Rebecca & Wayne

Booker’s “Phantom Pipes Batch” Review (2025-04)

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 Booker’s 2025-04 “Phantom Pipes Batch” Bourbon Review & Tasting! | Is This the Best Batch of the Year?

In this video, Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey dive into the final and most mysterious release of the year: Booker’s 2025-04 “Phantom Pipes Batch”! We snagged this bottle right at the Jim Beam Distillery and are ready to share the uncut and unfiltered review of this Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

The Phantom Pipes Batch is named after a maze of pipes Master Distiller Booker Noe left behind at the Boston Distillery—a symbol of his “stubborn genius” and dedication to making bourbon the right way. At a bold 126.4 Proof and aged over 7.5 years, this is a quintessential, high-proof Booker’s experience.

What We Found:

  • The Nose: Strong brown sugar, cinnamon, and that signature high-proof Booker’s intensity.
  • The Palate: A punch of toasty roasted peanuts, combined with warm brown sugar and cinnamon—like a crunchy, charred cinnamon-sugar-peanut treat!
  • The Finish: Exceptionally long, warm, and consistent, carrying that delightful blend of brown sugar, cinnamon, and char goodness all the way through.

We’re big Booker’s fans—Wayne even credits an earlier batch as his first bourbon love! We discuss why Booker’s is the “stamp of bourbon” and whether its consistent, traditional flavor profile helps or hurts it in a bourbon blind tasting. Will this batch stand up to the rest of the 2025 releases? Stick around for our full review and find out!

Don’t forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more bourbon reviews! Let us know in the comments if you’ve tried the Phantom Pipes Batch and what you thought!

We will be doing a blind tasting of all four 2025 Booker’s releases in January—hit the bell so you don’t miss it!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ Booker’s 2025-04 Phantom Pipes Batch

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Suntory Global Spirits
  • Distillery: James B. Beam Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
  • Age: Youngest barrels – 7 years, 6 months, and 15 days
  • Proof: 126.4
  • MSRP: $110
  • Released: Nov 2025
  • Purchased: Dec 05, 2025 for $110 at Jim Beam Distilling

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨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.

#BookersBourbon #PhantomPipesBatch #bourbonreview #whiskeytasting #KentuckyStraightBourbon #BarrelProof #Bookers2025 #JimBeam #Whiskey #bourbon #HighProofBourbon #UncutUnfiltered #BookerNoe #whiskeytube #NewReleaseBourbon 

Jack Daniel’s Distillery Tour: Honest Review & Tasting

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Tasting & Distillery Tour Review!

Join Wayne & Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey for Episode 50 of Bourbon Trail Tales and Tastes! We ventured into Lynchburg, Tennessee—a dry county with the iconic Jack Daniel’s Distillery—for our 53rd distillery visit!

In this video, we give you the full breakdown of our trip, from the beautiful grounds and the unique visitor center that honors Nearest Green, to the famed Lincoln County Process charcoal mellowing area. We share our honest, in-depth thoughts on the production tour (spoiler: some parts were very disappointing and felt highly limited due to unexplained fire hazards!).

But the real star? We finally open and taste a special Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof bottle we purchased as a commemorative item at the distillery’s White Rabbit Bottle Shop! At a whopping 128.8 Proof and pulled from Barrel No. 23-05984, will this high-proof Tennessee Whiskey be a daily drinker or a letdown?

If you’re planning a trip to the JD Distillery or are a fan of high-proof whiskey, you must watch this review! Lynchburg is a beautiful must-visit, even if the tour has a few quirks.

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ Jack Daniels Single Barrel

  • Classification: Tennessee Whiskey
  • Company: Brown-Forman
  • Distillery: Jack Daniels Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 80% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 8% Rye
  • Age: NAS (typically 4-7 years)
  • Proof: 128.8
  • MSRP: $65-75
  • Bottled: 06/27/23
  • Barrel No: 23-05984
  • Purchased: 08/20/23 for $66.67 at Jack Daniels Distillery

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨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.

#JackDaniels #TennesseeWhiskey #DistilleryTour #BarrelProof #WhiskeyReview #JackDanielsSingleBarrel #JDSBBP #whiskeytasting #LynchburgTN #bourbonjourney #HighProofWhiskey #TennesseeBourbon #LincolnCountyProcess #BrownForman #whiskeytube 

Is Knob Creek 21 Year Worth $250 MSRP?

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🎉 Knob Creek 21 Year Old Bourbon Review! 🎉 Is this the ultimate extra-aged whiskey?

Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey finally got their hands on the historic Knob Creek 21 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey—the oldest expression ever released by the James B. Beam Distilling Co.! Watch as they pour, nose, and taste this highly-anticipated, limited-edition small batch bourbon, bottled at a perfect 100 proof.

We were lucky enough to score this bottle at the Jim Beam Distillery for the MSRP of $249.99! Was the two-decade wait worth it? Does it live up to the hype established by the Knob Creek 9 and 12-Year expressions?

🥃 Knob Creek 21 Year Old Tasting Notes & Review Highlights

  • The Nose: Right out of the gate, the aromas are incredibly inviting! Get ready for notes of butterscotch, toffee, and a rich, cooked brown sugar. It smells like what a 21-year-old whiskey should smell like!
  • The Palate: This is a surprisingly barrel forward bourbon, but perfectly balanced! You’ll find deep tannins and robust char notes, but the 100 proof prevents it from being an “oak bomb.”
  • The Finish: Long, warm, and not drying! Enjoy lingering notes of cinnamon, dark cocoa (dark chocolate), and a nice pop of black pepper. It’s the perfect deep, dark, rich sipper for the winter.

Master Distiller Freddie Noe said they weren’t chasing an age statement, but focused on crafting a great bourbon—and they hit it out of the park! We discuss the value of a $250, 21-year-old bourbon and compare it to the popular Knob Creek 18-Year and 12-Year expressions.

❓ Have you tried the Knob Creek 21 Year Old? What did you think of the barrel notes? Let us know in the comments!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ Knob Creek 21 Year Old

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Suntory Global Spirits
  • Distillery: James B. Beam Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
  • Barrel: Char #4, Barrel Entry 125 Proof
  • Age: 21 Years
  • Other: The oldest expression in distillery history
  • Proof: 100
  • MSRP: $249.99
  • Released: Oct 28, 2025
  • Purchased: Dec 5, 2025 for $250 at Jim Beam Distillery

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨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.

#knobcreek21 #bourbon #Whiskey #knobcreek #bourbonreview #whiskeytasting #KentuckyBourbon #Aged21Years #JimBeam #LimitedEdition #SmallBatchBourbon #whiskeytube #BourbonLife #Toffee #ExtraAgedWhiskey 

Distillery Secrets! Dickel 17-Year Reserve Whiskey

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 George Dickel 17-Year Cask Strength Reserve Review | Cascade Hollow Distillery Tour (Tennessee Whiskey)

Join us as we take you to Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. (George Dickel) in Tullahoma, Tennessee! This is part two of our Tennessee journey, where we explore the beautiful, off-the-beaten-path distillery and get an exclusive tasting of a highly sought-after, limited-edition bottle: the George Dickel 17-Year Cask Strength Reserve Tennessee Whiskey.

The tour provided a fascinating look at the Lincoln County Process, specifically showcasing the unique use of wool blankets in their famous charcoal mellowing. From spotting rattlesnakes and minks to finding a “secret” tasting room, the visit to George Dickel was unlike any other!

We dive deep into a pour of the George Dickel 17-Year Reserve. This Tennessee Whiskey (Mash Bill: 84% Corn, 8% Rye, 8% Malted Barley) is aged a remarkable 17 years and bottled at a gentle 92 proof. Is this $350 bottle worth the price, or should you save your money for their popular 15-Year Single Barrel or the high-value Bottled-in-Bond expressions?

🔎 Tasting Notes & Discussion:

  • Nose: We find it lovely, fragrant, and smooth with notes of cherry blossom, floral aspects, fruitiness, and a touch of caramel.
  • Palate: It’s fruity and floral, but introduces a drying, almost chalky/mineral texture that is classic Dickel, along with brown sugar, barrel spice, and a hint of toffee and dark baking cinnamon.
  • Finish: Surprisingly gentle, warm, and lingering, with no heat.

We discuss why, despite the special nature of this 17-Year bottle, we might still prefer the incredible value and flavor profile of the George Dickel 15-Year-Old ($80 price point).

Whether you’re a die-hard Dickel fan or looking for an honest review before a big purchase, this is a must-watch episode! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more bourbon and whiskey reviews!

Sláinte to George Dickel and Master Distiller Nicole Austin!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

🚨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.

#GeorgeDickel #TennesseeWhiskey #cascadehollow #WhiskeyReview #bourbonjourney #CaskStrength #whiskeytasting #NicoleAustin #GeorgeDickel17Year #LimitedEdition #Whiskey #LincolnCountyProcess #Tullahoma #AgedWhiskey #Spirits 

New Riff’s Newest Releases Are Incredible—Here’s Why

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 New Riff Double Feature! Silver Grove Bourbon & High Note Wheat Whiskey Review 🥃

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as they dive into two brand-new, exciting, and highly-anticipated releases from New Riff Distilling: the 2025 Silver Grove Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and the groundbreaking High Note Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey (The Confluence Project: Vol. 1 collaboration with Chattanooga Whiskey)!

Featured Whiskeys

1. Silver Grove Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2025)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Proof: 110.3 (Barrel Proof Blend)
  • Give Back: Supports the Silver Grove Community Foundation and local community projects, like the park at Green Valley Pond.
  • Special Feature: This is the first New Riff product to carry Master Distiller Brian Sprance’s signature!

2. New Riff High Note Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey – The Confluence Project: Vol. 1

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey (100% Wheat)
  • Proof: 120.9 (Barrel Strength Single Barrel)
  • The Collaboration: This is the inaugural volume of The Confluence Project, a unique seven-year collaboration between New Riff’s Brian Sprance and Chattanooga Whiskey’s Grant McCracken. Both distilleries made a 100% wheat whiskey from the same mash bill but applied their own distinct techniques, highlighting the effect of different terroirs and distilling philosophies (New Riff’s Kentucky Regimen vs. Chattanooga’s Tennessee High Malt style).

Don’t miss the hosts’ final thoughts on value and their strong recommendation to visit the distillery’s beautiful upstairs bar, The Aquifer Tasting Room, in Newport, KY!

Are you a member of the New Riff Online Whiskey Club? Let us know in the comments if you picked up these bottles!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ Silver Grove Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (2025)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: New Riff Distilling
  • Mash Bill: 65% Corn, 30% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
  • Age: 4 Years
  • Proof: 110.3
  • Released: October 2025
  • Other: First New Riff product to carry Brian Sprance’s signature
  • Purchased: 10/30/25 for $59.99 at New Riff Online Whiskey Club

✴️ New Riff High Note Kentucky Straight Wheated Whiskey

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey
  • Distillery: New Riff Distilling
  • Mash Bill: 60% Red Turkey Wheat, 24% Appalachian Malted Wheat, 8% Dark Malted Wheat, 8% Caramel Malted Wheat
  • Barrel Entry Proof: 110
  • Age: 6 Years
  • Proof: 120.9
  • Released: October 2025
  • Other: Confluence Project: Volume 1, a collaboration with Chattanooga Whiskey
  • Purchased: 10/30/25 for $69.99 at New Riff Online Whiskey Club

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨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.

#NewRiff #SilverGrove #ConfluenceProject #HighNoteWhiskey #wheatwhiskey #bourbonreview #KentuckyBourbon #whiskeytasting #BarrelProof #WhiskeyReview #NewRiffDistilling #ChattanoogaWhiskey #LimitedEdition #CraftWhiskey #bourbonjourney 

Nearest Green Distillery Tour: MUST SEE in Tennessee

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🎉 BTTT E48: Uncle Nearest Single Barrel (123.3 Proof) Review & World’s Longest Bar! 🥃

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey for Episode 48 of Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes as they kick off their Tennessee Whiskey series with a visit to the historic and beautiful Uncle Nearest Distillery in Shelbyville, TN! Experience a virtual tour of the stunning, 400+ acre former Tennessee Walking Horse Farm (Distillery #51 for them!) and get the inside scoop on their multi-dimensional tour, speakeasy, and impressive rick house.

But the real showstopper? The world-record-holding Humble Baron Bar! Find out how this incredible 518-foot bar earned its place in the Guinness World Records.

Whiskey Review Spotlight: Uncle Nearest Single Barrel 070

After an extensive tasting at the distillery, they review their special purchase: Uncle Nearest Single Barrel 070.

  • Classification: Tennessee Whiskey (Lincoln County Process)
  • Proof: 123.3 (Cask Strength!)
  • Tasting Notes: Discover why Wayne (getting black pepper and cinnamon warmth) and Rebecca (finding toffee, dark chocolate, and brown sugar notes) have a savory vs. sweet experience! This high-proof, aged expression is a far cry from the baseline and is a must-try for any true whiskey enthusiast.

If you weren’t a fan of the standard Uncle Nearest, this Single Barrel review will challenge your impression!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ Uncle Nearest Single Barrel 070

  • Classification: Tennessee Whiskey
  • Distillery: Sourced/Tennessee (Possibly Dickel)
  • Mash Bill: Unknown
  • Age: NAS (estimated to be 8-11 years)
  • Proof: 123.3
  • MSRP: $79.99
  • Purchased: 08/19/23 for $79.99 at Uncle Nearest Distillery

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨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.

#UncleNearest #TennesseeWhiskey #SingleBarrel #HumbleBaron #WorldsLongestBar #WhiskeyReview #CaskStrength #NearestGreen #whiskeytasting #ShelbyvilleTN #DistilleryTour #BourbonTrailTalesAndTastes #BlackOwned #HighProof #LincolnCountyProcess 

Starlight Distillery Triple Threat Whiskey: Which Bottle Wins? 

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 Starlight Whiskey Triple-Threat Review! Light Whiskey vs. 7-Year vs. 10-Year American Single Malt 

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey for an in-depth tasting of three exceptional and very different whiskeys from Starlight Distillery (Huber’s) in Indiana! We’re putting Starlight’s innovation to the test with a Light Whiskey and two distinct American Single Malts — a 7-year-old and the highly-anticipated 10-year-old Small Batch #1.

The Huber family are true pioneers, growing their own grains and crafting spirits with a unique farm-to-bottle, sweet mash, and double pot distilled approach. You won’t want to miss our thoughts on these complex, flavorful, and age-stated releases!

We discuss why Starlight’s owner, Ted Huber, and his son, Blake Huber (signed our bottle!), exemplify a class act and how their incredible Repeal Dinner is a must-attend event in the whiskey calendar.

Starlight Distillery VIP Repeal Day Preview Dinner Info

What’s your favorite Starlight release? Let us know in the comments! 👇

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ Starlight Light Whiskey Single Barrel 24-8190

  • Classification: Indiana Straight Whiskey
  • Company: Huber’s; Distillery: Starlight
  • Mash Bill: (Likely) 99% Corn and 1% Malted Barley
  • Other: Grains grown on property; sweet mash; double pot distilled.
  • Barrels: Aged in oak casks from around the world; finished 6 months in a Cognac barrel
  • Age: 8.5 Years; Proof: 129.7
  • Purchased: 06/26/25 for $99.98 at Seelbach’s Online

✴️ Starlight Single Malt Whiskey Small Batch B2305

  • Classification: American Single Malt Whiskey
  • Company: Huber’s; Distillery: Starlight
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Other: Sweet mash; double pot distilled.
  • Age: 7 Years; Proof: 94
  • Purchased: 07/18/25 for $64.74 at Starlight Distillery

✴️ Starlight Single Malt Whiskey Small Batch 1

  • Classification: American Single Malt Whiskey
  • Company: Huber’s; Distillery: Starlight
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Other: Sweet mash; double pot distilled.
  • Age: 10 Years
  • Barrels used for this 10-year release included:
    25% PX Sherry Casks
    25% Used Bourbon Casks
    20% Vino De Naranja Casks
    20% Peated Scotch Casks
    10% Rum Cask
  • Proof: 98
  • Purchased: 07/18/25 for $83.24 at Starlight Distillery

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨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.

#StarlightDistillery #AmericanSingleMalt #lightwhiskey #WhiskeyReview #StarlightWhiskey #IndianaWhiskey #HubersStarlight #CognacFinish #whiskeytasting #CraftWhiskey #ASMW #bourbon #Whiskey #PeatedWhiskey #SingleMalt 

Cigar Blend Bourbon: Is Buzzard’s Roost the BEST

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Cigar Blend Bourbon Review | The Ultimate Cigar Pairing Whiskey?

Welcome to Your Bourbon Journey! Wayne and Rebecca are diving into one of the most exciting, limited-edition releases of 2025: the Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Cigar Blend Straight Bourbon Whiskey!

Released for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival (KBF), this 6-year, 105-proof high-rye bourbon (60% Corn, 36% Rye) uses Buzzard’s Roost’s proprietary double oak process—a secondary maturation in their custom, lightly-charred, heavily-toasted barrels. This technique is designed specifically to enhance the pairing experience with a fine cigar.

On the Nose & Palate: We found intense notes of confectionary sweetness, oak, and a beautiful, non-overpowering campfire smokiness. The finish delivers lovely coffee notes that make this a fantastic pour on its own, but we discuss why this profile is perfectly engineered for a premium cigar pairing!

The company’s co-founder and master blender, Jason Brauner (also of The Bourbon Bistro), definitely nailed it with this limited-time offer. Did this bottle live up to the hype? Watch our full review to see why we’re fans of Buzzard’s Roost and why this might be their best release yet!


What cigar would YOU pair with this Double Oak Bourbon? Let us know in the comments!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️  Buzzard’s Roost Double Oak Cigar Blend

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Buzzard’s Roost Spirits, LLC
  • Distillery: Undisclosed/Indiana (Likely MGP)
  • Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
  • Age: NAS on bottle but PR has 6 years
  • Proof: 105
  • Released: September 2025 for KBF
  • Other: Came with a branded cigar cutter
  • Purchased: 09/04/25 for $85 at Buzzard’s Roost via the KBF

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨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.

#bourbon #cigarblend #buzzardsroost #DoubleOak #bourbonreview #Whiskey #bourbontasting #KBF #kentuckybourbonfestival #WhiskeyReview #bourbonjourney #CigarPairing #ToastedBarrel #StraightBourbon #LimitedRelease 

Mint Julep VIP Tour: Log Still ’23 Bardstown Collection Review 

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🍒🔥 Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes Episode 47: Log Still Bardstown Collection 2023 Review (Toasted Cherry S’mores?!)

Join Wayne and Rebecca on Bourbon Trail Tales & Tastes Episode 47 as they finally crack open a very special, two-and-a-half-year-old bottle: the Log Still Distillery Bardstown Collection 2023 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey!

This unique and highly-coveted limited edition bourbon was secured during the exclusive Mint Julep VIP Bardstown Bourbon Collection Tour. Wayne and Rebecca share all the details of their special two-day experience, including a scenic train ride, an exquisite lunch, meeting founders Wally, Lynne, and Charles Dant, and a memorable first tour of the beautiful Log Still Distillery campus in New Haven, KY.

Is this bottle worth the hype (and the $199.99 price tag)? Find out if this toasted oak finished bourbon is a must-have for your collection!

🥃 The Whiskey: Log Still Bardstown Collection 2023

This 8-year-old, 117.7 proof high-rye bourbon is a truly distinctive pour. Sourced from the renowned Barton 1792 Distillery‘s high-rye mash bill, Log Still added an innovative final touch: a finishing period in highly-toasted oak barrels.

Tasting Notes (Their Journey): Get ready for a fascinating flavor profile! Wayne and Rebecca dive deep into the nose and palate, discovering:

  • Nose: Distinct cherry notes (classic Barton profile) with a beautiful toasty character.
  • Palate: An explosion of Luxardo cherry upfront, quickly followed by a savory, delicious toasted oak and char goodness. Rebecca even finds surprising notes of dark cocoa, leading to the fun description of a “chocolate cherry s’more” vibe!
  • Finish: Long, warm, and effervescent, carrying the barrel notes and a unique combination of toasted cherry and black pepper.

Don’t forget to hit the like button, subscribe for more whiskey adventures, and share your thoughts in the comments!

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ Log Still’s Bardstown Collection 2023

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Sourced – Barton 1792 Distillery
  • Mash Bill: High-Rye Bourbon Mash Bill
  • Age: 8 Years
  • Finishing: Highly-toasted oak barrels
  • Proof: 117.7
  • Other: 2023 with the Bardstown Collection
  • Purchased: 06/30/23 for $199.99 at Log Still Distillery

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨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.

#LogStillDistillery #BardstownCollection #bourbonreview #KentuckyStraightBourbon #ToastedOakFinish #WhiskeyReview #LimitedEditionBourbon #HighRyeBourbon #bourbontrail #Barton1792 #LogStill #whiskeytasting #BourbonVlog #NewHavenKY #WhiskeyCollector 

Affordable 15 STARS Bourbon! First West Series Review 

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

🥃 15 STARS First West Series Review! Trio Tasting: Small Batch, Toasted Oak, & Extra Aged 🇺🇸

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as they dive into the highly anticipated, and more affordably priced, 15 STARS First West Series of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys! This father-son company (Rick & Ricky Johnson) with roots in gourmet popcorn, and a commitment to heirloom corn, is making waves with their expert blending and “Flavor Proofing” technique.

🤔 Are these new, more accessible bourbons from 15 STARS worth the price point? Watch to find out which bottle offers the best “bang for your buck” and which one they would skip!

In this in-depth tasting, they sample all three unique expressions, bottled in gorgeous, historic blue glass:

The Flight:

  1. First West Small Batch (Blue Label): (5, 6, & 7 Year Blend | 102 Proof | $59.99)
    • The Difference: Includes the brand’s own distillate made from proprietary red, white, and blue heirloom corn for a unique profile.
    • Tasting Notes: Rich caramel, baking spices, vanilla, and a distinct nuttiness reminiscent of roasted nuts or a classic bourbon profile.
    • Verdict: A winner! Wayne and Rebecca agree this is the best value and their favorite, showcasing a unique and distinct flavor profile that sets the brand apart.
  2. First West Toasted Oak (Red Label): (5, 6, & 7 Year Blend | 98 Proof | $69.99)
    • The Difference: Finished in a blend of two different toasted oak barrels for 5 weeks.
      Tasting Notes: Intense sweetness like confectionary sugar and marshmallow, roasted nuts, and a warming cinnamon heat on the back.
    • Verdict: An excellent toasted pour, but the hosts prefer the complexity and uniqueness of the Small Batch for the price.
  3. First West Extra Aged (White Label): (8 & 9 Year Blend | 100 Proof | $79.99)
    • The Difference: Extra-aged and 100% sourced from an undisclosed Kentucky distillery (no 15 STARS distillate).
    • Tasting Notes: Sweet caramel, cardamom/nutmeg spice, and heavy, savory barrel notes.
    • Verdict: A good, older bourbon, but it feels disconnected from the other two and has a surprisingly short finish.

Connect With Us & Support The Journey! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

✴️ First West Small Batch Bourbon

  • Classification:  Blend of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
  • Company: 15 Stars
  • Mash Bill: Includes a portion of 15 STARS’ own distillate made from proprietary red, white, and blue heirloom corn—a first for the brand’s blends.
  • Age: Blend of 5, 6, & 7 Year
  • Proof: 102 (“flavor proofed”)
  • MSRP: $59.99
  • Released: July 2025
  • Other: Bottled in a unique, historic blue glass bottle inspired by the earliest whiskey bottles crafted in Kentucky.
  • Purchased: 10/16/25 for $59.99 at High Spirits Liquor in Evansville, IN

✴️First West Toasted Oak

  • Classification:  Blend of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: 15 Stars
  • Mash Bill: Includes bourbon distilled by 15 STARS (at Bardstown Bourbon Company) from proprietary red, white, and blue heritage corns (first use in a 15 STARS blend); the other component bourbon(s) are not disclosed
  • Barrels: Blend of two different toast profiles
  • Age: Blend of 5, 6, & 7 Year
  • Proof: 98
  • MSRP: $69.99
  • Released: July 2025
  • Other: Bottled in a unique, historic blue glass bottle inspired by the earliest whiskey bottles crafted in Kentucky.
  • Purchased: 10/16/25 for $69.99 at High Spirits Liquor in Evansville, IN

✴️First West Extra Aged

  • Classification:  Blend of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys
  • Company: 15 Stars
  • Mash Bill: 
  • Age: Blends of 8 & 9 Years
  • Proof: 100 “flavor proofed”
  • MSRP: $79.99
  • Released: July 2025
  • Other: Bottled in a unique, historic blue glass bottle inspired by the earliest whiskey bottles crafted in Kentucky.
  • Purchased: 10/16/25 for $79.99 at High Spirits Liquor in Evansville, IN

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

🚨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.

#15STARSBourbon #FirstWestSeries #bourbonreview #KentuckyBourbon #whiskeytasting #SmallBatchBourbon #ToastedOakFinish #ExtraAgedBourbon #FlavorProofed #bourbonjourney #NewRelease #HeirloomCorn #CraftBourbon #MustTryBourbon