Bourbon Bytes Podcast

Frank August Small Batch Review — World’s Best Bourbon of 2025?

This week on Bourbon Bytes, Clifton reviews the Frank August Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon — recently crowned World’s Best Bourbon at the 2025 IWSC. At 100 proof and $70 retail, does this sleek decanter hold a whiskey worthy of the title, or is transparency (or lack thereof) its biggest flaw? Tune in for a full breakdown, tasting notes, and final score.
Also in whiskey & gaming news:🏎 Jim Beam teams up with Cadillac’s F1 Team for 2026🍁 Canada drops retaliatory tariffs on Kentucky bourbon🎮 Civilization 7 dev Firaxis hit by layoffs after launch🎵 Daft Punk enters Fortnite with a 31-song experience

Weller Full Proof Review + 2025 Pappy Collection & Nintendo Direct Surprises

This week on Bourbon Bytes, Clifton reviews the 2025 Weller Full Proof Bourbon — a rich, wheated Buffalo Trace release bursting with fall bakery notes, buttery pie crust, and toasted vanilla. Does it live up to its hype (and price tag) compared to Weller 107 and other wheated bourbons? Tune in for the full breakdown and rating.
Also in whiskey & gaming news:🥃 Buffalo Trace unveils the 2025 Pappy Van Winkle Collection (including a one-of-a-kind 25-year-old bottle)🔥 Elijah Craig drops its youngest barrel proof batch ever at just 9 years old🎮 The September Nintendo Direct delivers huge announcements: Super Mario Galaxy movie & bundle, a new Yoshi game, and Pokémon Pokopia — the cozy Pokémon life sim we never knew we needed!

Throwback Review: 2015 Parker's Heritage 8yr Malt Whiskey + Booker’s Tequila Finish & Heaven Hill’s Grain-to-Glass

This week on Bourbon Bytes, I take a deep dive into the 2015 Parker’s Heritage 8-Year Malt Whiskey - a rare and experimental Heaven Hill release that was way ahead of its time. How does it hold up nearly a decade later, and why didn’t Heaven Hill continue down the malt path?
Also in whiskey news:🥃 Booker’s The Reserves 2025 gets a bold tequila barrel finish🌳 Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection “Sweet Oak” rolls out in rare chinquapin oak barrels🌾 Heaven Hill Grain-to-Glass Wheated Bourbon with a unique mash bill🏭 Angel’s Envy drops two distillery-only exclusives🎟️ Buffalo Trace Elmer T. Lee Charity Sweepstakes offers an incredible behind-the-scenes prize

Compass Box Transatlanticism Review + Woodford’s First American Single Malt & Michter’s Big Win!

This week on Bourbon Bytes, I dive into the world of Scotch with a review of Compass Box’s Transatlanticism (2024 release) — a limited-edition blend crafted with help from whiskey reviewer T8ke and industry veteran Will Schragis. How does this $199 bottle stack up against Compass Box favorites like Orchard House and Glasgow Blend?
Plus:🥃 Woodford Reserve surprises with its first-ever 12-Year American Single Malt🏆 Michter’s named “Most Admired Whiskey in the World” (again)🐉 Catoctin Creek goes full fantasy with DracoMalt, a dragon-inspired American single malt collab🎮 And in gaming: Hollow Knight: Silksong finally launches + a stacked September of new releases!

High West Bourye 2025 Review + Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged & Penelope Big LE Drops!

This week on Bourbon Bytes, I review the brand-new 2025 High West Bourye, the annual limited release blending straight bourbon and rye whiskey. How does this year’s edition stack up against past favorites, and is it worth the hunt? Plus, big whiskey headlines: Maker’s Mark brings back its Cellar Aged Bourbon, High West launches its first Bottled-in-Bond release aged at 4,000 ft, and Penelope Bourbon reveals a premium 2025 Estate Collection.

Elijah Craig’s PGA Championship Bourbon + Old Forester & Four Roses Drop 2025 Limited Editions!

Clifton dives into some of the hottest whiskey news of the year: Old Forester shakes things up with a sweet mash Birthday Bourbon, Four Roses unveils its 2025 Limited Edition Small Batch, and Elijah Craig tees off with the PGA Quail Hollow Championship Edition. How does this commemorative release stack up against past special collaborations? Plus, we celebrate the end of the SAG-AFTRA video game strike and what it means for the future of gaming.

Shenk’s vs. Bomberger’s - 2025 Michter’s Legacy Series Whiskey Showdown!

It’s a head-to-head battle of Michter’s 2025 Legacy Series releases — the sweet and delicate Shenk’s Homestead (91.2 proof) vs. the bold and oaky Bomberger’s Declaration (108 proof). I break down their unique cask choices, share full nose/palate impressions, and crown my pick for the better buy. Plus, two distilleries step up big to support flood relief in Kentucky and Texas — proof that good bourbon can do good in the world.

Knob Creek Cask Strength 128 Proof Review + 2025 Parker’s Heritage Whiskey and Bold Gaming Opinions

Clifton breaks down one of the boldest store picks he's tried in a while: a 128-proof Knob Creek Cask Strength Single Barrel from K&L Wine Merchants. Along the way, he dives into hot whiskey news, including the experimental 2025 Parker’s Heritage release, a Hungarian oak-aged "bourbon" from A. Smith Bowman, and legendary game developer Hideo Kojima’s critique of the modern video game industry. Plus, a listener call-in asks what releases Clifton’s most excited for in the second half of the year.

Maker’s Mark x Dodgers Review, Announcing Weller 18 & Old Forester 1910 Extra Exra Old

This week on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, Clifton takes you behind the blue wax to review the Maker’s Mark Champion Selection, handpicked by the Los Angeles Dodgers to celebrate their 2024 World Series win. He dives into hot whiskey headlines—Buffalo Trace's bold Weller 18 release, heirloom corn making waves at craft distilleries, and Old Forester’s 1910 Extra Extra Old. Plus, find out which distillery just dominated the 2025 New Orleans Spirits Competition.

Rocky Mountain Sips: TINCUP 6-Year Review & Buffalo Trace's Green Future

This week on Bourbon Bytes, Clifton dives into some of the hottest headlines in the whiskey world—from Buffalo Trace’s surprising new 100-proof Sazerac Rye to their bold move into sustainable distilling. Plus, Hidden Barn adds a new Master Taster to their team. But the star of the show? Clifton’s first-ever sip of TINCUP 6-Year American Whiskey—a bold, oak-forward blend of bourbon and Colorado single malt that left a lasting impression.