A Birthday Detour to Remember: Old Louisville Whiskey Co.
February of 2024 – What started as a trip home from Mattingly’s turned into one of our favorite Bourbon Trail memories! In this episode of Bourbon Trail Tales and Tastes, we celebrate Wayne’s 58th birthday with a visit to Distillery No. 59: Old Louisville Whiskey Company.
Join us as we recount our incredible experience with Amine, a master of blending and aging who went above and beyond for our first visit. From barrel thieving in the back of their industrial Louisville home to tasting 14+ incredible pours, this visit proved why Amine is one of the best in the business.
We also dive into a tasting of two unique bottles we brought home that day: a 10-year old “barely legal” bourbon with a massive 49% barley mashbill and a 7-year-old mysterious, sweet 119-proof bourbon.
Whether you’re a fan of MGP sources, unique finishes like Hungarian or Colombian oak, or just love a great distillery story, you won’t want to miss this one.
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.
A Journey Through History: Peter E. Hart Smoked Barrel Rye Review 🥃
Join Wayne and Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey as we dive into a truly unique find from BourbonCon 2026: the Peter E. Hart Rye Whiskey. Sourced from the prestigious Wilderness Trail Distillery, this isn’t your average spicy rye.
What happens when you take a high-quality Kentucky Rye and finish it in Smoked Bourbon Barrels? You get a “cinnamon champagne” effervescence, bright citrus notes, and a “bourbon-esque” caramel finish that might just turn non-rye drinkers into believers. Whether you’re a fan of historical whiskey roots or looking for a rye soft enough for a slow, after-work sipper, this bottle tells a story in every glass.
In this video, we cover:
The historical connection to Union Soldier Sergeant Peter E. Hart.
Why the smoked barrel finish reminds us of the “smokehouse” style.
Detailed tasting notes: Orange citrus, floral grass, and popping cinnamon.
Is it worth the $130 price point?
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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.
Indulge in the dark side of Valentine’s Day with The Midnight Rose. 🌹🍫
Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey! In Episode 57 of our Thirsty Thursday Cocktail series, we are moving past the romance of last week’s “Velvet Letter” to the sophisticated, deep complexity of The Midnight Rose. If you’re tired of sugary-sweet holiday drinks, this is the “Bittersweet Ending” you’ve been waiting for.
By swapping traditional sweet vermouth for Averna Amaro and adding a touch of Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters, we transform a classic profile into a liquid chocolate truffle. Featuring the 10-year aged oak and cinnamon backbone of Henry McKenna Single Barrel, this cocktail is velvety, herbal, and decadently bitter.
In this video, Rebecca shares:
How to balance the citrus snap of Campari with dark herbal notes.
Why Averna Amaro is the secret to a “Midnight” texture.
Professional stirring techniques for lower-proof spirits.
The Midnight Rose Recipe:
1.5 oz Henry McKenna 10 Year Bottled in Bond
0.75 oz Campari
0.75 oz Averna Amaro
2 Dashes Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters
Garnish: Expressed Orange Peel
Love what you see? Subscribe for more whiskey reviews and cocktail builds! Next week, we’re firing up the smoking kit for a buttery, spirit-forward classic: The Pecan Grove.
Four Roses Through the Ages: A Vintage vs. Modern Bourbon Journey 🌹
Join us at Your Bourbon Journey for a truly special tasting as we “Quantum Leap” through three distinct eras of Four Roses. We’re traveling from the mid-century “Lost Years” to the “Golden” Japanese export era of the 1990s, finally returning to the bold resurgence of today’s Small Batch Select.
In this episode, Wayne and Rebecca head to the tasting table with two rare finds from Revival Vintage Spirits and one modern powerhouse. We explore how a brand that was once diluted for the American market kept its soul alive in Japan before reclaiming its throne as a top-tier Kentucky producer. From surprising butterscotch notes in a 1950s blend to the elegant, crystal-like beauty of the 1997 Super Premium, this is a masterclass in the evolution of flavor, proof, and history.
What we’re tasting today:
The “Lost” Years (1945–1960): A blended whiskey featuring Series 111 tax seals and a surprising hit of honeysuckle.
The “Golden” Export (1997 Super Premium): A Japanese market exclusive designed to look like high-end crystal, showcasing the delicate V and K yeast strains.
The “Resurgence” (Small Batch Select): The modern-day 104-proof powerhouse that proves Four Roses is back and better than ever.
Whether you’re a fan of “dusty” hunting or you just love a solid pour of Four Roses Small Batch, there is something in this timeline for every whiskey enthusiast.
We highly recommend Revival Vintage Spirits for your vintage bottles: https://revivalky.com/
❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌
✴️ FOUR ROSES BLENDED WHISKEY (1945-1960)
Classification: Blended Whiskey
Distillery: Four Roses Lawrenceburg
35% straight whiskies. 65% grain neutral spirits. 25% straight whiskies 4 years old. 4% straight whiskies 6 years old.
Age: NAS (researched at 4–6-year blends)
Proof: 86
Tax Seal: Red, Series 111
FOUR ROSES SUPER PREMIUM VINTAGE 1997
Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Company: Kirin-Seagram Ltd.
Distillery: Four Roses Lawrenceburg
Bottled: Kirin-Seagram facility in Gotemba, Japan
Mash Bill – typically a blend of:
E: 75% Corn, 20% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
B: 60% Corn, 35% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
Yeast: Commonly the V (delicate fruit) and K (slight spice)
Age: Typically, at least 8 years old
Proof: 86
The Design: That clear bottle with the labeling printed directly on the glass was designed to look like high-end crystal for the Japanese “gift-giving” culture. It’s widely considered one of the most beautiful bottles Four Roses ever produced.
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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