Your Bourbon Journey

Booker’s “Phantom Pipes Batch” Review (2025-04)

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🥃 Booker’s 2025-04 “Phantom Pipes Batch” Bourbon Review & Tasting! | Is This the Best Batch of the Year?

In this video, Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey dive into the final and most mysterious release of the year: Booker’s 2025-04 “Phantom Pipes Batch”! We snagged this bottle right at the Jim Beam Distillery and are ready to share the uncut and unfiltered review of this Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

The Phantom Pipes Batch is named after a maze of pipes Master Distiller Booker Noe left behind at the Boston Distillery—a symbol of his “stubborn genius” and dedication to making bourbon the right way. At a bold 126.4 Proof and aged over 7.5 years, this is a quintessential, high-proof Booker’s experience.

What We Found:

  • The Nose: Strong brown sugar, cinnamon, and that signature high-proof Booker’s intensity.
  • The Palate: A punch of toasty roasted peanuts, combined with warm brown sugar and cinnamon—like a crunchy, charred cinnamon-sugar-peanut treat!
  • The Finish: Exceptionally long, warm, and consistent, carrying that delightful blend of brown sugar, cinnamon, and char goodness all the way through.

We’re big Booker’s fans—Wayne even credits an earlier batch as his first bourbon love! We discuss why Booker’s is the “stamp of bourbon” and whether its consistent, traditional flavor profile helps or hurts it in a bourbon blind tasting. Will this batch stand up to the rest of the 2025 releases? Stick around for our full review and find out!

Don’t forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for more bourbon reviews! Let us know in the comments if you’ve tried the Phantom Pipes Batch and what you thought!

We will be doing a blind tasting of all four 2025 Booker’s releases in January—hit the bell so you don’t miss it!

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✴️ Booker’s 2025-04 Phantom Pipes Batch

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Suntory Global Spirits
  • Distillery: James B. Beam Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 77% Corn, 13% Rye, 10% Malted Barley
  • Age: Youngest barrels – 7 years, 6 months, and 15 days
  • Proof: 126.4
  • MSRP: $110
  • Released: Nov 2025
  • Purchased: Dec 05, 2025 for $110 at Jim Beam Distilling

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

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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.

#BookersBourbon #PhantomPipesBatch #bourbonreview #whiskeytasting #KentuckyStraightBourbon #BarrelProof #Bookers2025 #JimBeam #Whiskey #bourbon #HighProofBourbon #UncutUnfiltered #BookerNoe #whiskeytube #NewReleaseBourbon 

Jack Daniel’s Distillery Tour: Honest Review & Tasting

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🥃 Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Tasting & Distillery Tour Review!

Join Wayne & Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey for Episode 50 of Bourbon Trail Tales and Tastes! We ventured into Lynchburg, Tennessee—a dry county with the iconic Jack Daniel’s Distillery—for our 53rd distillery visit!

In this video, we give you the full breakdown of our trip, from the beautiful grounds and the unique visitor center that honors Nearest Green, to the famed Lincoln County Process charcoal mellowing area. We share our honest, in-depth thoughts on the production tour (spoiler: some parts were very disappointing and felt highly limited due to unexplained fire hazards!).

But the real star? We finally open and taste a special Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof bottle we purchased as a commemorative item at the distillery’s White Rabbit Bottle Shop! At a whopping 128.8 Proof and pulled from Barrel No. 23-05984, will this high-proof Tennessee Whiskey be a daily drinker or a letdown?

If you’re planning a trip to the JD Distillery or are a fan of high-proof whiskey, you must watch this review! Lynchburg is a beautiful must-visit, even if the tour has a few quirks.

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✴️ Jack Daniels Single Barrel

  • Classification: Tennessee Whiskey
  • Company: Brown-Forman
  • Distillery: Jack Daniels Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 80% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 8% Rye
  • Age: NAS (typically 4-7 years)
  • Proof: 128.8
  • MSRP: $65-75
  • Bottled: 06/27/23
  • Barrel No: 23-05984
  • Purchased: 08/20/23 for $66.67 at Jack Daniels Distillery

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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.

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Flaviar Day 13-15: The Battle of the Grains! Who Reigns Supreme?

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🥃 Flaviar “FlaviAIR” Advent Calendar 2025 Reveal: Days 13, 14, & 15 – Single Grain Showdown!

Join Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey as we continue our 2025 Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar journey—dubbed “FlaviAIR”! This is Episode Five where we open doors 13, 14, and 15, taking an international flight to taste three uniquely different whiskies.

This flight is a true single grain showdown featuring a complex American Single Malt, a distinctive Bottled-in-Bond Wheat Whiskey, and a light, floral Japanese Blended Whisky. Get our honest, unscripted tasting notes and see which dram takes the gold!

Featured Whiskies & Tasting Notes:

  • ✈️ Day 13 (Virginia, USA):Courage & Conviction Double Cask Reserve American Single Malt from Virginia Distillery Company. Aged in bourbon and STR European Red Wine casks.
    • Our Notes: Definitive single malt nose with prominent barley, but an intriguing bitter red wine note on the palate that led to a short, peppery finish. A divisive pour!
  • ✈️ Day 14 (Oregon, USA):Oregon Spirit Distillers Bottled-in-Bond Wheat Whiskey. Crafted with winter wheat, rye, and malted barley, aged for five years.
    • Our Notes: Shockingly sweet, white wine-like nose followed by a palate with unexpected rye spice. A journey of confusion, but a fantastic nose!
  • ✈️ Day 15 (Osaka, Japan):Akashi Japanese Blended Whisky from White Oak Distillery. A blend of wheat, barley, and rye, aged in X-Bourbon, Shochu, and Sherry casks.
    • Our Notes: The best nose of the flight—light, fragrant, and floral. An easy sipper with dominant, pleasant barley notes and a lovely matching profile from nose to palate. The ultimate choice of the flight!

Did we find a new favorite from the Flaviar Calendar? Watch to find out our final rankings and if we’d buy a full bottle of any of these incredible international expressions!

Did you snag the Flaviar Advent Calendar 2025? Let us know your favorite pour in the comments! 

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Disclaimer: We are not sponsored by Flaviar for this review. We purchased the calendar ourselves and offer our honest opinion. Please drink responsibly.

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Is Knob Creek 21 Year Worth $250 MSRP?

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🎉 Knob Creek 21 Year Old Bourbon Review! 🎉 Is this the ultimate extra-aged whiskey?

Wayne and Rebecca from Your Bourbon Journey finally got their hands on the historic Knob Creek 21 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey—the oldest expression ever released by the James B. Beam Distilling Co.! Watch as they pour, nose, and taste this highly-anticipated, limited-edition small batch bourbon, bottled at a perfect 100 proof.

We were lucky enough to score this bottle at the Jim Beam Distillery for the MSRP of $249.99! Was the two-decade wait worth it? Does it live up to the hype established by the Knob Creek 9 and 12-Year expressions?

🥃 Knob Creek 21 Year Old Tasting Notes & Review Highlights

  • The Nose: Right out of the gate, the aromas are incredibly inviting! Get ready for notes of butterscotch, toffee, and a rich, cooked brown sugar. It smells like what a 21-year-old whiskey should smell like!
  • The Palate: This is a surprisingly barrel forward bourbon, but perfectly balanced! You’ll find deep tannins and robust char notes, but the 100 proof prevents it from being an “oak bomb.”
  • The Finish: Long, warm, and not drying! Enjoy lingering notes of cinnamon, dark cocoa (dark chocolate), and a nice pop of black pepper. It’s the perfect deep, dark, rich sipper for the winter.

Master Distiller Freddie Noe said they weren’t chasing an age statement, but focused on crafting a great bourbon—and they hit it out of the park! We discuss the value of a $250, 21-year-old bourbon and compare it to the popular Knob Creek 18-Year and 12-Year expressions.

❓ Have you tried the Knob Creek 21 Year Old? What did you think of the barrel notes? Let us know in the comments!

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✴️ Knob Creek 21 Year Old

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Suntory Global Spirits
  • Distillery: James B. Beam Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
  • Barrel: Char #4, Barrel Entry 125 Proof
  • Age: 21 Years
  • Other: The oldest expression in distillery history
  • Proof: 100
  • MSRP: $249.99
  • Released: Oct 28, 2025
  • Purchased: Dec 5, 2025 for $250 at Jim Beam Distillery

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

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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.

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BATTLE OF THE MALTS: Flaviar Calendar Days 10, 11, 12!

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✈️ Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar 2025: Global Malt Battle! (Days 10, 11, 12 Review) 🥃 

Welcome aboard for Episode 4 of our Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar 2025 journey! Wayne and Rebecca (Your Bourbon Journey) are diving into the ultimate “Battle of the Malts,” pitting global whiskey styles against each other with a three-day flight that takes us from Ireland to Scotland and finally back to the USA!

Which malt will win this high-stakes tasting? We crack open Days 10, 11, and 12 of the FlaviAIR Advent Calendar to find out!

The Global Malt Flight: Days 10, 11, & 12

  • Day 10 (Ireland): Two Stacks The First Cut – A complex Irish blend with a surprising peated note! We explore this daring revival of Irish whiskey tradition.
  • Day 11 (Scotland): Eden Mill The Guard Bridge Blended Malt Scotch Whisky – A refined, elegant fusion of Lowland and Highland malts. We discover its fruity, nutty, and delicate sherry notes.
  • Day 12 (USA): Westward Single Malt Stout Cask Finish – An American craft favorite from Portland, Oregon! Finished in local stout barrels, this whiskey delivers deep, rich notes of chocolate, coffee, and dark malt. (Spoiler: It’s a MUST BUY!)

Watch to see our full, honest tasting notes, who wins the flight, and which bottle we immediately add to our collection!

Did you snag the Flaviar Advent Calendar 2025? Let us know your favorite pour in the comments! 

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Disclaimer: We are not sponsored by Flaviar for this review. We purchased the calendar ourselves and offer our honest opinion. Please drink responsibly.

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Dessert in a Glass! The S’mores Old Fashioned

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🥃 THE FIRESIDE S’MORES OLD FASHIONED | Dessert Cocktail | Thirsty Thursday Cocktails E48

Welcome to Episode 48 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails! Tonight is Part Two of our December Cocktail Series, and we are diving into the coziest drink of the season: The Fireside S’mores Old Fashioned!

This recipe is pure holiday nostalgia and perhaps the easiest S’more you will ever make. It’s a truly spirit-forward dessert cocktail that uses the secret weapon of Swiss Miss Shmallow Whiskey to instantly bring the sweet, toasted marshmallow flavor to the party.

We complete the S’more profile by substituting the traditional sugar cube with Demerara Syrup to mimic those rich, caramelized graham cracker notes. For the essential chocolate layer, we use four dashes of Aztec Chocolate Bitters, which adds a complex depth with hints of chili and cinnamon spice.

The showpiece is the spectacular torched marshmallow garnish, which delivers an incredible aroma and completes the campfire experience. It’s low-proof, high-flavor, and the perfect drink for snuggling up by the fireplace this winter.

Don’t forget to like this video and subscribe for more spirit-forward recipes every Thursday! Cheers!

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🍸 The Fireside S’mores Old Fashioned Recipe

  • 2 oz Swiss Miss Shmallow Whiskey
  • $1/4$ oz Demerara Syrup
  • 4 dashes Fee Brothers Aztec Chocolate Bitters
  • 2 dashes Aromatic Bitters (Angostura)
  • Garnish: Torched Marshmallow

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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.

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Distillery Secrets! Dickel 17-Year Reserve Whiskey

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🥃 George Dickel 17-Year Cask Strength Reserve Review | Cascade Hollow Distillery Tour (Tennessee Whiskey)

Join us as we take you to Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. (George Dickel) in Tullahoma, Tennessee! This is part two of our Tennessee journey, where we explore the beautiful, off-the-beaten-path distillery and get an exclusive tasting of a highly sought-after, limited-edition bottle: the George Dickel 17-Year Cask Strength Reserve Tennessee Whiskey.

The tour provided a fascinating look at the Lincoln County Process, specifically showcasing the unique use of wool blankets in their famous charcoal mellowing. From spotting rattlesnakes and minks to finding a “secret” tasting room, the visit to George Dickel was unlike any other!

We dive deep into a pour of the George Dickel 17-Year Reserve. This Tennessee Whiskey (Mash Bill: 84% Corn, 8% Rye, 8% Malted Barley) is aged a remarkable 17 years and bottled at a gentle 92 proof. Is this $350 bottle worth the price, or should you save your money for their popular 15-Year Single Barrel or the high-value Bottled-in-Bond expressions?

🔎 Tasting Notes & Discussion:

  • Nose: We find it lovely, fragrant, and smooth with notes of cherry blossom, floral aspects, fruitiness, and a touch of caramel.
  • Palate: It’s fruity and floral, but introduces a drying, almost chalky/mineral texture that is classic Dickel, along with brown sugar, barrel spice, and a hint of toffee and dark baking cinnamon.
  • Finish: Surprisingly gentle, warm, and lingering, with no heat.

We discuss why, despite the special nature of this 17-Year bottle, we might still prefer the incredible value and flavor profile of the George Dickel 15-Year-Old ($80 price point).

Whether you’re a die-hard Dickel fan or looking for an honest review before a big purchase, this is a must-watch episode! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more bourbon and whiskey reviews!

Sláinte to George Dickel and Master Distiller Nicole Austin!

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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.

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Flaviar Advent 2025: US Bourbon vs. Japanese Whisky! 

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✈️ Global Whiskey Flight Review! Flaviar Advent Calendar 2025 Days 4, 5, & 6 | Chicken Cock, Oaklore, Kujira Kyojin 

Welcome back, Travelers, for Episode Two of our Flaviar Whiskey Advent Calendar 2025 journey! We’re strapping in for an exciting “two-continental tasting flight,” comparing America’s bourbon heritage with an exotic leap across the globe.

In this episode, we unlock Days 4, 5, and 6 of the calendar, tasting three wildly different spirits:

  1. Day 4: Chicken Cock Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (100 Proof) – A Prohibition legacy spirit from Bardstown, KY, with notes of cinnamon red hot, caramel, and nuttiness. Is the “pre-prohibition style” a hit?
  2. Day 5: OaklLore Four Grain Bourbon Whiskey (92 Proof) – A groundbreaking blend of four grains (corn, rye, wheat, barley) aged in the ideal climate of North Carolina’s Piedmont region. Find out why this balanced bourbon is described as a “floral bakery.”
  3. Day 6: Kujira Kyojin Okinawa Whisky (80 Proof) – A truly unique rice-based Japanese whisky from Okinawa, Japan, aged in American white oak. We discover fascinating tropical, sweet & sour, and floral/roselike notes thanks to its special Indica Rice and black Koji berries fermentation.

Join Wayne and Rebecca on Your Bourbon Journey for an in-depth, country-to-country tasting review! 

Which whiskey will be the best international pour? Buckle up and Cheers! 🥃

Did you grab a calendar? Let us know your favorite of the first three days in the comments below!

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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.

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ECBP A125 vs C925 vs B525: Blind Bourbon Battle!

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🥃 Which 2025 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Is King? Blind Tasting A125 vs B525 vs C925!

Do Proof and Age REALLY Matter? In this highly-anticipated bourbon review, Wayne and Rebecca from [Your Channel Name] put all three 2025 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof batches (A125, B525, and C925) head-to-head in a true blind tasting!

Heaven Hill released some real curveballs this year, with the lineup featuring the lowest-proof batch ever, the oldest release since 2023, and the youngest release in series history!

We’re diving deep into the profiles of these coveted, uncut, and non-chill filtered Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys to determine our favorite pour of the year.

🍒 Tasting Notes & Surprises

We break down the classic Elijah Craig notes of cherry, caramel, and cinnamon and find some major profile differences this year. The blind tasting results surprised us, with the lowest-proof, A125, taking the crown for its incredible cherry-forward sweetness and perfect balance, despite the judges typically being “proofy people.” The oldest, B525, and the highest-proof, C925, didn’t quite live up to the winner in the final sip-off!

If you love high-proof bourbon, Heaven Hill, or collecting the annual ECBP releases, you don’t want to miss our honest review and ranking.

🚨 SPOILER ALERT! See which batch finished last (and why its high alcohol-forward nose and flavor pushed it back).

💬 What do YOU think?

Have you tried all three 2025 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof releases? Which one is your personal “banger” of the year? Let us know your favorite batch and why in the comments below!

Cheers to the great work by Heaven Hill’s Master Distiller, Conor O’Driscoll!

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✴️ ECBP A125

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Heaven Hill
  • Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
  • Age: 10 years, 7 months
  • Proof: 118.2
  • MSRP: $74.99
  • Released: January 2025
  • Purchased: 02/27/25 for $99.99 at High Spirits in Evansville, IN

✴️ ECBP B525

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Company: Heaven Hill
  • Distillery: Elijah Craig Distillery Co.
  • Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
  • Age: 11 Years, 6 Months
  • Proof: 126.2
  • MSRP: $75
  • Released: May 2025
  • Purchased: 09/02/25 for $79.99 at Heaven Hill, Bardstown KY

✴️ ECBP C925

  • Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Distillery: Heaven Hill Distillery
  • Mash Bill: 78% Corn, 12% Malted Barley, 10% Rye
  • Age: 9 Years, 1 Month
  • Proof: 129
  • MSRP: $75
  • Released: September 2025; Final Batch of 2025
  • Other: This is the first time since the ECBP series began in 2013 that a batch has carried an age statement under 10 years (a “single digit” age statement).
  • Purchased: 10/29/25 for $65 at Archie & Clyde’s in Newburgh, IN

❌YOUR BOURBON JOURNEY DOES NOT SELL ALCOHOL❌

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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.

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Turkish Tobacco Manhattan: The Ultimate Winter Cocktail 

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🥃 The Turkish Tobacco Manhattan (Rye Twist) | December Cocktail Series Part 1/5 | Thirsty Thursday E47

Welcome to Episode 47 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails and the exciting start of our five-part December Cocktail Series!

Tonight, we’re kicking off the holidays with a sophisticated, deep, and woodsy cocktail: The Turkish Tobacco Manhattan. This is more than just a twist on a classic; it’s a slow-sipper built for contemplation and chilly nights.

We anchor this drink with 2 oz of Sagamore Spirit Small Batch Rye Whiskey for a fantastic backbone of spice and pepper. We maintain the classic 2:1 ratio using Valdespino Sweet Vermouth, which adds a rich, almost savory depth.

The magic is in the bitters blend! We use 3 dashes of Turkish Tobacco Bitters for that deep, smoky, earthy base note (it’s all about the aroma of the cured leaf!) and 2 dashes of Cherry Bitters to provide a crucial, bright ‘lift.’

For the final touch of luxury and aroma, we smoke the coupe glass with Cherry Wood before straining. This creates a woodsy, “fireplace” aroma that ties the whole concept together. 

This is a complex, flavorful, and perfect welcome to your holiday entertaining!

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