Bourbon Pursuit

Greg Cohen, a marketer and founder of Pour More, reveals the ins and outs of whiskey subscriptions. He discusses how COVID-19 spurred their growth and the importance of storytelling in marketing. Cohen shares insights into their dual customer base: whiskey connoisseurs and casual gift-givers. He also explores the complexities of alcohol distribution laws and balancing exclusivity with value. Tune in for a peek at how Pour More navigates these challenges while engaging with both consumers and distillers.

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Maker's Mark The Keeper's Release. This non-age stated bourbon is 109.2 proof and $75 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

It's This Week in Bourbon for July 25th 2025. Luca Mariano files for chapter 11, Kentucky’s Attorney General files a lawsuit against Temu, and Sazerac releases Sazerac Rye 100.Show Notes: Luca Mariano Distillery files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Kentucky AG sues Temu over privacy, forced labor, and IP theft, naming Buffalo Trace & Churchill Downs. Sazerac sues "John Doe" for impersonating Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley on social media. Whiskey House of Kentucky inks long-term supply deal with Germany's Berentzen-Gruppe. Buffalo Trace launches Sazerac Rye Whiskey 100 Proof. 15 STARS introduces new First West line with Small Batch, Toasted Oak, and 8-Year-Old Bourbons. Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you ever just say to yourself, this whiskey needs more proof? Well, if you're already above 140, how much more do you really need? In this episode, we cover the wild world of hazmat bourbon and whiskey. What once started as a rare novelty has turned into constant churn of 140+ high proof releases with everyone running to grab a bottle. We discuss why bourbon should be considered rare while the inclusion of light whiskey is an education problem but it still works for the high proof chasers out there. We talk about the retail end of things but also wonder if this trend will ever die or if it will be on fire forever. Show Notes: Exploration of the hazmat whisky phenomenon and its surge in the market. Historical significance of hazmat spirits and their evolution. Discussion on consumer tendencies towards higher proof and perceived quality. Insights on the novelty effect versus actual taste experiences. Legal and regulatory considerations in the transportation of hazmat whiskies. Predictions on the sustainability of the hazmat trend and potential future shifts in consumer preferences. Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Lux Row Albariño Cask Bourbon. This 4 year old bourbon is 105 proof and $60 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

It's This Week in Bourbon for July 18th 2025. Stitzel-Weller Distillery is up for sale, Brothers Wright Distilling Co. acquires Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery, and Buffalo Trace Distillery is releasing Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Distiller’s Council.Show Notes: The historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery property, including 15 barrel warehouses, is currently for sale. World-renowned expert Noah Rothbaum is set to release The Whiskey Bible, a comprehensive guide to whiskey's history, secrets, and cocktails, in September 2025. Brothers Wright Distilling Co. has acquired Dueling Barrels Brewery & Distillery in Pikeville, expanding capacity and adding a restaurant and music venue. Meridian Biotech is partnering with Buffalo Trace Distillery to build a $40 million facility in Franklin County to convert distillery byproducts into alternative proteins. Acclaimed mixologist Molly Wellmann is joining Hidden Barn Whiskey as its Master Taster to enhance their blends and single barrel selections. Wolves has collaborated with Willett Family Estate on a limited-edition 10-year rye whiskey, blending Kentucky and California-aged ryes. Old Forester is bringing back its annual 1910 Extra Extra Old release, a 93-proof double-barreled bourbon aged for an additional 24 months. Bib & Tucker is launching Gold Roast Bourbon, a 6-year Tennessee Bourbon finished with whole roasted Arabica coffee beans using a cold extraction method. Frey Ranch Distillery is introducing its Five Grain Single Barrel Bourbon, made entirely with grains grown on their farm, with limited quantities available. Rebel Bourbon announces the annual release of its 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon, a 100-proof wheated whiskey with a limited allocation hitting shelves this month. Great Jones Distilling Co. has released a new Wheated Bourbon crafted entirely from New York-grown grains, aged at least four years. Buffalo Trace Distillery is unveiling Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Distiller’s Council, a $1,499.99 ultra-premium, limited-edition bourbon using 19th-century techniques. The James B. Beam Distilling Co. is releasing the annual Old Grand-Dad 7-Year-Old Bonded Bourbon, barreled in spring 2018 at 100 proof. Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye Kentucky Straight Blended Whiskey is returning due to popular demand, combining 9-year bourbon and 7-year rye at 113 proof. Wyoming Whiskey is launching its National Parks: Acadia Edition, expanding its series with a Maine-exclusive bourbon supporting Acadia National Park. Barrell Craft Spirits is releasing Barrell Decade, a Black Label Series blend of whiskeys distilled from 1995-2005 and secondarily matured in Spanish brandy and Hungarian oak casks. Jim Beam has announced Lineage Batch #2, a 15-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon crafted by Fred and Freddie Noe, exclusively available at the Beam campus. Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the topics I love to dive into on the show is retail. This is where the rubber meets the road because it's the telling sign if a brand or category is alive or dying. I'm excited to welcome Chris Blandford back on the show. He holds the title of Adult Beverage Field Specialist for Kroger. He’s right there on the front lines of consumer trends, and he’s got some amazing insights into the changing landscape of bourbon, and he's also the content development lead for the bourbon and culinary stage at Bourbon & Beyond, a music festival right here in Louisville you've heard us talk about before. We talk about evolving consumer tastes because there is a trend back towards lower proof whiskey and some hilarious stories about those high-potency THC infused drinks that are making waves. Chris also shares his inspiring personal journey of health transformation, which is a fantastic parallel to his work. Plus, you’ll get a sneak peek into the exciting experiences waiting for everyone at Bourbon & Beyond. Show Notes: Who is Chris Blandford and his role at Kroger? Insights on rising trends among bourbon consumers. Discussion on the interest in lower-proof, approachable bourbons. Unique bourbon blend produced for Bourbon & Beyond. Reactions to various bourbons tasted and discussed. Chris's health and fitness transformation journey. Kroger’s partnership significance with Bourbon & Beyond. Resources for aspiring bourbon distillers and entrepreneurs. Humorous exchanges surrounding bourbon experiences. Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Old Fitz Spring 2025. This 9 year old bourbon is 100 proof and $130 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

It's This Week in Bourbon for July 11th 2025. New Riff Distilling has availability of 6-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon for Selections, Starlight Distillery is releasing its first ever 10-Year Bourbon, and Bardstown Bourbon Company has unveiled Hokkaido Japanese Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish.Show Notes: New Riff Distilling announces the availability of its 6-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon and Rye Selections for customer barrel picks. Heaven Hill Brands unveils a refreshed corporate brand identity with the tagline "Thriving Together" and opens a new Louisville office. LifeSciKY partners with New Riff Distilling for a limited-edition single-barrel bourbon, with proceeds funding new lab equipment. Maker's Mark collaborates with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation on a custom bourbon to celebrate the 2024 World Series and aid wildfire relief. The World Whiskey Society releases its 108-Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Finished in Japanese Mizunara Shochu Barrels, dubbed the "Samurai Edition." Coppercraft Distillery introduces a new 9-Year-Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a blend of sourced Indiana bourbons. Three Chord Bourbon launches "Volume 2" featuring new bottle designs with energetic concert photography. Booker’s Bourbon releases 'By The Pond Batch,' its second batch of the year, aged over 7 years at 126.5 proof. Starlight Distillery is set to release its first ever 10-Year Bourbon on July 26th, made with estate-grown grains. Castle & Key Distillery releases its Castle & Key 6-Year-Old Small Batch Bourbon. Bardstown Bourbon Company unveils Hokkaido Japanese Mizunara Oak Barrel Finish as its latest Distillery Reserve release. Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At Bourbon Pursuit, we've had our fair share of industry legends and rising stars, and we get to sit down again with someone who's name is plastered in the bourbon hall of fame. Bruce Russell joins us again to share how he is carving his own path at Wild Turkey but also honoring the incredible legacy of his father Eddie and grandfather Jimmy. Get ready for some great stories as Bruce opens up about growing up in the Wild Turkey family, his shift back from Texas, and how he's embraced product development, bringing exciting new high-proof offerings and their latest eight-year 101 proof bourbon to life. This episode takes a few different twists as we talk about blending blending, barrel selections, and how Wild Turkey's continual packaging changes. Plus, Bruce gives us an honest look at the challenges of being a public figure in the bourbon world, getting noticed wherever he goes, and gives you a list of his favorite Louisville dining spots. Show Notes: Bruce Russell’s family legacy and journey in bourbon. Transition to product development roles at Wild Turkey. Upcoming high-proof releases and their significance. The success of the eight-year-old 101 proof and its impact. Insights into barrel selection and blending practices. Navigating fame and personal life within the industry. Bruce's restaurant recommendations in Louisville. The importance of blending tradition with innovation. Upcoming projects and the future of Wild Turkey. Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices