
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

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

Jul 21, 2023 • 52min
TWiB: Name The Still at Buzzard's Roost, MGP Will Close Its GNS Distillery in Kansas, Green River Full Proof Single Barrel
It's This Week in Bourbon for July 21st 2023. Buzzard’s Roost wants you to name their new still, MGP Ingredients will close its GNS distillery in Kansas, and Green River will release its first publicly available Green River Full Proof Single Barrel.Show Notes:
Buzzard’s Roost wants you to name their new still
Wu-Tang Clan's RZA has partnered with Scotch whisky Ballantine’s
Chivas Brothers has made its carbon-reducing technology available to everyone
Kentucky Distillers’ Association announced Southern Kentucky Distillery as the newest member
MGP Ingredients will close its GNS distillery in Kansas
Tennessee Attorney General filed a lawsuit against six online liquor stores accused of illegally selling booze from out-of-state
Marvel uses Pappy 23 in it's latest series and fans are chasing after it
291 Colorado Whiskey announces the release of 291 Colorado Whiskey Batch 12
15 STARS expands its whiskey portfolio with the limited release of Platinum expression
Lux Row Distillers introduces Lux Row Four Grain Double Single Barrel Bourbon
Old Forester announces the newest release in its 117 series – Bottled in Bond
Uncle Nearest will begin distribution of its Single Barrel Whiskey and kickoff Single Barrel Showdown: America's Choice
Green River Distilling Co. will release Green River Full Proof Single Barrel
Log Still Distillery announces the second release of Fifth District Series
Heaven's Door announces the addition of “Ascension” Kentucky Straight Bourbon
@buzzardsroostwhiskey @wutangclan @rza @ballantines @chivasbrothersscotch @marvel @distillery291 @15starsbourbon @luxrowdistillers @oldforester @unclenearest @greenriverdistilling @logstilldistillery @heavensdoorwhiskey
Support this podcast on Patreon
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 20, 2023 • 1h 14min
419 - Making Bourbon Big at Retail with Brad Williams of GoPuff
If you've been to Kentucky, then you've probably stopped at one of the many Liquor Barn locations. It's been a cornerstone for bourbon buyers such as myself for many years. But now Liquor Barn has been acquired by GoPuff and we get a chance to sit down with Brad Williams, the Sr Category Manager for American Whiskey of GoPuff Brands, to talk about what it's like to manage American Whiskey brands and barrel picks across geographies for the brand family of Liquor Barn, BevMo, and 400 other regional locations. Needless to say, it's a lot of whiskey math and choosing barrels to go in the right markets. Brad gives us insight into keeping customers excited, what happens when a barrel pick flops, and where he sees buying trends happening. Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about preference of small batch over single barrles
Why is your title so long and what does it encompass?
How did GoPuff start?
How did competition in the market make you change strategies?
Since GoPuff is across many states, does allocation go across states?
How are you able to devote your time to the mass amount of single barrels selected?
With your leverage can you make distilleries do special things that no one else can do?
What happens when a barrel pick flops?
How do you keep customers excited about more barrel picks?
Do you try to have the largest bourbon selection across the state?
What bourbon buying trends are you seeing?
How do you deal with the haters that don't like your barrel picks?
What's your criteria on judging whiskey for different markets?
Support this podcast on Patreon
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 18, 2023 • 4min
Whiskey Quickie: Blackened x Wes Henderson Bourbon Finished in White Port Wine Casks Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Blackened x Wes Henderson Bourbon Finished in White Port Wine Casks. This 6 year old finished bourbon is 116.2 proof and $100 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 14, 2023 • 37min
TWiB: Sazerac Wins Lawsuit Against Mini Weller Bottles, Evan Williams Launches Bourbon Bootcamp, New Riff Announces Sour Mash Single Malt Project
It's This Week in Bourbon for July 14th 2023. Sazerac wins a no contest lawsuit for miniature gift sets of Weller, Evan Williams Bourbon Experience has a new experience called Bourbon Bootcamp, and New Riff Distilling is announcing its Sour Mash Single Malt ProjectShow Notes:
Liberty Pole Spirits opens their Whiskey Campus
Sazerac wins a no contest lawsuit for miniature gift sets of Weller
Jackie Zykan launches Oduoak
Evan Williams Bourbon Experience has a new experience called Bourbon Bootcamp
Preservation Distillery launches Very Olde St. Nick Immaculata
Limestone Branch Distillery announces 2023 release of Yellowstone Limited Edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
New Riff Distilling is announcing its Sour Mash Single Malt project
@libertypolespirits @jackiezykan @oduoak @evanwilliamsbourbon @preservationdistillery @limestonebranch @yellowstonebourbon @newriff
Support this podcast on Patreon
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 13, 2023 • 55min
418 - Brand Mysticism with Aaron Goldfarb and Steven Grasse
What attracts you to a brand? It's that unexplainable underpinning called Brand Mysticism. I'm joined by author, Aaron Goldfarb and brand icon builder Steve Grasse to talk about this very subject they happened to publish a book on called Brand Mysticism. Steve has a lot of feathers in his cap such as being the brains behind Hendrix gin and Sailor Jerry rum. These aren't typical brands like we see in bourbon but this book is how to brand almost anything. It's a teaser into figuring out how to transform an idea into a brand, evolve an existing brand, and even some of the best lessons to take away in the book. Plus, we even dive into the brand mysticism behind Pappy Van Winkle. Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about other spirits to be curious about
Give an update to your backgrounds and how you got into spirits
How do you transform an idea, such as a tshirt, into a brand?
Can you just make up a brand today without a deep story?
Do we need celebrities in the alcohol industry?
What was the basis of the book?
How do you constantly evolve a brand and adapt to lifestyle changes?
What are some of those great lessons you've learned from Steve?
How does Pappy fall into Brand Mysticism?
Support this podcast on Patreon
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 11, 2023 • 5min
Whiskey Quickie: Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Yellowstone American Single Malt Whiskey. This 4 year old whiskey is 108 proof and $55 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 7, 2023 • 26min
TWiB: Former Peerless Execs Start Eastern Light, Woodford Reserve and Emirates Plane Bottles, Wild Turkey Announces Master’s Keep Voyage
It's This Week in Bourbon for July 7th 2023. 2 Kentucky Peerless Employees Leave to start Eastern Light Distilling, A new partnership between Woodford Reserve and Emirates, and Wild Turkey announces the release of Master’s Keep Voyage.Show Notes:
2 Kentucky Peerless Employees Leave to start Eastern Light Distilling
a new partnership between Woodford Reserve and Emirates
Speyside Bourbon Cooperage invests $7.5M
Social Hour Bourbon Smash made with Dickel Bourbon
Wild Turkey announces the release of Master’s Keep Voyage
@kentuckypeerless @caleb_kilburn @woodfordreserve @emirates @speysidecooperage @socialhourcocktails @gergedickel @wildturkey @appletonrumuk
Support this podcast on Patreon
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 6, 2023 • 55min
417 - Is Collectible Whiskey on the Decline?
Back on episode 397 we talked about whiskey being an investment but now we are reevaluating the current landscape and if collectible whiskey, namely bourbon, is on the decline. We consider changes in the bourbon market, including the increased interest from the high net worth community. There is a nostalgia for the past when information about whiskey was more accessible but we recognize that changes are happening. After all, there is the other notion about the legality of selling alcohol without a license and the penalties of investing in whiskey. Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about celebrity whiskey
Discussion on the decreasing pool of people buying rare bottles
Scotch Drinkers Switch to Bourbon Due to High Prices
New Buyers in the Bourbon Market
High Net Worth Community's Bourbon Value Proposition
High-end Whiskeys: Investment Potential and NFTs
Selling Rare Bottles and the Investment Game
Sean Brock, Bourbon and Bigfoot
Bourbon's Future with Newbies and the Economy
Pandemic Impact on Bourbon Market and the Glass Case
Buying from the Glass Case
The Investment Value of Glass Case Bourbons
The Future of Whiskey as an Investment
The Value of Rare Bottles as an Investment
The Future of Rare Bottles as an Investment: Branding and Market Trends
Effects of Interest Rates on Banking and Real Estate Industries
Support this podcast on Patreon
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 4, 2023 • 5min
Whiskey Quickie: Maker’s Mark BEP Bourbon Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series 2023 BEP Bourbon. This non-age stated bourbon is 110.7 proof and $70 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