Bourbon Bytes Podcast

Clifton McDaniel | Bourbon Bytes
  • 4.4 (14)
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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 Evan Williams 12 Year Red Label a Hidden Heaven Hill Gem?

    1D AGO

    Is Evan Williams 12 Year Red Label a Hidden Heaven Hill Gem?

    On this week’s Bourbon Bytes Podcast, we’re covering some of the biggest whiskey news stories of the week before diving into a cult-favorite bourbon review. Topics include: 🥃 Remus Experimental Series Wheat Whiskey 🥃 Maker’s Mark 2026 Wood Finishing Series 🥃 Heaven Hill’s Deatsville campus release Then for this week’s Byte-Sized Review, I’m tasting Evan Williams 12 Year Red Label Bourbon, a Heaven Hill export that’s become a favorite among bourbon fans. Often only available in Japan, this bottle has developed a reputation for delivering well-aged bourbon at a surprisingly reasonable price. Does it live up to the hype? Let’s find out.   Chapters: 00:00 Intro – Whiskey News + Today’s Review 01:14 Remus Experimental Series Wheat Whiskey 03:13 Maker’s Mark "The Steward's Release" 2026 Wood Finishing Series 06:31 Heaven Hill Deatsville Bourbon Release 09:22 Byte-Sized Review – Evan Williams 12 Year Red Label 17:58 Final Thoughts & Wrap Up

    20 min
  2. Can Kentucky Make Good Tequila? | Nulu Extra Añejo Blue Agave Spirit Review

    MAR 5

    Can Kentucky Make Good Tequila? | Nulu Extra Añejo Blue Agave Spirit Review

    On this week’s episode of the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, I’m catching up on the latest whiskey and gaming news before diving into a unique bottle that raises an interesting question… Can Kentucky make good tequila? Today’s Byte-Sized Review features the Nulu Extra Añejo Blue Agave Spirit from Prohibition Craft Spirits — distilled in Tequila, Mexico but aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels. It’s a fascinating crossover between the worlds of bourbon and agave spirits, and I’m breaking down whether this experiment actually works. Along the way we’ll also talk about: 🥃 The return of High West Bourye 2026 🥃 New Heaven Hill Heritage Collection releases 🥃 A new Build Your Own Bourbon Trail experience in Kentucky 🎮 The announcement of Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves. Then we’ll taste the Nulu Blue Agave Spirit and see if Kentucky aging gives this agave spirit a bourbon lover’s twist. Is it a gimmick… or something truly unique? Explore Chapters using the timecodes below: 00:00 Can Kentucky Make Good Tequila? Intro + Whiskey News 01:20 High West Bourye 2026 Returns 02:56 New Heaven Hill Heritage Collection Release 04:33 Bernheim 20th Anniversary 10 Year Small Batch Wheat Whiskey 6:10 The Return of Sagamore 10 Rye Whiskey 07:24 Build Your Own Bourbon Trail Experience 09:17 Lux Row Opens Invitations to "The Front Row" VIP Experience 10:24 Nintendo Announces Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves for Switch 2 12:08 Byte-Sized Review – Nulu Extra Añejo Blue Agave Spirit 19:18 Final Thoughts & Wrap Up

    22 min
  3. Redbreast Moscatel Wine Cask Edition Review & World Whiskies Awards Winners

    FEB 19

    Redbreast Moscatel Wine Cask Edition Review & World Whiskies Awards Winners

    This week on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, I’m diving into the brand-new Redbreast Moscatel Wine Cask Edition — the latest release in the Iberian Series — to see if this sweet Spanish cask finish lives up to the hype. Does Moscatel bring bold citrus and floral complexity… or is it too dessert-like for a classic single pot still Irish whiskey? I break down the nose, palate, finish, value, and where this release ranks among other Iberian Series bottles — plus whether it’s worth grabbing at retail. Timecodes below to jump straight to the review 👇 00:00 – Welcome + What’s in This Episode 01:13 – Whiskey News: World Whiskies Awards 2026 Winners 07:53 – Whiskey News: 2026 Michter's Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey Announced 09:54 – Whiskey News: Penelope 7 Year Old Barrel Strength Bourbon 11:25 – Whiskey News: Pinhook Vertical Series 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey 13:00 – Byte-Sized Review: Redbreast Moscatel Wine Cask Edition Irish Whiskey 21:30 – Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

    24 min
  4. Green River Wheated Full Proof Bourbon Review — Does It Live Up to the Hype?

    FEB 12

    Green River Wheated Full Proof Bourbon Review — Does It Live Up to the Hype?

    This week on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, I’m covering major whiskey headlines from around the world — including: 🥃 A new cask strength Ardbeg release 🥃 A wine-finished Redbreast from Ireland 🥃 An 18-year-old hazmat release from Barrell Craft Spirits And then… we get to the main event. Last year, Green River Full Proof Bourbon was my #1 whiskey of 2025. Now they’ve released a Wheated Full Proof Bourbon — and I’m giving my honest, independent take; breaking down the nose, palate, finish, value, and whether this one earns a spot on my shelf. Is it a worthy follow-up? Does swapping rye for wheat change the magic? And can it live up to the hype? Let’s find out. 🎧 Listen now and join the conversation in the Discord: bourbonbytes.com   Chapter markers: 00:00 – Welcome + Episode Overview 01:32 – Ardbeg 10 Cask Strength Committee Release 02:57 – Redbreast Muscatel Finished Irish Whiskey 04:17 – Barrell Craft Spirits 18-Year Hazmat Curacao Finished Whiskey 06:04 – Byte-Sized Review: Green River Full Proof Wheated Bourbon 15:37 – Listener Shoutout & Where to Follow

    17 min
  5. Copperworks Tequila Cask Finish Review and the Return of Whiskey Fan Favorites

    FEB 5

    Copperworks Tequila Cask Finish Review and the Return of Whiskey Fan Favorites

    This week on Bourbon Bytes, I’m digging into a tequila-finished American single malt from Copperworks Distilling and breaking down whether this experimental cask finish actually works. I also cover whiskey headlines, new releases, and industry chatter before delivering a full ‘Byte-Sized Review’ of the Copperworks American Single Malt finished in Arette tequila casks. From malt-forward sweetness to chocolate notes and surprising agave influence, I share exactly what stood out and where this bottle lands on my scale. If you love experimental finishes, American single malt, or just honest tasting notes beyond the hype, this one’s for you. Join the conversation in our Discord and tell me what you think: bourbonbytes.com   Timecodes: 00:00 Welcome to Bourbon Bytes   1:51 Whiskey News: Garisson Brothers 6yr Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon 3:56 Whiskey News: Return of New Riff Balboa Rye Whiskey 5:01 Whiskey News: Rebel Root Beer Whiskey Returns 5:51 Whiskey News: Buffalo Trace's 'Charred and Chilled Festival' 7:28 Video Game News: Ubisoft Cancels Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake 10:07 Video Game News: Microsoft's New 'Fable' Revealed 11:10 Byte Sized Review: Copperworks Arette Tequila Cask Finished American Single Malt Whiskey 20:32 Final Thoughts & Outro

    22 min
  6. Bardstown Bourbon Company's Bold Rebrand Sparks Debate + Bottled-in-Bond Review

    JAN 29

    Bardstown Bourbon Company's Bold Rebrand Sparks Debate + Bottled-in-Bond Review

    This week on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, we’re getting into the Bardstown Bourbon Company rebrand that has the whiskey internet fully divided — and I’m using it as a jumping-off point to talk bottle redesigns across the industry. Then it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of Bardstown Bourbon Company Bottled-in-Bond (6-year wheated bourbon, 100 proof) — and… yeah, it surprised me in the best way. 💬 Join the conversation (and see label comparisons): bourbonbytes.com → Discord 📩 Contact: contact@bourbonbytes.com 📱 Social: @bourbonbytes   Timecodes: 00:00 Cold Open: Bardstown’s controversial rebrand + what’s ahead 00:31 Welcome (Week of Jan 29, 2026) 03:17 Bardstown Bourbon Company Bold Rebrand 12:20 Rapid-fire rebrand takes (Weller, OF 1920, WT101, etc.) 21:06 Byte-Sized Review: Bardstown Bourbon Company Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon

    28 min
  7. George Dickel x Leopold Bros Rye Whiskey Review + RuneScape Turns 25!

    JAN 22

    George Dickel x Leopold Bros Rye Whiskey Review + RuneScape Turns 25!

    This week on Bourbon Bytes (a whiskey podcast with a gaming twist), I’m covering a couple big whiskey headlines, a Lunar New Year Scotch release, and some gaming news that has me genuinely hyped. 🥃 Whiskey News Knob Creek drops a new Eli Manning single barrel collab Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked (2026) expands beyond distillery-only (but that price…) Tomatin Year of the Horse 14 Year (PX sherry butt, cask strength) sounds dangerously good 🎮 Gaming News RuneScape turns 25 (year-long celebration) New Life is Strange: Reunion details + release date Ranger’s Path: National Park Simulator looks like my exact kind of cozy chaos ⭐ Byte-Sized Review I review the George Dickel x Leopold Bros Collaboration Blend Three Chamber Rye and break down the unique floral profile, value at MSRP, and why it became a killer Manhattan rye. Listen, rate, and drop your takes in the Discord: bourbonbytes.com   See timecodes below to navigate the episode: 00:00 Cold Open: Knob Creek, Woodford, RuneScape + the Rye Review 00:30 Welcome + What’s in this episode 01:02 Knob Creek x Eli Manning Single Barrel 03:22 Woodford Double Double Oaked 2026 06:31 Tomatin Year of the Horse 14 Year (2011) 07:30 Gaming News: RuneScape turns 25 08:59 Gaming News: Life is Strange: Reunion 10:38 Gaming News: Ranger’s Path National Park Simulator 12:55 Byte-Sized Review: George Dickel x Leopold Bros Three Chamber Rye 21:52 Wrap-up + where to follow

    23 min
  8. Van Winkle Special Reserve 'Lot B' Bourbon Review + First Whiskey News of 2026

    JAN 15

    Van Winkle Special Reserve 'Lot B' Bourbon Review + First Whiskey News of 2026

    I'm back from a short break and kicking off the new year with a packed episode of the Bourbon Bytes Podcast! This week we're catching up on the biggest whiskey stories you may have missed — including a brand new Old Fitzgerald from Heaven Hill, a cask strength release from High West, and a look at the highs and lows of Irish whiskey through the end of 2025. But the star of the show is a very special viewer-sent sample: Van Winkle Special Reserve Lot B. I finally sit down to give this legendary bourbon an honest review — no hype, no pressure, just my genuine thoughts on whether Lot B still earns its place in the modern bourbon world. Navigate the full episode below using the chapter markers!   00:00 – Episode Teaser: Bourbon News + Lot B Review 00:33 – Welcome Back from the Mid-Season Break 01:39 – Whiskey News #1: Old Fitzgerald Fall 2025 (11 Year BIB) 03:18 – Whiskey News #2: High West Cask Strength Bourbon Announced 05:21 – Whiskey News #3: Frey Ranch 100% Barley Whiskey 07:28 – Whiskey News #4: Wyoming Whiskey National Parks #5 – The Tetons 09:52 – Irish Whiskey Boom vs Teeling’s 91% Profit Drop 13:20 – Van Winkle Lot B Bourbon (Byte-Sized Review) 22:03 – Final Score: Van Winkle Lot B 22:55 – Outro: Thanks, How to Listen, and Share Bourbon Bytes

    24 min
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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
    86
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Bourbon Bytes Podcast