The 2025 Wrap-Up: Bottles, Binging, and Big Risks

TOP SHELF

Top 3s of 2025

The 2025 Heavy Hitters (The Best of the Best)

If you have a time machine, can Rick borrow it so he can enjoy these sips again?

• Jack Daniel’s 14 Yr: A total powerhouse that proves JD is more than just a college memory.

• Wild Turkey MK Beacon: The Master’s Keep streak continues; grab it before the secondary market loses its mind.

• Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse (Camp Nelson E): Pure rickhouse magic— this is the bottle you use to humble your hunting buddies.

The "Daily Driver" Wall (Under $50)

Rick makes good money, but he still checks price tags. These are the bottles he buys by the handle because they never miss.

• Eagle Rare 10: Still the ultimate "if you see it, buy it" bottle. It’s the gateway drug to Buffalo Trace addiction, and at this price, you don't feel bad mixing it with a single large cube.

• Weller Special Reserve: The "tater" starter kit that actually tastes good. It’s basically liquid gold for trades when you’re hunting that next Stagg drop.

• Heaven Hill 7 Yr: This is the "smartest person in the line" pick. It’s Bottled-in-Bond, age-stated, and hits harder than most "craft" bottles twice its price.

The Sweet Spot ($100 - $100)

This is where Rick’s whiskey budget starts to shock his spouse.

• Bulleit 12 Yr Rye: Diageo finally stopped gatekeeping the good stuff. At around $55 MSRP, it’s an absolute "bunker worthy" steal for a double-digit rye.

• Elijah Craig BPs (A125, B525, C925): The C925 batch is a 129-proof monster that proves Heaven Hill isn't playing around this year. It’s uncut, unfiltered, and exactly what Rick needs after a long day of "distillery tours".

• 4 Roses Store Picks (Barrel Strength): These are the "insider" trophies. Each 2025 pick is a unique recipe flex that separates the rookies from the veterans.

The "Spouse-Approved" Flex ($100 - $250)

This is the tier where your whiskey budget starts to shock the spouse, but the liquid inside makes the justification a whole lot easier.

• River Roots SiBs: Casually dropping 15-year "flavor bombs" that hit 124+ proof. If you see a bottle with a "Prime Barrel" sticker, grab it—it’s a total "holy shit" moment in a glass.

• Little Book Chapter 9 ("None For Granted"): Freddie Noe’s 2025 masterclass in blending. It’s oaky, complex, and worth every bit of the $160 MSRP.

• Hardin’s Creek Warehouse Series: The ultimate "rickhouse terroir" experiment. Whether you score the "Mushroom" (Warehouse R) or the "Owl" (Warehouse G), you're drinking 11-year-old Beam history.

The 2025 "Off-The-Clock" Anthems

When you’re finally home from the hunt and the glass is poured, this is what’s on the speakers.

• Kendrick Lamar: Still the undisputed heavyweight champ; his 2025 run proves that if you’re the best, you don't need to shout to be heard.

• Bon Iver: Perfect for those late-night sessions when the bottle is half empty and you’re feeling more "reflective" than "rowdy."

• Chris Stapleton: The bourbon of country music—smooth, soulful, and hits exactly where it’s supposed to every single time.

The "Binge or Bust" TV Series

Forget the mindless scrolling; these are the shows that actually earn their spot on Rick's 4K screen.

• Slow Horses: Gritty, sharp, and slightly disheveled—it’s the television equivalent of a dusty bottle found in a backwoods liquor store.

• Paradise: The kind of high-stakes drama that makes you reach for the "good stuff" just to handle the tension.

• The Residence: A total vibe that’ll have you texting the group chat for theories while you sip on your JD 14.

Digital Rabbit Holes (The 2025 BourbonTube Alternatives)

For when you need a break from watching guys review the same Buffalo Trace drop for the tenth time.

• Conan O’Brien: Still the gold standard for "smart-stupid" humor; the man is a national treasure who doesn't take himself half as seriously as a bourbon snob.

• Mike Birbiglia: Honest, awkward, and hilarious — basically the internal monologue of every guy standing in a 5 AM bourbon line.

• My First Million: The ultimate "business hunt" pod. It’s about finding the "unicorns" of the market before everyone else catches on.

The Rickhouse Library (Non-Fiction)

Books that actually help you level up your game, not just collect dust on the shelf.

• Storyworthy (Matt Dicks): Because if you’re going to tell a story about scoring a Pappy 15, you better make it legendary.

• 48 Laws of Power: Essential reading for navigating the "inner circle" of your local liquor store manager.

• This is Strategy (Seth Godin): A masterclass in "strong opinions, loosely held" — learn to spot market shifts before the taters do.

The 2025 "Big Flex" Investments

We’re not just investing in glass anymore; we’re investing in the guy holding it.

Business ROI

• Matt Dicks Coaching: Rick’s "hunting war stories" just went from 80-proof to cask strength.

• The Big Stages: Taking risks is like buying a "store pick" from a new distillery—it’s scary, but the payoff can be a total "holy shit" moment.

• MacBook Pro M5 + Studio Display: The ultimate "bottle porn" editing rig; if you're going to track the secondary market, do it in high definition.

Personal ROI

• IRL Improv Class: The best way to practice your "I've never been in this store before" face when hunting for allocations.

• The New Gym: Health is the ultimate "bunker" asset; you can't enjoy the 20-year-old juice if you don't stay in the game.

• Therapy: Because sometimes you need to talk about why you really need 200 bottles in the basement.

Experiences of the Year

• The Moth: Real stories, told live—it's the "uncut and unfiltered" version of a night out.

• Improv: Learning to "yes, and" is the same energy as your buddy saying, "Let’s hit one more store before we go home."

• Plymouth MSAA Keynote: The 2025 pinnacle; proving that once you master the story, you own the room.