Bourbon Bytes Podcast

Clifton McDaniel | Bourbon Bytes
  • 4.4 (14)
  • Food
  • Updated Weekly

Whiskey news & reviews with a gaming twist! Each week, Clifton McDaniel brings you the latest bourbon releases, industry stories, and ‘Byte-Sized’ tastings—alongside the hottest video game news and discussions. Cheers, and Game On!

  1. Is Green River Honey Finished Bourbon the Best Honey Whiskey Yet?

    5d ago

    Is Green River Honey Finished Bourbon the Best Honey Whiskey Yet?

    This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re talking about a packed week of whiskey news, including two new America 250 anniversary releases, the return of two E.H. Taylor classics, and one of the strangest international whiskey collaborations I’ve seen in a while. Heaven Hill is releasing the Rittenhouse U.S. 250th Anniversary Commemorative Edition Rye, a 10-year-old bottled-in-bond rye priced at $99.99. Barrell Bourbon is also joining the celebration with Batch 38, a cask-strength blend of bourbons from Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, and Maryland. Then, Buffalo Trace is reviving two historic E.H. Taylor releases: Four Grain Bourbon and Cured Oak Bourbon. One may be easier to find than the other, but both are exciting returns for fans of the Colonel E.H. Taylor lineup. We also dive into Bardstown Bourbon Company’s new collaboration with Mars Distilleries, blending Japanese single malt whisky with Kentucky bourbon in a first-of-its-kind release that might be brilliant… or way too complicated. Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of Green River Honey Finished Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. This new release blends real Kentucky bourbon with local honey and rests them together in a barrel. At 4 years old, 92 proof, and only $25, it might be one of the most approachable summer whiskey releases of the year. But the big question is: Is this truly a finished bourbon, or is it basically a flavored whiskey? 🥃 Topics covered: 00:00 Intro - America 250 Whiskey, E.H. Taylor & Green River Honey 00:28 Welcome + Memorial Day Recap 01:24 Rittenhouse 250th Anniversary Rye 02:55 Barrell Bourbon Batch 38 04:14 Buffalo Trace Revives E.H. Taylor Classics 06:23 Bardstown Bourbon Company Distillery Reserve Mars Single Malt Japanese Blend 13:12 Byte-Sized Review: Green River Honey Finished Bourbon 18:49 Byte Club + Outro

    20 min
  2. Wild Turkey Gold Foil Returns + K&L’s Secret Turkey Bourbon Review

    May 21

    Wild Turkey Gold Foil Returns + K&L’s Secret Turkey Bourbon Review

    This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, Wild Turkey fans have a lot to be excited about. We’re breaking down the return of one of Wild Turkey’s most legendary bottles: the new Austin Nichols Reserve 16 Year, inspired by the mythical “Cheesy Gold Foil” Wild Turkey release from the 1980s. This new 16-year-old bourbon comes from Camp Nelson Warehouse D, is bottled at 120 proof, and marks Bruce Russell’s first solo project with the brand. We also cover two big Heaven Hill stories, including the Evan Williams America 250 Edition single barrel release bottled at 117.76 proof, plus the 2026 Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Collection, which is all about wheated bourbon this year. Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of K&L Wine and Spirits’ Every Drop “Living Legend” Bourbon, a 7-year-old, 107-proof independent bottling from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. They can’t officially say where it’s from… but let’s just say the clues are pretty loud. At only $50, this might be one of the best Wild Turkey-adjacent bourbon values I’ve tasted all year. 🥃 Topics covered: Evan Williams America 250 Edition Heaven Hill Grain to Glass 2026 Wild Turkey Gold Foil returns as Austin Nichols Reserve 16 Year Bruce Russell’s first solo Wild Turkey project K&L Every Drop “Living Legend” bourbon review Why this $50 independent bottling might be a must-buy Would you pay $400 for the new Wild Turkey Gold Foil release, or grab multiple bottles of this K&L pick instead?   Timecodes: 00:00 Intro - Wild Turkey Gold Foil Returns 00:26 Welcome + Memorial Day Weekend Dedication 01:38 Evan Williams America 250 Edition 03:04 Heaven Hill Grain to Glass 2026 04:18 Wild Turkey Gold Foil Returns 07:07 Byte-Sized Review: K&L Every Drop “Living Legend” Bourbon 13:25 Outro + Bourbon Bytes Community

    14 min
  3. King of Kentucky 16 Year Review: Is This $350 Bourbon Worth the Hype?

    May 14

    King of Kentucky 16 Year Review: Is This $350 Bourbon Worth the Hype?

    This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re diving into new whiskey releases from Blue Run, Little Book, Very Old St. Nick, 15 Stars, and one of the strangest TTB labels I’ve seen in a while: a goat milk flavored whiskey from Tamworth. On the gaming side, Microsoft is making headlines with 8,000-year Xbox bans for Forza Horizon 6 pirates, while Xbox Game Pass is adding a new Discord Nitro perk. Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of King of Kentucky 16 Year Bourbon. This 2024 release from Brown-Forman is a 16-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 132 proof, with only about 5,100 bottles released. It shares the same mash bill as Old Forester 1924, but at six years older and full barrel strength, does it live up to the King of Kentucky name? Expect deep oak, antique wood, cedar chest, dark roasted nuts, molasses, tannic richness, and a long finish. 🥃 Topics covered: Blue Run Blueprint Bourbon Little Book Chapter 10: All the Wiser Very Old St. Nick Immaculata Bourbon 15 Stars Kentucke County releases Tamworth goat milk flavored whiskey Forza Horizon 6 piracy bans Xbox Game Pass Discord Nitro perk King of Kentucky 16 Year Bourbon review Would you pay $350 for King of Kentucky if you found it at retail?   YouTube Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro – Blue Run, Little Book, Xbox & King of Kentucky 00:28 Welcome + Episode Setup 01:08 Blue Run Blueprint Bourbon 02:47 Little Book Chapter 10: All the Wiser 05:20 Very Old St. Nick Immaculata Bourbon 06:22 15 Stars Kentucke County Releases 08:01 Goat Milk Flavored Whiskey?! 09:22 Gaming News – Forza Horizon 6 Bans + Discord Nitro 11:53 Byte-Sized Review: King of Kentucky 16 Year Bourbon 20:15 Listener Samples + Outro

    21 min
  4. Bernheim 20th Anniversary Review + A 163-Proof Stitzel Reserve Bourbon

    May 7

    Bernheim 20th Anniversary Review + A 163-Proof Stitzel Reserve Bourbon

    This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, it’s my birthday episode, and whiskey news got weird in the best way. Stitzel-Weller just announced a 31-year-old bourbon bottled at a wild 163.2 proof with a $3,000 price tag. Jack Daniel’s is teaming up with McLaren for the limited-edition Halo MK1 Tennessee Whiskey, and in gaming news, the new Steam Controller is already selling out while Halo 2 and Halo 3 remake rumors are heating up. Then I dive into a Byte-Sized Review of Bernheim 20th Anniversary Wheat Whiskey from Heaven Hill. This limited-edition Bernheim is 10 years old, bottled at 115 proof, and celebrates 20 years of one of the most unique American whiskey styles. I went in curious, but this one seriously surprised me with rich caramel, Halloween candy sweetness, balanced spice, and a finish that made me wonder why Bernheim doesn’t get more love. 🥃 Topics covered: Stitzel Reserve 31 Year Bourbon at 163.2 proof Jack Daniel’s x McLaren Halo MK1 Tennessee Whiskey New Steam Controller selling out Halo 2 and Halo 3 remake rumors Bernheim 20th Anniversary Wheat Whiskey review Final score and whether it’s worth hunting Would you pay $3,000 for a 31-year-old bourbon, or would you rather hunt down this Bernheim? YouTube Chapter Markers 00:00 Intro – Stitzel Reserve, Jack Daniel’s & Bernheim 00:28 Welcome to the Bourbon Bytes Podcast 01:17 Stitzel Reserve 31 Year Bourbon at 163.2 Proof 03:33 Jack Daniel’s x McLaren Halo MK1 Whiskey 05:38 New Steam Controller Sells Out 07:25 Halo 2 & Halo 3 Remake Rumors 08:49 Byte-Sized Review: Bernheim 20th Anniversary Wheat Whiskey 16:37 Byte Club Shoutout + Outro

    18 min
  5. Redwood Empire Haystack Needle Review: One of 2026’s Best Craft Bourbons?

    Apr 30

    Redwood Empire Haystack Needle Review: One of 2026’s Best Craft Bourbons?

    This week on the Bourbon Bytes podcast, we’re diving into a packed week of whiskey news before heading to Northern California for a Byte-Sized Review of Redwood Empire Haystack Needle. Michter’s is releasing its first-ever Barrel Strength Sour Mash Whiskey, Maker’s Mark is back with a new edition of Star Hill Farm Whisky, Widow Jane is finishing bourbon in Tequila Ocho casks, Jack Daniel’s has a new hazmat rye release, and Four Roses is expanding its single barrel lineup. Plus, we take a quick look at upcoming video game releases, including Forza Horizon 6 and 007 First Light. Then it’s time for the main event: a review of Redwood Empire Haystack Needle, an 8 year, 7 month California bourbon single barrel pick from K&L Wine and Spirits, bottled at 119 proof. This bottle completely surprised me with bright red fruit, strawberry shortcake, dark chocolate, oak, and a finish that makes me wonder if Redwood Empire is helping define the future of California whiskey. 🥃 Topics covered: Brown-Forman sale update Michter’s Barrel Strength Sour Mash Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm Whisky Widow Jane x Tequila Ocho bourbon Jack Daniel’s hazmat rye Four Roses single barrel expansion Forza Horizon 6 and 007 First Light Redwood Empire Haystack Needle review Would you pay $130 for a craft California bourbon like this?   Timecodes: 00:00 Intro – Michter’s, Maker’s, Jack Daniel’s & Redwood Empire 01:15 Brown-Forman Sale Update 02:02 Michter’s Barrel Strength Sour Mash 03:40 Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm Whisky 05:44 Widow Jane x Tequila Ocho Bourbon 06:52 Jack Daniel’s Hazmat Rye Release 08:15 Four Roses Single Barrel Expansion 09:18 Video Game News – Forza Horizon 6 + 007 First Light 11:23 Byte-Sized Review – Redwood Empire Haystack Needle 17:31 Outro + Bourbon Bytes Hotline

    19 min
  6. $12,500 Eagle Rare, New Booker’s Batch, But Is Knob Creek Blender’s Edition the Best Buy?

    Apr 23

    $12,500 Eagle Rare, New Booker’s Batch, But Is Knob Creek Blender’s Edition the Best Buy?

    Whiskey got wild this week. Eagle Rare just announced a 30-year-old bourbon priced at $12,500, Elijah Craig is back with another PGA Championship bottle, and Booker's Bourbon returns with its first batch of 2026. I also break down: Buffalo Trace Distillery opening the new John G. Carlisle Cafe New TTB label filings from Old Forester and Heaven Hill Whether Booker’s is still worth buying at today’s prices Then I give my full Byte-Sized Review of Knob Creek Blender’s Edition to see if Beam has a real hit on its hands. 🥃 Is it better than standard Knob Creek? 🥃 Is it worth $45? 🥃 Great neat pour… or cocktail king? Let me know what you think in the comments.   Timecodes: 00:00 Intro – Welcome to Bourbon Bytes 00:52 Eagle Rare 30 Costs $12,500 04:42 Buffalo Trace Distillery Opens New Cafe 06:36 Elijah Craig PGA Championship Bourbon 07:59 Booker's Bourbon Big Easy Batch 2026-01 09:54 New TTB Labels: Old Forester + Heaven Hill 12:22 Byte-Sized Review – Knob Creek Blender’s Edition 21:04 Outro + Byte Club Shoutouts

    22 min
  7. Home Distilling Could Become Legal… Plus Kentucky Senator Bourbon Release #7 Review

    Apr 16

    Home Distilling Could Become Legal… Plus Kentucky Senator Bourbon Release #7 Review

    Whiskey might be changing in a big way. A recent appeals court ruling could potentially make home distilling legal in the United States - a move that could reshape the entire whiskey landscape. But that’s not the only shift happening right now. This week on Bourbon Bytes, I break down: The home distilling ruling and what it actually means MGP slowing production and what that signals for bourbon supply A potential deal between Sazerac and Brown-Forman Sazerac’s newly named Tennessee distillery and future plans And of course, I’m reviewing Kentucky Senator Bourbon "Jim Bunning" Release #7 to see if it lives up to the hype. 🥃 Is the whiskey boom changing direction? 🥃 And more importantly… is this bottle worth your money? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. Timecodes: 00:00 Intro – Whiskey Industry Shakeups 00:56 Home Distilling Ruling Explained 03:29 MGP Pauses Production at Lux Row & Limestone Branch 06:11 Sazerac Eyes Jack Daniel’s + Announces AJ Bond Distillery 09:13 Kentucky Senator Charity Single Barrel News 11:47 Byte-Sized Review – Kentucky Senator Release #7

    20 min
  8. Hot Dog Bourbon Is Breaking the Internet… But Ardbeg 10 Cask Strength Wins

    Apr 9

    Hot Dog Bourbon Is Breaking the Internet… But Ardbeg 10 Cask Strength Wins

    Bourbon is getting strange… and expensive. This week on Bourbon Bytes, I'm breaking down some of the wildest whiskey news stories of the moment: from Costco’s viral “hot dog bourbon” to Knob Creek’s new Blender’s Edition, Buffalo Trace’s latest experiments, and Angel’s Envy pushing further into ultra-premium territory. But after all the hype, the real question is… do we actually need all this innovation? To find out, I review the new Ardbeg 10 Cask Strength—a surprisingly simple release that might prove great whiskey doesn’t need gimmicks. Is bourbon innovation going too far? And can a classic Scotch still outperform it all? 🥃 Topics: Costco “Hot Dog” Rare Character Bourbon goes viral Knob Creek Blender’s Edition explained Buffalo Trace experimental releases Angel’s Envy’s most expensive releases yet Ardbeg 10 Cask Strength review 👇 Let me know: Do you prefer experimental whiskey… or classic, straightforward pours?   Timecodes: 00:00 Intro – Bourbon Is Getting Weird 00:30 Welcome to the Bourbon Bytes Podcast 01:07 Costco “Hot Dog” Bourbon Goes Viral 03:01 Knob Creek Blender’s Edition Explained 04:55 Buffalo Trace Experimental Releases 07:24 Angel’s Envy 10 Year Rye + Cask Strength Bourbon 11:02 Ardbeg 10 Cask Strength Byte-Sized Review 17:01 Outro + Where to Listen

    18 min
See All (96)

4.4
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Whiskey news & reviews with a gaming twist! Each week, Clifton McDaniel brings you the latest bourbon releases, industry stories, and ‘Byte-Sized’ tastings—alongside the hottest video game news and discussions. Cheers, and Game On!

Information

  • Creator
    Clifton McDaniel | Bourbon Bytes
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    96
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Bourbon Bytes Podcast

You Might Also Like