Bourbon Bytes Podcast

Wild Turkey Gold Foil Returns + K&L’s Secret Turkey Bourbon Review

This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, Wild Turkey fans have a lot to be excited about.
We’re breaking down the return of one of Wild Turkey’s most legendary bottles: the new Austin Nichols Reserve 16 Year, inspired by the mythical “Cheesy Gold Foil” Wild Turkey release from the 1980s. This new 16-year-old bourbon comes from Camp Nelson Warehouse D, is bottled at 120 proof, and marks Bruce Russell’s first solo project with the brand.
We also cover two big Heaven Hill stories, including the Evan Williams America 250 Edition single barrel release bottled at 117.76 proof, plus the 2026 Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Collection, which is all about wheated bourbon this year.
Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of K&L Wine and Spirits’ Every Drop “Living Legend” Bourbon, a 7-year-old, 107-proof independent bottling from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. They can’t officially say where it’s from… but let’s just say the clues are pretty loud.
At only $50, this might be one of the best Wild Turkey-adjacent bourbon values I’ve tasted all year.
🥃 Topics covered:
Evan Williams America 250 Edition
Heaven Hill Grain to Glass 2026
Wild Turkey Gold Foil returns as Austin Nichols Reserve 16 Year
Bruce Russell’s first solo Wild Turkey project
K&L Every Drop “Living Legend” bourbon review
Why this $50 independent bottling might be a must-buy
Would you pay $400 for the new Wild Turkey Gold Foil release, or grab multiple bottles of this K&L pick instead?
 
Timecodes:
00:00 Intro - Wild Turkey Gold Foil Returns00:26 Welcome + Memorial Day Weekend Dedication01:38 Evan Williams America 250 Edition03:04 Heaven Hill Grain to Glass 202604:18 Wild Turkey Gold Foil Returns07:07 Byte-Sized Review: K&L Every Drop “Living Legend” Bourbon13:25 Outro + Bourbon Bytes Community

King of Kentucky 16 Year Review: Is This $350 Bourbon Worth the Hype?

This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re diving into new whiskey releases from Blue Run, Little Book, Very Old St. Nick, 15 Stars, and one of the strangest TTB labels I’ve seen in a while: a goat milk flavored whiskey from Tamworth.
On the gaming side, Microsoft is making headlines with 8,000-year Xbox bans for Forza Horizon 6 pirates, while Xbox Game Pass is adding a new Discord Nitro perk.
Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of King of Kentucky 16 Year Bourbon.
This 2024 release from Brown-Forman is a 16-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 132 proof, with only about 5,100 bottles released. It shares the same mash bill as Old Forester 1924, but at six years older and full barrel strength, does it live up to the King of Kentucky name?
Expect deep oak, antique wood, cedar chest, dark roasted nuts, molasses, tannic richness, and a long finish.
🥃 Topics covered:
Blue Run Blueprint Bourbon
Little Book Chapter 10: All the Wiser
Very Old St. Nick Immaculata Bourbon
15 Stars Kentucke County releases
Tamworth goat milk flavored whiskey
Forza Horizon 6 piracy bans
Xbox Game Pass Discord Nitro perk
King of Kentucky 16 Year Bourbon review
Would you pay $350 for King of Kentucky if you found it at retail?
 
YouTube Chapter Markers
00:00 Intro – Blue Run, Little Book, Xbox & King of Kentucky00:28 Welcome + Episode Setup01:08 Blue Run Blueprint Bourbon02:47 Little Book Chapter 10: All the Wiser05:20 Very Old St. Nick Immaculata Bourbon06:22 15 Stars Kentucke County Releases08:01 Goat Milk Flavored Whiskey?!09:22 Gaming News – Forza Horizon 6 Bans + Discord Nitro11:53 Byte-Sized Review: King of Kentucky 16 Year Bourbon20:15 Listener Samples + Outro

Bernheim 20th Anniversary Review + A 163-Proof Stitzel Reserve Bourbon

This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, it’s my birthday episode, and whiskey news got weird in the best way.
Stitzel-Weller just announced a 31-year-old bourbon bottled at a wild 163.2 proof with a $3,000 price tag. Jack Daniel’s is teaming up with McLaren for the limited-edition Halo MK1 Tennessee Whiskey, and in gaming news, the new Steam Controller is already selling out while Halo 2 and Halo 3 remake rumors are heating up.
Then I dive into a Byte-Sized Review of Bernheim 20th Anniversary Wheat Whiskey from Heaven Hill.
This limited-edition Bernheim is 10 years old, bottled at 115 proof, and celebrates 20 years of one of the most unique American whiskey styles. I went in curious, but this one seriously surprised me with rich caramel, Halloween candy sweetness, balanced spice, and a finish that made me wonder why Bernheim doesn’t get more love.
🥃 Topics covered:
Stitzel Reserve 31 Year Bourbon at 163.2 proof
Jack Daniel’s x McLaren Halo MK1 Tennessee Whiskey
New Steam Controller selling out
Halo 2 and Halo 3 remake rumors
Bernheim 20th Anniversary Wheat Whiskey review
Final score and whether it’s worth hunting
Would you pay $3,000 for a 31-year-old bourbon, or would you rather hunt down this Bernheim?
YouTube Chapter Markers
00:00 Intro – Stitzel Reserve, Jack Daniel’s & Bernheim00:28 Welcome to the Bourbon Bytes Podcast01:17 Stitzel Reserve 31 Year Bourbon at 163.2 Proof03:33 Jack Daniel’s x McLaren Halo MK1 Whiskey05:38 New Steam Controller Sells Out07:25 Halo 2 & Halo 3 Remake Rumors08:49 Byte-Sized Review: Bernheim 20th Anniversary Wheat Whiskey16:37 Byte Club Shoutout + Outro

Redwood Empire Haystack Needle Review: One of 2026’s Best Craft Bourbons?

This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re diving into a packed week of whiskey news before heading to Northern California for a Byte-Sized Review of Redwood Empire Haystack Needle.
Michter’s is releasing its first-ever Barrel Strength Sour Mash Whiskey, Maker’s Mark is back with a new edition of Star Hill Farm Whisky, Widow Jane is finishing bourbon in Tequila Ocho casks, Jack Daniel’s has a new hazmat rye release, and Four Roses is expanding its single barrel lineup.
Plus, we take a quick look at upcoming video game releases, including Forza Horizon 6 and 007 First Light.
Then it’s time for the main event: a review of Redwood Empire Haystack Needle, an 8 year, 7 month California bourbon single barrel pick from K&L Wine and Spirits, bottled at 119 proof.
This bottle completely surprised me with bright red fruit, strawberry shortcake, dark chocolate, oak, and a finish that makes me wonder if Redwood Empire is helping define the future of California whiskey.
🥃 Topics covered:
Brown-Forman sale update
Michter’s Barrel Strength Sour Mash
Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm Whisky
Widow Jane x Tequila Ocho bourbon
Jack Daniel’s hazmat rye
Four Roses single barrel expansion
Forza Horizon 6 and 007 First Light
Redwood Empire Haystack Needle review
Would you pay $130 for a craft California bourbon like this?
 
Timecodes:
00:00 Intro – Michter’s, Maker’s, Jack Daniel’s & Redwood Empire01:15 Brown-Forman Sale Update02:02 Michter’s Barrel Strength Sour Mash03:40 Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm Whisky05:44 Widow Jane x Tequila Ocho Bourbon06:52 Jack Daniel’s Hazmat Rye Release08:15 Four Roses Single Barrel Expansion09:18 Video Game News – Forza Horizon 6 + 007 First Light11:23 Byte-Sized Review – Redwood Empire Haystack Needle17:31 Outro + Bourbon Bytes Hotline

$12,500 Eagle Rare, New Booker’s Batch, But Is Knob Creek Blender’s Edition the Best Buy?

Whiskey got wild this week.
Eagle Rare just announced a 30-year-old bourbon priced at $12,500, Elijah Craig is back with another PGA Championship bottle, and Booker's Bourbon returns with its first batch of 2026.
I also break down:
Buffalo Trace Distillery opening the new John G. Carlisle Cafe
New TTB label filings from Old Forester and Heaven Hill
Whether Booker’s is still worth buying at today’s prices
Then I give my full Byte-Sized Review of Knob Creek Blender’s Edition to see if Beam has a real hit on its hands.
🥃 Is it better than standard Knob Creek?🥃 Is it worth $45?🥃 Great neat pour… or cocktail king?
Let me know what you think in the comments.
 
Timecodes:
00:00 Intro – Welcome to Bourbon Bytes
00:52 Eagle Rare 30 Costs $12,500
04:42 Buffalo Trace Distillery Opens New Cafe
06:36 Elijah Craig PGA Championship Bourbon
07:59 Booker's Bourbon Big Easy Batch 2026-01
09:54 New TTB Labels: Old Forester + Heaven Hill
12:22 Byte-Sized Review – Knob Creek Blender’s Edition
21:04 Outro + Byte Club Shoutouts

Home Distilling Could Become Legal… Plus Kentucky Senator Bourbon Release #7 Review

Whiskey might be changing in a big way.
A recent appeals court ruling could potentially make home distilling legal in the United States - a move that could reshape the entire whiskey landscape. But that’s not the only shift happening right now.
This week on Bourbon Bytes, I break down:
The home distilling ruling and what it actually means
MGP slowing production and what that signals for bourbon supply
A potential deal between Sazerac and Brown-Forman
Sazerac’s newly named Tennessee distillery and future plans
And of course, I’m reviewing Kentucky Senator Bourbon "Jim Bunning" Release #7 to see if it lives up to the hype.
🥃 Is the whiskey boom changing direction?🥃 And more importantly… is this bottle worth your money?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Timecodes:00:00 Intro – Whiskey Industry Shakeups00:56 Home Distilling Ruling Explained03:29 MGP Pauses Production at Lux Row & Limestone Branch06:11 Sazerac Eyes Jack Daniel’s + Announces AJ Bond Distillery09:13 Kentucky Senator Charity Single Barrel News11:47 Byte-Sized Review – Kentucky Senator Release #7

Hot Dog Bourbon Is Breaking the Internet… But Ardbeg 10 Cask Strength Wins

Bourbon is getting strange… and expensive.
This week on Bourbon Bytes, I'm breaking down some of the wildest whiskey news stories of the moment: from Costco’s viral “hot dog bourbon” to Knob Creek’s new Blender’s Edition, Buffalo Trace’s latest experiments, and Angel’s Envy pushing further into ultra-premium territory.
But after all the hype, the real question is… do we actually need all this innovation?
To find out, I review the new Ardbeg 10 Cask Strength—a surprisingly simple release that might prove great whiskey doesn’t need gimmicks.
Is bourbon innovation going too far? And can a classic Scotch still outperform it all?
🥃 Topics:
Costco “Hot Dog” Rare Character Bourbon goes viral
Knob Creek Blender’s Edition explained
Buffalo Trace experimental releases
Angel’s Envy’s most expensive releases yet
Ardbeg 10 Cask Strength review
👇 Let me know:Do you prefer experimental whiskey… or classic, straightforward pours?
 
Timecodes:
00:00 Intro – Bourbon Is Getting Weird00:30 Welcome to the Bourbon Bytes Podcast01:07 Costco “Hot Dog” Bourbon Goes Viral03:01 Knob Creek Blender’s Edition Explained04:55 Buffalo Trace Experimental Releases07:24 Angel’s Envy 10 Year Rye + Cask Strength Bourbon11:02 Ardbeg 10 Cask Strength Byte-Sized Review17:01 Outro + Where to Listen

$550 Weller?! + Jack Daniel’s Lottery & Bardstown Cascadia Review (Garryana Oak 🔥)

This week on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, I'm breaking down some of the biggest whiskey news stories of the moment—plus a first impression review of a brand new Bardstown Bourbon Company release.
🔥 Topics include:
A $549 Daniel Weller experimental release… is this getting out of hand?
Jack Daniel’s 10, 12, and 14 Year lottery system
A new Peerless 10-Year Bourbon
Evan Williams’ Collegiate Single Barrel Series
New TTB labels from Barrell, Lux Row, and Four Roses
🎮 Plus, a major shakeup in the gaming industry with layoffs at Epic Games.
🥃 Then we dive into a Byte-Sized Review of the Bardstown Bourbon Company Cascadia Garryana Oak Finish — a rare oak, toasted finish bourbon with a smoky, tobacco-forward profile and surprising sweetness.
Is it worth the price… and the trip to the distillery?
 
00:00 – Intro & Episode Preview01:06 – Peerless 10-Year Bourbon Announcement02:19 – $549 Daniel Weller “Spelt Wheat” Reaction04:04 – Evan Williams Collegiate Bottles06:10 – Jack Daniel’s 10, 12, 14 Lottery Explained07:46 – Speed Run: New TTB Labels (Barrell, Blood Oath, Four Roses)10:41 – Gaming News: Epic Games Layoffs12:22 – Byte-Sized Review: Bardstown Cascadia Overview19:08 – Outro & Support the Show

What’s Going On at Green River? + Sazerac Full Proof Rye Review

This week on Bourbon Bytes, I’m breaking down one of the biggest trending topics in bourbon right now — recent news and rumors surrounding Green River’s master distiller.
What’s actually confirmed? What’s speculation? And what could it mean for the future of the brand?
Then, I dive into a full review of the brand-new Sazerac Full Proof Rye Whiskey from Sazerac.
Buffalo Trace fans have been waiting for a higher-proof version of this classic rye — but does it actually deliver?
I cover:
The latest Green River updates and what we know so far
Nose, palate, and finish of Sazerac Full Proof Rye
How it compares to standard Sazerac Rye
Whether it’s worth buying at MSRP
Note: Any discussion of Green River is based on publicly available information and industry speculation at the time of recording.

Is Evan Williams 12 Year Red Label a Hidden Heaven Hill Gem?

On this week’s Bourbon Bytes Podcast, we’re covering some of the biggest whiskey news stories of the week before diving into a cult-favorite bourbon review.
Topics include:
🥃 Remus Experimental Series Wheat Whiskey🥃 Maker’s Mark 2026 Wood Finishing Series🥃 Heaven Hill’s Deatsville campus release
Then for this week’s Byte-Sized Review, I’m tasting Evan Williams 12 Year Red Label Bourbon, a Heaven Hill export that’s become a favorite among bourbon fans.
Often only available in Japan, this bottle has developed a reputation for delivering well-aged bourbon at a surprisingly reasonable price.
Does it live up to the hype?
Let’s find out.
 
Chapters:
00:00 Intro – Whiskey News + Today’s Review01:14 Remus Experimental Series Wheat Whiskey03:13 Maker’s Mark "The Steward's Release" 2026 Wood Finishing Series06:31 Heaven Hill Deatsville Bourbon Release09:22 Byte-Sized Review – Evan Williams 12 Year Red Label17:58 Final Thoughts & Wrap Up