Bourbon Pursuit

We're not in the business of consulting to brands or distilleries, but a few months ago we asked you to submit your questions about brand building to give our honest feedback and advice. In this episode we take questions from entrepreneurs that are looking to start their own brand and what types of spirits to offer based on their location and our thoughts on unconventional grains like oats, buckwheat, and rice. We also analyze labels. How important is it see stuff like "rare", "super premium", "hand crafted", or "non chill filtered" on the label? Lastly, as a brand begins to scale or potentially halts growth when is it the right time to add a new state for distribution? If you want to ask us a question about brand consultation, nothing related to the distillation process because we're not chemical engineers, shoot us a message to info@bourbonpursuit.com and we may read your question next time we record a show like this.Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) asks about falisfying information about bourbon history From Alen: As a craft distillery, would you recommend to start with a product that is popular on local level or to focus on already established type of spirit? From Alen: I'm also very dedicated to the bottle and label design. I'm planning to have my custom bottle and label that I designed by myself. Is that right way? What is your thought on additional text on a label such as "non-chill filtered", "rare", "hand crafted" and is it distracting? From Nick: What’s your opinion on the potential of whiskies made from unconventional grains such as oat, sorghum, buckwheat, etc? How does a new brand analyze when it's time to add a new state in which to sell? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Rare Hare 1953 Bourbon finished in an XXO Cognac cask. This 17 year old bourbon is 111 proof and $589 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 September 30th 2022. The number of bourbon barrels in Kentucky reached a record and so have the taxes. Barrell Craft Spirits is releasing their 2022 Gray Label Bourbon. Wild Turkey Master's Keep Unforgotten, the newest release in the annual limited-edition series.Show Notes: CarbonBetter announced the certification of the world’s first carbon-negative bourbon distilled by Fierce Whiskers Distillery Diageo is not renewing its membership with the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Evan Williams Bourbon Experience will introduce Square 6 High-Rye Rye Whiskey Sotheby’s in London, bidding opened on The Macallan The Reach 81 Years Old single malt The number of Bourbon barrels in Kentucky reached a new record and so have the taxes Chattanooga Whiskey announced the next release of their Bottled in Bond Series: Fall 2018 Vintage FEW Spirits introduces today FEW Rye Whiskey Bottled-In-Bond Uncle Nearest to release first ever rye whiskey High West Releases A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 10 and Encore Barrell Craft Spirits is releasing their 2022 Gray Label Bourbon Wild Turkey Master's Keep Unforgotten, the newest release in the annual limited-edition series @carbonbetter @fiercewhiskers @diageo @evanwilliamsbourbon @sothebys @themacallan @chattwhiskey @fewspirits @unclenearest @drinkhighwest @barrellbourbon @wildturkey Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You may remember back on Episode 334 we talked about the engineering that goes into a distillery, but we forgot to start off with a key component, and that's the architecture. A quick google search for distillery architects will lead you to one place, Joseph, & Joseph + Bravura. This architecture firm is synonymous with creating the most iconic distillery and visitor center experiences across Kentucky. They got their start by designing Four Roses back in 1909 and have since then been the lead architects on places like Old Forester in downtown Louisville, Bardstown Bourbon Co, Michter's, LuxRow, Angel's Envy and so many more. We're joined by Cash Moter and Eric Huelsman who are both partners in the firm. We discuss the history of the firm and then we dive into what it takes to architect a distillery. Where to start and how do you design around constraints.Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) ask what would happen if prohibition never happened How did you all become the premier place to go for architecting distilleries? How did the two firms come together? What other focuses did Joseph and Joseph have when bourbon was slow? Would you rather rehab something old or have a blank canvas? How does a conversation start about where to begin the process of architecting a distillery? How do you determine placement and arranging the tasting bar vs the still vs the bathrooms? How much influence does the customer have vs creative ideas you all have? What are some bad architectural ideas that haven't seen the light of day? Who's idea was it to start building rickhouse walls out of glass? What constraints do you typically have to work with? What was your initial reaction to the bourbon pyramids? How do you blend in old world and new world architecture? Do you have all the blueprints from the early 1900s for some distilleries? Do you envision being the one stop for having a distillery architect team? Can you have an AirBNB inside of a distillery? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Castle & Key Bourbon. This 4 year old bourbon is 98 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 September 23rd 2022. Former VA ABC employee pleads guilty on embezzling information regarding bourbon releases. Bardstown Bourbon Co retires the Fusion series. Maker's Mark releases the barrel rotation wood finishing seriesShow Notes: Beam Suntory will produce more bourbon while cutting back on its greenhouse-gas emissions Former VA ABC employee pleads guilt on embezzling information regarding bourbon releases Bluegrass Bottling will construct a new 50,000 square foot bottling facility Bardstown Bourbon Co retires the Fusion series Castle & Key's new experience, Walk the Ruins Mini Spirits Bottles Are On The Chopping Block In Massachusetts And Rhode Island Makers Mark releases the barrel rotation wood finishing series O.H. Ingram announced the second-ever release of its Flagship Bourbon HIRSCH announces The Bivouac Kentucky Straight Bourbon Redwood Empire Whiskey announced the release of Batch No. 002 Woodford Reserve releases Honey Barrel Finish Redemption Sur Lee Straight Rye Whiskey Chicken Cock Whiskey will release 15 barrels of limited-release Private Cask Blade and Bow has re-released its highly sought-after 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Historic whiskey brand Fortuna Bourbon is set to re-enter the market The Last Drop announces Release No 28: The Last Drop Signature Blend of Kentucky Straight Whiskeys @beamsuntory @jimbeamofficial @abc_va @blugrass_bottling @bardstownbourbonco @castleandkey @makersmark @ingramwhiskey @hirschwhiskey @woodfordreserve @redemptionwhiskey @chickencockwhiskey @bladeandbowwhiskey @fortunabourbon @lastdropdistillers @redwoodempirewhiskey Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are new investments made into multi-million dollar distilleries every week it seems. There are more brands and product extensions popping up everyday. Yet, there's a shortage of barrels that are putting a strain on existing production. But when all this evens out and everything gets produced as planned, are we going to see an overproduction and what could be the result? Russell's Reserve is coming out with their new limited edition Single Rickhouse line extension. Sure, it features barrels that are selected from the former Camp Nelson C, but does it warrant a price tag of $250? Lastly, we look at the announcement of Angel's Envy hiring Owen Martin to be their next Master Distiller. Angel's Envy hasn't had a Master Distiller since the passing of Lincoln Henderson in 2013 who co-founded the brand. Is this an attempt to fill a void that is missing after Wes Henderson announced his retirement?Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about who might be the next Dave Pickerell. There are more brands and product extensions popping up every day. This is a side effect of the boom but what will happen when everything evens out, production goes as planned, and then we see an overproduction? Russell’s Reserve has debuted an all-new, annual limited-edition collection: Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse. However, the price tag is $250. Is this deserving of that premium price tag? Angel's Envy hasn't had a Master Distiller since the passing of Lincoln Henderson in 2013 who co-founded the brand. Is this an attempt to fill a void that is missing after Wes Henderson announced his retirement? @breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr @sippncorn Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Chicken Cock Island Rooster Rye. This non-age stated bourbon is 95 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 September 16th 2022. Angel's Envy announced that Owen Martin will be joining the company as Master Distiller. Independent Stave Company has agreed to purchase two stave mill facilities from Brown-Forman. Diageo has been granted an injunction to stop the sale of Redemption whiskey after it was found to dilute the Bulleit trademark.Show Notes: Four Roses Distillery has appointed Abby Martinie as its new national brand ambassador and mixologist Angel's Envy and the University of Louisville Athletic Association open the Angel’s Envy Bourbon Club Angel's Envy announced that Owen Martin will be joining the company as Master Distiller Independent Stave Company has agreed to purchase two stave mill facilities from Brown-Forman Diageo has been granted an injunction to stop the sale of Redemption whiskey after it was found to dilute the Bulleit trademark Jack Daniel’s and McLaren Racing announced today a multi-year partnership Lost Lantern announces their Fall 2022 collection Cascade Hollow Distilling Co. announces George Dickel Bottled in Bond Fall 2008, Aged 13 Years Kings County Distillery is releasing a new flagship blended bourbon Creek Water and American Rapper, Yelawolf, announce a limited edition 18-Year-Old Rye Whiskey called Sometimes Y Woodinville Whiskey will release its Special Limited Release Woodinville Moscatel Finished Straight Bourbon in 23 markets Log Still Distillery has released a new Tennessee whiskey product line called Rattle & Snap @fourrosesbourbon @angelsenvy @independentstavecompany @brownforman @bulleit @bulleitwhiskey @diageo @redemptionwhiskey @jackdaniels_us @lostlanternwhiskey @kingscountydistillery @creekwaterwhiskey @yelawolf @woodinvillewhiskeyco @logstilldistillery Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whiskey is an amazing product. It's a testament of blending science and nature to create something that didn't exist naturally. And during that process from grain to bottle, you can manipulate a multitude of variables to create a brand new type of whiskey or some flavor nuance that hasn't been discovered. TX Whiskey is a growing brand and they have some strong pedigree of people working to shape their whiskey profile. We're joined by Ale Ochoa who is their whiskey scientist. She analyzes, studies, and makes suggestions on what to do with finished whiskey at TX but also has an influence during every step of the process. We talk about how she landed her dream job after college at TX what how she is learning about particular barrel placements in the warehouses and finishes.Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks cocktail culture of the spirits industry Was there ever an influence of whiskey in your family? What was it about whiskey that made you focus your college studies on it? Did you choose the title of Whiskey Scientist? Have you had any discoveries or big takeaways with aging in Texas? Does the fermentation process have a different effect in Texas? Can you talk about the wood and cooperage you're using? How are you determining when to pull sample lots? Do you have a hypothesis of what will happen to barrels and oak aging in different locations? Why did you decided to get into the finished barrel category? So what barrel finishes did not work? Are you blending both of your warehouse locations together or keeping them separate? @txwhiskey Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices