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 &amp; Wrap Up

<description>&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Topics include:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;🥃 Remus Experimental Series Wheat Whiskey
🥃 Maker’s Mark 2026 Wood Finishing Series
🥃 Heaven Hill’s Deatsville campus release&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Often only available in Japan, this bottle has developed a reputation for delivering well-aged bourbon at a surprisingly reasonable price.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Does it live up to the hype?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Let’s find out.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Chapters:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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 &amp;amp; Wrap Up&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

In this episode of the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, Clifton covers several new whiskey releases including Remus Experimental Series Wheat Whiskey, Maker’s Mark’s 2026 Wood Finishing Series, and Heaven Hill’s Deatsville campus release. The episode concludes with a Byte-Sized Review of Evan Williams 12 Year Red Label Bourbon, a Heaven Hill export favorite known for delivering well-aged bourbon at an approachable price.

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

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 &amp; Wrap Up

<description>&lt;p&gt;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…&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Can Kentucky make good tequila?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Along the way we’ll also talk about:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;🥃 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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Then we’ll taste the Nulu Blue Agave Spirit and see if Kentucky aging gives this agave spirit a bourbon lover’s twist.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Is it a gimmick… or something truly unique?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Explore Chapters using the timecodes below:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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 &amp;amp; Wrap Up&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

This week on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, Clifton shares the latest whiskey and gaming news before tasting a unique agave spirit experiment. The episode covers the return of High West Bourye, new releases from Heaven Hill, and Kentucky’s new customizable Bourbon Trail experience. Then Clifton reviews Nulu Extra Añejo Blue Agave Spirit, distilled in Mexico and aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels, to answer the question: Can Kentucky make good tequila?

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

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 &amp; Wrap-Up

<description>&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Does Moscatel bring bold citrus and floral complexity… or is it too dessert-like for a classic single pot still Irish whiskey?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Timecodes below to jump straight to the review 👇&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;00:00 – Welcome + What’s in This Episode&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;01:13 – Whiskey News: World Whiskies Awards 2026 Winners&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;07:53 – Whiskey News: 2026 Michter's Celebration Sour Mash Whiskey Announced&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;09:54 – Whiskey News: Penelope 7 Year Old Barrel Strength Bourbon&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;11:25 – Whiskey News: Pinhook Vertical Series 10 Year Old Rye Whiskey&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;13:00 – Byte-Sized Review: Redbreast Moscatel Wine Cask Edition Irish Whiskey&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;21:30 – Final Thoughts &amp;amp; Wrap-Up&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

In this episode, Clifton explores the new Moscatel cask-finished expression from Redbreast. After discussing the Iberian Series concept and what makes Moscatel wine unique, he delivers a full “Byte-Sized Review,” scoring the whiskey and debating whether this is a must-buy for Irish whiskey fans or more of a niche pour.

Redbreast Moscatel Wine Cask Edition Review & World Whiskies Awards Winners

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 &amp; Where to Follow

<description>&lt;p&gt;This week on the Bourbon Bytes Podcast, I’m covering major whiskey headlines from around the world — including:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;🥃 A new cask strength Ardbeg release
🥃 A wine-finished Redbreast from Ireland
🥃 An 18-year-old hazmat release from Barrell Craft Spirits&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;And then… we get to the main event.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Is it a worthy follow-up? Does swapping rye for wheat change the magic? And can it live up to the hype?&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Let’s find out.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;🎧 Listen now and join the conversation in the Discord: bourbonbytes.com&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Chapter markers:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;00:00 – Welcome + Episode Overview&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;01:32 – Ardbeg 10 Cask Strength Committee Release&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;02:57 – Redbreast Muscatel Finished Irish Whiskey&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;04:17 – Barrell Craft Spirits 18-Year Hazmat Curacao Finished Whiskey&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;06:04 – Byte-Sized Review: Green River Full Proof Wheated Bourbon&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;15:37 – Listener Shoutout &amp;amp; Where to Follow&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Clifton covers three major whiskey news stories — Ardbeg’s latest cask strength release, a new wine-finished Redbreast, and an 18-year-old hazmat from Barrell Craft Spirits — before diving deep into the highly anticipated Green River Wheated Full Proof Bourbon.

After naming Green River Full Proof his Whiskey of the Year in 2025, Clifton puts the wheated version to the test and delivers a bold final score.

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

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 &amp; Outro

<description>&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;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.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If you love experimental finishes, American single malt, or just honest tasting notes beyond the hype, this one’s for you.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Join the conversation in our Discord and tell me what you think: bourbonbytes.com&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Timecodes:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;00:00 Welcome to Bourbon Bytes  &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;1:51 Whiskey News: Garisson Brothers 6yr Bottled-In-Bond Bourbon&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;3:56 Whiskey News: Return of New Riff Balboa Rye Whiskey&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;5:01 Whiskey News: Rebel Root Beer Whiskey Returns&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;5:51 Whiskey News: Buffalo Trace's 'Charred and Chilled Festival'&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;7:28 Video Game News: Ubisoft Cancels Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;10:07 Video Game News: Microsoft's New 'Fable' Revealed&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;11:10 Byte Sized Review: Copperworks Arette Tequila Cask Finished American Single Malt Whiskey&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;20:32 Final Thoughts &amp;amp; Outro&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

This episode dives into experimental cask finishing with a tequila-barrel-aged American single malt from Copperworks Distilling. Clifton breaks down the flavors, value, and overall experience while unpacking whiskey news and industry chatter before delivering a full Byte-Sized Review and final score.

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

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!

Bourbon Bytes Podcast

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