Bourbon Bytes Podcast

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 & Willett00:30 Welcome + Allocated Whiskey Season00:54 Mr. Sam Tribute Whiskey Batch 402:51 Japanese Whisky GI Protection04:31 Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged 202605:55 Bardstown Bourbon Company Fall Releases08:56 Nintendo Switch 2 Price Hike09:50 Byte-Sized Review – Onyx & Amber 8 Year Willett Single Barrel17:53 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 Rye00:28 Welcome + Episode Setup01:23 New Riff 2026 Headliner Blend03:54 Bardstown Victoria Pineapple Finished Whiskey06:05 Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbon06:58 Heaven Hill Double Mash Bottled-in-Bond08:22 Byte-Sized Review – Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye15:34 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 Review00:29 Welcome + Episode Setup00:58 Kavalan Sweeps the International Whisky Competition03:03 Camp Buffalo Trace06:13 Buffalo Trace Bourbon Lemonade08:01 Byte-Sized Review – Buffalo Trace Single Barrel Store Pick17:06 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 & SHĀNG00:32 Welcome + Episode Setup01:07 Barton 1792 Rye + 1792 XV Bourbon04:49 Kentucky Bourbon Trail Adds Pursuit Spirits06:13 Microsoft Announces Major Xbox Restructure08:58 Double Byte-Sized Review – SHĀNG Whiskey11:41 SHĀNG Dàn Yǎ Review15:21 SHĀNG East + West Kentucky Blend Review

This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re heading into July 4th weekend with a packed lineup of whiskey and gaming news before reviewing one of Maker’s Mark’s biggest experiments yet: Star Hill Farm 2026.
Bulleit just announced its oldest rye ever: a 20-year-old, 137-proof release limited to 1,776 bottles for America’s 250th anniversary. Redwood Empire is also back with Colonel Armstrong Wheated Bourbon, a new $40 four-grain release blending Northern California grain-to-glass whiskey with Kentucky and Indiana high-wheat bourbon.
We also talk about Dragon Con Bourbon, a nerdy collaboration with Atlanta’s Old Fourth Distillery, and Sweetens Cove Father’s Finish, a bourbon finished in cuvée wine barrels with a golf-themed cork design.
On the gaming side, Nintendo finally brings Star Fox to the Switch 2 with a modern remake of Star Fox 64.
Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm 2026.
This is not bourbon. It’s an American wheat whiskey made with 27% wheat, 62% malted wheat, and 11% malted barley, designed to highlight estate-grown grain and regenerative agriculture at Maker’s Mark.
At 116.4 proof and around $120, Star Hill Farm 2026 brings cola, vanilla cream, tart cherry, powdered sugar, brûléed sugar, and dessert-like sweetness. But does it deliver enough complexity to justify the price?
🥃 Topics covered:
Bulleit 20 Year Rye
Redwood Empire Colonel Armstrong Wheated Bourbon
Dragon Con Bourbon
Sweetens Cove Father’s Finish
Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2
Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm 2026 review
Final score and whether it’s worth buying
Would you pay $100-$120 for Maker’s Mark’s new wheat whiskey experiment?
YouTube Chapter Markers
00:00 Intro – Bulleit, Dragon Con, Star Fox & Star Hill Farm00:28 Welcome + July 4th Weekend Setup01:14 Bulleit 20 Year Rye03:07 Redwood Empire Colonel Armstrong Wheated Bourbon03:59 Dragon Con Bourbon05:23 Sweetens Cove Father’s Finish06:24 Star Fox Comes to Nintendo Switch 207:53 Byte-Sized Review – Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm 202615:56 Outro + Community Question

It’s the 100th episode of the Bourbon Bytes podcast!
This week, I’m celebrating the milestone with a packed whiskey news lineup and a special Byte-Sized Review of Little Book The Infinite: Edition II from Jim Beam.
Willett filled the first barrel at its new Springfield distillery, Bacardi is taking full ownership of Teeling Irish Whiskey, Four Roses officially announced its first Experimental Series release finished in Japanese Mizunara oak, Blade & Bow is launching a 12-year Solera Reserve bourbon, and Frey Ranch released its first 10-year bourbon.
We also talk about the new “day cap” drinking trend, because apparently Gen Z may have just rebranded happy hour.
Then it’s time for the main event: Little Book The Infinite: Edition II.
This special Jim Beam family blend brings together 22-year bourbon distilled by Booker Noe, 10-year bourbon distilled by Fred Noe, and 7-year bourbon from Freddie Noe. It is bottled uncut and unfiltered at 120.4 proof, and it might be one of the best bourbons I’ve ever reviewed on the podcast.
Expect deep mahogany oak, vanilla, cinnamon, rich sweetness, charred barrel spice, incredible balance, and a full-bodied finish that drinks far below its proof.
🥃 Topics covered:
100th episode thank-you
Willett’s new Springfield distillery fills its first barrel
Bacardi takes full ownership of Teeling Irish Whiskey
Four Roses Experimental Series #1 Mizunara Oak
Blade & Bow 12 Year Solera Reserve
Frey Ranch 10 Year Bourbon
The “day cap” trend
Little Book The Infinite: Edition II review
Final score and whether it is worth $180–$200
Thank you all for listening, supporting, and helping Bourbon Bytes reach 100 episodes. Cheers and game on!
 
Chapter Markers:
00:00 100th Episode Intro00:28 Welcome + Thank You for 100 Episodes01:09 Willett Fills First Barrel at Springfield Distillery02:15 Bacardi Takes Ownership of Teeling Irish Whiskey03:25 Four Roses Experimental Series Mizunara Oak04:42 Blade & Bow 12 Year Solera Reserve06:02 Frey Ranch 10 Year Bourbon06:44 Is the Day Cap the New Night Cap?08:55 Byte-Sized Review – Little Book The Infinite Edition II15:16 100th Episode Outro

This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re covering one of the most ambitious American whiskey projects ever attempted before diving into a smoky, double-barreled Kentucky bourbon.
Booker’s is back with the new Milkshake Batch, inspired by Booker Noe’s love of bourbon-spiked chocolate malted milkshakes. Green River has announced its oldest bourbon yet: an 8-year Distillery Select Toasted Double Oak release bottled at 115.1 proof.
We also look at two very different celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary. Breckenridge Distillery is releasing its Patriotic Reserve Bourbon, while Lost Lantern has created a bourbon blend featuring whiskey sourced from all 50 states.
Then Coors Whiskey Company enters the American malt category with an 8-year limited release made with Colorado and Coors malts.
Finally, it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of Burnt Tavern Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
This 7-year-old, 105-proof bourbon is double-barreled in specially toasted and charred oak, creating notes of vanilla, toasted marshmallow, barbecue smoke, chocolate-chip cookies, caramelized crust, oak, and lingering chocolate.
Does all that smoke and char enhance the bourbon—or overpower what could be an excellent base whiskey?
The review bottle was provided by Burnt Tavern. All opinions are my own.
🥃 Topics covered:
Booker’s Bourbon Milkshake Batch
Green River Distillery Select Toasted Double Oak
Breckenridge Patriotic Reserve Bourbon
Lost Lantern’s all-50-state bourbon blend
Coors 8 Year Blended American Malt Whiskey
Burnt Tavern Bourbon review
Final score and whether it is worth $70
Would you rather try the bourbon blended from all 50 states or the smoky, double-barreled Burnt Tavern?
Chapter Timecodes: 
00:00 Intro – Booker’s, Green River, Coors & Burnt Tavern00:28 Welcome + Episode Update01:01 Booker’s Milkshake Batch02:44 Green River’s Oldest Bourbon Yet04:17 Breckenridge Patriotic Reserve06:30 A Bourbon Blended From All 50 States08:38 Coors 8 Year American Malt Whiskey09:59 Byte-Sized Review – Burnt Tavern Bourbon17:45 Outro + Byte Club and Pride Merch