Over the years I’ve been very fortunate to talk to some great minds in this industry. I remember years ago when Pursuit Spirits was very young making some phone calls looking for particular barrels. One of the calls I made was to Richard Wolf. As a general consumer, you have no idea who he is but Richard was at the forefront of the consulting and barrel broker game for decades. Years later, I got to meet his daughter Monica who is putting her own stamp on the whiskey world behind many NDP brands you see on the shelf today. Monica is one of those people that likes to stick behind the scenes and politely turned down my requests to come on the show. However, when I heard about the passing of her dad, I let the dust settle and came to her with the idea that she should come on the show and talk about her dad’s legacy and all the influence he had on the industry that not many people knew about. I’m glad she did because this is one of those rare times we get to reflect on days past.

Show Notes:

• Legacy of Richard Wolfe
• Monica’s Journey in the Whiskey Industry
• The Birth of the Spirits Group
• Navigating Challenges and Building a Business
• The Impact of Family and Mentorship
• The Importance of Connections in Bourbon
• Navigating the Whiskey Business Landscape
• Building a Portfolio of Brands
• Establishing a Bottling and Blending Facility
• The Journey of Growth and Legacy
• Support this podcast on Patreon

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Preservation Estate Pot Distilled Wheated Bourbon. This 6 year old bourbon is 114.6 proof and $130 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 January 17th, 2025. Brown-Forman makes sweeping cuts across the organization and closes its cooperage, The TTB authorizes 13 new additional standard bottle sizes, and Woodford double double oak makes a national debut.

Show Notes:

• Brown-Forman restructures leadership and operations for $70M cost savings
• Rebecca Jago departs The Last Drop Distillers after 10+ years
• TTB expands standards of fill for wine and spirits containers
• Landry’s Inc. files trademark infringement lawsuit against Landry Distillery
• Kentucky corn farmers receive $2.8M initiative for regenerative practices
• Silverbelly Whiskey welcomes Mattie Jackson as Master Blender
• Heritage Distilling launches IPO and embraces Bitcoin for payments
• Yellowstone Bourbon named official partner of Ragnar Relay 2025
• InvestBev and Saga Spirits partner on 8-figure barrel financing deal
• Scottish Minister highlights whisky trade importance to US President Trump
• Raconteur Rye launches Miz Kiss Batch 3 featuring Mizunara finish
• Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked Bourbon goes national at $199.99
• Old Forester releases 1910 Extra Old limited edition for $65
• Support this podcast on Patreon

Tourism is booming in Louisivlle around bourbon. That’s why we have our own spot on Whiskey Row opening in April of 2025 but I’m like many of you and I get skeptical because I want to know some of the real numbers. It’s a good thing I’m still friends with my former college roommate because my buddy Michael Fetter works with Louisville Tourism who tracks the data of how tourism dollars are spent in this city. WIthout giving away too much, it doesn’t look like tourism is slowing down anytime soon.

Show Notes:

• The Bourbon Boom in Louisville
• Michael Fetter’s Journey in Tourism
• Marketing Louisville as a Bourbon Destination
• Challenges in Hotel Capacity and Air Travel
• Future of Bourbon Tourism and Direct Flights
• \The Birth of Bourbon Country
• Marketing Bourbon Tourism
• Funding and Economic Impact of Tourism
• Balancing Bourbon and Derby Tourism
• The Role of Influencers in Tourism
• Support this podcast on Patreon

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review the Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Heritage Barrel Rye. This non-age stated rye is 100 proof and $75 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.

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It’s This Week in Bourbon for January 10th, 2025. Redwood Empire Whiskey acquires Savage & Cooke distillery, Glencairn has taken legal action, and Old Forester 1924 is returning to shelves for a second year.

Show Notes:

• InvestBev Credit & Rare Character Whiskey
• Redwood Empire Acquires Savage & Cooke
• Glencairn Legal Action
• Give 270 Charity Raffle
• Fireball Flo Turns 106
• Log Still Trinity Blend
• WhistlePig Alcohol-Free Cocktail
• October London Bourbon Collaboration with Mr. and Mrs. Bourbon
• Jack Daniel’s Distillery Series #14
• Old Forester 1924 Returns
• Support this podcast on Patreon

The first Bourbon Community Roundtable of the year means it’s time for our 2025 predictions! The first half of the show we talk about everything we got wrong. In fact, we got way more wrong than we got right. I won’t give too much of it away but our 2025 predictions span potential new brands, the growing prominence of American single malts, the influence of social media, especially TikTok, the return of age-stated bourbons and how flavored whiskies might entice younger drinkers.

Show Notes:

• Reflection on predictions from 2024 and admissions of mistakes
• Anticipated impacts of government regulations on the bourbon landscape
• The trend of flavored whiskies appealing to a younger demographic
• Expectations for IJW’s potential new brand launch
• Increased scrutiny on alcohol marketing and compliance challenges
• The influential role of TikTok in bourbon narratives
• Predictions on a revival of age-stated products and craft distilling innovations
• Support this podcast on Patreon

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On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review the Watch Hill Batch 02. This 20 year old is 124.1 proof and $900 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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Got any Blanton’s in the back? Where are you hiding the Pappy? Those are some things you could say to a store owner and be laughed out the door. And believe me, you can take our word for it because we’ve been there and spent years of our lives hunting bourbon. Ryan, Fred and myself talk about the cardinal sins of bourbon hunting. What are those things you should never do when bourbon hunting to remain a good spot, stay in the graces of liquor store owners, and the proper etiquette when camping for special releases.

Show Notes:

• The Art of Bourbon Hunting Etiquette
• Concerns for the Future of Bourbon
• Cardinal Sins of Bourbon Hunting
• Building Relationships with Liquor Stores
• Distillery Release Strategies
• Building Relationships in Bourbon Hunting
• Hacking in Bourbon Releases
• The Changing Landscape of Bourbon Hunting
• Support this podcast on Patreon

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review the Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson B. This non-age stated is 120.2 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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Bourbon Pursuit’s year-end wrap-up with our Whiskeys of they Year and plans for 2025.

Show Notes:

• Year-End Reflections
• Podcast Highlights
• New Studio Excitement
• Pursuit Spirits Vision
• Anticipating PursuitPalooza
• Distillery Visits and Experiences
• Looking Ahead to 2025
• Membership and Engagement Plans
• Whiskeys of the Year
• Closing Thoughts and Cheers
• Support this podcast on Patreon

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review the Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled Heritage Barrel Rye. This non-age stated rye is 100 proof and $75 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.

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You want to hear about sweet mash whiskey? Well, this is the episode for you. We first got introduced to Hard Truth a few years ago and when we tried their rye, we were floored. It only took a small amount of time for many others to find out and now Hard Truth has become a recognizable name in the world of crafy whiskey. Their Master Distiller, Bryan Smith, joins the show to talk about their beginnings and how a conversation with Shane and Pat from Wilderness Trail put them on a path to be known as the purveyors of sweet mash rye whiskey.

Show Notes:

• The Story of Hard Truth Distilling
• The Sweet Mash Technique
• Visitor Experience and Brand Growth
• Diversifying the Product Portfolio
• Navigating Market Confusion in Whiskey Branding
• The Origin of the Hard Truth Name
• Balancing Tradition and Innovation
• The Importance of Authenticity in Whiskey
• Challenges of Distribution and Market Penetration
• The Role of the Master Distiller
• Future Trends and Market Positioning in Whiskey
• Support this podcast on Patreon

On this special edition of Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review the 2024 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. The collection includes: Eagle Rare 17 Year, William Larue Weller, George T. Stagg, Sazerac Rye 18 Year, and Thomas H. Handy. Each bottle has a suggested retail price of $150. What’s our favorite this year? Watch to find out. 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 December 20th, 2024. More barrel lending programs are becoming available, The Federal Trade Commission and Southern Wine & Glaziers are headed to court, Heaven Hill releases the Fall 2024 edition of Old Fitzgerald.

Show Notes:

• Bardstown Bourbon Company and Brindiamo Group launch an exclusive barrel leasing program
• Whiskey House and Whiskey Capital partner to provide non-dilutive, barrel-backed financing solutions for whiskey brands
• Jim Beam launches the Beam Private Barrel Club
• The FTC sues Southern Glazer’s for alleged anticompetitive pricing practices
• Balance Distilling Company resurrects the historic Mammoth Cave Bourbon brand
• Nordic Bourbon Company introduces direct-to-consumer shipping for American whiskey in Europe
• Fred Minnick hosts a top-tier whiskey and music event during Super Bowl week
• The TTB officially recognizes the American Single Malt Whiskey category
• Old Forester 117 Series Warehouse I
• Hidden Barn Series One Slow Fade
• Pendleton 1910 Bourbon
• Oakley Spirits 20-Year Bourbon
• High West & Casa Noble Partnership
• Town Branch Single Malt Archive Series
• Old Fitzgerald Fall 2024 Release
• Woodford Reserve Batch Proof
• Chattanooga Whiskey Vault Series Return
• Penelope Bourbon Havana
• Van Winkle Whiskey Collection 2024
• Support this podcast on Patreon