Bourbon Community Roundtable Podcasts

299 – Who owns J.W. Dant?, Bypassing Distributors, and Stimulus Spending on Bourbon Community Roundtable #55


The roundtable is back with another discussion about bourbon news and our take on it. We discuss Heaven Hill vs Log Still Distilling over the use of the Dant name and trademark, what does direct to consumer shipping in Kentucky mean now that distilleries can cut out the wholesalers, and if you were to spend your $1,400 stimulus check on bourbon, what would get?

Show Notes:

  • This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about posting bourbon on Instagram.
  • Heaven Hill has opened up a lawsuit against the Dant family for trying to use their family name as it infringes upon their label.
  • Kentucky HB415 has been signed into law with new direct to consumer laws that bypass the 3 tier system.
  • $1,400 stimulus checks are going out. If you are going to spend $1,400 on bourbon, what are you getting?
  • Thanks to @Bourbonr, @Sippn_Corn, and @BreakingBourbon for joining.

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295 – Death of Facebook Groups, Will You Buy Sourced Bourbon, & When Does Craft Stop Being Craft on Bourbon Community Roundtable #54


We’re back with another BCR and this time we have 3 topics to discuss. The rise and fall of facebook groups since it seems like no group is safe now. Does knowing the source of a bourbon impact your willingness to buy or not buy? At what point does craft bourbon stop being craft?

Show Notes:

  • This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about losing your sense of taste after being sick.
  • Are bourbon Facebook groups dead?
  • Does knowing the source change your mind about a product?
  • When does craft bourbon stop being craft?

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291 – What To Expect with MGP Purchasing Luxco on Bourbon Community Roundtable #53


MGP, the major powerhouse distillery in Indiana, has purchased Luxco who owns Lux Row distillers in Bardstown that produces legacy and heritage brands such as Rebel Yell, Ezra Brooks, Davies County, and many more. But what does this mean? The roundtable gets together and speculates on what we can expect for these brands as well as MGP’s existing brands such as Remus. But what does this ultimately mean for brands that have been sourcing MGP bourbon and rye for decades? Have we just witnessed the end of one avenue for sourced markets?

Show Notes:

  • This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about pairing bourbon with Girl Scout Cookies.
  • MGP buys LuxCo. What does this mean for the largest supplier of contract whiskey?
  • Was this a good move?
  • What will happen to the MGP sourced brands?
  • What do you think will happen with Yellowstone?
  • Will Luxco use MGP distillate?
  • Do you think Luxco will do contract distillation?
  • Thanks to Blake from Bourbonr.com, Nick from BreakingBourbon.com, and Brian from SippnCorn.com for joining.

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287 – 2021 Predictions on Bourbon Community Roundtable #52


Today’s podcast is looking forward in 2021. No one could have predicted the events of 2020, but let’s look into our magic 8 ball and see what we think will happen to bourbon in 2021.

Show Notes:

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282 – 2020 Release Hits and Misses on Bourbon Community Roundtable #51


It’s the last roundtable of 2020 and we discuss the hits and misses with 2020 bourbon releases. Most of the time we’re in agreement, but every once in a while there is one that tears the group apart. And Fred goes deep on some interesting history with entry barrel proof and wheated bourbons.

Show Notes:

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277 – Banning Van Winkle Sales, Do We Feel The Same?, and Who Said That? on Bourbon Community Roundtable #50


It’s the 50th Bourbon Community Roundtable! 4.5 years later and we are at a milestone podcast. I won’t get sappy because there is plenty of that towards the end, but we kick off the show talking about the recent news of many secondary groups banning Van Winkle Sales. Then we take a look back at our time together and play a few games of “who said that?”.

Show Notes:

  • This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about Halloween candy.
  •  Secondary groups have banned Pappy Van Winkle sales. What are your thoughts?
  • Do we still feel the same about our top 5 bourbons for beginners?
  • Are we still tired of $100 MGP… now $150 MGP bourbons?
  • Let’s play a game of Who Said That?

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273 – Brand Names, Barrel Proof Extensions, and In-Person vs Online Releases on Bourbon Community Roundtable #49


This week we look at how the size of a distiller will put a focus on their core name brand vs creating extensions. We talk a little bit about what you can and can’t patent in the whiskey business. Next, we examine the new Old Forester 150th anniversary and our thoughts on whether you would rather see single barrel cask strength releases or create a wide release. Lastly, we cover what has gone right and what’s been done wrong with limited edition releases that have happened in person and online.

Show Notes:

  • This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about how sometimes ignorance is bliss.
  • Orange juice, pulp or no pulp?
  • Why don’t new Distillers/Bottlers differentiate their products more? For instance,  Barrell Bourbon, Barrell Rye, Barrell Rum, Pinhook Rye, Pinhook Bourbon, Pinhook Cask Strength. Whereas Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Sazerac Rye, etc.
  • What can and can’t be patented in the whiskey business?
  • Old Forester drops 3 batches of cask strength at $150 per bottle. Before I saw the price, I thought it was going to be a competitor to ECBP or Bookers. Would you rather see wide releases at barrel proof or barrel selections at barrel proof? You can’t choose both.
  • Angel’s Envy Mizunara Cask, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, Four Roses LE Releases. What has been done right and what went wrong?

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269 – 80’s Movies, Blanton’s SFTB, and Online Releases on Bourbon Community Roundtable #48


On this 48th edition of the bourbon community roundtable, we talk about 80’s movies. Yes, it may have gone on a bit longer than anticipated, but it may have been the glory years of iconic movies. Then we dive into Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel and get into release season. Will the shift of having online releases be the new way forward?

Show Notes:

  • This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about bourbon heritage month.
  • 80’s movie showdown.
  • Blanton’s SFTB now available in the US. $150 is a great price point. However, very limited. So why price this higher than BTAC? Was it Ancient Age that dictated it?
  • The Party Source tried to sell Blanton’s Bourbon online, website crashed. Are there any good alternatives in the current climate?
  • Why are distilleries doing special releases on-site/inline only, but not permitting proxies to pick up?

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265 – Weller CYPB Data, Basil Hayden’s Changing Identity, Toasted Barrels, and Our Favorites So Far on Bourbon Community Roundtable #47


We look at the recently released results of the Weller CYPB data and ask ourselves if this data matches up to a normal consumer or a bourbon enthusiast. Make sure you check out yourperfectbourbon.com to see how well the site and survey is done. We then examine Basil Hayden and our thoughts behind the brand’s evolving character of having blends, finishes, and high aged expressions. And what’s up with all the toasted barrels recently? Will there be more to come? Lastly, we wrap it up with our favorite bourbon so far in 2020.

Show Notes:

  • This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about craft distillers.
  • Weller CYPB and the data. Does it add up?
  • Basil Hayden and it’s shifting identity.
  • Are Toasted Barrels all the rage now? Old Forester 1910, Michter’s, and now Elijah Craig.
  • What’s the best bourbon you’ve tried so far this year?

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261 – Sazerac Purchases Early Times, Visiting the Trail, and Fill Levels on Bourbon Community Roundtable #46


Does the purchase of Early Times by Sazerac signal trouble in the water for Brown-Forman? We look at the motivation behind this and if tariffs could have a future impact as well. If you’re thinking about visiting distilleries and experiencing Kentucky, is now the time to do it or wait until things settle down? And lastly, we ask ourselves what do we do with a bottle that only has 2 or 3 pours left? Finish it or save it?

Show Notes:

  • This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about People Magazine.
  • Sazerac purchased Early Times. What will happen to a recent bourbon entrant that has become a beloved bottom shelfer?
  • Distilleries are slowly starting to open back up. Would you go ahead and take your KY vacation now or wait?
  • Do you look at bottle fill levels and feel the need to finish them off or keep them?
  • Thanks to Blake from bourbonr.com, Jordan from BreakingBourbon.com, and Brian from sippncorn.com for joining.

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