Brims and Barrels

Bourye Blind Bonanza | Bourbon × Rye Blend Blind

Four bottles. No labels. Just the pour.

In this episode of Brims & Barrels, Xavier and Ray put four bourbon-and-rye blends head-to-head in a true blind tasting:

Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Unforgotten
High West Bourye
Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye
13th Colony Barrel Symphony Composition No. 1

We score each pour on nose, palate, and finish, talk through which side of the blend seems to dominate, and see whether the more expensive or more established bottles actually perform better when the labels disappear.

The results definitely didn’t go the way we expected.

We also get into sports, childhood players who influenced our style, Cowboys vs. Texans, fitted hats, and why blinds continue to be one of the best ways to judge whiskey without hype getting in the way.

The question we leave with:

What is the perfect bourbon-to-rye balance?

Let us know your answer in the comments and tell us which Bourye you think would win your blind.

Two Fits. One Pour.

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#BrimsAndBarrels #Bourye #Bourbon #RyeWhiskey #WhiskeyBlind #BourbonBlind #HighWest #KnobCreek #WildTurkey #13thColony #WhiskeyReview

Dark Arts calls it Blunt Blend—we call it Dank Arts. 🌿🥃

For this Game Ready, we’re pouring Dark Arts Blunt Blend Batch 2: an 8-year, 95/5 MGP rye finished in Madeira and Armagnac casks and bottled at 114 proof.

From the bold maple-syrup nose to the herbal rye notes, mint, spice and lingering finish, this bottle delivers from nose to palate. It’s powerful without drinking overly hot, and those finishing casks complement the rye without covering it up.

Shoutout to Joe, The Bourbon Pitmaster, for putting Xavier onto this bottle—and to Dark Arts for creating one of the most memorable pours we tried at Houston Whiskey Riot.

For our Game Ready comparisons, Ray calls on Ricky Williams, while Xavier goes with Marshawn Lynch: bold, physical, unapologetic and always true to himself.

The verdict: Dark Arts Blunt Blend is a certified starter. It will not sit on the bench.

Would you pair this one with a cigar—or something else? 👀

Two Fits. One Pour.

#BrimsAndBarrels #DarkArtsWhiskey #BluntBlend #RyeWhiskey #GameReady #WhiskeyReview #BourbonYouTube #MGPWhiskey #WhiskeyTube

Brilliant Beam Blind 🥃 | Knob Creek 21 vs Booker’s Reserve vs Baker’s 13 vs Hardin’s Creek

We’re putting four serious Beam bottles to the test — completely blind.

This lineup features Knob Creek 21, Booker’s The Reserves, Baker’s 13, and Hardin’s Creek, but once the pours hit the table, the labels don’t matter. We score each bourbon on the nose, palate, and finish, make our guesses, and see which bottle actually comes out on top.

Going into the blind, Booker’s Reserve had high expectations, while Knob Creek 21 brought the age and Baker’s 13 brought that classic Beam profile. But the final rankings definitely didn’t go the way we expected.

No labels. No bias. Just the pour.

Drop a comment and let us know: Which one would you have picked to win?

🥃 Knob Creek 21
🥃 Booker’s The Reserves
🥃 Baker’s 13
🥃 Hardin’s Creek

Make sure you like, subscribe, and follow Brims & Barrels on all platforms. And check out our sponsors OnlyDrams and Chophouse Barber Company.

Two Fits. One Pour.

#BrimsAndBarrels #BrilliantBeamBlind #JimBeam #KnobCreek21 #BookersBourbon #Bakers13 #HardinsCreek #BourbonBlind #BourbonReview #WhiskeyTube #BourbonCommunity

A bourbon 22 years in the making… and this one might already be in the conversation for one of our best pours of the year. 🥃🔥

For this Brims & Barrels Game Ready, we’re cracking the 2026 Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon — a bottle Ray won with the FIRST PICK in a raffle at Liquor Zone. And at roughly $320 MSRP, there was no way we weren’t opening it.

22 years old. 129.2 proof. Non-chill filtered.

On the nose and palate, we found toasted vanilla, leather, oak, cinnamon/baking spice, tobacco, pepper and a touch of sweet oak — but what really stood out was how well the age was handled. It had plenty of oak without becoming overly tannic.

This was a fresh crack, and after one sip we were already talking Top 5… maybe even Top 3 territory for the year.

When it came time to make the call, there wasn’t much debate.

🏈 GAME READY: STARTER.

Not just a starter either — this bottle felt like the veteran leader/Hall of Fame coach in the locker room. Experienced, refined and built to lead.

Would you pay $320 for a 22-year-old Heaven Hill bourbon?

Drop your thoughts below.

🥃 Two Fits. One Pour.

#BrimsAndBarrels #HeavenHill #HeavenHillHeritageCollection #Bourbon #BourbonReview #Whiskey #WhiskeyTube #GameReady #KentuckyBourbon

A bourbon 22 years in the making… and this one might already be in the conversation for one of our best pours of the year. 🥃🔥

For this Brims & Barrels Game Ready, we’re cracking the 2026 Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon — a bottle Ray won with the FIRST PICK in a raffle at Liquor Zone. And at roughly $320 MSRP, there was no way we weren’t opening it.

22 years old. 129.2 proof. Non-chill filtered.

On the nose and palate, we found toasted vanilla, leather, oak, cinnamon/baking spice, tobacco, pepper and a touch of sweet oak — but what really stood out was how well the age was handled. It had plenty of oak without becoming overly tannic.

This was a fresh crack, and after one sip we were already talking Top 5… maybe even Top 3 territory for the year.

When it came time to make the call, there wasn’t much debate.

🏈 GAME READY: STARTER.

Not just a starter either — this bottle felt like the veteran leader/Hall of Fame coach in the locker room. Experienced, refined and built to lead.

Would you pay $320 for a 22-year-old Heaven Hill bourbon?

Drop your thoughts below.

🥃 Two Fits. One Pour.

#BrimsAndBarrels #HeavenHill #HeavenHillHeritageCollection #Bourbon #BourbonReview #Whiskey #WhiskeyTube #GameReady #KentuckyBourbon

E.H. Taylor Cured Oak is back after 11 years. 🥃

Originally released in 2015, E.H. Taylor, Jr. Cured Oak returned in 2026 as a rare limited release from Buffalo Trace.

On this Brims & Barrels Game Ready, Xavier is joined by his wife, Shamier, as they crack open the new release and see how it holds up.

What makes this bottle different starts with the barrel.

Cured Oak is a 10-year-old, 100-proof, Bottled-in-Bond bourbon aged in barrels made from white oak staves that were air-dried for 13 months — more than twice the standard curing time.

That extra time with the oak was meant to create a deeper, more complex profile, with notes of tobacco, dried fruit, vanilla, toffee, seasoned oak, and a long, dry finish.

But none of that matters if the bourbon doesn’t deliver in the glass.

We get into the nose, palate, finish, and ultimately decide where this bottle belongs on the depth chart.

After 11 years away, did E.H. Taylor Cured Oak come back as a starter?

Pour something good and get Game Ready with us.

🥃 Brims & Barrels
Two Fits. One Pour.

#EHTaylor #EHTaylorCuredOak #CuredOak #BuffaloTrace #BottledInBond #Bourbon #Whiskey #BourbonReview #WhiskeyReview #BrimsAndBarrels #GameReady

Texas bourbon doesn’t always get the same spotlight as Kentucky — and Ray may have summed it up perfectly:

Texas bourbon is the fullback of the whiskey game. 🏈🥃

It may not get all the touchdowns or all the glory, but it does the dirty work and deserves more appreciation.

On this episode of Brims & Barrels Game Ready, we’re pouring Broken Halo Barrel Strength Bourbon from War Trail Spirits in Llano, Texas.

This one comes in at:

🥃 115 Proof
🌽 80% Corn / 20% Rye
🚫 No Malted Barley
📍 100% Texas Grain-to-Glass
💰 $59 MSRP

After letting the bottle open up, we picked up notes of leather, tobacco and black licorice on the nose, followed by vanilla, caramel, orange creamsicle and a nice rye pepper spice on the palate.

But there’s only one question that matters on Game Ready:

Is Broken Halo riding the bench… or is it a starter when it’s 4th & Inches?

Pour something good and find out.

Two Fits. One Pour. 🥃

#BrimsAndBarrels #BrokenHalo #WarTrailSpirits #TexasBourbon #TexasWhiskey #BourbonReview #WhiskeyReview #GameReady

This episode hits a little different.

For the first time, Brims & Barrels got the opportunity to be part of the barrel-picking process, and we're sitting down to revisit the two bottles we helped select: Reveries 10 Year Single Barrel and Seelbach's 9 Year 4 Month Double Oak.

A huge shoutout to Pete at Liquor Zone for taking a chance on us and inviting Brims & Barrels into the experience, and to Laz (@thatsubourbonguy) for the recommendation, guidance, and knowledge throughout the process. We're whiskey enthusiasts first, so having people around us who know the game made this first experience one we'll never forget.

🥃 REVERIES 10 YEAR SINGLE BARREL | 109 PROOF

This one immediately separated itself with a darker, richer profile.

Nose: Dark brown sugar • Dried fruit • Baking spice • Deep caramel • Molasses

Palate: Red fruit • Toasted almond • Vanilla • Brown sugar • Oak

Finish: Dark chocolate • Oak • Spice with a lingering finish

That toasted almond note is one of the things that made this barrel stand out for us.

🥃 SEELBACH'S DOUBLE OAK | 9 YEARS 4 MONTHS | ~116 PROOF

We tasted through several barrels before landing on this one, and the Double Oak profile separated itself from the pack.

Nose: Maple • Sweet oak • Baking spice

Palate: Sweet oak • Cinnamon • Caramel • Vanilla

Finish: Lingering sweet oak • Dark chocolate • Baking spice

Two completely different pours. Two barrels we're proud to have our name connected to.

But you already know Brims & Barrels is TWO FITS. ONE POUR. 🧢🥃

We also get into some of our latest fitted pickups, Houston-inspired designs, sneaker pairings, and why the BRIMS are just as much a part of this show as the BARRELS.

And like always, the conversation goes wherever it goes. 😂

🌐 Check out the Brims & Barrels website and keep up with everything we're building. We're also available across the major podcast platforms, with video available on YouTube and Apple Podcasts.

LIKE 👍🏾 | COMMENT 💬 | SUBSCRIBE 🔔

Let us know in the comments:

Which one are you reaching for first — Reveries 10 Year or Seelbach's Double Oak?

🥃 Two Fits. One Pour.

🎙️ No script. All vibes.

🥃 Whiskey is better when shared.

#BrimsAndBarrels #TwoFitsOnePour #Bourbon #Whiskey #BarrelPick #SingleBarrel #Reveries #Seelbachs #DoubleOak #BourbonCommunity #WhiskeyTube #BourbonReview #Houston #FittedHats #LiquorZone

Can a bourbon finished in Calvados casks earn a starting spot in the Brims & Barrels lineup?

In this episode of Game Ready, we crack open the Still Austin Distillery Exclusive Calvados Cask Finished Bourbon and break down everything from the nose to the finish. We talk coffee, caramel, toffee, sweet apples, pears, and subtle oak while discussing whether this unique finish complements the bourbon—or takes it in a different direction.

Along the way, we compare the nose to Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon, discuss how this bottle fits into a bourbon collection, and even give a shoutout to the wives who support the passion behind Brims & Barrels.

🏈 Game Ready is where every bottle earns its spot. Every whiskey can't be a starter... some belong on the bench. Which one is this?

🥃 Have you tried the Still Austin Calvados Cask Finished? Let us know:

• Is it a Starter or Bench?
• What's your favorite Still Austin release?
• Would you hunt this distillery exclusive?

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments!

🍂 Tasting Notes
• Coffee
• Toffee
• Caramel
• Sweet Apples
• Pears
• Light Oak
• Balanced Finish

🎙️ About Brims & Barrels
Two Fits. One Pour.

More than bourbon—we're about the stories, camaraderie, and conversations that happen over a great pour. Every episode is honest, unscripted, and built for whiskey lovers of every level.

👍 Like • 💬 Comment • 🔔 Subscribe

#BrimsAndBarrels #StillAustin #CalvadosCask #Bourbon #BourbonReview #WhiskeyReview #GameReady #TexasWhiskey #DistilleryExclusive #WhiskeyTube #BourbonCommunity #TwoFitsOnePour

Can a bourbon finished in Calvados casks earn a starting spot in the Brims & Barrels lineup?

In this episode of Game Ready, we crack open the Still Austin Distillery Exclusive Calvados Cask Finished Bourbon and break down everything from the nose to the finish. We talk coffee, caramel, toffee, sweet apples, pears, and subtle oak while discussing whether this unique finish complements the bourbon—or takes it in a different direction.

Along the way, we compare the nose to Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon, discuss how this bottle fits into a bourbon collection, and even give a shoutout to the wives who support the passion behind Brims & Barrels.

🏈 Game Ready is where every bottle earns its spot. Every whiskey can't be a starter... some belong on the bench. Which one is this?

🥃 Have you tried the Still Austin Calvados Cask Finished? Let us know:

• Is it a Starter or Bench?
• What's your favorite Still Austin release?
• Would you hunt this distillery exclusive?

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments!

🍂 Tasting Notes
• Coffee
• Toffee
• Caramel
• Sweet Apples
• Pears
• Light Oak
• Balanced Finish

🎙️ About Brims & Barrels
Two Fits. One Pour.

More than bourbon—we're about the stories, camaraderie, and conversations that happen over a great pour. Every episode is honest, unscripted, and built for whiskey lovers of every level.

👍 Like • 💬 Comment • 🔔 Subscribe

#BrimsAndBarrels #StillAustin #CalvadosCask #Bourbon #BourbonReview #WhiskeyReview #GameReady #TexasWhiskey #DistilleryExclusive #WhiskeyTube #BourbonCommunity #TwoFitsOnePour