Bourbon Lens

Bottled-in-Bond. What does this designation mean when it is on a bourbon or whiskey label? Are you more or less likely to pick up a bottle of liquor when it states that it is "under U.S. Government Supervision"? We discuss the Bottled-in-Bond Act and whether the law's requirements are still necessary today or if it is just a marketing gimmick. Scott shares why this is one of his favorite types of whiskey. Craft distillers are starting to produce "bonded" products, does it set them apart from their competitors? Let us know your thoughts by interacting with us on Social Media. We would greatly appreciate it if you would provide us feedback and a 5 star rating. Please leave a review so future listeners can discover us. SHOW LINKS: BOTTLED-IN-BOND WHISKEY DEFINED made at a single distillery produced within a single distilling season January–June OR July–December bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof) aged for a minimum of four years What Are Bottled-in-Bond Spirits, and Why Are They Suddenly Everywhere? Why Every Drinker Should Know What Bottled-in-Bond Mean Is it time to retire "Bottled In Bond"? Be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected]. Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to.

Four Roses Bourbon and the Kentucky Derby! It's a great time to be in Kentucky for bourbon lovers. The Kentucky Derby is here and a new bourbon just released from Four Roses. We discuss some of the events surrounding the Greatest Two Minutes in Sports. And we partake in a side-by-side whiskey tasting of Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon and their newest product, Small Batch Select. Learn about the alphabet soup of the Four Roses brand and their different flavor profiles. Show Topics - Four Roses New Product - Small Batch Select Released in KY - gift shops April 17 Available at retailers in Kentucky, New York, California, Texas and Georgia Non-chill filtered and bottled at 104 proof, the first permanent addition to Four Roses portfolio of Bourbons since 2006 Recipes from both mashbills and three yeast strains––V, K and F. Each aged a minimum of six years Feature OBSV, OBSK, OBSF, OESV, OESK and OESF Comparison to Four Roses Small Batch Two Mashbills B - 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley E - 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley Five Yeast Strains V - delicate fruit K - slight spice O - rich fruit Q - floral essence F - herbal notes Total of 10 distinct Bourbon recipes OBSV OBSK OBSO OBSQ OBSF OESV OESK OESO OESQ OESF Bourbon Offerings Four Roses Bourbon (Traditional yellow label) Up to all 10 recipes are mingled. Small Batch Bourbon - 4 of 10 NEW Small Batch SELECT bourbon - 6 of 10 Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon contains one of 10 Show Links: Four Roses Small Batch Select What is Chill Filtration? Also, be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected]. Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to.

We discuss the controversial aging process of double barreled whiskeys and "bourbons". Does this aging process produce higher quality whiskey than traditionally aged whiskey? Is this a fad or a trend that will gain in popularity? We also dive into how much science is too much science when it comes to making whiskey. And finally, will flash or rapid aging ever gain the acceptance of purists in the industry? SHOW LINKS: Understanding the Nightcap - What is your nightcap drink of choice? 8 Double Barreled Whiskies Garden & Gun - Should Bourbon be Cask Finished? Maker's Mark - Maker's 46 Bourbon Fooling Father Time: 'Rapid-aging' and the future of craft whiskey Now You Can Taste Aged Whiskey Without The Age Today I Learned - you can speed-age whiskey with sound waves Copper and Kings Method - sonic aging brandy Copper And Kings Distillery Is Embracing New Sonic Aging Techniques South Carolina Distiller Promises to Make Kentucky Liquor Quicker - NPR Be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected]. Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to.

We put the bourbon away for a night and explore Japanese whisky thanks to a friend. Landon from The_Brothers_Bourbon on Instagram joins us for the podcast. We discuss some of the differences between various whisk(e)y from around the world, including scotch, bourbon, and Japanese Whisky. Landon was generous enough to share some samples of Hibiki Harmony and a 12 year old Yamazaki Single Malt Whisky. We also discuss how to grow your Instagram following while maintaining connections with your followers and having a consistent theme in your social media. Japanese whisky is going through a boom of its own of late and we speculate on the shortages they may be experiencing as well as the removal of age statements, similar to what is happening in American Whiskey and Bourbon. We also discuss the craft of whiskey making and what products people like to find on the shelf. Find the tasting notes from Suntory for Hibiki Harmony and Yamazaki 12 below. Hibiki Harmony from Suntory Luminous. Delicate. A transparency that unveils complexity. Nutty on the nose Yamazaki 12 Year Old from Suntory Suntory's flagship single malt whisky, from Japan's first and oldest malt distillery, multi-layered with fruit and Mizunara aromas. Succulent with soft fruit. Color: Pure gold Nose: Peach, pineapple, grapefruit, clove, candied orange, vanilla, Mizunara (Japanese oak) Palate: Coconut, cranberry, butter. Finish: Sweet ginger, cinnamon, long finish Show Links: Landon's Instagram: The_Brothers_Bourbon Japanese Whisky Experiencing Global Growth Whisky Advocate: Japanese Whisky Finest Whiskies Of Japan You Need Try At Least Once In Your Life Limestone Branch and Yellowstone Bourbon Also, be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected]. Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to.

The winner of our Tournament of Whisky is finally announced. If you've stayed up with us on Instagram and our live feed, you may already know the winner. We discuss the "controversy" surrounding our pick for best whiskey from our 16 selections. We also discuss if larger bourbon producers, like Woodford Reserve and Jim Beam, have a stigma in the industry. We dive into another controversial product head on and debunk any negativity towards it. And Jake hits us with the quote of the week when discussing some infighting in the bourbon community: "Popularity doesn't make good bourbon." And finally, we discuss why we are feeling like it's the holidays in Louisville and around Kentucky. It's Derby season!! In a series of tough choices, we discuss favorite drinks during Derby time and which horse track is our favorite, Churchill Downs or Keeneland. Show Links: $1,000 mint julep ingredients are aging to perfection in Churchill Downs' Twin Spires Should Bourbon Be Cask Finished? Woodford Reserve Double Oaked The Kentucky Derby Keeneland Race Track Churchill Downs Also, be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected]. Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to.

It's April, Fools! Scott pulls one over on Michael and Jake for April Fools Day in embarrassing fashion. We also continue the Tournament of Whiskey, completing our 1st round of 16 whiskies. We announce the Elite 8 of our tournament. Listen along as we give a full recap of our notes on each whiskey and why we advanced each one to the next round. There were definitely some surprises in this tournament so stay tuned to see what advanced and which were upset early! The Elite Eight is set: From last week's episode: Weller Special Reserve Michter's Toaster Barrel Bourbon Weller 12 Year Woodford Reserve Double Oaked From this week's tasting Peerless Rye 3 Year Single Barrel Angel's Envy Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished Weller Antique 107 Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye Show Links: Henry McKenna Losing its Designations (APRIL FOOLS!) Tournament of Whiskey (Full Bracket) Be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected]. Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to.

We recorded this podcast on International Whisk(e)y Day and discover that there is an important purpose for this day. It is not just another "Hallmark Holiday". We also discuss our thoughts on the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, which recently named its "Best in Show Whiskey": Heaven Hill's Henry McKenna 10 Year, Bottled In Bond, Single Barrel Bourbon. We also discuss the opening matchups of our own Tournament of Whiskey and whether we were surprised by any of the whiskies. Find out more in the "Show Links" Section below. Show Links: Tournament of Whiskey (Full Bracket) The Story Behind International Whisk(e)y Day San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Full Results Forbes Magazine (Fred Minnick): Best Whiskey: How Bourbon Dominated The 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition Forbes (Brad Japhe): Heavy Medal: What It Means To Win At The San Francisco World Spirits Competition Men's Journal: Inside the Secretive Competition that Determines the Future of Whiskey Also, be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected]. Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to.

In the style of March Madness and the NCAA Basketball Tournament, the Bourbon Lens creates a bracket of 16 whiskies from our home bars. We discuss the regions, seeding, and matchups of the 1st Annual Bourbon Lens Tournament of Whiskey. Matchups by Region: 4 Regions (names only, not indicative of whiskey type) Rye Thomas H. Handy (1) JTS Brown BIB (16) Weller 107 (8) E.H Taylor Small Batch BIB (9) Finished Bourbon Angel's Envy Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish (4) Legent (13) Kentucky Owl Rye Batch 2 (5) Peerless Single Barrel (11) Bottled in Bond Old Fitzgerald 9 Year BIB (2) Weller Special Reserve (15) Michter's Toasted Barrel Bourbon (7) New Riff BIB (12) Weller Region Weller 12 (3) Old Forester Rye (14) Weller CYPB (6) Woodford Reserve Double Oak (10) Predictions: Burton - THH, Legent, Weller 12, Toasted Barre (Overall Winner - Weller 12) Scott - EH Taylor Small Batch, Peerless Single Barrel, Toasted Barrel, Double Oak (Overall Winner - Toasted Barrel Bourbon) Jake - THH, Angel's Envy, Toasted Barrel, Double Oak (Overall Winner - THH) Also, be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected]. Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to.

With the St. Patrick's Day holiday, what do we think about Irish Whiskey? Should we try Proper Twelve? We discuss a bit of nostalgia with WWF and WCW wresting. And the crew weighs in on Jim Beam's newest whiskey, Legent, a collaboration between Jim Beam and Suntory. Find out our thoughts on whether Legent can bring the Japanese whiskey drinkers to bourbon.And finally, we reveal our March Madness Tournament of Whiskey. Whisky Advocate discusses Legent Be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected]. Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to.

The fellas take a trip to up-and-comer craft distiller Rabbit Hole Distillery. Rabbit Hole is located in Downtown Louisville, Kentucky and they are taking a more modern approach to the bourbon industry. We discuss our experience, their whiskies, and their Overlook Cocktail Bar and event space that will be open to the public as a swanky new place to hang out and socialize on weekends. Cheers! Rabbit Hole Distillery Be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected]. Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to.

We discuss some of our recent travels, including Disney World and the bourbon selection you will find there and some drinking stories from the west coast. We also dive into budget bourbons under $20. You will find out some of our favorites from the "bottom (sic: budget) shelf" and some random banter. Be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected]. Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to.

We have a guest appearance on The Bourbon Lens from long time friend, Brad Wood. Brad shares his recent experience at the Boone County Distilling Company. We discuss the smoke and mirrors behind sourced whiskey, contract distilling, and the role that MGP plays in it all. SHOW LINKS: Whisky Brands That Are Made at MGP Instead of Fretting About How to Store Your Whiskey, Drink It All Immediately Www.BourbonWeekly.com - satire stories about the ridiculous world of bourbon. MGP announces "tit has run dry," will begin weaning craft distillers off their whiskey in spring Whiskey Club Skips Barrel Selection, Will Just Sell The Sticker Instead Husband Puts Ice in His Whiskey Rare bourbon hunting? Do we see ourselves getting into this hobby? Or is it too late? Also, be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected]. Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to

We discuss the importance of the millennial to the bourbon industry as well as marketing schemes and social media. Which one of these outlets should be credited with saving the bourbon industry and creating what we now call the Bourbon Boom? We also discuss what role the craft distillers play in all of this. We hope you enjoy this episode and also realize not all opinions align with ours. We would love to get your opinion and feedback! Cheers! Also, be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected]. Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to. SHOW LINKS: The New Face of The Average Whiskey Drinker (Robb Report) Best Craft Distilleries (including Peerless and New Riff) Craft Whiskey - From Sourcing to Distilling

Old Forester Rye is the drink of the night and the secondary market goes wild driving its price up quickly. Michter's invades downtown Louisville. The Bourbon Lens will be making a visit soon It isn't just the Bourbon Boom, Downtown Louisville is feeling the impact too. Goodwood Bourbon? There is an unsolved mystery and Scott has the scoop. Show Links: Goodwood's New Bourbon Fred Minnick says not so fast! Old Forester 100 Proof Rye Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery Opening. Also, be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected]. Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to

We pay a visit Kentucky Peerless Distillery and provide our thoughts on the revived distillery brand. We also discuss our thoughts on their rye whiskey and the processes they use as they prepare to launch their first bourbon. We also discuss the new partnership with the UFC and ESPN+ and if the first ever ESPN-UFC event was a bust or success. See the links below for photos from our tour at Kentucky Peerless. Also, be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected]. Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to. Show Links: Single Barrel Selection: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs1kulAjh1i/ Rye Whiskey at Rest: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs6xkoVDxT2/ Vendome Copper: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs4AneKHN74/ Belly up to the Bar: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs1RduaHtuR/

The whole gang is here and we discuss why everyone freaks out in Kentucky when snow is in the forecast, Bryan taking advantage of the free sushi samples, and why Bryan is drinking Mich Ultra on The Bourbon Lens. In bourbon news, Maker's Mark filed a lawsuit against long-time partner Ted's Cigars. We have some other conversations about food pairings with bourbon, work stressors and after-work drinks, one bourbon that we would pick if we could only have one for rest of time (had to currently be on your bar), and why Scott reminds Bryan of Ron Swanson. Be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected]. Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to!

This week on The Bourbon Lens we discuss best Christmas gifts, our thoughts on New Year's resolutions, NFL Playoff predictions, and UK & U of L sports. We also discuss how to choose a bourbon at a bar that won't break the bank, what proof whiskey we prefer, and where our next stops will be on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected] Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to!

In this episode, The Bourbon Lens team discusses a myriad of topics including upcoming college football playoffs, our Christmas & NYE plans, best gift ideas for your work Christmas parties, and the bourbon craze forcing us to find other readily available bourbons. We also review of our most recent Kentucky Bourbon Trail visits at Buffalo Trace, Castle & Key, Old Forester, and Bulleit distilleries. Also, be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to!

Our first episode of The Bourbon Lens. Learn a little about each of us and the podcast in this short intro episode. The goal of this podcast project is to replicate the types of things we talk about on a daily basis. Whether it's the latest sports stories and headlines, to obscure news, or even new products and content that we are consuming, we want to share with you what we share with each other. There will be occasional bourbon reviews, frequent bourbon drinking, and lots of opinions fueled by a little bourbon. This is what the Bourbon Lens is. An hour or so dedicated to carrying a conversation about life while enjoying the company of each other and a glass of bourbon.