Bourbon Pursuit

You hear Ryan and I talk about RTDs or Ready To Drink canned cocktails on This Week in Bourbon all the time and here's the reason why. Most of us got our start into bourbon by mixing it with coke or ginger ale. The modern day drinker is finding their path through cocktails. And now that the seltzer craze has hit, getting your first taste of bourbon through a RTD can be the new gateway. There is one company based in Louisville that has been the go-to company for every drinks company across the country for creating flavored whiskeys, energy drinks, and even RTDs, and that's Flavorman. Brad Nichols and Jordan Plappert from Flavorman join the show as we get a deep-dive into how flavors are developed and how do we begin creating a bourbon-based RTD. It's a fascinating show about conception of ideas, how we can keep sugar volume in check, and how big your pocket book needs to be to get started. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about growing older and your senses. How did you progress into the drinks business? What's the general overview of Flavorman? How do you create or discover new flavors? Where do you start when creating a spirit-based RTD? What does conception look like for a bourbon-based RTD? What difference goes into creating a RTD vs a flavored whiskey? Can explain the difference in the type of can used based on the metal or material? Why are whiskey based RTDs higher in alcohol versus seltzer based? Is malt based cheaper versus spirit based? How do you reduce sugar volume for those that are health conscious? How do you choose a product that is ready to pour in a bottle versus in a can? How do you stabilize an ingredient so it doesn't separate and the shelf life? What can you offer to customers to get products on shelves sooner? What's the initial cost to just start the conversation? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Old Forester Bourbon 117 Series Warehouse H. This non-age stated bourbon is 98 proof and $60 MSRP (375ml). 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

The bourbon industry has this fascinating thing where “The Big Six” can hold such a monopoly of the industry - regardless of price category, and regardless of consumer profile. Is there room for other players to continue to penetrate the market, and how do they break the standard “value” scale that is so often set by Big Bourbon? We hit on: What draws a consumer to Big Bourbon over a similar cost smaller brand? How does the consumer deal with a value scale that is constantly changing? Do the flavor profiles of smaller brands hit the flavor profiles of the larger brands? 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

Here we are again with another Bourbon Community Roundtable. This one started off pretty tame, but towards the end we start digging deep so here is what's on the menu for this one. A few weeks ago, it was announced that Penelope would be acquired by MGP, but notably its subsidiary Luxco for $215M. We all know this is a great move for the brand, but I posed a question to the group that intrigued me and that is if we will see more MGP brands be purchased as a result? I also follow it up with other powerhouse contract distillers and if we can see them copycat this acquisition in hopes of taking a brand to a new level. That quickly transitioned into the idea that brands can come out of nowhere. One of the most famous, or infamous, brands of all time was Ezra Brooks. A brand that was created out of thin air. Since consumers know more now than they ever have before, could we see another Ezra Brooks emerge in our lifetime? That tends to go into a few different directions but I won't ruin the fun for you. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about if you could only drink one bourbon. Will Penelope's acquisition lead to MGP buying more brands to build their portfolio? Consumers are as smart as ever, so could a phantom brand like Ezra Brooks work today? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Still Austin The Artist Straight Rye Whiskey. This 2 year old rye is 99.6 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

It's This Week in Bourbon for May 26th 2023. Airbnb predicts a busy summer for Louisville as its top trending U.S. destination, Virginia ABC lottery chose multiple BTAC winners and fans aren't happy, and Rabbit Hole’s launches TennielShow Notes: Update on Forbidden that it actually uses Castle & Key barrels RTD cocktails see more stratospheric growth Amazon is launching a way for drinkers to buy alcohol with a simple swipe of their hand Airbnb summer picks Louisville as its top trending U.S. destination Virginia ABC lottery chose multiple BTAC winners and fans aren't happy Ireland will become the world's first country to label alcoholic drinks with comprehensive health warnings Brother’s Bond introduces two new expressions, Brother’s Bond American Blended Rye and Brother’s Bond Cask Strength Steph Curry announced the launch of Gentleman’s Cut Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Rabbit Hole’s launches Tenniel @forbiddenbourbon @airbnb @abc_va @brothersbondbourbon @rabbithole Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How many distillery tours have you been on? 2? 5? Maybe 20? Well, you can't even touch our guest today. Drew Hannush is the author of multiple books including Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon, Experiencing Irish Whiskey, and new one coming soon on Tennessee. He has his own whiskey podcast called Whiskey Lore but, he has also visited over 250 distilleries across the world. That's a ton of miles traveled. We dig into his passion and why he continues to visit distilleries and even re-visit some. Then we discuss how he doesn't get fatigued because sometimes it's a lot of the same process and story told over and over again. Then we dive into some hidden gems across Kentucky and even talk about the boom of craft distilleries and if he plans on hitting every single one. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about barrel shortage. What got you into the deep-dive of whiskey? How do you not get fatigued listening to a similar story every time? Did you find out where the name bourbon came from? What stands out when visiting Kentucky distilleries? How are some distilleries rewarding drivers versus those who are traveling to try a bunch of whiskey? How are you approaching all the different whiskeys with an open mind? How many brands outside of American Whiskey are sourcing whiskey? What keeps you interested to keep going back and revisiting distilleries? What are the hidden gems that people don't know about? Now that all these craft distilleries are popping up across the US is the goal to hit them all? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Hirsch The Cask Strength Bourbon Finished in Cognac Casks. This 7 year old finished bourbon is 127 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

It's This Week in Bourbon for May 19th 2023. Justins' House of Bourbon has had all charges in Washington DC dropped, Log Still Distillery launches their own single barrel program, and Jim beam enters the American Single Malt Category with Clermont Steep.Show Notes: The Michelin Guide US has named Basil Hayden its official American whiskey partner Justins' House of Bourbon has had all charges in Washington DC dropped Log Still Distillery launches their own single barrel program Frankfort, KY offers bourbon incentives for remote workers to relocate Ezra Brooks 99 Straight Rye Whiskey and a newly reformulated Ezra Brooks Bourbon Cream The Jack Daniel Distillery introduces Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey Kentucky Senator Bourbon is set to unveil its fourth release Marianne Eaves introduces Forbidden Jim beam enters the American Single Malt Category with Clermont Steep @basilhayden @houseofbourbonlou @houseofbourbonlex @logstilldistillery @ezrabrooksbourbon @jackdaniels_us @mariannebmd @jimbeamofficial Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The dream of owning a bourbon bar. That sounds pretty awesome doesn't it? In this episode, we get to hear Watch Hill Proper's journey. Joshua Howes and Tommy Craggs join the show to talk about the initial concept of the bar and the challenges they faced not coming from a restaurant background. We dive into the finer details of the business such as staff training, retainment, and revenue between food and beverage. But for us whiskey geeks, we talk about building a collection of unicorns that are proudly on display but also available by the pour. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about why Maker's Mark doesn't use age statements. How did you get into bourbon and what's your bourbon journey? Did you know what the concept of the bar was going to be before you started? What challenges did you face since you don't come from a restaurant background? How did you come to the design and the feel of the space? What percentage of your revenue is food vs beverage? How did you procure the unicorns in the collection? How do you train the staff on how to be knowledgable on all the whiskeys? What was your business plan and how many drinks you have to sell to keep the doors open? Can you talk about how membership communication backfired? How did the name Watch Hill Proper come to be? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices