
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

Sep 29, 2023 • 44min
TWiB: Buffalo Trace's Prohibition Collection, Wyoming Whiskey Has Two New Releases, Chattanooga Releases Another Bottled in Bond
It's This Week in Bourbon for September 29th 2023. Buffalo Trace unveils the Prohibition Collection, Wyoming Whiskey has two new releases, and Chattanooga Whiskey releases their Bottled in Bond Vintage Series Fall 2019Show Notes:
River Roots Barrel Company opens for business
Avalon Spirits has acquired Whiskey Row Bourbon
Are you passionate about distillation and looking for a new role? Check out the ADI Job Board
Buffalo Trace unveiled the Prohibition Collection
Wyoming Whiskey has two new releases
FEW Spirits and Alice In Chains announce All Secrets Known Bourbon
RY3 Cask Strength Cigar Series
Still Austin Whiskey Co. Bottled in Bond spirit: High Rye Bourbon
TINCUP Fourteener Bourbon Whiskey
Chattanooga Whiskey Bottled in Bond Vintage Series: Fall 2019
@riverrootsbarrelco @buffalotracedistillery @wyomingwhiskey @fewspirits @stillatx @tincupwhiskey @chattwhiskey
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Sep 28, 2023 • 1h 12min
429 - Demystifying Labels and Standing Out in a Crowded Market with Kris Hart
The bourbon boom has sparked intense interest in America's native spirit, but has also raised complex questions for longtime aficionados and novices alike. With so many new releases and labeling tactics, it can be difficult to discern what defines a quality bourbon. Producers walk a fine line between innovation and tradition, while consumers struggle to separate marketing hype from honest craftsmanship. To help me dive into a bunch of topics I've invited Kris Hart to be on the show. He's the co-creator of The Prideful Goat, an organizer for the Houston Whiskey Social, a contributing member of the Houston Bourbon Society and former guest on the show. We talk about balancing innovation with integrity because that are signs of disenchanting consumers in an increasingly crowded market. We touch on more fun TTB loopholes that I'm sure you will find interesting as well. Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about getting the first sample to review.
Have you memorized the entire TTB manual?
How do you promote education without coming off critical?
Do you feel like today's new whiskey connoisseur doesn't know what good bourbon tastes like?
Why doesn't Four Roses do more special releases?
What happens to experiments that don't make it to market?
Is it possible to turn aged whiskey into bourbon?
How do we keep companies honest with the labels they are filing to match the whiskey?
How far have the rules been bent on bourbon?
Do you feel as a producer that you have to put names to your releases for differentiation?
Is adding coloring in scotch pretty common?
What's on the horizon for the prideful goat?
Have we seen more consumer burnout?
@whiskypete
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Sep 26, 2023 • 6min
Whiskey Quickie: Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Four Roses 135th Anniversary Limited Edition Small Batch. This blend of 12-25 year old bourbon is 108 proof and $200 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

Sep 22, 2023 • 49min
TWiB: Rare Character Finds Itself In A Legal Battle, Buffalo Trace Opens AnExperience in London, Russell's Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson F
It's This Week in Bourbon for September 22nd 2023. Rare Character Finds Itself In A Legal Battle, Buffalo Trace Opens A New Visitor Experience in London, and Russell's Reserve introduces Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson F.Show Notes:
Rare Character Finds Itself In A Legal Battle
Tennessee Whiskey Trail is a top tourism destination
Illva Saronno Holding has purchased a majority of Sagamore Spirit
Chris Stapleton and Buffalo Traces will release Traveller Whiskey
Buffalo Trace Distillery announces the forthcoming opening of Buffalo Trace Distillery London
Medicinal Whiskey Charity is auctioning off a Willett barrel.
Lexington is an Official Gateway sponsor to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Rebel Bourbon finished in Cabernet Sauvignon barrels
Russell's Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson F
Four Gate Whiskey Company and Kelvin Cooperage 60th anniversary
BLACKENED x Rabbit Hole
Remus Gatsby Reserve 2023 Edition
Basil Hayden Malted Rye
@rarecharacterwhiskey @fortunabourbon @sagamorespirit @illvasaronno_holding @chrisstapleton @buffalotracedistillery @rebelbourbon @russellsreservebourbon @fourgatewhiskey @kelvin_cooperage @blackenedamericanwhiskey @rabbithole @kzrabbithole @whiskeyrob @remusbourbon @basilhayden
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Sep 21, 2023 • 1h 4min
428 - When Is It Too Much of One Bottle? on Bourbon Community Roundtable #85
This is another installment of bourbon community roundtable but digging deep into the psychology realm. I posed this question a few weeks ago to our Patreon community to get some initial feedback and I asked them, when is it enough? Not enough of buying bourbon, I'm completely cool with that. But at what point do you have enough of the same thing? It's pretty common to see people talking about and chasing the same bottles. Every day there is a load of comments on every picture of Blanton's or there's a line outside of a store with people waiting for Eagle Rare or Weller. And now we're getting to the point where I'm seeing pictures with nothing except one type of bottle lined up 10 deep on the shelf of the same thing. So if you see an Eagle Rare and you grab it, and you have had it plenty of times, why do you continue to pull it off the shelf instead of thinking "maybe I should put my resources into something different?". When is it enough? Are you looking for value? Are you looking for status? Are you afraid of change? I want to go deep once again to understand more of the bourbon buyer mentality. Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about ex-bourbon barrels.
When is it enough of the same bottle?
Why have 10 of the same thing?
Is it all for status?
Has your taste changed?
@breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr
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Sep 19, 2023 • 5min
Whiskey Quickie: Parker’s Heritage Collection 17th Edition (2023) Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review the 2023 Parker’s Heritage Collection. This 10 year old cask strength rye whiskey is 128.8 proof and $185 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

Sep 15, 2023 • 51min
TWiB: Kentucky Owl Gets a New Master Blender, Pursuit United Private Select Program, And More Bourbon Releases Than You Can Handle
It's This Week in Bourbon for September 15th 2023. Kentucky Owl gets a new Master Blender,
Pursuit Spirits is unveiling the Pursuit United Private Select (PUPS) program, and more bourbon releases than you can handle.Show Notes:
Southern Distilling Company partnership agreement with the Carolina Panthers
The Supreme Court of New York has denied Diageo’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit by Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
Maureen Robinson has taken over blending duties from John Rhea for Kentucky Owl
The Speed Art Museum unveiled a stunning lineup for its Art of Bourbon
Pursuit Spirits is unveiling the Pursuit United Private Select (PUPS) program
Jack Daniel’s Bonded Rye Whiskey
Buzzard’s Roost 6 - Year Old Single Barrel Cask Strength Bourbon
Blade and Bow 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Copper & Kings Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Lost Lantern Fall 2023 Single Cask Collection
2XO American Oak and The Tribute Blend
Joe Montana announced a new partnership with The Gold Bar Spirits Company
Chattanooga Whiskey Experimental Single Batch Series: Batch 033: Triple Peat
Hardin’s Creek Boston
Blue Run Spirits Reflection II
Barrell Bourbon Cask Finish Series
Barrell Craft Spirits' 10th Anniversary Bourbon
Bardstown Bourbon Company Collaborative Series finished in Goose Island Bourbon County Brand Stout barrels
@southerndistilling @kentuckyowl @speedartmuseum @pursuitspirits @jackdaniels_us @buzzardsroostwhiskey @bladeandbowwhiskey @copperandkings @lostlanternwhiskey @2xowhiskey @joemontana @goldbarwhiskey @chattwhiskey @bluerunspirits @barrellbourbon @bardstownbourbonco @gooseisland
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Sep 14, 2023 • 1h 7min
427 - The Lifecycle of Bourbon Trends
The bourbon landscape has evolved dramatically over the past century, shaped by changing tastes, technologies, and regulations. In the 1970s and 80s, barrel proof options were limited due to higher taxes on high-proof spirits. Bourbon trends have ebbed and flowed, with favorites like maple finishes and honey cask maturation rising and falling in popularity. As innovation marches on, questions remain about what's next. Ryan, Fred, and myself discuss the nuanced offerings like cigar blends and amburana barrel-aged bourbons and if they will be fleeting fads or establish themselves as mainstays and if rye whiskeys and light whiskies already peaked in popularity. While some trends fade fast, broader consumer excitement for bourbons finished in unique barrels suggests the underlying whiskey geek curiosity for new flavors won't disappear anytime soon. However, core classic bourbon may regain flourish with consumers. With so many aging experiments underway, it's impossible to predict exactly how tastes will evolve. But one thing is clear - the bourbon landscape will continue its dynamic change. Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about the same bottle of bourbon tasting different.
Why wasn't there barrel proof options in the 70's and 80s?
Was bourbon taxed differently in the past?
Were there bourbon trends back in the 40s and 50s?
What does the lifecycle look like for finished whiskeys?
Will the honey cask finish trend continue?
Will whiskey geeks go back to drinking normal bourbon or is the everyday bourbon dead?
When do trends become mainstays?
What will happen to cigar blends?
Will Amburana barrels experience a quick death?
Will maple finish continue to be used?
Will American Single Malt have a long life?
Have we seen the end of light whiskey?
Has rye whiskey peaked?
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Sep 12, 2023 • 4min
Whiskey Quickie: Wilderness Trail 8 Year Wheated Bourbon Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Wilderness Trail 8 Year Wheated Bourbon. This 8 year old finished bourbon is 100 proof and $89 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

Sep 8, 2023 • 34min
TWiB: $1M Bourbon Bottle Goes Up for Auction, Lawrenceburg Bourbon Announces New Distillery, Pursuit Spirits Unleashes Batch 8CD
It's This Week in Bourbon for September 8th 2023. A $1M bottle of bourbon goes up for auction, Lawrenceburg Bourbon Company has announced a multi-million-dollar distillery, and Pursuit Spirits unleashes batch 8CD.Show Notes:
Wenzel Whiskey joins the The Kentucky Distillers’ Association
A $1M bottle of bourbon goes up for auction from Frigg N’ Digg N’ Antiques in Bowling Green
Lawrenceburg Bourbon Company has announced a multi-million-dollar distillery project
Holy City Brewing and Lewis Barbecue are partnering up to host the first annual MashFest
Exposing counterfeit techniques using Top Swaps
Filmland Spirits announces Town at the End of Tomorrow and Ryes of the Robots Extended Cut
Barrell Craft Spirits launches a gift box containing 100ml samples of its core Barrell products
Pursuit Spirits releases batch 8CD
@wenzel_whiskey @lawrenceburgbourbon @holycitybrewing @filmlandspirits @barrellbourbon @pursuitspirits
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