Bourbon Podcast

As of April 2026, Jack Daniel's has released highly sought-after "hazmat" (over 140 proof) single-barrel rye whiskeys, with special releases like the Tanyard Hill or Small Batch variants often ranging between 142.7 and 146.1 proof. These limited, uncut, and unfiltered, Tennessee straight rye whiskeys feature a 70% rye mash bill and are known for intense heat and complex, dark fruit flavorsPrav Saraff is a prominent Washington, D.C.-based bourbon connoisseur, owner of 1 West Dupont Circle Wines & Liquors, and creator of the independent bottling label "Dream Spirits". Known as a major figure in the whiskey industry for sourcing rare bottles and exclusive single-barrel picks, he is highly regarded for his expertise and customer-focused approach.

With over two decades of experience in the spirits industry, Edwards brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and expertise in whiskeys. As the East Coast Ambassador, he represents the brand by educating consumers, trade professionals, and media on the rich history and craftsmanship behind Heaven Hill’s renowned portfolio.Edwards, a Louisville native, has deep roots in Bourbon country, which fuels his commitment to sharing the heritage of Bourbon Whiskey with enthusiasts nationwide. In his previous roles, Edwards gained extensive experience in brand advocacy, trade marketing, and education with many respected names in the industry. Most recently, he served as a National Brand Ambassador for Heaven’s Door, where he was responsible for developing trade relationships, executing events, and educating consumers about the brand’s portfolio. Additionally, he spent time as a Field Marketing Manager for Heaven’s Door Whiskey, focusing on trade advocacy and development for the rapidly growing whiskey brand. Prior to these roles, Edwards worked as a Digital Brand Ambassador and was later promoted to Whiskey Specialist and Single Barrel Experience Manager at Rabbit Hole Distillery, contributing his expertise for nearly four years.Edwards holds several notable certifications, further emphasizing his qualifications in the spirits industry. He is a Certified Executive Bourbon Steward and holds the Spirits WSET II with Distinction Certificate. Edwards also holds a Degree in Music Performance from the University of Louisville, highlighting his diverse background and passion for arts and culture.

Released in February 2026, the King of Kentucky Small Batch is a premium, limited-release bourbon from Brown-Forman, featuring a blend of 12-to-18-year-old barrels. The 2026 series introduced three distinct batches (105, 107.5, and 110 proof) with a $299 SRP. It offers12-year aged, high-proof, complex flavors with a 75% corn, 15% rye, and 10% malted barley mash bill. Cheers!

The 2026 Elijah Craig Small Batch PGA Championship Commemorative Edition is a limited-release bourbon bottled at -proof ( ABV) to honor the 108th PGA Championship, launching nationally in April 2026 for a suggested retail price of . The release features special packaging with a gold coin cork and is sourced from select barrels in rickhouses N and S. Cheers!

Brad Boswell is the Chief Executive Officer of Independent Stave Company, a leading manufacturer of oak barrels and staves for the beverage industry.As CEO, Brad oversees the strategic direction and overall operations of the company, driving innovation and growth within the plastic, packaging, and containers sector. With a proven track record of success, he previously served as the President of Independent Stave Company, where he was responsible for expanding the company's global footprint and diversifying its product portfolio.

(Episode originally released on 4/6/23)2XO is an award-winning Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey brand from renowned American whiskey blender Dixon Dedman. 2XO, meaning Two Times Oak, refers to the blending process Dixon pioneered where every 2XO expression has additional oak exposure. The additional oak interaction builds the sweetness to balance out the spice from the rye in the mash bills, creating a unique combination of intense flavors, character, and complexity with each expression.Dixon’s vision is to revolutionize the category, a shift away from the overplayed nostalgic American whiskey storyline, and create an innovative Brand backed by the incredible liquid in the bottle.The 2XO brand consists of an everyday blend offering (Oak Series), a series of limited-time, small batch blend offerings (Icon Series), and a series of single barrel releases (Gem of Kentucky).

(Per breakingbourbon.com)-Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey is named in honor of the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. Bernheim Distillery was founded in 1992 by United Distillers (who became Diageo in 1997), and then sold to Heaven Hill and renamed Heaven Hill Bernheim Distillery in 1999. It would later become Heaven Hill’s primary distillery after the 1996 distillery fire destroyed Heaven Hill’s Bardstown Distillery along with 90,000 barrels of whiskey. Cheers!

Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Bourbon is a highly sought-after, uncut and unfiltered Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Bottled at over 125 proof, it offers a robust, intense flavor profile featuring rich caramel, toasted oak, and dried fruit, designed to replicate pre-Prohibition whiskey. Cheers!

(Per BreakingBourbon.com)-In the spring of 2018, Brown-Forman finally answered fans' calls to release a high proof  Woodford Reserve Batch Proof Bourbon. Now, more than 7 years later, the company has decided to release a high proof version of their standard Woodford rye. This release seems unexpected, as the standard Woodford Rye is often overshadowed by its more well-known bourbon counterparts and various limited edition bourbon offerings that the company delivers. This new limited-edition release is presumably intended to be an ongoing series and will most likely see future releases carrying various proof points, much like Batch Proof Bourbon does. Cheers!

To sip Barrel Proof Rye is to experience our Straight Rye Whiskey in its purest form: uncut, straight from the barrel, and without chill filtering. Each bottle is labeled with its unique proof, batch number, and age; but the nose, taste, and finish are pure Elijah Craig.'Each batch of Barrel Proof Rye is bottled with a unique age statement, including the monthand year of the youngest barrel from the batch. The proof also varies with each release.The batch number on the label provides specific information about each batch. The firstletter indicates the order of the release for that year, starting with "A.” The first numberrepresents the month of the release. The third and fourth digits indicate the year. Cheers!

Highly acclaimed, high-proof (often 125–135+ proof) bourbon noted for rich, intense flavors of caramel, brown sugar, oak, and baking spices. It is generally considered excellent, earning ratings around 8.5/10 to 87/100, offering a, complex, and sometimes hot, "Kentucky hug". Cheers!

The Heaven Hill 90th Anniversary 9-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a limited-edition, 107-proof (53.5% ABV) release honoring the distillery's 1935 founding. Released in late 2025 for $124.99 MSRP, it features a 9-year-old blend of 70% standard barrels and 30% heavy-char barrels filled in 2015. Cheers!

Pappy 12: Highly coveted 90.4-proof (45.2% ABV) Kentucky straight wheated bourbon, known for its balanced, smooth profile featuring notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak. While the MSRP is approximately $149.99, high demand drives secondary market prices often exceeding $1,000.Highly sought-after, wheated bourbon from Buffalo Trace known for its 12-year aging process, 90 proof, and smooth profile with notes of lanolin, almond, vanilla, and oak. It is generally considered a premium yet accessible "allocated" bourbon, with a retail price around  but often selling for much more on the secondary market.Cheers!

Another great Proof Positive by the guys! Cheers!

The Willett Family Estate Small Batch Bourbon is a commingling of two classic Willett family mash bills. A new addition to the Willett family of brands with legendary roots and fresh elegance. Both mash bills enter the barrel at 125 proof with a final bottling proof to vary among batches based on the discretion of Master Distiller and fifth generation whiskey maker, Drew Kulsveen. Cheers!

Kentucky straight bourbon finished in a second, custom-toasted, lightly charred oak barrel. It features notes of toasted oak, caramel, spice, and milk chocolate. While the standard release is 94 proof, rare, high-proof (120+) single barrel, 8-9 year old is your barrel proof. Cheers!

Highly sought-after, limited-edition Kentucky bourbons and ryes, especially the "Christmas Dream" release, known for rich holiday spice, dark fruit notes (like eggnog, cinnamon, clove, cherry), and complex profiles, often from older, rare casks bottled by Preservation Distillery for Japanese export or select markets, making them prized collector's items. These unique bottlings offer intense, flavorful experiences, with aromas and tastes reminiscent of festive baking and classic Christmas candies. Cheers!

Blanton's Gold Edition is a higher-proof (103/51.5% ABV), limited-release Kentucky straight bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery, known for its richer, spicier, and more complex flavor than the Original Single Barrel, featuring notes of honey, rye, fruit, oak, and vanilla, and is highly sought after by collectors for its intensity and smoothness, offering a bold experience for bourbon enthusiasts. Cheers!

Highly anticipated, limited-edition, cask-strength Texas bourbon, released in December 2025, notable for its extreme 146.4 proof (73.2% ABV) and aged at least 8 years, offering rich notes of burnt wood, spice, dried fruits, and toasted marshmallows from its unique Texas aging, with only 10,000 bottles available globally at an SRP of around $250. Cheers!

It is that time of the year again! The boys wrap up 2025 by picking their whiskey of the year for 2025. See which one the guys pick! Cheers!