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.

Kicking off day 2 is Chris Chapanar of Whiskey Noobs telling us what you should be paying for bottles, then it's Chad and Sara of It's Bourbon Night on how to make cocktails easy at home, next is TJ of Brewzle who says the three tier system is destroying craft distilleries, Frank Dobbins who writes for UPROXX gives insight into how many bourbons are all derived from a single mashbill, and we wrap up the day with Jack Beguedou who will take us on a sensory experience.

This 14 year old whiskey is 126.3 proof and $150 MSRP.

Old Elk has been acquired by Middle West Spirits, Bardstown Bourbon Co has named a Master Blender, and Blue Run releases the Blue Run Flight Series

This first day features Chris Blatner known at the Urban Bourbonist talking about session cocktails, Jacob Kiper from Coming Whiskey with the origins of the three tier system, Mark Rucker of The Bourbon Life discussing how to turn a passion into a way of life, Tyler Zoller of Louisville Bourbon Buzz gives tips on whiskey content creation, and we wrap up day 1 with Heather Wibbels known as the Cocktail Contessa, telling us how to select the perfect bourbon for your cocktail.

This 6-8 year old bourbon is 96 proof and $120 MSRP.

E.H. Taylor comes to the BTAC, Pursuit releases 4 new expressions and new packaging, Heaven Hill releases new Grain To Glass and Old Fitz.

Amine's path is unorthodox, transitioning from a safe career in engineering to living a life behind the counter of a struggling liquor store in Old Louisville. At that store, he learned about the business and how to navigate the three tier system. He also had some foresight where he took profits from the store and started buying barrels at MGP years ago but he didn't know what to do with them. Fast forward a few years, he's got a healthy stock of double digit aged barrels and an idea of creating a new brand. His past life with the retail ingrained a sense of hospitality which is one of the reasons why he has fostered a community that grabs up all his releases.

This 19 year old bourbon is 100 proof and $300 MSRP.

National Bourbon Week in Bardstown releases event schedule, Derby Week insider annoucements from Brown Forman, and Star Trek Spirits and Stellum collaborate on new whiskeys.

We're coming together and we're talking about age statements. Wild Turkey 101 is making its 8 year return for the first time since 1992. But I really wanted to pose a question of when do age statements really matter? You see all kinds of brands that are very successful without age statements, namely coming from Brown Forman with the likes of Old Forrester and with Woodford Reserve. Even the most famous bourbon on the planet, Blanton's, doesn't have an age statement. So when do age statements matter?

This 6 year old bourbon is 107 proof and $80 MSRP.

2 court cases battle over the commerce clause for sprits shipping, Larrakin releases Rosewater Bourbon, and Ducks Unlimited and World Whiskey Society team up for a bourbon release.

Every year we get to talk to a brand that has started to captivate the market and I can't stop seeing Found North pop up all over my feeds. Founders and brothers Zach and Nick Taylor join the show to talk about how they found a product-market fit. They did it the right way by finding really high quality Canadian whiskey, double digit age statements, and appeal to the cask strength chasers with high proof whiskey.

his non-age stated bourbon is 100.2 proof and $140 MSRP.

Garrard County Distilling Co. has closed only after 1 year in operation, Cream of Kentucky moves to Kentucky Artisan Distillery, and Angel's Envy launches its newest Cellar Collection Series.

From her early days as a Taste Test Technician in the sensory lab to her current role, Elizabeth reflects on her profound bond with Woodford Reserve and its significance in events like the Kentucky Derby. There's a ton of pressure that comes with being the official bourbon of the Derby and it's fitting that we're now releasing this as we come into Derby season once again.

This 9-18 year old bourbon is 110.1 proof and $100 MSRP (375ml).

Buffalo Trace stops production from flooding, bourbon is exempt from EU tariffs, Pursuit launches the Mellwood Legacy Collection.