Inside Blind Barrels with Bobby DeMars

Coal officially joins Only Bourbon Fans as a full-time member as the guys recap their Kentucky trip. They talk New Riff, liquor store finds, distillery stops, and some standout pours from Bourbon & Beyond and Bourbon’s Bistro. From vintage bourbon and experimental rye to Buzzard’s Roost and its toasted barrel approach, there are plenty of bottles and stories to get into. They also share a few trip mishaps and look ahead to another Kentucky trip and an affordable blind rye tasting.

Zack from Only Bourbon Fans is joined by Geoffrey from Tampa Bay Bourbon Boys for a blind tasting with three bottles: a Backyard Double Oaked Rye, an Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Toasted Barrel private pick, and a Doc Swinson’s Single Barrel from Total Wine.They taste all three, talk about flavors, proof, finish, and see which bottle comes out on top. Will their favorite be what they expected, or will the blind tasting change their minds?

On this episode of Only Bourbon Fans, the guys are joined by Bobby DeMars from Blind Barrels to talk all things whiskey, from blending and sourcing unique bottles to what goes into putting together a good blind tasting lineup.Bobby shares some of the stories behind Blind Barrels, rare bottles, whiskey collaborations, and the challenges of finding unique whiskey with all the regulations and distribution challenges that come with it. They also get into proof, aging, different whiskey categories, and how much the whiskey community and customer feedback can influence what makes it into the lineup.Plus, there are plenty of behind-the-scenes whiskey stories, blind tasting talk, and a few lessons learned along the way. A good episode for anyone who likes getting into the stories and people behind the bottle.

his time around, Vinnie, Heisey, and Albert are putting three bottles to the test without knowing what's in the glass: Henry McKenna 10 Year Bottled-in-Bond Single Barrel, Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel, and Knob Creek 12 Year.They taste through all three, talk about what they're getting on the nose and palate, and try to figure out which bourbon is which. There's plenty of caramel, vanilla, oak, nuttiness, and sweetness along the way — along with some questionable guesses and plenty of BS.They also get into the differences between single barrel and Bottled-in-Bond, how age and proof show up in the glass, and whether paying more actually gets you a better pour.Grab a pour and taste along with them!

We’re back with another blind tasting! This time we’re trying Jack Daniel’s Bonded, Bowman Brothers, and Redwood Empire and seeing if we can figure out what’s in each glass. We talk through the flavors, proof, and overall profiles, plus how knowing what you’re drinking can sometimes change your opinion. And of course, there’s some questionable help from AI along the way.

The guys are all back together for another Blind Review! This time, they’re tasting three Kentucky Ryes: Knob Creek 7 Year Rye, Old Forester 100 Proof Rye, and E.H. Taylor.They’ll taste them blind, talk through what they’re picking up, and see which one comes out on top. Can they figure out what they’re drinking? Grab a pour and find out!

On this episode of Only Bourbon Fans, we're tasting Elijah Craig, Four Roses, and Woodford Reserve completely blind to find out which one we'd actually buy again. There are a few surprises along the way, and some opinions definitely changed once the bottles were revealed. Grab a pour and let us know which one you'd pick.

Looking for the perfect bourbon gift? On this episode, we dive into some of the most popular bourbon gift ideas, bottle recommendations, and fan favorites to see what stands out. From everyday pours and hard-to-find bottles to unique gifts and trending picks, we compare the recommendations with what bourbon enthusiasts are actually buying, collecting, and talking about. Grab a pour and join us for a fun conversation about the best bourbon gifts and what's trending in the bourbon world.

Pennsylvania was once the heart of American rye whiskey, and Iron City Distilling is bringing that history back to life.This week, we sit down with President Peter Katz and Distiller Austin Keaton to talk about what makes their whiskey different. From Pennsylvania-grown rye and a rare three-chamber still to steam-heated aging and some seriously unique barrel finishes, they’re not afraid to do things their own way.We also get into the story behind the distillery, why they focus so much on pre-Prohibition whiskey-making, what’s coming next, and of course… we taste some great whiskey along the way.If you enjoy learning the stories behind the bottle—or you’re just looking for your next great pour—you won’t want to miss this one.🥃 Cheers!

On this episode of Only Bourbon Fans, we're cracking open a bottle that's generated plenty of buzz in the whiskey world: Rare Character Brook Hill Bourbon "SOPRANO."Part of Rare Character's ultra-premium Brook Hill lineup, SOPRANO is a 6-year Kentucky Straight Bourbon bottled from a single barrel at a hefty 117.76 proof. Barrel #62Z yielded just 148 bottles, making this one of those pours that many bourbon fans have heard about but few have actually gotten to try.We dive into what makes the Brook Hill label so sought after, discuss Rare Character's rise from a newcomer to one of the most talked-about independent bottlers in bourbon, and see whether this younger age statement can compete with some of the older, more expensive bottles carrying the Brook Hill name.From the first nose to the last sip, we're breaking down everything SOPRANO has to offer—its grain-forward profile, barrel-strength punch, layers of spice, sweetness, and oak, and whether the hype surrounding Brook Hill is justified. Most importantly, we're answering the question every bourbon drinker wants to know: Is this bottle worth the hunt and the price tag?Pour yourself a glass and join us as we take a deep dive into Rare Character Brook Hill SOPRANO and find out if this single barrel hits all the right notes.