H.K. Young leans into the wheated bourbon craze with a 7 year, 122.4 proof release finished in two custom toasted oak barrels from Independent Stave Company.

Uncle Nearest Saga has taken a wild twist, Kentucky Bourbon Festival has announced ticket sale dates, and Bardstown Bourbon Company will release its Distillery Reserve Cascadia Garryana Oak Barrel Finish.

Today, we’re joined by Rob Bourdon, the new owner of Copper & Kings, to discuss his vision for revitalizing one of Louisville’s most creative distilleries. Rob shares his unconventional path from professional hockey to the Tennessee Distilling Group, breaking down the grit it takes to navigate the distilling industry's strict legal landscape and production hurdles. We’re diving deep into the technical side of the craft, from their "low and slow" distillation process to innovative releases like apple brandy finished in tequila barrels, proving why this category is a sleeping giant for any serious spirits enthusiast. Beyond the barrels, we’re tackling the "education gap" and why brandy often gets overlooked in a market dominated by the bluegrass. Fred and Rob dig into how they plan to elevate brandy in the spirits hierarchy through quality ingredients, community collaboration, and a heavy focus on consumer education. Whether you’re a die-hard bourbon purist or just looking for the next great cocktail spirit, this conversation is a masterclass in how a legacy brand evolves for a modern palate.

Jason from The Mash & Drum just dropped his first bourbon: Drum Key Spirits “The Debut.”

Buffalo Trace Tried doing a new online bottle release system, Uncle Nearest is back in the news with hiding a $20M loan, and Maker’s Mark launches its Wood Finishing Series: The Stewards Release.

It’s time for another Bourbon Community Roundtable, and we’re handing the reins over to our Patreon supporters to see what’s actually on your minds. We’re pulling back the curtain on our chaotic group chat to debate the "Dusty" vs. Modern era and why some single barrel picks just hit different. Ryan is still leading the charge for high-proof heat, while Blake breaks down why balance is the only thing that keeps a brand relevant in a crowded market. We’re also digging into the finished whiskey craze and what the latest round of distillery consolidations means for your wallet. At the end of the day, we’re looking past the labels to find the soul of the industry. Does a great story still trump a massive marketing budget? We’re breaking down the trends, the hype, and the reality of being an enthusiast in 2026. Pour a glass and join the conversation.

Old Soul Tintype Series No. 3 honors blues legend Kenny Brown with an 11 year, 103.5 proof bourbon built on a high rye MGP mash bill.

Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. and the Louisville Bats have announced a multi-year partnership, Heaven Hill has 2 new releases, and Pursuit Spirits has the new Sakura Bloom Bourbon.

And the guy who has all the hot takes is Matt "The Colonel" Kusek. Matt never pulls his punches, and today we'll talk about the non-stop barrage of Limited Time Offerings (LTOs) and if NDPs are more exciting now than traditional heritage distilleries. We kick things off with a candid look at the struggle of creating fresh content in a saturated market and ask the tough question, has the rush to release more bottles caused a massive dip in quality? We've seen it in secondary markets because if every release is special then nothing is special. We also dive into the psychology of the "hunt" and why consumer demands are shifting. Matt poses a challenge to the big brands, questioning if they're falling behind while smaller, more nimble players to innovate. And we debate the future of "trophy" bottles like Pappy Van Winkle and whether collectability can survive. If you’ve ever looked at a shelf of $100 bottles and wondered if any are actually worth it, maybe this episode will tell you it's all psychology.

30 years in the barrel. $1,200 price tag.

The USDA has awarded the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) over $1.07 million to promote American spirits, Pursuit Spirits has released The Alpha Barrel, and Heaven Hill Distillery announces the release of Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey 20th Anniversary Limited Edition.

Today, we’re welcoming back a familiar face, Jim Higdon, co-founder of Cornbread Hemp and the author of The Cornbread Mafia. Last time Jim was on Episode 342, we were talking about the history of Kentucky's most infamous drug ring, but today we’re looking at the future of cannabis and how it’s fighting for its life against big bourbon. It's no doubt that THC beverages have been on a meteoric rise and Jim shares a vision of a future where a THC drink is just as mainstream as a vodka soda was back in the '60s. But it’s not an easy road; Right now there is a lobbyist war, where Jim feels bourbon's powerful political engines are squaring off against the hemp industry to protect their shelf space. It gets a bit dicey with Fred taking the counterposition but I won't ruin it for you. Jim also highlights the looming legislative cliff, breaking down the regulatory hurdles and upcoming deadlines that could threaten the entire hemp-derived industry overnight. It’s a conversation about coexistence, regulation, and what you might see a different on your liquor store shelves very soon.

Wild Turkey drops one of its most anticipated bottles of the year: Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson E.

E. & J. Gallo announced its plans to acquire Four Roses, Uncle Nearest will remain under court-ordered receivership, and Michter’s Releases their Celebration at $6,000 a bottle.

We’re joined by Justin Aden from Stranahan's and Alex Thomas from Bushmills to break down the art of the blend and why local ingredients become a key competitve advantage in this market. Justin takes us inside the high-altitude aging of Colorado and the rise of the American Single Malt category, while Alex gives us a masterclass on Bushmills' legendary triple distillation and the weight of managing a distillery with centuries of history. We dig in further in to how two completely different climates and traditions approach the task of building a consistent, world-class whiskey. We also get into the "friendly" rivalries of the whiskey world and discuss why American Single Malt is finally getting the seat at the table it deserves.

Willett Purple Top is legendary and usually ultra-premium. So what happens when Willett turns that DNA into a 4-year small batch bourbon?

It’s time for another Bourbon Community Roundtable, and the panel is locked, loaded, and ready to talk about the one number that drives every enthusiast crazy: The Proof. We look at how we all start with those easy-drinking, low-proof staples like Kentucky Tavern before eventually finding ourselves chasing the high-octane allure of barrel-strength pours. We even get into some fun hypotheticals—if you could sample the same bourbon at every proof point from barrel to 80, how would that change your understanding of your favorite brand? Whether you’re a 90-proof purist or a barrel-strength junkie, we’re breaking down why the best bottle on your shelf is ultimately the one that tastes the best to you. Is the industry pushing proof too far, or have we finally found the sweet spot? We’re debating it all.

Yellowstone celebrates 10 years with a special anniversary blend featuring multiple mash bills aged 10 years or more.

The court-appointed receiver for Uncle Nearest, presents a grim financial outlook for the whiskey brand, The Kentucky Bourbon Trail adds 10 new stops, and Brown Forman is releasing King of Kentucky Small Batch.

Fred Minnick is back on the show to pull back the curtain on his most personal project yet, his new book, Bottom Shelf: How a Forgotten Brand of Bourbon Saved One Man's Life. Fred gets incredibly candid about his battles with PTSD following his military service and how the legacy of Old Crow—a brand many today just overlook on the bottom shelf—played a pivotal role in his journey toward healing. But it’s not all heavy; in classic Fred fashion, he shares some hilarious and heartwarming personal anecdotes, including the "make or break" story of his first date with his wife, Jacqueline, and how love has been the real proof behind his bourbon career. We also take a deep dive into the history of the legendary James C. Crow and how his innovations shaped the industry we love today. Fred doesn't pull any punches when it comes to the "marketing fluff" in the business, advocating for raw authenticity over the embellished tall tales we so often hear. This episode is more than just a history lesson; it’s a powerful look at resilience, the importance of storytelling, and a reminder to keep chasing your passion no matter how tough the road gets.

We found a bourbon that claims it’s aged in a historic railroad boxcar turned “rolling rickhouse”, so of course we had to taste it.

Sotheby's has set a record for the most valuable bourbon ever sold at auction, Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction has announced a historic collaborative lot titled “United We Stand”, and Brothers Andy and Charlie Nelson have reclaimed and are relaunching their Belle Meade whiskey.

We’re joined by Jeff Wuslich, he's the President of Cardinal Spirits and Cardinal Copacking, to break down what it takes to actually manufacture booze at scale. Jeff has a background in manufacturing and slowly became a cornerstone of the Indiana craft scene. Jeff also has their own brands they use to showcase their abilities and have relationships with powerhouses like MGP. One thing that interested me was RTDs and the explosion of the canned cocktail movement, but as Jeff will talk about there are some massive compliance headaches that come with them. If you’ve ever thought about starting your own label or just want to know how the industry actually moves behind the scenss, this one side you need to understand..

In this episode of Behind the Pursuit, Ryan and I are pulling back the curtain on what it actually looks like to enter new markets in 2026. We’re diving into the nitty-gritty of distributor communications and why a solid on-premise strategy may be the only way to survive a landscape that is getting more crowded by the day. We also get honest about the challenges smaller brands face when trying to stay nimble while consumer preferences are shifting right under our feet. It’s a look at the balance between aggressive growth and the strategic planning you need to make sure that "up and to the right" trend doesn't just become a flash in the pan.

We go bourbon hunting and land on Duck Club Bourbon, a smooth, easy-sipping blend.