Bourbon Community Roundtable Podcasts

257 – The Best 10 Year Age Stated Bourbon, Knob Creek Picks, and Father’s Day Ideas on Bourbon Community Roundtable #45


Today’s roundtable is a potpourri of bourbon questions. We talk about our favorite 10 year age stated bourbons that are readily available. We look into the high aged Knob Creek releases, including the 15 and 12 year, and what this could mean for the private barrel selection program. Then, we talk about some Father’s Day gift ideas that we would like to have. Lastly, we take a moment to look back in time and ask ourselves what we would have done differently if we got into bourbon earlier. This episode is dedicated to raising funds for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Bourbon Pursuit has pledged $1000 to help bring awareness and equality.

Show Notes:

  • NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund: https://www.naacpldf.org/
  • This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about aliens.
  • What does your spouse think of your bourbon habit?
  • What’s the best age stated 10 year old bourbon?
  • 15 year Knob Creek is being priced at $100+. What happened to the 15 year picks for $45?
  • Father’s Day is coming up. If you are buying for the bourbon hobbyist, what’s the best possible gift to get? What would *you* want?
  • We all got into this bourbon hobby at different times and learned a lot along the way. If you could go back to the beginning when you got into bourbon, what would you do differently? Aside from buying up every rare bottle on the store shelves.

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253 – OKI Relaunch, Craft Bourbon Bust, and Return of Age Stated Knob Creek on Bourbon Community Roundtable #44

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Today’s podcast featuring the roundtable talks about the controversial relaunch of the OKI brand. We examine the potential motivating factors behind New Riff selling the label and if it’s a pure money grab by the new company that owns it. We then look at the current landscape of craft distillers and if they will survive the COVID-19 conditions as over 43% of all craft distillery workers have now been laid off or furloughed. Lastly, we see an age statement return to Knob Creek.

Show Notes:

  • This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about buying whiskey for cheap during the pandemic.
  • OKI is being relaunched with new ownership. Why would New Riff do this and is it a money grab?
  • 118 craft distillers surveyed recently, 42% said they do not believe they will able to stay in business for more than three months with COVID-19. Is the craft boom going to bust?
  • The return of 12 and 9 year Knob Creek. What does this mean for private barrel selections?
  • Thanks to Blake from bourbonr.com, Nick from BreakingBourbon.com, Brian from sippncorn.com, and Kerry from Subourbia for joining.

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249 – Will COVID-19 Change Bourbon Commerce Laws Forever? Bourbon Community Roundtable #43


Today’s podcast, as you guessed it, is a reflection on what’s been happening with COVID-19. The whiskey industry is going to see some big changes. We’ve seen legislation pass as it relates to shipping and delivery of alcohol because it’s deemed an essential part of living and our culture. How long will this trend stick around and will we see this continue when the pandemic is over? Do you want to see more relaxed liquor laws? Lets hear it in the comments.

Show Notes:

  • This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about grains.
  • Lots has changed since our last roundtable with COVID-19.
  • Are people actually drinking more? Or are they just hoarding?
  • Is distribution down with distilleries producing hand sanitizer?
  • Will COVID-19 change consumer demand indefinitely with services for shipping and delivery?
  • KY HB415 has passed. What could this mean for the greater United States?
  • Should these large corporations that have donated 50k, 500k, or 1M be donating more? Billions in revenue vs a small donation amount in comparison.
  • When this is all over, what’s the best thing that will come out of COVID-19?

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245 – COVID-19 Effect on Bourbon and Blanton’s Hysteria on Bourbon Community Roundtable #42


On this episode, we discuss two topics that are top of mind. First, is the Coronavirus and how it’s impacting the bourbon industry. Then we take a look at the hype and hysteria that surrounds Blanton’s. We dive into the recent news of Blanton’s Gold making its way to the US and if we think $120 SRP is a deal you should jump on. You will hear a new voice for a few minutes and that is Aaron Goldfarb. You may have seen his work on various publications around the web. He wasn’t able to stay on due to some technical difficulties, but we hope to have him on again soon.

Show Notes:

  • Barrel Shortage: https://www.thedailybeast.com/is-there-a-bourbon-barrel-shortage-on-the-horizon
  • This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about taxes.
  • What are distilleries doing for coronavirus?
  • History of Blanton’s.
  • How did Blanton’s become so popular?
  • Will limiting the purchases of allocated items work?
  • Why don’t distilleries use technology to manage this problem?
  • Blanton’s Gold coming to the US. Is it because of tariffs?
  • Are they taking away from the European allocation?
  • How can you make more product with only one warehouse?
  • Will quality suffer with increased production?
  • What other companies have a similar strategy to Blanton’s?
  • What do you think of the price point?
  • Will Straight from the Barrel ever come to the U.S.?
  • Thanks to Blake from bourbonr.com, Jordan from BreakingBourbon.com , Brian from sippncorn.com, and Aaron Goldfarb for joining.

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241 – Celebrities in Bourbon and the Current State of the Secondary on Bourbon Community Roundtable #41


On this episode, we touch on three topics. First, we look at how bourbon producers can reach new consumers. Then we take on the new celebrity craze. Over the past year, there have been about half a dozen music artists and TV personalities that have come out with bourbons. While we don’t see this trend stopping, we ask ourselves if this is good for bourbon as a whole. Lastly, we examine the current state of the secondary market. It’s a group consensus that we all miss it, but how has it affected value, store pricing, and distributor allocation?

Show Notes:

  • This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about celebrity whiskey.
  • How do bourbon producers reach new customers?
  • What about new label designs?
  • What do you think about celebrities getting into bourbon?
  • Are celebrities helping or hurting bourbon?
  • Let’s discuss the current state of the secondary market.

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237 – Oversaturated Sourced Bourbon and Private Barrels on Bourbon Community Roundtable #40


This week’s Bourbon Community Roundtable touches on lots of good hot topics. We look at MGP’s stock as it continues it’s downward trend with our thoughts on how this will play out for them. Then we talk about sourcing in general and if consumers are getting oversaturated with the same bulk market products. Stickers are always a fun subject, but this week there was one released that got national media attention. Will distilleries crack down on stickers? Lastly, we congratulate Old Forester on it’s revamp of the barrel program and cap it off with our most annoying bourbon terms.

Show Notes:

  • This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks more about smoked grains.
  • Breaking Bourbon announces Stagg Jr. as their whiskey of the year. Let’s discuss.
  • What do you think about the MPG losses for the 3rd quarter in a row?
  • Is the bourbon market oversaturated with brands?
  • What happens when the aged whiskey runs out?
  • Let’s discuss the effect of stickers on bottles.
  • What do you think about the New Riff Pitino sticker?
  • Sticker predictions?
  • Brown-Forman comes out with a barrel proof single barrel program for Old Forester. What is taking everyone else so long?
  • What’s the most annoying term in bourbon?

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229 – Instagram Likes, Pappy vs The Secondary, and Thanksgiving on Bourbon Community Roundtable #39


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:

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225 – Talk Turkey, Rye Entrants, Bourbon Values, and AirBNB on Bourbon Community Roundtable #38


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:

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220 – The Van Winkle Family and Bourbon Community Roundtable #37

This episode is a twofer. You get the Van Winkle Family and the Bourbon Community Roundtable all in one which took place at Bourbon & Beyond 2019. Julian gives history about the brand and the timeline of when it became a part of the Sazerac portfolio. One of Julian’s daughters talks about the emergence of Pappy & Co and how she is more of a tequila person and never really gets to drink any of the family bourbon. Preston talks about their involvement with crack down of the secondary market groups as a counterfeiting measurement. Fred keeps lots of good questions rolling along that you all will find interesting. The 2nd half of the podcast is a live recording of the bourbon community roundtable as we share thoughts on the festival, the news that broke the evening prior, and what we recommend for those who can’t get Pappy. There’s almost too much going on, but it’s timely and full of good info you all will enjoy.

Show Notes:

  • This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about Bourbon and Beyond.
  • What was it like when your dad was trying to sell whiskey when no one was interested?
  • Did you ever sneak in and steal some whiskey from your dad?
  • What was it like for bourbon in the 1980s?
  • How did you barter with whiskey?
  • Were you ever worried that you would have to close the company?
  • When you were a child, did you feel the stress your dad was experiencing?
  • Tell us about the moment you realized you wouldn’t have to shut down.
  • What was the thinking behind partnering with Buffalo Trace?
  • What do you think about your haters?
  • What is the relationship with Buffalo Trace like?
  • Does Preston have the same palette as Julian?
  • What’s your favorite expression?
  • Is it ok to drink Pappy 23 with coke?
  • What does the future look like for the brand?
  • Do you plan on increasing the price?
  • What steps have you taken to curb the secondary market?
  • What would happen if you were in the same room as an alleged counterfeiter?
  • What did you learn from the sessions so far at Bourbon and Beyond?
  • Thoughts on the Van Winkle session.
  • Who caught up with Marianne Eaves?
  • If you can’t get Pappy, what do you recommend?

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217 – Pernod Acquires Jefferson’s, Festivals, the Artificial Tongue, and EU Tariffs on Bourbon Community Roundtable #36

Welcome to Bourbon Heritage Month where it’s full of awesome festivals like Bourbon and Beyond. We dive into the show talking about Pernod’s intent to acquire Castle Brands which Jefferson’s is a major portfolio player and if $223 million was a good deal. We comment on PBR’s newest whiskey which is aged for a grand total of 5 seconds. Next is looking at the artificial tongue and what this could mean to the future of the industry. We wrap it up examining EU tariffs and it’s impact 1 year later on the whiskey market.

Show Notes:

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