
Bourbon Pursuit
The Official Podcast of Bourbon! The best in news, reviews and interviews with people making the bourbon whiskey industry happen. Join hosts Kenny Coleman, Ryan Cecil, and Fred Minnick as they talk with prominent guests and provide insight on American whiskey 3 times a week. Catch all new episodes every Thursday with special Whiskey Quickie reviews on Tuesday and get caught up on bourbon news with This Week in Bourbon on Friday.
Latest episodes

Oct 25, 2024 • 47min
TWiB: Binnys Van Winkle 18 YR Sets Auction Record, Old Carter Goes Up For Auction, Baker's Limited High Rye Bourbon Release
It's This Week in Bourbon for October 25th 2024. A new record breaking sale happend for a private Van Winkle bottling at auction, Old Carter and all its assets go up for auction, Baker's releases a limited edition high rye bourbon.Show Notes:
Van Winkle 18 Year Special Reserve Bourbon Binnys Private Barrel Selection Highest Unicorn Auction
Green River Distilling moving to Whiskey Row
Jackson Purchase Distillery will open a new corporate office in Louisville
Old Carter for the entire brand and assets go up for auction
Jim Beam Winter Reserve
Monk's Road Rye Whiskey
Baker’s High-Rye Bourbon
Lost Lantern Fall 2024 Collection
Buzzard’s Roost Kindred Collaboration Bourbon
New Riff Distilling Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey made with biscuit malt
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Oct 24, 2024 • 1h 19min
485 - What's Life Like After A $215M Acquisition with Mike Paladini and Danny Polise of Penelope Bourbon
We talk about Penelope a lot on the show because they are a prime example of how to differentiate yourself in the marketplace from a crowded shelf of bottles. Our first episode with Mike Paladini and Danny Polise was back on epsidoe 382. And now this time we catch up with them again but after they were acquired by MGP for $215M. We talk about life after acquisition and what that means to access to whiskey, the life of the brand, and how their roles have changed from running it all to leaning on a large organiztion with a substantial salesforce.
Show Notes:
00:00-The Journey Begins: From Mattresses to Bourbon
04:54-The Rise of Penelope Bourbon: Challenges and Innovations
09:57-Acquisition Insights: Life After MGP
19:52-Product Development: The Art of Blending and Finishing
30:04-Future Aspirations: Growth and New Innovations
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Oct 22, 2024 • 5min
Whiskey Quickie: Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey Batch #10 Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Hard Truth Sweet Mash Rye Whiskey Batch #10. This non-age stated whiskey is 120.6 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 18, 2024 • 38min
TWiB: Whiskey Wash Relaunches As Shopping Platform, Woodford Reserve 2024 Master’s Collection, Keeneland and Maker’s Mark Greats of the Gate
It's This Week in Bourbon for October 18th 2024. The Whiskey Wash relaunches as a price comparison site, Woodford Reserve releases the fall 2024 Master’s Collection release - Madeira Cask Finish, and Keeneland Race Course and Maker’s Mark unveiled Greats of the Gate.Show Notes:
The Whiskey Wash relaunches as a price comparison site
Log Still Distillery and Against the Grain Brewery return Beetlejuice pop-up
Iron City Distilling brand new 3 Chamber Still
Milam & Greene Whiskey Barn Owl Single Barrel Bourbon
Safai Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Brewzle launched Oak Bowery Bourbon
Woodford Reserve Madeira Cask Finish
Keeneland Race Course and Maker’s Mark unveiled Greats of the Gate
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Oct 17, 2024 • 1h 7min
484 - Are Celebrity Whiskeys Finally Good? on Bourbon Community Roundtable #99
Are celebrity whiskeys finally hitting their stride? The hosts dive into the rising quality of these brands and how celebrity passion is reshaping consumer perceptions. They explore the delicate balance of authenticity, marketing strategies, and the importance of building a lasting brand beyond initial hype. With anecdotes of their own experiences, they tackle the challenges and opportunities in this evolving market. Humor and engagement blend as they discuss what the future holds for celebrity spirits in the bourbon world.

Oct 15, 2024 • 5min
Whiskey Quickie: Bomberger's Declaration Bourbon (2024) Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Bomberger's Declaration Bourbon (2024). This non-age stated whiskey is 108 proof and $120 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 11, 2024 • 59min
TWiB: Bardstown Bourbon Finishes Their Expansion, Barrell Craft Spirits 20-Year Toasted Bourbon, The Return of King of Kentucky for 2024
It's This Week in Bourbon for October 11th 2024. Bardstown Bourbon Co finished their latest expansion, Barrell Craft Spirits releases a 20-Year Toasted Single Barrel Bourbon, and the return of King of Knetucky for 2024.Show Notes:
Alcohol in Space at Whiskey Thief
Bardstown Boutbon Co finished their latest expansion
Pappy Palooza Pass or Play by Give270
Elijah Craig Bourbon Old Fashioned Week
Penelope Bourbon Founders Reserve List
Mint Julep Experiences launched Ireland Whiskey Tours
Vendome Copper & Brass Works has opened a new manufacturing facility
Castle & Key Distillery Cask Strength Wheated Bourbon
Old Potrero’s new California Cellar Series
Town Branch Imperium MMXXIV
High West Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 12
Barrell Craft Spirits 20-Year Toasted Single Barrel Bourbon
Chattanooga Whiskey Bottled in Bond Vintage Series: Fall 2020
Booker’s Batch 2024 03 Master Distillers Batch
Brother’s Bond 7-Year Old Bottled In Bond
Bardstown Bourbon with Blackberry Farm Brewery
Westward Whiskey Milestone Edition No. 2
King of Kentucky 2024
Old Overholt Extra Aged Cask Strength 11YR
Hard Truth Distilling Co French Oak Harvest Rye
Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse 2024 Camp Nelson B
@whiskeythiefdistilling @bardstownbourbonco @give270 @elijahcraig @penelopebourbon @castleandkey @barrellbourbon @brothersbond @hardtruthdistilling @russellsreserve
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Oct 10, 2024 • 56min
483 - What is Premium Bourbon?
The term premium has shifted a lot over the years. In regards of whiskey, just a few short years ago, that term was defined as any bottle over $50. I think we can all agree that $50 seems to an entrypoint into the mid-tier these days. In this episode, Fred, Ryan and myself, we talk about what we believe to be premium with how the market and economic conditions can effect the prices of your bottles.
Show Notes:
00:00-The Evolution of Premium Whiskey
05:54-Defining Premium: Price, Age, and Quality
11:59-Market Dynamics: The Role of Distillers and Brands
17:45-Consumer Perception: What Makes Whiskey Premium?
24:05-The Impact of Packaging and Marketing on Premium Status
30:08-Future Trends in the Premium Whiskey Market
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Oct 8, 2024 • 5min
Whiskey Quickie: Wyoming Whiskey Outryder Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Wyoming Whiskey Outryder (2024). This non-age stated whiskey is 100 proof and $85 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 4, 2024 • 46min
Behind The Pursuit: The Easy Button Pt. 2
Subscribe to Behind The Pursuit: From Bourbon to BrandRyan tackled these questions back on Episode 068, and with the feedback we got from listeners, we wanted to give Kenny an opportunity to chime in as well. Today's question comes from listener Richard C. Richard had a series of questions looming from the recent Bourbon Roundtable Live Q&A during Pursuit Palooza. Kenny & Ryan used to joke that they should have gone the "easy route" to a brand and just bottled MGP instead of doing their own thing. Now, MGP brands are truly everywhere, the bourbon market is undergoing a correction, and bottles are sitting on the shelf for longer. We hit on:
How do you feel looking back on your original decision to forge a different path? Did you feel you missed out on something by doing that?
Do you feel you are better positioned now for the current market, and for the future, than if you had bottled MGP?
Where do you think you'd be currently if you had gone with MGP instead of creating the Pursuit United brand as we know it?
What would you do differently if you could do it all over again? What would you tell the 2018 versions of Kenny & Ryan?
How do you continue to set the brand up for success with so many other brands continuing to develop around you?
and much more.Be sure to visit pursuitspirits.com and click on Visit Us to book a tasting or barrel selection experience. For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at podcast@pursuitspirits.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices