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 & 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 & Microsoft Flight Simulator Stranger Things Pack 15:52 - Byte-Sized Review: Copperworks Kilt Lifter Whiskey 23:46 - Closing & Tease for Next Week’s Tequila Cask Review