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Send us Fan Mail A $60-$80 single barrel bourbon should not taste like furniture polish, yet sometimes it does and that’s the risk we all sign up for when “single barrel” is on the label. We pick up that thread and go deep on Colonel E.H. Taylor Single Barrel from Buffalo Trace, starting with a bottle that didn’t taste right and ending with one that absolutely delivers. The turning point is the detective work: we hold the bottle up to the light, find the tiny laser etching, and decode what it means. Our pour is traced to a bottling date of June 9, 2020, and we talk through what the letter and digits can and can’t tell you without Buffalo Trace’s internal database. From there, we get into the bigger question bourbon fans argue about nonstop: why certain years get more “secondary market chatter,” and why you can’t judge a whole label by one off barrel. Then we taste. Expect real, specific bourbon tasting notes: a balanced sweet nose, oak that suggests age, a dry start that blooms into apple-like sweetness, citrus leaning grapefruit, a honey lift, and a medium-to-long finish with a peppery kick and a light Kentucky hug. We also compare bottles, talk store picks like Binny’s, and map out a practical “P-O-U-R man’s” route to high-end complexity without chasing unicorn prices. If you like bourbon nerdiness with laughs, a surprise Roomba cameo, and a little E.H. Taylor history, this one’s for you. Subscribe for more tastings, share this with your bourbon group chat, and leave a review if you want us to keep hunting the best barrels. What’s the best single barrel you’ve ever opened?

Send us Fan Mail You know that moment when a bottle has been “a thing” for years, yet somehow you’ve never sat down and given it a proper, no-distractions review? That’s us with Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch, and we fix it with a full tasting plus the kind of bourbon talk you can actually use at the liquor store. We start with some music nostalgia and a detour into Kentucky Colonel lore, then get serious about what’s in the glass. We explain what “bottled-in-bond” really signals (yes, that 100 proof shows up), why Buffalo Trace mash bill #1 matters, and how this label can share DNA with other fan favorites while still tasting like its own classic pour. If you’ve ever wondered why people describe a bourbon as “traditional,” this is a great example: big caramel energy, a touch of honey, a late pop of orange peel, then a finish that dries out into oak and char. We also tackle the practical question: small batch vs single barrel. We lay out why single barrels can be amazing or disappointing depending on the barrel, why small batch aims for consistency, and how that plays into price when Small Batch hovers around $40 retail and Single Barrel creeps higher. Along the way, we talk gifting value, shelf sightings, and the simple rule we use to avoid getting ripped off when bourbon markup starts creeping in. If you’re building a bourbon list, hunting Buffalo Trace bottles, or just looking for a dependable, giftable bottled-in-bond bourbon, come taste this one with us. Subscribe, share this with a bourbon friend, and leave a review with your own E.H. Taylor Small Batch take: instant classic or just solid for the money?

Send us Fan Mail Maker’s Mark 101 sounds like a tiny step on paper, but that extra proof and extra $10 can mean very different things depending on how you actually drink bourbon. We break down the Maker’s Mark mash bill (yes, Tony knows it by heart), talk about why a wheated bourbon tastes so sweet and smooth, and explain how the standard 90 proof, Maker’s Mark 101, and Maker’s Mark Cask Strength are more alike than most people realize. If you’ve ever wondered whether “higher proof” automatically means “better,” we put that assumption to the test with real tasting and real-world buying logic.  Then the conversation takes a left turn into a genuinely fun piece of Maker’s Mark lore: Tony pulls up his old Maker’s Mark Ambassador info and we react in real time to the barrel details, the age, and the absurdity of having your name tied to a barrel from years ago. It’s part whiskey nerd curiosity, part friendship roast, and a reminder that bourbon culture can be both serious and ridiculous.  Finally, we get practical. We taste Maker’s Mark 101 for notes like caramel, vanilla, honey, light oak, and that signature wheated sweetness, and we argue about the finish and whether it disappears too fast. We also dig into the “best whiskey for Coke” debate, where bottles like Jim Beam, Woodford Reserve, Bulleit, Elijah Craig, and Buffalo Trace show up for very different reasons. If you want a dependable bourbon review, cocktail guidance, and a clear verdict on whether Maker’s Mark 101 is worth it, this one delivers. Subscribe, share the episode with a whiskey friend, and leave a rating or review so more people can find the show.

Send us Fan Mail We disappear for a couple months, then come back with the kind of update that only makes sense to bourbon people: we moved the entire whiskey apartment. That means a new, speakeasy style space in the Chicagoland area, more room to host friends, and a bar setup we’re genuinely proud of. It also means hauling roughly 400 bottles up to a third floor with no elevator, with help from our whiskey crew. If you’re anywhere near the north suburbs of Chicago, northwest Indiana, southwest Michigan, or southeast Wisconsin, we’re saying it plainly: come by and have a pour with us. For our first bottle back, we pour Penelope Bourbon Barrel Strength Four Grain Batch 6 (115.8 proof) and dig into why this release is a marker for the brand. We talk Penelope’s early days as blenders, the timing of big bourbon acquisitions, and how MGP’s backing could shape what’s coming next. Then we get into the tasting notes you actually care about: big sweetness up front, vanilla and caramel, a sweet corn and vanilla grain vibe, a touch of cherry, and a finish that shows cinnamon and brown sugar thanks to that rye. We also break down the four grain mash bill (corn, wheat, rye, malted barley) and why wheat can round out a barrel proof bourbon without sanding off the character. Along the way we lock in plans for Bourbon and Beyond on Thursday, September 24 with Foo Fighters on the lineup, hope to see you there. If you like straightforward bourbon reviews, bottle value talk, and a little life mixed in, hit play and hang with us. Subscribe, share the show with a whiskey friend, and leave us a rating so more people can find the podcast.

Send us Fan Mail A bourbon brand changes hands for $775 million and we still have to answer the only question that matters: how does it taste in the glass? We crack open Four Roses Single Barrel (red label) OESK at 100 proof, talk price and value at the $50 mark, and give you the kind of honest bourbon review you would hear from a friend across the table. We dig into the story behind the label too. Kirin bought Four Roses back in 2002 and spent decades rebuilding the brand’s presence, especially in the United States, before selling it to Gallo. We talk through what an acquisition like that can mean for a Kentucky bourbon icon, why distribution and “portfolio plays” matter, and why fans are hoping the new owner keeps the quality exactly where it is. Then we get nerdy in the best way: nose, sip, and finish. Expect toasty sweet oak, a rush of baking spice, cinnamon that stays mild, and even a little coffee-like bite. We argue over whether there’s an apple-like note hiding under the spice or if it reads more like caramel, and we’re blunt about the ending: dry oak, a bit leathery, and a finish that can leave your mouth feeling parched.  If you like bourbon tasting notes, Four Roses recipes, and real talk about what’s worth buying, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a whiskey friend, and leave a review telling us your go-to $50 bottle.

Send us Fan Mail A bourbon can be rare, expensive, and still disappoint. That’s why we finally went for it and put Jefferson’s Presidential Select 18 Year in the glass, the kind of “unicorn bourbon” people whisper about at whiskey bars and chase at auctions. This pour is tied to Stitzel-Weller barrels, distilled in 1991, bottled at 94 proof, and loaded with the kind of backstory that makes collectors argue for hours about what’s real value and what’s just hype. We walk through the Stitzel-Weller legacy and the Van Winkle family timeline so the label actually means something: how wheated bourbon became iconic, what changed when the distillery closed in the early ’90s, and how various brands ended up with those aging stocks. From there, we connect the dots on Jefferson’s origins as a non-distiller producer and why buying fully aged barrels in the late ’90s turned into a once-in-a-generation move. If you care about bourbon history, sourced whiskey, dusty whiskey, or the Pappy Van Winkle ecosystem, this is the context that makes the sip hit harder. Then we taste it for real. We talk nose, palate, mouthfeel, and finish with the details that matter: sweet caramel, toffee-like sugar, raisin and wine notes, dusty mature oak, gentle wheat character, and a surprising pop of spice for a wheater. We also get honest about the “sharing problem” with bottles like this, because some whiskeys aren’t party pours, they’re life-moment pours. If you’re into rare bourbon reviews, Jefferson’s Presidential Select, Stitzel-Weller lore, or just love a deep tasting breakdown, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a bourbon friend, and leave a review, then tell us: would you open a bottle like this or keep it sealed?

Send us Fan Mail The bourbon world loves a loud debate, and Elmer T. Lee seems built to start one: is it a smooth classic that earned its reputation, or is it an “allocated” name that rides on scarcity and Buffalo Trace hype? We pour a 90 proof single barrel sour mash and give you the honest read, including why some drinkers call it too simple while others will happily pay double or triple retail just to keep it on the shelf. Along the way, we share some real-life updates from the Whiskey Brothers universe. Our group is growing, the bottle count is growing, and we’re moving from a residential setup into a larger commercial space north of Chicago. There’s a rehab plan, new windows and floors, fresh paint, and a big new bar build so we can host tastings the way they should be: comfortable, social, and focused on sharing good whiskey with good people. Then it’s all tasting and context. We talk Buffalo Trace mash bill #2 and the high rye angle, what “single barrel” really means in practice, and why distribution and allocation can make a $40 to $50 bourbon feel like a unicorn. We also touch the legacy piece: Elmer T. Lee is often credited with bringing single barrel bourbon to the mainstream, plus the fun detail that he liked his pour over ice with a splash of 7 Up. Expect classic notes like vanilla, brown sugar, light oak, a hint of cinnamon, and a finish that fades faster than you might want, which leads straight into the real question: what price makes this a “buy” versus a hard pass? If you like bourbon reviews, Buffalo Trace comparisons, and practical buying advice for allocated whiskey, hit play, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave us a quick review. What’s the most you’d pay for Elmer T. Lee?

Send us Fan Mail A rye that drinks like a bourbon doesn’t come along every day. We tracked down the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye that snagged Whiskey Advocate’s top spot and put it through a full, honest taste test—then geeked out on why this release hits different. Think 12 years and 3 months in wood, 108 proof, and a mashbill that leans Heaven Hill classic. On the nose we found roasted nuts and cocoa instead of mint. On the palate it’s balanced and sweet-leaning—brown sugar, chocolate, seasoned oak—with a finish that lands like peppered steak: savory, tidy, and memorable without the burn. We also decode the A-B-C batch cadence and what A925 means for collectors, plus why barrel proof bottlings give a brand real credibility with serious whiskey drinkers. The conversation widens to the shifting whiskey market: fewer flashy new SKUs, more well-aged stock finally coming of age. That context matters, because age at a fair price is rare, and this bottle delivers a compelling value proposition. If you’ve avoided rye because of mint and red-hot spice, this pour might change your mind; if you’re a rye diehard, it offers nuance over noise and proof that patience shows in the glass. If you love whiskey that balances character with approachability, hit play and pour along. Subscribe, rate, and leave a review with your score—did this rye win you over or are you still team bourbon?

Send us Fan Mail A beat you can feel, a pour you can taste. We start with Outkast to set the mood, then turn to a Four Roses Single Barrel, Barrel Strength OESK that sparks a full-on exploration of how four letters can steer your bourbon journey. Our bottle is a 10-year, 4-month store pick at 116 proof, and it delivers the kind of balance that makes you sit up: maple and cherry on the nose, a first-hit pop of heat that settles into cinnamon-raisin toast, and a dry, mint-tinged finish that invites another sip. We break down the Four Roses code so you can shop smarter. The second letter signals mash bill—E for higher rye, B for lower rye—while the fourth letter reveals the yeast strain—V, K, O, Q, or F—each pushing the whiskey toward fruit, spice, floral, or herbal notes. Our take may surprise you: yeast character often shapes the glass more than mash bill once you’re already in rye territory. That’s why K, often called the “spice anchor,” can make even a lower-rye bourbon feel lively. Pair that with a decade in oak and you get structure without harshness. We also demystify store picks. These selections reflect a retailer’s palate and influence how consistent or special a bottle feels. We talk age windows—why OESK hits its stride around ten to eleven years—and value at the $100 mark, where transparency meets quality. If you want to build a palate rather than chase hype, Four Roses gives you the tools: read the letters, note the proof, consider the age, and discover what you actually like. We close with straight ratings—4.0 and 3.75—and clear buying advice so you can find your own winner. If music that refuses a box is your soundtrack, this bourbon that refuses easy labels is your companion. Tune in, subscribe for more candid tastings and practical buying tips, and drop your favorite Four Roses recipe code in a review so we can chase it next.

Send us Fan Mail After trading allocated bottles from historic brands, and a question every bourbon fan wrestles with: when does hype outpace the pour? We put E.H. Taylor Bottled-in-Bond from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection on the table after swapping out a Pappy 10 (Old Rip) and some cash to find out if the first-ever 100-proof BTAC earns its secondary price—or simply its place in history. We set the scene with why “first and only” matters here: not a one-time release, but the only bottled-in-bond in BTAC’s lineage. Then we walk through the proofing journey, from 140 proof off the still, to 125 proof into barrel, to a composed 100 in glass, along with how water choice, temperature, and integration shape the final profile. With a massive 62 percent angel’s share over 15 years and 4 months, the bourbon promises concentration, yet it prioritizes balance over brute force. On the nose, we pick up apple, maple sweetness, vanilla, caramel, and oak. The palate drifts from a quick black licorice flash to soft fruits and an elegant finish of brown sugar, cinnamon, and light pepper. The surprise is the mouthfeel—clean and approachable rather than the heavy oil and intensity BTAC fans expect from Stagg or WLW. That contrast leads to the big debate: is elegance at 100 proof a feature or a flaw in a lineup famed for high-octane hitters?  This is excellent at MSRP and a meaningful step up from standard E.H. Taylor bottled-in-bond, but a tough sell at eight times retail on the secondary market. If you love the Taylor profile and want a milestone bottle, it’s a smart pick near retail. If you’re chasing BTAC thunder, look toward Stagg or WLW. For those building value-forward shelves, we also highlight standouts like Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, Bardstown Bourbon Company releases, Ezra 7, New Riff single barrels, and reliable daily sippers when you can find them. Pour one, press play, and tell us where you land on rarity vs. flavor. If you enjoyed this breakdown, follow, share the show with a friend who loves bourbon hunts, and leave a review—your feedback helps more whiskey lovers find us.

Send us Fan Mail A single barrel Tennessee Whiskey with a blue label. We crack open Jack Daniels Single Barrel Heritage Barrel and follow the trail doubling Jack Daniel's standard toasting time to that unmistakable Tennessee smoothness, asking why this release hits sweeter on the tongue, flares pepper through the mid-palate, and settles into a tobacco echo that begs for a square of chocolate or a quiet cigar. Brian from Bottle2Bond joins us for a pour that turns skeptics into believers, spotlighting the difference toasted oak and maple charcoal filtering make without losing the Jack character fans love. We start with the signature banana-versus-not debate and move into the mechanics that shape it: non-chill filtration for texture, a lower entry proof for balance, and a quick, flare char that preserves the caramelized toast. Brian shares firsthand experience with multiple Jack Daniel's single barrels—mostly stellar, but not all of them—reminding us that single barrel means there will be small variations, but most of the time they are worth chasing. We also map the release details, pricing around $70, and why this line is meant to stay on shelves rather than vanish into hype. Beyond the glass, we dive into whiskey culture. Distillery tours that surprise, barrel picks that educate, and the Tennessee Squire Association—invite-only, rooted in heritage—show how community anchors the pour. Brian brings a maker’s angle too, walking us through his Bottle2Bond travel whiskey glass built for real-world bottle shares: compact, tough, and discreetly measured so you can taste smarter. We wrap with our SIP method—shareability, influence, price and end with a confident recommendation for anyone curious about toasted oak, Tennessee tradition, and a finish that lingers with purpose. Pour a glass, press play, and tell us what you taste—banana, graham cracker, pepper, tobacco, or something we missed. If you enjoy the show, follow, share it with a whiskey friend, and leave a quick review so more listeners can find their next great pour.

Send us Fan Mail A trusted favorite doesn’t always hit the same—and that’s exactly why we poured Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C925 and talked through what’s changing in bourbon right now. We start with the big headline: Jim Beam plans to halt production at its main distillery for 2026. Instead of doom, we see a rational move in a market correcting after years of explosive demand. Tariffs, softer export lanes, and a small but real drop in U.S. alcohol consumption—especially among younger adults—are nudging distillers to manage inventory, not abandon bourbon. From there, we get curious about how supply cycles and consumer trends shape what’s in your glass. Bourbon survived the mid-century slump, roared back in the 90s, and now sits firmly in the premium spirits tier alongside vodka, tequila, gin and rum. That foundation matters. Diversified portfolios, global distribution, and deeper brand equity make a collapse unlikely. What’s more probable? Easier finds on the shelf, more balanced pricing, and a steady stream of aged releases as warehouses remain full. Then we taste. C925 arrives at 129 proof with a rare single-digit age statement for the line— 9 yrs, 1 month. On the nose we find vanilla-forward sweetness with a touch of apple and restrained oak. The palate is syrupy with raisin and cinnamon heat, more punch than depth, and a finish that reads younger than past batches. It’s not a bad pour—just a reminder that proof and age need balance. At $70 to $90, it’s still a solid value, but if you’re new to Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, consider waiting for the next A-batch, which often brings a bit more age and complexity. We wrap with practical buying advice, some banter about Dry January, and a preview of our top whiskies list. If you love bourbon’s craft and culture, this conversation gives you a clear lens on market shifts and a grounded take on a hyped bottle. Enjoy the listen, then tell us your C925 rating and whether you’re seeing fuller shelves where you shop. If you’re into honest reviews and smart insights, follow, share, and leave a quick rating so more whiskey fans can find the show.

Send us Fan Mail A Tennessee farm kid turned bourbon influencer, Syrena—known as @shortstuffbourbon—joins us for a pour that stirs opinions and memories. We kick off with her roots in Tennessee, where corn isn’t just a crop but a bridge to whiskey, and trace how that background shaped her approach to tasting, teaching, and building a welcoming corner of whiskey Instagram. From there, we explore the current state of bourbon: pricing that keeps creeping up, the gap between MSRP and secondary, and why consistency might be the most underrated flex in bourbon. We compare notes on house pours and honest shelf buys, call out the perils of “best-of” lists stacked with expensive trophies, and share practical ways to shop by palate instead of hype. If you’re tired of chasing unicorns, you’ll find a roadmap here—reliable distilleries, smart everyday bottles, and the freedom to like what you like. Then we taste. Russell’s Reserve 13year does not disappoint. The nose shows classic bourbon comfort—vanilla, caramel, warm baking spice—with that unmistakable Wild Turkey “dusty” note. On the palate, Syrena nails a sweet tea impression surrounded by honey, dark chocolate, dried fruit, and a late pepper flick. The non-chill filtered texture brings a rich, oily mouthfeel, and the finish stacks spice in steady layers. We debate where Russell’s 13 year lands in our personal rankings, what Bruce Russell’s stewardship might mean for the brand, and how to invite new drinkers in—start with cocktails, turn down the sugar, and move toward neat when it feels right. If you enjoy real talk about value, thoughtful tasting notes, and a guest who champions craft and community, you’ll feel right at home. Tap follow, share this episode with a bourbon friend, and drop your current top bottle in a review—we’ll feature our favorites on a future show.

Send us Fan Mail Cold nights, classic rock, and a high proof pour that refuses to behave. We’re joined by Adam, the mind behind The Whiskey Social app, to unpack how running a Tennessee pizza restaurant franchise with 400-plus whiskey lists turned into a location that finally fixes the collector’s headache: out-of-date bar menus, scattered bottle notes, and no easy way to find the best pours in a new city. His, The Whiskey Social, app puts everything in one place—track your collection, post your photos and ratings, discover bars and distilleries on an interactive map, and soon join public or private clubs that move bottle shares and local meetups off clunky platforms and into a space built for whiskey lovers. From there we pour Parker’s Heritage 2025 - 19th Edition, a Heaven Hill blend that surprises at every step: 40 percent 15-year wheated bourbon, 40 percent 12-year American whiskey made from a 50-50 rye and malted barley mash bill, and 20 percent 11-year corn whiskey, all bottled at 122.5 proof. The nose teases apple, baking spice, candy-like bubblegum and a high alcohol makeup. The palate shifts hard to rye spice, seasoned oak, cocoa, and a slow, sticky finish that feels like a campfire in December. We talk who it suits (proof chasers, absolutely), when to pour it (cold nights), and how to think about price when retail sits around $180 and secondary tags climb into the $400's. Along the way, we explore why bourbon hasn’t “died,” it’s just matured; how craft instincts carry over from beer to cocktails to whiskey; and why small changes—grain bills, char levels, climate—create big differences in the glass. Adam breaks down fair-by-the-ounce pricing at his bars, the realities of access through distributors, and the hard work of building an accurate database by hand so the map actually helps you drink better. If you enjoy thoughtful, high-proof conversations paired with useful tools for how and where to sip, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves a good pour, and leave a quick review so more whiskey folks can find us.

Send us Fan Mail The list dropped and the takes are hot. We kick things off with the new Whiskey Advocate Top 20—Elijah Craig A925 at the top, Oban 15 sliding in at number two, and a well-earned spotlight on Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged—then we turn the conversation toward a bottle that always hit the spot: Weller Full Proof. If you’ve ever wondered how proof and filtration change a bourbon’s soul, this is your pour. We walk through the Weller family by color and proof and then slow down on the blue label. Non-chill filtered at 114, Full Proof carries a dessert-like nose—brown sugar, caramelized wood, a hint of cinnamon—before shifting into an oak-driven, slightly drying finish with a layered spice profile. One of us wants the nose’s sugar to stretch longer; the other leans into the structure, texture, and tannin that make it a weeder with backbone. Along the way, we unpack why chill filtering matters, what happens when you leave the oils in, and how a splash of water can coax sweetness forward without muting character. Price and access are part of the story. At $70 for a good store pick, Full Proof feels like a win; at inflated tags or secondary levels, the value case gets tougher. We get practical about finding bottles—build relationships, learn the color code, and time your visits—and we tip the cap to history, tracing Weller’s roots through Stitzel-Weller to the Pappy mash philosophy. The bigger theme is clear: quality is everywhere, and the right bottle depends on your proof tolerance and palate goals. If bold, textured wheaters are your lane, blue might be your new weeknight flex. If you want softer sweetness, the 12 Year or Special Reserve may hit just right. Pour something you love, then press play and taste along with us. Enjoyed the breakdown? Follow, share with a whiskey friend, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find the show.