Fred Minnick, Bourbon Author, Pundit, and Expert, joins us to discuss the San Francisco Spirits Competition, asking if bourbon is just a gimmick when it comes to experimentation, how the new vintage spirits law will effect Louisville, and if pricing has gone out of whack! Show Notes: So what’s new since the last time we chatted? What are you doing for the Bourbon and Beyond Festival? I hear there is a Bourbon Cruise? You’re also going to be at Forecastle Let’s talk about the new Dusty law So let...
Jun 16, 2017•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 99
Campbell Brown, President of Old Forester Bourbon, is interviewed by Fred Minnick at the Kentucky Derby Museum's Legend Series. Show Notes: Fred gets more information about the corporate side rather than the distilling side. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 21, 2017•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 98
The Bourbon Community Roundtable #8 is back for a Derby special to talk about their lack of desire for ORVW25, a surprise twist with Bulleit Bourbon, and results from San Francisco Show Notes: It’s Derby, who has plans So Pappy25 is out. Who actually cares? Interesting bulleit scenario that was posted in a significant bourbon group out of houston… Bourbon Barrel Batch 011 Wins Best Bourbon WhistlePig Boss Hog wins best Whiskey Quinn English: Has anyone had Four Grain? Thoughts? Learn more about ...
May 04, 2017•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 97
JK McKnight, Founder and Captain of Forecastle Festival, talks about running a music festival and how their Bourbon Lodge has become a festival of itself. Show Notes: If you’re a music lover, you’re going to enjoy this episode. We’ve been to forecastle a few times and we’ll talk about why our guest is here talking about Bourbon a bit later, but music festivals are just fun. There’s no better way to put it than that. Explain to everyone who isn’t up to speed on music festivals, what is Forecastle...
Apr 27, 2017•47 min•Season 1Ep. 96
Beth Burrows, Kentucky Bourbon Ambassador for Beam Suntory, gives us all the history behind Jim Beam and the different expressions. We even get the chance to learn how Baker’s Bourbon got its name. Show Notes: Tell us about your history with bourbon Do you miss bartending? What has the passing of Senate Bill 11, allowing producers to serve cocktails and more whiskey going to do for Jim Beam? Jim Beam is really pioneering and doing all flavored whiskey like the Apple and Honey, Black Cherry, Fire...
Apr 21, 2017•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 95
Bourbon Truth, the infamous blogger and twitter persona known as Lloyd Christmas, gives a Bourbon Pursuit exclusive where no one is safe. He tells it like it is and let's you know not everything smells like roses. Show Notes: What made you start blogging? (spoiler alert, he has bone to pick with the Van Winkles) Let’s talk about distilleries and their non-sense tactics. Which ones stand out the most and why? Your latest blog post talked about the issues behind private barrel picks. Let’s talk be...
Apr 14, 2017•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 94
Fred Minnick interviews Tom Bulleit of the Bulleit Distilling Company for the Kentucky Derby Museum's Bourbon Legends Series. Show Notes: Listen as Fred tries to pry information out of Tom about family history, stitzel-weller, age statements, and more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 06, 2017•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 93
We are going back and revisiting episode #056 about building the barrels at Brown Forman. This is a great to wrap up back to basics month. Michael Nelson, Plant Director at the Brown-Forman Cooperage, gives a step-by-step and inside look to the barrel making process. 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 th...
Mar 31, 2017•44 min•Season 1Ep. 92
Mike Sherman, Owner of Vendome Copper and Brass Works, joins the show to talk about the art and craftsmanship that go into making the stills and how they have established being the best and #1 still maker after a century of being in business. Show Notes: Before we get into talk about what it is that you do here, let’s get your thoughts on bourbon. Do you drink it? or just love it because it means good business right now? For those listeners who have never heard of Vendome, give them an idea of w...
Mar 24, 2017•54 min•Season 1Ep. 91
The Bourbon Community Roundtable #7 talks about their beginnings with bourbon. Where did it all start, the intimidating scenarios, tips for beginners, and even tips for veterans. Show Notes: What was your gateway bourbon? The one that started it all... Blake you started with a barrel-proof, why is that? Do you think it’s a smart idea to introduce people to bourbon with low proof vs high-proof? What bottles would you say are a must for a newb? I know this is very broad question, but if I was gonn...
Mar 17, 2017•1 hr 15 min•Season 1Ep. 90
Bernie Lubbers, Whiskey Ambassador for Heaven Hill and also known as The Whiskey Professor, joins the show to talk about bottled-in-bond and what makes these bourbons “bricks of gold”. Show Notes: Talk about Bern’s Corner and how you arrange your bottles What has made you so fascinated with Bottled-in-Bond. Talk about the issue or necessity behind bottled-in-bond When people were diluting whiskey or using tobacco spit, were people still buying it? Why 100 proof and not 90 or 80? Is the bottled-i...
Mar 10, 2017•1 hr 25 min•Season 1Ep. 89
Tim Knittel, Bourbon Educator at Distilled-Living.com and a certified Stave & Thief Society Executive Bourbon Steward, kicks off "back to basics" month by giving an in-depth Bourbon 101 and 201 level knowledge bomb. You will learn something new, guaranteed or your money back! Show Notes: let's start from the top. What is bourbon? How's it made? What goes into it? What's the average proof coming off the distillate? Some people say that limestone water is a big reason why Kentucky bourbon tast...
Mar 03, 2017•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 88
Brent Elliott, Master Distiller at Four Roses, talks about how he never owned a bottle of Four Roses until he interviewed and how the conversation went when he was tapped to be the new Master Distiller. Show Notes: Talk about growing up in Owensboro, your history and education What made you want to get into bourbon? Were you a Four Roses bourbon fan when you applied to work here? Was Four Roses the first place you looked at working? How long have you been working at Four Roses? Talk a little bit...
Feb 24, 2017•49 min•Season 1Ep. 87
The Bourbon Community Roundtable #6 discusses Beam sales tactics with OGD114 news, Buffalo Trace OFC conspiracy theories, and is there a bias towards NDP/MGP when buying off the shelf. Show Notes: Blake from Bourbonr.com, Nick from BreakingBourbon.com and Kerry from Subourbia.com. OGD 114 is here to stay. Another Beam ploy to drive shelf sales. There’s been no shortage of getting your chance to buy raffle tickets for the Buffalo Trace OFC bottles. They carry a suggested price tag of $8-10k. Is t...
Feb 17, 2017•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 86
James Markert, author of The Angel’s Share, joins the show to share information about the first fictional novel based on bourbon that takes place in Twisted Tree, Kentucky on an old family distillery that was abandoned after prohibition. Show Notes: Talk about your brush with bourbon Let’s talk about The Angel’s Share, what’s the premise of the story? What are some distilleries where you got inspiration? Does it take a different kind of author to write something completely fictional? Do you have...
Feb 10, 2017•41 min•Season 1Ep. 85
Elizabeth McCall, Sensory Scientist and Master Taster, Brown-Forman, joins the show to share what happens behind the white curtain and how people with a psychologist degree are recruited into bourbon. Show Notes: Talk about your past, growing up and your education What got you into brown spirits Did you have family influences or connections to the spirits industry? So I have to be honest, we have done the rounds with Master Distillers and they always give credit to people like you, but lets get ...
Feb 02, 2017•58 min•Season 1Ep. 84
Ed Bley, Spirits and Beer Manager at Cork ’N Bottle, joins the show to talk about their historic past with bourbon, the importance of shopping small, and his process of doing barrel picks Show Notes: Dive into your past and some history to what led you into bourbon What’s the history of Cork N’ Bottle? Talk about how you deal with allocated releases What’s the importance to shop small and local? What’s your process for barrel picks? Anything special coming up? Learn more about your ad choices. V...
Jan 27, 2017•55 min•Season 1Ep. 83
The Bourbon Community Roundtable #5 dicusses the theories behind Old Scout, 2017 Predictions and Easily Obtainable Barrel Proof Choices. Show Notes: Joined by Blake of bourbonr.com, Jordan of breakingbourbon.com, and Kerry of subourbia.com So Smooth Ambler has discontinued their barrel program, which means no more private picks of SAOS. Thoughts? 2017 Predictions. What's going to happen? Are there any companies that will be bought up in 2017? Are we going to see more bottles lose age statements?...
Jan 19, 2017•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 82
Ryan Ashley, COO and Director of Distillery Operations, talks about how his history of beer brewing led him to distillation, the Four Roses brand, distillery expansion, and even hints at a possible Four Roses Rye. Show Notes: Today's Guest co-host is Linden Ferguson Talk about your past. Where did you grow up and your education, family influence, all that You’ve been known to be a big beer guy. What got you into bourbon? Talk about your job for a few minutes and your responsibilities So before w...
Jan 13, 2017•40 min•Season 1Ep. 81
Chuck Cowdery, Bourbon Author and media pundit, joins to talk about Jim Beam backpedaling its way out of Booker’s price increase and the unique purchases Sazerac is making to expand their footprint. Show Notes: Talk about how you got into bourbon in the beginning Give the listeners a quick background on your books The Booker's thing is on everyone's mind and you had a article calling their actions dumb and embarrassing Sazerac has purchased the Popcorn Sutton, a building in downtown New Orleans ...
Jan 06, 2017•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 80
John Little, VP and Head Distiller at Smooth Ambler, talks about the how the whole operation started from a note his father-in-law gave him from Time magazine. John dives into the roots of his current distillation and the single barrels seen on the market. Show Notes: Talk a little about your past and how you got into Whiskey What made you want to start a bourbon company a long time ago outside of KY? Talk about Smooth Ambler for a bit and what you offer Talk about the name behind it as well. Sm...
Dec 29, 2016•51 min•Season 1Ep. 79
This one is going to be a heater in December! Join Bourbon Pursuit along with bloggers from Bourbonr, Subrourbia, and Sipp'n Corn to talk about these following questions and a 2016 Year in Review: Show Notes: Let's bring the heat. What the hell is Beam doing?! On the last episode we talked about gifting bourbon in the $50 or $100 range. Now, what bourbons do you "want" to be gifted if you had the choice? Was 2016 a year of dud bourbons? What was one thing you were happy about and one thing that ...
Dec 23, 2016•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 78
Jimmy Russell, Master Distiller and Legend at Wild Turkey, sits down to tell his story. He thinks he’s “Plain Ol’ Jimmy” but once you hear his stories about childhood, befriending the likeness of greats in the industry, and sharing his wealth of knowledge you will see he really is an icon. Show Notes: I want to talk about your history before Wild Turkey. Talk a little bit about your childhood and upbringing. Sports, basketball, track, baseball. I know your father and grandfather were in this whi...
Dec 15, 2016•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 77
Kevin Didio, Manager of Kentucky Visitor Experience at Bulleit Frontier Experience, talks about his career in bourbon with multiple distilleries, dives into the history of Stitzel-Weller and IW Harper, and talks about the visitor attractions you can see at the reinstated Stitzel-Weller Distillery. Show Notes: Talk about your role here at the Bulleit Frontier. Before we talk about some of the other positions you've held, Talk about how you got into bourbon. I found my calling in college, what abo...
Dec 10, 2016•40 min•Season 1Ep. 76
Bourbon Community Roundtable #3 - we discuss best bottles for the dollar, holiday sharing, hunting stories, and Kerry’s #pappyslap Show Notes: Max Gordian on Bourbonr Facebook: Just curious, how long do you usually let your bourbon breathe after you pour a glass? What's the -cheapest- bottle worth having? The holidays are coming up with the family. We've all got family members who like bourbon but not on our level. Do you bring the goods or some of the regular stuff you want to deplete? What's y...
Dec 02, 2016•56 min•Season 1Ep. 75
Eddie Russell, Master Distiller at Wild Turkey, joins the show to discuss growing up around the distillery, apprenticeship, and what tradition has taught him about the business. Show Notes: Talk about your childhood. What was your upbringing like? What sports did you play? You were also going to play college ball at one point How did you get roped into this operation? In 2015 you were named Master Distiller here at Wild Turkey. Talk about your job now. Did your formal education prepare you for b...
Nov 24, 2016•53 min•Season 1Ep. 74
Jim Kokoris, author of The Big Man of Jim Beam: Booker Noe And the Number-One Bourbon In the World, joins the show to talk about the life of Booker Noe and the impact he made on the industry. How did you get into writing about bourbon? What kind of man was Booker Noe? What was Booker doing as a Master Distiller before that term became skewed - over the years? How did Booker have the foresight of single barrel and small batches is where the market is headed? Did Booker embrace the fame? What memo...
Nov 18, 2016•40 min•Season 1Ep. 73
Jay Erisman, Vice President, & Hannah Loween, General Manager, from New Riff Distilling talk about the unique bourbon they are making while being in an urban setting. Show Notes: Jay Erisman, Vice President - Distiller - Strategic Development Hannah Loween, General Manager Tell us how you got started with brown spirits? Talk a bit about the history of New Riff. What's the story behind the name of New Riff? Talk about all your different stills Talk about your milling process Talk about your w...
Nov 11, 2016•55 min•Season 1Ep. 72
Chris Trevino, the YouTube sensation known as Liquor Hound, talks about the intricacies of reviewing whiskey ranging from the type of glass to even the water used to dilute it. Show Notes: How did you get started with whiskey Talk about what you do. How many videos do you have and how many whiskies have you reviewed? Lets talk about your process of tasting because a simple tasting with you on your youtube videos takes a solid 10 to 15 minutes - Liquor Hound Back on episode 30 we talked with Rowb...
Nov 04, 2016•45 min•Season 1Ep. 71
Bourbon Community Roundtable #2 - we discuss bourbon regrets, thoughts on bottle signings, what brand markets best, and weller special reserve. Show Notes: Watch it on Bourbon Pursuit's YouTube Page Joined by Blake from Bourbonr.com, Jordan from BreakingBourbon.com, and Brian from Sipp'n Corn. What's your biggest bourbon regret? Getting bottles signed. your thoughts? What distillery or brand does the best job marketing their products? Why do people really give a shit or go crazy for regular well...
Oct 28, 2016•58 min•Season 1Ep. 70
