Bourbon Pursuit

Jordan, Eric and Nick, authors behind BreakingBourbon.com, talk about how bourbon fill levels change flavor profiles and we look at the new releases to come in 2016.Show Notes: We see yet another Colonel Taylor will be hitting the market called EH Taylor four grain. Each one of you give us a quick tidbit about how you got into bourbon So what led into the point of starting a blog? You all get to do a lot of reviews, what are some top reviews for whiskeys outside the state of KY? You did your 100th review and you made it special. Tell us about that. One of my favorite articles is the Bourbon Storage experiment. Tell everyone about that. Once you open a bottle of bourbon, how long do you have until you have to drink it all? One of your most popular articles is the release calendar. What are you all looking at for favorite releases outside of Fall? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Johnson (@CamperJohnson), Director of the KY Bourbon Trail, comes back to gives us the scoop on the 2016 Bourbon Affair and a more about Senate Bill 11.Show Notes: Senate Bill 11 tourism reform bill You’re our first 3-peat guest, what’s been happening in the past year? We’ve said time and time again that the Bourbon Affair is like a fantasy camp for bourbon lovers. Give everyone a recap of what is the Kentucky Bourbon Affair. I was fortunate enough to go to the Opening Event last year at the MegaCavern and it was phenomenal. I was able to rub shoulders with titans of the industry and met some stellar folks. My wife even got me to do the ropes course since i’m scared of heights. What is the opening event like this year? Talk about some of the newer events happening this year? There was also one with Heaven Hill’s Build-aBarrel. talk about that. I see that half the events are already sold out. it seems like everyone wants the opportunity to do a single barrel selection. Pick the top 3 events with tickets still available. We talked about the Old Forester Speakeasy series with Andy Treinan a few weeks ago. That seems like another “can’t miss event” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrea Wilson, Vice President and General Manager of Michter’s Distillery, gives us the history of Michter’s, her rich history influencing the bourbon industry behind the scenes, and hints at a new 20 year bourbon release and potential Celebration.Show Notes: Talk about your first encounter with whiskey or bourbon How did that influence you to make a career from it? What kind of path did you take because you can’t tell a distillery, “Hey i’ve got experience because i’ve been moonshining” You’ve got a historic past. First woman to serve as chair for the KDA. What does that mean to you? Talk about your current position at Michter’s and what that means Give some people a quick history lesson of Michters There is a new place being built on Whiskey Row, talk about that. There are 4 core products, talk about each one of those and choose a favorite child Then we have a few that are super extreme premium bourbons. Now choose a favorite child. You also have reminiscent feelings when drinking bourbon, talk about your tasting experience. What sort of legacy or impression do you want to leave on the industry? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Treinen, the Director of Marketing at the Frazier History Museum (@FrazierMuseum), talks history of prohibition, the future Bourbon Museum for “bourbonism”, and the Old Forester Speakeasy Series.Show Notes: Huge shoutout to Josh Menke for sending us a sample of Stranahans Talk about your introduction to bourbon What is the Frazier History Museum? Talk about the prohibition exhibit on display right now Talk about some of the things in the exhibit Talk about George Remus and Al Capone Why did they decide to do an exhibit? What do you think is the most prized possession in the exhibit? Talk about the future of this exhibit and your partnership with the KDA Talk about what we will see in the future bourbon museum This is important because of your location, so talk about that for a minute Talk about the Old Forester Speakeasy Series Finally, what’s the cost of admission to those who are on the trail and want to see the exhibit? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Morris, Master Distiller at Woodford Reserve, gives an insight into the historic grounds and the $1000 Mint Julep in time for Derby.Show Notes: Talk about your first memorable experience with bourbon. Good or Bad? Talk about your background and coming into the bourbon industry Let's talk about the Woodford grounds a little bit. It's held over 4 different names in the 200 years it's been existence. What makes your bourbon special or unique compared to others? There’s a misconception that Woodford is aged longer than Old Forester. Can you explain the differences? What is the future of distilling going to be? Is it a science or art form? You've been quoted as saying "Because we have a small distillery we use less sour mash than many distillers, which gives more fresh grain in every batch”. I know we can go to the liquor store and read a label that says Sour Mash bourbon but what does sour mash truly mean? You also ferment the mash for nearly twice as long as other distilleries, around 6 or 7 days when most usually do 3 or 4. Again talk about the role that plays. You do some unique experiments that are released yearly or even at the distillery. The latest masters select was called 1838 Style white Corn. Then there was another recent release called frosty four Wood. Talk about those. Choose your favorite child Talk about the process of the “Double Double Oaked” It is Derby season and Woodford has some affinity with horses. Talk about your ties to the horse racing industry Any favorite horse names over the years? With Derby time the drink of the season if the Mint Julep, talk about the $1000 Mint Julep I don’t know if this is fact or fiction, but is the ice actually flown in from a glacier? How do you get your hands on one? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fred Noe, Global Ambassador and Master Distiller at Jim Beam, talks about the history of Jim Beam, his celebrity encounters and the new Booker’s Rye release.Show Notes: You were born into this. Talk about your child hood and some Beam history What are some things your dad taught you about this business and made you appreciate what you do today? Your role is not only a master distiller but also a brand ambassador, do you ever sleep? What’s the short list of some of your favorite places you’ve been? What do you think has made Jim Beam grow to the #1 product in the world? You've probably done a lot since then, best and worst jobs of working at the distillery? The latest Beam ads feature Mila Kunis. Talk about your interactions with Mila. A question from one of our listeners, what did you think of Mila when she blew up one of the rick houses in the latest ad? What’s the current state of Jim Beam today? As more engineering programs expand and more universities offer programs. Do you think the future of distilling is more science than art? There's a lot of different bourbons under your portfolio, who are some of your right hand people to make sure every brand stays consistent? Another question from one of our listeners, what is the inspiration behind the Signature Craft series? Talk about Booker’s Rye that will be hitting the shelves soon. If you have to start a journey for drinking Jim Beam bourbons to get to the point where you drinking Booker’s neat, where do you start? Lastly, we need to get the Kentucky Chew. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patrick Hutchens, Owner of Promotional Wood Products, shares his company’s story of giving premium bourbons the extra edge.Show Notes: Tell us about your first encounter with bourbon We’re sipping on a barrel of Knob Creek that you picked out. Tell us about it. What is Promotional Wood Products? How did the relationship form that you began to make all the boxes for every Booker’s? How has production scaled in Booker’s boxes over 22 years? Talk about how the scents of the Goose Island Rare box that you did What’s the process for making a box? How have you tried to perfect the manufacturing process? Talk about the process of the barrel heads Talk about the amount of moisture inside of the used barrel products Are wooden boxes today like the gimmick of the ceramic decanters of the 70s? Is your goal to have every bottle of bourbon out there in some wooden box? When you do put these items in boxes, do you really feel that you are making it a premium product? Any special release boxes coming out? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Gandolfo, Brand Ambassador for Wild Turkey, talks history of the brand, non-GMO grains, each of the expressions and the new “Decades” release set for May 2016.Show Notes: We kick off the show talking about one of our past guests, Marianne Barnes, and the new name for the Old Taylor Distillery. Tell us about your first encounter with bourbon Tell us about your role and what it consists of Why is Wild Turkey 101 and not 100? How did it grow to a business from 101? What did the name Austin Nichols mean to Wild Turkey? So why remove the name Austin Nichols from the brand? What are some of things during the process makes Wild Turkey unique compared to other brands? What does Non-GMO products give you in regards to quality? What’s it like hanging around Jimmy Russell? Talk about the individual expressions and the differences between each. Talk about the new release called “Decades" that will be coming in May 2016 Is there something that holds true to the quote “Older turkey is better turkey”? If you have to have one Wild Turkey product on the shelf as a staple, which do you choose? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Gelfo, Maker’s Mark Ambassador Extraordinaire & Bourbon Mafia Member, goes in depth about the Maker’s Mark Ambassador.Show Notes: Markers Mark is now starting a “private barrel” program. But it’s more like a private blend program. What’s your story? Tell the listeners about your Maker’s Mark collection How do you get a hold of all the export bottles? What would you consider your most prized Marker’s Mark collectable? Explain to the listeners what the Marker’s Mark ambassadors program is How does someone sign up for the program? Is it free of charge? What are the benefits of being an ambassador? Give the listeners some idea of the best items Marker’s Mark has sent over the years to their ambassadors. what’s the process for going to pick up a bottle from your batch? Is it like the Willy Wonka golden ticket? What is life like for the Samuels outside of bourbon? What are some of your favorite Maker’s Mark events over the past decade? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jackie Zykan, Master Bourbon Specialist for Old Forester, talks about each of the individual expressions and the history behind this Louisville based brand.Show Notes: We are coming to you from Rye On Market in Louisville Tell us your coming to age of tale of bourbon What is it about Old Forester that made you leave working behind the bar Is Old Forester the same thing as Woodford Reserve? What do you actually do as a Master Bourbon Specialist? The name “Brown” has a stigma and prominence in Louisville. Talk about George Garvin Brown? Where is the 2nd “R” in the name? How did Old Forester move from sourcing to distilling it’s own stuff? How did Old Forester survive prohibition? Brown-Forman owns it’s own cooperage and what does that mean to you? Talk about each of the Old Forester brands and what makes each unique compared to the next What was the market reaction for the Whiskey Row edition? Give the listeners some kind of idea behind Birthday Bourbon What can you tell us about 2016 Birthday Bourbon Give us some of the more well-known cocktails you make Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices