

Bourbon Pursuit
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 9, 2022 • 40min
TWiB: Single Barrel Select Moves To A Points System, Bardstown Bourbon Announces Origin Series, Pursuit Spirits Debuts the Oak Collection
It's This Week in Bourbon for December 9th 2022. Single Barrel Select moves to a new points-based system. Bardstown Bourbon Company announces it's Origin Series. Pursuit Spirits debuts the Oak Collection.Show Notes:
BOTLD is a new way for Pennsylvanians to discover spirits
Single Barrel Select moves to a new points based system
Brindiamo Group has a new rick house located on the grounds of Log Still Distillery
UK Assistant Professor Tyler Barzee has created bourbon shrooms to help with stillage
Hayner Distilling announced a new whiskey experience called Whiskey Webcam
American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) and Park Street presented highlights from the 2022 Craft Spirits Data Project
Wyoming Whiskey releases a 10 Year Anniversary Edition Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Broken Barrel Whiskey Co. has collaborated with Los Angeles Distillery (LAD) on Broken Barrel’s first distillery Collaboration Collection
Barrell Craft Spirits has announced Barrell Bourbon New Year 2023
A. Smith Bowman Distillery unveils A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Bourbon Batch #2
The Macallan has extended its Red Collection with the release of a 77-year-old bottling
Vermont distillery WhistlePig Whiskey unveiled its latest limited-edition whiskey: 10-year-old PiggyBank Rye
Bardstown Bourbon Company Announces it's Origin Series
Pursuit Spirits debuts the Oak Collection
@botldpa @buffalotracedistillery @brindiamogroup @logstilldistillery @haynerdistilling @craftspiritsus @wyomingwhiskey @brokenbarrelwhiskey @losangelesdistillery @barrellbourbon @a.@smithbowman @the_macallan @whistlepigwhiskey @bardstownbourbonco @pursuitspirits
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Dec 8, 2022 • 1h 2min
387 - Dealing With Bourbon and Theft at Retail with Tony Konja of Keg N Bottle
The idea of owning a liquor store sounds great, doesn't it? It sounds like you get to play around with booze all day and you never have to worry about allocation ever again because you get to keep all the Pappy and Blanton's for yourself. That couldn't be further from the truth. It's a business that relies on margin to keep the doors open. And when those doors are open, you don't really know what can happen next. Tony Konja is the owner of Keg N Bottle. We've talked about Keg N Bottle a few times because that's our partner store for our barrel selections. But the real reason we have Tony on the show is talk about a deeper subject of the retail liquor business and that is theft. No matter what you get into, you have to assume there are terrible humans out there that will take advantage of any situation. Tony gives us an introspective look into how he combats theft from brick and mortar locations as well as online retail and how this business has even had him being held a gun point saying his last prayer.Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about the end of the bourbon boom
Can you share your background and how you got into owning a liquor store?
Do you remember about theft at the grocery store?
Can you describe the setup in your store with walls of liquor?
Is there a magic formula for knowing the amount of theft to account for?
What measures do you take to minimize theft?
What products typically have a higher theft rate?
Have you ever been held at gun point?
Is there a bourbon stolen pretty regularly?
How do you thwart illegitimate activity with online orders?
Is there a reason to keep stores open later than 10pm?
Can you talk about how private barrel picks can get stolen in California?
How do you deal with customers that say they never received a package from a carrier?
@kegnbottleusa
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Dec 6, 2022 • 10min
Whiskey Quickie: The Last Drop Release No. 28 Signature Blend of Kentucky Straight Whiskeys Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review The Last Drop Release No. 28. This non-age stated whiskey is 121.4 proof and $4,000 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

Dec 2, 2022 • 32min
TWiB: KDA to Refresh Kentucky Bourbon Trail Branding, Blue Run Winter Solstice Collection, 16th edition of the Parker’s Heritage Collection
It's This Week in Bourbon for December 2nd 2022. Kentucky Distillers’ Association is seeking proposals to refresh branding assets for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Blue Run Spirits announces its final whiskey release of the year with the Blue Run Winter Solstice Collection. Heaven Hill Distillery announced the 16th edition of the Parker’s Heritage CollectionShow Notes:
Bourbon & Benevolence Charity Auction & Bourbon by Kentucky’s Original Black Bourbon Enthusiasts (KOBBE)
Kentucky Distillers’ Association is seeking proposals to refresh branding assets for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Still Austin Whiskey Co introduces “The Artist,” a 100% Straight Rye Whiskey from Texas grains
Blue Run Spirits announces its final whiskey release of the year with the Blue Run Winter Solstice Collection
Heaven Hill Distillery announced the 16th edition of the Parker’s Heritage Collection
@502kobbe @kentuckybourbontrail @stillatx @bluerunspirits @heavenhilldistillery
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Dec 1, 2022 • 60min
386 - From Restaurant to Brand Owner with Jason Brauner of Buzzard's Roost
Our guest today carved a path that may seem unlikely, but in the end, seems almost fitting. Jason Brauner joined us back on Episode 057 where he talked about building the first bourbon focused restaurant in Louisville, which you all know as Bourbon's Bistro. That concept has stood the test of time and now people from all over flock to his restaurant for dinner and drinks. One particular patron of his is Andrew Wiehebrink of Independant Stave Company, who was on episode 346 talking about stave science. They began talking and came up with some proprietary barrels that will enhance a whiskey based on its original profile whether it was nutty, sweet, or floral. And that's how Buzzard's Roost bourbon was born. You will get to hear more about this journey and their process and how Jason is also moving into a brick and mortar location on West Main Street in the heart of downtown Louisville.Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about combining barrels together because of angel's share
Give us a refresher about how you got into bourbon
When did you start collecting dusties?
Do you remember your biggest dusty score?
Were you one of the original restaurants that did barrel picks?
What was the motivation behind Buzzard's Roost?
Do you remember the first phone call when you wanted to start the brand?
How did you decide what type of whiskey to use?
How many proprietary barrels do you have?
How do you categorize the whiskey to go into different finishing barrels?
How does your blending process change when you go from 3 to 40 barrels?
Are you continuing with MGP or going to work with other distilleries?
When is your location in downtown Louisville going to open?
Did moving from a restaurant to brand owner feel like a natural progression?
What was the origin of the name Buzzard's Roost?
@buzzardsroostwhiskey @bourbonsbistro
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Nov 29, 2022 • 8min
Whiskey Quickie: Michter's Toasted Sour Mash Whiskey 2022 Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review the Michter's Toasted Sour Mash Whiskey 2022 Release. This non-age stated whiskey is 86 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

Nov 25, 2022 • 39min
TWiB: Pursuit Spirits Raises $8M, Jack Daniel’s vs Dog Toy in the Supreme Court, Old Elk and Greg Metze’s Infinity Blend Series
It's This Week in Bourbon for November 25th 2022. Pursuit Spirits raises $8M for future whiskey purchases. Jack Daniel’s takes a dog toy manufacturer to the Supreme Court. Old Elk Distillery is proud to announce the second annual release of Master Distiller Greg Metze’s Infinity Blend Series.Show Notes:
Pursuit Spirits has financed $8 million in future bourbon and rye whiskey barrel purchases
American Rye: A Guide to the Nation’s First Spirit by Clay Risen
Jack Daniel’s takes a dog toy manufacturer to the Supreme Court
Frank August announces two expressions: the first single barrel releases and ‘Case Study’ series
Rabbit Hole re-releasing Raceking Founder’s Collection
Jack Daniel Distillery introduces Distillery Series selection #10
WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series: Brothers Osborne Barrel
Hidden Barn Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Series Two
Two new Stellum Black specialty blends
Old Elk Distillery is proud to announce the second annual release of Master Distiller Greg Metze’s Infinity Blend Series
@pursuitspirits @risenc @jackdaniels_us @thefrankaugust @rabbithole @whistlepigwhiskey @brothersosborne @hidden_barn @stellumspirits @oldelkbourbon
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Nov 24, 2022 • 1h 4min
385 - Wine's Dirty Little Secret Meets Bourbon with Lee Tatum and Cody Ewers of Innerstave
Sherry, port, honey, sauternes, french, tokaji, toasted, and so much more. The world of cask finishing has exploded. It's what many consider to be the current wave of innovation for today's bourbon market. I mean, is there a bourbon brand that hasn't done a secondary cask finishing yet? However, this world is still a bit like the wild west. Companies are dumping bourbon into casks, there's stave additions, and there are other oak alternatives. So how do you know if your port finished bourbon is actually finished instead of blended? Unless there is a level of transparency, it's really hard to know. That's why Lee Tatum and Cody Ewars of Innerstave are joining the show. They give a history of how Innerstave had traditionally been used in wine for ages and now there is a desire for their products to be used with bourbon. We discuss what makes their oak finishing products different and how they can replicate a process time and time again versus pressing your luck on a barrel that came over from another country on a container ship.Show Notes:
Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about aging rye vs wheated bourbons
Lee, what did you invent as part of the innovation team at Brown Forman?
Cody did you see journalism on the decline?
What did you mean when you thought that the wine space needed to change?
Can you give a background of Innerstave?
Can you explain what these oak alternatives are?
How would someone go about using your product?
How have we not seen bourbon aged on a pirate ship yet?
Is this repeatable and consistent vs cask finishing?
What does the menu look like for types of oak alternatives?
@innerstave
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Nov 22, 2022 • 7min
Whiskey Quickie: Old Forester Birthday Bourbon 2022 Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review the 2022 Old Forester Birthday Bourbon. This 11 year old bourbon is 96 proof and $150 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 18, 2022 • 55min
TWiB: Redemption Loses Lawsuit To Diageo, Sagamore Spirit Releases A 5YR Bottled in Bond, Kentucky Owl and Barrell Release $500 Bottles
It's This Week in Bourbon for November 18th 2022. Redemption loses its lawsuit with Diageo and must change bottles. Sagamore spirit releases their own 5 year bottled in bond. Kentucky Owl and Barrell Bourbon are both releasing $500 bottles Show Notes:
Bardstown Bourbon Co will have a new experience in downtown Louisville
Pernod Ricard has invested US$22 million to install its first RTD canning line
Redemption has been forced to stop bottles after it failed to get Diageo’s injunction order thrown out
Nearest Green Distillery has announced that it will add three permanent expressions
Sagamore Spirit has released its second annual Sagamore Spirit Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey
Hemingway Rye Whiskey First Edition with the release of the inaugural 972 bottles
Blue Run Spirits announces Blue Run Emerald Rye Whiskey
Puncher’s Chance announces its oldest whiskey to date with the release of Puncher’s Chance Bourbon: THE LEFT CROSS
Stoli Group announces Kentucky Owl Batch #12 and Kentucky Owl Mardi Gras XO Cask Limited Edition
Barrell Craft Spirits Announces BCS Gold Label Dovetail
@bardstownbourbonco @pernodricard @redemptionwhiskey @diageo @builleit @unclenearest @sagamorespirit @bluerunspirits @puncherschancebourbon @kentuckyowl @barrellbourbon
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