This week, Clifton digs into one of the biggest questions in whiskey: Is the bourbon boom finally over? After years of price hikes, expansions, and dwindling enthusiasm from younger drinkers, the numbers might finally be catching up. In this episode, he breaks down why the boom may be slowing — and why that might actually be good for bourbon fans.

Then stick around for a Byte-Sized Review of a bottle he’s never tried before: the Ben Holladay 6-Year Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon. This Missouri-made BIB surprised him with dusty vintage notes, toasted sweetness, and a mash bill that might be one of the most exciting non-Kentucky profiles in years.

Plus: new whiskey releases from Buffalo Trace, Barrell Craft Spirits, Blade & Bow, and more.

This week, Clifton dives into the newest limited-edition release from the Lone Star State: the Garrison Brothers Sonora Bourbon, a seven-year, 108-proof expression finished in rye barrels. Crafted under the guidance of Samantha Olvera, Texas’s first female Latina distiller, Sonora is more than just a whiskey, it’s a celebration of women shaping the future of bourbon.

Plus, he covers the biggest whiskey headlines of the week, including:

00:00 - Intro & Welcome Back

This week, Clifton dives into one of the most talked-about limited releases of the year — the 2025 Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Bourbon. Is the $200 price tag justified, or is nostalgia doing the heavy lifting?

Plus, there’s a full flight of whiskey news, including:

And in this week’s Byte-Sized Review, Clifton gives his honest first-crack take on Russell’s 13 — from the oak-heavy nose to the vanilla-bean palate and long, spicy finish.

Clifton closes out Bourbon Boos 2025 with a bang — and a cloud of smoke! 💨

Plus, new whiskey announcements from around the world:

Tune in for peat, price talk, and one last Halloween pour that proves not every spooky bottle is a trick. 🎃

It’s another Bourbon Boos review, and this week Clifton braves one of the strangest bottles yet — Buchanan’s Pineapple “Spirit Drink.” 🥃🍍

Technically not even whisky, this scotch-based pineapple blend surprised him more than expected. Is it a tropical treat or a tiki bar tragedy? Tune in to find out!

Plus, this week’s whiskey news covers:

Grab your glass (and maybe some ice) — it’s time to get spooky, sweet, and slightly skeptical.

This week’s Bourbon Boos review might be the scariest pour yet… Clifton cracks open a $16 bottle of King’s Creek Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey, a bottom-shelf mystery brand with no known distillery and a whole lot of red flags. Does it surprise him, or haunt his palate forever?

But before the horrors begin, we’ve got MAJOR whiskey news:

✈️ Flaviar’s $270 “FlaviAIR” Advent Calendar takes flight

Then it’s time for a truly frightening pour in this week’s Bourbon Boos Byte-Sized Review.

Spooky season has arrived, and Clifton’s diving into bottles he’s been too scared to try… starting with Dough Ball Cookie Dough Flavored Whiskey. 🥶

In this week’s episode of the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, we’re tasting a whiskey that’s more dessert than dram — plus, we’ve got big whiskey news:

Clifton shares his honest take on Dough Ball’s melted chocolate and toasted cookie flavors. Does it actually deliver, or belong in a candy shop instead of your whiskey shelf?

Whiskey heists, billion-dollar gaming buyouts, and a rare single malt review? This week’s episode of the Bourbon Bytes Podcast covers it all. Clifton dives into the jaw-dropping $1 million Westland Distillery heist, breaks down the shocking $55B buyout of Electronic Arts, and closes things out with a Byte-Sized Review of Single Cask Nation’s Westland American Single Malt. It’s whiskey news, gaming drama, and one of the fruitiest American single malts I’ve ever tasted. Cheers, and Game On! 🥃🎮

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:

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: