Bourbon Pursuit

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Wheated Bourbon. This 6 year old bourbon is 121 proof and $100 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's This Week in Bourbon for July 26th 2024. A judge in texas agrees that you should be able to distill at home, Austrailia is under fire for labeling some whiskeys as bourbon, and Knob creek releases a bourbon and rye blend.Show Notes: A judge in texas agrees that you should be able to distill at home Australian distillers are misleading consumers by wrongly labelling products as bourbon or whiskey Speyside Bourbon Cooperage will invest $16.85 million to build a new stave mill Larceny announced new packaging Pernod Ricard establishes North American Distillers Buffalo Trace Distillery Paris pop-up shop Extended Stave Warehousing joins KDA Rebel Bourbon sponsorship with the Premier Lacrosse League Penelope’s Straight Rye Whiskey Toasted Series Booker’s The Beam House Batch Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye Buzzard’s Roost bottled-in-bond bourbon Elijah Craig Toasted Rye Jack Daniel Distillery Series Selection #13 @larcenybourbon @buffalotracedistillery @rebelbourbon @penelopebourbon @knobcreek @buzzardsroostwhiskey @elijahcraig @jackdaniels_us Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this roundtable we talk about an article published on Breaking Bourbon and talk about the next era of bourbon. Are finishes over? Is wood experimenting coming next? Or are we looking at beyond the big six? Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about the types of glasses he uses to drink Are we done with finishes? Are there any left? What is the next era? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Heaven's Door Exploration Series 1. This 5 year old finished bourbon is 108 proof and $80 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to Behind The Pursuit: From Bourbon to Brand Our Pursuit Spirits Distillery here on Mellwood Ave sits on hallowed ground, being the original site of the Mellwood Distillery, and later, General Distillers Corporation of Kentucky. The Mellwood Distillery has a rich history dating back to 1865, and with the help of several folks in the industry, we've learned a bit about it and it's various ownership changes over the years. It produced brands like Mellwood Whisky, Kentucky Nectar, Derby Town, and Old Rampart, just to name a few. In today's episode, Kenny discusses the architecture, operations, and historical significance of the distillery, highlighting the importance of preserving and sharing bourbon history as we bring whiskey back to Mellwood Ave. We hit on: The origin of our site at 1700 Mellwood Ave Uncovering the history, maps, & research Mellwood Distillery and it's various labels Preserving and sharing the bourbon history and much more. Be sure to visit pursuitspirits.com and click on Visit Us to book a tasting or barrel selection experience. For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting a whiskey company is no easy task. And making youself stand out from everyone else, it's even harder. There are a handful of companies that supply most of the bourbon we see on the shelves and many of us fall into the trap of buying based off the packaging. However, with this show, we're able to go and find brands who are finding new fans based off their whiskey. Broken Barrel is one of those companies that is forging a new path and finishing their whiskey in such a unique way by rebuilding barrels that we needed to have them on the show. Today we get to talk to Seth Banheim who is the Founder and their Global Brand Manager, Nick Roady about how to stand out in a crowded market. As a brand we have to find new ways to be different and find a way to capture the mindshare of consumers on a whole new level. We also talk about brand education hurdles and how far can you go until you've completely lost a customer. There's a lot to unpack here, especially for those budding whiskey brands who are looking to make a name for themselves. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about eliminating toasted barrels for finishing. What were you doing with a vodka brand and how did it get into whiskey? Where did you see the opportunity to find new types of staves? Do you hate making money? Why was is so important to have a differentiator compared to what has been done already? How does the conversation change when talking to retailers and distributors on being different? What did you learn from Ol Smokey and what they did different? How far can you go before you lose a consumer with brand education? Is there something to a model like yours that can capture consumers of all levels? At what point does differentiation go too far? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review World Whiskey Society 10 Year Straight Bourbon Finished in Port Casks. This 10 year old bourbon is 102 proof and $165 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's This Week in Bourbon for July 12th 2024. Whiskey House of Kentucky begins operations, Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame will induct 5 new members, and Buffalo Trace Distillery announces Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye WhiskeyShow Notes: Bespoken Spirits joins The Kentucky Distillers’ Association Tequila Matchmaker founders raided by Consejo Regulador de Tequila Consumers are filing lawsuits against spirits influencers Whiskey House of Kentucky begins operations Eastern Light Distilling breaks ground Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame will induct 5 new members Hidden Barn is releasing a seven-year-old double-barreled bourbon Colonel E. H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey Old Forester 117 Series: Rum Finish 15 STARS Triple Cask II Fine-Aged Bourbon Chattanooga Whiskey Bottled in Bond Vintage Series Spring 2020 New Riff Distilling's Headliner special edition @bespokenspirits @tequilamatch @easternlightdistilling @hidden_barn @oldforester @ricky_15stars @chattwhiskey @newriff Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're a liquor store owner, there are 3 words you hate to hear, "Got any Blanton's?". For today's modern whiskey consumer, we know about the iconic bottle shape, the collectible letters, and there's a few different expressions. However, Blanton's played a critical role in the history of bourbon and there are a lot of super rare expressions you will never get a chance to see in your lifetime. To tell this history, Dominic Guglielmi who's the author of Warehouse H comes on the show. He has the one of the most renowned collections of Blanton's on the earth and he even refers to himself as the Ultimate Tater. Beyond just collecting the most coveted bottles around, he has taken the knowledge he learned and the complete history of the brand and put it into a fascinating book that will make you respect it's past and what it has done for the current bourbon landscape. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about palletized warehouses. What's your coming of age tale with Blanton's? What was your first rare Blanton's bottle? What's the most limited bottle ever released? Why was Blanton's created as a product? Who owns the brand? Where did the bottle come from? What releases go into different markets? Is the demand as strong internationally vs domestically? Does the price remain at SRP internationally? What are the secondary prices on the most rare bottles of Blanton's? What do you think of today's typical Blanton's releases? Where are the best Blanton's ending up across the world? What is new Blanton's culture like? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Blackened x Rabbit Hole Bourbon Finished in Calvados Casks. This non-age stated whiskey is 106.59 proof and $150 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to Behind The Pursuit: From Bourbon to Brand Another PursuitPalooza is in the books! Each year, the guys host a unique and immersive experience here in town for their listeners and fans. The event includes distillery tours, barrel picks, tastings, and social gatherings from relationships they’ve built over the years of running the podcast. This year, the event featured visits to Jim Beam, Four Roses, Copper & Kings, and Preservation distilleries. Participants had the opportunity to taste rare and limited-edition whiskies, learn about the distillation process, and connect with fellow bourbon enthusiasts. The event also included a live Q&A podcast recording during a special single barrel selection of Pursuit United Double Oaked. On today’s episode, we recap it all. Be sure to visit pursuitspirits.com and click on Visit Us to book a tasting or barrel selection experience. For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every year there is a distillery that catches the headlines because they have sold for hundred of millions of dollars. Sounds like a dream for many but to make that dream become a reality, you'll have to know how to value your distillery. For that reason I've invited Kris Bohm on the show. He's the founder of Distillery Now Consulting where he helps folks buy, sell, and install distillery equipment, but he's also found himself in the midst of multiple merger and acquisition conversations. He joins the show to talk about how to value a distillery in the case someone like Diageo or a private equity firm comes knocking. We talk about case sale volumes, the value of aging whiskey in barrels, equipment, brand recognition, and where the trajectory growth curve comes into play. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about the rise of AI and being a writer. What made you want to get into distilling as a teenager? What's the difference in distilling alcohol vs ethanol? Why would a client choose pot vs column? How do you gauge consumer demand and look at sales for calculating value? What does the pool of buyers look like? What is the threshold of a case volume to start the discussion? What's the value in the brand vs the equipment and production? Beyond physical assets, what other factors play into a valuation? How are barrels valued? What's the process for selling a business? Any value in having current distribution? What are roadblocks that often kill deals? Does it matter if case volume happens in the market or at the tasting room? If you can't afford Vendome, where do your point people? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review High West Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey. This 4 year old rye whiskey is 100 proof and $80 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's This Week in Bourbon for June 28th 2024. The world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour is getting a bold new look. Justin's House of Bourbon is back with unicorns on the shelf. Heaven Hill Distillery announced today the highly-anticipated launch of Heaven Hill Grain to Glass.Show Notes: Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour is getting a bold new look Four Roses will fix a labeling mistake on Father's Day bottles Justin's House of Bourbon is back with unicorns on the shelf Milam & Greene Whiskey has 2 new releases Rolling Fork The Wheated Cask Wonder Michter’s Distillery will be releasing its Legacy Series Remus Babe Ruth Reserve Old Potrero Toasted Barrel Whiskey Wyoming Whiskey Independence Rock Heaven Hill Grain to Glass @kentuckybourbontrail @fourrosesbourbon @houseofbourbonky @milamandgreenewhiskey @rollingforkrum @michterswhiskey @wyomingwhiskey @heavenhilldistillery Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this roundtable we talk about the updates to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail with a rebrand and what updates are happening. We discuss how everyone has to change from the standard distillery tour to something more immersive. Then we wrap up the show talking about our hidden gems when you visit Kentucky. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about Evan Williams Single Barrel leaving and coming back. What has changed with tourism in KY? What are your favorite hidden gems? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Highline Triple Rye. This 5-10 year old rye whiskey is 97 proof and $80 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's This Week in Bourbon for June 21st 2024. Hard Truth adds Moonshiner’s Experience, Heaven's Door wants to know what's better Kentucky or Tennessee Bourbon?, Maker's Mark announced the latest in its Wood Finishing Series.Show Notes: Hard Truth adds Moonshiner’s Experience Heaven's Door wants to know what's better Kentucky or Tennessee Bourbon? Penelope re-releases their Rose cask Silverbelly Whiskey Batch #4 entitled I'd Love You All Over Again Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Old Wyoming Whiskey Outryder Straight American Whiskey Maker's Mark announced the latest in its Wood Finishing Series @hardtruthspirits @heavensdoorwhiskey @penelopebourbon @silverbellywhiskey @russellsreservebourbon @wyomningwhiskey @makersmark Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I remember the first time I saw a bottle of WM Tarr. I didn't know much about it except that is was from a company in Lexington and there was well-known football coach supporting the brand. Fast forward a few months and that bottle disappeared from the shelves and was replaced with a new brand called RD1 and it specialized in finished bourbon whiskeys. To help share more of this story, we've invited Barry Brinegar on the show. Barry is a Co-Founder and National Brand Ambassador and gives us the scoop on how their business plan that was only going to focus on gift shop sales got completely disrupted by covid and they had to look at new ways of doing business. We talk about their mission as a company and how they are taking a modern approach to whiskey to find new customers and how a that football coach I talked about landed them a premier placement on ESPN's college football gameday coverage. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about Maker's Mark and the proof change. How did you get started in the whiskey industry? How did you get connected with Mark Stoops? Why release WM Tarr? How did you adapt when covid shut down your business plan? What is the goal of how you are trying to be different? Did your cutover happen overnight and was the plan to switch over already in place? Why go with a modern brand vs traditional? How did you land on your core four products? How involved is Mark Stoops with the brand? Why have so much transparency when it comes to the wood finishing process? Why did you use amburana? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Puncher's Chance The Unified Belt. This non-age stated whiskey is 96 proof and $150 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's This Week in Bourbon for June 13th 2024. James B. Beam Distilling Co. announces several new visitor experiences, Widow Jane releases Baby Jane, and Angel's Envy releases a Cask Strength Bottled in Bond non finished bourbon.Show Notes: Nancy Fraley talks cigar blend fact checks Whiskey & Wealth Club absolved of accusations James B. Beam Distilling Co. announces several new visitor experiences Widow Jane releases Baby Jane Blue Run Flight Series II Old Forester President's Choice Woodford Reserve Father's Day Angel's Envy releases a Cask Strength Bottled in Bond non finished bourbon @nancyfraley @beamdistilling @widowjane @bluerunspirits @oldforester @woodfordreserve @angelsenvy Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The barrel is where the magic happens and it takes years for your whiskey to achieve it's optimal flavor. Most of us are familiar with the standard american white oak barrel with a char 4. Yet, there are hundreds, if not, thousands of combinations that go into creating a barrel from the wood species, stave seasoning, char, toasting and how it ages based on location in a geography or a floor in a warehouse. There's one guy that does all this research and that's Andrew Wiehebrink from Independent Stave. This is his third time on the show and this time he brings different aging experiments for us to taste through. We taste the same whiskey from different levels of a warehouse and even the same american single malt aged in texas and scotland. We also dive into the state of the barrel shortage, our shared distain of amburana, the shift to char 1, and what new innovations are coming from the barrel and oak alternative market. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about will today's bottles be a new dusty. Talk about what stave seasoning does for the whiskey Why does Kentucky have more extraction than Texas? What does elevation from levels on a warehouse do to the aging process? How often do you revisit experiments? Does the mashbill make a difference to your experiments? Would American Single Malt make more sense to use new vs used barrels? What did the location differences for American Single Malt experiments make? Has the barrel shortage been resolved? Do you research the human element and what consumers are looking for in taste? What do you think of Amburana and exotic wood species? How are you smoking barrels? Why is Char 1 creating a darker whiskey and are there diminishing returns? Does pot vs column still play a role? Where are oak alternatives heading? How do you design a barrel correctly for double oaking? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Hayner Path of Totality Bourbon. This 10 year old bourbon is 100 proof and $90 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's This Week in Bourbon for June 7th 2024. A new record for the highest price bourbon bottle ever sold at auction, Chicken Cock Whiskey has announced the grand opening of its brand home, Circa 1856, and Green River Launches Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.Show Notes: Breaking Bourbon turns 10 Camp Runamok for 2024 H.K. Young Bourbon Co launch Peg Leg Porker Spirits blending and bottling facility Ross and Squibb Distillery announced enhancements to their barrel program Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) fines 5 retailers for illegal shipping Diageo vs W.J. Deutsch & Sons is over Chicken Cock Whiskey has announced Circa 1856 RECORD BREAKING SALE Curry’s Gentleman’s Cut is releasing a 15-year-old straight bourbon whiskey branded Player Exclusive Heaven Hill B524 of Elijah Craig and Larceny Knob Creek 10 Year Old Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Bear Fight Kentucky Reserve Frank August partners with Jane Bowie and Denny Potter Rebel 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon Buckner’s 17 Lost Lantern is release nine whiskies Barrell Bourbon Batch 036 FEW Smashing Pumpkins Bourbon Green River Full Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon @breakingbourbon @camp_runamok @h.@k.@youngbourbonco @peglegporker @rossandsquibb @chickencockwhiskey @unicorn_auction @stephencurry30 @heavenhillbrands @elijahcraig @larcenybourbon @knobcreek @bearfightwhiskey @thefrankaugust @rebelbourbon @augustakydistillery @lostlanternwhiskey @barrellbourbon @fewspirits @smashingpumpkins @greenriverdistillingco Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most of us scoff at celebrity whiskey because let's be honest, most celebrities don't care as much about the product as they do sales. But on a past whiskey quickie we reviewed Whiskey JYPSI and that one changed our mind. It wasn't until we started diving into it that we discovered Ari Sussman. He's a whiskey maker for many brands like Whiskey JYPSI, Three Chord, and Mammoth Distilling, but his history with spirits will fascinate you. He's truly a student of the art where he spent years overseas bartending, discovered vintage cocktail books, and was an integral part of the first ever university distilling program at Michigan State. We talk to Ari about his past and then dive into the Whiskey JYPSI brand and how Eric Church and himself are trying to change the face of celebrity booze. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about finding better bourbon in the Netherlands. How did you get to this point in your career? What old school cocktails and liqueurs fascinated you? Were you trying to use the University of Michigan distilling program to innovate new things? Can you talk about blending 50ml bottles? What brands did you help build? Why would a company want to ghost blend? How did you get hooked up with Whiskey JYPSI? Why is this celebrity brand different than others? How have you added in Canadian whiskey and light whiskey into a blend? What do you feel is more innovative in world whiskey that's not happening in American whiskey? Why are you trying to be different in this celebrity world? Why JYPSI? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Town Branch Straight Rye Whiskey. This non-age stated rye whiskey is 100 proof and $55 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to Behind The Pursuit: From Bourbon to Brand Will consumers become tired of Kentucky bourbon? With the rise of non-Kentucky brands gaining recognition for their quality whiskey, Kentucky bourbon still holds a strong position in the market due to its long-established reputation and consumer perception of safety and acceptance. While Kentucky will likely continue to hold the cache of consumer preferences, today we debate whether consumers will move past the big six Kentucky brands, or Kentucky in general, and latch on or explore other options. We'd love to hear from you on this! We hit on: Non-Kentucky brands like Ben Holladay, JT Meleck, Still Austin and Frey Ranch gaining recognition for their quality whiskey. Kentucky bourbon still holds a strong position in the market due to its long-established reputation and consumer perception of safety and acceptance Consumers may be hesitant to move past the big six Kentucky brands due to familiarity and brand recognition The cache of Kentucky will likely continue due to marketing and consumer preferences Are there Kentucky Bourbons being made that are still riding the 'Kentucky Badge of Honor' that aren't very good? As a blender, why does Kentucky matter as a point of inclusion if that isn’t a focus of the product (or even on the label)? and much more. Be sure to visit pursuitspirits.com and click on Visit Us to book a tasting or barrel selection experience. For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back with Bourbon Community Roundtable #94 and this one takes a single subject but it spins off into another. 2024 has seen the decline in whiskey sales and 2025 forecasts don't look much better. So have we finally eclipsed the peak of bourbon? A few years ago, there was a flourishing secondary market, droves of new people getting into the hobby, more options on the shelf, and massive expansions from all the big player. We've talked about this being a side-effect of the COVID boom but we also saw american whiskey get into more gimmicks and inflated prices. But we all still need the category to grow, so what's it going to take to reinvigorate more people to get into bourbon? Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about documentaries on other spirits. Have we eclipsed the bourbon peak? What can be done to make it just as popular again? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review High Bank Distillery Whiskey War Double Double. This 5 year old whiskey is 116 proof and $100 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's This Week in Bourbon for May 24th 2024. The maker of Ozempic is investigating its effect on desire to drink alcohol. Woodford Reserve releases Toasted Bourbon, and the oldest Beam bourbon ever bottled will be an astounding 20 years old.Show Notes: Howler Head continues as the Official Flavored Whiskey of UFC The maker of Ozempic is investigating its effect on desire to drink alcohol US government dietary guidelines may say that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption Uncle Nearest acquires Square One Organic Spirits Burton James Uniquely American Whiskey Single Barrel Selection – Wheated Bourbon Woodford Reserve releases Toasted Bourbon The oldest Beam bourbon ever bottled will be an astounding 20 years old @howlerheadwhiskey @ufc @unclenearest @squareoneorganicspirits @burtonjameswhiskey @woodfordreserve @beamdistilling @jimbeamofficial Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many of us make pivots in our career. I had my own where I had really was focused on networking in tech early on but then after I did my first presentation to a room of 500 people, I discovered I really liked it and found a new role in technical marketing. Our guest has a similar story where he wanted to get into distilling, made a successful gin brand then tried to build a whiskey brand, but realized how hard it was and thought, how can I get more people to try our products? And that's how Whiskey Riot was born. Bobby Finan is the Founder and Organizer of Whiskey Riot Festivals across the country and we get into his past of getting into the distilling business and how he took on personal debt to hold his position at his first company and launch Whiskey Riot simultaneously. Now Whiskey Riot is expanding to more cities so if you're looking for a new event to attend, put this one on your list. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about distilleries creating music halls. Before there was a festival, you had your own brand and forged your way into spirits early on. When you wanted to start a distillery did you have a business plan? What was it about your Tommy Rotter gin that really took off? Why didn't your whiskey business ever take off? Did you think you could make people come to you instead of going out to stores? How were you funding Whiskey Riot? What was your return on investment for a typical event? How do you evaluate a city for a new festival? Why would a legacy brand vs a new brand want to go to whiskey fest? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Bernheim Barrel Proof Wheat Whiskey Batch A224. This 7-9 year old whiskey is 125 proof and $65 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's This Week in Bourbon for May 17th 2024. Four Roses introduces two new bourbon mash bills, New Riff Distilling has announced the dual release of Ol’ New Riff, and Bardstown Bourbon Company’s award-winning Collaborative Series will debut The Amrut Collaborative Series.Show Notes: Chet Zoeller passes away at 83 years old Alex Castle joins Augusta Distillery as Master Distiller Four Roses introduces two new bourbon mash bills Oregon Department of Justice wrapped up Nelson Brothers Honey Cask Finish Spring 2024 edition of Old Fitzgerald 15 STARS Vino de Naranja Whiskey JYPSI Legacy Batch 002 The Alchemist Kentucky Senator Bourbon 5th Release Michter's 10 Year Kentucky Straight Rye Weller Millennium Ol’ New Riff Milam & Greene Bottled in Bond Frey Ranch Wheat Whiskey Single Barrel RD1 Spirits wood-finished bourbon flight Little Book Chapter 8 Path Not Taken Oak & Eden Bourbon and Amburana Bardstown Bourbon Company The Amrut Collaborative Series @fourrosesbourbon @augusta_distiller @augustakydistillery @nelsonsgreenbrier @heavenhillbrands @whiskeyhypsi @michterswhiskey @kentuckysenatorbourbon @newriff @milamandgreene @freyranchdistillery @rd1spirits @beamgeneration8 @oakandeden @bardstownbourbonco @amrutmalt Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you can recall your childhood, you probably remember your Dad being there but you may never have appreciated the life lessons you were taught until you got much older. And when you have kids, maybe that's the reason you start drinking bourbon. Both of these are reasons our guest today decided to call his brand Fathertime Bourbon. Jim Gaffigan needs no introduction because we've all laughed at his jokes throughout the years. Family life is a facet of his standup, and food obviously, but Jim loves to say the things we're all thinking and it's what has made him so successful in his comedic career. Jim Gaffigan joins the show to talk about how he made the switch from beer to bourbon and what drew him in to becoming a bourbon connoisseur or as he likes to call it, a professional alcoholic. From there we dive into his new brand of Fathertime Bourbon and what it meant to incorporate generations of his family and his comedic focus into the story and design. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about proofing whiskey and adding water at home. Can you recall a good college story with Stu Pollard? What made you want to go down the path of being a professional alcoholic? Did you find any correlation between picking barrels and your comedic routines? Did you have the natural progression from mixing to neat? Did you try and buy the rarest stuff right away or look for everyday items? How is bourbon perceived in your circles? Were there anything obvious or strange about bourbon that you discovered? Are you finding yourself traveling to whiskey bars now? How involved were you with the bottle design? What tips do you have for signing bottles and not letting your hands get tired? How did you script the social media launch for the brand? What easter eggs did you hide in the label? Is there a statement or impact you want to make with this brand? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Whiskey JYPSI Explorer. This 6 year old bourbon is 103 proof and $70 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers! DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's This Week in Bourbon for May 10th 2024. Wild Turkey is back open for visitors, Maker's Mark and TravisMathew collab on new golf gear. Prairie, American Solera, and Pursuit drop Not Subtle.Show Notes: WhiskeyLand S01 May 14th AARP pours Jammin' at Jeptha Creed Distillery Wild Turkey is back open for visitors Man fired a gun outside Buffalo Trace Distillery Derby Day Party at Hartman's Distilling Co Guilty plea from one of the original indicted nine suspects from Pappygate Maker's Mark and TravisMathew collab on new golf gear Stephen B. Beam Tasting Lodge George Dickel bottled-in-bond 12 year Liberty Pole Spirits Old Monongahela Full Proof Rye Whiskey Stonestreet Kentucky Straight Bourbon Founder's Edition Templeton Midnight Rye Prairie Artisan Ales, American Solera, and Pursuit Spirits drop a 3 Way Beer Collab called Not Subtle @whiskeylandtv @jepthacreed @wildturkey @buffalotracedistillery @hartmans_distilling @makersmark @travismathew @stephen.@beam.@7 @georgedickel @yellowstonebourbon @libertypolespirits @stonestreetwhiskey @templetondistillery @prairieales @pursuitspirits @americansolera Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've had the very cool opportunity to have lots of famous names on this show, and today we get to hear the story of another brand that has been in bourbon for a very long time. In fact, in this episode you get a chance to hear from someone who's family once owned the Old Grandad label. Turner Wathen has a deep family lineage rooted in bourbon, and that originally piqued my interest because I used to own a bottle of Wathen's bourbon. Turner dives deep into his family history and how when he wanted to get into the whiskey business, he couldn't even use his family name. Turner shares his wild decision in 2014 by analyzing the whiskey market and feeling there is too much saturation so he dove into rum. But not just any rum, but he set himself on a mission to become the upmost recognizable independent bottler of amazing, high age stated rum, that is now Rolling Fork Spirits Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about NDPs and bottled in bond. Can you give a background into how you found out your name was famous in bourbon? At what point did you decide to revive the family legacy? Are you still balancing your day job with all this? When did you decide that bourbon was crowded and looked at other spirits? Why is sorghum a bad grain to use? How important is it to find rum with no additives and why is that important? Was Fortuitous Union a mistake or the on purpose? Why was there a legal battle for Fortuitous Union? How much of an educational hurdle did you have to overcome? When did you switch from the Fortuitous Union brand back to a rum focus? Any reason why you haven't worked with any American rum producers? What is going on with all the rum taxes? Are we looking at the rare days of rum that would be equivalent to Van Winkle or early Jeffersons? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review JT Meleck Distillers Louisiana Rice Whiskey. This 4 year old whiskey is 96 proof and $45 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's This Week in Bourbon for May 4th 2024. Beam Suntory is now Suntory Global Spirits, Blue Note Bourbon has announced a multi-year partnership as the official bourbon of Major League Pickleball, and Whiskeyland Season 1 premiers on May 14th.Show Notes: Beam Suntory is now Suntory Global Spirits Blue Note Bourbon has announced a multi-year partnership as the official bourbon of Major League Pickleball Bulleit launches Don't Trash Glass Elijah Craig's Official Bourbon Cocktail of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla, The Elijah Craig Mulligan Whiskeyland Season 1 premiers on May 14th @suntoryglobalspirits @bluenotebourbon @majorleaguepb @bulleit @elijahcraig @pgatour @whiskeylandtv Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Bourbon Community Roundtable #93 and this time we're talking about vintage labels. We've seen a resurgence of them over the past few years and there are more coming out from big distillers and smaller lesser known brands. I wanted to ask if there is any value in doing this before focusing on something more modern. There is a feeling of nostalgia but it also made me think about movie reboots and if all the good ideas are taken. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about used barrels with rye whiskey. What value is there in reviving old labels? NDPs or small craft producers taking something from a family lineage NDP or craft just to have a story azerac doing the Pre-Pro bottle labels Big names like Beam now doing 16yr OGD Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Frey Ranch Single Grain Series 100% Wheat Whiskey. This 3 year old whiskey is 100 proof and $55 MSRP (375mL). Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's This Week in Bourbon for April 26th 2024. Master Distiller Alex Castle will be leaving Old Dominick, the bourbon spirits market size to rise up to US$12 billion by 2030, The WoodWork Collective and David Jennings announce Raconteur Rye.Show Notes: Master Distiller Alex Castle will be leaving Old Dominick Give 270 has a new giveaway Three Chord Bourbon x Allman Brothers Band Shelter Distilling expands to Montrose, Colorado ourbon Spirits Market Size to Rise up to US$12 Billion by 2030 A ransomware attack on a Swedish logistics company London Marathon runner tasted a different glass of wine each mile of the race. Garrison Brothers Lady Bird J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) Bourbon Bulleit 12-Year-Old Rye Whiskey Derby City Gaming and Hotel “Thoroughbred Collection” New Riff Silver Grove Bourbon and Silver Grove Rye Basil Hayden Subtle Smoke LuxRow Blood Oath Pact 10 Chattanooga Whiskey Founder’s 12th Anniversary Blend Two Souls Spirits Spring 2024 release The WoodWork Collective and David Jennings Raconteur Rye @olddominick @give270 @threechordbourbon @shelterdistilling @garrisonbros @jmattingly1845 @bulleit @newriff @basilhayden @luxrowdistillers @chattwhiskey @rarebird101 Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a question that has plagued me for quite some time and it was inspired by my wife. Ryan and I continuously evaluate brands as we compare what works and what doesn't when it comes to consumers. We get caught in this trap of continually pivoting as we see other brands catch fire because of a bottle design or some element. So my wife asked me, Kenny, are you are whiskey company or a marketing company? It caught me off guard and I really had to think about the broader landscape so I wanted to make an episode where we talk about what it takes to be a whiskey company versus a marketing company. There's probably a lot of brands out there that think of themselves as a whiskey company but in reality they are a marketing company. Here's the thing, there's no wrong answer. Marketing plays a crucial role in whiskey and it could be the marketing that's in your face through point of sale, it could be bottle shapes, or even the lack of marketing to keep the mystique alive. I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and it probably requires us to hit this topic again in the future if you send us your feedback. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about Maker's Mark and their role in bourbon resurgence. Where do you spend your first initial investment? Does the liquid even matter? Does having special distillation, heirloom grains, or anything else really matter? Can a big distiller be considered a marketing company? When a big distiller creates the same label with different colors and proofs, is that about the whiskey? How do you transition from being a marketing company to a whiskey company? Does it matter if you're getting it from one source like everyone else? Do you need to cater to the neophytes or the mass consumer market? If Fred Minnick starts a brand would you put your money in marketing or the whiskey? Can you be a whiskey company if you are using MGP? Is a lack of marketing considered marketing? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review High N' Wicked Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey. This 5 year old whiskey is 98.2 proof and $80 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's This Week in Bourbon for April 19th 2024. Maker's Mark, Ed Lee, and Messermeister come out with a knife collaboration, Bourbon Women announces the 2024 SIP Scholarship Program, and Keeneland Race Course and Maker’s Mark launch Greats of the Gate.Show Notes: Woodford Reserve Distillery has unfairly influenced a 2022 unionization vote Maker's Mark, Ed Lee, and Messermeister come out with a knife collaboration Bargo 459 joins The Kentucky Distillers’ Association Bourbon Women is pleased to announce the 2024 SIP Scholarship Program Hard Truth Distilling Co. to break ground on its third rackhouse Old Line Spirits 51 Rye Whiskey Keeneland Race Course and Maker’s Mark launch Greats of the Gate @woodfordreserve @makersmark @chefedwardlee @messer_meister @bourbonwomen @hardtruthspirits @oldlinespirits @keeneland Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whenever you get into a hobby that involved enthusiasts and collecting, there are trends that begin to appear. Allocations, raffles, lotteries, fakes, these are things that become common. One of those hobbies that has quite a few parallels is sneakers. Matt Kusek is a certified whiskey enthusiasts as a write for Malt Review but he's also the host of the Swoosh Life podcast that focuses on sneaker heads. He joins the show to give us an insight into how the shoe game and bourbon have so many similarities that, in Matt's words, sneakers are 20 years ahead of bourbon. We dive into the types of collectors, brands, sales, allocation, and so much more. If sneakers are really 20 years ahead of bourbon, who knows what the next few years has in store for us. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about Buffalo Trace expansion. What's the similarity between Jordan's and bourbon releases? Are there raffles, lotteries, or hunts for sneakers? Who is the distributor and how do they own the retail store? If Nike is number one, who would they be compared to and who's the next biggest? Mom and pop stores vs chains and how are they getting pushed out of the market? What about saving and storing vs wearing or drinking? Is it Jordan and then everyone else? What is the Heaven Hill or Weller of sneakers? Are there people that only collect one type of shoe? Bourbon hits all walks of life or does the sneaker enthusiasts hit all walks of life? Are there sneakers that don't need marketing? Do you look differently at people who are rookies and buy stuff just because they want every color? Are there any value brands that hold up over time? Are there some LTOs that flop? Are replicas or fakes a big problem? Has the market gone down because everything became a limited edition? Was Blue Run able to sneakerize the industry in your opinion? @mattkusek Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Jack Daniel's 12 Year Batch 2 Tennessee Whiskey. This 12 year old whiskey is 107 proof and $80 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's This Week in Bourbon for April 12th 2024. Derby season is abuzz in Louisville with lots of events, Jeff Hopmayer joins the board for Staghorn, and 18 new whiskey releases.Show Notes: A21 Wine & Spirits has agreed to purchase the Noble Oak American Whiskey brand from Edrington Slow Pass Bourbon Co. LLC is considering opening a $70 million distillery in Springfield, Ky Three limited-time Derby experiences for booking on Buzzard's Roost The Woodford Reserve $1,000 and $5,000 Mint Julep cups charity program Staghorn has appointed Brindiamo Group founder Jeff Hopmayer to serve on the advisory board Chef Edward Lee recently released a cookbook called Bourbon Land Michter’s 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon 2XO The Kiawah Blend High n’ Wicked cask strength rye and bourbon High West Bourye Jim Gaffigan launches Fathertime Bourbon Ezra Brooks 99 Port Wine Cask Finish Ole Smoky Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey Booker’s Springfield Batch BHAKTA 2014 Bourbon A. Overholt Chicken Cock Double Oak Single Barrel BLACKENED Whiskey 2024 edition of Rye the Lighting Savage & Cooke Distillery Howling Mob Bourbon Whiskey and Bloody Butcher Bourbon Whiskey Still Austin Ruby Red Port Barrel Finished Straight Rye Whiskey Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25th Anniversary Edition Orphan Barrel Indigo’s Hour Straight Bourbon Whiskey Milam & Greene Whiskey 2024 Wildlife Collection: Mockingbird Single Barrel Bourbon @nobleoak @buzzardsroostwhiskey @woodfordreserve @brindiamogroup @chefedwardlee @michterswhiskey @2xowhiskey @dixon_dedman @highnwicked @drinkhighwest @jimgaffigan @fathertimebourbon @ezrabrooksbourbon @olesmokey @bhaktaspirits @chickencockwhiskey @blackenedamericanwhiskey @savageandcooke @stillatx @heavenhilldistillery @milamandgreenewhiskey Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You hear us talk about dusty bourbon on the show too often. We keep beating that dead horse because it's a chance to drink history and have a completely different whiskey than what's in the bottle today. Vintage spirits are on the rise and have gone from an underground enthusiast crowd into the mainstream. Aaron Goldfarb is a distinguished author and he joins the show to talk about his new book titled Dusty Booze. This books has a storyline with finding a dusty goldmine but goes into the story of decanters, minis, and the hunt for rare bottles. It's now available on Amazon and lots of different outlets. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about bourbon with malted barely with the highest secondary grain. What made you want to write a book on vintage whiskey? What were some of those iconic decanters that were made? What was the story you saw form out of the glut era? Did you ever talk to store owners and ask why they would sit on inventory for this long? Why did decanters become so popular or unpopular? What makes a dusty spirit different from today's current releases? Did anyone come up with a better term other than dusty funk? Why was there a bigger market for minis back in the day? Talk about the storyline and how Kevin came across this goldmine and any legal implications. How many bar owners did you talk to about running a business on vintage spirits? What do you think has to be considered vintage? Was there any information in the book that teaches you how to date code vintage whiskey? Is there a chance that any store is left with any dusty bottles? Do you need dusty cocktail ingredients? @aarongoldfarb Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 18 Year. This 18 year old bourbon is 120 proof and $300 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to Behind The Pursuit: From Bourbon to Brand Stemming from the episode of the Bourbon Pursuit podcast with John Foster of Ragged Branch, today's episode comes from a few listeners of the show, Todd and David, as Kenny discusses the process of choosing distributors specifically for Pursuit Spirits. We touch on topics such as the three-tier distribution system, the role of distributors in the industry, and the challenges of market launches and incentives. We also share experiences with different distributors and the importance of building relationships in the industry. Kenny discusses the challenges of managing skew sprawl and UPCs in the bourbon industry. He explains how Pursuit Spirits aims to strike a balance between batch uniqueness and consumer familiarity. He also shares advice for those starting in the industry, emphasizing the importance of education and consulting. He explores different distribution models and the goals brands may have, whether it's long-term brand building or rapid expansion... but where is Pursuit in all of this? We hit on: Choosing the right distributor being crucial for a brand's success in the spirits industry. The three-tier distribution system presenting both challenges and opportunities for brands. Market launches, market support, and building relationships with distributors and retailers. Different distributors strengths and capabilities, and the importance of finding the right one for each market. Brand consideration of their goals and a distribution model that aligns with their long-term plans, whether it's slow brand building or rapid expansion. Pursuit Spirits' own business model. and much more. Be sure to visit pursuitspirits.com and click on Visit Us to book a tasting or barrel selection experience. For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices