
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

Apr 4, 2024 • 1h 26min
456 - Will Non Distilling Producers Survive 2024? And A Message From Barrell Bourbon on Bourbon Community Roundtable #92
The past few weeks there have been lots of speculation about non distilling producers, or known as NDPs, being able to survive. The market has shifted and there are images of sourced brands that have prices slashed on shelves along with others having their facilities up for sale. This makes us wonder what is in store for the remainder of the year. We talk about what makes NDPs special and how every big distillery was also a NDP at one point as well. There's also a message coming directly from Barrell Bourbon about their current listings. Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about hot sauce and bourbon.
What will happen to NDPs in 2024?
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Apr 2, 2024 • 4min
Whiskey Quickie: Chattanooga Whiskey White Port Cask Finished Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Chattanooga Whiskey White Port Cask Finished. This 5 year old whiskey is 95 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

Mar 29, 2024 • 34min
TWiB: New Service Called Kentucky Bourbon Retreat, Hard Truth's Farmer’s Reserve, Woodford Reserve's $15,000 Derby Bottle
It's This Week in Bourbon for March 29th 2024. A new service is launching dubbed the Kentucky Bourbon Retreat, Hard Truth Distilling Co. announced the introduction of Farmer’s Reserve, and Woodford Reserve drops a $15,000 bottle for the 150th Kentucky Derby.Show Notes:
A new service is launching dubbed the Kentucky Bourbon Retreat
Indiana has new liquor laws
West Virginia's legislature has approved a bill that would allow individuals to distill
Better Business Bureau warns of scam bourbon retail sites and social media accounts
50 Cent has filed a $6 million embezzlement case against Beam Suntory
A vintage Perone beer can has sold for an astounding $62,830
Hard Truth Distilling Co. Farmer’s Reserve
15 STARS First West Bourbon
Woodford Reserve 150th Kentucky Derby
@50cent @barrelglobal @hardtruthspirits @woodfordreserve
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Mar 28, 2024 • 1h 6min
455 - Digging Into The Psychology of a Bourbon Hunter with Jim White of Reality Check
Understanding how the bourbon geek thinks has been something that has dumbfounded us for years. We talk about it all the time on roundtables and other episodes where we try to guess why consumers purchase in certain ways. And for the longest time, you all have asked why don't we get someone on the show that can talk about the psychology of a bourbon drinker. Well, ask and you shall receive. In this very special episode, Jim White, the Founder and President of Reality Check consulting who has a background in bourbon advertising and psychology joins the show to talk about how people think and how brands can develop a story. This episode will dive into the psychology of scarcity, pricing, limited editions, repeat purchases, and so much more. During different segments you're going to come away realizing a reason why you chase and hunt bottles as well. Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about enforcement of bottled in bond.
Can you give a background about Reality Check Consulting?
What research methods do you use to get consumer feedback?
What things in our psychology trigger us to look at certain brands?
How does a brand like Weller go from zero to hero in such a short time?
Why should brands create limited edition offerings from a psychology perspective?
Is there another type of consumer that just isn't worried about status?
How does a brand focused on volume market differently?
Why would someone purchase the same bottle over and over again?
Do other categories have fans that want their own hobby to fail?
Is brand loyalty dead?
How do you attract a customer to look beyond what's safe?
Does FOMO play a big role?
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Mar 26, 2024 • 5min
Whiskey Quickie: Broken Barrel Honey Smoke Reserva American Whiskey Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Broken Barrel Honey Smoke Reserva American Whiskey. This 6 year old whiskey is 110 proof and $80 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

Mar 22, 2024 • 40min
TWiB: MGP Files Lawsuits Against Two Cities, More Partnerships in Golf Are Coming, Rabbit Hole Heretofore
It's This Week in Bourbon for March 22nd 2024. MGP is getting ready to battle two cities in court, more partnerships in golf are coming from Elijah Craig and Blade & Bow, and Rabbit Hole released the newest member of its Distillery Series, Heretofore.Show Notes:
MGP is getting ready to battle two cities in court
Thieves got away with bourbon that was inside a parked truck
Bespoken Spirits new headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky
Flying Ace announced an educational scholarship program with Folds of Honor
Barmen 1873 Bourbon is rolling out its first-ever celebrity partnership with Lainey Wilson
Blade and Bow Kentucky partners with golf champion Wyndham Clark
Elijah Craig welcomes the 2024 PGA Championship
Jack & Ginger Ale
Knob Creek collaborates on a limited release with LL Cool J
Penelope Rio is set to arrive on shelves in March
Maker’s Mark has now launched the London edition of its Wood Finishing City Series
Rabbit Hole Distillery released the newest member of its Distillery Series “Heretofore“
@bespokenspirits @flyingacespirits @foldsofhonor @barmen1873 @bladeandbowwhiskey @elijahcraig @jackdaniels_us @knobcreek @peneoplebourbon @makersmark @rabbithole @raekwon @llcoolj
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Mar 21, 2024 • 1h 10min
454 - The Evolving Trends of Bourbon Journalism with Maggie Kimberl
Before there were Instagram and TikTok influencers, YouTubers, and even podcasters, there were writers. I'm not talking about bloggers. But esteemed authors and journalists who dug into a story and took it to magazines and other trade publications. The times have changed, our attention spans have gotten much shorter, and now running a story is much different. To help gives more insight into whiskey journalism we've invited Maggie Kimberl back on the show. She's the Content Editor of American Whiskey Magazine and writes some of the most intriguing stories in bourbon today. We all evaluate how access to distilleries have gotten harder through PR firms and how there may be a dilution of valuable content and talent because the barrier to entry is much lower through social media. It's not all doom and gloom though. We are now in a time when there is more to talk about than ever in bourbon. There is going to be no shortage of new stories with the boom of so many new distilleries and entrants into the market. Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about the lobbying groups for whiskey and bourbon.
How small was the community in whiskey journalism?
Has the access to the distillers and the people changed over the years?
How many more events are there now?
At what point in time did you start seeing a shift happen from deep articles vs click bait?
If writing isn't a means to have a successful career did judging whiskey awards feel like a next step?
What are the types of stories in magazines that people really latch on to and engage?
Do stories on bourbon tourism do well?
Do you see a problem with short-form content and those content creators?
Do big brands even need bourbon media any longer?
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Mar 19, 2024 • 4min
Whiskey Quickie: Widow Jane Paradigm Rye Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Widow Jane Paradigm Rye. This non-age stated rye is 93 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 15, 2024 • 35min
TWiB: A Brewer Sues Government To Distill as a Hobby, Chattanooga Batch 037: Ancient Wheat, Yellowstone Rum Cask Finish
It's This Week in Bourbon for March 15th 2024. A brewer in Ohio is suing the federal government saying he should be able to distil as a hobby, Chattanooga is releasing DISCOVER EXPERIMENTAL BATCH 037: ANCIENT WHEAT!, and Limestone Branch Distillery has announced the second release in its Yellowstone Special Finishes Collection: Yellowstone Rum Cask FinishShow Notes:
Should the government be able to stop you from making whiskey?
Buzzard’s Roost Ambuzzador
Rebel 100 6-Year Bourbon
Chattanooga is releasing Discover Experimental Batch 037: Ancient Wheat
Yellowstone Rum Cask Finish
@buzzardsroostwhiskey @chattwhiskey @rebelbourbon @yellowstonebourbon
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Mar 14, 2024 • 1h 13min
453 - Will Horses Help Sell a Bottle? with Sean Josephs of Pinhook
The platform of this podcast was to help connect listeners to the brands they see on the store shelves. As time has gone on, sometimes we discover there really isn't much substance to a brand. But today's guest is the very opposite. I found myself enthralled with our guests history in the culinary world and what he's doing to make his whiskey be one that many can appreciate from the liquid to the blending. Sean Josephs is the Co-Founder & Master Blender behind Pinhook. You know all those bottles with race horses on the label and different colored wax. Sean talks about getting his start in restaurants, grinding it out, and eventually working at some of the world's premier establishments and becoming such a decorated wine sommelier that he would be considered famous by those standards. Consider me a bit star struck by the time this episode is over. Then he finds a new passion in bourbon and opens up one of the first ever whiskey bars in Brooklyn and eventually left to start Pinkhook bourbon. Sean's passion comes through and we learn the secret decoder ring to knowing more about all his Pinhook bottles and what's in store for the future. Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about adding water to high proof whiskey.
What's your background and how did you get into bourbon?
As a somm, do you remember the most epic wine?
Was starting a whiskey bar in 2008 in Brooklyn a bold move?
Were barrel selections becoming popular for restaurants in 2016?
What made you want to stop doing bars and restaurants and start the whiskey brand?
Can you explain the packaging and colors and how they work?
What makes your whiskey special and what are you doing there?
How long do you think you'll have enough whiskey to keep your projects going?
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