
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

Dec 8, 2023 • 50min
TWiB: Maker's Mark Fills Certified Regenified Barrel, Blue Run 12 Days of Bourbon Series, Pursuit United Bourbon Batch 11CD
It's This Week in Bourbon for December 8th 2023. Maker's Mark has filled its first Certified Regenified barrel of whisky, Blue Run is back with it's 12 Days of Bourbon series, and Pursuit United Bourbon Batch 11CD.Show Notes:
American whiskey is staring down a 50 percent tax when sent to Europe
Maker's Mark has filled its first Certified Regenified barrel of whisky
Woodford Reserve is creating a sensorial experience at Istanbul International Airport
Rabbit Hole Distillery announced the release of Amburana
Chattanooga Whiskey is INTRODUCING: THE VAULT SERIES
Pursuit United Bourbon Batch 11CD
Milam & Greene Whiskey releases The Castle Hill Batch Three
Wheel Horse Cigar Blend Bourbon
Two limited distillery-only offerings of Very Olde St. Nick whiskeys
Samuel Maverick Straight Triticale Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond
Puncher’s Chance THE UNIFIED BELT
Wilderness Trail Distillery’s 10th Anniversary limited-edition 10-Year-Old Wheated Bourbon
Blue Run is back with it's 12 Days of Bourbon series
Rebel Small Batch Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Three Chord Bourbon Backstage Series
@makersmark @woodfordreserve @rabbithole @chattwhiskey @milamandgreenewhiskey @wheelhorsewhiskey @veryoldestnick @maverickdistilling @wildernesstrail @bluerunspirits @rebelbourbon @threechordbourbon
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Dec 7, 2023 • 1h 1min
439 - Celebrating 10 Years of Barrell Craft Spirits with Joe Beatrice and Tripp Stimson
Seagrass, Dovetail, Vantage, these are all names that we immediately associate to Barrell Bourbon. I'm excited to bring back two guests on the show, Joe Beatrice and Tripp Stimson, to talk about hitting their 10 year anniversary. Joe and Tripp reflect on their early vision for the company and how it's evolved from figuring out budgets and spending, learning from early batches, and how their decision to not follow the bourbon playbook of building a brand has been a success for them. We talk about expanding their facilities with a new rickhouse, reading consumer habits and trends, where the company will be next, and even Amburana. It's a fascinating look at the past decade and future vision of this fast-growing brand.
Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about the difference between sourcing and contract distilling?
10 years ago, what was your vision for the company and how has that changed?
What was your budget and figuring out where to spend the money?
What the early feedback with those initial pitches and sourcing?
Has the consumer switched from chasing states to chasing flavor?
Did anyone tell you that going with cask strength was a bad idea?
What have you learned from Batch 001 and do you feel the product has gotten better over time?
How do you look at consumer habits and plan accordingly?
Why did you come up with the derived mash bill?
What is it about Amburana that you like or that can benefit in your blends?
What are your new facilities like?
Talk about the Yellowstone rickhouse you purchased?
What does the next 10 years look like for you all?
Do you feel like like your model is a hard target for an acquisition?
@barrellbourbon
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Dec 5, 2023 • 5min
Whiskey Quickie: Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #11 Bourbon Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #11. This blend of 6, 10 and 13 year old bourbon is 118.1 proof and $140 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

Dec 1, 2023 • 44min
TWiB: Potential Bourbon Complex Hits The Market, Frazier History Museum Exhibits Spirited Design, Fall 2023 Edition of Old Fitzgerald
It's This Week in Bourbon for December 1st 2023. Potential site for ‘bourbon complex’ hits the market in Shively, the Frazier History Museum is opening a special holiday exhibition Spirited Design featuring Old Forester’s Mid-Century Decanters, and Heaven Hill Distillery announced the release of the Fall 2023 edition of Old Fitzgerald.Show Notes:
Owensboro 21 pallets of bourbon that were reported missing have been located
Potential site for ‘bourbon complex’ hits the market in Shively
The Frazier History Museum is opening a special holiday exhibition called Spirited Design: Old Forester’s Mid-Century Decanters
Buzzard’s Roost Repeal Day Event
Four Roses bourbon has launched its first-ever consumer advertising campaign
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board warns about fakes
Commissioners of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission reviewed changes to the agency's Chance to Purchase program
Heaven Hill Brands announces two company facilities received the EPA’s first-ever ENERGY STAR certification
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail received a Gold Traverse for its "Book Now, Bourbon Later" digital marketing campaign
Old Forester is releasing the rarest bottle it has ever produced – a decanter to honor the brand’s 150th anniversary
Castle & Key Distillery and Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild (KBBG release of The Untold Story of Kentucky Whiskey, Chapter 3
Broken Barrel Whiskey Co. has introduced Honey Smoke Reserva
Jack Harlow joined forces with Knob Creek
Jack Daniel Distillery introduces Distillery Series Selection #12, a Straight Tennessee Whiskey Finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks
Fall 2023 edition of Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey at 8 years old
@frazierhistorymuseum @oldforester @buzzardsroostwhiskey @heavenhillbrands @heavenhilldistillery @kentuckybourbontrail @castleandkey @_kbbg_ @brokenbarrelwhiskey @jackharlow @knobcreek @jackdaniels_us
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Nov 30, 2023 • 1h 5min
438 - What is Over, Under, and Properly Rated?
We rate bourbons all the time. But we've never really rated things that surround the product and the bourbon culture. In this episode, Ryan, Fred, and myself look at a bunch of subjects and ask whether it's under rated, over rated, or properly rated. From single barrel picks to bourbon-themed weddings, there's a lot to cover. We'll break down whether booker's boxes and wax dipping are gimmicks or genuinely enhance the experience. And what about all those whiskey influencers on YouTube, Instagram and Tiktok - are they spreading valuable knowledge or just hype? We'll also discuss whether tasting notes and bottled-in-bond really mean anything and if the Fred Minnick effect is real. Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about taters and hype around allocated products.
Under rated? Over Rated? Or Properly Rated?
Single Barrel picks
A single barrel bottle from a brand
Spirit awards
Booker's boxes
Wax
Whiskey YouTube'rs
Instagram and TikTok
Bourbon tattoos
Distillery weddings
Bourbon barrel furniture
Cooking with bourbon
bottled in bond
Tasting notes
The Fred Minnick Effect
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Nov 28, 2023 • 6min
Whiskey Quickie: King of Kentucky 2023 Bourbon Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review King of Kentucky. This 16 year old bourbon is 125.8 proof and $300 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

Nov 24, 2023 • 45min
Behind The Pursuit: The Good & Gather of the Bourbon Trail
Subscribe to Behind The Pursuit: From Bourbon to BrandWe’ve been up and running at the distillery for several weeks now. We’ve processed barrels, worked on blends, we’ve had friends and family and Patreon members in to help us iron out the experience that will soon be open to the public. While we recently had Kenny talk with us about the process to getting the distillery open, now we want to talk the fun part: what we have to show everyone. Join us today as we talk with the guys about what to expect from the soon-to-open bottle your own experience here at Pursuit HQ.We hit on:
Will the experience always be led by Kenny and/or Ryan?
Will it be a walk up location, or reservation only?
What are you wanting guests to be able to experience here that may be unlike other distillery experiences?
How has the experience been shaped with early practice? What have you learned in those first pilot tours?
What has been the most common feedback you’ve received so far?
and much more.For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at podcast@pursuitspirits.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 23, 2023 • 1h 11min
437 - How To Build A Non-Legacy Brand with Johnathan Crocker of Frank August
CEO and Co-Founder of Frank August, Johnathan Crocker, discusses building a non-legacy bourbon brand focused on modern storytelling. Topics include adapting in a crowded market, the influence of COVID-19, brand identity, consumer preferences, and redefining American identity.

Nov 21, 2023 • 21min
Whiskey Quickie: 2023 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC) Review
On this special edition of Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review the 2023 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection. The collection includes: Sazerac Rye 18 Year, Thomas H. Handy, Eagle Rare 17 Year, William Larue Weller, and George T. Stagg. Each bottle has a suggested retail price of $125. What's our favorite this year? Watch to find out. 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

Nov 17, 2023 • 1h 2min
TWiB: Bourbon Stolen From Glenmore Distillery, Gem of Kentucky, Michter’s Drops a 25 Year Old Bourbon
It's This Week in Bourbon for November 17th 2023. There was an attempt to reroute 21 pallets of bourbon from the Glenmore Distillery, Dixon Dedman releases Gem of Kentucky, and Michter’s is dropping a 25 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon.Show Notes:
Allied Market Research new report on bourbon growth
Owensboro Police Department says there was an attempt to reroute 21 pallets of bourbon from the Glenmore Distillery
10th Anniversary of the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience
J. Mattingly 1845 Distillery opened its distillery in Frankfort
Lost Lantern opens a tasting room
15 recipients of the American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund grants
Conecuh Ridge Distillery is planning for a May 2024 opening
KY state lawmakers being pushed for self-distribution
Dread River Distilling Co. is releasing Master Series Batch 2
Dixon Dedman proudly presents Gem of Kentucky
291 Colorado Whiskey’s three new limited releases
Westward Whiskey Milestone
Great Lakes Distillery will be releasing its Still & Oak Black Friday Bourbon
Frey Ranch American Single Malt Smoked Whiskey
HIRSCH Selected Whiskeys debuts the third edition of The Single Barrel and the second edition of The Single Barrel Double Oak
Dickel Bourbon Aged 18 Years
Michter’s 25 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon
@alliedmarketresearch @evanwilliamsbourbon @jmattingly1845 @lostlantern @westwardwhiskey @greatlakesdistillery @freyranch @michterswhiskey @lostlanternwhiskey @clydemayswhiskey @2xowhiskey @dixon_dedman
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