This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re diving into a packed week of whiskey news before heading to Northern California for a Byte-Sized Review of Redwood Empire Haystack Needle.

Michter’s is releasing its first-ever Barrel Strength Sour Mash Whiskey, Maker’s Mark is back with a new edition of Star Hill Farm Whisky, Widow Jane is finishing bourbon in Tequila Ocho casks, Jack Daniel’s has a new hazmat rye release, and Four Roses is expanding its single barrel lineup.

Plus, we take a quick look at upcoming video game releases, including Forza Horizon 6 and 007 First Light.

Then it’s time for the main event: a review of Redwood Empire Haystack Needle, an 8 year, 7 month California bourbon single barrel pick from K&L Wine and Spirits, bottled at 119 proof.

This bottle completely surprised me with bright red fruit, strawberry shortcake, dark chocolate, oak, and a finish that makes me wonder if Redwood Empire is helping define the future of California whiskey.

🥃 Topics covered:

Would you pay $130 for a craft California bourbon like this?

Timecodes:

00:00 Intro – Michter’s, Maker’s, Jack Daniel’s & Redwood Empire

Whiskey got wild this week.

Eagle Rare just announced a 30-year-old bourbon priced at $12,500, Elijah Craig is back with another PGA Championship bottle, and Booker's Bourbon returns with its first batch of 2026.

I also break down:

Then I give my full Byte-Sized Review of Knob Creek Blender’s Edition to see if Beam has a real hit on its hands.

🥃 Is it better than standard Knob Creek?

Let me know what you think in the comments.

Timecodes:

00:00 Intro – Welcome to Bourbon Bytes

00:52 Eagle Rare 30 Costs $12,500

04:42 Buffalo Trace Distillery Opens New Cafe

06:36 Elijah Craig PGA Championship Bourbon

07:59 Booker's Bourbon Big Easy Batch 2026-01

09:54 New TTB Labels: Old Forester + Heaven Hill

12:22 Byte-Sized Review – Knob Creek Blender’s Edition

21:04 Outro + Byte Club Shoutouts

Whiskey might be changing in a big way.

A recent appeals court ruling could potentially make home distilling legal in the United States - a move that could reshape the entire whiskey landscape. But that’s not the only shift happening right now.

This week on Bourbon Bytes, I break down:

And of course, I’m reviewing Kentucky Senator Bourbon "Jim Bunning" Release #7 to see if it lives up to the hype.

🥃 Is the whiskey boom changing direction?

Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Timecodes:

Bourbon is getting strange… and expensive.

This week on Bourbon Bytes, I'm breaking down some of the wildest whiskey news stories of the moment: from Costco’s viral “hot dog bourbon” to Knob Creek’s new Blender’s Edition, Buffalo Trace’s latest experiments, and Angel’s Envy pushing further into ultra-premium territory.

But after all the hype, the real question is… do we actually need all this innovation?

To find out, I review the new Ardbeg 10 Cask Strength—a surprisingly simple release that might prove great whiskey doesn’t need gimmicks.

Is bourbon innovation going too far? And can a classic Scotch still outperform it all?

🥃 Topics:

👇 Let me know:

Timecodes:

00:00 Intro – Bourbon Is Getting Weird

This week on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, I'm breaking down some of the biggest whiskey news stories of the moment—plus a first impression review of a brand new Bardstown Bourbon Company release.

🔥 Topics include:

🎮 Plus, a major shakeup in the gaming industry with layoffs at Epic Games.

🥃 Then we dive into a Byte-Sized Review of the Bardstown Bourbon Company Cascadia Garryana Oak Finish — a rare oak, toasted finish bourbon with a smoky, tobacco-forward profile and surprising sweetness.

Is it worth the price… and the trip to the distillery?

00:00 – Intro & Episode Preview

This week on Bourbon Bytes, I’m breaking down one of the biggest trending topics in bourbon right now — recent news and rumors surrounding Green River’s master distiller.

What’s actually confirmed? What’s speculation? And what could it mean for the future of the brand?

Then, I dive into a full review of the brand-new Sazerac Full Proof Rye Whiskey from Sazerac.

Buffalo Trace fans have been waiting for a higher-proof version of this classic rye — but does it actually deliver?

I cover:

The latest Green River updates and what we know so far

Nose, palate, and finish of Sazerac Full Proof Rye

How it compares to standard Sazerac Rye

Whether it’s worth buying at MSRP

Note: Any discussion of Green River is based on publicly available information and industry speculation at the time of recording.

On this week’s Bourbon Bytes Podcast, we’re covering some of the biggest whiskey news stories of the week before diving into a cult-favorite bourbon review.

Topics include:

🥃 Remus Experimental Series Wheat Whiskey

Then for this week’s Byte-Sized Review, I’m tasting Evan Williams 12 Year Red Label Bourbon, a Heaven Hill export that’s become a favorite among bourbon fans.

Often only available in Japan, this bottle has developed a reputation for delivering well-aged bourbon at a surprisingly reasonable price.

Does it live up to the hype?

Let’s find out.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro – Whiskey News + Today’s Review

On this week’s episode of the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, I’m catching up on the latest whiskey and gaming news before diving into a unique bottle that raises an interesting question…

Can Kentucky make good tequila?

Today’s Byte-Sized Review features the Nulu Extra Añejo Blue Agave Spirit from Prohibition Craft Spirits — distilled in Tequila, Mexico but aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels. It’s a fascinating crossover between the worlds of bourbon and agave spirits, and I’m breaking down whether this experiment actually works.

Along the way we’ll also talk about:

🥃 The return of High West Bourye 2026

Then we’ll taste the Nulu Blue Agave Spirit and see if Kentucky aging gives this agave spirit a bourbon lover’s twist.

Is it a gimmick… or something truly unique?

Explore Chapters using the timecodes below:

00:00 Can Kentucky Make Good Tequila? Intro + Whiskey News

This week on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, I’m diving into the brand-new Redbreast Moscatel Wine Cask Edition — the latest release in the Iberian Series — to see if this sweet Spanish cask finish lives up to the hype.

Does Moscatel bring bold citrus and floral complexity… or is it too dessert-like for a classic single pot still Irish whiskey?

I break down the nose, palate, finish, value, and where this release ranks among other Iberian Series bottles — plus whether it’s worth grabbing at retail.

Timecodes below to jump straight to the review 👇

00:00 – Welcome + What’s in This Episode

01:13 – Whiskey News: World Whiskies Awards 2026 Winners

07:53 – Whiskey News: 2026 Michter's Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey Announced

09:54 – Whiskey News: Penelope 7 Year Old Barrel Strength Bourbon

11:25 – Whiskey News: Pinhook Vertical Series 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey

13:00 – Byte-Sized Review: Redbreast Moscatel Wine Cask Edition Irish Whiskey

21:30 – Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

This week on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, I’m covering major whiskey headlines from around the world — including:

🥃 A new cask strength Ardbeg release

And then… we get to the main event.

Last year, Green River Full Proof Bourbon was my #1 whiskey of 2025. Now they’ve released a Wheated Full Proof Bourbon — and I’m giving my honest, independent take; breaking down the nose, palate, finish, value, and whether this one earns a spot on my shelf.

Is it a worthy follow-up? Does swapping rye for wheat change the magic? And can it live up to the hype?

Let’s find out.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation in the Discord: bourbonbytes.com

Chapter markers:

00:00 – Welcome + Episode Overview

01:32 – Ardbeg 10 Cask Strength Committee Release

02:57 – Redbreast Muscatel Finished Irish Whiskey

04:17 – Barrell Craft Spirits 18-Year Hazmat Curacao Finished Whiskey

06:04 – Byte-Sized Review: Green River Full Proof Wheated Bourbon

15:37 – Listener Shoutout & Where to Follow