
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

Aug 15, 2023 • 5min
Whiskey Quickie: Belfour Bourbon Finished in Texas Pecan Wood Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Belfour Bourbon Finished in Texas Pecan Wood. This non-age stated finished bourbon is 92 proof and $85 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

Aug 11, 2023 • 43min
TWiB: Molson Coors Acquires Blue Run Spirits, Marussia Beverages Acquires Watershed Distillery, Maker's Mark Puts Out A 10 Year Teaser
It's This Week in Bourbon for August 11th 2023. Molson Coors Beverage Company will acquire Blue Run Spirits, Marussia Beverages acquires Watershed Distillery, and Maker's Mark puts out a 10 year teaser.Show Notes:
Molson Coors Beverage Company will acquire Blue Run Spirits
Heaven Hill Brands and Log Still Distilling have finalized a mutually agreeable resolution
Ross and Squibb Distillery announce enhancements to its barrel programs for 2023
Marussia Beverages acquires Watershed Distillery
UK cut the ribbon on the James B Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits
Hemingway Whiskey Company announced the debut of its core expression Hemingway Rye Whiskey Signature Edition
James B. Beam Distilling Co. is launching the second installment called Hardin’s Creek Frankfort
Widow Jane Distillery is launching Paradigm Rye
Still Austin Whiskey Co. announced the release of Cask Strength Rye Whiskey
Goose Island has unveiled the 2023 lineup of their annual Bourbon County Stout series
Maker's Mark put out a new teaser...Something old is something new
@coorswhiskeyco @dcoors @bluerunspirits @heavenhilldistillery @logstilldistillery @watersheddistillery @universityofky @beamdistilling @hemingwaywhiskeys @widowjane @stillatx @gooseisland @makersmark
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Aug 10, 2023 • 1h 15min
422 - Keeping it Super Premium with Mark and Sherri Carter of Old Carter
Every once in a while you run across a brand that has captured lightening in a bottle. For me, I see that as Old Carter. Mark and Sherri Carter join the show to talk about their extensive background in the wine industry, but how bourbon eventually captured his interest and became a new passion. Though he knew how to build a highly-rated wine brand, entering the bourbon world brought fresh challenges. Mark and Sherri connected with Dixon Dedman and launched Kentucky Owl until it sold. After the sale, they stayed focused on super premium bourbons to target whiskey aficionados. If a barrel didn't suit their ideal flavor profile, they would put it back in the rick rather than compromise quality. But it's not a complete story without a bit of legal trouble and the Carter name has been no stranger to lawsuits so stick around to hear that one. Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about infinity blends
You had a big background in wine but when did bourbon come into your life?
Did you know how to build a wine brand and what attributes to a 100 point wine?
How did you end up getting connected with Dixon Dedman?
How do you compete in the wine world?
What happens when you have a bad vintage?
After Kentucky Owl sold to Stoli, when did you want to start your own brand?
Why did you continue going with the super premium route?
If a barrel doesn't fit your profile and blend, what do you do with it?
What was your marketing approach and how did you capture the whiskey geek?
What's your sweet spot for your releases and how you choose your whiskeys?
How many times have you been sued with the Carter name?
@oldcarterwhiskeyco @oldsherricarter @markcarter52
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Aug 8, 2023 • 5min
Whiskey Quickie: Whiskey JYPSI Legacy Batch 001 The Journey Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Whiskey JYPSI Legacy Batch 001 The Journey. This non-age stated whiskey is 115 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

Aug 4, 2023 • 46min
TWiB: Heaven Hill Fills Its 10 Millionth Barrel, Charlois Group Acquires Kelvin Cooperage, Legent Yamazaki Cask Finish Blend
It's This Week in Bourbon for August 4th 2023. Heaven Hill fills its 10 millionth barrel, the Charlois Group acquires Kelvin Cooperage, and The House of Suntory announces the launch of Legent Yamazaki Cask Finish Blend.Show Notes:
Heaven Hill fills its 10 millionth barrel
The Charlois Group acquires Kelvin Cooperage
Woodford Reserve and Joshua Kissi release The Spirits of Style
Maker's Mark launched a new global brand campaign Make Your Mark
Barrels & Billets joins the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Pennyroyal Barrel Company locates a bourbon incubator
Lycoming College and Four Birds Distilling Co. are looking to speed up the process of aging bourbon
From the TTB - Can individuals produce distilled spirits at home with a small still?
Jack Daniel introduces Distillery Series selection #11, a Tennessee Whiskey finished in añejo tequila barrels
Barrell Craft Spirits (BCS) launched Barrell Bourbon Batch 035 and Rye Batch 004
The House of Suntory announces the launch of Legent Yamazaki Cask Finish Blend
@heavenhilldistillery @groupecharlois @kelvin_cooperage @woodfordreserve @joshuakissi @makersmark @barrelsandbillets @pennyroyalbarrelco @lycomingcollege @fourbirdsdistilling @jackdaniels_us @barrellbourbon @legentbourbon @suntorywhisky @beamsuntory @houseofsuntory_uk
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Aug 3, 2023 • 1h 4min
421 - The Growth of Bourbon Tourism By The Numbers with Sean Higgins of Mint Julep Tours
You might be wondering if we've hit peak bourbon. Bottles are everywhere and people are flocking to Kentucky in droves trying to get a Napa Valley kind of experience. Sean Higgins joins the show once again to talk about the growth of tourism, and he should know. He started Mint Julep Tours back in 2008 after noticing a gap in tourism offerings surrounding the bourbon trail. At the time, Kentucky was not yet booming in tourism like it is today. Fast forward to 2023, and bourbon tourism has exploded, with Kentucky now being a hot spot and destination as it tops the AirBNB travel charts every week. Sean shares how his business has adapted and grown through the bourbon boom, what the pandemic did for tourism in the state. We also touch on the changing demographic of visitors and innovation he sees within the sector. Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about dusty bourbon
What was the background of Mint Julep tours?
What state is now the highest for visiting the bourbon trail?
Have you seen an increase in bachelor and bachelorette parties?
Do you see smaller or larger groups trending?
What did COVID do to your business?
Are we back to pre-COVID tourism numbers or higher?
What's the demographic of people coming to visit now?
Have you established the relationships at distilleries so spots are reserved?
What innovation have you noticed in the tourism sector?
Have we even hit mainstream yet for bourbon tourism?
@mintjulepexperiences
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Aug 1, 2023 • 5min
Whiskey Quickie: Dancing Goat Distillery #003 Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Dancing Goat Distillery #003 A Quirky & Humble Blend Whiskey. This 7 year old whiskey is 105.5 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

Jul 28, 2023 • 34min
TWiB: Pursuit Spirits Will Be On Whiskey Row, Kentucky Bourbon Trail Adds 4 New Distilleries, Milam & Greene's Latest Wildlife Collection
It's This Week in Bourbon for July 28th 2023. Pursuit Spirits will open new visitor experience located on Whiskey Row, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour welcomes four new distilleries
, and Milam & Greene Whiskey is unveiling the third release in the Wildlife Collection.Show Notes:
Pursuit Spirits will open new visitor experience located on Whiskey Row
The Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour welcomes four new distilleries
TPSA, BAT, WSWT, and TDSA enact new Texas Distillery laws
The classic Casio G-Shock 5600 series gets a bourbon look
Ross & Squibb Distillery announce Remus Highest Rye Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Milam & Greene Whiskey is unveiling the third release in the Wildlife Collection, Rattlesnake Single Barrel Bourbon
@pursuitspirits @casio_us @milamandgreenwhiskey @rossandsquibb
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Jul 27, 2023 • 1h 14min
420 - What's a Cigar Batch? and Finished Whiskeys as Special Releases on Bourbon Community Roundtable #83
It's everyone's favorite, Bourbon Community Roundtable, and this is the 83rd edition. This episode gets, we'll say passionate at times because this is tackling the craze of finishes. The first topic is the seemingly abundance of "cigar" blend or batch bourbons. Why is this so attractive? Can't anything be called a cigar blend? I thought the whole point of a good cigar and a good bourbon is because they already naturally pair well. That of course spins into some amburana talk and you know how that ends up. In the second half of the show, I turn my attention to the major distilleries who are putting out finishes as limited or special releases. These distilleries have an abundance of really good bourbon, so why play the game of finished when you can rely on something like a special release with a double digit age statement? Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) having a whiskey trust.
What does "cigar blend" really mean?
Who here likes amburana?
Why do the major distilleries release finished bourbon when they have a bunch of really good inventory?
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Jul 25, 2023 • 4min
Whiskey Quickie: Bluebird Days Whiskey Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Bluebird Days Whiskey. This 6 1/2 year old whiskey is 86 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