For Bourbon Community Roundtable number 101, where we dive deep into the recent news of Stoli and its subsidiary Kentucky Owl filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This important conversation touches on the implications for the bourbon community, the brand’s significant history, and our personal connections to its legacy. The group discusses how Kentucky Owl, once a celebrated brand under Dixon Dedman’s careful curation, managed to capture the hearts of bourbon enthusiasts with limited releases that truly stood out. We unpack the challenges leading to Kentucky Owl’s current predicament, we examine how Stoli’s acquisition strategies may have shifted the brand’s identity. Will Stoli choose to sell the brand as part of its restructuring?

Show Notes:

• Kentucky Owl’s Bankruptcy: A Reflection
• Future of Kentucky Owl: What Lies Ahead?
• Closing Thoughts on Kentucky Owl’s Journey
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Kentucky Owl has amassed a cult following. It hit the market in 2014 but didn’t gain nationwide sensation until recently. Dixon Dedman joins the show to talk about the Stoli investment, huge rye releases, and what’s in store for Batch 8 this fall. Listen as we talk about burnout as Dixon continues bussing tables and making fried chicken at the Beaumont Inn while building a brand.

Show Notes:

• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick discusses responsible drinking and taxation.
• Can you give a refresher of Kentucky Owl and Beaumont Inn?
• Are you getting to the point of burnout?
• How much time are you putting into Kentucky Owl?
• What has changed with Kentucky Owl in the past 2 years?
• Were you looking for investors or being sought out?
• Why did you choose Stoli over others?
• Was the goal to really get this big?
• Have you caught yourself saying you want to do Kentucky Owl full time?
• Talk a bit about the blends and batches
• What is the ultimate goal in how you can take something and scale it for blending?
• Why have different batches and not have something consistent?
• Give everyone a refresher on the bourbon process for re-barreling
• How long are you re-aging?
• How often are you putting out new batches?
• What are we doing different with Batch 8 vs Batch 7?
• Why start the Rye release?
• Do you want the bourbon to become as big as the rye release?
• How many bottles were in the Rye release?
• Are you putting more emphasis on the bourbon rather than the rye?
• Talk about the investment from Stoli and what’s going to happen with the theme park
• Talk about your epic samplings at Beaumont Inn on Instagram
• All Kentucky Owl Podcasts

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Dixon Dedman, Owner Operator of Beaumont Inn & Partner in Kentucky Owl, joins us to talk about his family history and how they revitalized a brand that died during prohibition.

Show Notes:

• Fantasy teams are now using high valued bourbons as entrance fees
• Let’s talk about you. Who are you and what have you been doing up to this point?
• Let’s talk about your bourbon. What got you into dealing with the brand?
• Why the tag name “The Wise Man’s Bourbon”?
• What made you go with a barrel proof bourbon?
• How many barrels went into the particular batches?
• So you take the barrels, and you dump them and put them into new charred barrels?
• Is there a big difference between Batch 1 and Batch 2? What about Batch 3?
• This is a KY only release. Why only KY?
• How does it feel to have this craze happening?
• Talk about the Old Owl Tavern on your property
• Where do you sit on the Bourbon Trail?
• For anyone still looking for a pour of KY Owl, can they get it at the tavern?
• Adam Johnson asks, What is the secret to the General Lee cake?
• How can people get in touch with you?