Enjoying a glass of bourbon while smoking a cigar seems like an average Friday night to some people. However, pairing a bourbon and cigar can be more complicated than you think. We sit down with Jake Glancy and Jeremy Kendrick of Jake's Cigar Bar to get a complete cigar 101 lesson on everything from cuts, types, leaf varieties, and more to understand how the unique flavor of a cigar will compliment different types of bourbon. You will want to rush outside and smoke a cigar after listening to thi...
Dec 28, 2017•1 hr 56 min•Season 1Ep. 129
It's a controversial topic amongst bourbon purists. Can you replicate all the effects Mother Nature and Father Time add to the bourbon that rests inside a barrel? Jacob Call, Master Distiller at O.Z. Tyler, comes from a long family lineage of distillers and decided to do take on an industry with Terressentia using TerrePURE technology. Learn about the growth of this startup and small bit about the technology in this episode. Show Notes: How did you get involved with bourbon and got you here toda...
Dec 26, 2017•31 min•Season 1Ep. 128
This new episode is a flash back to an interview Ryan performed while at Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2017 while sitting with one of the shows all-time favorite guests, Bill Thomas. In addition we're joined by the likes of Mike Jasinski, Jared Hymen, and Mike Miller of Delilahs in Chicago. This is a regular who's who in bourbon and it's great take on the industry of high-end bourbon pours, and the savviness of bourbon markets. Show notes: Talk about Bourbon Bonanza and Jeeps for Joy What is hunting...
Dec 21, 2017•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 127
In this final Bourbon Community Roundtable of 2017 (it's the 15th edition) we look at the unique rise of trading bourbon for bitcoin weighing out the pros and cons, a look back into how the bourbon community has changed for the worse in 2017 and we cap it off talking about our favorite Bourbon and Rye releases of the year. Show Notes: In recent news, we’ve talked about different ways of trading for bourbon. I’ve traded landscape work. I know Ryan has traded his services for boxes of Jefferson’s ...
Dec 14, 2017•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 126
If you think the bourbon frenzy has gotten bad here in the US, well you don't know what it's like to live outside the borders. This episode features Ed Rosie and Andrew Watson, members of the British Bourbon Society, as we we discuss the transition of scotch drinkers to bourbon, the European search for dusties, and how it's nearly impossible to get your hands on store picks which we take for granted. Show Notes: How did you get into bourbon What is the British Bourbon Society all about? Talk abo...
Dec 06, 2017•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 125
Have you ever wondered what these bourbon barrel picking groups like The Bourbon Mafia, 1789b, T5C, and The Bourbon Cartel are all about? Eddie Noel, who has a history of founding multiple groups, will guide us into what it takes to form a barrel picking group with the types of individuals needed, the commitment of joining one, and the secret to getting private barrel selections when you don't have a store to get you in. Show Notes: Eddie, how did you get started with bourbon? Before we dive in,...
Nov 30, 2017•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 124
In Episode 109 we featured two retailers and discussed if there is such a thing as MSRP pricing and how square footage, location, loyalty, and clientele all boil down into how rare bourbon is priced and sold. Eric Darland, a buyer in the D.C. area sent us an email and told us we completely missed the mark. Eric gives insight into the legalized mafia that is distribution, allocation of store picks, and pricing fairly. Show Notes: Let's start with store picks and why are they so hard to get outsid...
Nov 22, 2017•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 123
There's been some sneaky releases lately from Diageo and Jefferson's so we tackle those. If you're short on Christmas gift ideas, we talk about some of those things you can give the bourbon lover in your life. Shoe Notes: In recent news, the folks at Diageo slid in a brand new Orphan Barrel release called Entrapment 25 year Canadian Whiskey. Anyone have thoughts on it yet? Jefferson's also released their 16year Presidential Selection. I heard about this release almost a year ago and completely f...
Nov 16, 2017•1 hr 27 min•Season 1Ep. 122
Many of us understand Bourbon 101 and 102 knowledge, but what about level 400? Dr. Pat Heist of Ferm Solutions joins the show to explain what is chemically happening when you're producing bourbon and gives an in-depth look at yeast and how it becomes one of the most critical components of the process. You will learn all about the breakdowns of enzymes during mash cooking and species of yeast for distilling. If you're a science buff, this episode is for you. Show Notes: What does Ferm Solutions d...
Nov 09, 2017•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 121
Retailers need an edge to stay competitive in today’s market. Listen to Louis Dachis of Ace Spirits and David Driscoll of K&L Wine Merchants on how technology is making their business grow on national level and you get a lesson on distribution and why there are shipping restrictions to different states in the US. Show Notes: Talk about your stores and the markets you serve How have you seen the bourbon market effect your business? What's the good what's the bad? How does having a very promin...
Nov 02, 2017•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 120
With the current climate of overpriced rare whiskey, how do you turn that into a profitable business? Matt Landan talks about pivoting his coffee shop into Haymarket Whiskey Bar, a staple of bourbon country and Top 40 whiskey bar. Show Notes: Everyone who has visited Louisville probably knows but we are going to talk about the history of the bar Do you think this is becoming a new landmark on the bourbon trail How are you appealing to the local bourbon community? You also do something unique wit...
Oct 26, 2017•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 119
Recent whiskey news has really been depressing. There hasn’t been much good that’s come of it so the roundtable spends an hour and complains. We hit on everything from the sadness that is EH Taylor Four Grain being named Whiskey of the Year to the depressing news of no more Eagle Rare store picks in 2018. Read more sorrowing news we talk about in the show notes below Show Notes: Whiskey Of The Year according to Jim Murray is the EH Taylor Four Grain Did anyone actually like it? Is this a ploy to...
Oct 19, 2017•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 118
Is the madness ever going to end? Are those unicorn bottles going to continue to climb in price for the future? How did we end up here? Past guest Chuck Cowdery, a bourbon authority, enlightens us to how the history of bourbon being an unwanted commodity created stocks of well aged whiskey that led us to the market we see today. Show Notes: Let's talk about the past and the bourbon, crisis, was it an overall understanding that bourbon might be extinct? At what point did you come in to see some o...
Oct 12, 2017•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 117
Have you ever visited the Bourbon Heritage Center in Bardstown or the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience in downtown Louisville? It's time you meet Jeff Crowe who is the General Manager of Visitor Experiences for Heaven Hill. Jeff takes us through what each locations have to offer and gives some insight into how he can fairly distribute Parker's Heritage and William Heaven Hill releases Show Notes: Did you come from a hospitality background or whiskey? Was life a bit less hectic in 2013? How has b...
Oct 05, 2017•51 min•Season 1Ep. 116
Freddie Johnson has a long resume. Previous guest on episode 59, 3rd Generation Employee at Buffalo Trace, and Tour Guide Extraordinaire. He joins to talk about Bourbon Pompeii, who was Thomas H Handy (THH) and other tidbits of random knowledge you only get from Freddie. Show Notes: What’s been going on since the last time we talked? You haven’t been getting a bigger head by reading all those 5 star TripAdvisor reviews have you? Lets give everyone a little refresher about you and your family his...
Sep 28, 2017•38 min•Season 1Ep. 115
The bourbon community roundtable does a blind tasting with samples sent in by a fan of the show. The best bourbon bloggers out there are put to the test to see if they can figure out where it came from. You won’t believe what happens. Show notes below… Show Notes: We’ve got a full house tonight with Blake from bourbonr.com, Nick from BreakingBourbon, Kerry of subourbia.com, Brian of SippnCorn, and Michael with @flightofbourbon as our special guest Blake talks about tasting blind all the time Wha...
Sep 21, 2017•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 114
Fred Minnick, multi-appearance guest on the show and author of the new book Rum Curious, educates us bourbon drinkers on why rum isn’t so bad and how the rum industry needs the passion of the bourbon community. Back in February you had a article named “For Rum’s Sake”, an open letter to bourbon drinkers. Was it a plea? Why rum? There’s lots of other spirits Name a few brands that are accessible in parts of the US that are trustworthy. So what’s wrong with Captain Morgan and those typical ones we...
Sep 14, 2017•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 113
Beau Beckman, Barrel Select Manager at Buffalo Trace, is now a 2nd time guest! We talk about how the program has matured, why you only get to taste 4 barrels rather than more, how the barrels are chosen for the program versus the regular blend, and how you can get your own. Show Notes: So what’s been happening since the last time we chatted back on episode 009? You’ve managed to stay off the news radar it seems like except there was a good article Forbes put out recently and our good friend Bour...
Sep 07, 2017•51 min•Season 1Ep. 112
Reid Bechtle & Emerald Adair of 1789b join the group to talk about the fascinations with the better things in life, how they started 1789b, how barrel selections have changed in 7 years, and the barrel picks they have still yet to do. Introduce yourselves, your background and how bourbon got into your life What are those coins you have in your hands? Explain what 1789b is Where does the name 1789b come from? Do distilleries roll out the red carpet for you? Have the advent of prolific Faceboo...
Aug 31, 2017•57 min•Season 1Ep. 111
The roundtable is back with a new panel member. Some of us got cursed by making fun of the eclipse while others are being cursed by the Old Forester vapor gods by stealing some extra alcohol for OFBB 2017. Show Notes: Thanks to Maxwell Christy of SuperflyBourbonClub, Blake from bourbonr.com, Jordan from BreakingBourbon, and a brief appearance from Kerry of subourbia.com Who watched the eclipse today? Anyone else underwhelmed? OFBB is releasing their 2017 Birthday Bourbon How about Old Forester S...
Aug 24, 2017•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 110
Retail Pricing Wars! Does MSRP really mean anything? How do stores price their products relative to their size, customer base, and geographic location? We’re joined by Ed Bley of Cork N Bottle and Angelo Ingrati of Peppino's Liquors & Wine to discuss both sides of the story. Read Show Notes Below. Show Notes: What’s your reason on why your stores can sell above MSRP? Why would any store NOT sell at secondary pricing? How does geography play a role into this with Kentucky vs NYC? Is Buffalo T...
Aug 17, 2017•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 109
Denny Potter, Master Distiller and VP of Operations at Heaven Hill, talks about his past handling dangerous chemicals, answers if bourbon production is green, touches on age statement removals and the market for higher age statements. Show Notes: Thanks to Linden Ferguson for being the guest co-host The man behind many of the famous brands we talk about on the show like Evan Williams, Elijah Craig, Henry McKenna, Larceny and much more. Former Master Distiller and now VP of Operations at Heaven H...
Aug 10, 2017•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 108
Joseph Magliocco, President of Michter’s Distillery and CEO of Chatham Imports, joins the podcast to talk about the rebirth of an American Whiskey brand and how he used to sell it growing up. He talks about why he rebooted Michter’s in Kentucky rather than Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania and we talk through each of their whiskeys and ryes including their extreme high end expressions and whether or not the barrel proof bourbon will be a line extension. Show Notes: Lets talk about the beginning becau...
Aug 03, 2017•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 107
BCR is back again with more questions than ever coming from our viewers. We talk about Sazerac’s devious marketing tactic with age statement removal, the regrets of past purchases, will we see a buying increase of pre-sourced NDP after their stills are running, and how our buying habits have changed Show Notes: So Who's shipped their samples from the last roundtable? The picture BCR made famous. Old Charter 8 vs 8yr. Was there a case to be made? Lucas asks: With the bourbon boom in full effect, ...
Jul 27, 2017•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 106
Wild Turkey Barrel Selection Exclusive with Ed Bley of Cork N Bottle, Reid and Emerald of 1789b, Nick Dikeos of The Bourbon Mafia, and Jimmy Russell of Wild Turkey. Get an inside look at how these connoisseurs of bourbon choose barrels while Jimmy is rattling off more information and history than we knew before. This is a Bourbon Pursuit first, bringing you inside on a private barrel selection. Show Notes: Everyone introduce themselves Ed, what’s your mentality going into a barrel pick? Jimmy, w...
Jul 25, 2017•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 105
A combination of 10 interviews all done at WhiskeyLive in Louisville. This podcast features Fred Noe and Beth Burrows of Jim Beam, Joe Beatrice of Barrell Bourbon, Brian Gelfo of Rabbit Hole, John Foster of Smooth Ambler, Josh Hollifield of Barton 1792, Kelly Ramsey of Art Eatables, Winston Edwards of Balcones, Greg Roshkowski of Cooper’s Craft, and we wrap it up with Bill Thomas of Jack Rose. Show Notes: Thanks to WhiskyLive during the Bourbon Affair for letting us come and record these intervi...
Jul 20, 2017•1 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 104
Drew Mayville, Master Blender at Buffalo Trace / Sazerac, has one of the most important jobs and that’s making sure the blended products meet a flavor profile. We dive into the differences between tanked and non-tank Sazerac 18 year and even talk about his involvement with the Old Rip 25 year. Show Notes: Talk about your past because I did some LinkedIn sleuthing last night and come to find out you’re no spring chicken. Talk about what it means to be a master blender because we talk to master di...
Jul 13, 2017•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 103
Brent Elliott, Master Distiller at Four Roses, takes us through the creation of Al Young’s 50th Anniversary bourbon at an exclusive session during WhiskyLive. Show Notes: Listen as Brent talks about every individual bourbon and how it blended all together to make Al’s commemorative bourbon. Listen to Al Young’s podcast and all the past Four Roses episodes at http://bourbo.nz/4R Special Thanks to WhiskyLiveUSA for letting us share this information with you during WhiskyLive Louisville. Show your ...
Jul 06, 2017•43 min•Season 1Ep. 102
The Bourbon Community Roundtable #9 talks about the recent news of one man who has defrauded the secondary bourbon market with counterfeit bourbon. We wrap up the show talking about the Weller 12 craze. Show Notes: The biggest reveal in secondary market history. A seller with 2+ years worth of building up sales reveals that he's been counterfeiting bottles. Hear the story unfold How does this impact bourbon going forward? How do you trust you seller? How can you trust anything in bars? What has ...
Jun 29, 2017•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 101
Charlie Downs, Artisanal Distillery Manager at Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (a part of Heaven Hill Brands) talks about the operations, his mentorship with Parker Beam, and the recollection of events that took place at the Heaven Hill fire of 1996. Show Notes: Before we dive into it, people have to know about you. As most people may know, my wife works at HH and I was at the company Christmas party this year where you were honored by spending your 40th year at HH. What has this business taugh...
Jun 22, 2017•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 100
