Stitzel-Weller Distillery is up for sale, Brothers Wright Distilling Co. acquires Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery, and Buffalo Trace Distillery is releasing Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Distiller’s Council.

I'm excited to welcome Chris Blandford back on the show. He holds the title of Adult Beverage Field Specialist for Kroger. He’s right there on the front lines of consumer trends, and he’s got some amazing insights into the changing landscape of bourbon, and he's also the content development lead for the bourbon and culinary stage at Bourbon & Beyond, a music festival right here in Louisville you've heard us talk about before. We talk about evolving consumer tastes because there is a trend back towards lower proof whiskey and some hilarious stories about those high-potency THC infused drinks that are making waves. Chris also shares his inspiring personal journey of health transformation, which is a fantastic parallel to his work. Plus, you’ll get a sneak peek into the exciting experiences waiting for everyone at Bourbon & Beyond.

This 9 year old bourbon is 100 proof and $130 MSRP.

New Riff Distilling has availability of 6-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon for Selections, Starlight Distillery is releasing its first ever 10-Year Bourbon, and Bardstown Bourbon Company has unveiled Hokkaido Japanese Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish.

Bruce Russell joins us again to share how he is carving his own path at Wild Turkey but also honoring the incredible legacy of his father Eddie and grandfather Jimmy. Get ready for some great stories as Bruce opens up about growing up in the Wild Turkey family, his shift back from Texas, and how he's embraced product development, bringing exciting new high-proof offerings and their latest eight-year 101 proof bourbon to life. This episode takes a few different twists as we talk about blending blending, barrel selections, and how Wild Turkey's continual packaging changes. Plus, Bruce gives us an honest look at the challenges of being a public figure in the bourbon world, getting noticed wherever he goes, and gives you a list of his favorite Louisville dining spots.

This 4 year old bourbon is 110.3 proof and $56 MSRP.

Dark Arts Whiskey House has opened doors to their new brand home, Jackie Zykan is stepping away from Hidden Barn Bourbon, and Chattanooga Whiskey has two new experimental liqueurs.

We sit down with Al Laws, the guy behind Laws Whiskey House in Colorado. Laws is known for their four-grain bourbon, but Al's journey wasn't always in whiskey and he took some pivots from the world of finance and oil to get there. We dive deep into Al's whiskey-making philosophy and he shares some great stories about sourcing grains right there in Colorado and how they approach their flavor profiles. Of course, we're also going to talk about the business side of things, including the financial hurdles distilleries face, especially in the wake of the pandemic. Colorado was also on the forefront on the rise of cannibis and we talk about how Laws Whiskey House navigated through that boom in his area.

This 17 year old bourbon is 92 proof and $200 MSRP.

In this dynamic episode of Bourbon Pursuit, host Kenny Coleman engages a panel of bourbon aficionados including Fred Minnick, Blake Seelbach, Eric from Breaking Bourbon, and Brian Sipp from Sip and Corn. The conversation kicks off with light banter about technical hiccups and distillation woes before delving into the intricacies of launching a bourbon brand today versus five years ago. Blake notes that while starting a brand is more accessible due to available resources, brand survival relies heavily on smart distribution strategies within a consolidating market. The group discusses crucial topics such as consumer education, the art of storytelling, and the competitive landscape with established brands. Fred highlights the evolving expectations of consumers, underscoring the necessity for new brands to offer both quality and effective marketing.

This 8 year old bourbon is 101 proof and $45 MSRP.

Whiskey House and The Koetter Group will build 12 state-of-the-art rickhouses, Maker's Mark has announced a new exhibition by contemporary artist Dale Chihuly, and Dierks Bentley is introducing ROW 94 Broken Branches.

In this episode, Bernie takes us through his fascinating career, including his pivotal role in bringing bottled-in-bond back into the spotlight, how tasting events have evolved, and the impact of age statements on bourbon production. Get ready for some fantastic anecdotes as Bernie shares his passion for whiskey, why quality always comes first, and his take on current market trends, like the growing demand for older, stronger bourbons. Of course, we couldn't have Bernie without a tasting, so we're pouring Bernheim Barrel Proof and William Heaven Hill – a true celebration of unique whiskeys among friends. As he reflects on his new Ambassador Emeritus role and what "retirement" actually means for Bernie Lubbers, he gives us some amazing insights into the relationships and creativity that truly fuel the bourbon community. Plus, stick around for some exciting teasers of upcoming releases and Bernie's signature blend of whiskey education with a dash of bluegrass!

This 6-7 year old bourbon is 104.5 proof and $125 MSRP.

The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame announced new inductees, Bardstown Bourbon announces their new club program, and Stitzel-Weller Distillery is launching Stitzel Reserve.

You might know Randy Sullivan from Bourbon Real Talk or his brand, Prideful Goat. Randy shares a truly heartfelt story about how personal loss, specifically the passing of his brother, became a catalyst for him to create welcoming spaces for whiskey lovers. This conversation is packed with genuine moments – from hilarious reflections on his early days and the unique connections he's made, including how challenge coins got introduced into the scene! Randy is incredibly open about his own battles with mental health and the powerful impact the whiskey community has had on him. We also touch on the spontaneous journey behind co-founding Prideful Goat, focusing on quality and authenticity. Ultimately, this episode is a powerful reminder from Randy about the warmth and support found in the whiskey community and the simple, yet profound, importance of connection and looking out for one another

This non-age stated rye whiskey is 104.2 proof and $270 MSRP.

Lisa Wicker joins Whiskey Thief, Binder’s Stash announced a partnership with Willett Distillery, and Old Fitzgerald 7-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond is officially released

That's the topic we're diving into today in a really special episode featuring myself, Ryan, and Fred Minnick. Prompted by a listener asking about the significance of bottles beyond their monetary worth, we each opened up our personal collections – not just the unicorns, but the bottles tied to moments in our lives. You'll hear some incredibly personal stories, from Ryan saving a specific bottle for his son's future birthday, to my own reflections on a signed Maker's Mark from my college days, and Fred sharing the significance of a Maker's 46 sample straight from Bill Samuels himself. It's a reminder that while the hunt and the hype are fun, the true value of bourbon often lies in the memories made and the connections shared over a glass.

This 4 year old whiskey is 86 proof and $45 MSRP.

Today, we're doing a deep dive into these unique spirits with an incredible panel: the always insightful Brian Haara, the ever-knowledgeable Blake Riber, and our good friend Nick Beiter. We're exploring the history and the recent surge in popularity of these bourbons, tracing their lineage back to legendary names like Maker's Mark and Stitzel-Weller. But the conversation quickly shifts to a spirited debate: what truly makes a bourbon wheated?

This 9 year old whiskey is 107 proof and $80 MSRP.

Scotch producer Loch Lomond Group has made its first move into American whiskey with the purchase of New York Distilling Co., ORCA golf has a new bourbon inspired golf bag line, and Milam & Greene Whiskey introduce The Answer.