Do These Bottles Deserve "Best of the Year" Contender Status?

[@TomMorrow78]

Private Stock is sourced from Mike Safai (co-founder of Rabbit Hole) hand picked New Riff barrels, same mash bill as his Safai bottles.

[@slbdrinks]

Thank you for the correction Tom!

[@tinydane69]

Tom I'm convinced you must have some slick AI bot combing youtube for any mention of LF. You're in every live stream and review. I hope they're paying you well :) Keep hustling!

[@TomMorrow78]

​@slbdrinks you're very welcome. We appreciate you.

[@GrnEyez64]

Ooooooooh my, that Redwood Empire Haystack Rye sounds delicious.

[@mclaughlindistillery1070]

Thanks for the reviews guys! We enjoy your channel and your honest reviews. The mash bill on the Cask Strength Baby Barrel Bourbon is 100% corn so you might get a little added sweetness. Cheers and keep up the great work gentleman!

[@mikehodge3376]

I was excited to see your bottle on this channel. You're local (within 50 miles) to me, so I've been to your place & plan on being back soon. Great stuff!

[@johnj.baranski6553]

Wow. Just googled and my step daughter lives 15 minutes from McLaughlin Distillery and she never said anything because she's not into bourbon. I just asked her to grab me some and bring it to Thanksgiving dinner. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

[@1125mikem]

be curious on your opinion - i found it to be rather smokey.. good but might be a bit overpriced.. but cool small craft distillery.. so price is always a bit higher. cheers!

[@jackmaxcy]

Thanks, guys. I started drinking bourbon two years ago and you have been my "go to guys" when it comes to selecting bourbons to try.

[@WhiskyForBeginners]

I've been at it three years, and Kurt and Trenton have been entertaining me for a good while now. A lot of what they cover either isn't available here or I can't afford it or both, but Kurt especially seems to have a palate congruent with mine. And they're hilarious too. 😍

[@MaryS-go8dl]

Love this type of blind! Great way to highlight new bottles and initial impressions.

[@patrickd5553]

I live right by McLaughlin’s. The owner is a usmc veteran & awesome dude. They make tasty moonshines too! I was shocked, but glad to see one of their products on their thumbnail.

[@patrickd5553]

He makes, or at least used to, a lot of the barrells by hand.

[@texas_metalbb2910]

Thank you guys for the entertainment! I’ve been watching you guys for about 2 years now. My favorite Chanel to watch. Btw, my favorite bottles I’ve ever had are stagg 24A and old forester 1920.

[@sovietsoldierz]

Have you tried 24B?

[@texas_metalbb2910]

@ not yet! It’s super hard to find stagg here in south Texas.

[@kentludington7180]

That Cedar Ridge is crazy good!! Thanks Matt and Katie!!

[@adamdaun3243]

I like this format!! Nice job Kurt

[@RuRedy4MuZak]

Kurt, and Trent, just an idea for an upcoming blind. Have someone pick 1 bottle from one of your top distilleries (possibly top 5) and you both have to guess the distillery and each rate best to last. Best wishes for the holidays!!

[@brandonhubbard1154]

I picked up a Pursuit United blended rye a couple weeks ago on the discount table for $32. After I got home that night and tasted it I went back the next day and picked up another bottle.

[@Valath]

so good!

[@thebrianfoster]

I'm a Texas brand ambassador for Pursuit, and that rye made me a rye drinker. I love sharing that bottle with new customers

[@fergs57]

Their double Oaked bourbon is a butterscotch bomb.

[@skarletice7768]

bought a Mclaughlin baby barrel for a friend as a graduation gift earlier this year, we popped it open and it has a smokey almost like BBQ pit nose, and an equally smokey flavor to it never had anything quite like it

[@Tuck_1933]

The Limestone Farms Private Stock is a great bottle!

[@chozen_juan]

It looks good but I'm sorry that's way too expensive for a new distillery with sourced juice.

[@slbdrinks]

What do YOU think should make the cut for 'Best of the Year'? Let us know in the comments! And if you haven’t already, hit subscribe to follow our journey to crown the top bourbon and whiskey of 2024. Cheers! 🥃

[@davefabian2942]

Sounds like Cedar Ridge could be the underdog, you guys were excited about that pour

[@Udeus5]

Found North batch 10

[@igs608]

I know (by what people have shared) that it doesn't stack up to the original Special Release, but JD Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye is my favorite this year. Curious how you'd stack up the two more expensive ryes in this video against that one (which is $65 where I am).

[@Black-TBC]

Love what you guys do, y'all have been an inspiration to my channel.

[@davidcolgan3268]

Very cool video! Not worrying about ranking, just sharing first impressions. I have been to Cedar Ridge once. My grandson’s girlfriend lives about 15 minutes from it. They just released this year’s Double Barrel Bourbon and Double Barrel Rye a couple weeks ago so I have asked to pick me up a bottle of each as the local stores don’t always carry all versions. Another reason I am anxiously awaiting Thanksgiving. Cedar Ridge also have a couple other finished whiskeys that are distillery only.

[@RyanH-e1z]

Friday lineup: Rye's by state Ex: Indiana: Hard Truth Iowa: Templeton Nevada: Frey Ranch Kentucky: New Riff Vermont: Whistlepig

[@paulhendershot111]

Wow. I would love to try any of the bottles in this lineup. I was just in Georgetown, Ky. last month to do some Christmas shopping at Wild Turkey, Glenn's Creek and Buffalo Trace and I wish I had thought to visit Limestone Farms. Next time down for sure. And YES, would love to see a rye whiskey extravaganza on the livestream this Friday!!!

[@319_Fishing]

That cedar ridge is my favorite of all the cedar ridge products. Im lucky enough to live 15 minutes from the distillery so i grabbed a back up of that sherry finished bourbon. Its phenomenal. Wish you would have ranked the ones in this video!

[@KobeG24]

I would LOVE to see Trenton's reaction to some of the Far North Rye's! Single varietals, their bonded stuff...they are super funky and as a rye guy I bet he'd geek out over them a little.

[@Brad_Boersma]

Uh oh… Rebecca reads these comments!?! We better behave! Oh, and your reaction to the T-shirts was totally worth it! 😂

[@kurtludington5986]

😅

[@guitarswhiskeyandgolf]

great video love getting ideas for stuff I've never tried, seen or in some cases heard of.

[@manitobuckles]

Love a prediction show!! Cant wait to watch later! Cheers from Winnipeg! 🥃🤙

[@robertbugh1798]

And Corbin Cash Rye. Look into it. Amazing single barrels!!!

[@sparky167]

On your recommendation, I picked up a bottle of Westward milestone you guys really loved it and I thought I better jump on it and boy am I glad I did, I literally just opened the bottle three days ago and I am enjoying the heck out of it. Thank you for the great recommendation and the great content on your channel. Cheers.

[@nickp5511]

Nice! Love the content! Great to see some new bottles coming out!

[@JordanG_3031]

SLB Classics 0:01 holy glen cairns! 0:58 3+3=6 the things you learn at SLB 1:35 LIVESTREAM this Friday 11/22 2:30 Kurt is keeping it fresh! 4:00 looks like a double blind for us today (we don’t know the bottle) 4:45 Kurt, a keeper of secrets and bottles 5:24 the instant reveal! Keep us on our toes 6:12 price in DC area for a barrel pick of it was $70 7:38 Trenton putting his requests into bourbon overlords 7:56 QUINTESSENTIAL! 8:55 well that isn’t confusing at all 90/5/5 9:31 even Kurt is surprised at Trenton’s procurement 11:00 Kurt just keeps surprising Trenton 11:21 WORD OF THE DAY: Negative 11:34 Trenton is growing teeth in his nose 12:11 is your mouth JUICY though? 12:28 no water?!? Did Trenton set this up? 13:12 Trenton is getting better at the last names 13:48 Kurt did some real research 14:20 honesty is key, but good whiskey is good 14:39 Trenton doesn’t listen to Kurt’s story 15:52 Kurt is slowly choking, premature swallowing 16:36 Kurt helps Trenton with pronouncing 17:07 at that price, we all want to be Rodney’s friend 17:56 Kurt is always honest 18:22 turns out bourbon = 👶 18:50 Kurt claims he can smell the bombs 19:00 kurt cannot contain his excitement 19:46 the best bready stink bug that has ever been eaten 20:50 Kurt tries to pronounce it correctly 21:07 2.5 gal?!?!? 22:07 lots of 🦴’s 22:21 a double first for the boys 23:07 really stings the nostrils 23:44 mom makes a special voice appearance and doesn’t want to try it 23:56 mom is a real fan! 24:53 high praise from Kurt 26:27 I think we are all a bit excited on the small distillers 27:20 keep your own budgets 28:44 new update! Live-streaming the table for best video (patreon only) 29:01 Trenton basement tour! 30:19 gotta try to try them all though 30:58 nice sign off and nod

[@Urban-bourbon]

From VA: Bare Knuckle cask strength Filibuster (single barrels and 5yr BiB)

[@JooshyJuice]

I’m absolutely loving the stuff Ironroot Republic in Denison, TX has been putting out. Give their harbinger barrel select if you can!

[@gregarundale6106]

Try to find Blaum Bros out of Galena, IL. They have some great stuff, but it's hard to get some of it due to limited runs.

[@brandonsabourin489]

Love this video! Thanks for highlighting unique bottles!

[@ernestpeacock1943]

Amontillado anything is fabulous! My fav sherry finish. I love this surprise format. Maybe do this twice a year.

[@CharleyCarey]

I really like that Bookers. I would agree not bourbon of the year category but I definitely really like it.

[@deankruse4491]

For the first time ever, saw a bottle of Redwood Empire Haystack Needle, so I scooped it up. Got it home thinking it was the rye, turns out it was bourbon.😩 Should’ve done my homework, didn’t realize that they did a bourbon as well in this expression.

[@umami0247]

The Pursuit United is just killing it. I have there rye and in my state it is currently 32 and I’ve gone through two and plan on getting what’s left. Apparently my state is not going to carry their rye anymore which is a crime as far as I’m concerned. Some of these I’ll never get cause if price but I’m sure they are good. 🥃🥃🥃🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@tonybeckman1774]

Mine would be Old F 1920, Hard Truth Four Grain BIB, Hard Truth single barrel Rye, Weller 107. TonyB

[@johnk7093]

Pittsburgh!!! I have seen that name, but have left them... will start to pick them up. Im more of a Liberty Spirits guy, but might change my mind... great vid.

[@jleturgez78]

Great video as always guys. I always enjoy watching you two. I’m curious when the winners of the Riley Children’s Hospital raffle, should be expecting their shipments?

[@bethelittiss]

The “Young and Yonder” is a craft distillery with great products and a really earthy flavorful bourbon. It’s also non-GMO four grain,triple malt.

[@dustinpulliam9262]

Switchgrass spirits in MO has a good pumpernickel rye and planters by nobletons distilling in MO releases some great single barrels

[@robertfowler714]

Demetrius has great whiskey…switchgrass has aged great….looking forward to their future releases

[@EkcoRoc]

Ceder Ridge is probably the only one I can get and afford, but I will be looking for it!

[@altmandillon1]

Another entertaining video. Thanks guys. 🎉🎉🎉

[@raharmonnelson7537]

I like odd mash bills sometimes..... one I found that I liked but not enough to pay the ticket for it.... Hire wire Jimmy red .... corn HEAVY.... taste like popcorn with cherries.... it's wild but pricey.... 28:22

[@guitarswhiskeyandgolf]

Love the Charlie Brownesque outro music

[@calebweintraub1]

Fun video… I’m in Indiana too and hear ya in the stink bug.

[@williamwright7485]

Booker's Reserve, put out this year, was excellent.

[@randyflood8320]

Michigan whiskeys for live stream.

[@NJMcHone007]

New Holland has some incredible stuff. Their Origin line up, and the Walleye Run stuff is fantastic!

[@michaeltobias7519]

Dettling out of Alabama is the best "craft" whiskey I've had. Don't recall if you've ever reviewed a bottle of theirs. Its good stuff !!

[@BeardedBourbonDrinker]

I love me some dettling, I have three store picks and his bib.

[@brettheiner7125]

It’s pretty divisive - half our club members like it - half don’t care for it at all. I’m in the latter group. Something akin to TX funk that southern aging brings…

[@michaelmadigan8456]

Make a few cocktails on the stream that maybe we could make on thanksgiving

[@gizmod__881]

Would love to see you guys do a distillery review/tasting of Golden Sheaf out of Nebraska.

[@jasonczfan8658]

Some places around me have the Haystack for around $120 but wasn’t sure if that’s worth the high price

[@muddymetalers]

Journeyman Distillery has 2.5 gallon barrels. I discovered this in a tour with them

[@johngilbert5981]

The Bookers 03 improved a week after opening...try a drop of water also

[@skylarmaloney679]

10th Street Distillery out of San Jose, CA… really good single malt.

[@stymiesnerdly771]

For the Friday live, how many Hard Truth bottles do you have access to pour from?

[@SixOneFive]

Old forester 1910 is still my #1

[@borgcutus5780]

I haven't sipped it in a while, but I have like 1 pour left in the bottle I bought last year, I'm glad you brought it up, I may have to finish that one tonight. It's one of my faves too, but lately I'm been trying some new stuff to me (New Riff, Green River, JB 7yr, Makers 101, but nuthin wrong with curling up with an old fave...

[@SixOneFive]

@@borgcutus5780 yea I like the 1920, and 1878 or something I had bought all three at once. But due to the proof of the 1910 just goes down smoothe and I get some maple or Carmel notes. I like how darker the 1910 looks. I’ll have try others you mentioned.

[@MISTERLOLCRACKERS]

Pennsylvania has quite a few distilleries starting to release some great great stuff.

[@KurtFogleman]

I found a Bookers 2024-04 today. Not great on the first pour. Hopefully it opens up.

[@truckrboat]

McLaughlin sells on their website an age your own bourbon kit. They send you a barrel and bottles of their distillate and you pour them into the barrel and seal the barrel and let it age in your environment

[@colinkulasik1128]

You guys in Indiana can get Castle and key distillery products. Would be curious of your thoughts on them

[@tmartin-wong8602]

Just placed an order for Limestone. 🤞

[@FakingANerve]

Personally, I would spend $200 on a bottle exactly 0 times per year. 😂To each their own. 🥃

[@FakingANerve]

Well... unless anybody has an Old Fitz 17 year that they're willing to sell. 😏

[@WhiskyForBeginners]

Same here - even if I could afford it, which I can't. I've tried some expensive stuff in samples, and in my judgment nothing I've ever had is worth that much money *based on the whiskey itself.* Scarcity and demand are of course factors in the price, but the whisky itself isn't worth it - at least, nothing I've had is.

[@jerrycahoon6186]

The live stream should all be flavored whiskies. It a controversial choice but let's change it up.

[@DuckieDooh]

If anyone wants the Pursuit United Double Oaked Rye is available as if today on Seelbachs!

[@molemanftw]

That bookers is very good IMO. wait until it opens up.

[@robertbugh1798]

Racontuer Rye. Best rye of the year.

[@mitchtatman2735]

I need to find one of the cedar ridge bottles.

[@traciebrown1516]

Green River Wheated

[@noworldforeric]

YO TRENT AND KURT! This is completely unrelated but I have to tell you guys. Saw a YT video showing off new expressions coming soon... One is a 139.4 proof Woodford!!! 139.4!!!!!! HAZMAT WOODFORD!!!! Figured you guys would wanna know. Trent they did it bro. They did it!

[@slbdrinks]

What???!!!!

[@noworldforeric]

@ yes. It’s like chocolate whisper redux or something. The label has been made. I almost crapped myself. Trent the prophet. Hopefully it’s not a 400$ bottle though. Or a 200$ 200ml or something silly.

[@ajwitty]

I want all of them

[@ryangraham6393]

Sending love from Australia, I wish we could get these bottles here at the prices you pay, quality bottles here are so expensive.

[@tmartin-wong8602]

Send some Archie Rose to us!!!!😊

[@cdfreedomranch]

We are local to Whiskey Acres! I still have to get by there!!

[@Chevyguy93]

I want to see Scotch for this Friday

[@Robert.Sheard]

I'm falling behind the cool kids... 6 bottles I haven't tried. (I do have some Booker's releases, just not this one.)

[@johnford7627]

Love the channel... does anyone know how to get around the problem if your one of those states that nobody wants to ship to ie OK.... I'd love to get this Mclaughlin bottle

[@johnj.baranski6553]

You need a PA hook up, wink wink

[@michaelbruemmer1343]

Let's see what you picked up at whiskey acres!!!

[@NateReed-q8h]

Enjoy all your content, check out minor case rye. It is a sherry cask finish. They just recently released a few single barrel selections that were fantastic.

[@levpinter4279]

Amazing video

[@debbybrady1246]

Entertaining as usual 😂

[@p4lxrich]

Can you inform the haystack needle you have is 90/5/5? The one I’m looking at says Mash bill: 72% Corn , 18% Rye, 5% Wheat, 5% Malted. Asking if I’m looking at the wrong one.

[@mpprod6631]

The one they were drinking was a rye. The one you’re looking at would be a bourbon

[@Joe-zt2us]

There is a distillery in MO named Woodhat. You guys should try there stuff all grain to glass from my understanding. My favorite small distillery.

[@johnj.baranski6553]

Send it to them.

[@robertfowler714]

Gary is a mad scientist over at wood hat

[@Rassy649]

A great video. Love you guys. , but you caught your son spouting out about a price that wasn’t said. . What’s up with dat? Lolol😂

[@Bajinok]

Can you review Calumet bourbon please

[@tomgensel4134]

Every time I hear Tom you get my attention, even though I know it's another Tom.😂 Cheers 🥃

[@joelcopeland3018]

I have a Maker'sMark 46 French Oaked that I have not tasted yet... How does this rank with folks out there...

[@wardo17]

I'm trying to find a special rye or bourbon for a celebration. I have 2 problems; one I live in PA and many that you test are not available, and the second issue is could you begin to list in the name of the product so I could do a little more research to try to find it?

[@johnmoore5478]

Just finished my bottle of Cedar Ridge Amontillado Sherry Finished Bourbon and went to the distillery 11/17/24. Unfortunately, it is sold out. I have never seen it anywhere other than the distillery.

[@RandyFraker-i2g]

Bummer! Love all the Cedar Ridge stuff, especially the finished products.

[@davidteller7681]

Yeah, a quick trip to Google for it came up empty

[@jeffnuzz]

I've seen Pursuit United pop up on my feed several times, good to hear they put out some good stuff. But, must admit that their label never stirred any interest from me. I know it's about what's IN the bottle, but their label is pretty boring and plain if you ask me. IMO, they need to up their game in that realm.

[@johnlogalbo5567]

Where can one find that Cedar Ridge? I see it listed on their website products page, but it is not available in their shop.

[@yelworb]

Corbin Cash 1917 Rye, there local to me, and I can get you a bottle from the distillery if you want. I also can get a hazmat single barrel pock coming out next week from a local liquor store

[@fergs57]

Hey! Don’t give away all the CCBB secrets! 😂

[@Aj9Livess]

A bookers double oaked rye could be incredible, assuming it isn't 500 bucks haha

[@richjump88]

Taste some new cedar ridge stuff!

[@DMA_Actual]

Well that's a bummer, not a single one of these bottles can be had in Idaho :/

[@michaellarkins9293]

I wish I could get these bottles in my area...

[@Brad-ic4bp]

I’ve been hesitant about buying that latest Bookers (2024-03), but after watching this, I’m gonna pass on it. For $100, I’d rather gamble on some else I haven’t tried yet.

[@robertrackuzius3722]

McLaughlin vs. OGD114

[@allanperry7859]

Rye Whiskeys

[@waynesampson9415]

How about super high dollar ryes that are actually worth the money and available.

[@bill_jacobs]

Try that McKenzie I sent ya!