In this enlightening episode of the Bourbon Pursuit podcast, we invite industry experts Will Breeden, co-owner of Indiana Small Batch, and Chase Henry, a brand ambassador for New Riff, to delve into the nuances of bourbon. Will and Chase share their personal journeys in the whisky world, highlighting how family legacies and passion for American bourbon shaped their careers. They provide an in-depth look at the rigorous Master of Bourbon certification process overseen by the Council of Whiskey Masters, revealing the educational demands and career benefits that accompany this prestigious title. You'll also get a taste of the fun side of education, as the team present sample questions that mimic oral exam challenges, bringing humor and showcasing the depth of knowledge required. The episode closes with valuable advice for aspiring bourbon enthusiasts, including resources for those interested in pursuing bourbon certification.

Jack Daniel’s Toasted Barrel is now a year-round release, and this one absolutely delivers.

It used to be that picking a single barrel was something reserved for the most dedicated enthusiasts. But today? They're everywhere. It become an obsession that has completely transformed the industry. In this episode, we’re talk about the evolution of the single barrel craze—from its massive explosion back in 2014 to the high-stakes, post-pandemic market we’re navigating today. We share some personal stories and debate over the controversial shift from intimate, hand-selected barrels to today’s commercialized "sticker" culture. There's also the business side to tackle where distillers favor high-volume accounts while the small retailers get left behind. We also tackle the the skyrocketing prices for legacy programs like Four Roses and what that means for your wallet. Market saturation has been felt for a while and we what opportunities lie head for new brands to step in and thrive. I'm sure you're like me and you've got a shelf full of barrel picks and you've got the FOMO because that next single barrel, that's the special one.

Angel’s Envy takes bourbon back to basics with their Two-Grain Bourbon.

Jim Beam halts production at its Clermont Facility, the Toasts Not Tariffs Coalition has signed another petition for trump to remove retaliatory tariffs, and new Doc Holliday Huckleberry Edition release.

This is Jay's second time on the show and this time without the cload and veil. He went from a quiet contributor and guy behind the scenes on a subreddit to one of the most respected voices and blenders in the game. We dive into the staggering growth of the Reddit whiskey community—now 300,000 members strong—and why keeping that culture supportive and nontoxic is so important to the overall whiskey community. We also geek out on the barrel-picking process and how he’s managed to scale up to hundreds of barrels a year to meet the insane demand for unique bottles people are searching for. Of course, we also had to talk about Jay’s brand, Reveries, and his unique philosophy on acquiring great barrels, blending and storytelling.

Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2025 brings a sweet mash twist to the annual release.

Cannabinoid regulation is underway, a trial using a robotic dog with an ethanol sensing system is launched, and Wilderness Trail Distillery has announced the limited-edition release of a 10-Year Wheated Bourbon.

We’re back for a high-energy episode as the crew—Kenny, Ryan, Fred, Eric, Brian, and Blake from Seelbach’s—gather around the table to crown the heavy hitters of 2025. Between the usual banter and plenty of laughs, we’re breaking down the bourbon and rye releases that actually lived up to the hype this year. We also tackle the trends dominating the shelves, from the honey-finish craze to the serious rise of American Single Malts. We dive deep into the price-to-quality debate, dissecting whether these craft price points are justified and why you need to be looking outside the typical trophy bottles to find the real gems. If you want to know what belongs on your bar cart in 2025, this one is a must-listen.

We’re reflecting on 2025—a year that was easily our most ambitious to date. Ryan and I sit down to get real about whether we actually hit those aggressive case goals we set last January and what the financial health of the business looks like after a year of heavy reinvestment. We’ve expanded the team and pushed the envelope on product development, but as any founder will tell you, growth usually comes with a side of growing pains.

We’re diving into the Parker’s Heritage Collection 19th Edition, one of the most unpredictable annual releases from Heaven Hill.

WhistlePig Distillery has opened The WhistlePig Vault in Louisville, Garrison Brothers Distillery has released a limited-edition Spurs Single Barrel bourbon, and The Old Forester 117 Series is releasing their Prohibition Era Still Proof.

In this episode, we're sitting down with Ryan Gill, the Director of Marketing and Brand Development for Three Chord Bourbon. Ryan’s journey is pretty cool because he started his life in music production. He takes us through his early days running liquor stores in Memphis, where he first saw the magic of music and whiskey intertwine, straight through to his current role leading brand vision at Three Chord. We get into the inception of Three Chord and how the brand is successfully building a a niche from Neil Giraldo. Ryan shares how his deep retail experience shaped Three Chord's focus on both high-quality whiskey and visually killer packaging that instantly hooks music fans. Plus, we dive into their innovative tactics, from artist collaborations to cool limited releases, and he even pitches us some great ideas for immersive experiences, like acoustic sessions right there in the liquor store. I'm you're a huge music junkie, this one's for you

We cracked open the 2025 Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon to see if this year’s blend lives up to the hype.

The founders of Uncle Nearest Distillery have filed an emergency motion, Catoctin Creek is trying to raise US$5 million, and Goose Island Brewery and Heaven Hill Distillery have partnered to release the 2025 Bourbon County Brand Reserve Stout.

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.