On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Old Forester 2019 Birthday Bourbon. This 11 year old bourbon is 105 proof and priced at $99.99 MSRP.

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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Last week, CNN reported that Facebook and Instagram are shutting down all peer to peer sales of alcohol. This wasn’t a joke. In the span of 72 hours, all of the major bourbon groups were wiped out. The secondary market is synonymous with Facebook. The growth of bourbon’s popularity can be attributed to it as well by those that are in it to flip bottles. Owen Powell didn’t create the first group to buy, sell, and trade bourbon, but he certainly created the largest. The Bourbon Secondary Market group is no longer around on Facebook, but the story of how it was built, the ways discussions were moderated, and how it served as a data gold mine for valuations is told. We uncover the progression of the group from a few hundred members to reaching over 50,000, what leads to certain distilleries being banned on a black market, and if the secondary market will actually end if Facebook groups cease to exist.

Show Notes:

• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about Parker’s Heritage Collection.
• How did you get into bourbon?
• Talk about the growth of the group. Were there any growing pains?
• How many members are in the group?
• How many admins do you have?
• What do you look for in admins?
• Why do people have animosity towards admins in these groups?
• Let’s talk about the rules in the group.
• How did the secondary raffle site become its own thing?
• How does a dispute come about?
• What do all the acronyms mean?
• What is the best way to handle a dispute?
• Have you ever had accusations of counterfeits?
• How do you handle that kind of situation?
• Why did you do an open group?
• Do you keep a log of all the transactions?
• You’ve banned a few distilleries. How are rules like that determined?
• Why do you run the group even though you don’t get paid?
• What do you do when someone prices something too high?
• What about monthly dues?
• Do you think groups could end on Facebook?

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On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Old Fitz Bottled-in-Bond Spring 2019 release. This 13 year old bourbon is 100 proof and priced at $129.99 MSRP.

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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Chris Morris and Elizabeth McCall are no strangers to the show so we’re excited to have them back on again. This time, we explore the controversial topic of “what is a master distiller?”. How is a title like that earned through years of service? How is Brown-Forman laying the foundation for Elizabeth to take over when Chris is ready to retire? We also talk about barrels from their cooperage, the influence of char on their whiskey, and this week’s Whiskey Quickie, the King of Kentucky.

Show Notes:

• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about rapid aging.
• Lawsuit challenges out-of-state retailers’ ability to sell, deliver and ship alcohol to Kentucky consumers – https://www.wdrb.com/news/lawsuit-challenges-out-of-state-retailers-ability-to-sell-deliver/article_4881080e-acc4-11e9-9dbc-8b443dc97b9e.html
• Join us on barrel selections and see what other perks await. Support the podcast at https://www.patreon.com/bourbonpursuit
• Come drink some beer with us at 3rd Turn Brewing on July 26th from 4-7pm https://www.facebook.com/events/327452114804983/
• Elizabeth, tell us about your role.
• Do different Master Distiller’s have different styles?
• Is there a Master Distiller training manual?
• What do you think of everyday people becoming Master Distillers without significant training?
• What is a Master Distiller today?
• How do you know a bourbon will be good once it’s aged?
• What flavors or notes do you consider defects?
• Are we going to see more single malts come out of Brown-Forman?
• Why is there such a fascination with making malts work?
• Tell us about the latest Distiller’s Select?
• Are there two different char levels on the double double oaked?
• Talk about owning your own cooperage.
• Tell us about King of Kentucky.
• Why did you chose this label?
• Is there any pressure on Elizabeth to live up to Chris?
• How did you feel when you became a Master Distiller?
• Recorded live at Down One Bourbon Bar in Louisville, KY.

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On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Brown-Forman’s King of Kentucky 2019 release. This 15 year old single barrel bourbon is available only in Kentucky, comes in at 131 proof, and a $249.99 MSRP. Let us know what you think in the comments.

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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We talk about private barrel selections being the new unicorns on this show all the time. But it begs the question, are we seeing so many private picks that the market is oversaturated? It seems like every week there is a new barrel in our city for sale, FOMO about some sweet sticker, or the secondary market has a crazy valuation on a normal single barrel selection. We examine all the components that go into getting single barrels such as the amount of influence from distributor reps, the amount of available barrels at the distilleries, and if you would buy from a big chain vs a small independent store. Will there ever be enough bourbon to go around and not over bloat the market? We’ll find out.

Show Notes:

• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about Portugal.
• What got you into to buying private barrel picks?
• What’s the landscape of private picks in DC?
• With the increase in stores wanting private picks, are some stores going to get shut out of the program?
• Do you think distilleries should be taking care of the bigger accounts over the smaller stores that started doing picks earlier?
• Is there a bias towards certain states?
• Would you want to buy a private barrel pick from a big box liquor store?
• Does the local sales rep make a difference?
• What about restaurant picks?
• Do you think distilleries are running out of barrels for their private barrel programs?
• Is the market flooded with private selections?
• What could distilleries do to give one store an advantage over another?
• Let’s discuss stickers. Do they influence your purchase?
• Should stores slow down barrel picks?
• Why are some people spending so much for private picks on the secondary market?

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On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Peerless Distilling Company’s 3 Year Old Rye Whiskey.  This single barrel rye whiskey came from the gift shop at 107 proof and a $99 MSRP.

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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A warehouse disaster is a large concern for the bourbon industry, but some people in the community make jokes and laugh at the situation. Should this be considered normal? Heaven Hill phased out their 6 Year Bottled in Bond product that was a true bargain brand to many bourbon consumers and launched a very similar product with a 3X price increase. Was this a good move by Heaven Hill? Are they competing in a high price bracket? Did they just cannibalize their own products? Is this the first #KentuckySnub? We tackle all this and more on Bourbon Community Roundtable #34.

Show Notes:

• This week Ryan talks about launching a bourbon brand.
• Look for a new segment called Whiskey Quickie launching next week.
• Brian Harra’s Sazerac Brands v. Peristyle: Bourbon History Matters as a Matter of Law – https://brianhaaracom.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/haara-bourbon-history-matters-as-a-matter-of-law-ky-jeanrl-2019.pdf
• Jim Beam Warehouse Fire
• Heaven Hill 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond
• Was it the right move to discontinue 6-Year BIB and relaunch with 7-Year at a higher price point?
• Do you think this product competes with the Woodford and Knob Creek price point?
• Is Heaven Hill competing against themselves?
• Why wouldn’t Heaven Hill launch in Kentucky on day one?
• How do you best support retailers that elevate prices for hard to find bottles?

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If you’re a fan of good bourbon, then you’re likely a fan of good food too. Today’s guest is the intersection of those two, combining a culinary background with his love for the south and, of course, bourbon. You may know Chef Newman Miller from his appearance on Top Chef season 16. He’s also the Executive Chef and Owner of Star Hill Provisions at Maker’s Mark and the Harrison Smith House in Bardstown. We talk about his culinary background, where he played a part in the creation of the McDonald’s McGriddle and behind the scenes at Top Chef. His deep dive into bourbon was influenced by Drew Kulsveen of Willett. So if you’re a wannabe chef or if you’re an occasional TV dinner kind of person, this episode is going to have something for you.

Show Notes:

• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about 4th of July.
• What was Padma from Top Chef like in real life?
• What was it like when you heard about being on Top Chef?
• Why do you think they chose Kentucky for Top Chef?
• What did the chefs think of being in smaller towns?
• Was it challenging to cook for everyone?
• What’s a banana croquet?
• How cool was it to have the chefs create versions of your dishes?
• How hard is it to judge fellow chefs?
•  Tell us about your relationship with Rob Samuels. Was there a pep talk before the show?
• Were you relieved once it was over?
• How did you get into food?
• Did you approach Maker’s about making food there?
• Will some of the main food distributors come down to Maker’s?
• What are your biggest challenges?
• How hard was it to convince the locals to try higher end food?
• Talk about meeting Drew Kulsveen and how you got into the bourbon community.
• Where did your passion for bourbon come from?
• Besides Maker’s, do you have a special bourbon that you love?
• Tell us about your connection to the McGriddle.
• Where does bourbon and food intersect for you?
• Talk about Star Hill Provisions.
• How do you see the future unfolding for the bourbon/tourism industry in Bardstown/Kentucky?
• Why did you name the restaurant Harrison/Smith House?

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Today’s guest needs no introduction. He is one the most iconic living figures in bourbon today. He’s been on episodes 77, 105, and 175. He’s even got his own personalized scooter to get him around the distillery and that is Jimmy Russell. This podcast touches on his early years and how he was selected to become the next master distiller. He talks about the changes he saw at the distillery as it exchanged hands throughout the years. Also, we get to hear the story on the birth of Rare Breed and his opinion on chill filtering vs non-chill filtering debate.

Show Notes:

• The history of JW Dant and Log Still Distillery – https://www.distillerytrail.com/blog/j-w-dant-investing-12-million-to-restart-historic-distillery-in-the-bourbon-capital-of-the-world/
• Heaven Hill 7 Year Bottled in Bond Launch – https://www.facebook.com/bourbonpursuit/posts/2640636035998401?__tn__=K-R
• Leave us a review! https://link.chtbl.com/LeaveAReview
• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about speaking at a Total Wine event in Atlanta.
• Does limestone water make a difference in bourbon?
• How long does it take to cook bourbon?
• Can you burn the mash?
• When did you start at the distillery?
• What roles have you had at the distillery?
• What Master Distiller trained you?
• How did he decide he wanted to train you?
• What were the early years like?
• Was there anything from prohibition that affected the distillery operations when you started?
• Will you all need to increase capacity soon?
• What was it like when you first started traveling to talk about Wild Turkey?
• What were your biggest challenges on the road?
• Were you nervous when you first went out on the road?
• Were you happy traveling and talking to the consumers?
• What was the name of the distillery before Wild Turkey?
• What was it like to distill then ship the bourbon away?
• Tell us about the other former Lawrenceburg distilleries.
• What was it like when you were out on the road? Do you think it helped grow the brand?
• Do you prefer to travel or be at the distillery?
• Tell us about Kentucky Spirit and Rare Breed.
• How often are you going through and sampling barrels?
• Do you have a favorite warehouse?
• Do you have a favorite floor?
• Why do you only have 7 floors?
• What innovations have you seen throughout your time in the bourbon industry?
• Talk about your rye mashbill.
• What do you think of non-distilling producers?
• Tell us about the inception of Rare Breed.
• Do you like the barrel char flavor?
• What do you think of chill vs. non-chill filtered?
• What kind of steak do you like?
• How much time do you spend at the visitor’s center?
• What do you drive most of the time?
• Are you excited to have Bruce at the distillery?
• Did you ever want to own the distillery?
• Why do whiskey consumers get enthralled with age statements?
• Any life advice for younger generations?

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You can’t discount the impact marijuana is currently having on states that have legalized recreational use. There’s now more research and funding looking at the impact of marijuana not only from a medicinal use, but also economic footprint that funds many city and state government initiatives. Of course, liquor industries are curious and want to make sure this doesn’t hurt sales. Will it? I don’t know, but today’s guests do. David Ozgo, Chief Economist at Distilled Spirits Council and Clay Busch, Vice President of Heavy Grass join the show to talk from their respective sides. Those advocating widespread legalization helps everyone, and those taking precautions for its hurting sales of the spirits business.

Show Notes:

• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about Kentucky state pride.
• What’s your connection to bourbon?
• Give us some background on your organizations.
• Do you encourage smoking weed to harness creativity?
• Is there a concern from the Distilled Spirits Council with the combination of marijuana and spirits?
• Let’s discuss consuming responsibly.
• Should brands try to align themselves with marijuana?
• Tell us about the research the government is doing on marijuana?
• How would spirit companies use marijuana in their portfolio?
• What is CBD compared to marijuana?
• Do you think marijuana has an impact on the spirits industry?
• Are people worried about marijuana impacting spirits?
• How do national companies handle marijuana use with employees that live in legal states?
• What do you think about experimentation of marijuana in spirits?
• What is your goal in regards to marijuana?
• What are your thoughts on hemp?
• Are they worried about the spirit or their pocket books?
• How can you pair marijuana with whiskey?

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A jam packed episode. The first half is focused on the the largest Facebook group known for buying, selling, and trading bourbon and it’s encounter with Facebook staff about rule changes. We cover the news and share the information as it’s presented. In the second half of the show, we are joined by Marianne Eaves as she discusses her departure from Castle & Key and what’s on the horizon for her next adventure. This episode has a little bit of everything. Oh yeah, and a teaser about marijuana with bourbon which you can look forward to hearing more next week.

Show Notes:

• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about Bottled-In-Bond and Bernie Lubbers.
• The Next Phase of the Bourbon Secondary Market. Facebook is cracking down.
• What will be the next iteration of the secondary market?
• When did you get the news and how did you feel about it?
• Will this start more segmented smaller groups?
• Are there any other platforms where the secondary market could exist?
• How does one have bourbon as a hobby and ensure that he or she is not becoming an alcoholic in the process?
• Are Sober Bars going to become a thing?
• What’s new with Marianne Eaves?
• What was the response from other companies to you leaving Castle and Key?
• Are you interested in other spirits?
• Have you been trained in other spirits?
• What’s your favorite style of gin?
• What’s next for you?
• What do you all think about marijuana infused bourbon?

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Peggy Noe Stevens is an encyclopedia of great information about many bourbon brands. You may not know it, but she’s one of the biggest influencers behind many of the great distillery experiences while on the bourbon trail and outside of the state too. Peggy is a pioneer in driving diversity with her leadership behind the Bourbon Women organization and involvement with women-led panels. Peggy is an incredibly talented person that has shaped the industry from being in front of people leading them at bourbon tastings and crafting one of kind experiences behind the scenes.

Show Notes:

• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about Wikipedia.
• What is an experiential expert?
• Who have you consulted for these experiences?
• What value do you bring to these experiences?
• What was it like working at Woodford Reserve?
• How do you elevate the experience?
• How do balance the history with modern day innovation?
• Explain the difference between someone coming up the ranks in the bourbon industry vs. someone just taking it.
• What was it like when you were named the first female master taster?
• Do you feel like the media is better today that back then?
• What about diversity in the whiskey industry?
• Was Lincoln Henderson your Mr. Miyagi?
• What are you doing today with this master taster role?
• Let’s discuss Bourbon Women.
• What was your inspiration for Bourbon Women?
• Tell us about the growth of Bourbon Women.
• How do you market the organization?
• What type of members do you have?
• What are visitors looking for in a distillery experience?
• How do you deal with a difficult person in the hospitality industry?
• How did you help pioneer the Bourbon Trail?

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This guest gets more TV face time than The Bachelorette. He has built up a big fan base among weather geeks and now Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel joins Bourbon Pursuit to talk about his career, braving crazy storms, and how weather patterns and global warming are affecting today’s bourbon stocks. We also get to hear a funny story shared by Jim and Fred as they were drilling barrels of whiskey together at Jack Daniels. This episode gives you a look into Jim’s everyday life and how bourbon became a part of it.

Show Notes:

• The Curation Desk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fSTu8zbAwM
• Chuck Cowdery’s Top Bourbon List https://chuckcowdery.blogspot.com/2019/05/the-best-bourbons-ever.html
• Pursuit Series Episodes 010 and 011 https://pursuitspirits.com/
• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about whiskey decanters.
• How did you get involved in weather?
• When did you start drinking whiskey?
• After you first started drink bourbon, what were you seeking out in the store or bar?
• What’s the strangest thing anyone has said to you in public?
• Do you get annoyed that people associate you with disasters?
• Do you get a high being in bad weather?
• Do you ever get panicked in certain weather situations?
• When you celebrate a job well done, what do you drink?
• Tell us about your interest in cars.
• Was deflategate real?
• Can your joints hurt from weather changes?
• Does increased rain impact a microclimate? Waters are rising around distilleries. How will it impact the warehouses?
• Will the rain affect the white oak trees?
• Do you predict any climate shifts in the Kentucky area that could affect bourbon?
• Tell us about the time you picked out a barrel with Fred.
• How does humidity affect barrels?
• Jim Cantore Website/Social https://jimcantore.tv/

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What if there was a legalized secondary market? Some may argue there is with new vintage laws being introduced around the country, but then there is the massive flood of online marketplaces that don’t have any regulation whatsoever. It’s a touchy subject because anyone that is really into bourbon, has seemed to find their way into these corners of the web. And lets be honest, most of us have had to do some sort of buy, sell, or trade to get bottles that we desire. It’s the nature of the game and this show looks at the premise of if you could build your own legal secondary market, what would it look like? We are joined by bourbon enthusiast Nate Shue, a Patreon supporter, on this topic.

Show Notes:

• KDA and BIER report on the Kentucky Bourbon industry’s energy, water, and emissions data. – https://www.bieroundtable.com/news/formalizing-sustainability-kentucky-bourbon-industry-collaborates-with-bier/
• Whiskey Stocks and the Bubble Burst – https://www.barrons.com/articles/u-s-whiskey-stocks-like-brown-forman-have-soared-beware-the-bourbon-bubble-51557514898
• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about whiskey ‘first’ marketing.
• When did you start getting into bourbon?
• What do you think started the secondary market craze?
• What are the issues with the secondary market?
• Do you think referral secondary markets like Wine Searcher or Blur Book hurt or help?
• How does the value get established?
• What would happen if you removed the community aspect of the secondary market?
• Do you think other states should have laws similar to Washington D.C.?
• What about auction houses like Christie’s?
• If you were to have a legal secondary market, what would it look like?
• Should distilleries price the bourbon so high that it basically eliminates the secondary market?
• Do you think if they shut down the secondary market overnight, would it just come back?

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