PLAY PODCASTS
520 - What does it take to build a Bourbon brand today? on Bourbon Community Roundtable #107
Season 1 · Episode 520

520 - What does it take to build a Bourbon brand today? on Bourbon Community Roundtable #107

In this dynamic episode of Bourbon Pursuit, host Kenny Coleman engages a panel of bourbon aficionados including Fred Minnick, Blake Seelbach, Eric from Breaking Bourbon, and Brian Sipp from Sip and Corn. The conversation kicks off with light banter about technical hiccups and distillation woes before delving into the intricacies of launching a bourbon brand today versus five years ago. Blake notes that while starting a brand is more accessible due to available resources, brand survival relies heavily on smart distribution strategies within a consolidating market. The group discusses crucial topics such as consumer education, the art of storytelling, and the competitive landscape with established brands. Fred highlights the evolving expectations of consumers, underscoring the necessity for new brands to offer both quality and effective marketing.

Bourbon Pursuit

June 26, 20251h 16mExplicit

Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (podtrac.com) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.

Original episode page

Show Notes

On this dynamic episode of Bourbon Pursuit, we're pulling up a few extra chairs to the table for a killer panel discussion! Your host Kenny Coleman is wrangling some serious bourbon brains: Fred Minnick, Blake Seelbach, Eric from Breaking Bourbon, and Brian Sipp from Sip and Corn. We kick things off with a little banter about those inevitable tech glitches and distillation woes before diving deep into the real meat and potatoes: what does it really take to launch a bourbon brand today versus five years ago? Blake points out that while getting started might seem easier with more resources available, the true test of survival for any new brand hinges on smart distribution strategies in an ever-consolidating market. The crew digs into critical topics like consumer education, the art of storytelling, and how to even compete against the established giants out there. Fred brings his signature insight, emphasizing that today's consumers have evolving expectations – new brands have to deliver on both quality and effective marketing. The panel also explores how whiskey marketing itself is changing, agreeing that a compelling narrative is absolutely essential to stand out in this saturated market. We chew on the pros and cons of the direct-to-consumer model and even debate whether contract distillation is the smartest play for newcomers. As we wind down, Kenny leaves us with an encouraging thought: building a brand is tough, no doubt, but with the right approach, it can be incredibly rewarding. This episode is packed with insightful discussion, plenty of laughs, and is a must-listen for anyone who loves bourbon or dreams of launching their own brand.

Show Notes:
  • Who are the panelists that joined Kenny?
  • Tips for improving tech setups for podcasts.
  • Current challenges and opportunities in starting a bourbon brand.
  • The importance of consumer education in the bourbon space.
  • How to navigate distributor and retailer dynamics.
  • The significance of storytelling for new whiskey brands.
  • The benefits and pitfalls of a strong online presence.
  • Insights on contract distillation as a pathway for newcomers.
  • Future trends and predictions for the bourbon industry.
  • Support this podcast on Patreon

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

← All episodes of Bourbon Pursuit