Today’s podcast featuring the roundtable talks about the controversial relaunch of the OKI brand. We examine the potential motivating factors behind New Riff selling the label and if it’s a pure money grab by the new company that owns it. We then look at the current landscape of craft distillers and if they will survive the COVID-19 conditions as over 43% of all craft distillery workers have now been laid off or furloughed. Lastly, we see an age statement return to Knob Creek. Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about buying whiskey for cheap during the pandemic. OKI is being relaunched with new ownership. Why would New Riff do this and is it a money grab? 118 craft distillers surveyed recently, 42% said they do not believe they will able to stay in business for more than three months with COVID-19. Is the craft boom going to bust? The return of 12 and 9 year Knob Creek. What does this mean for private barrel selections? Thanks to Blake from bourbonr.com, Nick from BreakingBourbon.com, Brian from sippncorn.com, and Kerry from Subourbia for joining. Support this Podcast on Patreon

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Riverset Rye. This non-age stated rye is 93 proof and $40 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.

We went on a road trip to check out Old Dominick distillery in Memphis, TN. We’re excited to let Alex Castle, Master Distiller at Old Dominick, share the history behind the brand and how it was resurrected. We learn about her time at Wild Turkey and then dive into their current operations and product lines. If you are in the Memphis area, make Old Dominick one of your must-stops so you can check out their incredible facility. Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about Whiskey from Home. Tell us about your background. Did you grow up around bourbon? Talk about your time at UK. What did you love about working at Alltech? What happened after graduating? What was your role at Wild Turkey? How did you end up at Old Dominick? Did Old Dominick have an initial vision? What are honeybells? How was the transition from Kentucky to Tennessee? Tell us about the history of the distillery. How did you decide to launch with the Memphis Toddy? Talk about the design of the facility. What was your vision for the still? What was the inspiration for your recipes? Tell us about your products and mash bills. Talk about the barrels. Why keep the barrel wood regional? Will it be harder to keep the wood regional as you scale? Talk about the rooster. Tell us more about your gin. What hurdles did you have when opening the distillery? How have you been received in Memphis?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Legent Bourbon. This non-age stated bourbon is 94 proof and $35 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers! DISCLAIMER: This whiskey in this review was purchased by Bourbon Pursuit for reviewing. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

Bourbon and ham, is that a pairing you would expect? To be honest, neither did I. I’m a sucker for killing a plate of prosciutto at a dinner party, but thanks to our guest Steve Coomes, we’ve discovered a new love for country ham. When done right, the saltiness of the ham just hits all the right spots. We sit down with Steve as he talks to us about a past life as a pizza judge (yes, a pizza judge!) and then we get into hams. The diet of the pigs, curing processes, and even his professional opinion of those ham legs you see hanging inside rickhouses. I think it will surprise you. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t do a bourbon and ham pairing. Try not to salivate too much. Show Notes: Bourbon in a Decanter: Does is go bad? https://advancedmixology.com/blogs/art-of-mixology/does-bourbon-go-bad-in-decanter This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about Derby. How did you get into spirits writing? Tell us about your bourbon and ham parings. Talk about your culinary background. How do you judge a pizza? Tell us about the hams you brought today. How do you come up with the pairings? Are the pigs fed a specific diet? What is the difference in the thickness of country ham and prosciutto. Tell us about curing. What sizes do hams come in? What flavors are you looking for when pairing? How much does this ham cost? Where can you buy country ham? What do you think about hams aging in rickhouses?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A120. This 12 year old bourbon is 136.6 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.

The Kentucky Distillers’ Association does more for bourbon in the US than just Kentucky alone. Eric Gregory, the President of the KDA, has been on both sides of the government trying to put the interests of the distillers and consumers first. We talk about his experience with government lobbying and how he revived the organization. What is the future of bourbon? Are distribution laws changing, what will happen with tariffs, and how will the Bourbon Trail maintain growth? Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about up and coming writers. Tell us about your background. What was it like at the KDA when you first got this job? What was your first lobbying experience at the KDA? Any good horse racing tips? How do you see bourbon growing? What do you think of the tariffs? Tell us about the lobbying process. How do you keep it bipartisan? When you hear rumblings of new taxes what do you all do? Tell us about the steps you have taken from the promotional side of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Affair? How many trail visitors did you have the first year? Talk about partnerships. What are some of the weirdest requests you've gotten from people? Are there other states that look to your organization for guidance? What is your position on the secondary market? Why do so many people oppose shipping alcohol? What do you think about bourbon tourism growth in Bardstown vs. Louisville?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength. This non-age stated bourbon is 130-135 proof and around $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.

If you don’t live in Kentucky, you still need to listen because this is the first piece of legislature that could hit your state next. Adam Koenig, State Representative and Chairman for the Licensing and Occupation Committee in the House, and Christy Trout, Lawyer, Former Commissioner the KY Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, and Special Counsel to the Speaker of the House, give us a break down of the Kentucky House Bill 415. HB415 is the beginning of dismantling the three tier system. Giving consumers the ability to buy directly from distilleries and producers themselves, putting more money back into the pockets of the distillery. No distributor in the equation AND the distiller also acts as the retailer. Second is shipping. Distilleries, as well as breweries and wineries, can now ship to your doorstep in reciprocal states. Listen to get all the details Show Notes: Download the HB415 Summary Support this podcast on Patreon

Today’s podcast, as you guessed it, is a reflection on what’s been happening with COVID-19. The whiskey industry is going to see some big changes. We’ve seen legislation pass as it relates to shipping and delivery of alcohol because it’s deemed an essential part of living and our culture. How long will this trend stick around and will we see this continue when the pandemic is over? Do you want to see more relaxed liquor laws? Lets hear it in the comments. Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about grains. Lots has changed since our last roundtable with COVID-19. Are people actually drinking more? Or are they just hoarding? Is distribution down with distilleries producing hand sanitizer? Will COVID-19 change consumer demand indefinitely with services for shipping and delivery? KY HB415 has passed. What could this mean for the greater United States? Should these large corporations that have donated 50k, 500k, or 1M be donating more? Billions in revenue vs a small donation amount in comparison. When this is all over, what’s the best thing that will come out of COVID-19?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Driftless Glen 51 Rye Whiskey. This non-age stated rye whiskey is 102 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.

In this special bonus podcast, we take a moment to talk to Aaron Goldfarb, whiskey and cocktail journalist and the author of Hacking Whiskey. We talk about his origins and how he got into journalism. The state of NYC at the moment during COVID-19. Then we talk about what led him into covering spirits, his thoughts on the secondary market crackdowns, some of his favorite articles, and where inspiration strikes. Show Notes: Hacking Whiskey

As we’ve seen with the impacts of COVID-19, it’s now become necessary for the spirits industry to adopt technology and delivery services to stay alive. Cory Rellas, the CEO of Drizly, was on the forefront of this years ago. This podcast dives into their business model and how they are helping stores build a digital infrastructure to sell their goods online and get it into the hands of consumers faster. We hit on all kinds of topics such as their competitors in the market, what shipping laws could mean for Drizly, and if there is an opportunity to extend this business model into cannabis. Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about the power of packaging. What is Drizly? How did you come up with this idea? What's the timeline? What was the state of the industry when you got started? What were the challenges? Why did you go through New York early on? What is your big selling point to retail locations? Any pricing restrictions to prevent gouging? Talk about pricing transparency. How are you using the data you are acquiring? Are you sharing the data? Do you have a CRM? How are the products delivered to the consumer? How are you dealing with competition? Are you all interested in getting bought out? What's the end game? What happens if shipping laws change? What is your best selling bourbon? What are the top 5 selling spirit categories? What's your favorite bourbon? How do you work with brands? What needs to change to get more people buy alcohol online? Are you lobbying at all? Is there an opportunity with cannabis? What would the perfect alcohol market look like? What's the latest trend?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Hillrock Estate Exceptional Cask #1. This non-age stated bourbon is 116.8 proof and $120 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers! DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of a Patreon supporter. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

We started off the year talking about Scotch… and now…we’re talking Irish Whiskey? It’s not another April Fool’s joke. We had the opportunity to sit down and capture one of the most interesting stories in Irish Whiskey with Alex Conyngham, co-founder of Slane Irish Whiskey. We talk castles and rock concerts because that’s one big aspect of his history. Then we get into the dynamics of Irish whiskey and if there are commonalities between bourbon like sourcing, regulation, and financing a distillery. Then we discuss the role Brown-Forman plays and how they are trying to appeal to both bourbon and Irish Whiskey consumers. Show Notes: DISCUS hand sanitizer portal: https://www.distilledspirits.org/distillers-responding-to-covid-19/distilleries-producing-hand-sanitizer/ Less than 100 bottles left from 3 different barrels of Pursuit Series left on Seelbachs: https://seelbachs.com/search?q=pursuit This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about drinking bourbon during the COVID-19 pandemic. Where did you grow up and how did you get into whiskey? Tell us about your rock concerts. How did you decide to do the concerts? What is a good Irish cocktail? Where is Slane? What makes Irish whiskey unique? Do people source Irish whiskey? What is the process? How did you decide to start the distillery? Did you use a consultant to get started? What's glamping? Tell us about your dad. How did you finance the distillery? What was it like to work with Brown-Forman? How big is the distillery? What age can you sell Irish whiskey? Tell us about the whiskey? Do you have your own yeast? What's the typical Irish whiskey proof? How long are you aging? Tell us about your packaging. Would bourbon drinkers like Slane Irish whiskey? Tell us about the ultra premium Irish whiskey category. What is the price point?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Three Chord Twelve Bar Reserve. This 12 year old bourbon is 107 proof and $75 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.

Today’s episode features one of the largest spirits companies you might not know much about. You’ve heard of brands like Ezra Brooks, Rebel Yell, and Blood Oath, but there is a lot to discover about Luxco. We sit down with Philip Lux, Global Brand Ambassador at Lux Row Distillers and son of CEO Don Lux, as he guides us through the family history of the Lux’s along with their acquisitions of bourbon brands. Then we also get the inside scoop on what’s happening at Lux Row Distillers. After sourcing whiskey for many years, it became apparent they needed to build a distillery and they did it right in Bardstown, KY. We discuss the future of the brands and how they plan to grow and evolve. Don’t sleep on this location during your bourbon trail visit because the facility is incredible. Show Notes: Black Market Liquor Sales: https://www.forbes.com/sites/fredminnick/2020/03/19/wholesalers-warn-of-black-market-liquor-if-liquor-stores-close-amidst-coronavirus/#3b5445042e88 Supporting Spirits United: https://p2a.co/JRoHtT8 Bourbon Pursuit USBG Fundraiser: bourbonpursuit.com/usbg Bourbon Crypto: https://www.coindesk.com/wave-financial-to-tokenize-20m-worth-of-bourbon-for-new-whiskey-fund Pat Heist on TedX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSLWEnz-1mc This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about supporting craft distilleries. What was your introduction to bourbon? How did you get into the business? What stands out about bourbon when you are traveling? Talk about the difference between Luxco and Lux Row. Did your dad ever tell you about how he had the foresight to acquire all these brands? Tell us the story of David Nicholson. Talk about Blood Oath. Was Rebel Yell acquired the same time as David Nicholson? Tell us about your bourbon portfolio. When did you break ground on the facility? Why did you decide to build in Bardstown and not St. Louis? What is the difference between regular David Nicholson and the reserve? Tell us about your still and capacity. Any worries about your bourbon being ready in 4 years? Are you trying to replicate the existing flavor profiles? What is your storage capacity? What is something that people might not know about your brands? When is the Lux Bourbon coming? Any plans to use this facility to support Luxco? What issues have you had starting a distillery?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Angel's Envy Tawny. This 10 year old bourbon is 111.6 proof and $250 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.

On this episode, we discuss two topics that are top of mind. First, is the Coronavirus and how it's impacting the bourbon industry. Then we take a look at the hype and hysteria that surrounds Blanton's. We dive into the recent news of Blanton's Gold making its way to the US and if we think $120 SRP is a deal you should jump on. You will hear a new voice for a few minutes and that is Aaron Goldfarb. You may have seen his work on various publications around the web. He wasn’t able to stay on due to some technical difficulties, but we hope to have him on again soon. Show Notes: Barrel Shortage: https://www.thedailybeast.com/is-there-a-bourbon-barrel-shortage-on-the-horizon This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about taxes. What are distilleries doing for coronavirus? History of Blanton's. How did Blanton's become so popular? Will limiting the purchases of allocated items work? Why don't distilleries use technology to manage this problem? Blanton's Gold coming to the US. Is it because of tariffs? Are they taking away from the European allocation? How can you make more product with only one warehouse? Will quality suffer with increased production? What other companies have a similar strategy to Blanton's? What do you think of the price point? Will Straight from the Barrel ever come to the U.S.? Thanks to Blake from bourbonr.com, Jordan from BreakingBourbon.com , Brian from sippncorn.com, and Aaron Goldfarb for joining.

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Traverse City Whiskey Co. Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey. This non-age stated rye is 115.8 proof and $90 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.

Many of us have heard of A. Smith Bowman, which is owned by Sazerac, but we really don’t know much about them. We sit down with their Master Distiller, Brian Prewitt, to learn about the inner-workings of their operation and how the relationship with Sazerac works, as it pertains to the bourbon. With more than 20 years of brewing and distilling expertise, he tells us how he dialed in their stills to create a unique product and what the future entails for growth. We may or may not talk about gin for a few minutes as well. If you're a fan of A. Smith Bowman, let us know your favorite bottling in the comments. Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about Texas. How did you get into bourbon? What has been your favorite spirit to work with? Did your parents influence you to get into the alcohol industry? Tell us the history of A. Smith Bowman. Does it ever make you mad that Kentucky gets all the glory for bourbon? What year did the operation start? Tell us the history of Master Distillers there. Is it hard to dial in flavor profiles? Are you able to make your own imprint on the product? What did you tweak during the process? When did it become part of the Sazerac portfolio? What resources did you gain from Sazerac? Do you distill or does Buffalo Trace contract distill? Is it aged in VA? Are higher age releases sourced or made in house? What is your capacity? How many states are you available in? Is there a flavor profile difference from Kentucky bourbon? Tell us about your products. What makes your gin unique? Tell us about your single barrel program. Where do you see the market in the future? How has Virginia embraced you? Do you have a lot of competition visit? Has bourbon tourism grown in VA? What are your plans for growth?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Elijah Craig Rye. This non-age stated rye is 94 proof and $29.99 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.

Do you find yourself talking to the same people about bourbon every day and realize you talk to them more than your best friends? In fact, maybe they are your new best friends. We're all in that situation now and that's what today's episode is all about. Bourbon has a magical element that seems to bring people together across every demographic to share a common bond. Perhaps you're getting started and want to figure out, how do you find your bourbon people? We sit down with Jeremy Mandel, he's an admin and founder of a few online communities and one of our Patreon supporters. We go through what it takes to find connections with other like minded individuals that can be done online with people around the world or perhaps in your own backyard with meet-up groups, bourbon societies, and much more. You'll come away at the end of this realizing you probably followed some of these same steps without realizing it. Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about money. How did you get into bourbon? What was your introduction to the online bourbon communities? Do you ever have events with your bourbon friends? Do certain groups create more bonds than others? What about your local society? Do you think raffle groups encourage camaraderie? What did you think of the Bob Dylan whiskey? Would you rather go to someone's house to drink bourbon or a bar? Can these bourbon networks get bigger? How can people find a bourbon community? What relationships have gotten you a really good bottle of bourbon?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Kentucky Owl Rye Batch 3. This 10 year old rye is 114 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.

Michael Myers sits down to tell us his story of starting Distillery 291. He had a booming photography career, but while living in NY during the events of 9/11, it made him want something else. He found out early on that he liked whiskey, so like most of us who start off with something new, he researched and used his skills from a past farm life to make it a reality. Michael actually built his very first still on a tight budget and ended up using some of his photography equipment to create the still. From these humble beginnings, his whiskey has gone off to win many different awards and they are now expanding even further, creating a whiskey that is Aspen stave finished and authentic to Colorado. Show Notes: Maker's Mark Solar Panels: https://www.wlky.com/article/makers-mark-now-powering-rickhouses-with-help-of-500-solar-panels/31017612 Beverage Daily Article: https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2020/02/17/Alcohol-s-three-tier-system-slows-ecommerce-and-dates-the-industry Why Does Whiskey Taste Like Whiskey: https://www.thedailybeast.com/why-does-whiskey-taste-like-whiskey-an-excerpt-from-lew-brysons-new-book-whiskey-master-class Rate Our Podcast: https://ratethispodcast.com/bourbon This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about blended whiskey. When were you first introduced to bourbon? Where are you from? How long where you in Savannah? Let's talk about your background in photography. Which more enjoyable, photography or whiskey making? Tell us about your experience with 9/11. How were your first attempts at making whiskey? Did you lean on any outside consultants? Tell us about building and designing your still. How much did it cost to build your still? What was your end goal when you first started? Tell us about your barrels. What was going through your mind when you first started? Did your photography career fund the whiskey business? Tell us about your awards. What is the operation like today? Was it daunting coming to Kentucky with your bourbon? Did you experience growing pains? What do you want our listeners to leave with about 291?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Yellowstone Select. This non-age stated bourbon is 93 proof and $40 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers! DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of Cask Cartel. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

On this episode, we touch on three topics. First, we look at how bourbon producers can reach new consumers. Then we take on the new celebrity craze. Over the past year, there have been about half a dozen music artists and TV personalities that have come out with bourbons. While we don’t see this trend stopping, we ask ourselves if this is good for bourbon as a whole. Lastly, we examine the current state of the secondary market. It’s a group consensus that we all miss it, but how has it affected value, store pricing, and distributor allocation? Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about celebrity whiskey. How do bourbon producers reach new customers? What about new label designs? What do you think about celebrities getting into bourbon? Are celebrities helping or hurting bourbon? Let's discuss the current state of the secondary market.

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Baker's 7 Year. This 7 year old bourbon is 107 proof and $70 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers! DISCLAIMER: This whiskey in this review was purchased by Bourbon Pursuit for reviewing. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

Today, on the podcast we talk with Paul McLaughlin. He might not be known to you yet, or his cooperage, but the story he shares and how they hone their craft is like no other. We had the opportunity to check out Kelvin Cooperage and get a behind the scenes tour of their barrel building process. It’s amazing how everything is still very labor intensive and they use machines and tooling that have been part of their process since the beginning. We dive into toasting on a natural fire and what makes their barrels different from other cooperages around the country. We also discuss the economics of a cooperage and how they are trying to satisfy the growth of a world-wide demand for used barrels. Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about faulty pipe systems at distilleries. Where are you from? How did you get into the barrel making business? How did you get into bourbon? How does Kentucky compare to Scotland? When did you join the family business? Was it hard to have your brother as your boss? How is your process unique? What is the reasoning behind toasting? Tell us about the natural fire. How long does it take a new cooper to get the hang of the process? Do you rotate positions? Do you have a high employee turnover? How many used barrels are you buying per day? What other barrels do you get besides bourbon? What's the craziest barrel you've made? Tell us about selling barrels in Asia and Japan. Let's discuss the economics of barrel making. What is your quality control process? What makes your cooperage appealing to customers? Is it harder to make a 25 gallon barrel? How do you see this business growing? How do you source oak? How do you determine pricing? What about secondary finishing? Where do you see the business in 10 years?

Today, we talk to one of the biggest up and coming distilleries in Bardstown...and that's the Bardstown Bourbon Company. We covered the business side in a past episode, but this time we look at operations and the two guys responsible for filling thousands of barrels per year. Steve Nally and John Hargrove sit down with us to talk about their background in distillation. Spoiler alert, Steve Nally is kind of a big deal. We also touch on what the process is like for a customer to work with them as they choose a mash bill, yeast strain, barrel location in the rickhouse, and where they see the market in 5 years. If you are on the bourbon trail, be sure to stop at BBC for lunch and a dusty pour. Show Notes: Jim Beam Cheat Sheet: http://bourbonr.com/blog/jim-beam-distillery-production-cheat-sheet/ This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about Bolivia. What was your first taste of bourbon? How did you get into working in the bourbon and spirits industry? How was it going from Maker's to a start up distillery? Do you have a formal education in science or did you learn on the job? How did they convince you to come to BBC? What was the initial BBC strategy? What is your distillery capacity? Did you see the need for contract distilling? Is it difficult to produce so many mash bills? Do clients have a mash bill in mind or do you help coach them? Walk us through the process. Can you pick your own yeast strain? Can you sample the yeast strains? Do you guide customers on wood? How long is your wait? How do you allocate floor levels in the warehouse? What's the craziest demand from a customer? Is it more efficient to have a contract distiller? What are you distilling for BBC? Talk about the risk of experimenting with products. Where do you see bourbon in 3-5 years? Any plans for other spirits? Tell us about the decision to allow customers to customize the process. Do you bottle and help with packaging?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Kentucky Owl Batch 9. This non-age stated bourbon is 127.6 proof and $300 MSRP. Let us know what you think in the comments. 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.

Red Hook Rye... that bottling might be what made LeNell a household name among bourbon unicorn chasers, but LeNell has a story to tell when it comes to the spirits industry. Her story is filled with fortunate encounters that propelled her name and eventually put her little shop in Brooklyn on the map. Like any endeavor, her story has highs and lows. LeNell shares what owning a store in Red Hook was like back in the day and how she has gone back to her roots in Alabama. We also touch on secondary pricing of her famous private label. Now, before you go any further, this podcast does contain some explicit language so don't say we didn't warn you. You get to hear the real LeNell Camacho Santa Ana. Show Notes: Jim Beam Article: https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-beams-are-americas-first-family-of-bourbon This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about the Super Bowl. When was your first taste of whiskey? Do you care about Alabama football? Where did you get the idea of LeNell's? What were your early days like? Did your store ever experience any crime? How did you get into the liquor business? Why did you focus on bourbon? Talk about Straight Bourbon. How did Red Hook Rye happen? Tell us about the process of selecting Red Hook. Do you have any Red Hook left? What are your thoughts on the secondary pricing? What hurdles did you face opening up a store in Alabama? Why was this store so important to you? Do you feel like it is better now as a women in whiskey than in the past? Tell us about the success of your store. Are you helping other businesses open in your neighborhood? What is your newest project?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Knob Creek Quarter Oak. This non-age stated bourbon is 100 proof and $50 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers! DISCLAIMER: This whiskey in this review was purchased by Bourbon Pursuit for reviewing. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

This week’s Bourbon Community Roundtable touches on lots of good hot topics. We look at MGP's stock as it continues it's downward trend with our thoughts on how this will play out for them. Then we talk about sourcing in general and if consumers are getting oversaturated with the same bulk market products. Stickers are always a fun subject, but this week there was one released that got national media attention. Will distilleries crack down on stickers? Lastly, we congratulate Old Forester on it’s revamp of the barrel program and cap it off with our most annoying bourbon terms. Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks more about smoked grains. Breaking Bourbon announces Stagg Jr. as their whiskey of the year. Let's discuss. What do you think about the MPG losses for the 3rd quarter in a row? Is the bourbon market oversaturated with brands? What happens when the aged whiskey runs out? Let's discuss the effect of stickers on bottles. What do you think about the New Riff Pitino sticker? Sticker predictions? Brown-Forman comes out with a barrel proof single barrel program for Old Forester. What is taking everyone else so long? What's the most annoying term in bourbon?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Old Fitzgerald Fall 2019. This 15 year old bourbon is 100 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.

It’s the topic everyone loves to hear about, but hardly anyone is willing to talk about. And that’s the inside secrets of distribution. Distributors “hold all the chips” so it’s time we find out how deals are made. We sit down with Mike Bridges, who owns Jack's Liquor Beer Wine in Fremont, Nebraska and was once a rep for Nebraska Wine and Spirits which was later purchased by Republic. He talks about what really happens behind those closed doors, who gets allocations (high volume stores vs small mom and pop shops), and consumer frustrations. There’s a lot of ground to cover in this one. Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about the smoked grain debate. How did you get into bourbon? Tell us about your time in the food and beverage industry. How did you transition into a distributor position? What was the distributor called at that time? How do allocations work? Is there any transparency between the rep and the business? Do they tell you how you can get the allocated items? What motivates a distributor to sell products? How do distributors spend money to get retailers to carry products? Talk about high volume retailers vs mom and pop retailers. Do your distributors take price gouging seriously? How much blame are you putting on the distillers for not getting allocated items? Are they using the distributors to take the blame? Would a distributor advise a brand to raise a price? Do stores ever do favors for distributors in order to get allocated items? What would be a better system? Are allocations really down every year? How has your view changed as a retailer now?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Weller Full Proof. This non-age stated bourbon is 114 proof and $50 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.

Are you ready to geek out? Like super bourbon geek out? Dr. Tom Collins has dedicated part of his career to the details of different spirits and wine. His studies looking at the chemical composition of bourbon as well as the chemical influence from barrels is what intrigued us. We examine, at a scientific level, what char levels create different compounds and reactions, how entry proof affects these compounds, and how bourbon and rye are different in their molecular makeup. Like I said, get ready to geek out! Show Notes: New EU Tariffs: https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2020-01-04/trump-wine-tariffs and https://qz.com/1779258/a-us-wine-tariff-on-the-eu-isnt-great-for-california/ Scotland ankle monitoring: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/5128975/scottish-criminals-alcohol-ankle-tags/ This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about turning your hobby into a career. What is viticulture and enology? How did you choose this profession? Tell us about your research. What compounds are you looking for from toasted barrels? Are there times where a toasted barrel provides a certain flavor profile in the lab, but not in the real world? Is it hard to get consistency from the barrel? What was the outcome of your research? How do you get a buttery taste out of a barrel? Can you tell different whiskies apart chemically? What are the different compounds in rye vs. bourbon? Do bourbons have more differentiation compounds than ryes? How does each compound contribute to the bourbon? What kind of budget did you get to buy the bottles for research? Where do the fruity notes come from in bourbon? What are your thoughts on barrel entry proof? Do you think you could look at dusty bourbons from the 60's or 70's and see differences compared today? What's a big takeaway from your research? What happens when a whiskey is aged in a wine cask?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Larceny Barrel Proof A120. This non-age stated bourbon is 123.2 proof and $50 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.

New for 2020, it’s Scotch Pursuit! Ok, not really. But what better way to start the new year by trying something new and having Dr. Rachel Barrie, the master blender for The GlenDronach, BenRiach, and Glenglassaugh of Brown-Forman, come and show us the ropes. We talk about malting, peat, Glens and Bens, rules and regulations to be considered a scotch, the temperatures and more. This is a fantastic 101 to the scotch world and even made us, not so much scotch curious, but more single malt curious. Since this recording, we’ve tried numerous single malts and found some great ones. If you have an “entry Scotch” for bourbon drinkers, drop it here in the comments. Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about Al Young. Why all the Glens and Bens? Does the altitude affect the whiskey? Talk about growing up around scotch. Tell us about your doctorate. Tell us about the the brands. What is an old school malt? How do you keep malts consistent? What is malting? What is the process for making scotch? What kind of stills do you use? What is your favorite cask? How do you make a blend? How old does scotch have to be legally? Is there a lot of evaporation loss in the barrel? What proof does BenRiach come out of the barrel? How many barrels are in a typical batch? Do you have a team helping you blend? Is there a limit to the number of times you can use a barrel? Tell us about the special releases.

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series #1. This non-age stated bourbon is 98.9 proof and $59.99 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.

The Bourbon Pursuit team takes a minute to look back on some of our favorite podcasts we recorded this year. We also look at all the bourbons that were released in 2019 (around 55) and Ryan and Kenny vote on their favorite while we have to wait for Fred. Then we take some time to look into 2020 with what we think is going to happen with TTB labels, marijuana, tariffs, and the 3 tier system in 2020. We wrap up the show giving our individual 2020 predictions about barrel programs, secondary markets, and other legalities. Happy New Year! Show Notes: Barrel Picks: https://www.patreon.com/posts/jack-daniels-wow-32305844, https://www.patreon.com/posts/eagle-rare-with-32446056 This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about barrel char. What was your favorite episode of 2019? What was the most awkward episode? Bourbons released in 2019. What do you see on the horizon for tariffs and the export market? Do you think we will see a marijuana or CBD infused whiskey in 2020? Will TTB crackdown on new COLAs in 2020? Do you predict a shakeup in the 3 tier system? Will we see the rise of the big secondary groups in 2020? Other predictions for 2020.

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review 1792 Aged Twelve Years. This 12 year old bourbon is 96.6 proof and $50 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers! DISCLAIMER: A sample of this whiskey was provide to us by a member of our Patreon community. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

Brown-Forman and the Kentucky Distillers' Association are two organizations focused on growing bourbon both domestically and internationally. Taylor Amerman and Ali Mize represent these brands to balance the scales by focusing on ways to promote a better drinking culture. This means awareness of moderation, being inclusive of those who don’t drink, and how more ID checking systems are being installed at distilleries across the state. As we go into the holiday season, please remember to be safe and drink responsibly. Show Notes: Worst Old Fashioned: https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/drinks/a30172952/viral-old-fashioned-cocktail-video-jim-beam-redo/ The Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act: SpirtsUnited.org, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/16/business/economy/craft-distilling-liquor-tax.html This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about control states. How did you get into bourbon? How did you end up in this position? Tell us about your background. Talk about bourbon and the environment. What are the responsibilities of your position? What's Intellicheck? Does it track which distilleries you visit? Any concern about upsetting consumers? Tell us about what you all are doing with mocktails. What did you do with mocktails at Derby? What is on the event checklist? How do you promote social responsibility in marketing? What's next to lobby for? Tell us about ride sharing. What do you want the listeners to takeaway? For more information on responsibility efforts, visit brown-forman.com/responsibility and kybourbontrail.com/responsibility.

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Angel's Envy 2019 Cask Strength. This non-age stated bourbon is 122.4 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.

Conor O'Driscoll is beginning to make a name for himself. After spending part of his career at Brown Forman and Angel's Envy, he was recruited to fulfill the role left behind by Denny Potter. Conor is now the seventh Master Distiller in Heaven Hill's 84-year history. We spend some time getting to know Conor's past, what the recruitment process is like to find a master distiller, what his role is going to be with the operation side of things, and how at the end of the day he just doesn't want to screw anything up. Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about dry January. Where are you from? How did you end up in Terre Haute, Indiana? How did you get into bourbon? Tell us about your time at Woodford. What was difficult to learn about the distilling process? Talk about working at Angel's Envy. Is distilling rum the same process as bourbon? Are distillers in charge of blending? How did you end up at Heaven Hill? Did you have to give up anything to move into this role? Are you looking for ways to improve the legacy brands? Was there a learning curve coming to Heaven Hill? Who determines the increase in production? Were you involved in forecasting at your other roles? How did you learn the Heaven Hill portfolio? Do you have a favorite brand? What was it like to sign your first bottle?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Widow Jane The Vaults. This 14 year old bourbon is 99 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.

The online community is one of the biggest forces behind bourbon growth. This is where people go to learn more, ask questions, make connections, and find new and interesting bourbons to try. Reddit has been a platform for those conversations for a long long time. The popularity of the /r/bourbon subreddit has now eclipsed over 109,000 members and it’s continually growing. We sit down with T8ke, one of the moderators of the /r/bourbon subreddit, to get a glimpse into a moderator's daily life. We look into the type of content that gets upvotes, how the AMAs work, and how being anonymous plays a role vs Facebook where it’s your actual name and profile. Join the sub https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/. Show Notes: Whiskey Advocate Top 20: http://whiskyadvocate.com/top20/ This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about whiskey marketing. Tell us how you got into bourbon? What led you to discover more? What type of content do you see on Reddit? Is there a newbie factor? Do people really like the reviews? Who is the typical person checking out these reviews? What does AMA stand for? What were the top AMAs? Tell us about the Reddit culture. Talk about the anonymous factor. Are there any issues since it is anonymous? Are there sales in the forums? What kind of growth are you seeing in the forum? What topics are popular? Why do so many people on Reddit hate Fred Minnick? Have bourbon posts ever been on the front page of Reddit? How much time do you spend moderating? How many posts do you get during release season? When people post do you have to approve it? Who has it worse, Facebook or Reddit mods?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review E.H. Taylor Amaranth Grain of the Gods. This non-age stated bourbon is 100 proof and $70 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers! DISCLAIMER: A sample of this whiskey was provide to us by a member of our Patreon community. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.