Bourbon Bytes Podcast

This week on Bourbon Bytes, Clifton is diving deep into high-proof territory with a first-time review of Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel — the most elusive (and explosive) bottle in the Blanton’s lineup. How does it hold up to the hype, and is it worth chasing down?

Also on the table: three six-year bourbons you need to know — a Single Barrel Selection from New Riff, Castle & Key’s Small Batch Six-Year Bourbon, and Garrison ...

In this episode of Bourbon Bytes, Clifton dives into the 2025 Old Soul Single Barrel Bourbon—a bold cask strength pick from Mississippi's oldest distillery… or is it? With transparency under the spotlight, Clifton uncovers what’s really inside the bottle, and why it might just be the sleeper hit of the summer.

Plus, he breaks down the latest in the bourbon world: the new Michter’s Legacy Series releases, a Pinhook Rye that’s winnin...

This week on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, Clifton dives into one of the boldest Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series bottles to date — the 2025 Keeper’s Release, packed with ten toasted American oak staves. Is it a worthy successor to The Heart, or an over-oaked detour?

Also in the mix: a fascinating experiment in climate-aged bourbon from Milam & Greene, a tribute to military valor via Four Branches Bourbon, and a breakdown of the...

In this week’s pour of Bourbon Bytes, Clifton dives into the hottest release yet from Wild Turkey: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Bourbon is back — and this time, it’s clocking in at a blistering 123.8 proof. Is it the best Wild Turkey yet, or just another hard-to-find unicorn?

We also explore the return of Stitzel-Weller with a jaw-dropping 24-year-old release priced at $1,600, and check in with Laphroaig’s 2025 Cairdeas — a cask stren...

After a three-year hiatus, Bourbon Bytes is back with a brand-new season and a barrel full of whiskey news. Clifton breaks down the surprise announcement of Eagle Rare 12 — is it a smart move or an unnecessary twist? He also dives into the ultra-limited Remus Babe Ruth Reserve and some game-changing distribution news for Old Forester fans outside of Kentucky. Finally, he gives a sweet and spicy byte-sized review of Rock Hill Farms ...

To celebrate the 50th episode of the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, I’m reviewing William Larue Weller bourbon, a part of the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (2021). This epic conclusion to Season 1 of the Bourbon Bytes Podcast is a tribute to the Patreon supporters and listeners of the podcast who have supported me over the past year.

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Today I'm reviewing a cask strength craft rye whiskey from Dog and Shrub Distillery out of Lake Mills, WI. This was sent to me by Edd from The Rotgut Review, who happens to work at Dog and Shrub. I'm also touching on some upcoming whiskey news, including the new Woodford Reserve Honey Barrel Finish Distillery Series, Wild Turkey Master's Keep, and Heaven Hill's 20 Year Old Corn Whiskey. Plus, sharing the title for the Breath of the...

Today I'm reviewing two of last year's biggest releases from the New Riff Distillery, Malted Wheat Bourbon and Malted Rye Bourbon. These "Malsters" are a project that explores different malted grains used in a Kentucky Straight Bourbon recipe. Both come in at 100 proof and are aged at least 5 years.

Plus, I'm sharing breaking news from Maker's Mark, as Denny Potter (General Manager & Master Distiller) and Jane Bowie (Head of Inno...

I'm reviewing the third release of Kentucky Senator Bourbon named after John G. Carlisle and coming in at 7 years old and 107 proof. Is this $130 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey worth seeking out? Plus, I'm sharing updates about allocated lotteries for the 2022 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon and Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch open now, as well as the latest news about the upcoming Hogwarts Legacy video game, including the ...

I'm reviewing the 2022 release of Laphroaig Càirdeas, Warehouse 1. This Scotch was aged in first-fill ex-bourbon barrels from Maker's Mark in the iconic Warehouse 1 that bares their namesake on the Islay Coast. Coming in at 52.2% ABV and $90, how does this year's Cairdeas compare to last year's Cask Strength PX Sherry release? I'm also sharing the news of the first Booker's Single Barrel Bourbon from the Jim Beam Distillery. This '...

I'm reviewing EJ Curley & Co. Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon, a legacy brand from the 1860s that's making it's return to Jessamine County, Kentucky. Plus, I'm sharing the news about several upcoming whiskey releases: Kentucky Owl Takumi Edition, Redwood Empire Cask Strength Lost Monarch, Frey Ranch Malted Grain Series 100% Malted Corn Whiskey, and Brothers Wright Reserve Single Barrel Coal Mine Aged Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

I'm reviewing the Ardbeg Day 2022 Committee Release of Ardbeg Ardcore, an Islay Scotch Whisky created with heavily roasted black malt, a first for Ardbeg. Plus, I'm sharing the news about the return of Jack Daniel's Coy Hill as a small batch Tennessee only release. I'm also recapping the June Nintendo Direct Mini, with game announcements such as Persona 4 Golden, Persona 3 Portable, Square Enix's Harvestella farming life-sim, and m...

Today I'm reviewing a peculiar bourbon whiskey from Trader Joes that was bottled at barrel entry proof, talking about a new TTB label for single barrel picks of Rittenhouse Rye Whiskey from Heaven Hill, as well as doing a deep dive into why Amburana casks from Brazil and South America are the latest craze in whiskey finishing, featured by iconic brands such as Nulu, Rare Character, WhistlePig, Teeling, and Starlight Distillery, as ...