
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

Nov 16, 2023 • 1h 4min
436 - Is Big Bourbon Just Better? on Bourbon Community Roundtable #87
The podcast discusses why a few big bourbon brands dominate the conversation despite the abundance of distilleries. They explore factors like accessibility, marketing strategies, and the quality debate between big bourbon and craft. They also touch on the rise of mocktails and alcohol-free spirits, the need for reform in the drug industry, and the importance of a reliable point of sales system. The hosts plan for future episodes, including a blind tasting event and a special holiday episode.

Nov 14, 2023 • 3min
Whiskey Quickie: Still Austin Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Still Austin Red Corn Bourbon Whiskey. This 4 year old bourbon is 100 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

Nov 10, 2023 • 38min
Behind The Pursuit: Pursuit United Private Select
Subscribe to Behind The Pursuit: From Bourbon to BrandPursuit United Private Selection is here. We previously talked with Kenny about turning the warehouse into a functioning distillery, but now that we’re up and running it is time to get liquid to lips. On today’s episode both Kenny and Ryan are on discussing what the PUPS program looks like for stores and groups as well as in-person experiences and what you may expect. We hit on:
What was the genesis in how you started thinking about a private selection process?
With your model of sourcing for Pursuit United with the different states and mash bills, how did that fold into the PUPS concept?
We initially talked about doing a micro batch program for barrel selection, what were some of the flaws in this system which made you pivot to something different?
Will there be offerings for both full barrel selection as well as a bottle-your-own experience?
After your first in-person selection/tasting, did you identify things that you know you’ll need to change or do differently in the future?
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 9, 2023 • 1h 4min
435 - Sourcing Exotic Barrels with Jessica Ann of H&A Barrel Management
The trend of cask finished whiskey is here to stay. It's run rampant over the past few years to the point that every single company has one. But how are barrels sourced? How many times can a barrel be used before it longer gives off those different flavors? To answer these questions and a lot more, I've invited Jessica Ann from H&A Barrel Management on the show. We've had the pleasure of knowing Jessica for many years. She recently got herself into the market of brokering barrels for different cask finishes. Jessica gives us the low-down on wine and exotic oak finishes and how difficult they can be to attain. There's a lot to break down such as types of oak, toast level, and if cooperage reputation has any prestige. With the wide variety available, we're going to see even more trends hit the market soon. Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks if Pappy is a NDP.
How did you and Fred connect?
How many times can a barrel be used for wine aging?
Why is French Oak the preferred type for wine?
If I need barrels, what do you have readily available?
What does STR mean?
How are different barrels valued?
How many times can those barrels be re-used?
In the used barrel market are there cooperages that have more prestige?
What are some of the newest barrels people want that aren't common?
Do customer's ever request different toast and char levels?
How do you properly read a wine barrel?
Talk about your barrel leasing program.
How do you find out about the various oak species available?
@bourboninsider
Support this podcast on Patreon
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 7, 2023 • 6min
Whiskey Quickie: Dragon's Milk Origin Bourbon Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Dragon's Milk Origin Bourbon. This 5 year old bourbon is 95 proof and $45 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 3, 2023 • 36min
TWiB: New Distillery Will Age Barrels in Coal Mines, Rabbit Hole Releases Seasong, Buffalo Trace Distillery Releases Eagle Rare 25
It's This Week in Bourbon for November 11th 2023. A new distillery is coming that is aging barrels in coal mines, Rabbit Hole Distillery announced the release of Seasong, and Buffalo Trace Distillery today announces the release of Eagle Rare 25.Show Notes:
A new distillery is coming that is aging barrels in coal mines
Rabbit Hole Distillery announced the release of Seasong
Hard Truth Distilling Co. announced the release of Barrel Finished Reserve
Wild Turkey has released a new whiskey that combines three generations of Bourbon making. The launch of Generations
Proof & Wood Ventures has launched The Cabinet
Buffalo Trace Distillery today announces the release of Eagle Rare 25
@rabbithole @hardtruthspirits @wildturkey @proofandwood @buffalotrace @buffalotracedistillery @brotherswrightdistillingco
Support this podcast on Patreon
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 2, 2023 • 1h 5min
434 - Creating Legal and Sustainable Bourbon Charity Raffles with Give270
Bourbon and charity go hand-in-hand. There has been millions of dollars raised thanks to donations and the willingness of others to purchase for a good cause. However, doing it legally is not an easy task. I invited Eric Clements and Kenny Rambo of Give 270 on the show to talk about being legit. They started Give270 by raffling rare bourbons in Elizabethtown, Kentucky to raise money for local charities. Their mission is to make participation affordable and fun through bourbon raffles. This model has proven successful, but required getting licensed for charitable gaming. The founders discuss how they transitioned from a 501C3 nonprofit to operating legally, as well as how they source rare bourbons, select beneficiary charities, do real paper raffles, and handle taxes. While rewarding, they note challenges in navigating regulations and finding inventory amidst secondary market demand. Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about single barrels not being regulated.
Why did you all want to start doing alcohol reform in Elizabethtown, KY?
What was the mission behind Give270?
Do you feel the success of raffles are because of the secondary market?
How did you move from a 501C3 to getting a charitable gaming license?
Does the pool get bigger by having a raffle versus an auction?
Do you really cut up names on a piece of paper and put them in a tumbler?
Has there ever been a situation where you are underwater on a raffle?
How do you discover and choose the charities you work with?
What are the biggest challenges of trying to do all this the legal way?
Are people letting you buy from their private collections?
What sort of taxes are involved?
Is there anything about the current system you would change?
@give270
Support this podcast on Patreon
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 31, 2023 • 5min
Whiskey Quickie: Thirteenth Colony Southern Bourbon Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Thirteenth Colony Southern Bourbon. This 4-6 year old bourbon is 95 proof and $45 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 27, 2023 • 59min
TWiB: Bardstown Bourbon's New Spot In Louisville, Frank August Has Two New Releases, Knob Creek Releases A Skillet Collaboration
It's This Week in Bourbon for October 27th 2023. Bardstown Bourbon Company’s new tasting experience is now open in Louisville, Frank August has two new releases, and Knob Creek releases a skillet collaborationShow Notes:
The Federal Trade Commission brings Total Wine & More into the Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits investigation
Ky ABC threatens Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar
Bardstown Bourbon Company’s new tasting experience is now open in Louisville
2023 DtC Report shows more people want craft spirits shipped
Flag Hill Distillery Releases New Hampshire’s First 10-Year-Old Bourbon
Frank August has two new releases
Michael Buble announces the launch of Fraser & Thompson
Knob Creek partners with Smithey Ironware
The Hardin’s Creek Kentucky Series
@@totalwine @@doccrows @@bardstownbourbonco @@flag_hill @@fraserandthompson @@knobcreek @@thefrankaugust
Support this podcast on Patreon
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 26, 2023 • 1h 12min
433 - Lessons in Building an E-Commerce Bourbon Business with Blake Riber of Seelbach's
Today's guest is no stranger to the show. We've had the privelege of knowing Blake Riber of Seelbach's for many years. However, before he had Seelbach's he was a past guest on episode 007 when he was running one of the premier bourbon blogs on the internet called bourbonr. I wanted to invite Blake on the show to talk about the past few years because building an e-commerce business on bourbon, is no easy task. We talk about legal licensing, his first Purchase orders, and being scrappy by growing into his warehouses. Now he helps kickstart brands' success by giving them an online presence. He finds new customers through content marketing and builds loyalty through customer service. It's a story about passion, knowledge, and a little bit of luck. Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) asks if barrel proof will last in the bottle over time
Are you going to give us an updated shirtless picture we can use on our website?
What opportunity presented itself to go from a blogger to a whiskey e-commerce business?
What was some of those early hurdle of getting people to order online?
How are you finding new customers?
What legal hurdles have been the toughest to overcome?
Can you share what your warehousing situation was like versus today?
Is it gratifying to look back and think about what's like to help kickstart some brand's success?
How do you figure out inventory management and the challenges of doing this on e-commerce versus brick and morter?
Were you searching for brands or are brands coming to you now to have that online retail presence?
How are you trying to connect the brands and the consumers?
How are you building customer loyalty?
Can you share your initial investment to get your licenses and first POs to get your first sales?
Are you see a trade down with de-premiumization and how consumers are shifting?
What does growth look like now?
Support this podcast on Patreon
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices