This week, we’re exploring a rising star in the Bottled-in-Bond world — Southern Star Paragon Wheated Bourbon. Crafted in North Carolina, this wheated mash bill brings a smooth, rich profile with all the structure and integrity of the Bottled-in-Bond tradition.

🔍 Tasting Breakdown👃 Nose: Honey, toasted oak, soft vanilla👅 Palate: Creamy caramel, baking spice, warm wheat bread🔥 Finish: Gentle, lingering sweetness with a hint of spice

🏭 Distillery NotesProduced by Southern Distilling Company in Statesville, NC, this Bottled-in-Bond wheated bourbon is aged at least 4 years, bottled at 100 proof, and made in a single distilling season — a true showcase of craftsmanship and Southern pride.

This week, we’re tasting a single barrel rye selected by Fine Wine & Good Spirits, and it’s a standout. Sagamore Spirit brings their signature Maryland-style rye with a bold twist — this barrel pick is spicy, complex, and full of character.

🔍 Tasting Breakdown👃 Nose: Cinnamon, orange zest, herbal rye spice👅 Palate: Bold pepper, dried fruit, vanilla oak🔥 Finish: Lingering spice with a touch of sweetness

🏭 Distillery NotesSourced from Sagamore Spirit in Baltimore, MD — known for reviving Maryland-style rye with a modern edge. This barrel select is bottled at cask strength, offering a pure, unfiltered experience of their high-rye mash bill.

🥃 Heaven Hill 7 Year Bottled-in-Bond is a classic Kentucky bourbon aged 7 years and bottled at 100 proof. With notes of oak, caramel, tobacco, and spice, it delivers a balanced, dry profile that honors Heaven Hill’s legacy. A must-try for fans of traditional bourbon and Bottled-in-Bond standards.

🥃 1792 Bottled in Bond is a bold Kentucky bourbon aged at least 4 years and bottled at 100 proof. With a high-rye mash bill and rich notes of caramel, spice, and oak, it’s a classic pour that honors tradition and delivers flavor. A must-have for fans of bonded bourbon and Barton’s signature style.

Old Forester Rye is a bold yet approachable Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey crafted with Old Forester’s signature balance of spice and sweetness. Bottled at 100 proof, it’s designed to shine both as a sipper and in classic cocktails like the Manhattan or Old Fashioned. With a unique mash bill that leans heavily on rye while still incorporating Old Forester’s character, this whiskey delivers robust flavor, exceptional value, and versatility behind the bar.

In this episode, we dive into the world of Wild Turkey and its celebrated Russell’s Reserve line. Known for crafting bold, character-driven bourbon, Wild Turkey has built a legacy under the guidance of legendary father-son distillers, Jimmy and Eddie Russell. One of the crown jewels of that legacy is the Russell’s Reserve Private Barrel Select program, where hand-picked barrels showcase the very best of what the distillery has to offer.

We’ll be tasting and talking through a special selection from Kreston’s Wine & Spirits, exploring how this exclusive single barrel reflects the craftsmanship, tradition, and rich flavor profile that make Russell’s Reserve so sought after. From the distillery’s deep Kentucky roots to the unique nuances of this Kreston’s pick, this pour tells a story that every bourbon fan will want to hear.

Woodford Reserve Double Oaked is a luxurious and richly textured bourbon from Woodford Reserve Distillery (Brown-Forman). Bottled at approximately 90.4 proof, this twice-barreled expression delivers layers of soft, sweet oak character with indulgent notes of vanilla, dark caramel, hazelnut, and fruit. It’s a smooth, dessert-style bourbon that elevates the Woodford Reserve experience with added depth and complexity.

Town Branch Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a rich, approachable bourbon from Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co.—the first new distillery built in Lexington, Kentucky in over 100 years when it opened in 2012. Bottled at 90 proof and aged in new charred American oak, this bourbon is crafted with a higher malted barley content than most traditional bourbons, lending it a unique balance of sweetness, nuttiness, and depth. With its smooth character and malt-forward profile, Town Branch reflects both Kentucky tradition and the brewing heritage of its parent company, Alltech.