<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Carbon & Oak]]></title><description><![CDATA[Modern, fun apparel for whiskey and bourbon lovers. Bold designs, great fit—perfect for sipping, gifting, or showing off your spirit.]]></description><link>https://www.carbonandoak.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:54:55 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.carbonandoak.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Small Batch vs Single Barrel: What's the Difference?]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you've spent any time standing in front of a bourbon shelf, you've probably seen both "Small Batch" and "Single Barrel" on labels. Many new bourbon drinkers assume one must be better than the other. The truth is they're simply describing two different ways bourbon gets bottled. Understanding the difference can help you make a more informed purchase—and maybe save you from chasing a bottle based on marketing alone. Let's Start With Single Barrel Single Barrel is exactly what it sounds like....]]></description><link>https://www.carbonandoak.com/post/small-batch-vs-single-barrel-what-s-the-difference</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a2dda7600dbe48b1c77fd50</guid><pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2026 22:37:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8cb7c1_a84e5ee2138842c6bdd3a99bda8f1a3d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Garrett </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Does Barrel Proof Actually Mean]]></title><description><![CDATA[Walk into any liquor store and you'll eventually spot the phrase "Barrel Proof" on a label. For many bourbon drinkers, it's become a sign of quality. In some circles, it's even treated as the highest expression a distillery can offer. But what does barrel proof actually mean? More importantly, does it automatically make a bourbon better? The short answer is no. The longer answer is a little more interesting. First, Let's Talk About Proof Proof is simply a measurement of alcohol content. In...]]></description><link>https://www.carbonandoak.com/post/what-does-barrel-proof-actually-mean</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a2dd2fa28513bd3b38c7f2d</guid><pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2026 22:14:30 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8cb7c1_736e634becdd4f53a8a418b32c72edeb~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Garrett </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[ Common Terms Explained For Whiskey (Bourbon)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Bourbon A whiskey made in the United States from a mash bill containing at least 51% corn, aged in new charred oak containers, distilled at no more than 160 proof, entered into the barrel at no more than 125 proof, and bottled at a minimum of 80 proof. No flavoring or coloring may be added. Straight Bourbon Bourbon that has been aged for at least two years and contains no added flavors or colors. If it is less than four years old, an age statement is required. Age Statement The age listed on...]]></description><link>https://www.carbonandoak.com/post/whiskey-field-guide-common-terms-explained</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a2dcc9944c7bef1d03114e9</guid><pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2026 21:51:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8cb7c1_886b7e4dfb8546b08ca4702541d9cfd4~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Garrett </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Knob Creek Blender’s Edition 01 Bourbon Review  ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Any time there's a new addition to the Beam lineup, I get a little excited—not necessarily because of what's in the bottle, but because it serves as a reminder of where my bourbon journey started. Back in college, my friends and I always seemed to have a handle of Jim Beam within arm's reach. It was our go-to pour, and in many ways it became the foundation of my appreciation for bourbon. Since then, I've made a point to try just about every corner of the Beam portfolio, from Old Tub to Little...]]></description><link>https://www.carbonandoak.com/post/knob-creek-blender-s-edition-01-bourbon-review</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a2dc24c28513bd3b38c63ac</guid><pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2026 21:26:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8cb7c1_86f8c5c8e1774efc86a2f604552bcf19~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Garrett </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Eagle Rare 10 Year Bourbon Review  ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Finding Eagle Rare at or near MSRP used to be a no-brainer for me. At one point, I may or may not have had a closet full of the stuff. It was my tried-and-true daily drinker when I first moved to Washington, D.C. At the time, Early Times Bottled-in-Bond—my previous daily drinker—wasn't available in the area. That may have changed by now. I left in 2023, and with it now being a Sazerac product, they tend to have a way of getting their brands where they need to be. Now that I'm back in Texas, I...]]></description><link>https://www.carbonandoak.com/post/eagle-rare-10-year-bourbon-review</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a2cbee344c7bef1d02f3123</guid><pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2026 02:55:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8cb7c1_333e4fff38964ebea2d80412d992eb93~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_905,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Garrett </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon Review]]></title><description><![CDATA[While I've tried a fair amount of the Wild Turkey and Russell's Reserve lineup over the years, I can't believe I've never picked up a bottle of Rare Breed until now. It's not that I've been avoiding it. Truth be told, Wild Turkey 101 has been a staple on my shelf for most of my bourbon journey. More recently, I've found myself reaching for the 8-Year expression whenever I come across it. Somewhere along the way, Rare Breed kept getting pushed to the back of the list. That makes this bourbon...]]></description><link>https://www.carbonandoak.com/post/wild-turkey-rare-breed-bourbon-review</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a2cb3fb44c7bef1d02f1ceb</guid><pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2026 02:13:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8cb7c1_af5ae7d7de6040749fad8cbcf53d7b51~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_845,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Garrett </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[BBQ Misadventures: Barbecue Pork ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Pork Butt, Post Oak, and a Lesson in Preparation On a recent trip to my local grocery store, I noticed they had started carrying a new brand of post oak. The brand itself didn't catch my attention, but the fact that it was post oak certainly did. Here in Texas, post oak is king. Normally, I have to search around town and check inventory online before I can even think about planning a cook. Seeing it sitting on a shelf, ready to grab on a whim, felt like a small victory. Naturally, I picked up...]]></description><link>https://www.carbonandoak.com/post/bbq-misadventures-barbecue-pork</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a2a1ec9b34d9652f55584cf</guid><pubDate>Thu, 11 Jun 2026 03:18:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8cb7c1_41230c1626ae4e398389b855d5596002~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_888,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Garrett </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Bourbon Batch #5 Bourbon Review]]></title><description><![CDATA[This bourbon review may come with a small amount of bias, as I originally hail from Virginia and had the pleasure of discovering A. Smith Bowman Distillery nearly seven years ago. While I never had the opportunity to taste Batch #2, I've followed these releases closely and have enjoyed what the distillery has put forward so far. I'm certainly not alone in that sentiment. Over the years, the A. Smith  Bowman releases have developed a loyal following among bourbon enthusiasts, often generating...]]></description><link>https://www.carbonandoak.com/post/a-smith-bowman-cask-strength-bourbon-batch-5-bourbon-review</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a29f2a7f8e7e84c72c0bcac</guid><pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 23:54:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8cb7c1_d8e65970daaa4df7b93895f542714fb4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Garrett </dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Old Grand-Dad 114 Single Barrel 7 Year Bourbon Review]]></title><description><![CDATA[Every bourbon drinker seems to have that one bottle they recommend when someone asks for the best value on the shelf. For a lot of people, that bottle is Old Grand-Dad 114. Known as a favorite among bartenders and service industry folks, it brings plenty of proof, plenty of flavor, and usually leaves enough money in your pocket for another bottle. In a world obsessed with unicorn hunts, there's something refreshing about a bourbon that's simply good, available, and affordable. Bourbon Review...]]></description><link>https://www.carbonandoak.com/post/old-grand-dad-114-single-barrel-7-year-bourbon-review</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a29e632f8e7e84c72c09f15</guid><pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 23:08:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8cb7c1_e818fbb132a74349bd56847cb46eaab1~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Garrett </dc:creator></item></channel></rss>