Bourbon Pursuit

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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1
TWiB: Buffalo Trace does a pop-up in Mumbai, A ...
Buffalo Trace does a pop-up in Mumbai, A break-in happened at Castle & Key, and Rabbit Hole Distillery introduces Amrûlé.
33 min
2
541 - Alchemy and Blunts with Macaulay Minton o...
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.
58 min
3
Whiskey Quickie: Bluffton Whiskey Carolina Gold...
We put Bluffton Whiskey Carolina Gold Rice to the test.
4 min
4
TWiB: Tennessee Distilling Acquires Waterford W...
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.
46 min
5
540 - Your Questions about the Three Tier Syste...
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.
66 min
6
Behind The Pursuit: What You Missed at the Firs...
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.
43 min
7
Whiskey Quickie: Gin Meets Bourbon?! The Chamel...
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.
4 min
8
TWiB: Fiscal Court regulates bio-digestion faci...
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.
41 min
9
539 - Special Ops, Hemp, and Bourbon with Greg ...
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.
72 min
10
Whiskey Quickie: Beyke's Blue Kentucky Straight...
This 6 year old whiskey is is 111.5 proof and $80 MSRP.
4 min
11
TWiB: Japan’s Kirin Holdings puts Four Roses fo...
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.
39 min
12
538 - Is Kentucky's Bourbon Crown Under Threat?...
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.
50 min
13
Whiskey Quickie: Bardstown Bourbon Co. Hokkaido...
This 9-18 year old whiskey is is 109.3 proof and $100 MSRP (375 ml).
4 min
14
TWiB: Sazerac invests more than $38 million to ...
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.
29 min
15
537 - The Engineering Behind The New Heaven Hil...
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.
69 min
16
Whiskey Quickie: Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Old Bott...
This 7 year old bourbon is is 100 proof and $60 MSRP.
5 min
17
TWiB: TTB Shutdown Plan Details, Kentucky hits ...
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.
48 min
18
536 - Will The Three Tier System Destroy Bourbo...
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
70 min
19
Whiskey Quickie: Heaven Hill Grain to Glass 202...
Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Rye Whiskey 2025 Edition Review
4 min
20
535 - Going From Acquired to an Investor With D...
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.
72 min
21
Whiskey Quickie: New Riff High Note First Decad...
This 10 year old bourbon is is 120.5 proof and $90 MSRP.
4 min
22
TWiB: A million dollars worth of whiskey stolen...
A million dollars worth of whiskey has been stolen from Westland, Diageo has temporarily paused whiskey production at its Balcones and George Dickel, and The Tennessee Whiskey Trail is launching the Tennessee Collective.
40 min
23
534 - Over, Under, or Properly Rated #3 with Ke...
Today, we're sitting down with two leaders in the short-form video game, Kevin Carlson and Mike Yates. They give some insight into building a following on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, and how they’re tackling the biggest challenges of creating content today—from the struggle of video editing to audience engagement. Then we get into a lively game of "Over, Under, or Properly Rated," where we debate everything from "hazmat" bottles to the authenticity of influencers. The conversation gets real about home barrel projects and if building a relationship with your local liquor store owner is still the most valuable move you can make.
63 min
24
Whiskey Quickie: Star Hill Farm Whisky Review
This non-age stated wheat whiskey is 114.7 proof and $100 MSRP.
5 min
25
TWiB: Turkey removes 70% retaliatory tariff on ...
Turkey has officially removed its 70% retaliatory tariff on U.S. spirits, Black Button Distillery has been saved from Bankruptcy, and Angel's Envy is releasing Angel’s Envy 10.
25 min