The last Bourbon Bytes Podcast episode of 2025 closes the year with reflections on where bourbon is headed next and a full review of Willett’s newest release. Clifton shares candid thoughts on the current state of the industry before diving deep into the Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Cask Strength Bourbon, breaking down its flavor, value, and whether it lives up to the Willett name. An honest, no-hype sendoff to the year in whiskey. 00:00 – Welcome & Final Episode of 2025 02:30 – End-of-Year Reflections & 2026 Outlook 04:32 – Where Bourbon Bytes Is Headed Next 08:06 – Thoughts on the Bourbon Market in 2026 12:20 – Byte-Sized Review: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Bourbon 23:05 – Listener Questions & Closing Thoughts

In this episode, Clifton shares his excitement over several 2026 whiskey releases spotted via new TTB filings — from Knob Creek 12 Cask Strength to an Old Grandad 114 Single Barrel and Rittenhouse’s upcoming 10-Year BIB. After the news, he reviews Copperworks’ brand-new Kilt Lifter Whiskey, a five-year American Single Malt distilled from Pike Brewing’s iconic “Kilt Lifter” ale mash. The pine-heavy nose surprises him, but the palate and finish win him over, earning a high score and a potential spot in his Top 10 Whiskeys of 2025.

In this episode, Clifton breaks down several end-of-year whiskey releases — including Clyde May’s new cask-strength pick, Central Waters’ Great Blue spirits launch, and State Line’s first-ever rye. He also dives into Copper & Kings’ major relaunch under new owners before reviewing one of the most unique whiskies he’s tried all year: Bruichladdich Laddie Rye, a 7-year Islay-grown rye/malted barley hybrid aged in first-fill bourbon and virgin oak casks.

In this special Black Friday episode, Clifton shares the best whiskey deals to shop this weekend, from Dark Arts bottle sales to big-name distillery merch and Whiskey Advocate subscription discounts. Then he reviews the new Town Branch Imperium Bourbon 2025, highlighting its chocolate-cherry sweetness, bold oak, and 105-proof heat before landing at a 7/10 rating. If you’re looking for the right whiskey deal and a new bourbon to try, this one’s for you.

Clifton breaks down the state of the bourbon boom — why the number of U.S. bourbon buyers is shrinking for the first time in two decades, why distillery expansions may have overshot demand, and why this shift could benefit everyday whiskey drinkers. After the news, he reviews the Ben Holladay 6-Year Bottled-In-Bond bourbon, praising its transparency, vintage-style nose, and balanced sweetness while still calling out the youth in its finish. Final verdict: 7.5/10 and absolutely worth the price.

In this episode, Clifton reviews Garrison Brothers Sonora Bourbon, a seven-year-old, 108-proof Texas straight bourbon finished in rye barrels and crafted by Samantha Olvera. Expect notes of sweet vanilla glaze, brown sugar pie, and a warm, spicy finish. He also recaps major whiskey and gaming news, from Michter’s 20’s return to Call of Duty Black Ops 7, rounding out a packed November pour.

In this episode, Clifton covers the biggest whiskey headlines of early November — from Jack Daniel’s supersized bottle to Lost Lantern’s Scotch-inspired single malts — before tackling his most anticipated pour of the season: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year 2025. It’s oak-forward, vanilla-rich, and undeniably premium, but does it earn its $200 MSRP? Tune in for the verdict (and a heartfelt update on Bourbon Bytes’ next chapter).

In the Bourbon Boos finale, Clifton dives into the mysterious Smokehead Islay Single Malt Scotch, a sub-$40 smoky dram that’s equal parts barbecue smoke and butterscotch sweetness. Between hot new whiskey drops from Heaven Hill, Glenlivet, and High West, he weighs in on rising prices vs value — and ends the Halloween series on a high (ABV) note. 🔥

Clifton continues his Bourbon Boos Halloween series with a pour that’s not quite bourbon, not quite scotch — the Buchanan’s Pineapple Spirit Drink. What started as a joke turned into one of the most surprising reviews of the season. Between pineapple-scented pours and whiskey robots taking over Kentucky, this episode is equal parts spooky and sweet.

Clifton continues his “Bourbon Boos” Halloween series with a bottom-shelf gamble: King’s Creek Black Label Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey. After breaking down this $16 mystery bottle, he reacts to a massive wave of whiskey news, including the 2025 BTAC lineup, Flaviar’s Advent Calendar, and new releases from Copperworks, Sagamore, Milam & Greene, Pinhook, and Kilchoman. It’s spooky-season sipping with bourbon industry updates and a brutally honest tasting.

Clifton kicks off his “Spooky Pours” month by reviewing Dough Ball Cookie Dough Flavored Whiskey, a 70-proof dessert-inspired dram that’s sweeter than it is scary. He also breaks down major whiskey news, including Knob Creek’s 21-Year release, Forward Slash’s mead-finished bourbon, and High West’s Act 13 of A Midwinter Night’s Dram, before reacting to gaming fans mourning Rock Band 4’s delisting.

This week’s Bourbon Bytes Podcast is packed: a historic whiskey heist at Westland steals headlines, EA’s $55 billion buyout shakes up the gaming world, and Clifton shares a Byte-Sized Review of Single Cask Nation’s 7-Year Westland Single Malt finished in Muscatel casks. From stolen Garryana barrels to gaming censorship fears, it’s a rollercoaster of whiskey and video game news with plenty of flavor notes to savor.

Clifton dives into the Frank August Small Batch Bourbon, which just shocked the whiskey world by being named Best Bourbon in the World at the IWSC 2025. He shares nosing and tasting notes (think ripe peaches, baking spice, honeyed grain, and fall warmth), weighs the $70 price tag against transparency concerns, and delivers his final rating. Alongside the review, Clifton covers big bourbon and gaming headlines, from Jim Beam’s Cadillac F1 partnership and Canadian tariff changes to Civilization layoffs and Daft Punk’s Fortnite takeover.

Clifton cracks open the 2025 Weller Full Proof Bourbon, sharing detailed tasting notes of apple pie, flaky pie crust, toasted marshmallow, and baking spice before giving his final rating. Along the way, he covers some of the biggest bourbon and gaming news of the season, from Buffalo Trace’s Pappy Van Winkle 2025 collection to Nintendo’s blockbuster Direct announcements.

Clifton reviews the 2015 Parker’s Heritage 8-Year Malt Whiskey, reflecting on its place in American malt history and why it was such a groundbreaking release at the time. Alongside the throwback tasting, he breaks down a packed week of bourbon news including Booker’s tequila cask experiment, Woodford’s new Master’s Collection, Heaven Hill’s high-wheat Grain-to-Glass release, Angel’s Envy distillery exclusives, and Buffalo Trace’s unique Elmer T. Lee charity sweepstakes.

Clifton reviews the Compass Box Transatlanticism 2024 release, a rare collaboration between whiskey influencer T8ke and blender Will Schragis, built on a base of 13-year-old high-proof Spice Tree with additions of Clynelish, Linkwood, and even 25-year-old Miltonduff. He shares full tasting notes and breaks down whether this cross-Atlantic collaboration lives up to the hype. In whiskey news, Woodford Reserve steps into the American single malt game with a 12-year-old release, Michter’s is crowned the most admired whiskey brand in the world, and Catoctin Creek drops a dragon-themed malt collab. On the gaming side, it’s finally time for Hollow Knight: Silksong — plus September brings Borderlands 4, Silent Hill F, and more.

Clifton dives into the High West Bourye 2025 release, breaking down its nose, palate, and finish, and comparing it to past iterations of this cult-favorite blend of bourbon and rye. He also covers major whiskey news, including Maker’s Mark’s return of its much-loved Cellar Aged Bourbon, High West’s first Bottled-in-Bond offering, and Penelope’s newly announced 2025 Estate Collection.

Clifton reviews the Elijah Craig 2025 PGA Championship Edition Small Batch Bourbon (94 proof), a special commemorative release honoring Quail Hollow. He shares tasting notes of caramel, toffee, and bakery sweetness while comparing it to standout past editions like the 2023 Ryder Cup release. Alongside the review, he covers major whiskey headlines: Old Forester’s bold switch to sweet mash for its 25th Birthday Bourbon, Four Roses’ 2025 Limited Edition Small Batch blend of 13- and 19-year bourbons, and the positive resolution of the SAG-AFTRA video game strike.

This week, I taste and compare Michter’s 2025 Shenk’s Homestead Sour Mash and Bomberger’s Declaration Bourbon. Shenk’s brings a caramel-nuttiness with a lighter, sweeter profile, while Bomberger’s delivers rich oak, dark chocolate bitterness, and baking spice depth. Which one deserves a spot in your collection? I also highlight how J. Mattingly 1845 and Garrison Brothers are using whiskey sales to make a real difference in flood-hit communities.

Clifton reviews a 128-proof Knob Creek Single Barrel Select, offering big oak, bold spice, and some serious heat. He also reacts to Heaven Hill’s unusual Parker’s Heritage mashup, explores experimental aging with A. Smith Bowman, and unpacks Kojima’s thoughts on the stale state of AAA gaming.