Why chasing new bourbon releases can be fun | Bardstown Cascadia & Rare Character Rye

Trying new bourbon releases is one of the most fun parts of being a whiskey fan—and in this Neat & Mixed episode, we dive into why the chase is worth it. From limited drops to distillery-only bottles, we explore what makes hunting down new releases exciting and how it keeps the bourbon experience fresh.Along the way, we try two pours: Bardstown Bourbon Distillery Reserve Series Cascadia Garryana Oak Barrel Finish, a unique distillery-only release finished in rare Garryana oak from the Pacific Northwest, and Rare Character Rye Whiskey 2026 Batch No. 1.We talk about what draws us to new releases, how scarcity and innovation play a role, and whether these bottles actually live up to the hype.