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

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.

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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

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

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.

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The past few weeks there have been lots of speculation about non distilling producers, or known as NDPs, being able to survive. The market has shifted and there are images of sourced brands that have prices slashed on shelves along with others having their facilities up for sale. This makes us wonder what is in store for the remainder of the year. We talk about what makes NDPs special and how every big distillery was also a NDP at one point as well. There’s also a message coming directly from Barrell Bourbon about their current listings.

Show Notes:

• Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about hot sauce and bourbon.
• What will happen to NDPs in 2024?
• Support this podcast on Patreon

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On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Chattanooga Whiskey White Port Cask Finished. This 5 year old whiskey is 95 proof and $60 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.

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It’s This Week in Bourbon for March 29th 2024. A new service is launching dubbed the Kentucky Bourbon Retreat, Hard Truth Distilling Co. announced the introduction of Farmer’s Reserve, and Woodford Reserve drops a $15,000 bottle for the 150th Kentucky Derby.

Show Notes:

• A new service is launching dubbed the Kentucky Bourbon Retreat
• Indiana has new liquor laws
• West Virginia’s legislature has approved a bill that would allow individuals to distill
• Better Business Bureau warns of scam bourbon retail sites and social media accounts
• 50 Cent has filed a $6 million embezzlement case against Beam Suntory
• A vintage Perone beer can has sold for an astounding $62,830
• Hard Truth Distilling Co. Farmer’s Reserve
• 15 STARS First West Bourbon
• Woodford Reserve 150th Kentucky Derby
• @50cent @barrelglobal @hardtruthspirits @woodfordreserve
• Support this podcast on Patreon

Understanding how the bourbon geek thinks has been something that has dumbfounded us for years. We talk about it all the time on roundtables and other episodes where we try to guess why consumers purchase in certain ways. And for the longest time, you all have asked why don’t we get someone on the show that can talk about the psychology of a bourbon drinker. Well, ask and you shall receive. In this very special episode, Jim White, the Founder and President of Reality Check consulting who has a background in bourbon advertising and psychology joins the show to talk about how people think and how brands can develop a story. This episode will dive into the psychology of scarcity, pricing, limited editions, repeat purchases, and so much more. During different segments you’re going to come away realizing a reason why you chase and hunt bottles as well.

Show Notes:

• Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about enforcement of bottled in bond.
• Can you give a background about Reality Check Consulting?
• What research methods do you use to get consumer feedback?
• What things in our psychology trigger us to look at certain brands?
• How does a brand like Weller go from zero to hero in such a short time?
• Why should brands create limited edition offerings from a psychology perspective?
• Is there another type of consumer that just isn’t worried about status?
• How does a brand focused on volume market differently?
• Why would someone purchase the same bottle over and over again?
• Do other categories have fans that want their own hobby to fail?
• Is brand loyalty dead?
• How do you attract a customer to look beyond what’s safe?
• Does FOMO play a big role?
• Support this podcast on Patreon

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Broken Barrel Honey Smoke Reserva American Whiskey. This 6 year old whiskey is 110 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.

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It’s This Week in Bourbon for March 22nd 2024. MGP is getting ready to battle two cities in court, more partnerships in golf are coming from Elijah Craig and Blade & Bow, and Rabbit Hole released the newest member of its Distillery Series, Heretofore.

Show Notes:

• MGP is getting ready to battle two cities in court
• Thieves got away with bourbon that was inside a parked truck
• Bespoken Spirits new headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky
• Flying Ace announced an educational scholarship program with Folds of Honor
• Barmen 1873 Bourbon is rolling out its first-ever celebrity partnership with Lainey Wilson
• Blade and Bow Kentucky partners with golf champion Wyndham Clark
• Elijah Craig welcomes the 2024 PGA Championship
• Jack & Ginger Ale
• Knob Creek collaborates on a limited release with LL Cool J
• Penelope Rio is set to arrive on shelves in March
• Maker’s Mark has now launched the London edition of its Wood Finishing City Series
• Rabbit Hole Distillery released the newest member of its Distillery Series “Heretofore“
• @bespokenspirits @flyingacespirits @foldsofhonor @barmen1873 @bladeandbowwhiskey @elijahcraig @jackdaniels_us @knobcreek @peneoplebourbon @makersmark @rabbithole @raekwon @llcoolj
• Support this podcast on Patreon

Before there were Instagram and TikTok influencers, YouTubers, and even podcasters, there were writers. I’m not talking about bloggers. But esteemed authors and journalists who dug into a story and took it to magazines and other trade publications. The times have changed, our attention spans have gotten much shorter, and now running a story is much different. To help gives more insight into whiskey journalism we’ve invited Maggie Kimberl back on the show. She’s the Content Editor of American Whiskey Magazine and writes some of the most intriguing stories in bourbon today. We all evaluate how access to distilleries have gotten harder through PR firms and how there may be a dilution of valuable content and talent because the barrier to entry is much lower through social media. It’s not all doom and gloom though. We are now in a time when there is more to talk about than ever in bourbon. There is going to be no shortage of new stories with the boom of so many new distilleries and entrants into the market.

Show Notes:

• Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about the lobbying groups for whiskey and bourbon.
• How small was the community in whiskey journalism?
• Has the access to the distillers and the people changed over the years?
• How many more events are there now?
• At what point in time did you start seeing a shift happen from deep articles vs click bait?
• If writing isn’t a means to have a successful career did judging whiskey awards feel like a next step?
• What are the types of stories in magazines that people really latch on to and engage?
• Do stories on bourbon tourism do well?
• Do you see a problem with short-form content and those content creators?
• Do big brands even need bourbon media any longer?
• Support this podcast on Patreon

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Widow Jane Paradigm Rye. This non-age stated rye is 93 proof and $50 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.

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It’s This Week in Bourbon for March 15th 2024. A brewer in Ohio is suing the federal government saying he should be able to distil as a hobby, Chattanooga is releasing DISCOVER EXPERIMENTAL BATCH 037: ANCIENT WHEAT!, and Limestone Branch Distillery has announced the second release in its Yellowstone Special Finishes Collection: Yellowstone Rum Cask Finish

Show Notes:

• Should the government be able to stop you from making whiskey?
• Buzzard’s Roost Ambuzzador
• Rebel 100 6-Year Bourbon
• Chattanooga is releasing Discover Experimental Batch 037: Ancient Wheat
• Yellowstone Rum Cask Finish
• @buzzardsroostwhiskey @chattwhiskey @rebelbourbon @yellowstonebourbon
• Support this podcast on Patreon

The platform of this podcast was to help connect listeners to the brands they see on the store shelves. As time has gone on, sometimes we discover there really isn’t much substance to a brand. But today’s guest is the very opposite. I found myself enthralled with our guests history in the culinary world and what he’s doing to make his whiskey be one that many can appreciate from the liquid to the blending. Sean Josephs is the Co-Founder & Master Blender behind Pinhook. You know all those bottles with race horses on the label and different colored wax. Sean talks about getting his start in restaurants, grinding it out, and eventually working at some of the world’s premier establishments and becoming such a decorated wine sommelier that he would be considered famous by those standards. Consider me a bit star struck by the time this episode is over. Then he finds a new passion in bourbon and opens up one of the first ever whiskey bars in Brooklyn and eventually left to start Pinkhook bourbon. Sean’s passion comes through and we learn the secret decoder ring to knowing more about all his Pinhook bottles and what’s in store for the future.

Show Notes:

• Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about adding water to high proof whiskey.
• What’s your background and how did you get into bourbon?
• As a somm, do you remember the most epic wine?
• Was starting a whiskey bar in 2008 in Brooklyn a bold move?
• Were barrel selections becoming popular for restaurants in 2016?
• What made you want to stop doing bars and restaurants and start the whiskey brand?
• Can you explain the packaging and colors and how they work?
• What makes your whiskey special and what are you doing there?
• How long do you think you’ll have enough whiskey to keep your projects going?
• Support this podcast on Patreon