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Dragon's Milk Origin Blue Dragon 2026 Review: Is a $165 Dungeons & Dragons bourbon actually worth buying, or are you paying for the collectible bottle? It's game night on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast! This week, whiskey brands are going all-in on tabletop gaming collaborations, and I'm reviewing the brand-new Dragon's Milk x Dungeons & Dragons Origin Mead Cask: Blue Dragon Edition from New Holland. But first, we've got some big whiskey news. Old Forester just unveiled its new Tribute Series Decanter, a 12-year-old, 115-proof bourbon in a gorgeous collectible bottle for $300. Booker's is also back with Southern Thunder, a 127.3-proof release honoring Booker Noe's legendary voice. And in one of the biggest industry announcements of the week, MGP Ingredients is changing its name to Sempreon, with a new NASDAQ ticker symbol: CASK. Old Elk also announced a special blended American whiskey supporting Folds of Honor scholarships for military and first responder families. Then it's time for GAME NIGHT. 🎲 Old Fitzgerald x Jonathan Adler has a $425 luxury backgammon set, while Bib & Tucker x Monopoly is bringing collectible bourbon-themed game pieces to a classic board game for just $30. Finally, it's time for this week's Byte-Sized Review of Dragon's Milk Origin Mead Cask: Blue Dragon Edition (2026). This limited-edition Dungeons & Dragons collaboration features New Holland's high-malt, pot-distilled bourbon finished in barrels previously used for house-made mead (fermented honey wine). 🥃 The specs: 100 proof (50% ABV) High-malt bourbon, pot-distilled Finished in mead casks No disclosed age statement $164.99 collectible gift set, including a Blue Dragon pour spout Online release scheduled for October 23, 2026 The tasting was genuinely different from what I expected. Sweet apricot, caramel, molasses, white wine, honeycomb, and an earthy finish that reminded me more of fermented honey wine than a typical honey-finished bourbon. It's unusual without being overly sweet, and the mead finish definitely takes center stage. Final score: 8/10. But that score considers the entire experience, including the D&D presentation and the collectible pour spout. Would I feel the same way about spending $165 if I weren't such a nerd? That's what we're getting into this week. Also in this episode: Old Forester Tribute Series, Booker's Southern Thunder, MGP becoming Sempreon, Old Elk Folds of Honor, Old Fitzgerald backgammon, and Bib & Tucker Monopoly. Which would you bring to game night: the Old Fitzgerald backgammon set, Bib & Tucker Monopoly, or Dragon's Milk Blue Dragon Bourbon?   Chapter Markers: 00:00 Intro – D&D Bourbon, Backgammon & Whiskey Game Night 00:29 Welcome + This Week's Gaming Theme 00:57 Old Forester 12 Year Tribute Series Decanter 02:47 Booker's Southern Thunder Bourbon 04:21 MGP Changes Its Name to Sempreon 05:57 Old Elk Folds of Honor Whiskey 06:59 Old Fitzgerald x Jonathan Adler Backgammon 08:52 Bib & Tucker x Monopoly 10:29 Byte-Sized Review – Dragon's Milk Blue Dragon 2026 20:34 Byte Club, Upcoming Schedule + Outro Thanks to New Holland for providing the bottle for review. Find more Bourbon Bytes livestreams, podcast episodes, Discord, and Byte Club membership at BourbonBytes.com. Cheers and game on!

Is the 2026 Russell’s Reserve 13 worth $200? This week, I’m tasting the release celebrating Eddie Russell’s 45 years at Wild Turkey and looking back at what I loved about the original and 2025 bottles. Brown sugar Pop-Tarts on the nose and cherry cola on the palate? That’s where this pour takes me, but there are a couple of things I miss from earlier releases. I share my first impressions, final score, and what I’d actually pay for a bottle. Also this week: • Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson D arrives at $300. • Old Bardstown and Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond win major awards. • Bruichladdich brings back The Laddie Rye. • Frey Ranch introduces triticale in its Third Harvest whiskey. • Holladay makes bourbon-inspired dog treats. Yes, really. Which Russell’s 13 release is your favorite? And what’s your limit on a bottle? Thanks to my friend Brandon for sharing the review sample. Find more reviews, livestreams, and Byte Club membership at https://bourbonbytes.com. Chapter Markers for the Replay Squad:  00:00 This Week on Bourbon Bytes 01:07 Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson D 03:05 Budget Bourbons Win Big: Old Bardstown & Evan Williams 05:15 Bruichladdich’s Laddie Rye Returns 06:17 Frey Ranch Third Harvest & Triticale 08:11 Holladay’s Bourbon-Inspired Dog Treats 09:18 Russell’s Reserve 13 (2026): Eddie’s 45th Anniversary 12:03 Nose: Brown Sugar Pop-Tarts 13:42 Palate & Finish: Cherry Cola and Baking Spice 14:53 How It Compares With Earlier Russell’s 13 Releases 15:39 Value, Final Score & What I’d Pay 17:26 Livestreams & Upcoming Schedule

Penelope Cigar Sessions Chapter 2 Review: Is this $80 whiskey worth buying if you don't smoke cigars? This week I'm finding out by tasting Penelope's latest collaboration with Alec Bradley Cigars both on its own and paired with an Alec Bradley Black Market cigar. But first, we're talking about something I don't get to say very often in whiskey news: older, higher-proof whiskey is actually getting more affordable. Copper & Cask just announced X Bourbon, a permanent 10-year barrel-proof release made from 10–12-year-old Indiana whiskey for just $70. Starlight Distillery is also releasing a 7-year, 110.8-proof estate-grown bourbon for $60, while newcomer Whisky Craft is offering a 21-year Highland single malt Scotch matured in first-fill bourbon barrels for just £85. We also have an important update on the devastating fire at Glenns Creek Distillery, which destroyed several historic structures at the former Old Crow site. Thankfully, nobody was injured, no bourbon was lost, and the distillery has reopened to visitors. Then The Dalmore is getting into the cigar-pairing conversation with its new 18-year Cigar Malt Signature Reserve, a premium Scotch designed to complement a good cigar. Which brings us to this week's Byte-Sized Review. Penelope Cigar Sessions: Chapter 2 was developed in collaboration with Alec Bradley Cigars, specifically to complement medium-to-full-bodied cigars. 🥃 The specs: 6 years old 117.4 proof 69% corn, 19% rye, 12% malted barley $79.99 MSRP Paired with an Alec Bradley Black Market cigar I spent an evening out on my patio trying the combination before coming back to review the whiskey on its own. And the difference genuinely surprised me. On its own, Penelope Cigar Sessions Chapter 2 delivers cinnamon, cardamom, brown sugar, vanilla cream, strawberry, chocolate, and a sweet dessert-like profile. But paired with the cigar, the brighter fruit notes really come alive against the darker tobacco flavors. It's enjoyable on its own, but at $80, I think the pairing is where this release really proves itself. Also in this episode: Copper & Cask X Bourbon, Starlight's new estate bourbon, Whisky Craft First Light 21 Year Scotch, the Glenns Creek Distillery fire update, and The Dalmore 18 Year Cigar Malt. Would you pay $80 for a whiskey specifically designed to go with a cigar? And what's your favorite whiskey and cigar pairing? Whiskey and cigar samples were provided by Penelope and Alec Bradley for review. Find more Bourbon Bytes, join the Byte Club, and hang out in Discord at BourbonBytes.com.   Chapter Markers: 00:00 Intro – Affordable Aged Whiskey + Penelope Cigar Sessions 00:27 Welcome + This Week's Theme 01:38 Copper & Cask X 10 Year Barrel Proof Bourbon 03:12 Starlight 7 Year Estate Bourbon 05:29 Whisky Craft First Light 21 Year Scotch 07:29 Glenns Creek Distillery Fire Update 08:41 The Dalmore 18 Year Cigar Malt 10:11 Byte-Sized Review – Penelope Cigar Sessions Chapter 2 + Alec Bradley Pairing 20:29 Final Thoughts + Outro

Bulleit ’87 Review: Bulleit just added a $30 bourbon-and-rye blend to its permanent lineup — and I did not expect to like it this much. Before we get to the review, this week’s Bourbon Bytes is packed with seriously interesting whiskey news. Dark Arts Whiskey House is releasing a massive 19-year-old Kentucky bourbon finished for seven years in Japanese Mizunara oak. The six-barrel Chief Alchemist Reserve comes in at 115 proof and a staggering $500. Jim Beam is also bringing back Baker’s 13 Year Single Barrel for 2026. It’s bottled at 107 proof and priced at $150, giving Beam fans another well-aged option alongside Knob Creek and Booker’s. Then Willett takes one of its most recognizable — and most divisive — bottles and gives it a serious upgrade. Willett Pot Still Reserve Cask Strength is coming nationwide for around $67, which might finally convince some skeptics to give the famous bottle another chance. And this might be the most Bourbon Bytes story of the week: A new Lord of the Rings whiskey is coming from New Zealand. Pōkeno Ringbearer celebrates the 25th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings with whiskey matured across first-fill bourbon, virgin oak, Muscat, and Manuka honey casks. At around $109, it might be one of the coolest nerd-culture whiskey releases of the year. Copperworks also celebrates Craft Malt Month with a high-proof American single malt supporting the Craft Maltsters Guild, while Pursuit Spirits and Shortbarrel team up for a spooky-season bourbon-and-rye blend called Found Footage. Then it’s time for this week’s Byte-Sized Review: Bulleit ’87. This new core release blends Kentucky bourbon and Indiana rye whiskey, with both components aged at least four years before being finished with toasted American and French oak staves. It’s bottled at 90 proof and costs just $30. Expect sweet corn, marshmallow fluff, vanilla, orange citrus, baking spice, toasted oak, and enough rye spice to keep everything from becoming overly sweet. For the money, this might be one of the strongest new everyday American whiskey releases I’ve tried this year. 🥃 Topics covered: Dark Arts 19 Year Mizunara Bourbon Baker’s 13 Year Single Barrel 2026 Willett Pot Still Reserve Cask Strength Pōkeno Ringbearer Lord of the Rings Whiskey Copperworks Craft Malt Month release Pursuit x Shortbarrel Found Footage Bulleit ’87 bourbon-and-rye blend Would you give Bulleit ’87 a shot at $30? YOUTUBE CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro – $500 Bourbon, Willett & Lord of the Rings Whiskey 00:29 Welcome + Episode Setup 01:07 Dark Arts 19 Year Mizunara Bourbon 03:22 Baker’s 13 Year Single Barrel 04:33 Willett Pot Still Reserve Cask Strength 06:06 Pōkeno Ringbearer Lord of the Rings Whiskey 07:52 Copperworks Craft Malt Month Release 09:29 Pursuit x Shortbarrel Found Footage 11:17 Byte-Sized Review – Bulleit ’87 19:01 Outro

Blue Note Cherry Wood Cask Review: This week I’m tasting the brand-new Blue Note Cherry Wood Cask Volume 1, a cask-strength bourbon finished in wild cherry wood from France — but first, the whiskey world somehow gets even weirder. Beam has two major releases on the way. The second-ever Booker’s rye takes things in a completely unexpected direction with apple brandy cask finishing and cinnamon infusion, while Little Book The Infinite Edition III continues Freddie Noe’s infinity experiment with whiskey including a 23-year-old Knob Creek component originally distilled under Booker Noe. Chicken C**k is also celebrating its 170th anniversary with an 8-year, 115-proof bourbon and a seriously cool vintage-inspired ceramic rooster decanter. Then we get to one of the strangest whiskey stories I’ve covered all year: Tamworth Distilling’s Deerslayer Whiskey, a venison-flavored whiskey made with red deer meat. Yes. Actual venison. On the other end of the spectrum, the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired partnered with Northside Distilling on a limited Braille Bourbon featuring a tactile Braille label and raising money to support people adapting to vision loss. Blue Note also announced wider distribution for its Honey Bourbon Cask and Honey Rye Cask releases, which leads perfectly into this week’s Byte-Sized Review. Blue Note Cherry Wood Cask Volume 1 is a 119.4-proof, unfiltered bourbon finished for four months in wild cherry wood casks sourced from the Jura region of eastern France. And an important distinction: these barrels didn’t contain cherries. The flavor is coming from the cherry wood itself. The result genuinely surprised me. Expect bright red fruit, cherry and red apple skin, fresh oak, vanilla, caramel, sweetness, spice, and a finish strong enough that it almost gives me Manhattan vibes without actually tasting artificially flavored. At about $65, this ended up being one of my favorite finished bourbons I’ve had in quite a while.   On the gaming side, I also break down Microsoft’s latest Xbox restructuring, Activision taking a larger role with Halo, and Hideo Kojima’s PHYSINT moving from PlayStation publishing to Xbox. 🥃 Topics covered: Booker’s 2026 rye release Little Book The Infinite Edition III Chicken C**k 170th Anniversary Tamworth Deerslayer Venison Whiskey Braille Bourbon Blue Note Honey Bourbon and Honey Rye Xbox restructuring and Halo Hideo Kojima’s PHYSINT Blue Note Cherry Wood Cask Volume 1 review Would you try cherry wood-finished bourbon — and would you EVER drink whiskey made with venison? YouTube Chapter Markers: 00:00 Intro – Venison Whiskey, Little Book & Blue Note 00:30 Welcome + Whiskey Gets Weird 01:02 Booker’s Rye + Little Book Infinite Edition III 03:37 Chicken C**k 170th Anniversary Decanter 05:45 Deerslayer Venison Whiskey?! 08:26 Braille Bourbon 10:45 Blue Note Honey Bourbon + Honey Rye 12:09 Xbox Restructuring + Halo Moves to Activision 13:44 Hideo Kojima’s PHYSINT Moves to Xbox 15:15 Byte-Sized Review – Blue Note Cherry Wood Cask Volume 1 23:03 Byte Club + Outro

Redwood Empire 'The Hyperion' Whiskey Review: I’m getting an early taste of Batch 001, one of Redwood Empire’s most ambitious releases yet — but first, Pappy season is officially here and the whiskey news gets weird. The Van Winkle family has announced the 2026 Pappy lineup, with six expressions ranging from Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year all the way up to Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year and the 13 Year Family Reserve Rye. Retail prices continue to creep upward, but they’re still nowhere near what these bottles command on the secondary market. Then MGP steps out from behind the curtain with Chapter One: Out of the Shadows, its first whiskey ever released under the MGP name. It’s a 10-year, 111-proof bourbon aged in Lawrenceburg, Indiana — and at just $70, it might be one of the most interesting values of LE season. Neeley Family Distillery also debuts PaPaw’s Legacy Reserve, a 10-year cask-strength wheated bourbon with a unique Solera-style story and a much more intimidating $300 price tag. We’ve also got 2XO Rapper’s Delight, a collaboration between Dixon Dedman and The Sugarhill Gang, plus one of the strangest releases of the year: WhistlePig Boss Hog XIII: The Golden Pharaoh, finished with Egyptian black honey and tiger nuts. Yes, tiger nuts. Then it’s time for the main event: my review of Redwood Empire The Hyperion Batch 001. This new annual limited edition combines FOUR different categories of whiskey: 🥃 32% Bourbon Whiskey 🥃 30% Rye Whiskey 🥃 25% Wheat Whiskey 🥃 13% Single Malt Whiskey The blend pulls together more than 10 mash bills, whiskey aged from 7 to 14 years, and distillate from multiple states before being re-barreled in freshly toasted char #3 barrels. At 110 proof and $99 MSRP, it sounds incredibly ambitious. But does it actually work? Would you rather spend $100 on an experimental blend like Hyperion, or stick with a traditional limited-edition bourbon? YOUTUBE CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro – Pappy, MGP, WhistlePig & Hyperion 00:27 Welcome + LE Season 00:53 Pappy Van Winkle 2026 Lineup 02:42 MGP Chapter One: Out of the Shadows 04:11 Neeley PaPaw’s Legacy Reserve 06:09 2XO Rapper’s Delight 07:47 WhistlePig Boss Hog XIII: The Golden Pharaoh 09:48 Redwood Empire Hyperion Whiskey Review 17:43 Outro

Bourbon Heritage Month is officially heating up, and this week’s Bourbon Bytes is packed with limited-edition whiskey news, a huge Nintendo surprise, and a fall-ready Elijah Craig review. Heaven Hill kicks things off with the 20th Parker’s Heritage Collection: a 14-year Kentucky straight bourbon made using rye backset during fermentation. Bottled at 118 proof and limited to just 100 barrels, this is one of the releases I’m most excited to hunt this fall. Brown-Forman is also bringing Kentucky Boy Bourbon back from the dead for a special release honoring master distiller Chris Morris’ 50-year career, while Four Roses is blending a massive 23-year-old OESK component into its 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch. Then Woodinville finally reaches double-digit age with its first 10 Year Bourbon, and Ardbeg adds a new permanent 15-year-old expression, Trudernish, to its core lineup. On the gaming side, Nintendo dropped one of the biggest nostalgia bombs of the year: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is getting a full Nintendo Switch 2 remake. We’re talking modernized visuals, fully voiced cutscenes, expanded dialogue, orchestral music, and a November 5 release date. As someone who grew up with classic Nintendo, this one hit me right in the nostalgia. Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of the 2025 Elijah Craig Ryder Cup Limited Edition. This 94-proof bourbon takes classic Elijah Craig and finishes it with toasted sugar maple and applewood staves as a nod to the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York. The result surprised me. Expect oak, brown sugar, caramel pie crust, cinnamon, baked apple, maple sweetness, and a rich dessert-like profile that immediately made me think of warm apple pie at Thanksgiving. Originally released around $70 and now showing up in some markets for considerably less, is this forgotten Ryder Cup bottle actually worth grabbing? 🥃 Topics covered: Parker’s Heritage 14 Year Bourbon Kentucky Boy Bourbon returns Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch Woodinville 10 Year Bourbon Ardbeg Trudernish 15 Year The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake Nintendo Switch 2 Elijah Craig 2025 Ryder Cup Limited Edition review Is this the best Elijah Craig Ryder Cup release yet?   Chapter Markers: 00:00 Intro – Parker’s Heritage, Zelda & Elijah Craig 00:30 Welcome + Bourbon Heritage Month 01:35 Parker’s Heritage 14 Year Rye Backset Bourbon 03:10 Kentucky Boy Bourbon Returns 05:01 Four Roses 2026 Limited Edition Small Batch 06:44 Woodinville 10 Year Bourbon 08:27 Ardbeg Trudernish 15 Year 09:27 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake 11:32 Byte Club + Bourbon Bytes Update 12:29 Byte-Sized Review – Elijah Craig 2025 Ryder Cup 18:35 Outro

Beautiful bottles and brilliant blends are the unofficial theme of this week’s Bourbon Bytes Podcast. Jim Beam is bringing back one of its most collectible pieces of bourbon history with the Ten-Pin Decanter. Inspired by the bowling-pin bottles that date back to the 1950s, the new release holds 10-year-old, 100-proof Jim Beam bourbon and will be available in limited quantities at the American Outpost in Clermont. Brough Brothers is also celebrating Louisville history with two new bottles created in partnership with the Belle of Louisville, the world’s oldest operating Mississippi River steamboat. The 96-proof Captain’s Cut and 118-proof Cask Strength releases feature commemorative artwork, with proceeds helping support preservation of the historic ship. Then things get experimental. Redwood Empire The Hyperion Batch 001 combines four different styles of whiskey — bourbon, rye, wheat whiskey, and single malt — using more than 10 mash bills and whiskey ranging from 7 to 14 years old. And Cedar Ridge’s 2026 Anniversary Edition takes finishing to another level, combining bourbon finished in Madeira, Napa Cabernet, PX Sherry, Tawny Port, and Tokaji casks. On the gaming side, I’m also breaking down some of my favorite announcements from Gamescom Opening Night Live, including RollerCoaster Tycoon: Wonderworks, Age Twisters, new Mega Man and Rayman games, Final Fantasy VII Revelation, and a free Witcher 3 remaster upgrade. Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of Stetson Kentucky Straight Bourbon. This new collaboration between Stetson, Green River Distilling Co., and Bardstown Bourbon Company is a 100-proof high-rye bourbon blended by Dan Calloway after a three-year sourcing and tasting process. The whiskey carries a reported average age of seven years and comes in one of the most striking bottles I’ve seen all year. But does the bourbon inside live up to the presentation? Expect milk chocolate, caramel, fudge, peanut butter, oak, dark red fruit, baking spice, and a sweet candy-shop profile that stays impressively balanced at 100 proof. 🥃 Topics covered: Jim Beam Ten-Pin Decanter Brough Brothers x Belle of Louisville Redwood Empire The Hyperion Cedar Ridge 2026 Anniversary Edition Gamescom Opening Night Live highlights RollerCoaster Tycoon: Wonderworks Final Fantasy VII Revelation The Witcher 3 Remastered Stetson Bourbon review What matters more to you: a beautiful bottle, or what’s actually inside it?   Chapter Markers: 00:00 Intro – Jim Beam, Redwood Empire, Gamescom & Stetson 00:30 Welcome + Episode Setup 00:58 Jim Beam Ten-Pin Decanter Returns 01:53 Brough Brothers x Belle of Louisville 02:50 Redwood Empire The Hyperion 04:13 Cedar Ridge Five-Cask Anniversary Bourbon 05:20 Gamescom Opening Night Live Highlights 07:40 Byte-Sized Review – Stetson Bourbon 14:34 Outro

This week on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, allocated whiskey season is heating up — and I’m reviewing an 8-year Willett-distilled single barrel that somehow sold for under $100. Sazerac kicks things off with Mr. Sam Tribute Whiskey Batch 4, a 131.08-proof blend of American and Canadian whiskey honoring Seagram legend Sam Bronfman. Then we look at Japan’s push for stronger geographic protection for Japanese whisky and what that could mean for consumers. Maker’s Mark also announced Cellar Aged 2026, blending 11-, 12-, and 14-year-old bourbons at 112.1 proof, while Bardstown Bourbon Company revealed two new fall releases: Lochs of Jura Barrel Finish and the latest Discovery Series, finished in Garryana oak. And on the gaming side: if you’ve been thinking about buying a Nintendo Switch 2, you may want to move quickly. The console is getting a $50 price increase to $499.99 on September 1. Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of Onyx & Amber 8 Year Single Barrel Bourbon, selected by fellow Whiskeytuber Indpndnt Joe in collaboration with The Barrel Tap. The bottle lists an undisclosed Bardstown distillery, but in the episode I identify the distillate as Willett. It’s 8 years old, 119.6 proof, aged in Colorado, and originally sold for just $95. Expect dark brown sugar, caramel, vanilla-bean ice cream, cinnamon, oak, tobacco, sweet cherry, muscadine grape, and a long, evolving finish. At that price, this one seriously impressed me. 🥃 Topics covered: Mr. Sam Tribute Whiskey Batch 4 Japanese whisky GI protections Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2026 Bardstown Bourbon Company Lochs of Jura Bardstown Discovery 2026 + Garryana oak Nintendo Switch 2 price increase Onyx & Amber 8 Year Willett single barrel review Would you pay $95 for an 8-year cask-strength Willett single barrel?   YouTube Chapter Markers: 00:00 Intro – Maker’s Mark, Mr. Sam, Switch 2 & Willett 00:30 Welcome + Allocated Whiskey Season 00:54 Mr. Sam Tribute Whiskey Batch 4 02:51 Japanese Whisky GI Protection 04:31 Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 2026 05:55 Bardstown Bourbon Company Fall Releases 08:56 Nintendo Switch 2 Price Hike 09:50 Byte-Sized Review – Onyx & Amber 8 Year Willett Single Barrel 17:53 Heaven Hill Livestream + Outro

This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, Buffalo Trace has one of the most talked-about releases of the year on the way — and I finally got my hands on a Weller bottle I’ve somehow never reviewed. Garrison Brothers kicks things off with its 2026 Cowboy Bourbon, an 8+ year Texas bourbon bottled at a massive 141 proof, along with the first cask-strength single-barrel version of Laguna Madre. Then Buffalo Trace brings the heat with the Elmer T. Lee 40th Anniversary Cask Strength, an uncut and unfiltered 127.8-proof release using Mash Bill #2 — putting it in very rare company alongside Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel. Jameson is also expanding its U.S. lineup with Distiller’s Batch, matured across five different oak types and arriving this September. And because Bourbon Bytes is whiskey news with a gaming twist, I’m also running through some of the biggest August game releases, including Big Walk, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered on Switch 2, Grounded 2, and the very Star Fox-inspired Wild Blue Skies. Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of Weller Single Barrel Bourbon — the elusive orange-label Weller. I finally found one at retail for about $69. At 97 proof, this single-barrel wheated bourbon surprised me with considerably more oak than expected, plus honey-coated oatmeal, vanilla, dried fruit, caramel, brown sugar, and a profile that reminded me of an older, proofed-down Weller Antique 107. But rarity doesn’t automatically make a whiskey worth chasing. 🥃 Topics covered: Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon 2026 Garrison Brothers Laguna Madre Cask Strength Elmer T. Lee 40th Anniversary Cask Strength Jameson Distiller’s Batch Big Walk Oblivion Remastered on Switch 2 Grounded 2 Wild Blue Skies Weller Single Barrel Bourbon review Weller Single Barrel vs. Antique 107 Final score and whether it’s worth secondary prices Would you buy Weller Single Barrel at retail — and how much is too much for the orange label?   YouTube chapter markers 00:00 Intro – Garrison Brothers, Elmer T. Lee, Games & Weller 00:28 Welcome + Episode Setup 01:09 Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon + Laguna Madre 03:39 Elmer T. Lee Cask Strength 05:14 Jameson Distiller’s Batch 06:23 Byte Club Shoutout 07:19 August Video Game Releases 07:24 Big Walk 08:39 Oblivion Remastered on Switch 2 09:05 Grounded 2 09:49 Wild Blue Skies 11:12 Byte-Sized Review – Weller Single Barrel 19:49 Outro

This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re turning up the proof with hazmat brandy, cask-strength rye, coconut-inspired Scotch, a potentially huge win for retro gamers, and a throwback review of one of the best Canadian whiskies I’ve ever tasted. Copper & Kings is making several former distillery exclusives available online, including a 10-year rum-finished apple brandy at 147.6 proof, a 9-year apple brandy at 145.4 proof, and a 12-year American brandy at 119.2 proof. Old Overholt is also back with a new 11-year Cask Strength Rye. The 2026 release comes in at 125.6 proof, making it notably stronger than the previous 11-year edition. Then The Macallan closes out its Harmony Collection with two coconut-inspired releases: Inspired by Fresh Coconut and Inspired by Toasted Coconut. They are not flavored whiskies, but their tasting profiles promise coconut milk, lime, tropical fruit, crème caramel, white chocolate, charred pineapple, and frangipane. On the gaming side, a leaked Xbox plan could be a major win for physical media collectors. The rumored disc-to-digital program would let players register physical Xbox One games as digital copies, with Xbox 360 support potentially following later. Finally, it’s time for a throwback Byte-Sized Review of J.P. Wiser’s 23 Year Old Cask Strength Canadian Whisky. Originally released in 2019, this blend of 23-year-old corn and rye whiskies was bottled at a massive 128.6 proof and originally sold for around $149 Canadian—approximately $106 US at the time. Seven years later, it still delivers bright citrus, blueberry, caramel, vanilla, rye bread, syrupy honey texture, cinnamon-roll sweetness, subtle oak, vintage tobacco, and an exceptionally long finish. Is this still one of the best Canadian whiskies ever released? 🥃 Topics covered: Copper & Kings hazmat apple brandies Old Overholt 11 Year Cask Strength Rye The Macallan Harmony Collection coconut releases Xbox’s rumored disc-to-digital game program J.P. Wiser’s 23 Year Cask Strength review How the whisky holds up seven years later Final score and whether anything comparable exists today What older bottle would you most like to revisit with your current palate?   Chapter Markers: 00:00 Intro – Hazmat Brandy, Old Overholt, Xbox & J.P. Wiser’s 00:34 Welcome + Episode Setup 00:56 Copper & Kings Hazmat Brandy Releases 02:48 Old Overholt 11 Year Cask Strength Rye 03:48 The Macallan’s Coconut-Inspired Whiskies 06:01 Xbox Disc-to-Digital Leak 08:39 Throwback Review – J.P. Wiser’s 23 Year Cask Strength 16:27 No Livestream This Week + Outro

This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re wrapping up July with a shorter episode packed with whiskey news, AI controversy, celebrity whiskey moves, and a bourbon review with a meaningful story behind it. The 15-month U.S. tariff on Scotch is officially over, but will bottle prices actually come back down? Then we look at CASKD AI, a new whiskey-focused artificial intelligence tool built for Scotch enthusiasts, collectors, market valuations, and bottle research. Beyoncé is also making a major move in the whiskey world by taking full ownership of SirDavis American Whisky after originally launching the brand with Moët Hennessy. Does this mean more SirDavis releases are coming? We also cover new releases from Bib & Tucker, Dancing Goat Distillery, and Bulleit, including a bottled-in-bond bourbon, older MGP-sourced whiskey, American single malt, and the new Bulleit ’87 bourbon-and-rye blend. Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of Locke + Co Big Blaze Bourbon. This Colorado-finished Kentucky bourbon supports firefighters and first responders, with 10% of sales benefiting Grand County, Colorado. The whiskey is finished with charred Aspen discs sourced from the East Troublesome Fire area, creating a story-driven bottle with toasted oak, vanilla, muscadine grape, bitter chocolate, and sweet vanilla finish. Small correction: I accidentally refer to the brand as “Locke + Key” in the audio, but the correct name is Locke + Co. 🥃 Topics covered: Scotch tariffs officially ending CASKD AI and whiskey research Beyoncé taking full ownership of SirDavis Whisky Bib & Tucker 8 Year Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Dancing Goat 10 Year Bourbon and American Single Malt Bulleit ’87 Bourbon + Rye Blend Locke + Co Big Blaze Bourbon review   YouTube Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro – Scotch Tariffs, Whiskey AI, Beyoncé & Locke + Co 00:30 Welcome + Episode Setup 00:58 Scotch Tariffs Are Officially Over 03:05 CASKD AI for Whiskey Collectors 05:23 Beyoncé Takes Full Ownership of SirDavis 07:17 Bib & Tucker 8 Year Bottled-in-Bond 08:34 Dancing Goat 10 Year Bourbon + American Single Malt 10:02 Bulleit ’87 Bourbon + Rye Blend 11:22 Byte-Sized Review – Locke + Co Big Blaze Bourbon 16:55 Outro + First Responder Tribute Would you use AI to research whiskey, or would you rather trust reviewers and your own palate?

This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re diving into a packed lineup of new whiskey releases before revisiting one of my favorite barrel-strength rye whiskeys of all time: Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye. New Riff is releasing its oldest Headliner blend yet, featuring 10+ year components including malted rye bourbon, rye, and Balboa rye. Bardstown Bourbon Company is getting tropical with Victoria Pineapple Finished Whiskey, a bourbon and rye blend finished in pineapple rum casks with fresh pineapple added to the barrel. Yellowstone is back with a limited edition finished in ruby and tawny port casks, and Heaven Hill is unveiling a first-of-its-kind Double Mash Bottled-in-Bond bourbon that blends its traditional bourbon mash bill with its wheated bourbon mash bill. Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye. This 2016 release is one of the earlier batches of Michter’s barrel-strength rye, likely around 113–114 proof, and it gave me a very different experience than I remembered from later releases. Expect an herbaceous rye nose, mint, citrus, vintage copper notes, brown sugar, burnt sugar, oak, plum, cinnamon, clove, and a long holiday-spice finish. I used to think of Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye as one of my favorite rye whiskeys ever — but does this older bottle still hold up in 2026? 🥃 Topics covered: New Riff 2026 Headliner Blend Bardstown Bourbon Company Victoria Pineapple Finished Whiskey Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbon Heaven Hill Double Mash Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye review How older Michter’s releases compare to modern bottles Final score and whether vintage bottles are worth hunting Would you rather try Bardstown’s pineapple-finished whiskey or hunt down an older Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye?   YouTube Chapter Markers: 00:00 Intro – New Riff, Bardstown, Heaven Hill & Michter’s Rye 00:28 Welcome + Episode Setup 01:23 New Riff 2026 Headliner Blend 03:54 Bardstown Victoria Pineapple Finished Whiskey 06:05 Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbon 06:58 Heaven Hill Double Mash Bottled-in-Bond 08:22 Byte-Sized Review – Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye 15:34 Re-Reviewing Old Favorites + Outro

This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast... Kavalan shocked the whiskey world at the 2026 International Whisky Competition, taking three of the top five spots with Taiwanese single malt releases including the Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask, Solist Ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength, and Solist Madeira Cask. Then Buffalo Trace announced Camp Buffalo Trace, a new 21+ summer camp-style experience featuring bourbon education, blind tastings, single barrel challenges, barrel stave workshops, and even overnight luxury camping at the distillery. Buffalo Trace also quietly revealed a new Bourbon Lemonade canned cocktail, made with Buffalo Trace bourbon and real lemon juice, available at the distillery this summer. Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of a Buffalo Trace Single Barrel Store Pick from K&L Wine and Spirits. This 9 year, 2 month Buffalo Trace store pick was bottled in a 1.75L handle for around $65, making it one of the best values I’ve found from Buffalo Trace in a while. It brings classic Buffalo Trace character with extra age, oak, brown sugar pastry, candied apple, cherry, caramel, chocolate, and a surprisingly solid finish for 90 proof. Is this the best way to drink Buffalo Trace? 🥃 Topics covered: Kavalan’s massive International Whisky Competition sweep Camp Buffalo Trace luxury bourbon camping Buffalo Trace Bourbon Lemonade canned cocktail What makes Buffalo Trace store picks different K&L Wine and Spirits Buffalo Trace single barrel review Final score and whether store picks are worth hunting YouTube Chapter Markers: 00:00 Intro – Kavalan, Camp Buffalo Trace & Store Pick Review 00:29 Welcome + Episode Setup 00:58 Kavalan Sweeps the International Whisky Competition 03:03 Camp Buffalo Trace 06:13 Buffalo Trace Bourbon Lemonade 08:01 Byte-Sized Review – Buffalo Trace Single Barrel Store Pick 17:06 Byte Club + Outro Would you grab a Buffalo Trace store pick over the standard bottle?

This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re talking about major whiskey and gaming news before diving into a double Byte-Sized Review of SHĀNG whiskey — a first-of-its-kind fusion of Chinese baijiu tradition and Kentucky whiskey aging. Barton 1792 just announced two major releases: its first-ever 1792 Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey and 1792 XV, a 15-year-old cask-strength, unfiltered bourbon that marks the oldest age-stated expression in the brand’s history. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail also added four new destinations, including Pursuit Spirits, giving a major milestone moment to a brand that started as a whiskey podcast. On the gaming side, Microsoft announced one of the biggest restructures in Xbox history, including thousands of job cuts and a major shift in strategy. Then it’s time for the main event: a double review of SHĀNG’s new jiàngxiāng whiskey releases. First up is SHĀNG Dàn Yǎ, made from Chinese sauce-aroma baijiu that is redistilled and aged in charred American oak in Kentucky. Then I review SHĀNG East + West Kentucky Blend, which combines that baijiu-based whiskey with American red sorghum whiskey. These are unlike anything I’ve reviewed before: sweet, earthy, savory, smoky, honeyed, mezcal-like, Islay-adjacent, and completely unique. 🥃 Topics covered: 1792 Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey 1792 XV 15 Year Cask Strength Bourbon Kentucky Bourbon Trail adds Pursuit Spirits Microsoft and Xbox restructuring What is SHĀNG jiàngxiāng whiskey? SHĀNG Dàn Yǎ review SHĀNG East + West Kentucky Blend review Final scores and which bottle I’d recommend first Would you try baijiu whiskey, or is this too far outside traditional American whiskey?   YouTube Chapter Markers: 00:00 Intro – Barton 1792, Bourbon Trail, Xbox & SHĀNG 00:32 Welcome + Episode Setup 01:07 Barton 1792 Rye + 1792 XV Bourbon 04:49 Kentucky Bourbon Trail Adds Pursuit Spirits 06:13 Microsoft Announces Major Xbox Restructure 08:58 Double Byte-Sized Review – SHĀNG Whiskey 11:41 SHĀNG Dàn Yǎ Review 15:21 SHĀNG East + West Kentucky Blend Review