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Bourbon Pursuit

Bourbon Pursuitbourbonpursuit.com
The Official Podcast of Bourbon! The best in news, reviews and interviews with people making the bourbon whiskey industry happen. Join hosts Kenny Coleman, Ryan Cecil, and Fred Minnick as they talk with prominent guests and provide insight on American whiskey 3 times a week. Catch all new episodes every Thursday with special Whiskey Quickie reviews on Tuesday and get caught up on bourbon news with This Week in Bourbon on Friday.
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Episodes

Whiskey Quickie: Hirsch The Cask Strength Bourbon Finished in Cognac Casks Review

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Hirsch The Cask Strength Bourbon Finished in Cognac Casks. This 7 year old finished bourbon is 127 proof and $200 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...

May 23, 20235 min

TWiB: Justins' House of Bourbon Charges Dropped, Log Still Launches Their Single Barrel Program, Jim Beam's American Single Malt Clermont Steep

It's This Week in Bourbon for May 19th 2023. Justins' House of Bourbon has had all charges in Washington DC dropped, Log Still Distillery launches their own single barrel program, and Jim beam enters the American Single Malt Category with Clermont Steep.Show Notes: The Michelin Guide US has named Basil Hayden its official American whiskey partner Justins' House of Bourbon has had all charges in Washington DC dropped Log Still Distillery launches their own single barrel program Frankfort, KY offe...

May 19, 202350 min

410 - Lessons Learned From Building The Biggest Bourbon Bar with Josh Howes and Tommy Craggs of Watch Hill Proper

The dream of owning a bourbon bar. That sounds pretty awesome doesn't it? In this episode, we get to hear Watch Hill Proper's journey. Joshua Howes and Tommy Craggs join the show to talk about the initial concept of the bar and the challenges they faced not coming from a restaurant background. We dive into the finer details of the business such as staff training, retainment, and revenue between food and beverage. But for us whiskey geeks, we talk about building a collection of unicorns that are ...

May 18, 20231 hr 12 minSeason 1Ep. 410

Whiskey Quickie: Chicken Cock Double Oak Whiskey Review

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Chicken Cock Double Oak Whiskey. This 8 year old whiskey is 92 proof and $100 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 16, 20236 min

TWiB: MGP Acquires Penelope Bourbon for $215M, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Changes Age Statement, Mark Brown Steps Down as CEO of Sazerac

It's This Week in Bourbon for May 12th 2023. MGP and Luxco will acquire Penelope Bourbon for up to $215M, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof moves to variable age stated releases, and Mark Brown will step down as CEO and president of Sazerac in July.Show Notes: MGP and Luxco will acquire Penelope Bourbon for up to $215M B.R. Distilling Company now offers tours at the distillery Elijah Craig Barrel Proof moves to variable age stated releases Wenzel Whiskey has acquired assets and an inventory of aged spir...

May 12, 202341 min

409 - Are Cask Finishes Going to Follow The Craft Beer Craze?

Where did it all go wrong? Or maybe it's not even wrong, but secondary cask finished bourbons seems to all the rage. What used to be a means of innovation has turned into a chase to find the most exotic woods and multi-cask finishes to keep fans asking, what's next? In this episode, Ryan, Fred, and myself dive into the history of cask finishes and question whether double oaked bourbons are still considered pure bourbon. We wonder why don't consumers ask more questions to hold companies responsib...

May 11, 202359 minSeason 1Ep. 409

Whiskey Quickie: Kentucky Owl Bourbon Batch 12 Review

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Kentucky Owl Bourbon Batch 12. This non-age stated bourbon is 115.8 proof and $400 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 09, 20234 min

TWiB: New Riff's Two New Heirloom Bourbons, Buffalo Trace Experimental Peated Bourbon, Blue Run Spirits First Single Barrel Rye Whiskey

It's This Week in Bourbon for May 5th 2023. New Riff Distilling has announced the dual release of two new heirloom grain bourbons, Buffalo Trace Distillery is thrilled to release Buffalo Trace Experimental Peated Bourbon, and Blue Run Spirits announces its first ever Single Barrel Rye WhiskeyShow Notes: Bardstown Bourbon Co. kicks off their summer patio concert series Diesel Cigars and Rabbit Hole are marking their third collaboration New Riff Distilling has announced the dual release of two new...

May 05, 202339 min

408 - Single Rickhouse Bottlings and Fixing Single Barrel Saturation on Bourbon Community Roundtable #80

We've got two juicy topics to tackle so here's what we've got. Last year we saw the release of Russell's Reserve Single Rickhouse limited edition offering. That sparked a Vine Pair article that asked if single rickhouse bottlings will be the next big thing? I wanted to challenge that a bit and figure out if we really think there are varied flavor profiles based on rickhouses or are they cherry-picking barrels to make another marketing angle. In the second half of the show we discuss the current ...

May 04, 20231 hr 8 minSeason 1Ep. 408

Whiskey Quickie: Bernheim Barrel Proof Wheat Whiskey Review

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Bernheim Barrel Proof Original Wheat Whiskey Batch A223. This 7-9 year old wheat whiskey is 118.8 proof and $65 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...

May 02, 20234 min

TWiB: Heaven’s Door To Open A New Distillery, Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Row Experience Opens, Barrell Adds Rye to Private Releases

It's This Week in Bourbon for April 28th 2023. Heaven’s Door Spirits plans to open a new distillery in Pleasureville, Kentucky, Buzzard’s Roost Sipping Whiskeys announces the opening of the Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey Row Experience in downtown Louisville, and Barrell Craft Spirits will add Rye to its already expansive Private Release offerings.Show Notes: Heaven’s Door Spirits plans to open a new distillery in Pleasureville, Kentucky DISCUS backs 2 bills in California and Maine The Mexican navy has...

Apr 28, 202359 min

407 - More Mind Blowing Stave Science on Bourbon Aging with Andrew Wiehebrink of ISC

How much influence does the barrel have on the whiskey you drink? If you talk to a lot of people in the industry you will get a rough estimate of 70% or more flavor gets extracted from the barrel. We've had a few coopers on the show to talk about process, and even today's guest was back on Episode 346. We were so amazed at some of his research we wanted him to come back on the show to talk about more mind blowing stave science. Andrew Wiehebrink is the Director of Spirits Research and Innovation...

Apr 27, 20231 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 407

Whiskey Quickie: New Riff Malted Rye Whiskey 6 Year Old Review

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review New Riff Malted Rye Whiskey. This 6 year old rye whiskey is 100 proof and $60 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 25, 20234 min

TWiB: Bardstown Fights Back At Distillery Construction, Old Elk Announces 2023 Single Barrel Program, Booker’s Releases First Batch of 2023

It's This Week in Bourbon for April 21st 2023. The city of Bardstown fights back and stops new distillery construction, Old Elk Distillery announced its 2023 Single Barrel Program, and Booker’s Bourbon is releasing the first batch of the 2023 Collection.Show Notes: The city of Bardstown fights back and stops new distillery construction The Woodford Reserve $1,000 Mint Julep Woodford Reserve is creating a sensorial experience at John F. Kennedy’s Internal Airport Global bourbon market value cap b...

Apr 21, 20231 hr 10 min

406 - Chasing A Passion of BBQ with Matt Pittman of Meat Church

If you google for anything BBQ related on YouTube, I can guarantee you will see a video pop-up of our guest. Matt Pittman is the founder of Meat Church, he's one of the most well-known BBQ personalities in the industry. But Matt wasn't always talking about brisket and ribs with his infamous Holy Cow rub, that was his passion project. In this episode we talk about his career and what it took to make a pivot from a comfy position in IT to going all-in with Meat Church. But this isn't all about BBQ...

Apr 20, 20231 hr 9 minSeason 1Ep. 406

Whiskey Quickie: Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 20-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Corn Whiskey Review

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 20-Year-Old Corn Whiskey. This 20 year old corn whiskey is 115 proof and $290 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...

Apr 18, 20234 min

TWiB: Wild Turkey Adds A Second Distillery, Sotheby's Rare American Whiskey Selection, A 10 Year Willett For Pope Francis

It's This Week in Bourbon for April 14th 2023. Campari Group plans to add a second distillery at its Wild Turkey campus in Lawrenceburg, Sotheby's unveiled The Rare American Whiskey Selection , and Father Jim Sichko marks the 10-year anniversary of the election of Pope Francis with a rare release of 10-year Willet.Show Notes: Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has begun an antitrust investigation into Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits Heaven’s Door plans to open The Last Refuge, a whiskey bar and l...

Apr 14, 20231 hr 8 min

405 - What Does It Take To Be A Master Taster? with Melissa Rift of Old Forester

Master Taster. It just sounds like a really cool job. But what does it take to become a Master Taster? Old Forester is a brand that has a history of hiring people for this role and their newest is Melissa Rift. Ryan and I have had the pleasure of getting to know Melissa over the years but it was in different roles she held in the industry. Yet, thanks to notifications on indeed.com, she was able to apply and land this role. We talk about her history and career in the industry and then we dive in...

Apr 13, 20231 hr 6 minSeason 1Ep. 405

Whiskey Quickie: Old Forester King Ranch Bourbon Review

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Old Forester King Ranch Bourbon. This non-age stated bourbon is 105 proof and $70 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 11, 20234 min

Behind The Pursuit: Expanding the Brand's Portfolio

Having a variety of SKUs or choices in a brand’s portfolio is a great thing, right? You can reach a multitude of customers with multiple entry points or stepping blocks for them to learn more about you. However, the biggest challenges folks don’t really see come after the product development: continuously communicating with distributors why a new SKU should be carried, shelf space competition, ongoing marketing material about the new SKUs. The behind-the-scenes work can really add up, and is it ...

Apr 07, 202349 min

404 - RNDC Responds To Sazerac's Lawsuit and When Will We See More Anti-Counterfeit Seals? on Bourbon Community Roundtable #79

It's everyone's monthly favorite, the bourbon community roundtable where we invite some of the brightest minds in bourbon media to come on and go deep on some topics. And up first is the story that keeps on giving. Earlier this year Sazerac came out of the gate putting a $38.6M lawsuit in front of Republic National Distributing Company (known as RNDC). Now here we are a few weeks later and we get RNDC's response where they are countersuing for Sazerac's attempts at undermining the three-tier sys...

Apr 06, 20231 hr 10 minSeason 1Ep. 404

Whiskey Quickie: A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Bourbon #2 Review

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Bourbon #2. This 10 year old bourbon is 144.5 proof and $100 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 04, 20235 min

TWiB: Elijah Craig is the Official Bourbon of the PGA, Chicken Cock Rleases Double Oak Kentucky Whiskey, Rock Town Introduces the Column Still Collection

It's This Week in Bourbon for March 31st 2023. Elijah Craig is the Official Bourbon and whiskey supplier of the PGA, Chicken Cock Whiskey has released a Double Oak Kentucky Whiskey, Rock Town introduces the Column Still Collection.Show Notes: Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) urges Congress to legalize cannabis at the federal level Regenified Certification to Star Hill Farm New York wine and spirits shop owners traveled to Albany, New York to challenge Amazon Elijah Craig is the “...

Mar 31, 202358 min

403 - Where Coffee and Bourbon Collide with Brian Beyke of Quills

If you've listened to our show long enough you would know that it's Kenny versus Fred and Ryan when it comes to coffee. Kenny isn't not much of a coffee drinker but those guys can't live without. But I'm sure there are lots of other coffee and bourbon drinkers out there and you see things like "barrel aged" coffee and immediately gravitate towards it. I mean, how could you not? We should be barrel-aging everything! But there are more correlations between coffee and bourbon that I never knew of s...

Mar 30, 20231 hr 7 minSeason 1Ep. 403

Whiskey Quickie: Old Elk 2022 Infinity Blend Bourbon Review

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Old Elk 2022 Infinity Blend Bourbon. This non-age stated bourbon is 114.1 proof and $150 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 28, 20234 min

TWiB: RNDC Fights Back Against The Sazerac Lawsuit, Blue Run Revealed Plans For A New Distillery, Pinhook Debutes their Vertical Series Rye 7-Year

It's This Week in Bourbon for March 17th 2023. RNDC fights back against the Sazerac lawsuit. Blue Run Spirits today revealed the first look at its planned whiskey distillery and headquarters in Georgetown, Kentucky.Pinhook Bourbon has debuted their Vertical Series Rye 7-Year.Show Notes: RNDC fights back against the Sazerac lawsuit Fermenting Change has launched outlining the various ways Three-Tier System harms the alcohol industry direct-to-consumer shipping become a reality in Illinois at Ship...

Mar 24, 202354 min

402 - What is Bourbon's Biggest Threat?

Bourbon's rise in popularity has been a monumental shift in consumer behavior, but the reality is that it could all come crashing down really quick. Ryan, Fred, and Kenny spend some time on this episode and think about what are those threats to bourbon? We all have ideas on why it became so popular but what are those outside influences that we have no control over? Fred gives a brief history on the bourbon glut era and that starts spurring other ideas that could hurt bourbon's popularity such as...

Mar 23, 20231 hr 3 minSeason 1Ep. 402

Whiskey Quickie: Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled American Single Malt Review

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled American Single Malt. This non-age stated single malt is 105.7 proof and $70 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...

Mar 21, 20235 min

TWiB: Kentucky Lawmakers Pass House Bill 5, Jack Daniel's New 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey, Green River Introduces Wheat and Full Proof

It's This Week in Bourbon for March 17th 2023. Kentucky lawmakers passed House Bill 5 phasing out a state tax on aging bourbon barrels. Jack Daniel's announced the release of its new 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey along with Batch 2 of its 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey. This month, Green River will introduce two brand new expressions.Show Notes: New bottle tracking app called Whiskey Shelf Humble Baron, home to the world's longest bar, opening at Nearest Green Chattanooga Whiskey named Tiana Saul...

Mar 17, 202356 min

401 - Analyzing the Bourbon Market with Dixon Dedman

The stock market and the bourbon market share one thing in common. They are both impossible to time. If you get in at the right time, maybe you don't have to wait tens of years to make a return on your investment, but if you're too late then you could see a decline. However, in bourbon, there seems to be one person that has time working in his favor, and that's Dixon Dedman. We invite Dixon to come on the show for a third appearance to talk about a few things because it seems like his timing is ...

Mar 16, 20231 hr 6 minSeason 1Ep. 401
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