491. Five Premium Pours: From Gatsby to Garryana Oak

The Bourbon Road crew is back with an exceptional lineup of five premium pours that showcase the diversity of bourbon craftsmanship. Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter kick off with the 2025 Remus Gatsby Reserve, a 15-year-old 102.8 proof straight bourbon from MGP's Ross & Squibb Distillery, released to celebrate the 100th anniversary of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby." This beauty delivers smoky oak, vanilla, and cinnamon notes that evolve beautifully throughout the tasting. Next up is Old Forester's High Angel Share Rye from their 117 series—a 110 proof, 375ml gem featuring a 65% rye, 20% malted barley, and 15% corn mashbill. The hosts discover fruity strawberry jam notes balanced with spicy gumdrops and subtle chocolate, making it a standout rye experience. The third pour brings something truly unique: the Bardstown Bourbon Company Cascadia Garriana Oak, a distillery reserve blend featuring 80% 10-year Kentucky bourbon, 12% 10-year Indiana bourbon, and 8% 9-year Kentucky bourbon finished for 10 months in rare Garriana oak barrels from Oregon's Willamette Valley. This expression delivers sandalwood, clove, and sophisticated woody notes that transport you to the Pacific Northwest. Moving into the second half, the hosts explore Redemption's 10 Year Old Barrel Proof High Rye Bourbon at 114.4 proof—60% corn, 36% rye, and 4% malted barley—which impresses with candy-like sweetness, toffee, glazed pecans, and a surprising mint quality. Finally, Todd shares his first-ever personal bottle of EH Taylor Barrel Proof Batch 14B at 127.4 proof, a 6-8 year old mash bill one expression that delivers traditional bourbon character with red berries, caramel, and sophisticated baking spices. Each whiskey tells its own story, from heritage distilleries to innovative finishes, making this an episode where every pour earns serious consideration.