Today, we're tackling the elephant in the whiskey room with the science: Dr. Ulysses Wu (Yuli), the Chief Epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare. Yuli’s personal journey is wild—from corporate finance to infectious diseases—and now he focuses on the intersection of alcohol, health, and longevity. He joins us to share his personal bourbon journey and how he accidentally procured some seriously rare Stitzel-Weller when nobody was looking. This is a mandatory listen for anyone who loves brown water and wants to understand the science behind drinking healthily and responsibly.

Join us as we crack open Ingram’s new Unchartered wheated bourbon.

The Lodge at Trial and Error is open, Jim Gaffigan’s Releases A Bourbon Set on YouTube, and Vintage Whiskey Counterfeiter Exposed in Maryland.

I am thrilled to welcome back the hilarious Jim Gaffigan for his second time on the show! Since his last time on the show when he launched Fathertime Bourbon, Jim has been traveling the country and getting hooked into the bourbon scene at every stop. His journey has gone from curious to borderline hoarder because he reveals that he keeps a spreadsheet of his bourbon purchases, which just proves he's definitely one of us. The real subject of this show is to share the details about his new special, A Bourbon Set. 45 minutes of uncontrollable laughter that only us bourbon nerds will understand because we've all experienced it before. Don't wait, go now to YouTube to watch it because it's already hit 1M streams. And make sure you stay to watch the credits, you may see some familiar faces.

Maker’s Mark dropped their 2025 Cellar Aged release, and we were not ready for what happened in the glass.

Buffalo Trace does a pop-up in Mumbai, A break-in happened at Castle & Key, and Rabbit Hole Distillery introduces Amrûlé.

This is Macauley's second time on the show and if you don't remember here's a bit about him. He was studying law but realized it wasn't his ultimate career path and became the Barrel Program Manager at Wilderness Trail. After Campari acquired Wildernes Trail he left and started his own brand and today he shares the creative vision behind Dark Arts. Macaulay gets candid about the major challenges of launching a brand right in the middle of a pandemic, from securing financing to maintaining a positive mindset. We walk through some of Dark Arts' most innovative—and sometimes controversial—aspects, including their use of unique wood finishes and their famous "Blunt Blend." This is a brand committed to pushing boundaries in a seriously crowded market. Plus, we get the inside scoop on the symbolic meanings behind their distinct labels and their newly opened venue in Lexington.

We put Bluffton Whiskey Carolina Gold Rice to the test.

Tennessee Distilling to Acquire Waterford Whiskey, Michter’s Drops their 20 Year Bourbon, and Willett Distillery has announced its new Willett Family Estate Small Batch Bourbon.

We're back with Bourbon Community Roundtable number 112 to continue tackling the controversial topic of the three-tier distribution system. Our panel dives into how consumers can actually help their favorite smaller brands get distribution, offering real-world advice on retailer outreach and using social media for buzz. We then dissect what massive political or economic shift would be required to see meaningful reform. Finally, we debate the powerful question: if the whole system disappeared tomorrow, who would win—the hustling craft distilleries or the heritage brands with deep pockets?. This one is packed with high-stakes debate.

In this episode, we’re taking you behind the scenes of those releases for everyone who couldn’t make that inaugural Founder Hour. Kenny and Ryan walk through what makes each of these barrels special — from a 12-year Bardstown sibling to the legendary 017, to a 20-year Tennessee giant that officially becomes the oldest whiskey in Pursuit Spirits history. We talk about how long they’ve been sitting on some of these barrels, what patience really looks like when you’re building a brand, and why Founder Hour might be the most personal experience they’ve ever created.

Blue Run is back with one of its wildest experiments yet: Glimmer, a Kentucky straight bourbon finished in Barr Hill Tom Cat Gin barrels and dressed in a flashy, color-shifting bottle.

A Fiscal Court in Eastern Kentucky will regulate bio-digestion facilities, Shiner Bock is now entering bourbon, and Pursuit Spirits launches founder hour and 4 new single barrels.

Today we're joined by Greg Keeley, the founder and distiller of Larrikin Bourbon Company. Greg’s background is wild: He’s taking us through his early days in Australia’s Margaret River wine industry and his 22-year career in the military, and explaining how those very different experiences shaped his philosophy on whiskey. Greg recounts the path that took him from military life in Washington, D.C., to the hemp industry, and then—in a move fueled by pure passion—to founding a bourbon company. We dive deep into the name "Larrikin," which is an Australian term for a rebellious, mischievous person, and how that spirit is bottled into every drop. We get candid about the major challenges of launching a brand, including the necessary rebranding from Lawrenceburg Bourbon Company to its current, distinct identity. With plenty of laughs and valuable insights, Greg highlights why authenticity, quality, and a strong sense of camaraderie are key to surviving (and thriving) in the modern bourbon landscape.

This 6 year old whiskey is is 111.5 proof and $80 MSRP.

Japan’s Kirin Holdings has put Four Roses up for sale, Big Thirst and Pour Now have partnered to launch an AI-driven e-commerce platform for the alcohol industry, and Hardin’s Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is releasing the Warehouse Series.

We’re tackling the massive shift happening in American whiskey right now. While the Bluegrass State has its grip, the surging production in states like New York, Texas, and Colorado is raising a serious question: Are we seeing the rise of a new whiskey category that could actually rival Kentucky's dominance? Our conversation zeroes in on Iowa's Cedar Ridge, examining why they’re catching national attention. We dive deep into the real challenges facing out-of-state distillers, discussing how community support, innovative marketing, and quality consistency are their most powerful tools. It’s an uphill battle for craft distillers trying to gain recognition against established giants in prestigious competitions, and we break down the strategies that actually work.

This 9-18 year old whiskey is is 109.3 proof and $100 MSRP (375 ml).

Sazerac is investing more than $38 million to expand its bottling and production, 2025 Craft Spirits Data Project results are in, and it’s not surprising, and Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Special Release Tanyard Hill Rye.

We're sitting down with Conor O' Driscoll, the Master Distiller at Heaven Hill. He's taking us on a journey through the company's remarkable history, from its founding in 1935 to its massive expansion with the new Heaven Hill Springs Distillery, capable of pumping out 1,500 barrels a day. Conor talks to us about how every facet of the new distillery was planned from fermentation techniques to how they will continue to innovative with their Grain to Glass series. We also get into the latest market trends, including if Conor thinks barrel proof expressions are on the decline.

This 7 year old bourbon is is 100 proof and $60 MSRP.

TTB Shutdown Plan Details, Kentucky has reached an all-time high of 16.1 million aging barrels of Bourbon, and Pursuit Spirits has released Pursuit United Kodama Mizunara Bourbon.

We hit on one of the most polarizing and divisive topics that is in our world today, and that's distribution. Love it, hate it, whatever you want, it doesn't matter, it's not going anywhere, and it is the system that we are currently in because of the history of Prohibition, and you're going to learn about that and more. Plus, we're going to start hitting on our own trials and tribulations of living through the three-tier system and some stories from the front lines. Then we wrap up with what you can do as a consumer to help fight back. Got questions for the next episode? submit them at https://brbn.at/q112

Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Rye Whiskey 2025 Edition Review

Dr. Heist is breaking down the full, fascinating journey of Wilderness Trail—from its incredibly dedicated early days to the huge, strategic partnership with Campari. And you know Pat and his background in microbiology, so we had to talk about yeast for a bit. But it’s not just about science; we also explore his unexpected second career in music with his band, Zella May, and what he's now doing with his wealth of investing in other businesses. Plus, we dive into the glass with a tasting of some new bourbon and rye whiskeys they are about ready to share.