We’re down to eight. No passengers left.

At this stage, it’s not about whether a bottle is good — they’re all good. It’s about control. Integration. Finish length. The little edges that show up only when the field is this strong. Chocolate, caramel and cherry continue to dominate, but nuance is starting to matter more.

Let’s see who punches a ticket to the Final Four.

🥃 Matchup 1 — Blind

C vs. B

Blind Tasting Notes

C

• Color: Mahogany
• Nose: Proof and oak mask slightly; chocolate-caramel and savory spice push through
• Palate: Chocolate first, then oak, citrus peel, savory spice and caramel
• Mouthfeel: Oily
• Finish: Citrus, chocolate and buttery toffee linger
• Score: 88.86

B

• Color: Solid copper
• Nose: Chocolate-covered cherries, buttery toffee and nutmeg
• Palate: Caramel and vanilla with orange zest and nutmeg
• Mouthfeel: Lightly creamy
• Finish: Citrus and caramel forward, nutmeg lingering
• Score: 88.21

Reveal & Result

C: Far Better Cask Strength Bourbon (#17)
B: Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Sweet Mash (#40)

✅ Winner: Far Better Cask Strength Bourbon (#17)
➡️ Advances to the Final Four

Post-Matchup Thoughts

This was tight. Both leaned citrus in different ways, but C’s oilier mouthfeel and slightly deeper chocolate profile gave it the edge.

What decided it:
Texture advantage and layered finish.

🥃 Matchup 2 — Blind

E vs. F

Blind Tasting Notes

E

• Color: Light mahogany
• Nose: Brown sugar, red fruit and rich caramel
• Palate: Tart cherries, buttery caramel, dark chocolate and cinnamon
• Mouthfeel: Lightly creamy
• Finish: Satisfying; cherry-led
• Score: 88.64

F

• Color: Solid mahogany
• Nose: Toasted oak, sweet cherries, caramel and nutmeg
• Palate: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cherries, leather and caramel
• Mouthfeel: Moderately viscous
• Finish: Cherries, oak and spice dominate
• Score: 89.84

Reveal & Result

E: Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Strength Whiskey (#4)
F: Nashtucky 7-Year (#5)

✅ Winner: Nashtucky 7-Year (#5)
➡️ Advances to the Final Four

Post-Matchup Thoughts

E was balanced and flavorful, but F had more structure and slightly more finish presence. The viscosity edge mattered.

What decided it:
Finish length and structural depth.

🥃 Matchup 3 — Blind

D vs. G

Blind Tasting Notes

D

• Color: Solid copper
• Nose: Caramel, nutmeg and butterscotch
• Palate: Chocolate-cherry, butterscotch and cinnamon
• Mouthfeel: Creamy
• Finish: Cinnamon and tart cherries linger
• Score: 86.37

G

• Color: Light mahogany
• Nose: Caramel, bananas, oak and vanilla
• Palate: Caramel-covered bananas, butterscotch, light oak and cinnamon
• Mouthfeel: Nicely oily
• Finish: Toffee and bananas highlight the close
• Score: 89.19

Reveal & Result

D: Old Forester Single Barrel Bourbon (#2)
G: Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Toasted Pecan (#7)

✅ Winner: Jack Daniel’s Toasted Pecan (#7)
➡️ Advances to the Final Four

Post-Matchup Thoughts

The banana-toffee profile in G separated it from D’s more traditional chocolate-cherry lane. It felt richer and more distinctive.

What decided it:
Distinctive flavor profile and oilier mouthfeel.

🥃 Matchup 4 — Blind

A vs. H

Blind Tasting Notes

A

• Color: Mid-copper
• Nose: Leather, cardamom and light vanilla
• Palate: Chocolate, caramel and savory spice
• Mouthfeel: Luscious and creamy
• Finish: Chocolate and caramel dominate
• Score: 85.82

H

• Color: Solid mahogany
• Nose: Butterscotch, vanilla, light oak and caramel
• Palate: Butterscotch, caramel, brown sugar and vanilla
• Mouthfeel: Nicely oily
• Finish: Butterscotch, oak and baking spice linger
• Score: 89.73

Reveal & Result

A: 13th Colony Cask Strength Bourbon (#19)
H: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked (#54)

✅ Winner: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked (#54)
➡️ Advances to the Final Four

Post-Matchup Thoughts

H leaned fully into dessert mode and didn’t apologize for it. The sweeter, more cohesive profile carried it through.

What decided it:
Dessert dominance and finish cohesion.

🔀 Final Four Matchups Created

Far Better Cask Strength Bourbon (#17)
vs.
Nashtucky 7-Year (#5)

Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series Toasted Pecan (#7)
vs.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked (#54)

Closing Reflections

The Final Four is set.

Four rich, dessert-driven profiles remain. Chocolate, caramel, cherry, banana and toffee dominate the field. Viscosity has proven critical. Proof alone hasn’t guaranteed survival. Integration has.

Now it gets serious.