Woodford Reserve

Best Whiskeys of 2025 (So Far!): Our Top Picks!

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Wow, 2025 has been an absolute blockbuster year for whiskey, bringing some truly unforgettable bottles to our glasses! In this can’t-miss video, we’re uncorking our BEST WHISKEYS of 2025 so far and trust us, you’re in for some surprises!

Join us as we take a thrilling journey through each month, revisiting our highly anticipated Whiskey of the Month winners and their fierce contenders. But that’s just the warm-up! We’re also thrilled to reveal the very first two Whiskey of the Quarter champions and give you an exclusive peek at the current Whiskey of the Year seeding results. The competition is heating up, and you’ll want to see who’s leading the pack!

And here’s a twist: We’re also sharing an absolutely mind-blowing release that, for special reasons, we decided to exclude from this intense competition. You won’t believe what it is and why it didn’t make the cut for our official rankings!

Ready to discover the must-have whiskeys of 2025? Click that play button now and find out if your favorites made our prestigious list!

What are your favorite whiskeys of 2025 so far? Did your top picks make our list, or do you have a dark horse contender we need to know about? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Passionate about bourbon and exceptional whiskey? Don’t miss out on another drop! Hit that LIKE 👍 button and SUBSCRIBE 🔔 to our channel so you never miss our deep dives into the most exciting new releases and hidden gems. Share this video with your bourbon buddies and let’s celebrate the art of fine spirits together! Cheers to rare finds and unforgettable pours! 🥂

#WhiskeyOfTheMonth  #WhiskeyOfTheQuarter #WhiskeyOfTheYear 

1st Quarter WOTQ Video

2nd Quarter WOTQ Video

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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.

Unlock the Secrets to a Perfect Mint Julep | Thirsty Thursday

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Get ready to saddle up for Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, Episode 16! 🐎💨 With the thunder of hooves echoing in the distance, we’re gearing up for the 151st Kentucky Derby this Saturday by diving headfirst into the legendary Mint Julep! 🎉

Forget those watered-down imitations! We’re unlocking the secrets to crafting a truly electrifying Mint Julep, the quintessential Derby Day sipper. We’ll round up the champions of flavor: vibrant, fragrant fresh mint leaves, the perfect touch of sweetness with sugar or silky simple syrup, a mountain of frosty crushed ice, and of course, the heart and soul – authentic Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey! 🥃

Then, prepare to witness the magic as we take these stellar ingredients and transform them into liquid gold! 🔄 We’ll guide you step-by-step through the time-honored techniques, ensuring your Mint Julep isn’t just a drink, but an experience.

Whether you’re a seasoned cocktail connoisseur with a taste for the finer things or a curious newcomer eager to explore the world of bourbon, this episode is your ticket to Mint Julep mastery. Get ready to impress your Derby Day crew or simply treat yourself to a taste of Southern tradition. Let’s stir up some excitement! ✨

Background of The Mint Julep: 

U.S. Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky is credited with introducing the bourbon-based mint julep to Washington, D.C., around 1850, popularizing it beyond the South. 

The mint julep’s association with horse racing, particularly in Kentucky, grew in the 19th century. By the 1820s, silver cups were awarded to winning jockeys, possibly contributing to the tradition of serving juleps in silver cups, which also frost nicely due to the crushed ice.

The Kentucky Derby, established in 1875, further solidified this connection. In 1938, the mint julep became the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs began serving it in souvenir glasses in 1939, which became highly collectible. Today, around 120,000 mint juleps are estimated to be consumed during the Kentucky Derby weekend.

#bourboncocktails #MintJulep  #woodfordreserve 

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NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. 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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Questions? YourBourbonJourney@gmail.com

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.