Bourbon Pursuit

Toasted barrels are all the rage right now, but why? Do they taste better than the regular bourbon counterparts? Or has the consumer shifted their taste profile? In this episode, the Bourbon Pursuit team sits down and blind tastes our way through four samples and we ponder on many questions in the toasted category. Where did it start? Do different mashbills effect the outcome? and Where should the line be drawn on what's acceptable? We examine this and a lot more as we also pick our favorite in the lineup.Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about dusty bourbon taste We blind Woodford Reserve Double Oak, Elijah Craig Toasted, Michter's Toasted Barrel, and Wild Turkey One Where did we see the first ever release of toasted barrels? Do different mashbills effect a toasted release? Why aren't toasted barrel releases transparent with the time spent in the barrel? Why did Woodford make their toasted Double Oaka line extension while others are limited editions? Why you think double oak finishing will explode because of young bourbon? Will toasted barrels be a mainstay or a trend? How does barrel entry proof effect the toasted barrel? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Kentucky Owl Bourbon St. Patrick’s Edition. This non-age stated bourbon is 100 proof and $135 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 June 17th 2022. Pursuit United has been crowned “Best Bourbon” at the 2022 John Barleycorn Awards. Is bourbon losing popularity to tequila and mezcal? WhistlePig has launched two new bottled-in-bond whiskeys.Show Notes: Pursuit United has been crowned “Best Bourbon” at the 2022 John Barleycorn Awards for Spring Is bourbon losing popularity to tequila and mezcal? Brindiamo Group released a new video series called "The Business of Bourbon" Ezra Brooks 99 and Rebel 100 brands will be available in 1.75L bottles Pennsylvania may get rid of government-ran liquor sales Nine distilleries have joined forces to create the Sonoma County Distillery Pass Michigan Craft Distillers Association announced the Michigan Distilled Festival Boundary Oak Distillery announces a $4 million expansion The annual Kentucky Bourbon Affair fantasy camp won’t happen in September 2022 Hella Cocktail Co. announced a $5 million investment from Uncle Nearest Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci unveiled Rock the Barrel 2 O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. has launched Keeper’s Heart Bourbon + Irish Goodwood Brewing + Spirits is releasing a collaboration with Three Chord Bourbon Frank August 100 Proof Small Batch Bourbon has been announced Brown-Forman Corporation and The Coca-Cola Company announced Jack & Coke RTD Nevada Distilling has a new product called Smoke Wagon Uncut The Younger WhistlePig has launched two new bottled-in-bond whiskeys @pursuitspirits @ezrabrooksbourbon @jackdaniels_us @brindiamogroup @rebelbourbon @sonomacounty @mispirits @boundaryoakdistillery @ky_bourbonaffair @hellacocktailco @johnpetrucciofficial @ironsmoke @odistillingco @goodwoodbrewing @threechordbourbon @thefrankaugust @brownforman @cocacola @smokewagonwhiskey @whistlepigwhiskey Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you saw a market that was a sinking ship, would you jump on board? That was bourbon 25 years ago when clear spirits were winning. Trey Zoeller joins the show once again to reflect on the past 25 years. We dive into what it was like trying to break into a community that didn't want newcomers and the hurdles that came along with it. Not to mention, how he could get great barrels of bourbon for a steal because no one wanted them. Lastly, we talk about the lightbulb moment of Ocean that has truly become his signature on the industry and if we will ever see Jefferson's Space Aged.Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about looking for flavors on white dog You were 28 years old when you started Jefferson's in 1997, tell us about that time. How did you know that there was a bunch of aged whiskey sitting around to buy? What was is like trying to sell whiskey between 1997 and 2002? Did you ever think about closing up shop and quit selling whiskey? Were you welcome to whiskey festivals? Why did Brown Forman and Heaven Hill send you a cease and desist? What hurdles did you have with sourcing early on and how did you get ahead of it? How did you handle the call when it came to buying the 17yr Stitzel-Weller barrels? When did you realize you were running out of 17yr barrels and you had to do something different? Tell us the background on Ocean and the lightbulb moment At any given time, how many barrels do you have at sea or on river? How many voyages are you up to now? When can we expect Jefferson's Space Aged? @jeffersonsbourbon Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash. This non-age stated whiskey is 100 proof and $33 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 June 10th 2022. Heaven Hill broke ground on a $135 million distillery called Heaven Hill Springs Distillery, Wilderness Trail announces the release of first 8-year bourbon, Playboy is releasing their first bourbon called Rare Hare 1953 Anniversary EditionShow Notes: Heaven Hill broke ground on a $135 million distillery called Heaven Hill Springs Distillery Four Roses Bourbon will investing $23M in new warehouses Bulleit vs Redemption Rye lawsuit gets a verdict Maker’s® 46 announces partnership with flavor company Spiceology Edible QR codes could authenticate whiskey Booker’s Batch 2022-01 released called “Ronnie’s Batch” Frey Ranch Distillery releases a limited-edition Single Barrel Rye Wyoming Whiskey announces release of limited edition National Parks No. 2 Cascade Moon 15 Year Old Barrel Proof Woodford Reserve releases new Distillery Series bottle, Toasted Oak Oat Grain Playboy releases Rare Hare 1953 Anniversary Edition @heavenhilldistillery @bulleit @bulleitwhiskey @fourrosesbourbon @makersmark @freyranchdistillery @wyomingwhiskey @cascadehollowdistillingco @woodfordreserve @playboy Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many of us have a passion for bourbon but I'm not sure we think to ourselves, "I want to run my own liquor store." Our guest today took that leap. Luke Castle makes his return to the show but not to talk about being a bourbon enthusiast but to talk about his new endeavor taking ownership of Ace Spirits, it's a retail shop in Minnesota who you may have heard about from a prior guest when we talked about moving volume with shipping. Luke puts it out there for those wanting to learn about the business and answers the questions many of us want to know as bourbon consumers such as distributors, barrel picks, allocation, and figuring out what determines a best customer.Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about XYZ You were back on Episode 166, but tell folks how you got into bourbon. What made you want to leap into the business after being an enthusiast? What did you want to change to make it your version of Ace Spirits? What's the currently landscape for direct to consumer in Minnesota? What would direct to consumer mean to you as a retailer if it opened up or shut down completely? Are you starting to see the decrease of allocated barrel picks happen? What are the new brands people are getting excited about? Do you prefer a small or large distributer to buy from? Do distributors and brand reps just show up randomly to try and push stuff? What do you find the most challenging aspect of owning a liquor store that you didn't know about? What is your method for selling allocated bourbon? Are you figuring out your best customers through a rewards program? What is your method for growth to find new customers? @acespirits Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Sunday's Finest Gold Fashioned. This non-age stated ready to drink cocktail is 84.4 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

It's This Week in Bourbon for June 3rd 2022. The TTB proposes removing all standard bottle sizes for spirits, A new Guinness Book of World Records has been set for the largest bottle of whisky ever sold, J. Rieger & Co. recently released its first bottled-in-bond straight bourbon whiskey.Show Notes: TTB proposes removing all standard bottle sizes for spirits Frazier Museum in downtown Louisville is bringing back Michter's Speakeasy New Guinness Book of World Records has been set for the largest bottle of whisky ever sold - The Intrepid Tarnished Truth launched new barrel pick experience Mashed "The Simple Hack That Will Take Cheap Bourbon To The Next Level" Next Century Spirits has launched Bear Fight American Single Malt Whiskey Victor George Spirits launches Fort Mosé 1738 Chattanooga Whiskey releases their Bottled in Bond Vintage Series: Spring 2018 Vintage J. Rieger & Co. releases its first bottled-in-bond straight bourbon whiskey @frazierhistorymuseum @usmacallan @the_macallan @tarnishedtruth @mashedfood @thisismashed @nextcenturyspirits @vgvodka @chattwhiskey @jriegerco Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are skipping the roundtable this month because of Memorial Day timing so I wanted to bring another great session that we had at our Whiskey From Home event. I'm joined by David Jennings of RareBird101, Caroline Paulus of The Bourbon Review and Justin's House of Bourbon, and Pops from Bourbon & Banter as we talk about the secret to finding great bourbon, but at the same time, what are the fatal flaws people make when hunting. This was streamed to over 50k people and if you want to watch all the replays just head over to whiskeyfromhome.com.Show Notes: What is the current state of affair for hunting limited edition bourbons? Is this a good time to be hunting rare bourbon? Are single barrel selections today's unicorn? Does it take good friends and connections? What are good options on how you can find really good whiskey today? Are you looking for off-profile or something that will sell for single barrels? What are the cardinal sins of hunting bourbon? @rarebird101 @houseofbourbonlex @houseofbourbonlou @misswhiskeyhistorian @bourbonbanter Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices