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Bourbon Podcast

Bourbon Podcastwww.bourbonpodcast.com
The Premier Podcast for Bourbon Enthusiasts.™️
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Episodes

7/24/25 Proof Positive: Old Fitzgerald 7 Year

Old Fitzgerald Bourbon has a long history of excellence, dating back to 1870. Today, this 7-Year-Old expression is made under the exacting standards of the Bottled-in-Bond Act, with a whisper of wheat. Rich and viscous, with notes of brown sugar, baking spices, and oak—this Bourbon is worth sharing. So, make it Your Key to Hospitality. Cheers!

Jul 24, 202527 min

7/17/2025 Proof Positive: Old Stubborn Batch 2

Born in the shadow of the first Old Stubborn, the rye bourbon release had a lot to live up to. A little sibling rivalry was all it took to have this release pushing itself to deliver big. And boy howdy, it’s no slouch. In the spirit of kinship - this release was magically identical in proof to the first, 123.8. It could not have been planned. Like its sibling, it is a hand marriage of 11 barrels, this time comprising of 10, 11, and 12 years, producing just over 1,400 bottles. It has the namesake...

Jul 17, 202527 min

7/10/25 Proof Positive: Rare Character Brook Hill 10-Year

Rare Character's Brook Hill 10-Year is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey known for its rich flavor profile and connection to the legacy of Brook Hill Whiskey, which was originally produced by Joseph L. Friedman. This single barrel expression is aged for a decade in charred oak barrels, resulting in a deep amber color and a complex taste. It features notes of vanilla, caramel, toasted oak, dark chocolate, and dried fruit, with a long, warming finish. The high proof (often around 129.92 or 64.96...

Jul 10, 202529 min

7/3/25 Proof Positive: Weller Millennium

As the third oldest operating distillery in the world, with roots dating back to 1773, Buffalo Trace Distillery (as it’s known today) has been honing its craft since Kentucky was a wild, untamed frontier and the United States was just an idea. In the centuries that followed, the Distillery changed hands numerous times, but one thing always remained constant; it was a homeplace for the creation of authentic American whiskey. At the turn of the millennium, the Distillery was amid a period of trans...

Jul 03, 202536 min

6/26/25 Proof Positive: Woodford Reserve Chocolate Whisper Redux

The 2025 Woodford Reserve Chocolate Whisper Redux Bourbon is a decadent small-batch release that weaves together rich cocoa, toasted oak, and warm baking spice. Its velvety texture and balanced sweetness make it a standout pour for dessert pairings or slow sipping indulgence. Cheers!

Jun 26, 202530 min

6/19/25 Proof Positive: Maker's Mark Keepers Release

The Keepers Release celebrates those who craft their handmade bourbon at Star Hill Farm. It is inspired by the people who oversee the maturation of their whisky, the true "Keepers" of Maker's Mark. This bold expression features hints of seasoned oak and brûlée sugar, offering a long and enveloping mouthfeel with notes of dried fruit and roasted sweetness. Cheers!

Jun 19, 202527 min

6/12/25: Chef Paul Smith

Paul Smith’s deeply ingrained love of both cooking and West Virginia can be traced back to his earliest days — standing alongside his grandfather helping stir the sauce for the large Sunday dinners so common among Italian families who had settled in the coalfields. From those beginnings, Paul’s passions for food and his Appalachian home have taken him on a culinary journey that he is proud to share with his community. After graduating from Charleston Catholic High School, Chef Paul immersed hims...

Jun 12, 202543 min

6/5/25: Founder of The Macklowe Whiskey Julie Macklowe

Julie is a New York City businesswoman and a passionate entrepreneur. A graduate of the University of Virginia, she had an impressive multi-decade career in the finance industry, running large consumer portfolios for hedge funds like SIGMA and Millennium Management and currently under Macklowe Capital. Julie always had a vision to operate a company, and in 2011, she founded the luxury skincare line Vbeauté. Vbeauté launched at Bergdorf Goodman and became one of the fastest-growing brands on the ...

Jun 05, 202548 min

5/29/25 Proof Positive: Larceny Barrel Proof A125

Larceny Barrel Proof was launched in January 2020, and each year Heaven Hill releases three numbered batches identified by a specific batch code. Batches range in age from 6-8 years and vary in proof, though it is possible for batches to be the same proof as previous batches from time to time. This first batch of 2025, designated by batch code A125 - A (for the first of the year), 1 (for January release month), and 25 (for 2025 release year) - clocks in at exactly 125 proof. Cheers!

May 29, 202536 min

5/22/25 Double Barrel: Old Forester 1924 vs Jack Daniel's 10

It has been a while but the guys bring you this week a good old fashioned duel of Double Barrel between two ten year bourbons. Old Forester 1924 The Whiskey Row Series’ 1924 10 – Year – Old is a limited annual release celebrating another milestone in Old Forester’s storied history. During Prohibition, more than 200 distilleries were forced to close. Old Forester, however, continued operations because the federal government issued us one of six medicinal licenses, P-3. In 1924, Old Forester acqui...

May 22, 202528 min

5/15/25 Proof Positive: Bardstown Cathedral

The inaugural release is a tribute to history, artistry, and the enduring spirit of craftsmanship. Rested in 300-year-old French oak barrels from the storied Berce Forest, these ancient trees were originally harvested to restore the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris following the fire of 2019. Their intricate grain and unparalleled density infuse the whiskey with a character as profound as the history they represent. The result is a spirit that seamlessly blends tradition with innovation, hon...

May 15, 202533 min

5/8/25 Proof Positive: New Riff Silver Grove Rye and Bourbon

They are the first ever New Riff products to carry the signature of a master distiller, these special barrel proof blends from Master Distiller Brian Sprance. Product sale proceeds from the release, which have totaled nearly $62,000 to date, will continue to support the Silver Grove Community Foundation. Distilled in Newport by New Riff, the 2025 Silver Grove Straight Bourbon Whiskey is aged 4 years and barreled at 110.3 proof with a mashbill of 60% corn, 35% rye and 5% malted barley. The 2025 S...

May 08, 202532 min

5/1/25 Proof Positive: Jack Daniel's 14 Year

Batch 1 is a remarkable release in the rich history of the Jack Daniel Distillery. It is a truly exceptional addition to their distinguished lineup, crafted with precision and care. With an impressive 14 year aging process and a robust 125 proof bottling, this Tennessee whiskey is one of the most ambitious offerings from the brand, showcasing unparalleled depth of flavor and complexity. Cheers!

May 01, 202528 min

4/24/25 Proof Positive: Very Very Old Fitzgerald 1969

In this week’s special episode, Ben, Kyle & Joe open a true unicorn: Very, Very Old Fitzgerald. Distilled in 1957 by the legendary Pappy Van Winkle, and bottled by his son, Julian “Big Van” Van Winkle in 1969, this iconic bottle features 100% Stitzel-Weller distillate.

Apr 24, 202523 min

4/17/25 Proof Positive: Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A125

Today's proof positive is a hot one! A little bit about the juice: Each Barrel Proof release is distinct, and Batch A125 follows this tradition. The batch code reveals its story: "A" indicates the first release of the year, "1" signifies January, and "25" refers to the year 2025. Expect a rich flavor profile featuring notes of caramel, toasted oak, vanilla, and subtle spice, followed by a robust and warm finish. Elijah Craig Barrel Proof is a must-have for bourbon enthusiasts and collectors seek...

Apr 17, 202523 min

4/10/25 Proof Positive: Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked

Their most indulgent double-barreled expression. This bourbon undergoes an extended slumber in a second, custom-crafted barrel. Deeply toasted and lightly charred, it unlocks an unparalleled depth of flavor – a richness and complexity rarely encountered in American whiskey. Cheers!

Apr 10, 202520 min

4/3/25 Proof Positive: Middle West Spirits Straight Wheat Cask

Crafted in small batches from Ohio soft red winter wheat to emphasize the regional flavor of their agriculture, their flagship whiskey is then aged in new Ohio-made white American oak barrels to round out its mid-western flavor foundations. Ohio soft red winter wheat. Aged a minimum of 3 years in fresh white American oak 92 Points “Exceptional” – Tastings.com / Gold Medal – Beverage Testing Institute / Gold Medal – Wizards of Whisky / Distillery of the Year – Wizards of Whisky. Cheers!...

Apr 04, 202521 min

3/27/25: David Coors Returns along with Trey Wade

David Coors returns and we welcome Trey Wade, Head of Consumer Experience with Blue Run Spirits, as we chat about bourbon and select a special barrel of Blue Run for our local club.

Mar 27, 202556 min

3/20/25: Ian Somerhalder

Ian is a retired actor know for his roles in shows like Vampire Diaries and Lost. Ian is now ventured over into the bourbon market with Brothers Bond Bourbon. For close to a decade while filming in the south, Ian and Paul drank bourbon together on and off screen. Through their deep sense of brotherhood and shared love of bourbon, they formed a vision of crafting an exceptional whiskey company. This prompted them to embark on a meticulous journey of visiting distilleries, experimenting with vario...

Mar 20, 202552 min

3/13/25 Proof Positive: Little Book The Infinite

Each bottle of Little Book "The Infinite" encapsulates the Noe family's passion and dedication to whiskey-making. This 2024 release is an homage to the infinite possibilities of blending, capturing the essence of the family's legacy in a bottle. The whiskey's profile is an intricate tapestry of flavors, masterfully blended to deliver notes of vanilla, oak, and a whisper of sweet spices, culminating in a long, satisfying finish. The Little Book "The Infinite" is not just a bourbon; it's a collect...

Mar 13, 202529 min

3/5/25: Preston Van Winkle Returns

This is a don’t miss episode. Ben, Joe, Kyle and special guest, Preston Van Winkle, answer the age-old question: Which is better, Pappy 20 or Pappy 15? Tune in for this incredible episode as the guys do a Double Barrel blind of these iconic bourbons. Cheers!

Mar 06, 202530 min

2/27/25 Proof Positive: George T. Stagg (2023)

The bold powerhouse of Buffalo Trace’s annual Antique Collection, this fifteen-year-old whiskey is bottled directly from the barrel. The George T Stagg 2023 release is uncut and unfiltered, the bourbon explodes on the palate with rich notes of dark chocolate, oak, and effervescent cherry. Cheers!

Feb 27, 202531 min

2/20/25 Double Barrel: Pappy 13 vs Michter's 10

Pappy 13: When first approached by Buffalo Trace, Julian III was honored, but not immediately interested. He had ample bourbon aging, but the concern was for future reserves, since by this time, bourbon was increasing in popularity. Buffalo Trace bought the W.L. Weller label in 1999 and had been making the bourbon with nearly the same recipe as Pappy's. The transition was easy. As of May 2002, Buffalo Trace has produced the Van Winkle bourbons, using Pappy's exact recipe. This change allows Old ...

Feb 20, 202544 min

2/13/25 Proof Positive: Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Madeira Cask Finish 20th

Woodford Reserve 2024 Master’s Collection release. This bottling features Woodford Reserve Whiskey that was finished in Madeira casks and blended with wheat whiskey. “Madeira Cask Finish is a tremendous way to celebrate 20 years of the Master’s Collection,” said Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall. "In 2007, Woodford Reserve was among the first bourbons to finish in wine casks. It was quite controversial at the time, but is now a common practice by other distillers. This 20th expression marks that...

Feb 13, 202525 min

2/6/26 Proof Positive: Whistlepig The Boss Hog "The Juggernaut"

(From the company website): Each year an unstoppable search for whiskey wonder beckons The Boss Hog to the far corners of the earth... a karmic quest that Knows No Bounds, beginning with Single Barrel Rye. For this, our eleventh utterance of the mantra, WhistlePig's whiskey makers journey to Rajasthan, India - the Land of Kings - in search of precious spices to forge the world’s first Thandai barrel aged Rye. An alluring elixir served in celebration of victory and creation, Thandai joins the sha...

Feb 06, 202529 min

1/30/25 Proof Positive: Bhakta 1928

Bold Rye Whiskey fortified with Ancient Armagnac. BHAKTA 1928 embodies the Spirit of the Roaring Twenties—Boom Times, Boundless Optimism, and Big American Dreams. In this breakthrough blend, America’s finest rye is unified with France’s oldest spirits, including Armagnac from the rare and exquisite 1928 vintage, to capture the essence of an iconic era’s je ne sais quoi. Cheers!

Jan 30, 202528 min

1/23/25 Proof Positive: Maker's Mark 46 French Oak Cask Strength

Maker’s Mark 46 is the recipe of Bill Samuels Jr., son of founders Bill and Margie, and the first new major expression since classic Maker's was released in 1958. Maker’s 46® is aged longer with special seared French oak staves. With subtly layered bourbon notes and balanced complexity. Cheers!

Jan 24, 202522 min

1/16/25: Prav Saraff

Prav Saraff is a bourbon and whiskey connoisseur and the Director of Operations at 1 West Dupont Circle Wines and Liquors in Washington, DC. He has been featured on podcasts and has shared his passion for whiskey on Instagram.

Jan 17, 202553 min

1/9/25 The Icon Series: Freddie Johnson

The guys were joined by special guest Freddie Johnson at an event hosted by the Bourbon Podcast to raise money for bulletproof vests for police K-9's. Here's some background on Freddie Johnson and what he means in the world of bourbon: Freddie Johnson is a third generation employee at Buffalo Trace Distillery and serves as its Distillery VIP Visitor Lead. Born in Paris, KY (Bourbon County), he spent some of his early childhood summers in the mountains of Breathitt County with his maternal grandf...

Jan 09, 20251 hr 17 min
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