whiskey tasting

Neeley Family 10-Year Papaw’s Legacy Reserve Bourbon Review 

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Join Wayne and Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey for an exclusive pre-release tasting and review of two milestone whiskeys from Neeley Family Distillery (Sparta, KY) ahead of the 2026 Kentucky Bourbon Festival! A massive thank you to Royce and Rebekah Neeley for sending these advance media samples to our table.

The Banana Batch Four Grain Bourbon (112.4 Proof Barrel Strength) Blended by Rebekah Neeley, this is her second Four Grain Small Batch creation featuring Neeley’s signature mashbill with oatmeal. Originally destined to be Bottled in Bond, Rebekah tasted the blend at cask strength and decided it was simply too exceptional to proof down! Sitting at a potent 112.4 proof, it delivers unmistakable notes of Banana Runts, vanilla, and warm, fresh-baked banana bread with an ultra-creamy mouthfeel. Wayne famously dislikes banana notes in whiskey—so does Rebekah’s barrel-strength blend finally crack the code?

PaPaw’s Legacy Reserve: 10-Year Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey (110 Proof) An emotional and historic release, this marks Neeley Family Distillery’s first-ever 10-year age statement. Distilled by Royce and his beloved late Papaw, Royce hand-selected 10 of their oldest, finest barrels and blended them together. Designed to never run out, this perpetual Solera-style blend will have a portion bottled annually and replenished with exceptional barrels so Papaw’s whiskey lives on decades into the future. Bottled at 110 proof barrel strength, only 750 bottles comprise this inaugural run, packaged in a custom presentation box. Expect profound notes of dark caramel, confectionary sugar, rich cocoa, and roast coffee.

Official Release Details:

  • The Banana Batch: Available now at the Neeley Family Distillery gift shop and pouring at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival!
  • PaPaw’s Legacy Reserve: Releases Friday, September 11 at 11:00 AM EDT at both the distillery in Sparta, KY, and at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, KY (Strictly limited to 750 bottles).

Heading to Bardstown? Make sure to visit the Neeley Family Distillery tent, taste these incredible pours, and tell Rebekah whether she made the right call keeping the Banana Batch uncut!

🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe to follow along with our whiskey travels and honest reviews! 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❌

Banana Batch Bourbon

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Neeley Family Distillery (Sparta, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Four Grain (Typically 63% Corn, 17% Oats, 8% Wheat, 12% Malted Barley)
  • Age: 5 Years
  • Proof: 112 Proof (56% ABV) – Barrel Strength
  • Released: Kentucky Bourbon Festival (September 2026)
  • Other: Annual single-batch release; kept uncut at barrel strength; pot-distilled; media sample taken 8/20/26

Papaws Legacy Reserve 10 Year

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Neeley Family Distillery (Sparta, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Wheated Bourbon (Typically 64% Corn, 28% Wheat, 8% Malted Barley or 68% Corn, 19% Wheat, 13% Malted Barley)
  • Age: 10 Years
  • Proof: 110 Proof (55% ABV)
  • SRP: TBD (Pre-release)
  • Released: Kentucky Bourbon Festival & Distillery Release (September 2026)
  • Other: Ultra-limited release of only 750 bottles; packaged in a custom presentation box; pot-distilled; media sample taken 8/20/26

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: The spirits featured in this review were provided to us as a media sample by the producer for review purposes. We were not compensated for this video, and our opinions remain entirely our own. Please drink responsibly.

#BourbonJourney #NeeleyFamilyDistillery #BourbonReview #KentuckyBourbonFestival #BourbonFestival #WhiskeyReview #KentuckyBourbon #CraftDistillery #BarrelStrengthBourbon #WheatedBourbon #PapawsLegacyReserve #BananaBatchBourbon #BourbonTasting #KBF2026 #WhiskeyTasting

Distillery Exclusive: Kentucky Artisan Wheated vs High Rye!

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Join Wayne and Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey as we dig into our library to crack open two exclusive Kentucky Artisan Distillery Single Barrel Selections thieved straight from the barrel at the Clubhouse in Crestwood, Kentucky!

We compare a sweet, pastry-forward Wheated Bourbon (110.86 Proof) against a bold, spice-packed 6-Year High-Rye Bourbon (105.8 Proof). How do these distillery-only barrel picks hold up nearly 18 months after thieving them directly from the cask? Watch to find out our tasting notes, barrel char surprises, and which bottle takes the crown!

If you enjoy authentic whiskey tastings, bourbon trail travel tips, and single-barrel reviews, don’t forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe!

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 Artisan – Wheated Mashbill Single Barrel

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Single Barrel / Barrel Select)
  • Company & Distillery: Kentucky Artisan Distillery (Crestwood, KY)
  • Mash Bill: 70% Corn, 20% Wheat, 10% Malted Barley
  • Age: 3 Years, 4 Months (Barreled 11/01/22 & Bottled 03/14/26)
  • Proof: 110.86
  • SRP: $65.00
  • Released: 03/14/26
  • Other: Straight from the barrel distillery-exclusive pick.
  • Purchased: 03/14/25 for $65.00 at Kentucky Artisan Distillery

Kentucky Artisan – High Rye Mashbill Single Barrel

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Single Barrel / Barrel Select)
  • Company & Distillery: Kentucky Artisan Distillery (Crestwood, KY)
  • Mash Bill: 60% Corn, 36% Rye, 4% Malted Barley
  • Age: 6 Years (Barreled 03/08/20 & Bottled 03/14/26)
  • Proof: 105.8
  • SRP: $95.00
  • Released: 03/14/26
  • Other: High-rye straight from the barrel distillery-exclusive pick.
  • Purchased: 03/14/25 for $95.00 at Kentucky Artisan Distillery

🚨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 #KentuckyArtisanDistillery #WhiskeyTasting #BourbonReview #SingleBarrelBourbon #BourbonTrail #KentuckyBourbon #WheatedBourbon #HighRyeBourbon #WhiskeyTube #YourBourbonJourney #CraftDistillery #WhiskeyLovers #BarrelProof #BourbonHunting

Candy Bar in a Bottle?! Milam & Greene Unabridged V3 Tasting 

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Join Wayne & Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey as we crack open the highly anticipated Milam & Greene Unabridged Volume 3!

Crafted by Master Blender Heather Greene and Master Distiller Marlene Holmes, this limited-edition release is a cask-strength, 49-cask blend combining straight bourbons from Texas, Tennessee, and Kentucky across five distinct age profiles (3.5 to 10 years old). Bottled non-chill filtered at a bold 118 Proof (59% ABV), this pour surprised us with an incredibly creamy mouthfeel, rich brown sugar, dark chocolate nougat candy bar notes, and a lingering cinnamon finish.

Is this $95 multi-state blend a sweet trick or the ultimate treat? Watch our full review, nose, palate, and finish breakdown to find out!

If you enjoyed this review, please hit the LIKE button, drop a comment with your favorite Milam & Greene bottle, and SUBSCRIBE for more honest whiskey reviews and bourbon tastings every week!

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❌

Milam & Greene Unabridged (Volume 3)

  • Classification: Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskies (Cask Strength)
  • Company: Milam & Greene Whiskey (Provision Spirits)
  • Distillery: Distilled in Texas, Tennessee, and Kentucky; Aged, Batched & Bottled by Milam & Greene in Blanco, Texas
  • Mash Bill: Multi-mashbill blend (includes traditional bourbon recipes alongside Texas and Kentucky malted rye bourbon mashbills)
  • Age: 3½ Years (blend of 3.5, 4, 6, 9, and 10-year-old bourbons)
  • Proof: 118 Proof (59.0% ABV)
  • SRP: $89.99 – $94.99 (varies slightly by market)
  • Other: Limited edition 49-cask blend crafted by Master Blender Heather Greene and Master Distiller Marlene Holmes; non-chill filtered
  • Purchased: July 24, 2026 for $91.99 at The Party Source in Newport, KY

🚨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.

#MilamAndGreene #BourbonReview #WhiskeyTasting #BourbonJourney #CaskStrength #BourbonWhiskey #UnabridgedVolume3 #CraftBourbon #TexasBourbon #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyTube #BourbonCommunity #SpiritsReview #WhiskeyLovers #StraightBourbon

Blind Tasting Reveals: Who Will Be August’s Whiskey of the Month?

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Welcome back to Your Bourbon Journey! It’s time for our August Whiskey of the Month blind tasting showdown, and this lineup is an absolute powerhouse! 🥃🔥

This month, we brought together six standout contenders—featuring unique secondary barrel finishes, historic solera aging, craft blending innovation, and rich malt profiles. With an average age of 7.25 years, an average proof of 109.37, and an average retail cost of $103.33, every single bottle on the table brought serious competition. 

With our rolling “Road to the Sweet Sixteen” cutoff sitting high at 93.5+ points and a top-10 average over 96.5, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Between jaw-dropping dark horse performances, stunning upsets from fan favorites, and a down-to-the-wire tiebreaker for the crown, this blind tasting delivered one of our closest scoreboards all year!

Which bottle conquered the palate to take the August Whiskey of the Month title and punch its ticket toward our Whiskey of the Year tournament? Watch along, track your own guesses, and see how the blind ranking unfolds!

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! 

🥃 Become a Patron & Get Exclusive Content

🔔 YouTube

📸 Instagram 

👍 Facebook


🎓 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

Featured Contenders & Original Tasting Videos:

🥃 Bardstown Bourbon Company – 2026 Discovery Garryana Oak Finish (112.8 Proof)

🥃 Lost Lantern Whiskey – United States of Bourbon Edition No. 1 (123.0 Proof / Cask Strength)

🥃 Neeley Family Distillery – Old Jett Brothers Amarone Red Wine Cask Finish (106.4 Proof)

🥃 Starlight Distillery – Sakura Reserve Bourbon Batch 0001 (118.0 Proof / Cask Strength)

🥃 Stitzel-Weller Distilling Co. – Blade & Bow 12-Year Solera Reserve (104.0 Proof)

🥃 Virginia Distillery Co. – VHW Scholar’s Craft Coffee Cask American Single Malt (92.0 Proof)

🥃 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/ 

📊 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: Most spirits in this review were purchased by us; 2026 Discovery was provided by Lofted Spirits. 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 #BourbonReview #CraftWhiskey #BardstownBourbon #StarlightDistillery #LostLantern #BladeAndBow #NeeleyFamilyDistillery #VirginiaDistilleryCo #AmericanSingleMalt #WhiskeyTasting #YourBourbonJourney

Don’t Buy An Old Jett Finish Until You Watch This

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Four for Tuesday! On this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca dive into an incredible “Curiosities & Wood” flight featuring four unique expressions of The Old Jett Brothers Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta, Kentucky.

Known for their traditional sweet-mash, double pot-distilled approach and exceptional flavor profiles, Royce Neeley and the team have crafted some of the most adventurous barrel finishes in craft whiskey. From fortified and dry European wine casks to Mexican Sotol and multi-use hybrid wood, we break down the nose, palate, and finish on each pour to crown a unanimous favorite for our monthly blind whiskey competition.

Featured Flight Details:

🍇🌾🍯 Old Jett Finished in White Port Barrel

🍷🍫🇮🇹 Old Jett Finished in Amarone Wine Barrel

🎆🌵💥 Old Jett Finished in Sotol Barrel (America’s 250th Anniversary Edition) 

🪵🥧🍂 Old Jett Finished in Brandy Amburana Rye Hybrid Cask

Which of these wild barrel finishes would you try first? Let us know in the comments 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

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

The Old Jett Brothers Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in a White Port Barrel

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Finished)
  • Distillery: Neeley Family Distillery (DSP-KY-20039 — Sparta, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Sweet-Mash Wheated Bourbon
  • Age: NAS (Primary maturation ~4–5 years + 28 months secondary finishing; fortified wine)
  • Proof: 107 (53.5% ABV)
  • Purchased 07/24/26 for $100 at Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta, KY

The Old Jett Brothers Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Amarone Wine Barrel

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Finished)
  • Distillery: Neeley Family Distillery (DSP-KY-20039 — Sparta, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Sweet-Mash High-Rye Bourbon
  • Age: NAS (Primary maturation ~4–5 years + 11 months secondary finishing; dry red wine cask)
  • Proof: 106.4 (53.2% ABV)
  • Other: Finished in European Italian Amarone red wine casks.
  • Purchased 07/24/26 for $100 at Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta, KY

The Old Jett Brothers Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Sotol Barrel

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Finished)
  • Distillery: Neeley Family Distillery (DSP-KY-20039 — Sparta, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Sweet-Mash High-Rye Bourbon
  • Age: NAS (Primary maturation ~4–5 years + 19 months secondary finishing; botanical / agave-adjacent spirit finish)
  • Proof: 112.4 (56.2% ABV)
  • Other: Finished in casks previously holding Mexican Sotol spirit (distilled wild Dasylirion plant).
  • Purchased 07/24/26 for $100 at Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta, KY

The Old Jett Brothers Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Brandy Amburana Rye (Cask)

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Finished)
  • Distillery: Neeley Family Distillery (DSP-KY-20039 — Sparta, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Sweet-Mash High-Rye Bourbon
  • Age: NAS (Primary maturation ~4–5 years + 48 months / 4 years secondary finishing; exotic wood and fruit brandy hybrid)
  • Proof: 103 (51.5% ABV)
  • Other: An extended 4-year finish in hybrid casks that conditioned both fruit brandy and Brazilian Amburana oak.
  • Purchased 07/24/26 for $100 at Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta, 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 #WhiskeyReview #OldJett #NeeleyFamilyDistillery #FinishedBourbon #CraftSpirits #KentuckyBourbon #WhiskeyTasting #BourbonFlight #YourBourbonJourney #SotolFinish #Amburana #SweetMash #BourbonCommunity #WhiskeyTube

Is This the Best Bourbon Starlight Has Ever Bottled? 

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Join us for an exclusive, high-end Starlight Distillery tasting featuring rare Japanese wood finishes and an ultra-rare 10-year release! In this episode, we break down two exotic cask-finished whiskeys alongside the hyper-allocated Starlight 25th Anniversary Bourbon (limited to only 100 bottles worldwide).

  • Starlight Sakura Reserve Bourbon (Batch 0001): 8-year sweet mash blend, 118 proof, finished in rare Japanese Sakura (cherry blossom) wood.
  • Starlight Mizunara Reserve Bourbon (Batch 0002): 8-year sweet mash blend, 112 proof, finished in Japanese Mizunara oak.
  • Starlight 25th Anniversary 10-Year Bourbon: 120.4 proof, low entry proof, unfinished cask strength, bottle #73 of 100.

From fresh cherry floral notes and sandalwood incense to decadent dark fudge and rich oak, we dive into full tasting notes, comparisons, and our final verdicts.

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❌

Starlight Distillery Sakura Reserve Bourbon Whiskey (Batch No. 0001)

  • Classification: Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Japanese Sakura Barrels
  • Distillery: Starlight Distillery (Borden, IN)
  • Mash Bill: Starlight Sweet Mash Blend (3-Grain: 60% Corn, 20% Rye, 20% Malted Barley / 4-Grain: 51% Corn, 20% Rye, 20% Malted Barley, 9% Wheat)
  • Age: 8 Years
  • Proof: 118 Proof (59% ABV)
  • Released: August 1, 2026
  • Other: Cask strength; finished in rare Japanese Sakura (Cherry Blossom) wood barrels; estate-grown non-GMO grains; double pot distilled.
  • Purchased: 08/01/26 for $149.99 at Starlight Distillery

Starlight Distillery Mizunara Reserve Bourbon Whiskey (Batch No. 0002)

  • Classification: Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Japanese Mizunara Oak Barrels
  • Distillery: Starlight Distillery (Borden, IN)
  • Mash Bill: Starlight Sweet Mash Blend (3-Grain: 60% Corn, 20% Rye, 20% Malted Barley / 4-Grain: 51% Corn, 20% Rye, 20% Malted Barley, 9% Wheat)
  • Age: 8 Years
  • Proof: 112 Proof (56% ABV)
  • Released: December 2025
  • Other: Cask strength; finished in rare Japanese Mizunara oak barrels; estate-grown non-GMO grains; double pot distilled.
  • Purchased: 12/4/25 for $149.99 at Starlight Distillery

Starlight Distillery 25th Anniversary Bourbon Whiskey

  • Classification: Indiana Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Starlight Distillery (Borden, IN)
  • Mash Bill: 3-Grain Sweet Mash (60% Corn, 20% Rye, 20% Malted Barley; estate-grown non-GMO grains)
  • Age: 10 Years
  • Proof: 120.4 Proof (60.2% ABV)
  • Released: August 1, 2026
  • Other: Ultra-limited 100-bottle release celebrating 25 years of distilling (Bottle No. 73 of 100); bottled July 2026; un-finished cask strength; low entry proof (110); Canton cooperage (char #3–4, 2-year air-dried staves, charred heads); aged in Warehouse 2 (southeast side); includes presentation box, custom Anniversary Glencairns, metal lapel pin, and signed Certificate of Authenticity.
  • Purchased: 08/01/26 for $300 at Starlight Distillery

🚨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.

#StarlightDistillery #BourbonReview #CraftBourbon #SakuraBourbon #MizunaraOak #RareBourbon #WhiskeyTasting #BourbonHunting #CaskStrength #SingleBarrel #YourBourbonJourney #WhiskeyReview #IndianaBourbon #SweetMash #BourbonFlight

Liar Liar Pants on Fire! Potter Jane Spirits Review

/ bourbonjourney / 2 Comments

Heading into the weekend with a little “Liar Liar Pants on Fire!” On this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca review Big Vat Liar Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Potter Jane Spirits.

Crafted by industry icons Denny Potter and Jane Bowie, this sourced and vatted whiskey blends Kentucky straight bourbons aged at least 6 years, finished with a combination of hybrid, French, and American oak. Bottled at a robust 109.6 proof, we picked up our bottle at Justin’s House of Bourbon in Lexington, KY.

Join us as we break down the controversy, the story behind the release, and dive into an honest nose, palate, and finish. Is this French oak-finished release really the ultimate vanilla wafer and creamy vanilla pudding bomb? Tune in to find out if it deserves a spot on your whiskey shelf!

If you enjoy honest whiskey reviews and bourbon tasting notes, make sure to like this video, drop a comment with your thoughts on sourced releases, and Subscribe to Your Bourbon Journey!

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❌

Big Vat Liar

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Vatted / Finished)
  • Company: Potter Jane Spirits
  • Distillery: Undisclosed (Sourced from multiple distilleries)
  • Mash Bill: 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley
  • Other: Blend/vatting process using a combination of hybrid, French, and American oak; crafted by industry veterans Denny Potter and Jane Bowie.
  • Age: 6 years (bottled 05/26/26)
  • Proof: 109.6
  • SRP: $59.99
  • Released: 2026
  • Purchased: 07/04/26 for $59.99 at Justin’s House of Bourbon in Lexington, KY

🚨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.

#BigVatLiar #PotterJaneSpirits #BourbonReview #YourBourbonJourney #BourbonWhiskey #KentuckyBourbon #DennyPotter #JaneBowie #WhiskeyTasting #BourbonCommunity #WhiskeyReview #SourcedBourbon #FrenchOakFinish #BourbonTasting #JustinsHouseOfBourbon

Tasting Bardstown’s 99-Point Lochs of Jura & 2026 Discovery

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Today on Your Bourbon Journey, we have an exclusive first look and side-by-side tasting of the brand-new Fall 2026 releases from Bardstown Bourbon Company!

A huge thank you to Holly at Lofted Spirits and Bardstown Bourbon Company for providing these sneak peek bottles ahead of their official release on Friday, August 21, 2026.

In this tasting:

🥃 Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish (104 Proof | $139.99): A bespoke blend of 10–12 year Indiana rye and Kentucky/Indiana bourbons finished for 32 months in Isle of Jura ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks. Awarded 99 Points / Best American Whiskey (IWSC 2026).

🥃 2026 Discovery Garryana Oak Finish (112.8 Proof | $139.99): The debut of Bardstown’s new annual dated flagship format (dropping batch numbers). This blend of 7, 10, and 11-year straight bourbons spends 4 months in custom-toasted Oregon White Oak.

We break down the specs, unpack the major rebrand shift for the iconic Discovery Series, and give you our live, unvarnished tasting notes on both unique expressions.

Which one of these two fall pours are you hunting down first? Let us know in the comments 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

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish Whiskey

  • Classification: A Blend of Straight Bourbon and Rye Whiskies Finished in Single Malt Scotch Whisky Barrels (Finished Whiskey)
  • Company: Bardstown Bourbon Company
  • Distillery: Sourced / Blended by Bardstown Bourbon Company (components from Indiana and Kentucky aged in ex-bourbon & ex-sherry casks from Isle of Jura Distillery)
  • Mash Bill: Blend of 40% 11-yr IN bourbon [75/21/4], 30% 10-yr IN rye [95/5], and 21% 12-yr KY bourbon [75/13/12]
  • Age: NAS overall blend statement; finished for 32 months in ex-bourbon and ex-sherry casks from the Isle of Jura (Component ages: 10, 11, and 12 years)
  • Proof: 104 Proof (52% ABV)
  • SRP: $139.99 (750 mL)
  • Released: August 21, 2026

2026 Discovery (Garryana Oak Finish)

  • Classification: Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskies Finished in Garryana Oak Barrels
  • Company: Bardstown Bourbon Company
  • Mash Bill: Blend of 55% 10-yr IN bourbon [75/21/4], 25% 11-yr KY bourbon [74/18/8], and 20% 7-yr KY bourbon [74/16/10]
  • Age: Blend of 7, 10, and 11-year-old bourbons, finished for 4 months in custom Garryana oak barrels.
  • Proof: 112.8 Proof (56.4% ABV)
  • SRP: $139.99 (750 mL)
  • Released: August 21, 2026

🚨REMEMBER TO ALWAYS DRINK RESPONSIBLY🚨

❓Questions❓ YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

NOTE: Thank you to Bardstown Bourbon Company for providing these bottles for review. Your Bourbon Journey maintains strict editorial independence; samples are accepted for educational and review purposes only and are never a guarantee of a favorable review.

#BardstownBourbonCompany #bourbonreview #DiscoverySeries #WhiskeyTasting #LochsOfJura #GarryanaOak #Fall2026Whiskey #BourbonHunt #WhiskeyReview #FinishedWhiskey #BourbonCommunity #CraftSpirits #KentuckyBourbon #AmericanWhiskey #YourBourbonJourney

Lost Lantern American Single Malt & US of Bourbon Blind Flight

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Is blending whiskey from 50 different craft distilleries a stroke of blending genius or a recipe for disaster? Today on Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca are diving into an ambitious showcase from independent bottler Lost Lantern! 

Founded by Nora Ganley-Roper and Adam Polonski after their epic “Great Whiskey Road Trip” to over 100 distilleries, Lost Lantern shines a spotlight on America’s finest craft producers. Today, we put three of their unique, highly limited releases to the ultimate test:

  • Lost Lantern American Vatted Malt Reissue (AVM-1) | 105 Proof: A 100% malted barley blend of straight American single malts from 6 heavyweight craft distilleries.
  • Lost Lantern American Vatted Malt Remix (AVM-2) | 110.8 Proof: The evolution of the blend! 11 distinct American single malt distilleries come together.
  • Lost Lantern United States of Bourbon (Edition No. 1) | 123.0 Proof (Cask Strength): The headliner! A blend of straight bourbons sourced from 50 craft distilleries across all 50 U.S. states.

Did 50 bourbons turn into muddy water, or did it shock us by drinking like an Elijah Craig Barrel Proof contender? Watch to find out which bottle took the crown and might just end up in our Whiskey of the Month blind challenge!

🔔 Subscribe to Your Bourbon Journey for weekly honest whiskey reviews, blind tastings, and cocktail recipes.

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❌

Lost Lantern – American Vatted Malt Reissue (AVM-1)

  • Classification: Blend of Straight Whiskies (American Single Malt Whiskey)
  • Company: Lost Lantern Whiskey
  • Distillery: Balcones Distilling, Copperworks Distilling, Santa Fe Spirits, Triple Eight, Virginia Distillery Co., Westward Whiskey
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Age: 2 Years Old
  • Proof: 105.0 (52.5% ABV)
  • SRP: $90.00
  • Released: 2026
  • Purchased: 07/15/26 for $90.00 at Lost Lantern (Online Direct)

Lost Lantern – American Vatted Malt Remix (AVM-2)

Classification: Blend of Straight Whiskies (American Single Malt Whiskey)

  • Company: Lost Lantern Whiskey
  • Distillery: Andalusia Whiskey Co., Balcones, Cedar Ridge, Copperworks, McCarthy’s, Santa Fe Spirits, Triple Eight, Virginia, Westland, Westward, Whiskey Del Bac
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Age: 2 Years Old
  • Proof: 110.8 (55.4% ABV)
  • SRP: $100.00
  • Released: 2026
  • Purchased: 07/15/26 for $100.00 at Lost Lantern (Online Direct) 

Lost Lantern – United States of Bourbon (Edition No. 1)

  • Classification: Blend of Straight Bourbon Whiskies
  • Company: Lost Lantern Whiskey
  • Distillery: Blended from 50 craft distilleries across all 50 U.S. states (including Starlight – IN, New Riff – KY, Kings County – NY, Frey Ranch – NV, etc.)
  • Mash Bill: Blended Multi-State Bourbon Mash Bill
  • Age: 2 Years Old
  • Proof: 123.0 (61.5% ABV – Cask Strength)
  • SRP: $99.99
  • Released: 2026
  • Other: Non-chill-filtered & cask strength; Limited release of 3,300 bottles; Features one straight bourbon distillery from every U.S. state listed on the back label.
  • Purchased: 07/15/26 for $99.99 at Lost Lantern (Online Direct)

🚨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.

#LostLantern #Bourbon #AmericanSingleMalt #WhiskeyReview #BourbonReview #CraftWhiskey #SingleMalt #YourBourbonJourney #UnitedStatesOfBourbon #CaskStrength #WhiskeyTasting #BourbonHunting #StarlightDistillery #NewRiff #WhiskeyLovers

American Single Malt Flight: Virginia Distillery Co. Lineup Review 

/ bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Bourbon lovers, are you ready to explore the evolving world of American Single Malt? Join Wayne and Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey as we dive into a fascinating three-bottle tasting flight from Virginia Distillery Co. (Lovingston, VA)! 

From a unique 50/50 bourbon-and-single-malt collaboration with Bardstown Bourbon Company to handcrafted Blue Ridge toasted oak and a rich cold-brew coffee cask finish, this lineup proves why Virginia Distillery Co. is leading the charge in American Single Malt Whisky.

🥃 IN THIS FLIGHT:
1️⃣ Virginia Distillery Co. The Split Barrel Project No. 1
2️⃣ Virginia Distillery Co. Blue Ridge Toasted Barrel Finish
3️⃣ VHW Scholar’s Craft Coffee Cask

Which of these expressions would you pick for a summer patio sip or a post-dinner dessert pour? Let us know in the comments below! 

If you enjoyed this tasting, please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE to follow along on Your Bourbon Journey! Always remember to 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❌

Virginia Distillery Co. The Split Barrel Project No. 1

  • Classification: American Blended Whisky (Blend of Kentucky Straight Bourbon & Virginia Single Malt)
  • Company/Distillery: Virginia Distillery Co. (Lovingston, VA) & Sourced Bardstown, KY Bourbon
  • Mash Bill: 50% Virginia Single Malt (100% Malted Barley) / 50% KY Straight Bourbon (75% Corn, 15% Rye, 10% Malted Barley)
  • Age: Blend of 5-Year Virginia Single Malt & 4-Year Kentucky Bourbon
  • Proof: 90 Proof (45% ABV)
  • SRP: $44.99 (700 ml)
  • Released: Spring 2026
  • Other: Collaboration/cask-swap project utilizing Bardstown Bourbon Co. casks; inaugural release of the Split Barrel Project series.
  • Purchased: 06/16/26 for $44.99 at Virginia Distillery Co. Online Store

Virginia Distillery Co. Blue Ridge Toasted Barrel Finish

  • Classification: American Single Malt Whisky
  • Company/Distillery: Virginia Distillery Co. (Lovingston, VA)
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley (100% American-grown)
  • Age: 4 Years (Aged initial years in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels, finished in virgin toasted oak barrels)
  • Proof: 92 Proof (46% ABV)
  • SRP: $44.99 (700 ml)
  • Released: Ongoing Core Portfolio
  • Other: Finished in handcrafted virgin oak barrels sourced directly from trees in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
  • Purchased: 06/16/26 for $44.99 at Virginia Distillery Co. Online Store

VHW Scholar’s Craft Coffee Cask

  • Classification: American Single Malt Whisky
  • Company/Distillery: Virginia Distillery Co. (Lovingston, VA)
  • Mash Bill: 100% Malted Barley
  • Age: NAS (Aged in ex-bourbon barrels, finished ~8–12 months in coffee-infused casks)
  • Proof: 92 Proof (46% ABV)
  • SRP: $59.99
  • Other: Finished in barrels previously used to age ethically sourced, custom-roasted cold brew coffee; sales support higher education scholarships.
  • Purchased: 06/16/26 for $59.99 at Virginia Distillery Co. Online Store 

🚨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.

#VirginiaDistilleryCo #AmericanSingleMalt #BourbonReview #WhiskeyTasting #YourBourbonJourney #BardstownBourbonCo #ToastedBarrel #CoffeeCask #SingleMaltWhisky #CraftWhiskey #WhiskeyReview #VirginiaWhisky #WhiskeyFlight #BourbonCommunity #WhiskeyPours