“Runnin’ Down a Dream” (The Reveries x T8KE) | 16-Year Single Barrel Bourbon Review

Written By Tortured Bourbon

The Reveries Bourbon

Runnin’ Down a Dream: The Reveries x T8KE 16-Year Single Barrel Bourbon Review (Cask #2464)

Tortured Bourbon digs into one of the hottest indie-bottler releases in the whiskey world.

If you’ve spent any time around bourbon nerds, whiskey Facebook groups, or the shared lament of “I missed the drop again,” then you’ve heard whispers about The Reveries by T8KE. And tonight on Tortured Bourbon, we opened one of the crown jewels of that lineup: a 16-Year Kentucky Single Barrel, Cask #2464, nicknamed “Runnin’ Down a Dream.”

At 130.4 proof, this is a bottle that doesn’t ask permission. It doesn’t whisper. It doesn’t apologize. It shows up, kicks the saloon doors open, and plays a Tom Petty riff in your living room.

And honestly—Heather and B were here for it.

This blog is the long-form breakdown of everything we covered in our episode—what this bottle is, who T8KE is, where this bourbon comes from, the tasting notes reviewers rave about, and whether you should chase future Reveries releases.

Let’s run it down.

What Is “Runnin’ Down a Dream”?

16 years. 130.4 proof. Single barrel. A unicorn without the glitter.

The bottle we featured is The Reveries 16-Year Single Barrel (Cask #2464), a limited release curated by T8KE (Jay West) and sold as a Stuff & Whiskey exclusive through retail partner Shared Pour. At release, the price floated around $325—squarely in that territory where you either:

  • gulp hard

  • or grin and say “YOLO.”

This single barrel carries the nickname “Runnin’ Down a Dream”—a nod to Tom Petty’s iconic track. If this bourbon had a personality, it would absolutely drive a vintage convertible down a Florida highway at sunset.

Stats at a Glance

  • Brand: The Reveries (by T8KE)

  • Age: 16 Years

  • Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon

  • Proof: 130.4 (Cask Strength)

  • Filtration: Non-Chill-Filtered

  • Price: ~$325

  • Release: Limited — Stuff & Whiskey x Shared Pour

If you’re into oak-forward whiskey, barrel-proof monsters, or allocation-level rarity, this fits your wheelhouse.

Who Is T8KE?

Jay West: the whiskey reviewer turned barrel curator.

To understand this bottle, you have to understand the guy behind it. T8KE (real name Jay West) has been a respected voice in whiskey since 2015. What began as reviews and tasting notes morphed into a career of:

  • barrel picking

  • spirits consulting

  • blending

  • and eventually establishing his own independent label, The Reveries

He’s co-founded BottleRaiders, writes obsessively about bourbon and rye, and—importantly—he stores and ages his own barrels for future bottlings.

He’s known for:

  • barrel strength only

  • never chill filtering

  • prioritizing mature age statements

  • deep-cut barrel hunting

In other words, he is a professional whiskey goblin (Heather’s words, not his).

And The Reveries? That’s his playground.

What Is the Reveries Line?

A curated collection of single barrels and experimental blends.

The Reveries is Jay’s independent bottling project—featuring:

Single Casks:

Often 14–16+ year Kentucky barrels, selected for uniqueness, character, and depth. Always bottled at full proof.

Founder’s Bottlings:

Usually around 9–10 years, sourced from Indiana (MGP), aged in KY/VA, and bottled in VA. These bring the classic MGP sweetness with barrel strength punch.

Small Blends (RAVEN, etc.)

Limited-run blends with themes, structure, and depth, explored like a composer writing a symphony in oak.

Everything that carries the Reveries label is:

  • cask strength

  • non-chill-filtered

  • hand-selected

  • limited

This is the definition of boutique bourbon.

Where Does the 16-Year Bourbon Come From?

The legend of BuffTurkey — the hybrid bourbon that fans obsess over.

Here’s where the whiskey nerds lean in.

Many of these 16-year barrels are believed to come from what the community calls “BuffTurkey” stock.

This nickname refers to distillate:

  • produced in Frankfort by Buffalo Trace (circa 2007–2009)

  • under contract for Wild Turkey

  • aged in Wild Turkey warehouses

  • using Turkey’s low-rye recipe

  • but made using Buffalo Trace’s fermentation/yeast process

It’s a hybrid bourbon with lineage from two of the most famous Kentucky distilleries in the world.

You get:

  • Buffalo Trace sweetness + fruit

  • Wild Turkey funk + spice

  • 16 years of deep oak

  • High proof intensity

No label confirms it—independent bottlers legally can’t—but the tasting notes and barrel timelines align strongly with this origin story.

Heather called it:

“If Blanton’s and Rare Breed had a moody guitarist child.”

Honestly? Not wrong.

Katie’s Corner: Deep Dive Tasting Notes

This is what reviewers got on the same 16-year run.

Katie brought the research, and here’s the composite:

Nose

  • Perfumed old oak

  • Vanilla bean

  • Molasses

  • Graham cracker

  • Dark cherry

  • Cola syrup

  • Crème brûlée

  • Maple candy

  • A hint of dusty warehouse funk

Palate

  • Leather

  • Orange peel

  • Plum

  • Almond

  • Brown butter

  • Clove

  • Toffee

  • Dark fruit

  • Wild Turkey funk as a background note

  • Thick, syrupy viscosity

Finish

  • Long and assertive

  • Tobacco leaf

  • Oak staves

  • Wood smoke

  • Citrus oil

  • Baking spice

  • Lingering heat (it is 130+ proof, after all)

Katie’s TL;DR?

“If you like mature oak, old-school candy shop notes, and a bit of funk riding shotgun, this sings.”

Who Should Chase This Bottle?

If any of the following describe you, grab your wallet:

  • You love 16-year bourbon

  • You chase high-proof, non-chill-filtered releases

  • You enjoy Buffalo Trace / Wild Turkey crossover profiles

  • You like rare, independent bottler drops

  • You don’t flinch at $300+ bourbon

  • You want a bottle with story, age, and personality

If you prefer softer, younger, sweeter pours—this will feel like licking a barn door. Respectfully.

How to Track Future Reveries Releases

These bottles sell out in minutes, so here’s how to stay ahead:

  • Follow T8KE on social media

  • Sign up for Shared Pour alerts

  • Watch for Stuff & Whiskey partner picks

  • Join bourbon groups that follow indie bottlers

  • Refresh faster than the high schooler buying sneakers

When these drop, the “Add to Cart” button becomes a sprint.

Final Thoughts: This Is Why We Love Bourbon

“Runnin’ Down a Dream” isn’t a casual sipper. It’s not crafted for beginners or budget shoppers.

It’s a statement bourbon from a passionate creator who knows exactly what niche he’s building.

This bottle has:

  • history

  • mystery

  • age

  • depth

  • personality

  • and a flavor profile that shifts gears at 130+ proof

For the Tortured Bourbon crew, this is why we chase bottles. This is why we review.

This is why we talk bourbon every week.

Tom Petty said it best:

“Yeah, runnin’ down a dream…

That never would come to me…”

Except tonight, it did.

Tortured Bourbon
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