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We explore Booker's Reserve 2025, a groundbreaking bourbon finished in tequila barrels that creates a unique flavor experience unlike any previous Booker's release.

• First-ever finished Booker's bourbon and first tequila finish in the Beam portfolio
• Barrels traveled from Kentucky to Mexico and back, creating a global whiskey story
• Aged 8 years, 10 months, 11 days at 123.3 proof (61.65% ABV)
• Brown wax seal pays homage to early Booker's releases
• Freddie Noe's innovative approach honors grandfather Booker's experimental spirit
• Tasting reveals complex notes of caramel, vanilla, Mexican spice, and subtle agave influence
• Scores an impressive 17.5/18 on our Old Louisville Barrel Bottle Breakdown rating system
• Drinks remarkably smooth despite high proof, making it an ideal fireside sipper
• The finish features a lasting warmth with evolving flavors that continue to develop

Visit www.scotchybourbonboys.com for all things Scotchy Bourbon Boys, including Glencairn glasses and t-shirts. Remember, good bourbon equals good friends and good times. Drink responsibly and don't drink and drive. Live your life uncut and unfiltered.

Bourbon innovation meets tequila tradition in our exploration of Booker's Reserve 2025 – a groundbreaking release that takes Booker's barrels on an international journey before creating something truly spectacular.

This unique expression began with Booker's 30th Anniversary barrels that traveled to Jalisco, Mexico, where the Camarena family used them to age El Tesoro tequila. When those same barrels returned to Kentucky, they carried rich agave notes that would transform a special batch of Booker's bourbon during a 2-3 month finishing period. The result? A first-ever finished Booker's that bridges Kentucky tradition with Mexican craftsmanship.

Our tasting reveals a masterful balance of bourbon character and tequila influence. At 123.3 proof, this 8-year, 10-month bourbon delivers waves of caramel, vanilla, and baking spices complemented by subtle agave brightness. What's most remarkable is how approachable it remains despite its strength – the perfect fireside companion for winter evenings. The distinctive brown wax seal (rather than traditional black) visually connects this innovative expression to early Booker's releases.

Freddie Noe has established the Reserve series as his playground while honoring his grandfather's experimental spirit. As Freddie notes, Booker "was never not exploring" and would eagerly share his tinkering with friends and family. This philosophy lives on in a bourbon that scored an impressive 17.5/18 on our rating scale, making it a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Whether you're a longtime Booker's fan or exploring premium bourbon for the first time, this release demonstrates how thoughtful barrel finishing can add fascinating dimensions to an already exceptional whiskey. Get your bottle while supplies last, and experience what happens when Kentucky tradition meets Mexican craftsmanship in a glass.

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Rebekah Neeley from Neeley Family Distillery joins us to share their latest innovations and a tasting of uniquely finished whiskeys from their Sparta, Kentucky distillery. From their upcoming three-chamber still to award-winning experimental finishes, Rebecca demonstrates why small, family-owned distilleries are at the forefront of bourbon innovation.

• Neely is installing a three-chamber still, becoming only the fourth operational one in the world
• Cypress fermenters impart the distinct "Neely funk" that distinguishes their flavor profile
• Their absinthe has won three consecutive double golds and a platinum medal
• Rebekah guides us through tastings of sake-finished bourbon, sauternes finish, tequila finish, and acacia wood finish
• The distillery offers quarter and half barrel picks to make barrel selection more accessible
• Rebekah's first official blend showcases her blending skills and understanding of everyday bourbon drinkers
• Visitors can fill their own bottles and personalize labels at the distillery
• Located at Exit 55 off Interstate 71 between Louisville and Cincinnati

Remember to stop by Neeley Family Distillery when traveling - they have rocking chairs, a cigar area, and some of the cleanest bathrooms around. Live your life uncut and unfiltered.

Venture into the heart of Kentucky bourbon country as we sit down with Rebekah Neeley at the speakeasy of Neeley Family Distillery. This episode uncorks the fascinating evolution of a craft distillery that's balancing tradition with bold innovation.

Rebekah shares exciting news about their upcoming three-chamber still installation—set to make them only the fourth distillery in the world with this equipment. The "Icon," as it's officially named, will produce heavier, more viscous distillate that opens new possibilities for their whiskey portfolio. We explore why Neely maintains cypress fermenters when many have switched to stainless steel, and how these wooden vessels create what Rebekah calls "the Neeley funk"—that distinctive character that makes their spirits uniquely theirs.

The heart of our visit features an extraordinary tasting journey through Neely's experimental finished whiskeys. Rebekah guides us through their sake barrel-finished four-grain bourbon with delicate melon notes, an award-winning sauternes finish, a complex tequila-finished expression with chocolate and berry characteristics, and perhaps most surprisingly, an acacia wood-finished bourbon with barbecue-like qualities. We also sample Rebecca's first official blend—a carefully crafted seven-barrel marriage designed as an approachable daily sipper.

What makes Neeley special extends beyond the liquid. Their quarter and half-barrel options make single barrel selections accessible to smaller groups, while their fill-your-own-bottle program creates meaningful personalized experiences for visitors. Rebekah shares touching stories of how this simple offering has created powerful moments—from future 21st birthday gifts to heartfelt thank-you presents for hospital staff.

Whether you're planning your Kentucky bourbon trail adventure or simply seeking inspiration from craft distilling innovation, join us for this deep dive into what makes small, family-owned distilleries the creative heartbeat of American whiskey. Subscribe now and discover your next bourbon adventure!

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Tiny recounts the Scotchy Bourbon Boys' action-packed week at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, highlighting distillery tours, bottle releases, and unforgettable experiences. The team captured professional-quality content throughout the festival while collecting exceptional bourbon.

• Pre-festival activities included podcasting at Neely Family Distillery and hosting a fan meetup at Revival Vintage Spirits
• Acquired a 1946 Dowling Deluxe Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (distilled in 1938) from Revival
• Visited numerous distilleries including Town Branch, Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, and Old Carter
• Organized a bus tour featuring stops at Evan Williams, the Pendennis Club, and Old Louisville Whiskey Company
• Participated in a Maker's Mark Private Selection despite a power outage from a lightning strike
• CT heroically rescued a young woman from an overturned car during their travels
• Jim Beam "saved the festival" by ensuring enough special releases for general admission attendees
• Acquired bottles including Knob Creek 21, Booker's Reserve, Hardin's Creek expressions, and festival-exclusive picks

Join us next Tuesday when we'll announce our Christmas party, the Crystal Glencairn tasting, new membership packages, and the pre-sale of our Maker's Mark Private Select.
What happens when you combine Kentucky's biggest bourbon celebration with the Scotchy Bourbon Boys' passion for capturing authentic whiskey experiences? An unforgettable week filled with rare tastings, exclusive access, and unexpected adventures.

Our journey began days before the official Kentucky Bourbon Festival, with an ambitious itinerary that included podcasting with Rebecca Neely in their speakeasy, hosting fans at Revival Vintage Spirits, and acquiring a truly historic bourbon – a 1946 Dowling Deluxe distilled in 1938. Each day brought new discoveries as we visited Town Branch, Jim Beam, Whiskey Thief, and numerous other distilleries, capturing professional-quality content while immersing ourselves in Kentucky's bourbon culture.

The centerpiece of our pre-festival activities was our curated bus tour, taking whiskey enthusiasts to legendary Louisville destinations including the Evan Williams Experience, the historic Pendennis Club (birthplace of the Old Fashioned), Old Carter, and Old Louisville Whiskey Company. Walter Zausch's extraordinary hospitality at the Pendennis Club – featuring custom Old Fashioneds and a 25-year Derby bottle – exemplified the personal connections that make bourbon culture so special.

Among the most memorable experiences was participating in a Maker's Mark Private Selection despite the distillery suffering a power outage from a lightning strike. Selecting staves by natural light in the lakehouse created an atmosphere connecting us to bourbon's pre-industrial roots, resulting in a selection that perfectly accentuates the whiskey's creme brulee and caramel notes.

The festival itself revealed the growing intensity of bottle hunting, with some enthusiasts waiting hours without success. However, Jim Beam's generous allocation of special releases – including Knob Creek 21, Booker's Reserve 2025, and three Hardin's Creek expressions – ensured even general admission attendees could secure remarkable bottles.

Beyond the planned events, we experienced an unexpected moment of heroism when CT rescued a young woman from an overturned vehicle – a powerful remi

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