alongside grain neutral spirits (GNS). Contrast that with modern rail blends holding right at the 20% legal minimum straight whiskey cut with industrial GNS and packaged in PET plastic travelers!

Can a 43-year-old bottom-shelf blended whiskey deliver rich butterscotch, vintage dusty funk, and soft oak sweetness—or does modern production win out? Plus, we share key collector tips on how to date vintage dusty bottles using paper ATF tax stamps and glass base embossing so you never get taken on the secondary market.

Drop a comment below: Have you ever tried vintage blended American whiskey, or do you stick strictly to dusty straight bourbons?

🔔 Subscribe to Your Bourbon Journey for weekly vintage reviews, blind tastings, barrel picks, and whiskey history!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey!

Revival Vintage Spirits https://revivalky.com/

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Beam’s Eight Star Kentucky Whiskey A Blend

  • Classification: Blended Whiskey (Kentucky Whiskey A Blend)
  • Company: James B. Beam Distilling Co. (Clear Spring Distilling Co.)
  • Distillery: Clear Spring Distilling Co. (Clermont, KY / DSP-KY-230)
  • Mash Bill: Blend of 25% Straight Whiskies (Beam Bourbon/Rye stock) and 75% Grain Neutral Spirits
  • Age: NAS (Components aged a minimum of 2–4 years for the straight whiskey portion)
  • Proof: 80 Proof (40% ABV)
  • Released: 1983
  • Other: Features a red “Bureau of ATF” paper tax stamp (in use 1977–1985) over an embossed 750 ML glass bottle, with the two-digit bottom base mark indicating a 1983 bottling year. Produced during the “whiskey recession” era by Beam’s blending and rectifying arm, Clear Spring Distilling Co.
  • SRP: ~$4.50 – $5.50 (circa 1983); modern equivalent ~$8.99 – $10.99
  • Purchased: 07/24/26 for $50 at Revival Vintage Spirits

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓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.

#VintageWhiskey #JimBeam #BourbonJourney #DustyWhiskey #WhiskeyReview #AmericanWhiskey #WhiskeyTasting #BourbonHunting #Beam8Star #VintageBourbon #RevivalVintageSpirits #WhiskeyHistory #WhiskeyComparison #BottomShelfWhiskey #BourbonCommunity

A Bone-Dry Manhattan Riff You Need to Try!

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Welcome to Episode 95 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails on Your Bourbon Journey! Tonight, Rebecca crafts “The November Hearth“—a bold, brooding, and bone-dry Manhattan variation designed as the ultimate fireside sipper for crisp autumn evenings.

By pairing the uncut 116.8 proof muscle of Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon with the bittersweet alpine depths of Bigallet China-China Amer Liqueur, this build balances heavy alligator char, leather, and vanilla with dark roasted orange peel, gentian root, and cinchona bark. To ensure zero cloying sweetness, Carpano Dry Vermouth brings crisp wine acidity and structure, while cardamom and orange bitters layer in exotic, warming spice.

🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails!

Next week on Episode 96: Get ready for “The Green Rickhouse”—an herbaceous, 140-proof absinthe-rinsed kinship riff on the historic New Orleans Sazerac!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey!

🛒 Featured Cocktail Ingredients & Tools
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out the links below!


🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

📋 THE RECIPE

  • 2.0 oz Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon (116.8 Proof)
  • 0.75 oz Bigallet China-China Amer Liqueur
  • 0.50 oz Carpano Dry Vermouth
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Cardamom Cocktail Bitters
  • 1 dash Angostura Orange Bitters
  • Garnish: Expressed fresh orange peel & Luxardo brandied cherry

👀 TASTING NOTES:

  • Aroma: Fresh sweet orange oils, toasted cardamom, pipe tobacco, charred oak staves, and a faint kiss of dark chocolate.
  • Palate: Robust, oily bourbon warmth and rich baking spice transitioning into roasted bitter citrus, alpine herbs, and cacao—kept bone-dry by the vermouth.
  • Finish: Long, warming, and complex with lingering barrel char, subtle orange pith, and a glowing cardamom warmth.

🚨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.

#TheNovemberHearth #BourbonCocktails #WildTurkeyRareBreed #ManhattanCocktail #ThirstyThursday #CocktailRecipe #BourbonJourney #CraftCocktails #HomeBartender #FallCocktails #ChinaChinaLiqueur #StirredCocktails #BourbonWhiskey #CocktailHour #WhiskeyLovers

Westward Milestone: Everything You Need to Know

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Is Westward Whiskey Milestone Edition No. 4 the next Whiskey of the Year? With previous Milestone releases dominating year-end top 10 lists across the whiskey community, we managed to track down an early bottle of this ultra-limited 2026 release to find out if it lives up to the massive hype!

In this episode, Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey break down Westward Milestone Edition 4: “An Expression of Time & Place.” Crafted by Master Blender Miles Munroe at Westward Whiskey Distillery in Portland, Oregon, this limited-run American Single Malt Whiskey is drawn from an evolving 21-barrel fractional solera system featuring some of the distillery’s oldest mature stocks.

Secondary cask maturations in Hungarian oak and large French oak Armagnac casks infuse this 114-proof powerhouse with rich European brandy character. Fermented with ale yeast and double pot distilled from 100% malted two-row barley, this pour delivers an unexpected, palate-electrifying effervescence that reminds us of the legendary Starlight Champagne finish.

Does it earn a guaranteed spot in our Whiskey of the Month lineup? Watch along to find out!

Let us know in the comments: Have you explored American Single Malt Whiskeys yet? Have you tried any of Westward’s Milestone releases?

👍 If you enjoyed this review, please hit that Like button, Subscribe to Your Bourbon Journey, and tap the bell icon so you never miss a pour!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey!

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Westward Whiskey Milestone Edition No. 4 (subtitled An Expression of Time & Place)

  • Classification: American Single Malt Whiskey
  • Distillery: Westward Whiskey Distillery (Portland, Oregon)
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Two-Row Barley (fermented with ale yeast)
  • Age: NAS (No Age Statement; drawn from Westward’s evolving solera containing some of their oldest mature stocks)
  • Proof: 114 Proof
  • Released: Fall 2026
  • Other:
  • SRP: $249.99
  • Purchased: 10/22/26 for $229.99 at Hi Proof (online store)

🚨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.

#WestwardWhiskey #WestwardMilestone #AmericanSingleMalt #WhiskeyReview #YourBourbonJourney #Milestone4 #SoleraWhiskey #CraftWhiskey #SingleMaltWhiskey #WhiskeyTasting #WhiskeyOfTheYear #ArmagnacFinish #PortlandWhiskey #HighProofWhiskey #WhiskeyTube

Don’t Buy the Old Forester Tribute Series Until You Watch This

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Is the brand-new Old Forester Tribute Series worth the $300 price tag? Today, Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey crack open the inaugural 2026 release of the Old Forester Tribute Series—an ultra-premium Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky bottled at 115 proof!

Rebecca attended the exclusive launch event at Old Forester Distilling Co. on Whiskey Row in Louisville and captured an exclusive clip of Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris, who revealed the secret behind the blend: 12 years is only the youngest barrel in the batch—they go up from there!

Chris also breaks down the concept behind the Tribute Series: Old Forester’s “Greatest Hits Album.” Each annual release will honor one of the historic “Number One Hits” from the legendary Brand of Firsts. Kicking off the series is an homage to Old Forester becoming the first brand to launch a dedicated holiday Decanter Series in 1950, featuring iconic mid-century designs by Ernst Spuehler and Raymond Loewy (including the famous 1957 “Sputnik”).

Watch as we share Chris Morris’s insider remarks, discuss the vintage decanters with the distillery archives team, and put the liquid to the test for rich dark caramel, Bananas Foster, dark chocolate, allspice, and clove. Does this heat-cycled blend hit a Tony Gwynn line drive in its prime?

Have you spotted the Old Forester Tribute Series, or are you a fan of vintage mid-century bourbon decanters? Let us know in the comments below!

👉 Don’t forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe to Your Bourbon Journey for 5 new whiskey reviews, distillery travelogues, and bottle tastings every week! Always drink responsibly. Cheers! 🥃

Connect With Us & Support The Journey!

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Old Forester Tribute Series (Inaugural 2026 Release)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
  • Company: Brown-Forman
  • Distillery: Old Forester Distilling Co. (Louisville, Kentucky)
  • Mash Bill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
  • Age: 12 Years
  • Proof: 115 Proof
  • Announced: October 15, 2026
  • Other: 700 mL custom mid-century homage decanter with metallic accents and an oversized stopper; small-batch blend sourced from heat-cycled warehouses rather than single lots.
  • SRP: $299.99
  • Purchased: 10/17/26 for $299.99 as part of the Tribute Launch Ticketed Event

🚨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.

#OldForester #OldForesterTribute #BourbonReview #WhiskeyReview #OldForesterBourbon #BourbonTasting #YourBourbonJourney #BrownForman #WhiskeyRow #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyDecanter #RareBourbon #WhiskeyTube #BourbonLife #CraftSpirits

Why We Bought the Wilderness Trail ‘Symphony of Disruption’ Without Tasting It

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Is Wilderness Trail’s ultra-rare 10-Year Wheated Bourbon worth the $190 price tag? Today on Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca crack open one of the most anticipated commemorative releases of the year: Wilderness Trail “Symphony of Disruption” Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame (KBHOF) 10-Year Single Barrel Cask Strength.

Released in September 2026 to celebrate the induction of co-founders Shane Baker and Dr. Pat Heist into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame (Class of 2026), this heavy-hitting sweet mash wheater clocks in at a blistering 123 proof (61.5% ABV). Bottled non-chill filtered from barrel/rick ID YS 927, this special release honors two rock-and-roll industry disruptors who transformed fermentation and distillation science across Kentucky.

Rebecca snagged this bottle on sight for $189.99 at Bourbon on the Banks in Frankfort, KY—without even tasting it first! Join us as we explore the divine dark caramel and warm clove aromas, heavy glass-coating legs, rich brown sugar palate, effervescent mouthfeel, and a lingering white pepper Kentucky hug. Is this certified banger heading straight into our Reserve of the Year consideration? Grab a pour and find out!

Enjoyed the review? Hit that SUBSCRIBE button, like the video, leave a comment with your favorite Wilderness Trail pour, and remember to always drink responsibly! Cheers! 🥃

Connect With Us & Support The Journey!

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Wilderness Trail “Symphony of Disruption” Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame (KBHOF) 10-Year

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Single Barrel / Cask Strength)
  • Company: Campari Group
  • Distillery: Wilderness Trail Distillery (Danville, KY)
  • Mash Bill: 64% Corn, 24% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley (Sweet Mash)
  • Age: 10 Years
  • Proof: 123 Proof (61.5% ABV)
  • Released: September 2026
  • Other: Special limited single-barrel release celebrating the induction of co-founders Shane Baker and Dr. Pat Heist into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame (Class of 2026); sweet mash process; non-chill filtered; barrel/rick ID: YS 927.
  • SRP: $189.99
  • Purchased: 10/3/26 for $189.99 at Bourbon on the Banks

🚨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.

#WildernessTrail #SymphonyOfDisruption #BourbonReview #WheatedBourbon #SweetMash #CaskStrength #SingleBarrel #BourbonHunt #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyTasting #BourbonCommunity #YourBourbonJourney #KentuckyBourbonHallOfFame #PatHeist #ShaneBaker

We Blind Tasted 4 Massive 2026 Whiskies for the October Whiskey of the Month!

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Welcome to our October 2026 WHISKEY OF THE MONTH blind tasting showdown! 🥃

October was one of our biggest and most diverse tasting months of the entire year—we evaluated 25 different whiskeys across 14 separate tasting sessions. After setting aside our special vintage dusties (like a 1973 Seagram’s Benchmark 6 Year) and allocated legacy projects (such as Starlight’s 10 Year Mizunara Reserve Batch 1, Elijah Craig 21 Year Single Barrel, and Brown-Forman’s Kentucky Boy tribute), we narrowed the field down to 4 absolute powerhouse contenders.

This elite lineup averages 12.25 years of age, 119.38 proof, and $157.25 SRP. But can price and pedigree survive when the labels are stripped away?

Will an ultra-aged limited release take the crown, or will an underdog shake up our Road to the Sweet Sixteen? We pour them neat, mix them up, rate each pour on our 20-point rubric (Nose, Taste, Finish, Wildcard), and reveal our rankings from 4th to 1st place!

Drop your guess in the comments BEFORE the reveal: Which bottle do you think took the top spot?

🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and ring the notification bell to follow along on the Road to the 2026 Sweet Sixteen and our Whiskey of the Year tournament!

Let us know in the comments: What has been your favorite pour this month? Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss a review, blind flight, or cocktail guide!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey!


🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

🥃 OUR SCORING PROCESS: We’ve revamped our scoring to be more transparent than ever. No more “Redundancy”—just pure, data-driven blind competitions. 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/

THE CONTENDERS (Tasted Completely Blind):

🌹 Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch (109.2 Proof | Blend of 14–23 Yr Bourbons | $249 SRP)


📚 Little Book The Infinite Edition III (118.3 Proof | Blend of Bourbons 7–23 Yrs | $199.99 SRP)


🏛️ MGP Chapter One: Out of the Shadows (111 Proof | 10 Year Straight Bourbon | $69.99 SRP)


🔥 Penelope 18 Year American Light Whiskey (139 Proof | 18 Years in Used Oak | $110 SRP)

📊 SEE THE LIVE LEADERBOARD: Want to see where this bottle ranks 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/

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓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.

#Bourbon #Whiskey #BlindTasting #WhiskeyOfTheMonth #FourRoses #LittleBook #MGPWhiskey #PenelopeBourbon #BourbonReview #WhiskeyReview #BourbonHunting #BarrelProof #StraightBourbon #CraftSpirits #yourbourbonjourney

How to Make the Ultimate Halloween Bourbon Drink

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Welcome to Episode 94 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails! With Halloween just around the corner, we are mixing up a brooding, atmospheric sour: The Widow’s Veil.

Inspired by dark, moody autumn favorites, this cocktail takes the classic New York Sour profile and gives it a haunting twist. Anchored by the robust, 115-proof power of Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style bourbon, this build holds up effortlessly against rich demerara syrup, tart fresh lemon juice, and the dark, velvety fruit of Merlet Crème de Cassis.

We accent the drink with Fee Brothers Turkish Tobacco Bitters for warm clove and sun-cured leaf aromatics, finishing with a dramatic, layered float of Baker-Bird Cabernet Sauvignon aged in bourbon barrels.

Topped with a rich Luxardo maraschino cherry, this cocktail delivers a dynamic, layered sip of dry red wine, dark berries, rich cocoa, and lingering charred oak spice.

Please drink responsibly! Have a fabulous Thirsty Thursday, a wonderful Halloween weekend, and tune in next week for Episode 95 as we kick off our November cocktail theme!

🛒 Featured Cocktail Ingredients & Tools

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check out the links below!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey!


🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

The Recipe: The Widow’s Veil

Ingredients:

  • 2.0 oz Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style Bourbon (115 Proof)
  • 0.50 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (Double Strained)
  • 0.50 oz Demerara Syrup
  • 0.25 oz Merlet Crème de Cassis
  • 3 dashes Fee Brothers Turkish Tobacco Bitters
  • 0.50 oz Dry Red Wine Float (Baker-Bird Bourbon-Barrel-Aged Cabernet Sauvignon)

Tasting Notes:

  • Aroma: Dark blackcurrant, sun-cured tobacco leaf, and rich red wine tannins lead, accented by bright citrus oils and toasted oak.
  • Taste: A dynamic layered profile—the berry-forward, tannic Cabernet greets the palate first before giving way to tart lemon, rich cassis, dark chocolate, and the high-proof baking spice of Old Forester 1920.
  • Finish: Long, warm, and brooding with lingering clove, pipe tobacco, and dark black cherry.

🚨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.

#BourbonCocktails #HalloweenCocktails #OldForester1920 #BourbonSour #NewYorkSour #CraftCocktails #ThirstyThursday #WhiskeyTribe #BourbonLovers #CocktailRecipe #DrinkResponsibly #CocktailHour #Mixology #HalloweenDrinks #YourBourbonJourney

Wine & Stout Casks! Virginia Distillery Co. American Single Malt Review

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey! Today, Wayne and Rebecca are taking a hard right turn away from standard bourbon to dive headfirst into the rich, dynamic world of American Single Malt Whisky. We’re popping open three incredible, unopened bottles from Virginia Distillery Co. (Lovingston, VA)—including a wild Brewer’s Coalition collaboration and two rare, members-only Courage Club single cask releases!

Can American Single Malt rival traditional Scotch? Does an Imperial Stout Cabernet cask finish work with 100% malted barley? Join us as we explore the aromas, palate shifts, effervescence, and deep wood finishes across this unique three-pour flight, ending with our official flight rankings.

Featured Whiskies:

🥃 Bottle 1: Virginia Distillery Co. The Brewer’s Coalition – Boulevard Brewing Co. Proper Pour Stout Cask Finish
🥃 Bottle 2: Virginia Distillery Co. Courage Club Exclusive – Amontillado Cask
🥃 Bottle 3: Virginia Distillery Co. Courage Club Exclusive – Cuvée Spanish Oak

What’s your favorite American Single Malt expression, or have you explored any wine or beer cask finishes lately? Let us know in the comments below!

🔔 Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and ring the bell so you never miss a pour with Your Bourbon Journey! Always remember to drink responsibly. Cheers!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey!

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Virginia Distillery Co. The Brewer’s Coalition: Boulevard Brewing Co. Proper Pour Stout Cask Finish

  • Classification: American Single Malt Whisky
  • Distillery: Virginia Distillery Company (Lovingston, VA)
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Age: 5+ Years (Aged over 5 years in ex-bourbon casks before finishing)
  • Proof: 100 Proof
  • Other: Finished in Boulevard Brewing Co. Proper Pour Double Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout Cabernet casks; limited release batch of 15 barrels; 700 ml
  • Purchased: June 16, 2026 for $54.99 (SRP) at Virginia Distillery Co. (online/distillery)

Virginia Distillery Co. Courage Club Exclusive: Amontillado Cask

  • Classification: American Single Malt Whisky
  • Distillery: Virginia Distillery Company (Lovingston, VA)
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Age: 6 Years
  • Proof: 112 Proof
  • Other: Single cask / Courage Club members-only release; finished in seasoned Amontillado sherry casks; Bottle 312; 750 ml
  • Purchased: June 8, 2026 for $99.99 (SRP) at Virginia Distillery Co. Courage Club

Virginia Distillery Co. Courage Club Exclusive: Cuvée Spanish Oak

  • Classification: American Single Malt Whisky
  • Distillery: Virginia Distillery Company (Lovingston, VA)
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Age: 8 Years
  • Proof: 112 Proof
  • Other: Finished in shaved, toasted, and re-charred (STR) European / Spanish oak red wine cuvée casks; Bottle 22; 750 ml
  • Purchased: September 8, 2026 for $99.99 (SRP) at Virginia Distillery Co. Courage Club

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓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.

#AmericanSingleMalt #VirginiaDistilleryCo #WhiskeyTasting #WhiskeyReview #SingleMaltWhisky #CraftWhiskey #CourageClub #YourBourbonJourney #SherryCask #StoutCask #SpanishOak #WhiskeyFlight #WhiskeyCommunity #SpiritsReview #DrinkResponsibly

Brown-Forman Went CRAZY: Woodford Red Corn vs 117 Triple Char!

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Two rare, experimental Brown-Forman unicorn bottles go head-to-head!

Join Wayne and Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey as we crack open two elusive, limited-edition distillery releases picked up during our Bourbon Festival trip to Cox’s Evergreen Liquors in Bardstown, Kentucky:

🥃 Woodford Reserve Distillery Series: Red Corn (90.4 Proof / 45.2% ABV) Part of Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall’s experimental Distillery Series, this unique expression swaps traditional yellow dent corn for locally sourced heirloom red corn. Does this heirloom grain bring sweet vanilla ice cream, baking cinnamon, and dry savory funk—or does Wayne find his signature Brown-Forman banana note?

🥃 Old Forester The 117 Series: Triple Char (115 Proof / 57.5% ABV) An absolute historic milestone pour! This is the first-ever release distilled 100% on Main Street at the restored downtown Louisville distillery (DSP-KY-354). Aged in custom barrels given triple the standard char time, this high-proof pour packs heavy char, rich dark baking chocolate, allspice, and clove.

Which limited release takes the crown, and are these 375ml bottles worth adding to your home bar shelf? Grab a glass, pour along, and let’s dive in!

🔔 Subscribe to Your Bourbon Journey for weekly whiskey reviews, distillery exclusives, barrel picks, and hunting trips.

💬 Drop a comment below: Have you hunted down the Woodford Red Corn or the 117 Series Triple Char? Which experimental direction do you prefer: heirloom grains or extreme barrel char?

Connect With Us & Support The Journey!

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Woodford Reserve Distillery Series: Red Corn

  • Part of Woodford Reserve’s experimental Distillery Series. The expression showcases rare, locally sourced heirloom red corn, which delivers a distinctly sweeter, creamier grain profile compared to standard expressions.
  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Brown-Forman
  • Distillery: Woodford Reserve Distillery (Versailles, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Proprietary recipe replacing standard yellow dent corn with heirloom red corn (alongside Woodford’s traditional rye and malted barley base)
  • Age: NAS (No Age Statement)
  • Proof: 90.4 (45.2% ABV)
  • Released: May 2026 (375 ml)
  • Purchased: September 10, 2026 for $64.99 (SRP) at Cox’s Evergreen Liquors in Bardstown, KY

Old Forester The 117 Series: Triple Char

  • Historic milestone bottle for Old Forester—it is the very first release distilled entirely at the restored downtown Main Street distillery in Louisville. The whiskey was aged in custom barrels subjected to three times the char time of Old Forester’s standard specification.
  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky
  • Company: Brown-Forman
  • Distillery: Old Forester Distillery (Louisville, KY / DSP-KY-354)
  • Mash Bill: 72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley (Standard Old Forester mash bill)
  • Age: NAS (No Age Statement; aged at least 4 years per straight bourbon standards)
  • Proof: 115 (57.5% ABV)
  • Released: July 2026 (375 ml)
  • Purchased: September 10, 2026 for $69.99 ($64.99 SRP) at Cox’s Evergreen Liquors in Bardstown, KY

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓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.

#Bourbon #WoodfordReserve #OldForester #BourbonReview #WhiskeyTasting #BrownForman #RareBourbon #WhiskeyTube #OldForester117 #DistillerySeries #KentuckyBourbon #BourbonHunting #HeirloomCorn #WhiskeyLovers #YourBourbonJourney

Don’t Buy Kentucky Boy Bourbon Until You Watch This!

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

What happens when Brown-Forman secretly blends stocks from Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, and King of Kentucky into a single 100-proof release? You get Kentucky Boy Straight Bourbon Whiskey, crafted as a surprise 50th-anniversary legacy tribute to Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris!

In this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca unbox, fresh-crack, and review this ultra-rare, one-time commemorative bottling acquired at the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown. Blended collaboratively by Woodford Reserve Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall and Old Forester Assistant Master Distiller Caleb Trigo, this bottle revives a historic 1923 brand and label honoring Kentucky distilling heritage and retired racehorses through Second Stride.

Join us at the tasting table as we break down the specs, explore the aroma, and dive into complex tasting notes of dark chocolate, rich espresso bean, toasted barrel smoke, black pepper, and dark cherry.

🔔 Subscribe to Your Bourbon Journey for weekly whiskey reviews, bottle shares, and distillery explorations.

Connect With Us & Support The Journey!

🎓 Want to earn a FREE Whiskey Certificate? Start your bourbon education journey with Whiskey University today! Take your first steps here: https://www.whiskeyuniv.com/first-steps

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Kentucky Boy Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Chris Morris 50-Year Legacy Release)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Multi-component blend of straight bourbons)
  • Distillery / Producer: Brown-Forman Distillery Co. / Woodford Reserve Distillery (DSP-KY-414 / DSP-KY-398)
  • Mash Bill: Traditional Brown-Forman Bourbon Mash (72% Corn, 18% Rye, 10% Malted Barley)
  • Blend Components: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, and King of Kentucky mature barrel stocks
  • Age: NAS (Blend of mature reserve stocks)
  • Proof: 100 Proof (50% ABV)
  • Release Date: September 10, 2026 (One-Time Commemorative Release)
  • Suggested Retail Price (SRP): $99.99
  • Philanthropy: Proceeds benefit Second Stride (retired Thoroughbred rehabilitation and rehoming)

🚨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.

#KentuckyBoy #BourbonReview #YourBourbonJourney #BrownForman #WoodfordReserve #OldForester #KingOfKentucky #BirthdayBourbon #ChrisMorris #BourbonTasting #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyTube #BourbonHunting #KentuckyBourbonFestival #StraightBourbon