It’s This Week in Bourbon for May 2nd, 2025. National Bourbon Week in Bardstown releases event schedule, Derby Week insider announcements from Brown Forman, and Star Trek Spirits and Stellum collaborate on new whiskeys.

Show Notes:

• Brown Forman changes President’s Choice and New Woodford Reserve Barrel Strength Rye.
• Kentucky Bourbon Festival weekend passes are sold out.
• National Bourbon Week announces full event schedule, June 9-15, 2025.
• Oaklore Distilling Co. releases Oaklore Four Grain Bourbon nationwide, 92 proof, $69.99.
• WOODINVILLE WHISKEY releases Tequila Finish Bourbon, 100 proof, $69.99.
• Quest’s End Whiskey unveils Quest’s End Druid, rum & vermouth finish, $149.99.
• Star Trek Spirits & Stellum Spirits release limited edition Romulan whiskeys, $79 each.
• Support this podcast on Patreon

We’re coming together and we’re talking about age statements. Wild Turkey 101 is making its 8 year return for the first time since 1992. But I really wanted to pose a question of when do age statements really matter? You see all kinds of brands that are very successful without age statements, namely coming from Brown Forman with the likes of Old Forrester and with Woodford Reserve. Even the most famous bourbon on the planet, Blanton’s, doesn’t have an age statement. So when do age statements matter?

Show Notes:

• Wild Turkey 101 is making an 8 year return
• When do age statements matter?
• Support this podcast on Patreon

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On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Silk Velvet Whiskey. This 6 year old bourbon 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 25th, 2025. 2 court cases battle over the commerce clause for sprits shipping, Larrakin releases Rosewater Bourbon, and Ducks Unlimited and World Whiskey Society team up for a bourbon release.

Show Notes:

• Kentucky Distillers’ Association welcomes Left Bank Bourbon as newest member.
• Nearest Green Distillery launches The Fifty-Six Society membership club.
• California distillery sues New York over out-of-state shipping restrictions.
• Federal judge rejects New York whiskey maker’s challenge to Washington rule.
• Four Branches Bourbon appoints Gregg Snyder as strategic advisor.
• Larrikin Bourbon Co. releases Rosewater Bourbon, proofed with rosewater.
• Ducks Unlimited & World Whiskey Society release limited-edition whiskeys.
• Kentucky Senator Bourbon releases The John Edwards Release, 107 proof, $119.99.
• BHAKTA Spirits releases BHAKTA 2011 Bourbon, Armagnac cask finish, 111 proof, $149.
• Support this podcast on Patreon

Every year we get to talk to a brand that has started to captivate the market and I can’t stop seeing Found North pop up all over my feeds. Founders and brothers Zach and Nick Taylor join the show to talk about how they found a product-market fit. They did it the right way by finding really high quality Canadian whiskey, double digit age statements, and appeal to the cask strength chasers with high proof whiskey.

Show Notes:

• Journey of Zach and Nick Taylor into the whiskey industry
• Transitioning from tech startups to whiskey entrepreneurship
• Challenges and milestones in launching Found North
• Importance of age statements and high-proof Canadian whiskey
• Insights on blending techniques and flavor innovation
• Marketing strategies focused on authenticity and consumer engagement
• Community building and the role of word-of-mouth in whiskey promotion
• Support this podcast on Patreon

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Bomberger’s PFG. This non-age stated bourbon is 100.2 proof and $140 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 18th, 2025. Garrard County Distilling Co. has closed only after 1 year in operation, Cream of Kentucky moves to Kentucky Artisan Distillery, and Angel’s Envy launches its newest Cellar Collection Series.

Show Notes:

• Garrard County Distilling Co. closes after a year, faces $2.2M lawsuit.
• Kentucky River returns to normal, Buffalo Trace begins flood recovery.
• Cream of Kentucky partners with Kentucky Artisan Distillery as its home place.
• RD1 Spirits announces May 14, 2025 opening of new Lexington distillery.
• Graeter’s & New Riff Distilling collaborate on Bourbon Ball Ice Cream.
• Rolling Fork Spirits re-releases Bourbon de Luxe small batch, 119 proof, $64.99.
• 2XO releases The Vinyl Blend bourbon, featuring high and moderate rye mash bills, $99.99.
• ANGEL’S ENVY releases Rye finished in French Oak Extra Añejo Tequila barrels, $269.99.
• Support this podcast on Patreon

In this episode we welcome back Elizabeth McCall, who has been appointed Master Distiller of Woodford Reserve since our last conversation with her. From her early days as a Taste Test Technician in the sensory lab to her current role, Elizabeth reflects on her profound bond with Woodford Reserve and its significance in events like the Kentucky Derby. There’s a ton of pressure that comes with being the official bourbon of the Derby and it’s fitting that we’re now releasing this as we come into Derby season once again. The episode explores the evolving bourbon culture and the challenge of connecting with both seasoned enthusiasts and newer consumers. Elizabeth highlights her innovative projects and other collaborations you’ve likely seen. The we dive into discussions about future releases and the balance between luxury and accessibility where Woodford Reserve plays a delicate balance

Show Notes:

• Significance of Woodford Reserve at the Kentucky Derby
• Elizabeth McCall’s rise to Master Distiller from sensory lab technician
• The art of tastings and engaging with diverse bourbon audiences
• Navigating traditions while appealing to the modern drinker
• Highlights of innovative Woodford Reserve projects
• Balancing luxury appeal with bourbon’s heritage
• Support this podcast on Patreon

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Bardstown Bourbon Company Cathedral French Oak Bourbon. This 9-18 year old bourbon is 110.1 proof and $100 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 April 11th, 2025. Buffalo Trace stops production from flooding, bourbon is exempt from EU tariffs, Pursuit launches the Mellwood Legacy Collection.

Show Notes:

• Buffalo Trace Distillery temporarily closed due to Kentucky flooding.
• EU exempts bourbon from new US retaliatory tariffs after lobbying.
• EU enforces 20-year-old agreement, reclassifying European ‘rye whisky’.
• Heaven Hill fills first barrel at new Bardstown distillery after 29 years.
• Gigi Burris partners with Woodford Reserve for Kentucky Derby hat collection.
• Oxmoor Bourbon Co. becomes official partner of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®.
• Westward Whiskey maker House Spirits files for bankruptcy protection.
• Kentucky Bourbon Trail sees record 2.7 million visitors in 2024.
• Woodford Reserve offers $5,000 Mint Julep Charity Cups for Kentucky Derby.
• Barrell Craft Spirits releases P.X. Sherry Cask Finish Bourbon, $84.99.
• Jack Daniel’s releases McLaren F1 Team limited edition whiskey, 86 proof.
• Bluegrass Distillers launches Elkwood Reserve Finished Series, 119 proof, $105.
• Penelope Bourbon releases Peach Old Fashioned bottled cocktail, 80 proof, $29.99.
• Keeneland, Maker’s Mark honor Lexington with “Greats of the Gate” bottle, $179.99.
• Dancing Goat releases #8 I Would Rye 4 U, port finished rye, 108 proof, $60.
• Elijah Craig named “Official Bourbon” of 2025 PGA Championship, commemorative bottle $36.99.
• Old Dominick releases 7-Year Wheat Whiskey Single Barrel, $60-$70.
• The Last Drop releases 27 Year Old Buffalo Trace Bourbon, 121.8 proof, $10,500.
• Maker’s Mark debuts Star Hill Farm Whisky, first wheat whisky, 114.7 proof, $100.
• Wild Turkey 101 8-Year-Old Bourbon becomes permanent US offering, $45
• Support this podcast on Patreon

This is one of my favorite types of episodes because this bourbon world is full of hype, flops, superstitions, and just weird stuff. We return to this beloved format of is something over, under, or properly rated. We ask if the iconic cocktail, the Old Fashioned, whiskey collections, MGP, cigar blends, speakeasies and more as we ask are these over, under, or properly rated?

Show Notes:

• The Old Fashioned vs. Manhattan: cocktail preferences of whiskey enthusiasts
• Scotch: overrated or properly rated?
• Discussing MGP’s role in the market: reputation vs. reality
• The evolution of whiskey collections and wise collecting practices
• Cigar blends: a trend or a genuine innovation?
• Light whiskey: its place in the greater whiskey landscape
• The value of tasting flights and the allure of speakeasy bars
• Support this podcast on Patreon

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Penelope Wheated Bourbon. This non-age stated bourbon is 95 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.

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You’re probably reading the title to this podcast going, what? a podcast from 2018? Yes, this is a never before aired episode that Ryan and I recorded at Bourbon Bonanza back in 2018. So here’s the story. Bourbon Bonanza was an offshoot event that would happen during Kentucky Bourbon Festival but wasn’t associated with the festival. It was tied in with Willett so there were a lot of influential people at the time that came to this event. Ryan and I took our equipment, plus our very first release of Pursuit Series, into what was Harrison-Smith House at the time which is now the new Chicken Cock visitor center and we sat down with Bill Thomas of Jack Rose in Washington DC and Mike Miller of Delilah’s in Chicago, who still to this day run the most successful whiskey bars in the country. There is also a small appearance by Tatsumi at the very end and you will hear his story as a part of this episode. The sound environment was challenging and I wasn’t happy with how the audio turned out. Let’s fast forward almost 7 years and audio cleanup software has gotten so good that it’s now time to release it. We talk about the festival, barrel picks, community, and trends they were seeing at the time. So here you go, a blast from the past with an unreleased archive episode.

Show Notes:

• Bourbon Bonanza Festival Highlights
• Bourbon Culture Transformation
• Community Building in Bourbon
• Enjoyment vs. Investment in Collecting
• Personal Whiskey Memories
• New Distillery Discoveries
• Insights on Barrel Picks
• Trends in the Bourbon Market
• Support this podcast on Patreon

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked Bourbon. This non-age stated bourbon is 90.4 proof and $200 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 21st, 2025. A brand new auction record hits with a Van Winkle Private selection, Heaven Hill launches the Connoisseur Club, and Booker’s releases the first batch of 2025.

Show Notes:

• Holladay Distillery breaks ground on Rickhouse D, ironclad bourbon aging.
• Old Rip Van Winkle bottle sells for record $125,000 at Sotheby’s.
• Heaven Hill launches Connesuir Club, exclusive bourbon access.
• Lux Row Distillers releases Blood Oath Pact 11, Tequila barrel finish, $129.99.
• Michter’s releases 10 Year Bourbon, 94.4 proof, $195.
• Buzzard’s Roost releases Signature Double Oak Bourbon, 100 proof, $45.
• Booker’s Batch “Barry’s Batch” 2025 released, 125.7 proof, $99.99.
• New Riff releases Silver Grove Bourbon and Rye, 110.3 and 110.2 proof, $55.99.
• Support this podcast on Patreon