Bourbon Barrel Talk

Today Johnny and Scott review the latest High West Bourye 26A21 release. This annual, limited-edition favorite (with a true cult following) showcases a distinctive, premium blend of rich bourbon and rye whiskeys, resulting in an exceptional sipping experience. This year’s release delivers an elevated ABV of 50.5%, along with bold notes.

Scott, Brian, Toby and Jared discuss the bourbon bubble. What is the impact of shutdowns at Beam, MGP’s Kentucky distilleries, and Green River? What will this affect? How will it affect the market, and who will be affected the most? 

Will it be better for the NDP's or hurt them?

The crew sits down and interviews Chattanooga Whiskey's Founder and CEO Tim Piersant. Tim tells us about the transition from sourcing MGP to becoming the 2026 Craft Distillery of the Year. 

The crew discusses the most recent 13th Colony 113 Proof Maple and Cask Strength. All sourced MGP they are finished with maple spirals. 

The crew reviews the Starlight Repeal Day Blake and Ted Picks. While the gents from Starlight continue to put out great stuff there is very little that creates FOMO like Repeal Day. This episode really dives into these two barrels and what makes Blake and Ted unique. 

The crew reviewed vintage airplane bottles with Chad from Bourbon Boyz in this crossover. Val was an extra voice that brought perspective from the industry. 

Scott and the crew have a great conversation with Master Distiller Ian Stirsman of Ross & Squibb / MGP Distillery. We discussed recent and upcoming releases (Master Distiller Experimental Series No. 2). There upcoming new single barrel program and much more. It was fun listening to his use of LBSV and LESV to discribe mashbills. Just a small reminder where Four Roses came from. 

In a quasi crossover episode, the crew discusses with Chad and Val barrel picks and other things happening in that part of our industry. Chad runs Mythical one of the larger pick groups in the Midwest. Val has worked with multiple brands, Smooth Ambler, Castle and Key and Jeptha Creed. 

The crew discussed the difference between and reviewed Wheated Whiskey (Starlight) vs Wheated Bourbon (Larceny BP). The Starlight Whiskey was from their recent Repeal Day, while the Larceny Barrel Proof was batch B525. 

The crew releases a more recent review from the folks at 291. Michael is doing some cool and unique things in Colorado, this is a discussion about one of their releases that was a good mistake. The 291 HR was an accidental double dump of their rye into this batch. The result you have to listen to hear. 

The crew sits down and reviews High West' most recent release the Cask Strength. Bottled in late 2025, released in January, this pour brings a variety of bourbons to the table with it's super unique blend. 3 Kentucky bourbons, an Indiana one and a Tennessee one. 

The crew sits down and reviews Old Forge's whiskey. This bottle was a blend of bourbon and neutral grain spirits. While youthful, it has some qualities that some folks might find appealing.

The crew sits down and discusses the two most recent Family Estate Bourbon and Ryes from Repeal Day. The Bourbon Barrel 15225 and the Rye 16140 are long awaited by many. We talk about these previous 16 series bottles and how they have usually been excellent. 

The crew sits down and discusses their favorite tours, interviews, bottles and things from this past year. The highlights were too many to count. From virtual conversations with High West, Film Land and Blind Barrels to distillery visits at West Fork, Casey Jones and Makers Mark. 

This episode we reviewed Barrel of Monkeys (Lexington, KY), Dragons Milk Reserve Oatmilk Cookie and Braxtons Dark Charge Brown Butter Pecan. Probably the hardest choice from a consistency point of the match ups. Maybe not he best group of beers but the most consistent.