Silk Velvet Whiskey

Can We Survive A Hazmat PROOF Blind Tasting? đŸ”Ľ

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Happy Friday, whiskey lovers! With America’s 250th Birthday right around the corner, we are celebrating a day early by bringing some serious fireworks into the studio. Welcome to our ultimate Hazmat Whiskey Blind Tasting Showdown! 🔥

Wayne has been wanting to tackle this ultra-high-proof flight for months, and we finally cleared the schedule to put our palates to the ultimate test. Today, we are blinding five monster bottles ranging from 141.7 proof all the way up to a blistering 151 proof. We aren’t trying to guess the exact proofs today—this is a pure survival and flavor mission scored on a simple 0-5 rating scale to find out which high-octane pour actually delivers the best drinking experience without burning our palates out.

Our heavy-hitting lineup features rare single barrels and historic festival releases, including a highly coveted 15-year “BuffTurkey” Augusta Buckner’s, a beautifully rested 9-year Copper & Kings Apple Brandy finished in ex-bourbon casks, and a 150-proof extreme Hazmat Silk Velvet from Master Distiller Jacob Call. Plus, we throw in a 17-year Old Louisville American Straight Whiskey alongside a truly legendary, unreleased, ringer bottle: a bottle of OCD #5 Premium from Glenns Creek Distillery.

Will the extreme age of the 15 and 17-year bottles dominate the flight, or will the younger, heat-packed expressions sing to our palates today? Watch to see if we end up completely split on the heat levels, which bottle threw us a massive cherry-flavored curveball, and which craft distillery absolutely climbed to the top of the ladder to be crowned the King of the Hazmats!

Drop a comment below with your favorite high-proof bottle, hit that subscribe button to join us on the journey, and remember to always drink responsibly! Happy 4th of July! 🦅✨

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The Hazmat Lineup:

  • Augusta Buckner’s 15 Year | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Sourced “BuffTurkey” Distillate) | 141.7 Proof 
  • Copper & Kings Apple Brandy | Finished in Ex-Bourbon Barrels (100% Copper Pot Distilled) | 145.4 Proof 
  • Silk Velvet Whiskey Single Barrel | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Distilled by Jacob Call) | 150 Proof 
  • OCD#5 Premium (Glenns Creek) | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Private Unreleased Hazmat Barrel) | 150.5 Proof 
  • Old Louisville Whiskey Co. | 17-Year American Straight Whiskey (Bottle 100 of 106) | 151 Proof 

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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.

#Whiskey #Bourbon #HazmatWhiskey #BlindTasting #YourBourbonJourney #GlennsCreekDistillery #OldLouisvilleWhiskeyCo #AugustaDistillery #SilkVelvetWhiskey #CopperAndKings #HighProofBourbon #BourbonReview #WhiskeyTasting #CraftDistillery #BourbonEnthusiast

Silk Velvet Whiskey Hazmat Review: 150 Proof vs 161 Proof

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Can a bourbon over 160 proof actually taste good—or will it just blow up your palate? 

n this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca tackle two insane, rare “Hazmat” bottles from Silk Velvet Whiskey that debuted at the 2026 BBQ & Barrels festival in Owensboro, KY.

We are tasting and comparing the Silk Velvet 150 Proof “Extreme Hazmat” (Barrel 43) alongside the ultra-rare 161 Proof “Ultra Hazmat” (Barrel 35). With only 10 bottles of the 161 proof ever released via a lucky raffle win, this is officially the highest-proof whiskey we have ever reviewed on the channel!

Distilled under legendary distiller Jacob Call for Hargis Spirits LLC and bottled by Western Kentucky Distilling Co., these 7-year-old high-proof heavyweights feature a 75% Corn, 21% Rye, and 4% Malted Barley mash bill aged in heavy Char #4 barrels.

We dive deep into a fresh-pour, true first impression of both bottles. We’ll breakdown the surprising confectionery sugar, dark brown sugar, and maple notes on the nose, look at the insanely heavy legs, and find out if these explosive expressions are actually “smooth as silk” or if they finish with pure black pepper and heavy barrel oak. Plus, we share the wild story of why the distillery had to give out extra corks just to keep these bottles from exploding!

If you love high-proof bourbon, rare whiskey hunting, and honest tasting reviews, don’t forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button, drop a comment with your favorite hazmat whiskey, and always drink responsibly!

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❌

Silk Velvet Whiskey Single Barrel (Hazmats)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Hargis Spirits LLC
  • Bottled By: Western Kentucky Distilling Co. (Distilled under Jacob Call)
  • Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
  • Age: 7 Years (Char #4)
  • Barrel & Proof: Barrel 43 = 150 (Extreme Hazmat); Barrel 35 = 161 (Ultra Hazmat)
  • Released: May 2026 (Debuted at BBQ & Barrels)
  • Purchased: May 9, 2026, at BBQ & Barrels in Owensboro, KY. 150 Proof ($99.99) & 161 Proof ($229)

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

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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 #HazmatBourbon #SilkVelvetWhiskey #BourbonReview #HighProofWhiskey #WhiskeyTasting #YourBourbonJourney #RareBourbon #CaskStrength #KentuckyBourbon #JacobCall #BourbonHunting #WhiskeyTube #BBQandBarrels

Bourbon & BBQ: A Perfect Kentucky Pairing

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Bourbon lovers, get ready for an unforgettable journey to the heart of Kentucky! This isn’t just a whiskey review; it’s a deep dive into the rich culture of Western Kentucky at the renowned Kentucky Bourbon Festival. Join us as we explore a unique tasting event: “A Taste of Western Kentucky: Whiskey, Barbecue, and Dessert.”

In this video, we’re joined by an all-star lineup of experts: Kevin Gibson, the owner of Thomason’s BBQ, a true legend in Henderson, Kentucky; Zach Hargis, the president of Silk Velvet Whiskey, who shares his passion for their incredible blends; and Jacob Call, an 8th Generation Master Distiller and Co-Owner of Western Kentucky Distilling Company, bringing centuries of expertise to the table.

We’ll be tasting two exceptional whiskeys from Silk Velvet: their smooth Blended expression and the complex Single Barrel. Then, we’ll dive into the bold flavors of the Western Kentucky Distilling Single Barrel. But the experience doesn’t stop there! We’ll also be pairing these bourbons with the famous Thomason’s BBQ, featuring their mouth-watering mutton and signature BBQ dip, alongside classic baked beans and a delicious banana pudding.

Get ready to discover the best of Kentucky bourbon, learn about the art of distillation, and find out how these incredible spirits pair with authentic Kentucky barbecue. Whether you’re a seasoned bourbon connoisseur or new to the world of whiskey, this video is packed with valuable insights, tasting notes, and a whole lot of flavor. 

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

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

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#kentuckybourbonfestival #ThomasonsBBQ #SilkVelvetWhiskey 

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NOTE: This event ticket was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the food or spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

Unveiling February 2025’s TOP Whiskey! 

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Join us for a blind tasting as we embark on a journey to determine which whiskey truly reigns supreme! Throughout this experience, you will observe as we rank and compare a selection of four whiskeys that were selected from our February 2025 tastings. 

OUR FOUR FINALISTS (in alphabetical order): 
*PENELOPE HAVANA COOPER SERIES
*SILK VELVET WHISKEY, SINGLE BARREL 7
*STAGG 24D
*WOODFORD RESERVE DOUBLE DOUBLE OAKED

Through a blind process, we evaluate each spirit for nose, taste, finish, and overall appeal. We rank them from 4th place to 1st place and then reveal each one. So grab your glasses and let’s raise a toast to an unforgettable evening brimming with celebration. Cheers!

DETAILS REGARDING OUR FOUR FINALISTS (in alphabetical order): 

PENELOPE HAVANA COOPER SERIES
Classification: Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Distilled By: MGP – Ross & Squibb
Brand: Penelope
Mashbill: 74% Corn, 16% Wheat, 7% Rye, 3% Malted Barley
Age: 4 years on the Four Grain Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Age: 12 months in Caribbean rum casks
Age: 1 month in maple syrup barrels
Proof: 93
Purchased: 02/15/25 for $149.99 at High Spirits, Evansville, IN
Original YouTube Review:

SILK VELVET WHISKEY, SINGLE BARREL 7
Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Company: Hargis Spirits, LLC – Henderson, KY
Distiller: Jacob Call
Distilled: In Kentucky
Process: Sour Mash
Bottled By: Western Kentucky Distilling Co.
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 21% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
Barrels: New White Oak Barrels with a #4 Char Level
Age: 6 Years
Proof: 107
Released: December 9, 2024 (Currently only in Kentucky)
MSRP: $79.99
Purchased: 01/23/25 for $82.79 at Beverage Barn, Henderson, KY
Original YouTube Review:

STAGG 24D
Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Company: Sazerac Company
Distillery: Buffalo Trace Distillery
Mash Bill Percentages: Undisclosed
Age: NAS (at least 4 years; rumored to be around 7-9 years old)
Proof: 127.4
MSRP: $70
Released: Bottled in December 2024 but released in January 2025
Other: Barrel Proof, Unfiltered
Purchased: 02/21/25 for $99.99 at Neat Bottle Shop in Louisville KY 
Original YouTube Review:

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
MSRP: $199.99 (700 ml bottle)
Released: January 2025
Purchased 02/01/25 for $299.99 at High Spirits, Evansville, IN
Original YouTube Review:  

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NOTE: 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.