Whiskey Review: Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve Straight Bourbon

For this episode, we’re diving into Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve—a straight bourbon finished in Reposado tequila barrels and bottled by Next Century Spirits. While the company is based in North Carolina, this is labeled as a Kentucky straight bourbon, indicating it’s sourced from within the state. It clocks in at 90 proof, though no age statement was provided. What caught our attention? That tequila cask finish—one of the most unpredictable barrel types when it comes to whiskey. Let’s see how this one stacks up. Nose Brad : Honestly, dude, maybe it’s because I’m primed for it, but I do smell agave. It’s not overwhelming—it’s a nice presence. There’s a little bit of an herbaceous note going on that I think is a mix of that agave. But besides that, it’s got just a really nice vanilla caramel experience that feels like a really traditional bourbon with a little bit of something-something going on. Score: 7/10 Bob : The

by Robert Book and Bradley Paul Gee · source ↗