This past month, we had the incredible opportunity to host a private barrel selection at our home with a few of our amazing Patreon members—and it was one for the books. Joining us for the occasion was none other than Steve Aiello, the regional representative for Old Louisville Distillery, who guided us through the tasting and selection process with his wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm.

For those unfamiliar, Old Louisville Distillery is known for curating exceptional aged Kentucky bourbon, with a deep respect for traditional craftsmanship and a focus on small-batch, high-quality releases. Every bottle reflects their dedication to patience, balance, and old-school bourbon character.

Out of four unique sample barrels, we ultimately selected an outstanding Bardstown single barrel, clocking in at just over eight years old. The depth, richness, and classic Kentucky profile of this bourbon blew us away—and we couldn’t be prouder of the final pick.

We’re thrilled to be partnering with Old Louisville Distillery once again and can’t wait to share this exclusive barrel with you all at Bonded Bottle Shop. This collaboration represents everything we love about bourbon: great people, great whiskey, and great community.

Keep an eye out for the release—this is one bottle you won’t want to miss!

A couple of weeks ago, we had the absolute pleasure of hosting our Chicken Cock Single Barrel Release Party at Locked Barrel in Downtown Sacramento—and what an incredible evening it was!

We were honored to welcome Will Woodington, who shared the fascinating story behind the rich history and modern revival of the Chicken Cock brand. Originally founded in the 1850s in Paris, Kentucky, Chicken Cock was once one of the most famous names in American whiskey—served in speakeasies during Prohibition and known as the “Whiskey in a Tin Can.” After disappearing for decades, the brand has been beautifully revived, honoring its legacy with carefully crafted bourbons and ryes that combine heritage, quality, and innovation.

A huge thank you to Jason and the entire team at Locked Barrel for putting together such a memorable evening. From the delicious food and expertly crafted cocktails to the full Chicken Cock tasting lineup and the beautiful venue itself, everything came together perfectly.

And of course, a heartfelt thank you to all of our followers and supporters who came out to enjoy the evening with us. Your energy and enthusiasm make events like this truly special.

We’re thrilled to announce that our Chicken Cock Reserve Cask will be arriving soon at Bonded Bottle Shop—and trust us, this is one you’ll want to get your hands on. With its rich flavor, storied past, and unmistakable character, it’s a bourbon that perfectly embodies the spirit of the American whiskey tradition.

Keep an eye out for the release details, and thank you again for being part of our growing whiskey community.

Dear Bonders,

Last September, I decided to go off the deep end and launch an online liquor store — a bold move driven by a simple idea: Make Bourbon Cheap Again and bring the bottles I talk about in my content directly to the people who’ve been listening, but couldn’t find them anywhere.

Since then, it’s been a wild and incredible ride.
We’ve seen huge growth, new partnerships with distilleries and whiskey groups, exciting charity collaborations, near-instant sellouts, and — best of all — a ton of new friends and supporters.

Many of you have reached out to share your appreciation for what we’re building at Bonded Bottle Shop, and I can’t tell you how much that means. Thank you. Your patience, support, and understanding have made all the difference as we navigate the endless learning curve of this venture. We didn’t know what we didn’t know — and we’re still learning every day.

Of course, like anything that involves the public, not every interaction is sunshine and single barrels. There will always be a few folks who choose to be grumpy, impatient, or just plain rude. To those people, I say — beat it!

There are a lot of moving parts behind the scenes: lost or broken shipments, slow restocks, sudden sellouts — and most of these things are completely out of my control. For the mistakes that are mine, I’ll always do my best to make things right and keep customers happy. But before anyone decides to be a pain in the butt, please remember what Whiskey Bonded stands for — community, positivity, and a shared love of great whiskey.

This whole thing only works if it’s fun.
I want every customer to feel they’ve gotten real value, but I’ll never let sales come before the spirit of what we’ve built together.

As we head into 2026, Bonded Bottle Shop is fueling big new plans for the Whiskey Bonded community — and it’s all thanks to you.

To everyone who’s been patient, positive, and supportive along the way — you’re the reason I love this “job.”

Cheers and thank you for your support!

Ready to test your wits and sip some magic?

We’re thrilled to continue our Riddle in the Barrel Giveaway! Crack the riddle below for a chance to win a fine bottle of whiskey.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Read the Riddle Carefully: Below is a riddle tied to the world of whiskey. Take your time to ponder its clues!

2. Submit Your Answer: Email your solution to [email protected] with the subject line “Riddle in the Barrel October 2025.” Include your full name and answer to the riddle. Only one entry per person.

3. Deadline: Entries must be received by 11:59 PM PST on November 25th, 2025. Late submissions won’t be considered.

4. Winner Selection: All correct answers will be entered into a random draw. One lucky winner will receive a select bottle of whiskey (must be 21+ and comply with local laws).

This month’s selection: Bushmills 12 Year Old Single Malt

Here’s Your Riddle…

We’ll announce the winner in our next newsletter and contact them directly.