It's This Week in Bourbon for March 31st 2023. Elijah Craig is the Official Bourbon and whiskey supplier of the PGA, Chicken Cock Whiskey has released a Double Oak Kentucky Whiskey, Rock Town introduces the Column Still Collection.Show Notes:
Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) urges Congress to legalize cannabis at the federal level

Regenified Certification to Star Hill Farm

New York wine and spirits shop owners traveled to Albany, New York to challenge Amazon

Elijah Craig is the “Official Bourbon” and whiskey supplier of the PGA

Traverse City Whiskey Co unveiled The Finishing Series

Coors Whiskey Co. has unveiled Barmen 1873 Bourbon

Rock Town introduces the Column Still Collection

Chicken Cock Whiskey has released a Double Oak Kentucky Whiskey

@starhillprovisions @makersmark @elijahcraig @tcwhiskey @coorswhiskeyco @rocktowndistill @chickencockwhiskey

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TWiB: Elijah Craig is the Official Bourbon of the PGA, Chicken Cock Rleases Double Oak Kentucky Whiskey, Rock Town Introduces the Column Still Collection

If you've listened to our show long enough you would know that it's Kenny versus Fred and Ryan when it comes to coffee. Kenny isn't not much of a coffee drinker but those guys can't live without. But I'm sure there are lots of other coffee and bourbon drinkers out there and you see things like "barrel aged" coffee and immediately gravitate towards it. I mean, how could you not? We should be barrel-aging everything! But there are more correlations between coffee and bourbon that I never knew of so that's why we invited Brian Beyke on the show. He's the Director of Coffee for Quills in Louisville and has been all-in on coffee and bourbon for a long time. In this episode, we scratch an itch to ask all the questions about coffee that we've always wanted to know such as the difference in beans from small versus large scale producers, the "rare" coffee scene, buzzwords to watch out for, and Brian gives us the low-down if barrel-aging is a gimmick.

Show Notes:

Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about palette fatigue.

How did you find your path into coffee?

Do you need to spit coffee while tasting?

What notes in coffee are you looking for when tasting?

Is there a three-tier system with coffee?

What's the difference in the beans that you get versus the big name brands?

Is there a "rare" coffee scene?

What are the buzzwords in coffee that you need to watch out for?

If bourbon is synonymous to Kentucky then what is the coffee equivalent?

What's the professional consensus of Keurig?

Does roasting line up with toasting or charring of barrels?

What's best method for barrel-aging coffee?

How do you adapt the coffee for a cold brew or nitro?

Is there a secondary market for rare coffee?

Is the coffee flavor wheel different than the bourbon flavor wheel?

@abandoncoffee @abandonbourbon

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403 - Where Coffee and Bourbon Collide with Brian Beyke of Quills

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Old Elk 2022 Infinity Blend Bourbon. This non-age stated bourbon is 114.1 proof and $150 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

Whiskey Quickie: Old Elk 2022 Infinity Blend Bourbon Review

It's This Week in Bourbon for March 17th 2023. RNDC fights back against the Sazerac lawsuit. Blue Run Spirits today revealed the first look at its planned whiskey distillery and headquarters in Georgetown, Kentucky.Pinhook Bourbon has debuted their Vertical Series Rye 7-Year.Show Notes:
RNDC fights back against the Sazerac lawsuit

Fermenting Change has launched outlining the various ways Three-Tier System harms the alcohol industry

direct-to-consumer shipping become a reality in Illinois at ShipMySpirits.org

Coors Light introduced Coors-icles

Pernod Ricard has buys majority stake in Skrewball

Blue Run Spirits today revealed the first look at its planned whiskey distillery

New Riff Distilling will begin a US$3 million renovation of its public areas

Lux Row Distillers announce Rebel 100 Straight Rye Whiskey

Wolves announces its first-ever American Single Malt whiskeys

Ragged Branch Distillery announces a special bourbon celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of Secretariat's Triple Crown win

Pinhook Bourbon has debuted their Vertical Series Rye 7-Year

@rndcusa @shipmyspirits @buffalotracedistillery @coorslight @skrewballwhiskey @pernodricard @bluerunspirits @newriff @luxrowdistillers @raggedbranch @pinhook_bourbon

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TWiB: RNDC Fights Back Against The Sazerac Lawsuit, Blue Run Revealed Plans For A New Distillery, Pinhook Debutes their Vertical Series Rye 7-Year

Bourbon's rise in popularity has been a monumental shift in consumer behavior, but the reality is that it could all come crashing down really quick. Ryan, Fred, and Kenny spend some time on this episode and think about what are those threats to bourbon? We all have ideas on why it became so popular but what are those outside influences that we have no control over? Fred gives a brief history on the bourbon glut era and that starts spurring other ideas that could hurt bourbon's popularity such as overzealous health advocates, new spirits on the rise, government taxes, or the next generation of consumers?

Show Notes:

Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about heritage brands.

Is there an issue with grains, raw material, and barrel shortages?

How has the lack of staffing in the service industry impacted bourbon?

What caused the first glut and what can we do to prevent that?

Did tariffs make an impact on bourbon or was it not really hindered?

Are health reports becoming a scare tactic to reduce alcohol consumption?

Is there any spirits that could be the next rise of vodka and kill whiskey?

Could taxes be a big burden on stifling bourbon?

Could the next generation just not like bourbon and kill it off?

What happens if bourbon producers have too much greed or there is consumer fatigue?



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402 - What is Bourbon's Biggest Threat?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled American Single Malt. This non-age stated single malt is 105.7 proof and $70 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

Whiskey Quickie: Jack Daniel’s Twice Barreled American Single Malt Review

It's This Week in Bourbon for March 17th 2023. Kentucky lawmakers passed House Bill 5 phasing out a state tax on aging bourbon barrels. Jack Daniel's announced the release of its new 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey along with Batch 2 of its 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey. This month, Green River will introduce two brand new expressions.Show Notes:
New bottle tracking app called Whiskey Shelf

Humble Baron, home to the world's longest bar, opening at Nearest Green

Chattanooga Whiskey named Tiana Saul as Head Distiller

Ship my Spirits coalition calls for spirits shipping laws in New York

Data shows how much people are spending while intoxicated

Kentucky lawmakers passed House Bill 5 phasing out a state tax on aging bourbon barrels

ChatGPT has passed the Master Sommelier theory examinations

Jack Daniel's announced the release of its new 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey along with Batch 2 of its 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey

Puncher’s Chance The UNDISPUTED

New Bhakta 2013 Bourbon finished in Armagnac casks

Four Gate Whiskey Company announced the very limited Majestic Wood series

Jim Beam has launched Kentucky Coolers

Green River will introduce two brand new expressions

@unclenearest @chattwhiskey @shipmyspirits @jackdaniels_us @puncherschancebourbon @bhaktaspirits @fourgatewhiskey @jimbeamofficial @greenriverdistillingco

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TWiB: Kentucky Lawmakers Pass House Bill 5, Jack Daniel's New 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey, Green River Introduces Wheat and Full Proof

The stock market and the bourbon market share one thing in common. They are both impossible to time. If you get in at the right time, maybe you don't have to wait tens of years to make a return on your investment, but if you're too late then you could see a decline. However, in bourbon, there seems to be one person that has time working in his favor, and that's Dixon Dedman. We invite Dixon to come on the show for a third appearance to talk about a few things because it seems like his timing is always perfect. He sold Kentucky Owl to Stoli after being on the market a short period of time, but now that he is officially done with Kentucky Owl we ask him about how he feels and what he learned through the process. After leaving Stoli, he worked with The Brindiamo Group, who we also had on the podcast back on episode 182, and he worked for them for a short period of time where he got an inside glimpse into brand and investment consulting. And now, he's launching his own brand called 2XO which is perfect in this current climate when bourbon is hot and double barreling might be even hotter.

Show Notes:

Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about rubbing whiskey on your hands to nose.

Are you still making fried chicken on the weekends?

Do you have any regrets after selling Kentucky Owl to Stoli?

What did you take away and learn from working with Stoli?

How did your relationship with Brindiamo begin?

How many barrels are there on the open market where people are flipping them?

What profiles or types of bourbon do you like to work with?

Is 2XO and Kentucky Owl going to be similar or different?

Is there a healthy pipeline of barrels to continue building the brand?

@dixon_dedman

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401 - Analyzing the Bourbon Market with Dixon Dedman

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon. This 6 year old wheated bourbon is 100 proof and $50 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

Whiskey Quickie: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Review

It's This Week in Bourbon for March 10th 2023. The whiskey fungus at Jack Daniel's makes national headlines. A leaked document from Amazon show's they are trying to change liquor laws. Laws Whiskey House announced the 2023 release of their Bottled in Bond Four Grain Bourbon.Show Notes:
The whiskey fungus at Jack Daniel's makes national headlines

A German brewery is set to release the world's first 'complete' beer in powdered form

A leaked document from Amazon show's they are trying to change liquor laws

Bourbon:30 from Kentucky Bourbon Fest is available on YouTube

Laws Whiskey House announced the 2023 release of their Bottled in Bond Four Grain Bourbon

Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey has unveiled its second annual release of Diamond Peak

Former Rutgers football player recently launched LeGrand Whiskey

@jackdaniels_us @brownforman @lawswhiskey @stranahans @ericlegrand52

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TWiB: Too Much Whiskey Fungus at Jack Daniel's, Leaked Documents From Amazon on Liquor Laws, Laws Whiskey Releases Bottled in Bond Four Grain

This episode is another Bourbon Pursuit milestone. It's episode 400! Well, it's technically number 668 if we include Whiskey Quickie and This Week in Bourbon, but let's not get into the details. On this Bourbon Community Roundtable we cover two topics in depth. First is the news blitz of the whiskey fungus articles focused on Jack Daniel's. If you've driven past any distillery in the past 100 or so year, you would have seen this everywhere. It also pops up in the news every year, but why is it just now making national headlines? I also ask the group if there is anything the distilleries can do to get in front of this to avoid any negative PR. The second half of the show dives into House Bill 5 that attacks the Kentucky Ad Valorem tax, in which Kentucky is the only state that taxes barrels aging and resting. We look at what this means for citizens that benefit from the tax and if we feel distilleries are already taxed enough.

Show Notes:

Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about teeth staining.

Why is the whiskey fungus just now making national news even though it's been around for years?

What can distilleries do to make sure this argument of bad PR doesn't happen next year?

What could the distilleries provide to residents to make them more comfortable?

What do you think of the Ad Valorem tax on aging barrels?

What would the removal of the tax mean for citizens?

@breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr @sippncorn

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400 - What's Up With Whiskey Fungus? Is It Time To Remove the Kentucky Ad Valorem tax? on Bourbon Community Roundtable #78

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Doc Holliday 8 Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey from the World Whiskey Society. This 8 year old bourbon is 131 proof and $134 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

Whiskey Quickie: Doc Holliday 8 Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review

It's This Week in Bourbon for March 3rd 2023. Washtucky is suing Wilderness trail for failing to make contract barrels. Acker Wines has agreed to pay a maximum fine for selling counterfeit bottles. Two new Kentucky Derby bottles are being released.Show Notes:
March 3rd 1897 is when the The Bottled-in-Bond Act changed the bourbon world forever

Washtucky is suing Wilderness trail for failing to make contract barrels

Statement from Kentucky’s Bourbon Industry on House Bill 5

The St. Louis Bourbon Society will host the 2nd Annual Bourbon and Brews Festival on June 10th

Yellowstone will donate $250,000 to National Parks Conservation Association

Acker Wines has agreed to pay a maximum fine for selling counterfeit bottles 

Evan Williams Single Barrel Bourbon with a commemorative 51st Edition Gold Pegasus Pin sealed in teal wax

Woodford Reserve will release its 2023 commemorative Derby bottle

@wildernesstraildistillery @stlbourbonsociety @yellowstonebourbon @ackerwines @evanwilliamsbourbon @woodordreserve

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TWiB: Washtucky is Suing Wilderness Trail, Acker Pays $100k Fine For Counterfeit Bourbon, Two New Kentucky Derby Bottles Released

Love it or hate it, spirit competitions are here to stay. They have such an important impact on marketing and can put a small shimmer of light on a new and upcoming brand, or it changes the course and turns a brand such as Henry McKenna into an unobtainable. In this episode, Fred Minnick and Kenny Coleman talk about multiple facets of spirits competitions because we have now lived it. We're both enthusiasts like you so we care what bourbons come out on top, Fred has been a judge forever and now has his own competition called the ASCOTs, and we have our own brand with Pursuit United that has been entered and done favorably in many competitions. Fred and I analyze all these angle about talk about the "pay to play" scenario and how people are selected to be judges along with the best way to enter a competition as a brand owner.

Show Notes:

Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about the meaning of allocation.

Fred, how long have you been a part of spirit competitions?

Why weren't media members typically invited to be judges?

Why is this considered "pay to play"?

Why is there so much confusion based on what category to submit when it's straight bourbon vs small batch?

Why would a bourbon society enter a spirits competition?

What makes someone worthy enough to be a judge at a competition?

Should you put batch numbers on your competition entry or just the brand?

Why does MGP always perform well in competitions?



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399 - Do Spirits Competitions Matter?

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Old Fitzgerald Fall 2022 Edition. This 19 year old bourbon is 100 proof and $240 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

Whiskey Quickie: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Fall 2022 Edition Review

It's This Week in Bourbon for February 24th 2023. Tourism at distilleries is bigger than ever. Old Forester launches its inaugural Sleepeasy. Michter’s Distillery will begin releasing its 10 Year Kentucky Straight BourbonShow Notes:
HB 2200 will modernize Texas laws to provide fair treatment for spirits-based ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails

Tourism at distilleries is bigger than ever

Old Forester launches its inaugural Sleepeasy

Lost Lantern announces the release of their ninth single cask collection

Michter’s Distillery will begin releasing its 10 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon

@oldforester @lostlanternwhiskey @michterswhiskey

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TWiB: Tourism At Distilleries Reaches New High, Old Forester The Sleepeasy, Michter’s Will Releas its 10 Year Bourbon

Wild Turkey is one of the premier bourbon brands. We've had the pleasure of having all the Russell's on the show in previous years and it's always heartwarming to have any member of this family on to share stories. It's fun to hear the generational changes and how bourbon has developed. We had Bruce Russell on the show for the first time in 2019 on episode 199 with his cousin, JoAnn Street, but this time Bruce joins the show to talk about his journey in these last few years. Bruce has shown tremendous growth in a short period of time and we get to know more about him and how his time as a global brand ambassador really immersed him into the company and the culture. We ask Bruce about the current whiskey market and how he is carrying on a legacy and how he thinks he will leave his everlasting stamp on Wild Turkey.

Show Notes:

Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about oxidation in the bottle.

Did you know as a child you were going to get into whiskey?

How is it different for you all being the face of the brand but not the owners of it?

When you started as a global brand ambassador was that a way to get an immersive learning experience?

Did Jimmy or Eddie ever tell you about being on the road before bourbon was cool?

What have you seen change since you started in 2011?

Why do you keep changing your packaging?

What international markets is Wild Turkey getting entrenched into?

Have you thought about how you are going to put your own stamp on the Wild Turkey brand?

If you have ideas to implement, how do you go through your creative process?

Do you think the market is ready for blending to start making more traction?

Why do you keep making me hammer out bungs during single barrel picks?

@russellsryeguy

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398 - Carrying On A Legacy at Wild Turkey with Bruce Russell

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review the 16th Edition of the Parker's Heritage Collection. This 13 and 15 year old bourbon blend is 132.2 proof and $175 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

Whiskey Quickie: Parker's Heritage Collection 2022 Double Barreled Blend Bourbon Review

It's This Week in Bourbon for February 17h 2023. Sazerac responds to the raid on Justin’s House of Bourbon. Oregon officials get fired over allocating Pappy to themselves. Yellowstone launches its own American Single Malt Whiskey.Show Notes:
Sazerac responds to the raid on Justin’s House of Bourbon

Oregon officials get fired over allocating Pappy to themselves

Bluegrass Distillers will build a new US$8 million distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery's new still house has officially been commissioned

Sunday sales of distilled spirits has been passed in the Mississippi House

Yellowstone launches its own American Single Malt Whiskey

Barrell Craft Spirits has launched Barrell Bourbon Batch 34

Bluebird Distilling and country music star Jordan Davis collaborate on Bluebird Days Straight American Whiskey

Woodford Reserve announces the winter 2022 Master’s Collection release - Historic Barrel Entry

@houseofbourbonlex @houseofbourbonlou @houseofbourbonky @woodfordreserve @bluegrassdistillers @buffalotracedistillery @yellowstonebourbon @barrellbourbon @bluebirddistilling @jordandavisofficial

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TWiB: Sazerac Responds to Justin’s House of Bourbon, Oregon Officials Get Fired Over Pappy, Yellowstone's American Single Malt Whiskey

Most people get into bourbon because we enjoy it. There is a story behind every bottle and that captivates us. But then there are times we get our hands on a bottle and start thinking twice before opening it. The secondary market for scotch has been around a while but bourbon is relatively new in comparison. There has been an increase of rare bourbons hitting high dollars at auctions and even more auction houses are starting to become legal. In this episode, Ryan, Fred, and Kenny analyze the bourbon market and give our opinions on why whiskey isn't just for drinking anymore. We also gaze into our crystal ball and try to guess on some brands that have potential future value and then we talk about moving on from flipping bottles to flipping barrels.

Show Notes:

Is whiskey really made for drinking and not collecting?

Why is the value of the current whiskey market starting to decline?

Is there a lack of marketing to get people into more higher end bottles?

What are we drinking now that could be valuable in the future?

People have moved on from bottles to starting to own barrels, is that a safe investment?

Do you need to worry about the source of the barrels if you're buying on the open market?

For real, this is not financial advice.



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