All Podcasts

TWiB: A Brewer Sues Government To Distill as a Hobby, Chattanooga Batch 037: Ancient Wheat, Yellowstone Rum Cask Finish



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

453 – Will Horses Help Sell a Bottle? with Sean Josephs of Pinhook



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

Whiskey Quickie: New Riff Bohemian Wheat Bourbon Review



On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review New Riff Bohemian Wheat Bourbon. This 8 year old bourbon is 117.9 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.

(more…)

TWiB: National Buzzard’s Day Is a Thing, Old Forester High Angel’s Share, Pursuit Releases United Double Oaked Bourbon



It’s This Week in Bourbon for March 8th 2024. National Buzzard’s Day is a thing, Old Forester releases High Angel’s Share, and Pursuit Spirits finally releases their long awaited United Double Oaked Bourbon.

Show Notes:

  • March 15 is National Buzzards Day
  • Ohio Liquor Goes Irish
  • Old Forester High Angels’ Share
  • Milam & Greene 2024 Wildlife Collection, the Golden Eagle Single Barrel Bourbon
  • New Riff Distilling 8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  • Woodford Reserve 2024 commemorative Derby bottle
  • 15 STARS First West Rye Whiskey and 8&15 YO Private Stock Fine Aged Bourbon
  • The Perfect Fifth 14-year-old American Whiskey
  • Michter’s US*1 Barrel Strength Kentucky Straight Rye
  • Peerless Toasted Bourbon – Batch 1
  • @buzzardsroostwhiskey @ohioliquor @oldforester @milamandgreenewhiskey @newriff @woodfordreserve @15starsbourbon @michterswhiskey @kentuckypeerless @theperfectfifth @bourbon_colonel86
  • Support this podcast on Patreon

452 – Is the Bourbon Boom Over? on Bourbon Community Roundtable #91



Is the bourbon boom really over? Some people think it may. Fred Minnick recently touched on this subject and people began talking about their ideas and buying habits. We wanted to tackle that by touching on publicly traded companies, heresay from our own experience, and if we truly think craft and NDPs are in trouble.

Show Notes:

  • Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about international market not working.
  • Publicly traded companies like Diego and Brown Forman.
  • Consumers buying mainstays.
  • Retailers are cautious about new brands.
  • International markets.
  • Economic impacts
  • Support this podcast on Patreon

(more…)

Whiskey Quickie: Fireside Hazmat Proof Bourbon Review



On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Fireside Hazmat Proof Bourbon. This 6 year old bourbon is 141.2 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.

(more…)

TWiB: Brown‑Forman Sells Its Jack Daniel Cooperage, WSWA Says Premiumization is Dead, Lost Lantern Releases the Spring 2024 Collection



It’s This Week in Bourbon for March 1st 2024. Brown‑Forman Corporation has sold its Jack Daniel Cooperage to Independent Stave Company, Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America say that premiumization is dead, and Lost Lantern releases their Spring 2024 collection.

Show Notes:

  • Brown‑Forman Corporation has sold its Jack Daniel Cooperage
  • The Ripken Experience
  • Maker’s Mark labels for inspirational woman
  • Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey has opened a whiskey lodge in Aspen
  • Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America say that premiumization is dead
  • Justins’ has sued Kentucky ABC
  • Kentucky lawmakers are moving to close loopholes in the Vintage Distilled Spirits law
  • FC Dallas partnership with Campari America
  • Kentucky Bourbon Festival ticket sale dates
  • Jaywalk Straight Rye
  • Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing City Series Singapore Edition
  • Lost Lantern Spring 2024 collection
  • Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon with a commemorative 52nd Edition Gold Pegasus Pin
  • Still Austin Whiskey Co Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey
  • Total Eclipse Kentucky Straight Bourbon
  • McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams and Garrison Bros Whiskey Pecan & Pralines
  • @jackdaniels_us @brownforman @makersmark @stranahans @fcdallas @campariusa @wildturkey @longbranchbourbon @kybourbonfest @lostlanternwhiskey @evanwilliamsbourbon @ewbourbonexperience @stillatx @caseyjonesdistillery @garrisonbros @mcconnellsicecreams
  • Support this podcast on Patreon

451 – Is There a Real White Oak Shortage? with Danna Baxley of The Nature Conservancy



The barrel is a magical component to the creation of bourbon and nearly 95% of all bourbon goes into white oak. But what’s the problem with this? Bourbon can only be used in a charred barrel once. After that, it needs to find a new home. Now that may sound wasteful but the bourbon market is only a very small contributor to the current white oak problem. To help us better understand about forestry and the white oak supply I’ve invited Daana Baxley from the Nature Conservancy in Kentucky to join the show. She gives some great insight into the current state of white oak trees and what is currently being done to protect our forests. I’ve never known what it takes to manage forests and this episode will give you an insight into grading and how invasive species of trees continue to decline the white oak population. But more so, Daana gives us some insight if we will ever experience a white oak shortage in the future and what we can do to help protect it.

Show Notes:

  • Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about running out of old bourbon.
  • What took you on a path to nature preservation?
  • How are you able to achieve your mission without using scare tactics?
  • Why is Appalachia so important?
  • What does “protection” mean in the sense of a nature conservancy?
  • What is the current status of the white oak species?
  • What is the proper way to manage these forests?
  • What does high grading mean?
  • How has ash or maple impacted the population?
  • How many years into the future are we looking at when we will see a big white oak problem?
  • Is the bourbon industry a problem or is there another industry to blame?
  • Do bourbon drinkers even care if there is sustainability practices happening?
  • Do other industries join in conversation practices like the white oak initiative?
  • Support this podcast on Patreon

Whiskey Quickie: Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series #12 Review



On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series #12 Tennessee Whiskey Finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks. This non-age stated whiskey is 90 proof and $42 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.

(more…)

450 – Is American Single Malt On The Rise? with Steve Hawley, President of American Single Malt Whiskey Commission



There’s a few things we talk about from time to time on the show. Sometimes it’s RTDs, sometimes it’s tequlia, and one spirit that seems to make it’s way into more conversations is American Single Malt whiskey. However, I told myself that if we’re going to talk about American Single Malt whiskey then we need a person that can really go indepth. What better person than Steve Hawley who is the President of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission. Steve joins the show to talk about his background starting Westland Distillery and then formed the commission. We talk about the growth of the category, production methods, exports, and it’s current journey to being recognized by the rest of the world.

Show Notes:

  • Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about the effect of climate change.
  • How did you get into the whiskey business?
  • If barley grows so well then why isn’t there a history of it?
  • What is the importance of trying to make American Single Malt an approved category?
  • How did you become the president of the commission?
  • How have case sales grown from 2010 till today?
  • Is the SMWC analogous to DISCUS or KDA?
  • What is the proposed definition of American Single Malt and what’s the current status of it?
  • What rules were valid versus ones that seemed really weird?
  • Why do people prefer pot still for single malt production?
  • When a heritage brand creates a single malt like Jim Beam and Heaven Hill, does this hurt or help?
  • Are American Single Malt producers starting to look at exports instead of domestic education?
  • Support this podcast on Patreon

Whiskey Quickie: Hemingway Rye Signature Edition Review



On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Hemingway Rye Signature Edition. This non-age stated rye is 102 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.

(more…)

TWiB: Bulleit and Redemption Are Back in Court, MGP Sues the Town of Williamstown, Kentucky, Woodford Reserve Batch Proof Announced



It’s This Week in Bourbon for February 16th 2024. Bulleit and Redemption whiskey brands are back at it in court, MGP is suing the city of Williamstown, Kentucky, and Woodford Reserve has released its annual limited-edition, high-proof expression Woodford Reserve Batch Proof.

Show Notes:

  • Woodford Reserve teams up with Sergio Hudson and Anifa Mvuemb for fashion
  • Bulleit and Redemption whiskey brand are back at it in court
  • Staghorn has named Lisa Wicker as the first Master Distiller
  • MGP is suing the city of Williamstown, Kentucky
  • Woodford Reserve Batch Proof
  • Bulleit American Single Malt
  • High n’ Wicked Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
  • Chattanooga Whiskey Barrel Finishing Series: White Port Cask Finished
  • Gin & Juice By Dre and Snoop
  • @woodfordreserve @bulleit @redemptionwhiskey @chattwhiskey @drdre @snoopdogg
  • Support this podcast on Patreon

449 – Ed Bley is Back with Old Stubborn Whiskey



Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, we finally see the re-emergence of Ed Bley. Ed has been a previous guest on the podcast that was from way back in 2018. So if you just started listening to Bourbon Pursuit, then you probably have no idea of the impact Ed had on the bourbon world during that time. Ed went into hiding and went on a mission to bring some new whiskey to the world and he’s now back presenting his new line called Old Stubborn. We talk about his background in blending and the journey he took from working at Cork N Bottle, picking barrels, and being a big influence in the larger bourbon community to losing hope on building a distillery and then quickly pivoting to find whiskey that wasn’t available on the open market. This is one of the most anticipated interviews for many of you long-time listeners so enjoy this episode with Ed Bley.

Show Notes:

  • Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about sustainability and new oak barrels.
  • What is your background and what were you doing on the retail side?
  • How often do you reject barrels during a barrel selection?
  • Can you give some background on Old Baldy?
  • Why would you want to leave a comfortable position to do your own thing?
  • Why would you want to start a distillery versus sourcing barrels?
  • How did you search for whiskey to use?
  • Why did you call the whiskey Old Stubborn?
  • Is there a reason why you put the word “old” on your bottles?
  • Can you talk about how you ended up on the bottle?
  • What went into this first release?
  • How did the conversations start to acquire your whiskey stocks?
  • Is this high price a sustainable business model?
  • What does your product strategy look like?
  • What is your plan for distribution and expansion?
  • Support this podcast on Patreon

Whiskey Quickie: Heart of Mystic Bourbon Review



On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Heart of Mystic Bourbon. This 3 year old bourbon is 114.6 proof and $40 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.

(more…)

TWiB: 2023 Bourbon Economic Impact Study, Bardstown Bourbon Company’s “House of Bardstown”, Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 18 Year



It’s This Week in Bourbon for February 9th 2024. 2023 Bourbon Economic Impact Study is out, Bardstown Bourbon Company introduces the “House of Bardstown,” and Heaven Hill releases Heritage Collection 18-Year-Old Bourbon.

Show Notes:

  • 2023 Bourbon Economnic Impact Study is out.
  • Bardstown Bourbon Company introduces the “House of Bardstown”
  • Old Forester named Caleb Trigo as Assistant Master Distiller
  • Distilled Living is an Official Sponsor of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
  • Bourbon Strong 50-4-50 charity raffle
  • Distilled in Washington, A History new book
  • Will the Apple Vision Pro change the drinks industry forever?
  • The Fielder’s Choice Collection
  • Four Gate Triple Oak
  • Puncher’s Chance THE UNIFIED BELT
  • Jack Daniel’s Batch 2 of its 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey and Batch 3 of its 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey
  • Path of Totality Bourbon Whiskey
  • Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A124
  • Penelope Bourbon Tokaji Cask Finish
  • Kentucky Old Fashioned Bourbon Barrel Ale
  • Heaven Hill releases Heritage Collection 18-Year-Old Bourbon
  • @bardstownbourbonco @oldforester @distilledliving @give270 @jriegerco @fourgatewhiskey @puncherschancebourbon @jackdaniels_us @haynerdistilling @elijahcraig @penelopebourbon @heavenhilldistillery @heavenhillbrands @alltechbrews
  • Support this podcast on Patreon