This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re turning up the proof with hazmat brandy, cask-strength rye, coconut-inspired Scotch, a potentially huge win for retro gamers, and a throwback review of one of the best Canadian whiskies I’ve ever tasted.

Copper & Kings is making several former distillery exclusives available online, including a 10-year rum-finished apple brandy at 147.6 proof, a 9-year apple brandy at 145.4 proof, and a 12-year American brandy at 119.2 proof.

Old Overholt is also back with a new 11-year Cask Strength Rye. The 2026 release comes in at 125.6 proof, making it notably stronger than the previous 11-year edition.

Then The Macallan closes out its Harmony Collection with two coconut-inspired releases: Inspired by Fresh Coconut and Inspired by Toasted Coconut. They are not flavored whiskies, but their tasting profiles promise coconut milk, lime, tropical fruit, crème caramel, white chocolate, charred pineapple, and frangipane.

On the gaming side, a leaked Xbox plan could be a major win for physical media collectors. The rumored disc-to-digital program would let players register physical Xbox One games as digital copies, with Xbox 360 support potentially following later.

Finally, it’s time for a throwback Byte-Sized Review of J.P. Wiser’s 23 Year Old Cask Strength Canadian Whisky.

Originally released in 2019, this blend of 23-year-old corn and rye whiskies was bottled at a massive 128.6 proof and originally sold for around $149 Canadian—approximately $106 US at the time.

Seven years later, it still delivers bright citrus, blueberry, caramel, vanilla, rye bread, syrupy honey texture, cinnamon-roll sweetness, subtle oak, vintage tobacco, and an exceptionally long finish.

Is this still one of the best Canadian whiskies ever released?

🥃 Topics covered:

Copper & Kings hazmat apple brandies

Old Overholt 11 Year Cask Strength Rye

The Macallan Harmony Collection coconut releases

Xbox’s rumored disc-to-digital game program

J.P. Wiser’s 23 Year Cask Strength review

How the whisky holds up seven years later

Final score and whether anything comparable exists today

What older bottle would you most like to revisit with your current palate?

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This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re wrapping up July with a shorter episode packed with whiskey news, AI controversy, celebrity whiskey moves, and a bourbon review with a meaningful story behind it.

The 15-month U.S. tariff on Scotch is officially over, but will bottle prices actually come back down? Then we look at CASKD AI, a new whiskey-focused artificial intelligence tool built for Scotch enthusiasts, collectors, market valuations, and bottle research.

Beyoncé is also making a major move in the whiskey world by taking full ownership of SirDavis American Whisky after originally launching the brand with Moët Hennessy. Does this mean more SirDavis releases are coming?

We also cover new releases from Bib & Tucker, Dancing Goat Distillery, and Bulleit, including a bottled-in-bond bourbon, older MGP-sourced whiskey, American single malt, and the new Bulleit ’87 bourbon-and-rye blend.

Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of Locke + Co Big Blaze Bourbon.

This Colorado-finished Kentucky bourbon supports firefighters and first responders, with 10% of sales benefiting Grand County, Colorado. The whiskey is finished with charred Aspen discs sourced from the East Troublesome Fire area, creating a story-driven bottle with toasted oak, vanilla, muscadine grape, bitter chocolate, and sweet vanilla finish.

Small correction: I accidentally refer to the brand as “Locke + Key” in the audio, but the correct name is Locke + Co.

🥃 Topics covered:

Scotch tariffs officially ending

CASKD AI and whiskey research

Beyoncé taking full ownership of SirDavis Whisky

Bib & Tucker 8 Year Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

Dancing Goat 10 Year Bourbon and American Single Malt

Bulleit ’87 Bourbon + Rye Blend

Locke + Co Big Blaze Bourbon review

Would you use AI to research whiskey, or would you rather trust reviewers and your own palate?

This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re diving into a packed lineup of new whiskey releases before revisiting one of my favorite barrel-strength rye whiskeys of all time: Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye.

New Riff is releasing its oldest Headliner blend yet, featuring 10+ year components including malted rye bourbon, rye, and Balboa rye. Bardstown Bourbon Company is getting tropical with Victoria Pineapple Finished Whiskey, a bourbon and rye blend finished in pineapple rum casks with fresh pineapple added to the barrel. Yellowstone is back with a limited edition finished in ruby and tawny port casks, and Heaven Hill is unveiling a first-of-its-kind Double Mash Bottled-in-Bond bourbon that blends its traditional bourbon mash bill with its wheated bourbon mash bill.

Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye.

This 2016 release is one of the earlier batches of Michter’s barrel-strength rye, likely around 113–114 proof, and it gave me a very different experience than I remembered from later releases. Expect an herbaceous rye nose, mint, citrus, vintage copper notes, brown sugar, burnt sugar, oak, plum, cinnamon, clove, and a long holiday-spice finish.

I used to think of Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye as one of my favorite rye whiskeys ever — but does this older bottle still hold up in 2026?

🥃 Topics covered:

New Riff 2026 Headliner Blend

Bardstown Bourbon Company Victoria Pineapple Finished Whiskey

Yellowstone Limited Edition Bourbon

Heaven Hill Double Mash Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye review

How older Michter’s releases compare to modern bottles

Final score and whether vintage bottles are worth hunting

Would you rather try Bardstown’s pineapple-finished whiskey or hunt down an older Michter’s Barrel Strength Rye?

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00:00 Intro – New Riff, Bardstown, Heaven Hill & Michter’s Rye

This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast...

Kavalan shocked the whiskey world at the 2026 International Whisky Competition, taking three of the top five spots with Taiwanese single malt releases including the Peatist Oloroso Sherry Cask, Solist Ex-Bourbon Single Cask Strength, and Solist Madeira Cask.

Then Buffalo Trace announced Camp Buffalo Trace, a new 21+ summer camp-style experience featuring bourbon education, blind tastings, single barrel challenges, barrel stave workshops, and even overnight luxury camping at the distillery.

Buffalo Trace also quietly revealed a new Bourbon Lemonade canned cocktail, made with Buffalo Trace bourbon and real lemon juice, available at the distillery this summer.

Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of a Buffalo Trace Single Barrel Store Pick from K&L Wine and Spirits.

This 9 year, 2 month Buffalo Trace store pick was bottled in a 1.75L handle for around $65, making it one of the best values I’ve found from Buffalo Trace in a while. It brings classic Buffalo Trace character with extra age, oak, brown sugar pastry, candied apple, cherry, caramel, chocolate, and a surprisingly solid finish for 90 proof.

Is this the best way to drink Buffalo Trace?

🥃 Topics covered:

Kavalan’s massive International Whisky Competition sweep

Camp Buffalo Trace luxury bourbon camping

Buffalo Trace Bourbon Lemonade canned cocktail

What makes Buffalo Trace store picks different

K&L Wine and Spirits Buffalo Trace single barrel review

Final score and whether store picks are worth hunting

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00:00 Intro – Kavalan, Camp Buffalo Trace & Store Pick Review

Would you grab a Buffalo Trace store pick over the standard bottle?

This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re talking about major whiskey and gaming news before diving into a double Byte-Sized Review of SHĀNG whiskey — a first-of-its-kind fusion of Chinese baijiu tradition and Kentucky whiskey aging.

Barton 1792 just announced two major releases: its first-ever 1792 Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey and 1792 XV, a 15-year-old cask-strength, unfiltered bourbon that marks the oldest age-stated expression in the brand’s history.

The Kentucky Bourbon Trail also added four new destinations, including Pursuit Spirits, giving a major milestone moment to a brand that started as a whiskey podcast.

On the gaming side, Microsoft announced one of the biggest restructures in Xbox history, including thousands of job cuts and a major shift in strategy.

Then it’s time for the main event: a double review of SHĀNG’s new jiàngxiāng whiskey releases.

First up is SHĀNG Dàn Yǎ, made from Chinese sauce-aroma baijiu that is redistilled and aged in charred American oak in Kentucky. Then I review SHĀNG East + West Kentucky Blend, which combines that baijiu-based whiskey with American red sorghum whiskey.

These are unlike anything I’ve reviewed before: sweet, earthy, savory, smoky, honeyed, mezcal-like, Islay-adjacent, and completely unique.

🥃 Topics covered:

1792 Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

1792 XV 15 Year Cask Strength Bourbon

Kentucky Bourbon Trail adds Pursuit Spirits

Microsoft and Xbox restructuring

What is SHĀNG jiàngxiāng whiskey?

SHĀNG Dàn Yǎ review

SHĀNG East + West Kentucky Blend review

Final scores and which bottle I’d recommend first

Would you try baijiu whiskey, or is this too far outside traditional American whiskey?

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This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re heading into July 4th weekend with a packed lineup of whiskey and gaming news before reviewing one of Maker’s Mark’s biggest experiments yet: Star Hill Farm 2026.

Bulleit just announced its oldest rye ever: a 20-year-old, 137-proof release limited to 1,776 bottles for America’s 250th anniversary. Redwood Empire is also back with Colonel Armstrong Wheated Bourbon, a new $40 four-grain release blending Northern California grain-to-glass whiskey with Kentucky and Indiana high-wheat bourbon.

We also talk about Dragon Con Bourbon, a nerdy collaboration with Atlanta’s Old Fourth Distillery, and Sweetens Cove Father’s Finish, a bourbon finished in cuvée wine barrels with a golf-themed cork design.

On the gaming side, Nintendo finally brings Star Fox to the Switch 2 with a modern remake of Star Fox 64.

Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm 2026.

This is not bourbon. It’s an American wheat whiskey made with 27% wheat, 62% malted wheat, and 11% malted barley, designed to highlight estate-grown grain and regenerative agriculture at Maker’s Mark.

At 116.4 proof and around $120, Star Hill Farm 2026 brings cola, vanilla cream, tart cherry, powdered sugar, brûléed sugar, and dessert-like sweetness. But does it deliver enough complexity to justify the price?

🥃 Topics covered:

Bulleit 20 Year Rye

Redwood Empire Colonel Armstrong Wheated Bourbon

Dragon Con Bourbon

Sweetens Cove Father’s Finish

Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2

Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm 2026 review

Final score and whether it’s worth buying

Would you pay $100-$120 for Maker’s Mark’s new wheat whiskey experiment?

It’s the 100th episode of the Bourbon Bytes podcast!

This week, I’m celebrating the milestone with a packed whiskey news lineup and a special Byte-Sized Review of Little Book The Infinite: Edition II from Jim Beam.

Willett filled the first barrel at its new Springfield distillery, Bacardi is taking full ownership of Teeling Irish Whiskey, Four Roses officially announced its first Experimental Series release finished in Japanese Mizunara oak, Blade & Bow is launching a 12-year Solera Reserve bourbon, and Frey Ranch released its first 10-year bourbon.

We also talk about the new “day cap” drinking trend, because apparently Gen Z may have just rebranded happy hour.

Then it’s time for the main event: Little Book The Infinite: Edition II.

This special Jim Beam family blend brings together 22-year bourbon distilled by Booker Noe, 10-year bourbon distilled by Fred Noe, and 7-year bourbon from Freddie Noe. It is bottled uncut and unfiltered at 120.4 proof, and it might be one of the best bourbons I’ve ever reviewed on the podcast.

Expect deep mahogany oak, vanilla, cinnamon, rich sweetness, charred barrel spice, incredible balance, and a full-bodied finish that drinks far below its proof.

🥃 Topics covered:

100th episode thank-you

Willett’s new Springfield distillery fills its first barrel

Bacardi takes full ownership of Teeling Irish Whiskey

Four Roses Experimental Series #1 Mizunara Oak

Blade & Bow 12 Year Solera Reserve

Frey Ranch 10 Year Bourbon

The “day cap” trend

Little Book The Infinite: Edition II review

Final score and whether it is worth $180–$200

Thank you all for listening, supporting, and helping Bourbon Bytes reach 100 episodes. Cheers and game on!

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00:00 100th Episode Intro

This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re covering one of the most ambitious American whiskey projects ever attempted before diving into a smoky, double-barreled Kentucky bourbon.

Booker’s is back with the new Milkshake Batch, inspired by Booker Noe’s love of bourbon-spiked chocolate malted milkshakes. Green River has announced its oldest bourbon yet: an 8-year Distillery Select Toasted Double Oak release bottled at 115.1 proof.

We also look at two very different celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary. Breckenridge Distillery is releasing its Patriotic Reserve Bourbon, while Lost Lantern has created a bourbon blend featuring whiskey sourced from all 50 states.

Then Coors Whiskey Company enters the American malt category with an 8-year limited release made with Colorado and Coors malts.

Finally, it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of Burnt Tavern Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

This 7-year-old, 105-proof bourbon is double-barreled in specially toasted and charred oak, creating notes of vanilla, toasted marshmallow, barbecue smoke, chocolate-chip cookies, caramelized crust, oak, and lingering chocolate.

Does all that smoke and char enhance the bourbon—or overpower what could be an excellent base whiskey?

The review bottle was provided by Burnt Tavern. All opinions are my own.

🥃 Topics covered:

Would you rather try the bourbon blended from all 50 states or the smoky, double-barreled Burnt Tavern?

Chapter Timecodes: 

00:00 Intro – Booker’s, Green River, Coors & Burnt Tavern

This week on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, we’re breaking down a packed lineup of whiskey and gaming news before diving into a Byte-Sized Review of the new Maker’s Mark Steward’s Release.

Old Forester announced its 2026 President’s Choice Bourbon and Rye, Barrell Craft Spirits revealed a limited Toasted Seagrass release, and Penelope is flipping its usual playbook with a new Classic Series bourbon and rye.

On the gaming side, Nintendo Direct brought major Switch 2 news, including a new Kingdom Hearts 4 trailer and a surprise Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake announcement. We also touch on Xbox’s 25th Anniversary console, Halo: Campaign Evolved, and PlayStation’s latest State of Play.

Then it’s time for the main event: Maker’s Mark Steward’s Release, the 2026 entry in the Wood Finishing Series.

This release brings notes of maple syrup, vanilla, waffle cone, toasted pie crust, honeycomb, peach cobbler, and salted caramel — but does it live up to the best Maker’s Mark limited releases?

🥃 Topics covered:

Old Forester President’s Choice Bourbon and Rye

Barrell Craft Spirits Toasted Seagrass

Penelope Classic Series Bourbon and Rye

Kingdom Hearts 4 coming to Switch 2

Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake reveal

Xbox 25th Anniversary console news

Halo: Campaign Evolved update

Maker’s Mark Steward’s Release review

Final score and whether it’s worth $75

Would you pick this over Maker’s 46 Cask Strength or a great Private Select?

YouTube Chapters:

00:00 Intro – Old Forester, Barrell, Nintendo & Maker’s Mark

This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re kicking off June with a packed lineup of whiskey news and one of the most surprising reviews of the year.

Four Roses just announced the start of its new Anthology Series, launching with a 21-year-old OBSF barrel-strength bourbon called The Origin. Russell’s Reserve 13 is back for Spring 2026 with a new release celebrating Eddie Russell’s 45 years of whiskey-making mastery. High West also returns with the 2026 edition of The Prisoner’s Share, now featuring High West’s own straight bourbon whiskey in the blend.

On the gaming side, PlayStation’s latest State of Play brought new looks at Marvel’s Wolverine, Marvel Tokon, and Rayman Legends Retold.

Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Distillery Reserve Mars Single Malt Japanese Blend.

This limited release blends Kentucky straight bourbon aged 10 to 16 years with Japanese single malts from Mars Whisky, including whisky aged in Sakura cherry wood and Umeshu plum liqueur casks. It sounds wild on paper — but somehow, it works beautifully.

At 109.8 proof and released in 375ml bottles for $100, this distillery-only experiment might be one of the best things Bardstown Bourbon Company has ever released.

🥃 Topics covered:

Would you try a Kentucky bourbon blended with Japanese single malt?

00:00 Intro – Four Roses, Russell’s Reserve, High West & Bardstown Mars