On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Rare Hare Lucky Bastard Whiskey. This 30 year old Canadian whiskey is 89 proof and $600 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 October 20th 2023. The Whiskey House announces its operation date, American Whiskey exports could face a 50% tariff soon, and King of Kentucky is returning this year with the release of its sixth edition.

Show Notes:

• The Whiskey House announces its operation date
• The 10 most-consumed alcoholic drinks in the world
• Burglars used tractor trailers to steal more than $1.6 million worth of alcohol from Republic National Distributing Company
• BAXUS has announced the launch of its whiskey and wines marketplace
• It’s Bourbon Night announces the first ever BIG Bourbon Night
• American Whiskey Exports Could face a 50% tariff soon
• Pinhook Artist Series No. 3 Double Blended Bourbon
• Laws Whiskey House Special Finish Series release: Honey Cask Finished Bourbon
• Barrell Foundation Bourbon
• Booker’s Batch 2023-03 Mighty Fine Batch
• New Riff dual release of two 8-year-old whiskeys
• Woodford Reserve 2023 Master’s Collection release – Sonoma Triple Finish
• King of Kentucky is returning this year with the release of its sixth edition
• @rndcusa @baxus.@co @itsbourbonnight @pinhook_bourbon @lawswhiskey @barrellbourbon @newriff @woodfordreserve
• Support this podcast on Patreon

Is the daily drinker dead? I take this roundtable into the direction of deep thoughts once again. At some point in our bourbon journey, someone has asked you “what’s your go to?” and maybe you had an answer, but today you may be uncertain about it. I ask everyone on the roundtable if we’re living in the golden age of american whiskey and if they feel there’s too many options on the shelf to be living in the bubble of only a few bottles.

Show Notes:

• Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about bourbon legislation.
• Is the daily drinker dead?
• Are we living in the golden age of American Whiskey?
• How do you break away from the daily drinker?
• @breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs
  @bourbonr
• Support this podcast on Patreon

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On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Elijah Craig Ryder Cup Toasted Barrel Bourbon. This non-age state bourbon is 94 proof and $100 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 October 13th 2023. The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection details have been announced, a new world record has been set for the most bourbon bottles at a bar
, and you can spend the night in a bourbon barrel

Show Notes:

• Warehouse H: The Story of Blanton’s Bourbon
• Prohibition Bourbon Bar at Newberry Bros. Coffee in Newport, Kentucky has set the world record
• Uncle Nearest will launch a Cognac brand
• Diageo countersued Sean Combs in New York state
• Whiskey Riot expands 2024 tour
• Devils River Whiskey partners with Dave Bautista
• Catoctin Creek Distilling Company reacquires its interest from Constellation Brands
• Bourbon Barrel Retreats in Lawrenceburg
• WIDOW JANE’S THE VAULTS 2023
• WOODFORD RESERVE 2023 HOLIDAY BOTTLE
• Philadelphia Eagles launch Bird Gang Spirits
• Heaven’s Door Spirits launches “Homesick Blues” Minnesota Wheated Bourbon
• Never Say Die Rye Whiskey
• Nelson Brothers Rye Whiskey
• WhistlePig 12 Rye Whiskey
• Yellowstone Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Toasted Staves.
• A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 11
• Milam & Greene Whiskey Free-Tailed Bat Single Barrel Bourbon
• Blue Run 8-Year-Old Single Barrel
• The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection
• @warehousehinfo @newbery_prohibition @unclenearest @diageo @whiskeyriotfestival @devilsrwhiskey @davebautista @catoctincreeks @bourbonbarrelretreats @widowjane @woodfordreserve @heavensdoor @whistlepigwhiskey @yellowstonebourbon @drinkhighwest @milamandgreenewhiskey @bluerunspirits @buffalotrace
• Support this podcast on Patreon

New Riff has been a brand that many whiskey enthusiasts have followed for many years. I was excited to have Jay Erisman on the show, once again, to talk about his vision for New Riff. Jay came into the industry with no production experience but learned the ropes quickly. Under the guise of Ken Lewis, New Riff put a focus on unique grain experimentation over finishes. Over time, that itch for curiosity has built famous releases based on heirloom grains and a brand new vision for single malt. Through collaborations with farmers and consumers, New Riff has charted its own adventure in the spirits world

Show Notes:

• Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about nosing high proof spirits.
• Can you tell everyone again about how you got started at The Party Source and New Riff?
• Do you remember doing private Van Winkle picks?
• How did Ken Lewis impact today’s retail of beverage alcohol?
• How did you get smart real quick on running a distillery with no background?
• What brands inspired you to figure out what your whiskey was going to be?
• Did you make a bet on grain experimentation vs finishes?
• Have your batches been all luck or have there been some duds?
• Does New Riff have a higher educated consumer fanbase?
• Did you all try to embrace the single barrel fad?
• What’s the thought process behind the single malt project?
• Did you learn anything from the Kentucky regimine of heirloom varieties?
• @newriff
• Support this podcast on Patreon

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Very Olde St. Nick Immaculata. This non-age state bourbon is 118.1 proof and $260 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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At this point, if you’ve been listening to the show then you know there is a whole world of investor barrels and there is plenty of talk about a bourbon bubble burst and market saturation. For that reason, I’ve invited Jeremy Dever on the show. I’ve known Jeremy for a few years and he’s a wealth of knowledge and has a pulse on the market. He got his start working with Steve Thompson at Kentucky Artisan Distillery and transitioned to brokering barrels for investors without brands. We discuss barrel values, overproduction issues, and if now is a good time to launch a new brand or if it’s too late. It’s a reality check for many people because the modern day bourbon glut may have arrived.

Show Notes:

• Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about leading a quick bourbon tasting.
• How did you meet Steve Thompson and get into the spirits business?
• What was your role at Kentucky Artisan Distillery?
• At what point did you get into the barrel brokering market?
• What do investors with barrels do when they don’t have brands?
• What is the benchmark for barrels when figuring out the value?
• Should investors think about acquiring brands to sell the barrels?
• Now are investor barrels being held on to wait for higher ages?
• What are we going to do with overproduction and all the stillage?
• Is the best time or the worst time to start a bourbon brand?
• When will see the open barrel market start to level out?
• Support this podcast on Patreon

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Old Forester 2023 Birthday Bourbon. This 12 year old bourbon is 96 proof and $170 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 September 29th 2023. Buffalo Trace unveils the Prohibition Collection, Wyoming Whiskey has two new releases, and Chattanooga Whiskey releases their Bottled in Bond Vintage Series Fall 2019

Show Notes:

• River Roots Barrel Company opens for business
• Avalon Spirits has acquired Whiskey Row Bourbon
• Are you passionate about distillation and looking for a new role? Check out the ADI Job Board
• Buffalo Trace unveiled the Prohibition Collection
• Wyoming Whiskey has two new releases
• FEW Spirits and Alice In Chains announce All Secrets Known Bourbon
• RY3 Cask Strength Cigar Series
• Still Austin Whiskey Co. Bottled in Bond spirit: High Rye Bourbon
• TINCUP Fourteener Bourbon Whiskey
• Chattanooga Whiskey Bottled in Bond Vintage Series: Fall 2019
• @riverrootsbarrelco @buffalotracedistillery @wyomingwhiskey @fewspirits @stillatx @tincupwhiskey @chattwhiskey
• Support this podcast on Patreon

The bourbon boom has sparked intense interest in America’s native spirit, but has also raised complex questions for longtime aficionados and novices alike. With so many new releases and labeling tactics, it can be difficult to discern what defines a quality bourbon. Producers walk a fine line between innovation and tradition, while consumers struggle to separate marketing hype from honest craftsmanship. To help me dive into a bunch of topics I’ve invited Kris Hart to be on the show. He’s the co-creator of The Prideful Goat, an organizer for the Houston Whiskey Social, a contributing member of the Houston Bourbon Society and former guest on the show. We talk about balancing innovation with integrity because that are signs of disenchanting consumers in an increasingly crowded market. We touch on more fun TTB loopholes that I’m sure you will find interesting as well.

Show Notes:

• Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about getting the first sample to review.
• Have you memorized the entire TTB manual?
• How do you promote education without coming off critical?
• Do you feel like today’s new whiskey connoisseur doesn’t know what good bourbon tastes like?
• Why doesn’t Four Roses do more special releases?
• What happens to experiments that don’t make it to market?
• Is it possible to turn aged whiskey into bourbon?
• How do we keep companies honest with the labels they are filing to match the whiskey?
• How far have the rules been bent on bourbon?
• Do you feel as a producer that you have to put names to your releases for differentiation?
• Is adding coloring in scotch pretty common?
• What’s on the horizon for the prideful goat?
• Have we seen more consumer burnout?
• @whiskypete
• Support this podcast on Patreon

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch. This blend of 12-25 year old bourbon is 108 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 September 22nd 2023. Rare Character Finds Itself In A Legal Battle, Buffalo Trace Opens A New Visitor Experience in London, and Russell’s Reserve introduces Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson F.

Show Notes:

• Rare Character Finds Itself In A Legal Battle
• Tennessee Whiskey Trail is a top tourism destination
• Illva Saronno Holding has purchased a majority of Sagamore Spirit
• Chris Stapleton and Buffalo Traces will release Traveller Whiskey
• Buffalo Trace Distillery announces the forthcoming opening of Buffalo Trace Distillery London
• Medicinal Whiskey Charity is auctioning off a Willett barrel.
• Lexington is an Official Gateway sponsor to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
• Rebel Bourbon finished in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels
• Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson F
• Four Gate Whiskey Company and Kelvin Cooperage 60th anniversary
• BLACKENED x Rabbit Hole
• Remus Gatsby Reserve 2023 Edition
• Basil Hayden Malted Rye
• @rarecharacterwhiskey @fortunabourbon @sagamorespirit @illvasaronno_holding @chrisstapleton @buffalotracedistillery @rebelbourbon @russellsreservebourbon @fourgatewhiskey @kelvin_cooperage @blackenedamericanwhiskey @rabbithole @kzrabbithole @whiskeyrob @remusbourbon @basilhayden
• Support this podcast on Patreon

This is another installment of bourbon community roundtable but digging deep into the psychology realm. I posed this question a few weeks ago to our Patreon community to get some initial feedback and I asked them, when is it enough? Not enough of buying bourbon, I’m completely cool with that. But at what point do you have enough of the same thing? It’s pretty common to see people talking about and chasing the same bottles. Every day there is a load of comments on every picture of Blanton’s or there’s a line outside of a store with people waiting for Eagle Rare or Weller. And now we’re getting to the point where I’m seeing pictures with nothing except one type of bottle lined up 10 deep on the shelf of the same thing. So if you see an Eagle Rare and you grab it, and you have had it plenty of times, why do you continue to pull it off the shelf instead of thinking “maybe I should put my resources into something different?”. When is it enough? Are you looking for value? Are you looking for status? Are you afraid of change? I want to go deep once again to understand more of the bourbon buyer mentality.

Show Notes:

• Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about ex-bourbon barrels.
• When is it enough of the same bottle?
• Why have 10 of the same thing?
• Is it all for status?
• Has your taste changed?
• @breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs
  @bourbonr
• Support this podcast on Patreon

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On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review the 2023 Parker’s Heritage Collection. This 10 year old cask strength rye whiskey is 128.8 proof and $185 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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