Do you like French oak finished bourbon? In this new tasting talk, Dan and Dave dive into San Diego Distillery’s French oak stave finished bourbon bottled at cask strength 112 proof. It’s an exceptional example of what French oaked bourbon can be, it delivers bold peppery sandalwood spice from an MGP high rye bourbon balanced with some surprising coconut notes. This is an interesting one you won’t want to miss!

Which rye whiskey from the western United States will take the top spot? To wrap up Rye January, Dan and Dave dive into a blind tasting of five rye whiskeys from the western United States to see how they stack up when labels, hype, and price tags are stripped away. The guys have tasted some amazing rye whiskeys from the west so they pitted some of the best of the west in a head to head blind tasting. From spice to sweetness and everything in between, the guys break down each pour and share their honest reactions in this special episode they’re calling Rye January Blind Tasting.

Dan took a little trip out to Mare Island in Vallejo, California and got a tour of Redwood Empire’s new Distillery and Whiskey bar and picked up something special. In this Tasting Talk episode, Dan and Dave focus on tasting notes and impressions of Haystack Needle Bourbon from Redwood Empire Whiskey. They break down the nose, palate, and finish, highlighting prominent oak influence, layered sweetness, spice, and the impact of well-aged bourbon and rye in the blend. The conversation stays centered on how the whiskey drinks, its overall balance, and what stands out most in the glass, offering listeners a straightforward, palate-driven discussion of this unique release.