Bourbon Pursuit

It's This Week in Bourbon for November 19th 2021. Here's the headlines for this week: Buffalo Trace announced that it will be dropping the word “Jr.” from Stagg Jr. Drizly shares the data collected for gift-giving whiskeys. Old Elk Infinity Blend is the best blend created by Master Distiller Greg Metze.Show Notes: Buffalo Trace announced that it will be dropping the word “Jr.” from its highly sought-after Stagg Jr. brand. TTB Approved 179.6K Products in the last 12 months through October 2021. Californian winemakers are venturing into other premium beverages. Jack Daniel Distillery donates $100,000 to Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) for “Operation Ride Home”. Chris Nolan recieved "ESPRIT DE CORPS" award from the KDA Copperworks Distilling Co. is crowdfunding for a new expansion. Drizly shares the data collected for gift-giving whiskeys. Drizly has announced a collaboration with 7-Eleven. Sonoma-Cutrer and Woodford Reserve announce a $50,000 joint donation to No Kid Hungry. A new study comes out that says drinking above the age of 70 is good for heart health. New Holland Spirits of Holland, MI will release Zeppelin Bend 10yr. Castle & Key Distillery is officially launching a series of Restoration Rye Single Barrels. Treaty Oak Ghost Hill Texas Bourbon No. 1767 is set to be released. Heaven’s Door has collaborated with MGM Resorts on an exclusive limited-edition bourbon, 777 Blend. Maverick Whiskey is releasing its limited-edition Samuel Maverick Barrel Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Old Elk Distillery recently unveiled a new limited edition expression, the Old Elk Infinity Blend. @kentuckybourbontrail @buffalotracedistillery @jackdaniels_us @copperworksdist @drizlyinc @woodfordreserve @sonomacutrer @newhollandspirits @castleandkey @treatyoak @maverickwhiskey @oldelkbourbon @heavensdoorwhiskey Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've taken a bit of a hiatus, but we're back and we've got two topics that are hot. A few months ago, Buffalo Trace announced there would be no George T. Stagg in the 2021 release of the Antique Collection. Many theories arose such as holding it back on purpose to create a media frenzy or potentially having a new brand come from it. However, Buffalo Trace has gone on record saying it didn't reach the standard they come to expect from it. We'll analyze this from both sides. In the second half of the show, we'll look at the sheer volume of brands that are built on MGP and how some have hype and some are still finding their way.Show Partners: Catoctin Creek has been honoring that tradition of small craft rye whisky since 2009. Learn more at CatoctinCreekDistilling.com. Smooth Ambler builds on the traditional roots of American whiskey in West Virginia. Visit SmoothAmbler.com to learn more. Wilderness Trail is Sweet Mash Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Rye Whiskey distilled, aged, and bottled in Danville, Kentucky. Learn more at WildernessTrailDistillery.com. You can now buy Barrell Craft Spirits products online and have them shipped right to your door. Visit BarrellBourbon.com and click Buy Now. Spirits of French Lick is delivering the finest hand crafted Bottled in Bond bourbons. Check out SpiritsofFrenchLick.com. Total Wine and More is wonderland for wine, spirits, and beer lovers! Explore more in store or online at TotalWine.com. Heaven Hill Distillery has been lifting America’s spirit since 1935. Check out educational resources and sign up for their newsletter at HeavenHillDistillery.com. Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about bourbon advertising. BTAC was missing George T. Stagg this year, what are your thoughts on this? Do you think they are holding the bourbon back for another purpose? Does it feel like a PR stunt? What do you gain by going to the NY Times? Did any of the BTAC bottles not live up to the hype? Why do some MGP brands have more hype than others? How sustainable are the higher priced MGP bourbons? Is it hard to stay excited about MGP based brands? Thanks to @bourbonr, @breakingbourbon, and @sippn_corn for joining. @bourbonr @breakingbourbon @sippn_corn Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Rabbit Hole Raceking Founder’s Collection. This non-age stated bourbon is 109.2 proof and $295 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!Whiskey Quickie is brought to you by Barrell Bourbon. Learn more at BarrellBourbon.com.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 October 12th 2021. Here's the headlines for this week. DC Police Officers Ship Jack Daniels and didn't know it was illegal. Sagamore Spirit releases their first 4-Year-Old 100-Proof Bottled in Bond Maryland Distilled Straight Rye Whiskey. Baker's Bourbon introduces Baker's Exclusive Selection.Show Notes: Is the whisky bubble set to burst? A Distillery worker at the Girvan distillery in Ayrshire was fired for urinating next to casks. The DC police ship Jack Daniels and didn't know it was illegal. Kentucky Mountain Moonshine Distillery is the newest KDA member. The Kroger 2021 Ultimate Bourbon Auction to End Hunger will end on 11/21 https://ultimatebourbonauction.com/ Coack K was gifted a bottle of Pappy 23 from the other 3 head coaches of the Champions Classic. ReserveBar has reached an agreement to acquire Minibar Delivery. Filibuster Distillery has agreed to pay a $700,000 penalty. Evan Williams Bourbon announced winners for the American-Made Heroes Foundation Fund grants. Brad Paisley launches “American Highway” Bourbon. Sagamore Spirit releases their 4-Year-Old 100-Proof Bottled in Bond Maryland Distilled Straight Rye Whiskey. Blue Note Bourbon officially launches Blue Note Crossroads. Baker's Bourbon introduces Baker's Exclusive Selection. Grisly’s Cosmic Black is a new RTD that's bourbon and cola. Buzzard’s Roost Whiskey has debuted its first Bourbon. Treaty Oak Distilling announced a partnership with Whisky Meyers to create their first collaboration. Turkey Tom bourbon arrives just in time for the holidays. Why not. Arby's is introducing 2 new french-fry flavored vodkas. @kentuckybourbontrail @heavenhilldistillery @jackdaniels_us @jimbeamofficial @krogerco @krogerchrispicks @reservebarspirits @minibardelivery @dukembb @filibusterdistillery @evanwilliamsbourbon @bradpaisley @sagamorespirit @bluenotebourbon @buzzardsroostwhiskey @treatyoak @whiskeymyers @arbys Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Smoke Wagon felt as if it came on to the bourbon scene like it was fired out of a cannon. In the past 2 years, they have become one of the most highly sought after brands. However, the story of Smoke Wagon began over a decade ago. Aaron Chepenik started in the bar scene in LA that expanded into Vegas, but he got burnt out with the late nights and partying. That led him and his investor friend to start a vodka business which eventually opened the door to bourbon. Aaron had dreams of distilling his own whiskey, but quickly had to face reality when he realized that the equipment he purchased to distill whiskey couldn't scale after a visit to a little distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. When he was at MGP, he ended up buying as much aged product as he could and had the foresight to begin putting down new fill barrels as well. As fate (or government restrictions) would have it, he couldn't release his first bourbon for almost 4 years after. He's built a cult-like following with his overly transparent personality on Instagram which makes him even more genuine to us bourbon enthusiasts.Show Partners: Catoctin Creek has been honoring that tradition of small craft rye whisky since 2009. Learn more at CatoctinCreekDistilling.com. Smooth Ambler builds on the traditional roots of American whiskey in West Virginia. Visit SmoothAmbler.com to learn more. Wilderness Trail is Sweet Mash Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Rye Whiskey distilled, aged, and bottled in Danville, Kentucky. Learn more at WildernessTrailDistillery.com. You can now buy Barrell Craft Spirits products online and have them shipped right to your door. Visit BarrellBourbon.com and click Buy Now. Spirits of French Lick is delivering the finest hand crafted Bottled in Bond bourbons. Check out SpiritsofFrenchLick.com. Total Wine and More is wonderland for wine, spirits, and beer lovers! Explore more in store or online at TotalWine.com. Heaven Hill Distillery has been lifting America’s spirit since 1935. Check out educational resources and sign up for their newsletter at HeavenHillDistillery.com. Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about future bourbon history. Where did you first hear about Smoke Wagon? Tell us about your background. When did you get your first taste of whiskey? Why did you start a bar in LA? Tell us about your vodka business. How did you decide to get into the bourbon business? How is Smoke Wagon different than other MGP brands? Take us through the design of the bottle. Tell us about the stolen barrel. Where can someone get one of your hats? @smokewagonbourbon @aaron_from_nvdistilling 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 10 Year Old. This 10 year whiskey is 97 proof and $70 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!Whiskey Quickie is brought to you by Barrell Bourbon. Learn more at BarrellBourbon.com.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 October 8th 2021. Here's the headlines for this week. After 3 long years, the US and EU have agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs on bourbon exports. Kroger's ultimate bourbon auction will begin on 11/10 with some unicorns up for bids. Castle & Key and the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild collaborate on a new extension called The Untold Story of Kentucky Whiskey.Show Notes: The U.S. and the E.U. have agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs on Kentucky Bourbon and American Whiskey. 25% tariffs in place in the UK because of Brexit. Lux Row Distillers will undergo a $4 million expansion beginning in November. The Idaho State Liquor Division has new rules in place for selling rare bourbons. The Kroger 2021 Ultimate Bourbon Auction to End Hunger begin on November 10. Visit https://ultimatebourbonauction.com Castle & Key announced a new line extension called The Untold Story of Kentucky Whiskey, Chapter 1 in partnership with The Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild (KBBG). Tamworth Distilling has unveiled a roasted turkey-flavored whiskey, Bird Of Courage. Wyoming Whiskey is releasing the fifth expression of its signature Outryder Straight American Whiskey. Old Charter Oak French Oak is the latest release from Buffalo Trace Distillery. All the Cookies Bourbon from Old Dominick is being rereleased. Jack Daniel’s has announced the release of its 2021 Single Barrel Special Release, Coy Hill High Proof. The 1st Straight Rosen Rye Whiskey made in the United States in over 50 years has officially been bottled by Stoll & Wolfe Distillery. Woodford Reserve announces the release of its annual holiday bottle. ZZ Top and Texas-based Balcones Distilling are collaborating on a new whiskey titled Tres Hombres. New Belgium Brewing and Four Roses Bourbon announced the 2021 release of Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale. Barrell Craft Spirits is releasing their 'BCS Gray Label' which are finished barrels of 24-year-old Canadian whiskey. @krogerchrispicks @luxrowdistillers @castleandkey @tamworth_distilling @wyomingwhiskey @buffalotrace @olddominick @jackdaniels_us @stollandwolfewhiskey @woodfordreserve @balconesdistilling @zztop @newbelgium @fourrosesbourbon @barrellbourbon Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I've witnessed first hand the progression of bourbon over the past 6 years since this podcast began. It went from learning about new releases and hunting for them with relative ease to 72 hour campouts for bottles that used to be on the shelves. However, my time in bourbon doesn't match that of our guest's. Steve Ury, better known as Sku, is one of the original bloggers in bourbon before there were YouTubers and podcasters. He has backed off blogging, but still stays up to date with everything happening in bourbon and takes notice of how brands are changing. He's cynical about brands and the changing consumer, but that doesn't stop him from talking about every TTB label approval. Steve has also found a new home in brandy and we discuss how long it will take before Instagramers and podcasters ruin that too.Show Partners: Catoctin Creek has been honoring that tradition of small craft rye whisky since 2009. Learn more at CatoctinCreekDistilling.com. Smooth Ambler builds on the traditional roots of American whiskey in West Virginia. Visit SmoothAmbler.com to learn more. Wilderness Trail is Sweet Mash Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Rye Whiskey distilled, aged, and bottled in Danville, Kentucky. Learn more at WildernessTrailDistillery.com. You can now buy Barrell Craft Spirits products online and have them shipped right to your door. Visit BarrellBourbon.com and click Buy Now. Spirits of French Lick is delivering the finest hand crafted Bottled in Bond bourbons. Check out SpiritsofFrenchLick.com. Total Wine and More is wonderland for wine, spirits, and beer lovers! Explore more in store or online at TotalWine.com. Heaven Hill Distillery has been lifting America’s spirit since 1935. Check out educational resources and sign up for their newsletter at HeavenHillDistillery.com. Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about distilleries that have made the greatest impact on bourbon. How did you get into bourbon? Tell us about your blog and the time before the bourbon boom. When did you get more cynical about bourbon? When did you see the change where distilleries constantly had special releases? Were dusties big early on? Do you think vintage whiskey is overpriced? Do you blame people or brands more for the bourbon culture today? Do you still look at the TTB daily? Tell us about your journey into brandy. How long before the podcasters and Instagramers ruin brandy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Little Book Chapter 5 "The Invitation". This 2, 3, 5 and 15 year old blended bourbon is 116.8 proof and $125 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!Whiskey Quickie is brought to you by Barrell Bourbon. Learn more at BarrellBourbon.com.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 October 29th 2021. Here's the headlines for this week. Union workers agree to a new Heaven Hill contract. DISCUS files a 66 page report on trade and export disputes. Blue Run Spirits launches their first high rye bourbon.Show Notes: Union workers vote to accept a new contract with Heaven Hill distillery. The Kentucky Distillers’ Association welcomes Three Boys Farm Distillery and Coal Pick Distillery. Interbrand names Jack Daniel's the most valuable spirit brand in the world. What's next for American whiskey? Single-barrel whiskey offerings on Drizly has expanded by 12 percent in 2021. NFT Tied to Rare Whiskey Cask Auctions for $2.3M. Owens Corning introduced \"Bourbon\" as the 2022 Shingle Color of the Year. The Kitchen Table restaurant coming to Jim Beam DISCUS submitted a detailed report (66 pages to be exact) to the United States Trade Representative identifying key foreign trade barriers impeding U.S. distilled spirits exports. 2021 edition of Brooklyn Black Ops, a collaboration from Kentucky-based Four Roses Distillery and New York’s Brooklyn Brewery. Jeptha Creed is releasing their first Bottled-In-Bond Rye Bourbon. Blue Run Kentucky Straight High Rye Bourbon Whiskey is now available. HIRSCH announces the debut of its Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Michter's 20 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon will mark the first release since 2019. @kentuckybourbontrail @heavenhilldistillery @brownforman @jackdaniels_us @drizly @owenscorningroofing @jimbeamofficial @distilledspiritscouncil @brooklynbrewery @fourrosesbourbon @bluerunspirits @jepthacreed @michterswhiskey @hirschwhiskey Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices