The final Bourbon Bytes Podcast episode of 2025 is here, and it’s a big one.
In this episode, Clifton wraps up the year with honest reflections on the future of Bourbon Bytes, the bourbon industry heading into 2026, and a "Byte-Sized Review" of the brand-new Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Cask Strength Bourbon.
Willett is one of the most polarizing names in whiskey, and this new four-year-old, cask strength release has sparked plenty of debate. Is it a promising step forward for Willett’s own distillate, or does the price and presentation lean too hard on hype?
Clifton breaks down the nose, palate, finish, value, and expectations while also sharing broader thoughts on availability, pricing, and what bourbon drinkers may see more of in the coming year.
Whiskey news, honest reviews, and real talk to close out 2025.
Cheers, and see you in 2026 🥃
00:00 – Welcome &amp; Final Episode of 2025
02:30 – End-of-Year Reflections &amp; 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 &amp; Closing Thoughts

<description>&lt;p&gt;The final Bourbon Bytes Podcast episode of 2025 is here, and it’s a big one.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In this episode, Clifton wraps up the year with honest reflections on the future of Bourbon Bytes, the bourbon industry heading into 2026, and a "Byte-Sized Review" of the brand-new Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Cask Strength Bourbon.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Willett is one of the most polarizing names in whiskey, and this new four-year-old, cask strength release has sparked plenty of debate. Is it a promising step forward for Willett’s own distillate, or does the price and presentation lean too hard on hype?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Clifton breaks down the nose, palate, finish, value, and expectations while also sharing broader thoughts on availability, pricing, and what bourbon drinkers may see more of in the coming year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Whiskey news, honest reviews, and real talk to close out 2025.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Cheers, and see you in 2026 🥃&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;00:00 – Welcome &amp;amp; Final Episode of 2025&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;02:30 – End-of-Year Reflections &amp;amp; 2026 Outlook&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;04:32 – Where Bourbon Bytes Is Headed Next&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;08:06 – Thoughts on the Bourbon Market in 2026&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;12:20 – Byte-Sized Review: Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year Bourbon&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;23:05 – Listener Questions &amp;amp; Closing Thoughts&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

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

Willett Family Estate 4 Year Bourbon Review & Whiskey Dreams for 2026

This week on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, Clifton breaks down a massive wave of upcoming whiskey releases for 2026 — including the rumored return of Knob Creek 12-Year Cask Strength, a newly labeled 7-Year Old Grandad 114, Penelope’s new Madagascar Cognac Finish, Blood Oath Pact 12, Lou Gehrig Remus Reserve, a permanent Templeton Rye Double Oak, and a special 250th Anniversary Rittenhouse 10-Year Bottled-in-Bond.
Then, it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of one of the most unique American Single Malts of the year: Copperworks Kilt Lifter Whiskey — a collaboration decades in the making between Copperworks Distilling and Pike Brewing. A wild pine-forward nose gives way to a layered palate with floral brightness, cinnamon oatmeal, and a sweet Cinnabon-like finish. At $60 and 100 proof, Clifton calls it one of the most “recognizable and memorable” whiskeys he’s tried all year.
Plus: Civilization VII gets a major free DLC update, and two new games hit the market this week — Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on Switch 2 and Microsoft Flight Simulator (PS5), complete with its new Stranger Things “Hawkins” expansion.
 
00:00 - Intro &amp; Why 2026 Whiskey Releases Are Exploding
01:20 - Knob Creek 12 Cask Strength: The Return?
03:03 - Old Grandad 114 Single Barrel (7-Year!)
04:12 - Penelope Madagascar Cognac Release
04:43 - Blood Oath Pact 12 Red Wine Finish
05:49 - Remus “Lou Gehrig” Reserve Mashbill Breakdown
07:24 - Templeton Rye Double Oak Announcement
08:23 - Rittenhouse 10-Year Bottled-in-Bond for 250th Anniversary
09:57 - Whiskey of the Year: Elijah Craig Barrel-Proof Rye
11:58 - Gaming News: Civ VII Free DLC + Huge Updates
14:47 - Gaming News: Metroid Prime 4 &amp; Microsoft Flight Simulator Stranger Things Pack
15:52 - Byte-Sized Review: Copperworks Kilt Lifter Whiskey
23:46 - Closing &amp; Tease for Next Week’s Tequila Cask Review

<description>&lt;p&gt;This week on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, Clifton breaks down a massive wave of upcoming whiskey releases for 2026 — including the rumored return of Knob Creek 12-Year Cask Strength, a newly labeled 7-Year Old Grandad 114, Penelope’s new Madagascar Cognac Finish, Blood Oath Pact 12, Lou Gehrig Remus Reserve, a permanent Templeton Rye Double Oak, and a special 250th Anniversary Rittenhouse 10-Year Bottled-in-Bond.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Then, it’s time for a Byte-Sized Review of one of the most unique American Single Malts of the year: Copperworks Kilt Lifter Whiskey — a collaboration decades in the making between Copperworks Distilling and Pike Brewing. A wild pine-forward nose gives way to a layered palate with floral brightness, cinnamon oatmeal, and a sweet Cinnabon-like finish. At $60 and 100 proof, Clifton calls it one of the most “recognizable and memorable” whiskeys he’s tried all year.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Plus: Civilization VII gets a major free DLC update, and two new games hit the market this week — Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on Switch 2 and Microsoft Flight Simulator (PS5), complete with its new Stranger Things “Hawkins” expansion.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;00:00 - Intro &amp;amp; Why 2026 Whiskey Releases Are Exploding&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;01:20 - Knob Creek 12 Cask Strength: The Return?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;03:03 - Old Grandad 114 Single Barrel (7-Year!)&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;04:12 - Penelope Madagascar Cognac Release&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;04:43 - Blood Oath Pact 12 Red Wine Finish&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;05:49 - Remus “Lou Gehrig” Reserve Mashbill Breakdown&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;07:24 - Templeton Rye Double Oak Announcement&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;08:23 - Rittenhouse 10-Year Bottled-in-Bond for 250th Anniversary&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;09:57 - Whiskey of the Year: Elijah Craig Barrel-Proof Rye&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;11:58 - Gaming News: Civ VII Free DLC + Huge Updates&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;14:47 - Gaming News: Metroid Prime 4 &amp;amp; Microsoft Flight Simulator Stranger Things Pack&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;15:52 - Byte-Sized Review: Copperworks Kilt Lifter Whiskey&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;23:46 - Closing &amp;amp; Tease for Next Week’s Tequila Cask Review&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

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.

Copperworks Kilt Lifter Whiskey Review & Huge New Whiskey Releases Coming in 2026!

This week, Clifton covers some of the final big whiskey drops of 2025, including new releases from Clyde May’s, Central Waters’ new Great Blue line, State Line Distillery’s debut 5-year rye, and the dramatic relaunch of Copper &amp; Kings under new ownership. Then it’s time for one of the most surprising pours of the year: Bruichladdich Laddie Rye — a 100-proof, 7-year Islay-grown rye-and-barley hybrid that tastes like nothing else on the market.
Plus: Palmer Luckey’s newest retro console — the ModRetro M64 — might be the most exciting gaming hardware of the year.

<description>&lt;p&gt;This week, Clifton covers some of the final big whiskey drops of 2025, including new releases from Clyde May’s, Central Waters’ new Great Blue line, State Line Distillery’s debut 5-year rye, and the dramatic relaunch of Copper &amp;amp; Kings under new ownership. Then it’s time for one of the most surprising pours of the year: Bruichladdich Laddie Rye — a 100-proof, 7-year Islay-grown rye-and-barley hybrid that tastes like nothing else on the market.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Plus: Palmer Luckey’s newest retro console — the ModRetro M64 — might be the most exciting gaming hardware of the year.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

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.

An Islay Rye?! Bruichladdich Laddie Rye Review + Big Whiskey & Gaming News

It’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday Week, and I’m sharing the best whiskey deals, distillery sales, merch discounts, and bottle drops worth your money this season. Whether you’re stocking your bar or shopping for bourbon lovers, I’ve got the highlights you need so you don’t have to scan every mailing list yourself.
Then, I crack open the 2025 Town Branch Imperium Bourbon — a 105-proof, wheated bourbon blend with notes of dark chocolate–covered cherry, caramel, and cedar-driven oak tannin. Is it worth the $120 price tag? I share my honest verdict.
Episode includes: 
🥃 Dark Arts Cellar Sale details 
🥃 Deanston 15 Year Tequila Cask Black Friday Drop 
🥃 Buffalo Trace, Jim Beam &amp; High West Merch Discounts 
📘 Whiskey Advocate 2-Year Subscription Deal 
🔥 Byte-Sized Review: Town Branch Imperium Bourbon (MMXXV)

<description>&lt;p&gt;It’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday Week, and I’m sharing the best whiskey deals, distillery sales, merch discounts, and bottle drops worth your money this season. Whether you’re stocking your bar or shopping for bourbon lovers, I’ve got the highlights you need so you don’t have to scan every mailing list yourself.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Then, I crack open the 2025 Town Branch Imperium Bourbon — a 105-proof, wheated bourbon blend with notes of dark chocolate–covered cherry, caramel, and cedar-driven oak tannin. Is it worth the $120 price tag? I share my honest verdict.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Episode includes:
🥃 Dark Arts Cellar Sale details
🥃 Deanston 15 Year Tequila Cask Black Friday Drop
🥃 Buffalo Trace, Jim Beam &amp;amp; High West Merch Discounts
📘 Whiskey Advocate 2-Year Subscription Deal
🔥 Byte-Sized Review: Town Branch Imperium Bourbon (MMXXV)&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

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.

Best 2025 Black Friday & Cyber Monday Whiskey Deals + Town Branch Imperium Bourbon Review

This week, Clifton digs into one of the biggest questions in whiskey: Is the bourbon boom finally over? After years of price hikes, expansions, and dwindling enthusiasm from younger drinkers, the numbers might finally be catching up. In this episode, he breaks down why the boom may be slowing — and why that might actually be good for bourbon fans.
Then stick around for a Byte-Sized Review of a bottle he’s never tried before: the Ben Holladay 6-Year Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon. This Missouri-made BIB surprised him with dusty vintage notes, toasted sweetness, and a mash bill that might be one of the most exciting non-Kentucky profiles in years.
Plus: new whiskey releases from Buffalo Trace, Barrell Craft Spirits, Blade &amp; Bow, and more.

<description>&lt;p&gt;This week, Clifton digs into one of the biggest questions in whiskey: Is the bourbon boom finally over? After years of price hikes, expansions, and dwindling enthusiasm from younger drinkers, the numbers might finally be catching up. In this episode, he breaks down why the boom may be slowing — and why that might actually be good for bourbon fans.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Then stick around for a Byte-Sized Review of a bottle he’s never tried before: the Ben Holladay 6-Year Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon. This Missouri-made BIB surprised him with dusty vintage notes, toasted sweetness, and a mash bill that might be one of the most exciting non-Kentucky profiles in years.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Plus: new whiskey releases from Buffalo Trace, Barrell Craft Spirits, Blade &amp;amp; Bow, and more.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

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.

Is the Bourbon Boom REALLY Over? + Ben Holladay BIB Review

Whiskey news &amp; 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!

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