Potential site for ‘bourbon complex’ hits the market in Shively, the Frazier History Museum is opening a special holiday exhibition Spirited Design featuring Old Forester’s Mid-Century Decanters, and Heaven Hill Distillery announced the release of the Fall 2023 edition of Old Fitzgerald.

In this episode, Ryan, Fred, and myself look at a bunch of subjects and ask whether it's under rated, over rated, or properly rated. From single barrel picks to bourbon-themed weddings, there's a lot to cover. We'll break down whether booker's boxes and wax dipping are gimmicks or genuinely enhance the experience. And what about all those whiskey influencers on YouTube, Instagram and Tiktok - are they spreading valuable knowledge or just hype? We'll also discuss whether tasting notes and bottled-in-bond really mean anything and if the Fred Minnick effect is real.

This 16 year old bourbon is 125.8 proof and $300 MSRP.

We’ve been up and running at the distillery for several weeks now. We’ve processed barrels, worked on blends, we’ve had friends and family and Patreon members in to help us iron out the experience that will soon be open to the public. While we recently had Kenny talk with us about the process to getting the distillery open, now we want to talk the fun part: what we have to show everyone.

Branding today seems to require more storytelling than focusing just on the whiskey. One modern brand trying to break that mold is Frank August. I invited their CEO and Co-Founder, Johnathan Crocker on the show to talk about navigating this challenge and how they are reinventing branding in a crowded bourbon market without relying on a legacy. They're focused on creating an authentic modern brand that resonates with consumers. It's an interesting case study on building a bourbon brand from scratch in today's industry.

The collection includes: Sazerac Rye 18 Year, Thomas H. Handy, Eagle Rare 17 Year, William Larue Weller, and George T. Stagg.

There was an attempt to reroute 21 pallets of bourbon from the Glenmore Distillery, Dixon Dedman releases Gem of Kentucky, and Michter’s is dropping a 25 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

It seems that there are only a handful of brands people talk about yet there are over 2000 distilleries across the US. I would like to think the stigma of craft is changing but my newsfeed is always talking about the same select few. What makes us always gravitate to the big 6 or perhaps we should refer to as the big 7 now? Is it accessibility because it's on the shelf or could be on your shelf pending allocation? Is it marketing and the big brands can throw their weight around at the distributor level? Or is Big Bourbon just better than craft?

This 4 year old bourbon is 100 proof and $80 MSRP.

Pursuit United Private Selection is here. We previously talked with Kenny about turning the warehouse into a functioning distillery, but now that we’re up and running it is time to get liquid to lips. On today’s episode both Kenny and Ryan are on discussing what the PUPS program looks like for stores and groups as well as in-person experiences and what you may expect.

I've invited Jessica Ann from H&A Barrel Management on the show. We've had the pleasure of knowing Jessica for many years. She recently got herself into the market of brokering barrels for different cask finishes. Jessica gives us the low-down on wine and exotic oak finishes and how difficult they can be to attain. There's a lot to break down such as types of oak, toast level, and if cooperage reputation has any prestige. With the wide variety available, we're going to see even more trends hit the market soon.

This 5 year old bourbon is 95 proof and $45 MSRP.

A new distillery is coming that is aging barrels in coal mines, Rabbit Hole Distillery announced the release of Seasong, and Buffalo Trace Distillery today announces the release of Eagle Rare 25.

I invited Eric Clements and Kenny Rambo of Give 270 on the show to talk about being legit. They started Give270 by raffling rare bourbons in Elizabethtown, Kentucky to raise money for local charities. Their mission is to make participation affordable and fun through bourbon raffles. This model has proven successful, but required getting licensed for charitable gaming. The founders discuss how they transitioned from a 501C3 nonprofit to operating legally, as well as how they source rare bourbons, select beneficiary charities, do real paper raffles, and handle taxes. While rewarding, they note challenges in navigating regulations and finding inventory amidst secondary market demand.

This 4-6 year old bourbon is 95 proof and $45 MSRP.

Bardstown Bourbon Company’s new tasting experience is now open in Louisville, Frank August has two new releases, and Knob Creek releases a skillet collaboration

I wanted to invite Blake on the show to talk about the past few years because building an e-commerce business on bourbon, is no easy task. We talk about legal licensing, his first Purchase orders, and being scrappy by growing into his warehouses. Now he helps kickstart brands' success by giving them an online presence. He finds new customers through content marketing and builds loyalty through customer service. It's a story about passion, knowledge, and a little bit of luck.

This 30 year old Canadian whiskey is 89 proof and $600 MSRP.

The Whiskey House announces its operation date, American Whiskey exports could face a 50% tariff soon, and King of Kentucky is returning this year with the release of its sixth edition.

Is the daily drinker dead? I take this roundtable into the direction of deep thoughts once again. At some point in our bourbon journey, someone has asked you "what's your go to?" and maybe you had an answer, but today you may be uncertain about it. I ask everyone on the roundtable if we're living in the golden age of american whiskey and if they feel there's too many options on the shelf to be living in the bubble of only a few bottles.

This non-age state bourbon is 94 proof and $100 MSRP.

The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection details have been announced, a new world record has been set for the most bourbon bottles at a bar , and you can spend the night in a bourbon barrel

I was excited to have Jay Erisman on the show, once again, to talk about his vision for New Riff. Jay came into the industry with no production experience but learned the ropes quickly. Under the guise of Ken Lewis, New Riff put a focus on unique grain experimentation over finishes. Over time, that itch for curiosity has built famous releases based on heirloom grains and a brand new vision for single malt. Through collaborations with farmers and consumers, New Riff has charted its own adventure in the spirits world.

This non-age state bourbon is 118.1 proof and $260 MSRP.

There can be a lot of confusion when it comes to the term 'NDP' or Non-Distilling Producer and a producer who makes contract distilling purchases. Both are, in essence, buying whiskey instead of making whiskey, but what other factors are at play to separate these two?