We Found Rare Canadian Hazmats! Barrell Decade 2 vs Nashville Barrel 35 Year Review

Heading into the weekend with some very old, ultra-high-proof Canadian whiskies on the tasting table! In this head-to-head review, we uncork two rare $200 bottles that break the 140+ proof barrier: Barrell Craft Spirits Decade 2 (141.3 proof) and a 35-Year Nashville Barrel Company Single Barrel (148.42 proof).

Can Canadian grain whisky handle extreme cask strength without drinking like fire? Does Barrell’s Spanish brandy and Hungarian oak finish outshine a pure 35-year single barrel from Louisville Rickhouse? We break down the nose, palate, finish, viscosity, and overall value to see which hazmat pour earned the top spot.

If you love exploring rare cask strength expressions, single barrels, and high-proof pours, hit the Subscribe button and join us on the journey! 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❌

Barrell Craft Spirits Decade 2

  • Classification: Cask Strength Blended Canadian Whisky Finished in Spanish Brandy & Hungarian Oak Casks (Hazmat)
  • Company: Barrell Craft Spirits (Black Label Series)
  • Distillery: Undisclosed Canadian Distilleries (Crafted, finished, and bottled in Louisville, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed Canadian Blend (Distilled each year consecutively from 1995 to 2005)
  • Age: 20 Years (Age statement; blend components range from 20 to 30 years old)
  • Proof: 141.3 Proof (70.65% ABV)
  • SRP: $199.99
  • Released: July 2026
  • Other: Secondary maturation in Spanish brandy and Hungarian oak casks; Black Label Series Hazmat release; 750ml
  • Purchased: July 15, 2026, for $199.99 via Flaviar

Nashville Barrel Company 35-Year Single Barrel Canadian Whiskey (Barrel #297)

  • Classification: Single Barrel Cask Strength Canadian Whiskey (Hazmat)
  • Company: Nashville Barrel Company
  • Distillery: Undisclosed Canadian Distillery (Bottled by Louisville Rickhouse, DSP-KY-20181)
  • Mash Bill: 100% Corn (Aged Canadian Grain Whisky)
  • Age: 35 Years
  • Proof: 148.42 Proof (74.21% ABV)
  • SRP: $199.99
  • Released: 2026
  • Other: Single Barrel Private Selection, Barrel #297; 750ml
  • Purchased: August 14, 2026, for $199.99 at Louisville Rickhouse

🚨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.

#HazmatWhiskey #BarrellCraftSpirits #NashvilleBarrelCompany #CanadianWhisky #CaskStrengthWhiskey #WhiskeyReview #BarrellDecade2 #HighProofWhiskey #SingleBarrelWhiskey #BourbonTasting #LouisvilleRickhouse #WhiskeyTasting #RareWhiskey #Flaviar #YourBourbonJourney

How to Make the Perfect Harvest Bramble Sour

Welcome to Episode 88 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails on Your Bourbon Journey! Tonight, Rebecca crafts The Harvest Bramble Sour, a crisp, layered amaro-sour hybrid designed to celebrate late-season fruit, robust Indiana grain, and bittersweet alpine botanicals.

By pairing the 100-proof backbone of Starlight Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon with the rich, jammy depth of Starlight Blackberry Whiskey, this cocktail skips cloying syrups in favor of complexity. Amaro Nonino adds an elegant, bitter-orange mid-palate, fresh lemon juice provides a vibrant sour snap, and orchard plum bitters tie the entire autumn profile together.

If you love spirit-forward whiskey sours with depth, balance, and a dry, sophisticated finish, this is your new go-to fall cocktail.

🛒 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 Harvest Bramble Sour

  • 1.50 oz Starlight Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon
  • 0.75 oz Starlight Blackberry Whiskey
  • 0.75 oz Amaro Nonino Quintessentia
  • 0.50 oz Fresh Lemon Juice (double strained)
  • 2 dashes Fee Brothers Plum Bitters
  • Garnish: Luxardo Maraschino 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. 

#Bourbon #CocktailRecipe #WhiskeySour #YourBourbonJourney #StarlightDistillery #AmaroNonino #CraftCocktails #BourbonCocktails #ThirstyThursday #FallCocktails #Mixology #HomeBartender #BrambleSour #WhiskeyLovers #CocktailHour

We Found a Hidden Gem in Midway: Bluegrass Distillers Tour & Tasting

Welcome to Episode 65 of Bourbon Trail Tales and Tastes! We are back on the trail celebrating a major milestone—visiting our 75th US distillery! For this Fourth of July adventure, we joined our friends Scott and Liz in Midway, Kentucky, to experience the brand-new Bluegrass Distillers location at historic Elkwood Farm.

From the stunning 1835 estate grounds and modern production floor to meeting Tipsy the resident distillery cat, our Grain to Glass tour with guide Andrew was unforgettable. The experience featured pours along the entire tour path, a peek at their column still operations, and an incredible stop at their welcoming bar and tasting room.

Back in the studio, we dive into fresh-crack tastings and honest reviews of two standout bottles we picked up at the distillery shop:

  1. Midway Series: Dudley & Gratz Finished Rye Whiskey 
  2. Elkwood Reserve Spanish Oaked Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 

Can a sweet French dessert wine cask tame a 95% Indiana rye for non-rye drinkers? How does heavy Spanish oak influence a 127-proof Kentucky straight bourbon? Tune in to hear our side-by-side tasting notes, campfire flavor descriptors, and our debate over which bottle moves forward toward Whiskey of the Month consideration!

Have you visited Bluegrass Distillers at Elkwood Farm in Midway yet? Let us know your favorite pours in the comments below!

Please like, subscribe, share with a fellow whiskey lover, and 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❌

Midway Series: Dudley & Gratz Finished Rye Whiskey

  • Classification: Rye Whiskey Finished in Sauternes Casks
  • Company: Midway Distilling Co.
  • Distillery: Distilled in Lawrenceburg, IN (MGP/Ross & Squibb); Bottled by Bluegrass Distillers (Lexington, KY)
  • Mash Bill: 95% Rye / 5% Malted Barley (traditional Lawrenceburg, IN mash bill)
  • Age: 8 Years
  • Proof: 115 Proof (57.5% ABV)
  • SRP: $70
  • Released: 2026
  • Other: Batch 06, Bottle 97; 750 mL; Woodford County, KY designation on label; named for the historic Midway Distilling Co. (operated 1916–1920 in Midway, KY, bottled medicinal spirits during Prohibition, destroyed by fire in 1924) located at the corner of Dudley & Gratz Streets; finished in French Sauternes dessert wine barrels.
  • Purchased: 07/04/26 for $70 at Bluegrass Distillers

Elkwood Reserve Spanish Oaked Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Finished in Spanish Oak)
  • Company: Midway Distilling Co.
  • Distillery: Bluegrass Distillers (Lexington / Midway, KY) (Sourced / Contract Distilled Kentucky Bourbon finished and bottled by Bluegrass Distillers at Elkwood Farm)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed Kentucky Straight Bourbon mash bill
  • Age: 9 Years (Filled 10/24/2016, Bottled 06/02/2026)
  • Proof: 127 Proof (63.5% ABV)
  • SRP: $115
  • Released: June 2026
  • Other: Barrel 068; 750 mL; Elkwood Reserve series commemorating the new distillery at Elkwood Farm in Midway, KY (historic property built in 1835); finished in rare Spanish oak casks bringing rich oak influence, spice, caramelized sweetness, and dark fruit.
  • Purchased: 07/04/26 for $115 at Bluegrass Distillers

🚨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.

#BourbonTrail #BluegrassDistillers #BourbonReview #WhiskeyReview #KentuckyBourbon #RyeWhiskey #MidwayKY #ElkwoodFarm #BourbonTasting #SingleBarrel #CraftDistillery #SauternesCask #SpanishOak #YourBourbonJourney #DistilleryTour

Shortbarrel Bourbon Sapsquatch Review: A True Maple Bomb?

Join Wayne and Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey as we track down a rare mythological creature in whiskey form: Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (Batch SB-2)!

Grabbed from the allocated shelves at The Party Source, this 6-year straight bourbon blend is finished for an extra 6 months in Kelvin Cooperage toasted barrels and authentic Vermont maple syrup barrels with sugar maple wood spirals. Coming in at 108.6 proof (54.3% ABV), does this $89.99 release turn into an overly sweet syrup bomb, or does the toasted oak keep it balanced, creamy, and complex?

Watch as we break down the nose, viscous mouthfeel, layered palate of toasted pancakes and cinnamon, and the finish to decide if this Shortbarrel release deserves a spot on your home bar. Scott, if you’re watching, crack your bottle open already!

Drop a comment below: Have you tried Shortbarrel Sapsquatch or other maple finished bourbons? What’s your favorite finished whiskey?

🔔 Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and share your favorite pour in the comments. 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❌

Shortbarrel Sapsquatch (Batch SB-2)

  • Classification: Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Maple Syrup Barrels and Toasted Barrels
  • Company: Shortbarrel Bourbon (Chamblee, GA)
  • Distillery: Undisclosed distilleries in Kentucky and Indiana (typically sourced from Barton, Beam, Bardstown Bourbon Co., Green River, and/or MGP)
  • Mash Bill: Blended (predominantly high-rye bourbon mashbills)
  • Age: 6+ Years
  • Proof: 108.6 Proof (54.3% ABV)
  • SRP: $89.99
  • Released: May / June 2026
  • Other: Small batch release; finished for 6+ months in Kelvin Cooperage toasted barrels and Vermont maple syrup barrels with sugar maple wood spirals
  • Purchased: July 24, 2026 for $89.99 at The Party Source

🚨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 #ShortbarrelBourbon #WhiskeyReview #Sapsquatch #BourbonReview #WhiskeyTasting #FinishedBourbon #BourbonHunting #ToastedBourbon #MapleSyrupBourbon #CraftWhiskey #YourBourbonJourney #ThePartySource #AmericanWhiskey #BourbonCommunity 

How to Make The Autumn Envoy | Fall Bourbon Cocktail 

Welcome to Episode 87 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails on Your Bourbon Journey! Tonight, we’re stepping into the cooler September evenings with The Autumn Envoy—a deep, brooding, and decadent twist on the classic 1920s Boulevardier.

Instead of traditional Campari, we’re leaning into savory, earthy depth by bringing in Cynar 70 Amaro. Paired with the rich cocoa and botanical vanilla of Cocchi di Torino Sweet Vermouth, allspice-forward Bittercube Jamaican #1 Bitters, and the bold backbone of a 110-proof Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel, this cocktail delivers an unbelievably silky, viscous texture and a lingering cracked-pepper finish.

Grab your mixing glass, chill a coupe, and let’s craft the ultimate spirit-forward autumn sipper!

🛒 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 Autumn Envoy Recipe: 

  • • 1.75 oz Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon (110 Proof) 
  • • 0.75 oz Cynar 70 Amaro 
  • • 0.75 oz Cocchi di Torino Sweet Vermouth 
  • • 2 Dashes (or 20 Drops) Bittercube Jamaican #1 Bitters 
  • • Garnish: Expressed Orange Peel

🚨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. 

#Boulevardier #BourbonCocktails #FallCocktails #YourBourbonJourney #ThirstyThursday #Cynar70 #AmaroCocktails #RussellsReserve #CraftCocktails #HomeBartender #WhiskeyTasting #CocktailRecipe #DrinkResponsibly #CocktailHour #Mixology

Is Booker’s The Reserves 2026 Worth $135? First Pour Review!

It’s Booker’s Rye Tuesday with a very special twist! In this episode of Your Bourbon Journey, Wayne and Rebecca uncork and review the brand-new Booker’s The Reserves 2026 Batch from James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Released in September 2026 at an uncut, unfiltered 125.1 proof (62.55% ABV), this limited release brings back the legendary Booker’s Rye mash bill with an unexpected creative spin. Master Distiller Freddie Noe drew inspiration from his grandfather Booker Noe’s holiday “A.B.C. Wassail” (Apples, Bourbon, Cinnamon) and transformed it into “A.R.C.” (Apples, Rye, Cinnamon). Aged for 6 years, 2 months, and 23 days, this Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey underwent secondary aging in French apple brandy casks and was steeped with real cinnamon sticks using a 24-hour large tea-bag infusion method.

We drove down to the Jim Beam Outpost in Clermont, Kentucky, to attend an exclusive blending innovation tasting with the James B. Beam team and snagged our bottles early—complete with Freddie Noe’s signature! Watch along as we break down the historic mash bill, discuss how the apple brandy cask finish and steeped cinnamon balance out the rye spice, and share our full nosing, palate, and finish impressions.

Will traditional rye whiskey purists appreciate this finished profile? How does it stack up against past editions of The Reserves? Grab a pour and join us on our journey!

🔔 Subscribe to Your Bourbon Journey for weekly whiskey reviews, bourbon tastings, distillery updates, and cocktail builds.

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❌

Booker’s “The Reserves” 2026 Batch

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Apple Brandy Barrels and Infused with Cinnamon
  • Company: Suntory Global Spirits (James B. Beam Distilling Co.)
  • Distillery: James B. Beam Distilling Co. (Clermont, KY)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed (matches the original Booker’s Rye mash bill)
  • Age: 6 Years, 2 Months, 23 Days
  • Proof: 125.1 Proof (62.55% ABV)
  • SRP: $129.99 – $135.00
  • Released: September 2026
  • Other: Uncut and unfiltered. Inspired by Booker Noe’s holiday “A.B.C. Wassail” (Apples, Bourbon barrels, and Cinnamon); Freddie Noe adapted the concept into “A.R.C.” (Apples, Rye whiskey, Cinnamon). Crafted using the Booker’s Rye mash bill, secondary aged in French apple brandy casks, and steeped with real cinnamon sticks in a large tea-bag method for 24 hours at roughly 1% of the final blend.
  • Purchased: 09/04/2026 for $135 at Jim Beam Outpost (Signed by Freddie Noe)

🚨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 #BookersRye #BookersTheReserves #JimBeam #FreddieNoe #RyeWhiskey #WhiskeyReview #BourbonReview #WhiskeyTasting #BarrelProof #YourBourbonJourney #CraftSpirits #KentuckyWhiskey #WhiskeyLovers #FinishedRye

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

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

We Opened a 75-Year-Old Bottle of O.F.C. Whiskey! 

It’s the first Friday of the month, which means another incredible vintage bottle pour on Your Bourbon Journey! Today, we are popping the seal on a pristine, box-fresh dusty bottle: Imported O.F.C. by Schenley Canadian Whisky (8 Years Old).

Acquired from our good friend Brad Bonds at Revival Vintage Spirits in Covington, Kentucky, this 4/5 quart pinch-decanter bottle features a gorgeous pewter-style “Schenley Elegance” crest medallion, crisp tax stamps, and its original carton. Distilled in 1951 at Canadian Schenley Ltd. in Valleyfield, Quebec, and bottled around 1959 at 86.8 proof, this 75-year-old spirit delivers a massive sensory surprise!

Does vintage Canadian blended whisky hold up against classic American dusties? We dive into the sweet Werther’s-style rich butterscotch candy nose, the shocking rye-spice “Pop Rocks” sensation on the palate, and a lingering peppery finish.

Remember to drink responsibly, hit that Subscribe button, and leave a comment below: Have you ever tried vintage Canadian whisky from the mid-century? Cheers!

Visit our Friends at Revival Vintage Spirits https://revivalky.com/ 

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❌

Imported O.F.C. by Schenley Canadian Whisky

  • Classification: Canadian Blended Whisky
  • Company: Schenley International Corp. (New York, NY) / Schenley Industries, Inc.
  • Distillery: Canadian Schenley Ltd. (Valleyfield, Quebec, Canada)
  • Mash Bill: Undisclosed Canadian multi-grain blend (typically corn base whisky with flavoring rye and malted barley)
  • Age: 8 Years Old
  • Proof: 86.8 Proof (43.4% ABV)
  • SRP: Original historical retail ~$5.00–$6.50; Modern vintage valuation ~$150–$200
  • Released: Distilled 1951 / Bottled circa 1959 (Note: Canadian excise tax stamps denote the distillation/entry year rather than the bottling year; paired with the 8-year age statement, bottling occurred around 1959)
  • Other: 4/5 Quart decanter-style pinch bottle with pewter-style “Schenley Elegance” crest medallion and original carton; sealed with Canadian Excise strip (Series D, No. 9793118, dated 1951), red U.S. Internal Revenue Distilled Spirits strip (No. 36197224), and vintage State of Florida 43.5¢ Alcoholic Beverage Tax stamp.
  • Purchased: March 15, 2026 for $150 at Revival Vintage Spirits

🚨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.

#VintageWhiskey #DustyWhiskey #CanadianWhisky #Schenley #WhiskeyTasting #WhiskeyReview #VintageSpirits #YourBourbonJourney #DustyBottle #WhiskyLovers #BourbonCommunity #RevivalVintageSpirits #CanadianSchenley #WhiskeyCollection #WhiskeyTime

Crisp Fall Whiskey Drink: The Solitary Orchard Build 

Welcome to Episode 86 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails on Your Bourbon Journey! Tonight, we are crafting The Solitary Orchard—a crisp, layered, and beautifully balanced autumn cocktail designed to transition your palate seamlessly into the fall season.

Reimagining traditional orchard fruit profiles through the lens of Kentucky pot-still grain, dark tart berries, and warm baking spices, this rocks-glass build hits every high note. We anchor the glass with Evan Williams Square 6 High-Rye Bourbon (95 proof / 35% rye mash bill) for a robust herbal grain snap and oak structure. We stay within the Heaven Hill family by incorporating Evan Williams Spiced Apple Whiskey for notes of warm baked apple, nutmeg, and cinnamon without overwhelming sweetness.

To create depth and contrast, we layer in tart, dark French blackcurrant via Merlet Crème de Cassis, exotic warmth with Fee Brothers Cardamom Bitters, and a gentle effervescent lift from chilled club soda. Topped with a dehydrated apple chip, this is the ultimate September bourbon sipper!

👀 NEXT WEEK ON THIRSTY THURSDAY: Tune in for Episode 87: The Autumnal Envoy—a rich, brooding Boulevardier riff that pairs high-proof Kentucky oak with the earthy, herbal bitterness of Cynar 70 and Cocchi di Torino!

Please remember to drink responsibly! If you enjoyed this video, make sure to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss a pour.

🛒 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

🚨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. 

#Bourbon #CocktailRecipe #FallCocktails #EvanWilliams #WhiskeyCocktails #ThirstyThursday #YourBourbonJourney #Cassis #AppleCocktail #Mixology #CraftCocktails #BourbonLovers #HomeBartender #WhiskeyTasting #AutumnVibes

Distillery Exclusive: Kentucky Artisan Wheated vs High Rye!

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