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

This week on Bourbon Bytes, I’m digging into a tequila-finished American single malt from Copperworks Distilling and breaking down whether this experimental cask finish actually works.

I also cover whiskey headlines, new releases, and industry chatter before delivering a full ‘Byte-Sized Review’ of the Copperworks American Single Malt finished in Arette tequila casks. From malt-forward sweetness to chocolate notes and surprising agave influence, I share exactly what stood out and where this bottle lands on my scale.

If you love experimental finishes, American single malt, or just honest tasting notes beyond the hype, this one’s for you.

Join the conversation in our Discord and tell me what you think: bourbonbytes.com

Timecodes:

00:00 Welcome to Bourbon Bytes  

1:51 Whiskey News: Garisson Brothers 6yr Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon

3:56 Whiskey News: Return of New Riff Balboa Rye Whiskey

5:01 Whiskey News: Rebel Root Beer Whiskey Returns

5:51 Whiskey News: Buffalo Trace's 'Charred and Chilled Festival'

7:28 Video Game News: Ubisoft Cancels Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake

10:07 Video Game News: Microsoft's New 'Fable' Revealed

11:10 Byte Sized Review: Copperworks Arette Tequila Cask Finished American Single Malt Whiskey

20:32 Final Thoughts & Outro

This week on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, we’re getting into the Bardstown Bourbon Company rebrand that has the whiskey internet fully divided — and I’m using it as a jumping-off point to talk bottle redesigns across the industry.

Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of Bardstown Bourbon Company Bottled-in-Bond (6-year wheated bourbon, 100 proof) — and… yeah, it surprised me in the best way.

💬 Join the conversation (and see label comparisons): bourbonbytes.com → Discord

Timecodes:

00:00 Cold Open: Bardstown’s controversial rebrand + what’s ahead

This week on Bourbon Bytes (a whiskey podcast with a gaming twist), I’m covering a couple big whiskey headlines, a Lunar New Year Scotch release, and some gaming news that has me genuinely hyped.

🥃 Whiskey News

Knob Creek drops a new Eli Manning single barrel collab

Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked (2026) expands beyond distillery-only (but that price…)

Tomatin Year of the Horse 14 Year (PX sherry butt, cask strength) sounds dangerously good

🎮 Gaming News

RuneScape turns 25 (year-long celebration)

New Life is Strange: Reunion details + release date

Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator looks like my exact kind of cozy chaos

⭐ Byte-Sized Review

Listen, rate, and drop your takes in the Discord: bourbonbytes.com

See timecodes below to navigate the episode:

00:00 Cold Open: Knob Creek, Woodford, RuneScape + the Rye Review

I'm back from a short break and kicking off the new year with a packed episode of the Bourbon Bytes Podcast! This week we're catching up on the biggest whiskey stories you may have missed — including a brand new Old Fitzgerald from Heaven Hill, a cask strength release from High West, and a look at the highs and lows of Irish whiskey through the end of 2025.

But the star of the show is a very special viewer-sent sample: Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot B. I finally sit down to give this legendary bourbon an honest review — no hype, no pressure, just my genuine thoughts on whether Lot B still earns its place in the modern bourbon world.

Navigate the full episode below using the chapter markers!

00:00 – Episode Teaser: Bourbon News + Lot B Review

The final Bourbon Bytes Podcast episode of 2025 is here, and it’s a big one.

In this episode, Clifton wraps up the year with honest reflections on the future of Bourbon Bytes, the bourbon industry heading into 2026, and a "Byte-Sized Review" of the brand-new Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Cask Strength Bourbon.

Willett is one of the most polarizing names in whiskey, and this new four-year-old, cask strength release has sparked plenty of debate. Is it a promising step forward for Willett’s own distillate, or does the price and presentation lean too hard on hype?

Clifton breaks down the nose, palate, finish, value, and expectations while also sharing broader thoughts on availability, pricing, and what bourbon drinkers may see more of in the coming year.

Whiskey news, honest reviews, and real talk to close out 2025.

Cheers, and see you in 2026 🥃

00:00 – Welcome & Final Episode of 2025

02:30 – End-of-Year Reflections & 2026 Outlook

04:32 – Where Bourbon Bytes Is Headed Next

08:06 – Thoughts on the Bourbon Market in 2026

12:20 – Byte-Sized Review: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Bourbon

23:05 – Listener Questions & Closing Thoughts

This week on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, Clifton breaks down a massive wave of upcoming whiskey releases for 2026 — including the rumored return of Knob Creek 12-Year Cask Strength, a newly labeled 7-Year Old Grandad 114, Penelope’s new Madagascar Cognac Finish, Blood Oath Pact 12, Lou Gehrig Remus Reserve, a permanent Templeton Rye Double Oak, and a special 250th Anniversary Rittenhouse 10-Year Bottled-in-Bond.

Then, it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of one of the most unique American Single Malts of the year: Copperworks Kilt Lifter Whiskey — a collaboration decades in the making between Copperworks Distilling and Pike Brewing. A wild pine-forward nose gives way to a layered palate with floral brightness, cinnamon oatmeal, and a sweet Cinnabon-like finish. At $60 and 100 proof, Clifton calls it one of the most “recognizable and memorable” whiskeys he’s tried all year.

Plus: Civilization VII gets a major free DLC update, and two new games hit the market this week — Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on Switch 2 and Microsoft Flight Simulator (PS5), complete with its new Stranger Things “Hawkins” expansion.

00:00 - Intro & Why 2026 Whiskey Releases Are Exploding

01:20 - Knob Creek 12 Cask Strength: The Return?

03:03 - Old Grandad 114 Single Barrel (7-Year!)

04:12 - Penelope Madagascar Cognac Release

04:43 - Blood Oath Pact 12 Red Wine Finish

05:49 - Remus “Lou Gehrig” Reserve Mashbill Breakdown

07:24 - Templeton Rye Double Oak Announcement

08:23 - Rittenhouse 10-Year Bottled-in-Bond for 250th Anniversary

09:57 - Whiskey of the Year: Elijah Craig Barrel-Proof Rye

11:58 - Gaming News: Civ VII Free DLC + Huge Updates

14:47 - Gaming News: Metroid Prime 4 & Microsoft Flight Simulator Stranger Things Pack

15:52 - Byte-Sized Review: Copperworks Kilt Lifter Whiskey

23:46 - Closing & Tease for Next Week’s Tequila Cask Review

This week, Clifton covers some of the final big whiskey drops of 2025, including new releases from Clyde May’s, Central Waters’ new Great Blue line, State Line Distillery’s debut 5-year rye, and the dramatic relaunch of Copper & Kings under new ownership. Then it’s time for one of the most surprising pours of the year: Bruichladdich Laddie Rye — a 100-proof, 7-year Islay-grown rye-and-barley hybrid that tastes like nothing else on the market.

Plus: Palmer Luckey’s newest retro console — the ModRetro M64 — might be the most exciting gaming hardware of the year.