
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

Feb 16, 2024 • 41min
TWiB: Bulleit and Redemption Are Back in Court, MGP Sues the Town of Williamstown, Kentucky, Woodford Reserve Batch Proof Announced
It's This Week in Bourbon for February 16th 2024. Bulleit and Redemption whiskey brands are back at it in court, MGP is suing the city of Williamstown, Kentucky, and Woodford Reserve has released its annual limited-edition, high-proof expression Woodford Reserve Batch Proof.Show Notes:
Woodford Reserve teams up with Sergio Hudson and Anifa Mvuemb for fashion
Bulleit and Redemption whiskey brand are back at it in court
Staghorn has named Lisa Wicker as the first Master Distiller
MGP is suing the city of Williamstown, Kentucky
Woodford Reserve Batch Proof
Bulleit American Single Malt
High n’ Wicked Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Chattanooga Whiskey Barrel Finishing Series: White Port Cask Finished
Gin & Juice By Dre and Snoop
@woodfordreserve @bulleit @redemptionwhiskey @chattwhiskey @drdre @snoopdogg
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Feb 15, 2024 • 1h 6min
449 - Ed Bley is Back with Old Stubborn Whiskey
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, we finally see the re-emergence of Ed Bley. Ed has been a previous guest on the podcast that was from way back in 2018. So if you just started listening to Bourbon Pursuit, then you probably have no idea of the impact Ed had on the bourbon world during that time. Ed went into hiding and went on a mission to bring some new whiskey to the world and he's now back presenting his new line called Old Stubborn. We talk about his background in blending and the journey he took from working at Cork N Bottle, picking barrels, and being a big influence in the larger bourbon community to losing hope on building a distillery and then quickly pivoting to find whiskey that wasn't available on the open market. This is one of the most anticipated interviews for many of you long-time listeners so enjoy this episode with Ed Bley. Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about sustainability and new oak barrels.
What is your background and what were you doing on the retail side?
How often do you reject barrels during a barrel selection?
Can you give some background on Old Baldy?
Why would you want to leave a comfortable position to do your own thing?
Why would you want to start a distillery versus sourcing barrels?
How did you search for whiskey to use?
Why did you call the whiskey Old Stubborn?
Is there a reason why you put the word "old" on your bottles?
Can you talk about how you ended up on the bottle?
What went into this first release?
How did the conversations start to acquire your whiskey stocks?
Is this high price a sustainable business model?
What does your product strategy look like?
What is your plan for distribution and expansion?
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Feb 13, 2024 • 4min
Whiskey Quickie: Heart of Mystic Bourbon Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Heart of Mystic Bourbon. This 3 year old bourbon is 114.6 proof and $40 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

Feb 9, 2024 • 55min
TWiB: 2023 Bourbon Economic Impact Study, Bardstown Bourbon Company's “House of Bardstown", Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 18 Year
It's This Week in Bourbon for February 9th 2024. 2023 Bourbon Economic Impact Study is out, Bardstown Bourbon Company introduces the “House of Bardstown," and Heaven Hill releases Heritage Collection 18-Year-Old Bourbon.Show Notes:
2023 Bourbon Economnic Impact Study is out.
Bardstown Bourbon Company introduces the “House of Bardstown"
Old Forester named Caleb Trigo as Assistant Master Distiller
Distilled Living is an Official Sponsor of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Bourbon Strong 50-4-50 charity raffle
Distilled in Washington, A History new book
Will the Apple Vision Pro change the drinks industry forever?
The Fielder’s Choice Collection
Four Gate Triple Oak
Puncher’s Chance THE UNIFIED BELT
Jack Daniel's Batch 2 of its 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey and Batch 3 of its 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey
Path of Totality Bourbon Whiskey
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof A124
Penelope Bourbon Tokaji Cask Finish
Kentucky Old Fashioned Bourbon Barrel Ale
Heaven Hill releases Heritage Collection 18-Year-Old Bourbon
@bardstownbourbonco @oldforester @distilledliving @give270 @jriegerco @fourgatewhiskey @puncherschancebourbon @jackdaniels_us @haynerdistilling @elijahcraig @penelopebourbon @heavenhilldistillery @heavenhillbrands @alltechbrews
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Feb 8, 2024 • 1h 15min
448 - When Does An Age Statement Matter? on Bourbon Community Roundtable #90
Whether it's 2 or 12 years old, the age statement on a bottle seems to be an attractor to many. But as we start diving more into our bourbon journey we start realizing that age is just a number. I've had some really great bourbons at 4 years old and some really great at 14. With all that being said, at what point should you proudly display that age statement on the bottle? In this roundtable, we dive into this topic and look at the history of age statements and when we started paying attention to them. There's also brands that have a lot of success without an age statement like Maker's Mark and most of the Buffalo Trace portfolio. And now that the modern bourbon consumer has been accustom to seeing age statements, would you pass on a bottle just because it said 4 years old on it? Show Notes:
bove the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about people hating Buffalo Trace products.
When Does An Age Statement Matter?
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Feb 6, 2024 • 4min
Whiskey Quickie: Nelson Brothers Rye Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Nelson Brothers Rye. This non-age stated rye is 92.5 proof and $37 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

Feb 2, 2024 • 35min
TWiB: Elijah Craig and AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Southern Glazer’s Sued By Provi, Buzzard’s Roost American Whiskey
It's This Week in Bourbon for February 2nd 2024. Eijah Craig returns as the Official Bourbon of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Southern Glazer’s is being sued by online platform Provi, and Buzzard’s Roost introduces their American Whiskey.Show Notes:
ReserveBar partners with delivery.com
Old Forester featured in Argylle
Southern Glazer’s is being sued by online platform Provi
Elijah Craig is the Official Bourbon of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Buzzard’s Roost introduces their American Whiskey
@reservebarspirits @oldforester @deliverdotcom @oldforester @elijahcraig @buzzardsroostwhiskey
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Feb 1, 2024 • 1h 5min
447 - The Economics of the Used Barrel Market with Ben and Jess Loseke of Midwest Barrel Company
We're all too familiar with the barrel and it's impact on whiskey but what about it's life after whiskey? Actually, there's quite a lot. These barrels can be used for aging other spirits, beer, furniture, bbq smoking chips, the list is endless. But did you ever stop to think how those used barrels go from one man's trash to another man's treasure? Well, there's one company that has made a name for themselves and that's Midwest Barrel Company. Ben and Jessica Loseke join the show to talk about how Ben got into the used barrel business and the economics behind it. If you ever find yourself glued to an episode of Storage Wars or Pawn Stars, you'll love to hear how Ben stumbled into used barrels and everything else he tried to flip in the process. Today, Midwest Barrel Company is brokering tons of used bourbon barrels and talks about how he develops his sales pipeline and acquires new customers.Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about price and quality opinions.
How did you discover a business in used barrels?
Do you remember for you first big score?
Did you ever get in legal trouble buying and flipping stuff?
What year did you buy your first barrels?
How many empty barrels can you fit on a full truck?
Who were your main customers?
How did you figure out how to scale this business?
How hard was it to let go of certain aspects of the business?
How do you find new suppliers and new customers?
Is this considered commodity trading?
Is this a cutthroat industry where you are overbidding others?
How fast can you turn around a barrel once you receive it?
What are you doing when you steam a barrel?
What other things are people making with barrels?
How do you know what your pipeline looks like for sales and purchasing?
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Jan 30, 2024 • 4min
Whiskey Quickie: Old Man Winter Bourbon Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Old Man Winter Bourbon. This non-age stated bourbon is 109.8 proof and $160 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

Jan 26, 2024 • 45min
TWiB: 2023 Craft Spirits Data Project, New Riff Appoints a Master Distiller, Green River Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
It's This Week in Bourbon for January 26th 2024. Craft Spirits Data Project has released is 2023 data, New Riff Distilling announces a master distiller, and
Green River Distilling will release its highly anticipated Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey.Show Notes:
Craft Spirits Data Project has released is 2023 data
New Riff has named a master distiller
Diageo has lost its appeal to dismiss a lawsuit
Lexington beams messages to outer space
Green River Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
Multifarious and Purple Karma Pinnacle from Patty Green Whiskey Distillers
Nelson Brothers Maple Cask Finish
Woodford Reserve Double Double Oaked Bourbon
@newriff @woodfordreserve @greenriverdistillingco @nelsonsgreenbrier
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