The online community is one of the biggest forces behind bourbon growth. This is where people go to learn more, ask questions, make connections, and find new and interesting bourbons to try. Reddit has been a platform for those conversations for a long long time. The popularity of the /r/bourbon subreddit has now eclipsed over 109,000 members and it’s continually growing. We sit down with T8ke, one of the moderators of the /r/bourbon subreddit, to get a glimpse into a moderator’s daily life. We look into the type of content that gets upvotes, how the AMAs work, and how being anonymous plays a role vs Facebook where it’s your actual name and profile. Join the sub https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/.

Show Notes:

• Whiskey Advocate Top 20: http://whiskyadvocate.com/top20/
• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about whiskey marketing.
• Tell us how you got into bourbon?
• What led you to discover more?
• What type of content do you see on Reddit?
• Is there a newbie factor?
• Do people really like the reviews?
• Who is the typical person checking out these reviews?
• What does AMA stand for?
• What were the top AMAs?
• Tell us about the Reddit culture.
• Talk about the anonymous factor.
• Are there any issues since it is anonymous?
• Are there sales in the forums?
• What kind of growth are you seeing in the forum?
• What topics are popular?
• Why do so many people on Reddit hate Fred Minnick?
• Have bourbon posts ever been on the front page of Reddit?
• How much time do you spend moderating?
• How many posts do you get during release season?
• When people post do you have to approve it?
• Who has it worse, Facebook or Reddit mods?

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On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review E.H. Taylor Amaranth Grain of the Gods. This non-age stated bourbon is 100 proof and $70 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!

DISCLAIMER: A sample of this whiskey was provide to us by a member of our Patreon community. 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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This is the final roundtable for 2019 as we head into the new year. And this one packs a few punches. First, we dive into Instagram news where the number of likes are now hidden from your view. How will it impact bourbon Instagram stars? Then we roll into the meat of the podcast talking about Pappy and Sazerac vs The Secondary Market. Lastly, we share what we are thankful for in 2019. I also want to take this opportunity to say thank you to you, the dedicated listeners and viewers of Bourbon Pursuit. We really appreciate the hours you spend with us every week to hear us talk about bourbon.

Show Notes:

• Warehouse X: http://www.experimentalwarehouse.com/
• Marianne Eaves at TEDxBroadway: https://www.tedxbroadway.com/talks/2019/11/19/making-the-impossible-and-doing-the-unthinkable-marianne-eaves
• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about vintage whiskey collections.
• Instagram removes likes. Does this impact bourbon influencers?
• Do Instagram posts drive people to your content?
• Will the lack of likes deter people from using influencers?
• Should Instagram hide the number of followers?
• Do you think Sazerac is behind the secondary take down?
• Why make the Van Winkles the face of the blame?
• Should they raise the SRP of Pappy?
• Do you think other distilleries are happy they took action on the secondary market?
• What are you thankful for with bourbon in 2019?
• Thanks to Blake from bourbonr.com, Nick from BreakingBourbon.com , and Brian from sippncorn.com for joining.

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On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Chattanooga Whiskey Cask 111. This non-age stated bourbon is 111 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.

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Penny & Sparrow is a folk music duo from Austin, TX. On their tour through Louisville, Andy Baxter and Kyle Jahnke, the talented guys behind the band, stopped by for a few bourbon pours. We talk about life on the road, their musical creation process, and how their fans give them bourbon at shows. You can catch their latest album, Finch, wherever you stream your music.

Show Notes:

• Pappy Map retires: http://bourbonr.com/blog/pappy-van-winkle-release-map-retires/
• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about the holidays.
• How did you all get into music and start the band?
• Where does your inspiration come from?
• What is your craziest moment with a fan?
• How did you get into bourbon hunting?
• What bourbon got you hooked?
• How does the band work when you live in different states?
• Who is the messy one?
• What’s it like on the road?
• What do you listen to on the road?
• Have you been on the Bourbon Trail?
• Where do you go when bourbon hunting?
• Do you ever get free bourbon?
• How did fans discover your were into bourbon?
• What does it mean to you when someone says your music has changed their life?
• Where did the name Penny & Sparrow come from?
• Was there a moment where you felt like you made it?
• Tell us about your latest album, Finch.

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On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Old Forester 1910 Old Fine Whisky. This non-age stated bourbon is 93 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.

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John Little and John Foster of Smooth Ambler are good friends of the show. We’ve had them on before and they’ve been doing a lot of stuff recently to keep their audiences engaged. They have a new video series, divulge their plans for future whiskey production, and talk about their latest launch of their MGP based Old Scout. Tune in to hear their take on what’s happened to American Whiskey in the past 2 years.

Show Notes:

• KDA Press Release: https://kybourbon.com/2-barrels-for-every-kentuckian-distillers-top-9-million-barrels-for-first-time-in-modern-era/
• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about blind tastings.
• Tell us about your video series on YouTube.
• What’s been happening in the past two years?
• When are you going to use the new make?
• What is the game plan for Rye?
• What’s the plan for the American Whiskey?
• Let’s talk about sourced whiskey.
• Do you see Big Level as always evolving?
• Do you consider yourselves a craft distiller?
• What impact has Smooth Ambler made in West Virginia?
• What’s the Whiskey Wagon?
• What benefits have you experienced from the Pernod Ricard deal?
• Where does the name Smooth Ambler come from?

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On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel Bourbon. It’s non-age stated, barrel strength, and import only. Let us know what you think. Cheers!

DISCLAIMER: This whiskey in this review was purchased by Bourbon Pursuit for reviewing. 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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In this Bourbon Pursuit exclusive, listen to a story from an admitted bourbon counterfeiter. This episode dives into the motives, operation, and recourse of a bourbon counterfeiter. Listen to how an addiction contributed to a cycle of refilling empty bottles and reselling them on the secondary markets and the ultimate price he had to pay. We hope this interview will serve as a lesson for not only folks connected with these circles, but also for whiskey producers to implement new packaging to protect their consumers.
DISCLOSURE: As a part of the agreement to come on the show, we are not revealing the identity of our guest as he wishes to remain anonymous. Any comments regarding the guest’s name will be deleted and anything shared is not factual and is considered libel.

Show Notes:

• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about online alcohol sales.
• How did you get into the bourbon market?
• When did you start thinking about counterfeiting?
• What made it easy to counterfeit?
• Why aren’t you in jail?
• How were you caught?
• What happened when you got caught by the community?
• Why did you not turn yourself in?
• Did you feel remorse or just bad because you got caught?
• How many counterfeit bottles did you create?
• How long have you been selling counterfeits?
• Did you ever counterfeit a Van Winkle?
• What was the fall out after you were caught?
• What kind of threatening phone calls did you receive?
• What was it like facing your family?
• Are you still with your wife?
• How can someone spot a fake?
• What did you refill with?
• Now that some time has passed, how are things going?
• Did you ever talk to any other counterfeiters?
• Did you consider it fun?
• Did you need the money?
• Are you starting to move on?
• Have your parents been able to look past the situation?
• How much revenue did you make?
• How were your kids affected?
• What would you say to someone thinking about counterfeiting?
• What did your friends think?
• What if you didn’t get caught? Would it be worth the money?
• Would you ever try to counterfeit again?

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On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Catoctin Creek Roundstone Rye Cask Proof. This non-age stated cask strength rye whiskey comes from Virginia, is 116 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.

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The Bourbon Community Roundtable is back with talk about Turkey, Rare Breed Rye and more rye whiskey coming to market. We then look at the landscape and ask ourselves “is bourbon priced fairly in today’s market?” because we often get blamed for calling bourbon undervalued. We wrap the show talking about the Jim Beam AirBNB as a potential PR stunt.

Show Notes:

• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about blending.
• What do you think about Wild Turkey’s new online videos called Talk Turkey with Matthew McConaughey? Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM3duQSIU3U
• Let’s talk Rare Breed Rye.
• Do you think Elijah Craig will come out with barrel proof rye?
• What about Elijah Craig Rye not being released in some states?
• Can distilleries really come out with more expressions?
• Who here thinks bourbon has been over or undervalued in its category and why?
• Do we need that million dollar bottle for bourbon?
• Who here thinks we are a problem?
• Let’s discuss some research on the growth of American whiskey.
• Report from ResearchAndMarkets.com: https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/4849286/american-whiskey-market-by-type-bourbon?utm_source=BW&utm_medium=PressRelease&utm_code=f832dw&utm_campaign=1311293+-+American+%2416.8+Billion+Whiskey+Market+to+2025%3a+Focus+on+Bourbon%2c+Tennessee%2c+Rye+Whiskey&utm_exec=chdo54prd
• What do you think about renting Jim Beam’s Historic Kentucky Home on Airbnb? https://www.travelandleisure.com/hotels-resorts/vacation-rentals/jim-beam-bourbon-historic-kentucky-home-airbnb
• Thanks to Blake from bourbonr.com and Jordan from BreakingBourbon.com for joining.

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On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Four Roses Small Batch Select. This 6-7 year old bourbon comes in at 104 proof and a $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.

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Bottled-in-Bond. It’s one of the revolutionary moments of American history, but has also become near and dear to many bourbon drinkers with good reason. We covered the in and outs of bottled-in-bond with Bernie Lubbers back on Episode 089 and it’s part of our Bourbon 101 podcasts. Since we know why bottled-in-bond is important, it’s time to find out who Bourbon Pursuit is going to claim as the best bottled in bond bourbon in 2019! We blind sample our way through 12 heavy weight contenders and put them in the Bottled-in-Bond Showdown. Who is going to be crowned champion? Listen and find out.

Show Notes:

• Elijah Craig Launching Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey: https://www.instagram.com/p/B3wt1feHdlZ/
• Amazon Gin: https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2019/10/21/Amazon-launches-its-own-spirits-brand-Tovess
• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about premium pricing.
• What is Bottled-in-Bond?
• Blind tasting of the following (in no particular order):
  • Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7yr
  • Henry McKenna Single Barrel Bottled-in-Bond
  • George Dickel Bottled-in-Bond
  • Old Bardstown Bottled-in-Bond
  • Old Grand Dad Bottled-in-Bond
  • 1792 Bottled-in-Bond
  • Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond
  • Jim Beam Bottled-in-Bond
  • JW Dant Bottled-in-Bond
  • Early Times Bottled-in-Bond
  • New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
  • Wilderness Trail Bottled-in-Bond

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On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Heaven Hill Bottled-In-Bond. This 7 year old bourbon comes in at 100 proof and a $40 MSRP. Let us know what you think in the comments. 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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New Riff is a name that has become synonymous with bourbon lovers. You may have recalled our conversation with Jay Erisman, Vice President, back on Episode 072, but this time we get to speak with Owner, Ken Lewis, who drives a bunch of the decision making behind the company. It feels like an episode of How I Built This as we get to hear Ken’s story. From owning and hustling liquor stores to eventually selling all that to start a distillery, hiring some great people, and having a few strokes of good luck to put him in the position where he is today. Then we also get to hear about his thoughts on stickers and some future plans he has in store for New Riff as well.

Show Notes:

• Jim Beam’s Historic Kentucky Home on Airbnb: https://www.travelandleisure.com/hotels-resorts/vacation-rentals/jim-beam-bourbon-historic-kentucky-home-airbnb
• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about the top 5 states for bourbon besides Kentucky.
• What is your title?
• Tell us about your entrepreneurial spirit.
• How did you get into the alcohol business?
• How did you end up in Northern Kentucky?
• Do you have any regrets getting rid of your stores?
• How did you decide to sell Party Source and start a distillery?
• How did you get interested in bourbon?
• When was your first taste of bourbon?
• How did you find the team to get the business off the ground?
• How did you chose the mash bills?
• Tell us about the O.K.I. days.
• Do you still do contract distilling?
• So why did you release the bourbon at 4 years?
• How is such a young product so good?
• How did you get such a great location?
• What are your future plans for the bourbon?
• Tells us about the balboa rye.
• What do you think of the single barrel stickers?

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