Fred Minnick, acclaimed bourbon author who also happens to have the Amazon #1 Best Selling book in the Whiskey Category Bourbon: The Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of an American Whiskey, shares his history before bourbon, dive into chapters of bourbon history, and get his opinion on barrel finishes if it’s still a bourbon and age statement removals Show Notes: Acclaimed bourbon author and media pundit on all things bourbon who is always dressed to the 9s and who also happens to have the Amazon #1 Best...
Oct 22, 2016•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 69
Tom Herbruck, Master Brewer and Distiller of Tom’s Foolery, and his wife Lianne, Rack House Manager, share their beginnings when Tom ran a still at the age of 15 and turning his hobby into a business that is producing the first bonded bourbon outside of Kentucky in over 50 years. Show Notes: Shout out to Ryan Lintz and Edwin Vargas. Both of these guys came to me and said “you’ve got to hear this story”. So thanks to these listener requests, we are making this happen. Talk about how the distiller...
Oct 14, 2016•50 min•Season 1Ep. 68
Bill Thomas (@MashBill_Thomas), Owner of Jack Rose (@JackRoseinDC), tells his history of turning a passion for whiskey and 20 years of dusty hunting into the single largest collection of epic bourbon that is available for sale at Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington D.C. Show Notes: Talk about your history and your love affair with bourbon? Explain to the listeners, what is Jack Rose? How many bottles do you have in inventory? Is it safe to assume that every bourbon bar in the nation aspires to...
Sep 30, 2016•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 67
Tim Hagan and Ethan Pardieu, Kentucky Bourbon Boys Distillery Tours, give insights into their customized tours and how they learned about bourbon themselves. Show Notes: Tell us about yourselves and how you got into bourbon? How did this idea come about? How much of you had to study or learn to be able to give a tour? Talk about your tours for a little bit and what you offer? How customizable are the tours? Are the tour is open for individuals are just parties of six or more? Is it for people on...
Sep 23, 2016•43 min•Season 1Ep. 66
Show Notes: Recorded on YouTube LIVE! We will pose questions to the audience to see what YOU think. If you have questions, ask them on the right hand side and we will tackle as many as we can. Ask anything you want! Social Media and Bourbon. How to target the right consumer. The most random trades of all time. Who would have thought we would see people trade bourbon for Pokemon cards BTAC. Because why not? A bit of talk about the new Parkers Best 2016 release so far? The origins of bourbonr.com ...
Sep 16, 2016•47 min•Season 1Ep. 65
Chad Butters, Co-Founder and CEO of Eight Oaks Craft Distillery, and Vince Roth, Managing Partner of Final Furlong Racing Stables, talks about a new partnership to invest in a horse and get bottles of bourbon in return Show Notes: Tell us a little about yourselves Talk about the offering to invest in a horse and get bourbon in exchange Talk about the horses Talk about the distillery and what makes it unique How much longer until the bourbon will be ready? Follow @GoFinalFurlong and @eightoaksdis...
Sep 09, 2016•47 min•Season 1Ep. 64
Trey Zoeller, Founder and Master Blender of Jefferson’s Bourbon, shares his story with some new information about a new Presidential special release. Show Notes: Your family history is going to play a large part in this, talk about how you got into bourbon. Quickly talk about your dad for a bit How did you start the Jefferson’s Brand For our listeners out there just now getting into bourbon, give us your pitch of Jeffersons. Give some history on why it’s called Jefferson’s Bourbon and not Zoelle...
Sep 02, 2016•45 min•Season 1Ep. 63
Susan Reigler, Executive Bourbon Steward, joins the show again to talk about Bourbon Women, an organization founded to join like-minded individuals around the nation. Show Notes: Let's talk about the Bourbon Women Association (also open to men). Give us the pitch. How many members across the country? How did it start? How does one join? What is a benefit of joining? How much are dues and how is it distributed? How do you start a chapter/branch? Do you all have regular meet ups? If you only get 1...
Aug 26, 2016•39 min•Season 1Ep. 62
Mark Coffman, Master Distiller at Alltech Brewing, which is the home of Town Branch bourbon, talks about being a Brewmaster as well as a Master Distiller. Show Notes: Talk about your adolescence for a bit, was there any influence of bourbon growing up? What made you want to get into the spirits industry? Most people get their stills from Vendome, but yours aren’t. talk about them for a bit Talk about the Town Branch name for a bit. What’s the history and Where did the name come from? What makes ...
Aug 19, 2016•44 min•Season 1Ep. 61
Kelly Ramsey, Bourbon-Certified Chocolatier and Owner of Art Eatables, talks about her delicious bourbon truffles and the difference between bourbon balls. Show Notes: Ryan, any fond memories of bourbon balls growing up? Our guest today didn't invent the bourbon ball, instead they made the bourbon truffle. Difference bourbon ball and truffle Tell us about how you got into bourbon What do you think makes pairing bourbon and chocolate a harmonious marriage? What brands/chocolates do you have? Is i...
Aug 12, 2016•43 min•Season 1Ep. 60
Freddie Johnson, 3rd Generation Employee and Tour Guide at Buffalo Trace, talks about his family legacy and his depth of bourbon knowledge. Show Notes: Freddie Johnson, legendary tour guide at Buffalo Trace This will be an easy question for you and the basis for our show today, but tell everyone about your family history in the area and how you got into the bourbon industry. and let’s be long-winded here. At what age did Jimmy Sr start working at the distillery? and was it called the GTS distill...
Aug 05, 2016•52 min•Season 1Ep. 59
Tim Judge, Global Ambassador for Bulleit Bourbon, dives into the Bulleit Bourbon origination and all the new expansion taking place. Show Notes: Tell us about your journey into whiskey Why did you choose Bulleit as your spirit of choice in the portfolio? What lessons did you take away from Tom after meeting him? We’ve had plenty of ambassadors on the show that talk about going around to different places and telling bartenders about their bourbon or attending events and handing out cocktails. but...
Jul 29, 2016•50 min•Season 1Ep. 58
Jason Brauner, Owner of Louisville-based restaurant Bourbon’s Bistro, talks about his family history at National Distillers and running a full serviced bourbon-themed restaurant. Show Notes: Once again, thanks to Adam Johnson…..., we are making our first podcast on the Urban Bourbon Trail. For those not familiar, the Urban Bourbon Trail is sponsored by the Louisville Vistor’s Center as a way to show attractions relating to bourbon right here in the heart of the city. It has a majority of bars an...
Jul 22, 2016•44 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Michael Nelson, Plant Director at the Brown-Forman Cooperage, gives a step-by-step and inside look to the barrel making process. Show Notes: Give us your bourbon story. Before we dive into the ins and outs of technicalities of barrel char. give us a history lesson about where we are. So this is my first encounter being at a cooperage. give me the 101 We saw one barrel that was cross cut. Talk about that. What’s the average number of discarded barrels that don’t meet some sort of quality assuranc...
Jul 15, 2016•44 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Josh Hollifield, Visitor Center Manager for Barton 1792, gives a history of the grounds and an insider look to the resurgence of the 1792 brand. Show Notes: Shoutout to Adam Johnson of the KY Bourbon Affair What all does your job entail? What’s your coming to age tale of bourbon? Most people may or may not know, but Sazerac is your parent company who also owns Buffalo Trace. Talk a bit about that background Can you give us some history of the distillery? Talk about the different brands coming ou...
Jul 08, 2016•46 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Susan Reigler, Executive Bourbon Steward and author of multiple bourbon books, talks about her past as a food critic and shares how to pair food with bourbon and explains what it means to be an Executive Bourbon Steward. Show Notes: Your bourbon resume is impressive. Where did this all begin? It must have taken some sort of inspiration. How would you categorize yourself? We have bourbon historians. Do you consider yourself to be a bourbon enthusiast? I want to talk about food for a little bit be...
Jul 02, 2016•44 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Chef Edward Lee, 4-time James Beard nominee, TV Show host, owner of 610 Magnolia and Milkwood, dives into culinary arts and cooking with bourbon while sharing his philosophy on bourbon with dinner that led to the creation of Jefferson’s Chef Collaboration. Show Notes: You were a suggestion from one of our listeners, give us your background as a chef and what led to southern cuisine The derby couldn’t have been your first bourbon experience, or was it? What intrigues you about bourbon? Can you re...
Jun 23, 2016•38 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Kerry Bossak (@bourbon_gamer), author of Subourbia.com, talks about how bourbon helps him lose weight and goes over his top 10 list of the most annoying trends in the bourbon world. Show Notes: Special guest co-host Blake from bourbonr.com shares his favorite release of the past few months. How did you get into bourbon? Also talk about your blog Then we dive into the Top 10 most annoying trends in the bourbon world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 16, 2016•51 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Maggie Kimberl, Nino Marchetti, and Michael Veach join as we discuss Maker’s 46, Pappy & Co Cigars, history of Buffalo Trace, Castle & Key, and the failed crowd funding campaign by Jim Rutledge. Show Notes: Wrapped up dinner at Down One Bourbon Bar and in the Speak Easy Room. Down One has a private Maker’s 46 selection and Micheal talks about a good food pairing Talk about the Maker’s 46 Barrel Selection Maggie, you had a chance to be a part of Pappy & Co’s Pappy Cigar Line. Talk abo...
Jun 11, 2016•46 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Ray Perryman (@LBSpringHurst), Spirits Manager at Liquor Barn (@LiquorBarn) in Louisville, shares an insider view to carrying over 400 bourbon and whiskeys, how to deal with the allocated ones, and keeping transparency. Show Notes: We open up a Van Winkle Rye 13 Year to start the show Ray, I know you're a beer guy but do you enjoy the brown water? How did you get into bourbon? What is Liquor Barn for all those outside of Louisville? What's the day in the life of a spirits manager? You came into ...
Jun 03, 2016•42 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Jordan, Eric and Nick, authors behind BreakingBourbon.com, talk about how bourbon fill levels change flavor profiles and we look at the new releases to come in 2016. Show Notes: We see yet another Colonel Taylor will be hitting the market called EH Taylor four grain. Each one of you give us a quick tidbit about how you got into bourbon So what led into the point of starting a blog? You all get to do a lot of reviews, what are some top reviews for whiskeys outside the state of KY? You did your 10...
May 27, 2016•45 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Adam Johnson (@CamperJohnson), Director of the KY Bourbon Trail, comes back to gives us the scoop on the 2016 Bourbon Affair and a more about Senate Bill 11. Show Notes: Senate Bill 11 tourism reform bill You’re our first 3-peat guest, what’s been happening in the past year? We’ve said time and time again that the Bourbon Affair is like a fantasy camp for bourbon lovers. Give everyone a recap of what is the Kentucky Bourbon Affair. I was fortunate enough to go to the Opening Event last year at t...
May 20, 2016•38 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Andrea Wilson, Vice President and General Manager of Michter’s Distillery, gives us the history of Michter’s, her rich history influencing the bourbon industry behind the scenes, and hints at a new 20 year bourbon release and potential Celebration. Show Notes: Talk about your first encounter with whiskey or bourbon How did that influence you to make a career from it? What kind of path did you take because you can’t tell a distillery, “Hey i’ve got experience because i’ve been moonshining” You’ve...
May 10, 2016•44 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Andy Treinen, the Director of Marketing at the Frazier History Museum (@FrazierMuseum), talks history of prohibition, the future Bourbon Museum for “bourbonism”, and the Old Forester Speakeasy Series. Show Notes: Huge shoutout to Josh Menke for sending us a sample of Stranahans Talk about your introduction to bourbon What is the Frazier History Museum? Talk about the prohibition exhibit on display right now Talk about some of the things in the exhibit Talk about George Remus and Al Capone Why di...
Apr 29, 2016•43 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Chris Morris, Master Distiller at Woodford Reserve, gives an insight into the historic grounds and the $1000 Mint Julep in time for Derby. Show Notes: Talk about your first memorable experience with bourbon. Good or Bad? Talk about your background and coming into the bourbon industry Let's talk about the Woodford grounds a little bit. It's held over 4 different names in the 200 years it's been existence. What makes your bourbon special or unique compared to others? There’s a misconception that W...
Apr 22, 2016•51 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Fred Noe, Global Ambassador and Master Distiller at Jim Beam, talks about the history of Jim Beam, his celebrity encounters and the new Booker’s Rye release. Show Notes: You were born into this. Talk about your child hood and some Beam history What are some things your dad taught you about this business and made you appreciate what you do today? Your role is not only a master distiller but also a brand ambassador, do you ever sleep? What’s the short list of some of your favorite places you’ve be...
Apr 15, 2016•54 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Patrick Hutchens, Owner of Promotional Wood Products, shares his company’s story of giving premium bourbons the extra edge. Show Notes: Tell us about your first encounter with bourbon We’re sipping on a barrel of Knob Creek that you picked out. Tell us about it. What is Promotional Wood Products? How did the relationship form that you began to make all the boxes for every Booker’s? How has production scaled in Booker’s boxes over 22 years? Talk about how the scents of the Goose Island Rare box t...
Apr 08, 2016•39 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Matt Gandolfo, Brand Ambassador for Wild Turkey, talks history of the brand, non-GMO grains, each of the expressions and the new “Decades” release set for May 2016. Show Notes: We kick off the show talking about one of our past guests, Marianne Barnes, and the new name for the Old Taylor Distillery. Tell us about your first encounter with bourbon Tell us about your role and what it consists of Why is Wild Turkey 101 and not 100? How did it grow to a business from 101? What did the name Austin Ni...
Apr 01, 2016•46 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Brian Gelfo, Maker’s Mark Ambassador Extraordinaire & Bourbon Mafia Member, goes in depth about the Maker’s Mark Ambassador. Show Notes: Markers Mark is now starting a “private barrel” program. But it’s more like a private blend program. What’s your story? Tell the listeners about your Maker’s Mark collection How do you get a hold of all the export bottles? What would you consider your most prized Marker’s Mark collectable? Explain to the listeners what the Marker’s Mark ambassadors program ...
Mar 24, 2016•41 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Jackie Zykan, Master Bourbon Specialist for Old Forester, talks about each of the individual expressions and the history behind this Louisville based brand. Show Notes: We are coming to you from Rye On Market in Louisville Tell us your coming to age of tale of bourbon What is it about Old Forester that made you leave working behind the bar Is Old Forester the same thing as Woodford Reserve? What do you actually do as a Master Bourbon Specialist? The name “Brown” has a stigma and prominence in Lo...
Mar 16, 2016•42 min•Season 1Ep. 40
