Bourbon Lens

Stephen Gould, Owner of Golden Moon Distillery & Gun Fighter Whiskey, joins The Bourbon Lens Podcast. Stephen has close to 30 years of distilling experience. Golden Moon and Gun Fighter are Stephen's brands and he is looking to grow in the industry. Stephen has also collaborated with many others including the Legend, Dave Pickerell. His expertise is not limited to whiskey; Stephen enjoys creating several unique and historical spirits. You'll find Stephen distilling gin, absinthe, and many more you've likely never heard of. We hope you enjoy this episode and discover Golden Moon Distillery. Be sure to check out Gun Fighter Double Cask Bourbon Whiskey which we enjoyed while recording this episode. Find more about Golden Moon Distillery and Gun Fighter Whiskey at the following links: Golden Moon Distillery - Official Website Golden Moon Distillery Instagram We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app and please leave us a written review. This will help others discover our podcast and will help us expand our reach. 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.

What is it like to run a small business in the Kentucky Bourbon industry? We sat down with the Owner and leather craftsman behind the BourbonWare brand. BourbonWare is the brainchild and nearly lifelong passion of Micah Sierp. Micah has been involved in the leather crafting trade for over 20 years and is proud to follow in his father's trade. BourbonWare's flagship product, the Lexington Rocks Glass was developed by Micah in 2007; a 13.5oz Libbey rocks glass which is tightly wrapped with an English Bridle leather sleeve. According to the brand, "Anything Else is Just a Glass." BourbonWare's story started when Micah convinced Woodford Reserve to buy a dozen of these glasses with their original Labrot & Graham logo. Woodford Reserve has been a strong supporter and customer ever since. In 2011, Micah took this glass creation and started BourbonWare. Today, you'll see a variety of BourbonWare's products in distilleries across the Bluegrass and beyond. BourbonWare features vegetable tanned English bridle leather from Wickett & Craig tannery in Pennsylvania and Libbey glassware. The next time you are in a gift shop, ask for BourbonWare. Grab a glass for yourself or as a gift, you'll recognize the fine leather craftsmanship immediately. If you are interested in ordering, head to BourbonWare.com. Micah has generously given our listeners a 15% discount on his website; just use the COUPON CODE: BW15. Also, check out BourbonWare on Instagram. We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us expand our reach. 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 may not be Avengers: Infinity Wars, but we had a battle this week. We found out how difficult it is to blend whiskey. Each of us tried our hands at blending our own whiskey (blend recipes listed below) and we lined them up in a blind tasting. Find out who wins this week's challenge and who might need some more practice. Also, during the episode you'll learn how you can get your hands on these same whiskey blends to taste for yourself. Be sure to follow us on Instagram for more details. What is an "Infinity Bottle"? How the Infinity Bottle Became a Whiskey Nerd Obsession How to experience the glories of the Whiskey Infinity Bottle Infinity Bottle Tips Every Whiskey Drinker Needs an Infinity Bottle 1) Jake's Bottle Contents: Blantons Uncle Nearest Peerless Single Barrel Rye Buffalo Trace store pick Weller Special Reserve Weller CYPB Weller 12 Kentucky Owl Rye batch 2 Four Roses Small Batch Four Roses Small Batch Select EH Taylor Small Batch Paniolo Woodford Double Oaked store pick St Augustine Double Barrel Jim Beam Legent Angel's Envy Oloroso Sherry Cask High West - Double Rye High West - American Prairie High West - Campfire High West - Bourye High West - Yippie Ki Yay 2) Michael's Bottle Contents: Sazerac Rye Henry McKenna BIB Weller Antique107 Blantons Elijah Craig BP - Batch B Stagg Jr Wilderness Trail Rye Old Forester 1910 Peerless Rye single barrel EH Taylor Small Batch Knob Creek Single Barrel Eagle Rare Wild Turkey Rare Breed Willett Rye Pikesville Rye Makers Mark Cask Strength Evan Williams BIB Four Roses Small Batch Select 3) Scott's Bottle Contents: JTS Brown BIB Wild Turkey Rare Breed Russel's Reserve 10 Year Henry McKenna BIB Stagg Jr. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A119 Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Early Times BIB 1792 BIB Single Barrel Store Pick Buffalo Trace Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Bourbon Rabbit Hole Heigold Virgin Bourbon 101 Proof - NAS Heaven Hill BIB - 6 Year Old We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us expand our reach. 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 dive into a set of samples sent to us by Bourbon Charity. This is a blind tasting to find the best bourbon under $30. Bourbon Charity is an organization which is utilizing bourbon to benefit several non-profit and charitable organizations. "Drink for A Change" is one of their mottos and this latest effort will benefit the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Children's Tumor Foundation, Fisher House Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of East Valley, and Charity: Water. Learn more about Bourbon Charity, the organizations that support, and how you can help on their website, BourbonCharity.org. The Blind Tasting Lineup Features: 1. Four Roses Small Batch 2. Maker's Mark 3. Woodford Reserve 4. Knob Creek Small Batch 5. Buffalo Trace {SPOILER ALERT} 30 people from across the USA took the Under $30 Blind Tasting Challenge and the winner is: Buffalo Trace 1st Place: Buffalo Trace (3.32 average score)2nd Place: Four Roses (3.04 average score)3rd Place: Knob Creek (3.04 average score)4th Place: Woodford Reserve (2.96 average score)5th Place Makers Mark (2.80 average score) NOTE: Four Roses and Knob Creek tied but Four Roses had more first place votes. We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us expand our reach. 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.

There is no "smoke and mirrors" when it comes to Bardstown Bourbon Company. This episode features an interview with Dan Callaway from Bardstown Bourbon Company. Dan is the Assistant Vice President of Customer Relations for Bardstown Bourbon and handles the customer facing side of the business as well as product development. We enjoyed several excellent whiskies from Bardstown Bourbon Company as we learned about their take on the future of the bourbon industry and how they intend to be a part of it in a big way. Dan shared the Discovery Series with us as well as some exciting new, fall releases from Bardstown, part of their Collaborative Series. Be sure to check out Dan on Instagram for some behind the scenes at Bardstown Bourbon Company (BBCo Official Instagram). Links: Bardstown Bourbon Company Website Whiskey We Enjoyed During this Episode Bardstown Bourbon Company Drops 3 New Collaborative Whiskeys Copper & Kings American Brandy Company Bardstown restaurant credits foreign exchange program for its recent success About Bardstown Bourbon Company: We operate one of the most sophisticated distilleries in the country, with a focus on transparency — all open spaces and clear glass — putting the science and craft of whiskey-making front and center for all to see. Our Collaborative Distilling Program brings together some of the most experienced distillers in the industry under one roof. This completely unique and inclusive process allows our customers to create alongside us and drives education, innovation, and experimentation. We produce nearly 40 unique mash bills for some of the finest whiskey and bourbon brands, including Jefferson's, High West, Belle Meade, Hirsch, Calumet, James E. Pepper, Cyrus Noble, and many others. Thank You! We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us expand our reach. 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 line up 3 single barrel bourbons from Jake's whiskey collection this week. The newcomer, Kentucky Peerless Bourbon, takes on the ever-popular EH Taylor Single Barrel from Buffalo Trace and the ultra-aged 18 year old Elijah Craig from Heaven Hill. We also discuss the benefits of small batch and blending vs. single barrel bourbons. Find out how each ranked in our blind tasting episode of single barrel bourbons. SHOW LINKS: Elijah Craig 18-Year-Old Single Barrel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Collection Kentucky Peerless Single Barrel Bourbon Don't forget to give us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us expand our listener base. 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]. And finally, visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to.

A Chicago whiskey enthusiast is gaining popularity on Instagram. We sat down with Chris aka UrbanBourbonist on Instagram and discuss bourbon tourism in Louisville, Instagram as a social media platform, and how Chris is utilizing the platform with his live stream interviews of those in the whiskey industry. Chris is also an Executive Bourbon Steward and discusses his experience with the training through The Stave and Thief Society. Biography: Chris Blatner is a whiskey enthusiast from Chicago, IL. He is an Executive Bourbon Steward and hosts the semi-regular live talk show "The Urban Bourbon Hour" on Instagram where he talks to Master Distillers, distillery Founders, Master Tasters, Blenders, and other interesting people in the world of whiskey. He is also co-creator of "Sunday Night Fights"; a live show on Instagram pitting two whiskeys against each other in a battle of aroma, taste, and finish. Chris likes his music on vinyl, his coffee with cream, and his whiskey neat. Connect with Chris on Instagram @urbanbourbonist. Show Links: Learn more about Chris here. Fight Night Posters - UrbanBourbonist The Stave & Thief Society Executive Bourbon Steward - Stave & Thief We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us expand our reach. 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 paid a visit to The Four Roses Bourbon Distillery in Lawrenceburg Kentucky. Four Roses Quality Manager, Marcus Niemann, sat down with us in the sensory lab and we sipped some very rare bourbon while learning more about the people and the bourbons behind the brand. Be sure to check out Four Roses the next time you are in Kentucky. More information can be found at FourRosesBourbon.com. We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us expand our reach. 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 sat down with some whiskey and had a great discussion with Matthew Evans. Matthew is the founder/owner of Whiskey Consensus. He has devoted a lot of time and effort to growing an Instagram account into a brand. Whiskey Consensus is a website dedicated to easy-to read and honest bourbon and whiskey reviews and high quality photography. We encourage you to check out WhiskeyConsensus.com to find your next whiskey bottle; we think you'll like their no-nonsense approach to whiskey reviews. Also, be sure to follow Whiskey Consensus on Facebook and Instagram. We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us expand our reach. 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.

Two bourbon podcasts collide. The result is some great conversation and a lineup of 5 cask strength rye whiskies. We sat down with Jim and Mike (aka Big Chief) from The Bourbon Road Podcast for this week's collaboration episode. In an effort to mix things up, we decided to kick back with bourbon's rival, rye whiskey. If you enjoyed today's episode, be sure to subscribe to The Bourbon Lens for future episodes and be sure to check out The Bourbon Road Podcast at TheBourbonRoad.com and on all social media platforms. We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us expand our reach. 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.

A blind tasting of some of the most widely available bourbon whiskey from Jim Beam, Four Roses, Evan Williams, and Buffalo Trace. In honor of Bourbon Heritage Month, we explore the flagship whiskey of some of Kentucky's biggest bourbon makers. Bourbons Tasted include: A. Jim Beam "White Label" 80 proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey No age statement - approximately 4 years old or greater B. Four Roses "Yellow Label" 80 proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey A blend of all 10 Four Roses recipes No age statement C. Buffalo Trace 90 proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey No age statement Mash Bill #1 (Estimated to be a low rye, less than 10% rye) D. Evan Williams "Black Label" 86 proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey No age statement - Label Claims to be "Extra Aged" We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us expand our reach. 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 sit down with some fine bourbon and have a conversation with whiskey maker Caleb Kilburn. Caleb Kilburn is the Master Distiller at Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company. We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us expand our reach. 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.

A battle of ten year old bourbon whiskey. An Elijah Craig store pick goes head-to-head against Henry McKenna Bottled In Bond. How did it fair? Find out as Scott and Michael compare the two bourbons from Heaven Hill. Michael also tested Scott with a blind tasting of Early Times Bottled-in-Bond. Does it hold up for Scott? We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on whichever podcast app you are listening and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us grow. 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 archived podcast episodes.

Grab your favorite bourbon or whiskey and listen as we discuss our experience on a private distillery tour at Jim Beam. The Jim Beam Fire Chief showed us around The James B. Beam Distilling Co. and their Craft Distillery. We sampled a 9 year old Knob Creek straight from the barrel; a unique whiskey tasting experience. We discuss what the Jim Beam has in the works for the future as they look to expand their reach even further as the world's #1 bourbon brand. Special thanks to Fire Chief Kevin Mercer and Ben Burks for the experience and for having us out to your distillery. Check them out on Instagram: @Chief_Mercer & @BennysBizzness Show Links Kentucky Bourbon Festival Barrel rolling competition Bourbon and Beyond Hometown Rising Knob Creek Straight from the Barrel Fred B. Noe Craft Whiskey Distillery - Coming Soon We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us grow. 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.

Today, we take a trip out west to the High West Distillery. We sample 6 different High West whiskies and provide our impressions of the products and the brand. High West Whiskey We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us grow. 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 Bardstown Bourbon Company is looking to mix things up in the Bourbon and American Whiskey industry. It's taking on the big names like MGP (Midwest Grain Products) and becoming the new source of high quality spirits for non-distilling producers. The Bardstown Bourbon Co. is also producing its own products and is mixing in some into older bourbons to produce blends that drink like much older bourbons. We sample two bourbons being produced by Bardstown Bourbon Company, The Fusion Series and The Discovery Series. Hear our thoughts on each in the week's episode. SHOW NOTES AND LINKS: Blending whiskey and bourbon. Older aged products mixed with newer stock. Who does it? Smooth Ambler Contradiction High West Double Rye Spirits of French Lick -The Wheater Whistle Pig Farmstock Graton Distilling - Redwood Empire MGP Ingredients Stock Plunged as Aged-Whiskey Sales Dashed Spirits Mark Gillespie (@WhiskyCast) says: The key takeaway from that story was buried...when Gus Griffin told analysts that buyers were having trouble raising capital to buy large stocks of MGP's aged whiskey. Is that a short-term issue, or are investors starting to shy away from building new Bourbon brands? Craft Whiskey: Sourcing to Distilling Transition Smooth Ambler Contradiction At Smooth Ambler, after we began merchant bottling the whiskey we call Old Scout, it occurred to us that at some point it may be fun and interesting to blend a little of the delicious bourbon we source with the smooth and sweet wheated bourbon we distill here in West Virginia. With that notion in mind, Contradiction was born; a blend of whiskey we make with whiskey we do not. NDP, CDP, and Distillers -Rabbit Hole Blog MGP By Mashbill More MGP Whiskeys We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us grow. 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.

Do we still need "bottled-in-bond"? Stay Bonded! The motto of Bernie Lubbers, the "Whiskey Professor" and brand ambassador for Heaven Hill Distilleries. Bernie is a wealth of knowledge of all things bourbon and The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. We attended a tasting event at Liquor Barn recently and we are reporting back on the event. We discuss the products we sampled and compared. We also discuss some of Bernie's insight into the recent news from Heaven Hill, 7 year Bottled-In-Bond. He addressed the controversial product marketing decision being made by the brand. We enjoyed the event and hope to attend many more in the future. We highly recommend you do the same. SHOW LINKS: Liquor Barn Event Description The Whiskey Professor's Website Heaven Hill Bottled-In-Bond (New 7 Year Old Bourbon) More Whiskey From Heaven Hill We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us grow. 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.

A detour from the Kentucky Bourbon Trail for the podcast. We toured Louisville's only brandy distillery, Copper and Kings, for this week's episode of the podcast. We discuss how to make brandy and how Copper and Kings is innovating and staying relevant in the city that runs on bourbon. Copper & Kings does not ignore the influence of Bourbon in this city and they embrace it in some of their processes. Copper & Kings utilizes sonic aging, the process of rapidly aging spirits using sound waves generated by music. Show Links: Music Playlist Is A Key Ingredient For Louisville Distillery Copper & Kings Official Website Loud Music Is the Key Ingredient in This Distiller's Brandy Take a self-styled Everything-But-Bourbon tour of Louisville Chilled Magazine - Copper & Kings is America's Most Imaginative Distillery Brandy in the Heart of Bourbon County: A Visit to Copper & Kings Heavy Metal Aged Whiskey - More on Sonic Aging Sonic Aging: Pro Audio's Next Untapped Market? We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us grow. 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.

Whatever you do, do not call it Bourbon!! It's Tennessee Whiskey and they get very protective of the name. Although Tennessee Whiskey and Bourbon might share some characteristics, do not confuse the two. Rival states and rival whiskies. What is Tennessee Whiskey and how does it differ from Bourbon? Find out in today's episode. Flight of Whiskey from Tennessee: Uncle Nearest 1856 George Dickel Bottled in Bond What is Tennessee Whiskey? Lincoln County Process The Science Behind the Lincoln County Process The Alcohol Professor - Lincoln County Process (1) Manufactured in Tennessee; (2) Made of a grain mixture that is at least fifty-one percent (51%) corn; (3) Distilled to no more than 160 proof or eighty percent (80%) alcohol by volume; (4) Aged in new, charred oak barrels in Tennessee; (5) Filtered through maple charcoal prior to aging; (6) Placed in the barrel at no more than 125 proof or sixty-two and one-half percent (62.5%) alcohol by volume; and (7) Bottled at not less than 80 proof or forty percent (40%) alcohol by volume. Bourbon Veach on the Process We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us grow. 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.

Are age statements on whiskey labels a thing of the past? Or are they making a comeback in the bourbon world? We have seen distilleries remove age statements from bottles over the years, but it seems that some distilleries are making a return to the practice. Are age statements valuable to you and your purchasing decisions for bourbons? We discuss the relative importance of age statements to other types of whiskies, including Scotch Whisky. Show Links: Knob Creek to Restore 9 Year Age Statement (Removed in 2016) Barton 1792 Bourbon to Release 12 Year Old Bourbon Why You Should Be Drinking Non-Age Statement Whisky - WHISKY ADVOCATE Age Statements - A Catch 22 : BREAKING BOURBON COM TTB ONLINE Re: Age Statement Rules Is No Age Statement Trend Bad News for Bourbon? Demystify Age Statements on Labels Fred Minnick's Article from 2016 on Elijah Craig Age Statement Changes THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us grow. 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.

Happy Michter's Monday! We love bourbon and visiting bourbon distilleries. On this week's episode, we feature our tour of the new Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery in Downtown Louisville, Kentucky. We've toured a lot of facilities and we always find something that sets a distillery tour apart from the rest. Sometimes its the process of whiskey making, other times it's the history of the American whiskey maker. Find out more in this episode. We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us grow. 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 brand new bourbon from Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company. Peerless decided to never source their whiskey and have had a lot of success with their rye whiskey. Their bourbon has been aging for 4 years and is finally ready for release to the public. We grabbed a bottle and will give our thoughts on the bourbon as well as Kentucky Peerless as a brand. We also discuss Heaven Hill Distillery and the re-release of their Bottled in Bond Bourbon. With one additional year of age, a new bottle and label, this bourbon will release in more markets with an MSRP of 3 times higher than the previously discontinued version. We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us grow. 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 bourbon industry was hit with some bad news when a portion of a multi-story rickhouse collapsed at Owensboro's O.Z. Tyler Distillery. We discuss this and some other bourbon news in this week's episode. Facebook cracks down on bourbon sales and the bourbon secondary market is scrambling. The new visitor center for the Bulleit Distillery is opening on June 25, 2019 in Shelbyville Kentucky. And finally, the Dant Family is re-entering bourbon production and we are always excited to hear about historic brands and families being revived. Show Links: J.W. Dant Restarting Distillery in Bardstown The History of Dant in Distilling Bulleit Distillery Opening in Shelbyville KY June 25th O.Z. Tyler Rickhouse Collapse O.Z. Tyler Video O.Z. Tyler Cleanup Efforts We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us grow. 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. Photo Credit: O.Z. Tyler Distillery Facebook Page

As promised, The Bourbon Lens visits another distillery as part of its summer travel plans. This week, we discuss the James E. Pepper Distillery in Lexington, KY. There is some history to this revived brand and while we discuss some of it, we recommend you visit and learn more for yourself. There is also a connection to Woodford Reserve for the Pepper Distillery and the Pepper lineage. We discuss what makes a great tour and provide our recommendations. Check the show links below for more. We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us grow. James E. Pepper Distillery Website History of Old Oscar Pepper and Woodford Reserve Connection Lexington Distillery District - Info Goodfellas Pizza at the Distillery Whiskey Brands That Are Made at MGP 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 whole crew is back and enjoying some bourbon together. The weather is changing and summer is near. We discuss whether bourbon is a summer drink or if we should mix up our drink of choice for the next few months. Do you lean towards bourbon on the rocks or a bourbon cocktail? Or do you find a lower proof bourbon to sip neat? We also discuss what happens when you go off the deep end and pour yourself vodka or tequila. We have some summer plans in xgofd, which will include some distillery tours. There are a few new options for those wishing to experience the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, including Tuk Tuk tours of Louisville and bus tours around the Bluegrass State. If you have any suggestions for tour guides, please feel free to contact us as we would love to experience them this summer. Find some summer cocktail ideas in the links below. SHOW LINKS: Minibar Mixology on Flipboard Half-Strength 'Scotch' Is Here to Capitalize on the Less-Boozy Booze Trend Frozen Whiskey Cocktails for Summer National Geographic: The Rebirth of Bourbon in Louisville Mint Julep Experiences launch new, eco-friendly Louisville adventure - Derby City Weekend Kentucky Bourbon Boys - Touring the Bourbon Trail; "Bourbon Country done right." https://mintjuleptours.com/louisville/Mint Julep Tours

Grab your favorite bourbon and pour a glass as we invite a recurring guest to the podcast. Landon from The Brothers Bourbon Instagram joins us to discuss the current trends in whiskey marketing. We discuss a transition from less traditional forms of media to the influencer marketing of today. Is this trend harmful to the bourbon industry, or is this just a sign of the times for all industries? We discuss the Fyre Festival and the sour taste the scam brought to critics of influencer and social media marketing. Advertising dollars are being spent in many different places today, which ones are paying off? We wrap up the discussion with talk about a 5 bottle bar setup and what bourbons and whiskies we'd keep on our home bar. Be sure to follow Landon and The Brothers Bourbon on Instagram We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app of choice and please leave us a written review. This helps others discover our podcast and will help us grow. 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've hit a milestone in podcasting. This bourbon podcast has hit 20 Episodes and we are happy to toast some whiskey to our listeners and followers. In this episode, Michael and Scott challenged themselves to find a bourbon for $20 that they've never had before. We try to figure out if some whiskies are overpriced or if cheap bourbon is cheap for a reason. Scott picked up a less well known Bourbon from Heaven Hill, Evan Williams 1783, and Michael grabbed a bottle of Ezra Brooks 90 proof bourbon. Find out our thoughts on these two budget brands and the pricing of bourbon in general. Thanks to all of our listeners over the past 20 episodes, we look forward to continuing to produce good content for our fans. If you love our podcast, please leave us a 5 star rating and provide us a review on your podcast listening app of choice. Share our podcast with your family and friends. 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.

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.