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The Scotchy Bourbon Boys conduct a blind tasting of three years of Maker's Mark Cellar Age releases to determine which vintage delivers the most exceptional flavor profile. Our expectations are completely overturned when the 2024 release unanimously wins with its stunning caramel, cherry, vanilla, and apple notes, scoring a perfect 19/18 on our rating scale.

• We discuss our recent barrel selection experience at Maker's Mark with Rob Samuels
• Rob Samuels explains how Maker's created their innovative limestone cellar for aging bourbon beyond 10 years without bitterness
• Each Cellar Age release features different compositions: 2023 (11 & 12-year), 2024 (12 & 13-year), and 2025 (11, 13 & 14-year)
• Tasting reveals the 2024 Cellar Age (119.3 proof) as our favorite with exceptional caramel, toffee, cherry, and apple notes
• We explore how wheat whiskey changes dramatically when bottles remain open, with flavors evolving and improving over time
• The newest 2025 release shows more oak influence, which divides opinions among tasters
• We compare our Cellar Age findings with a fresh Kentucky Bourbon Festival private select with a chocolatey stave profile

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What happens when wheat whiskey ages for over a decade in a revolutionary limestone cellar? We found out in our most revealing blind tasting yet.

Tonight, we journey through time with all three releases of Maker's Mark Cellar Age – the limited edition series that challenged everything we thought we knew about aging wheated bourbon. After visiting Maker's Mark and spending time with Rob Samuels, we gained a deeper appreciation for how this historic distillery is pushing boundaries while honoring tradition.

The Cellar Age concept is fascinating – taking fully matured Maker's Mark and transferring it to a climate-controlled limestone cellar where it can develop complexity without acquiring bitterness. Each annual release features a unique blend of well-aged whiskeys: 2023 combines 11 and 12-year bourbon, 2024 features 12 and 13-year, while 2025 incorporates three different ages including their first-ever 14-year component.

Our blind tasting delivered shocking results that completely upended our expectations. The winner wasn't what any of us predicted, showcasing notes of burnt caramel, toffee, dark cherry, and what we can only describe as an "apple caramel extravaganza." One sample was so impressive it scored a perfect 19/18 on our rating scale – something that's never happened before.

We also discovered how dramatically these wheated expressions evolve once opened. As one host explains, "Wheat is a much finer, softer, more impressionable grain," making these bottles living entities that transform over months. The bottle that had been open longest revealed how these expressions hit their peak and then subtly shift toward oakier profiles.

Whether you're a devoted Maker's Mark fan or simply curious about how wheat whiskey develops with extended aging, this episode offers rare insights into one of bourbon's most innovative modern experiments. Subscribe now and join us next week when we explore Maker's Mark Star Hill Farm Wheat Whiskey!

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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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