Bourbon Pursuit

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Michter's Barrel Strength Kentucky Rye Whiskey. This non-age stated rye is 110.8 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. @michterswhiskeySupport this Podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's roundtable tackles a new topic that took most of us by surprise. About 3 weeks ago, when I was doing a label approval for our Four Roses barrels, I was given an additional contract to sign that was called a non-mutilation agreement. Basically stating that we agree to not add any stickers, wax, or anything that alters the package. Will other distilleries follow suit? What happens if someone breaks the contract? We give our opinions on that plus, if we think blends are going to become the new single barrels.Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about what smooth means. Four Roses bans stickers for private barrels. Is this good or bad? Do you think other distilleries will start banning stickers? How do you enforce the ban? Does the ban violate freedom of speech? How can you set your pick apart from other picks? Are blends the new single barrels? Thanks to @bourbonr, @breakingbourbon, and @sippn_corn for joining. 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 The 117 Series: High Angels' Share. This non-age stated bourbon is 110 proof and $50 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.Support this Podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk to the largest liquor retailer that you never knew about...Kroger. Yes, the huge grocery chain that has liquor stores adjacent to almost every location. When you add it up, it's thousands of square feet of retail space spread over hundreds of stores. We're joined by Chris Blandford, who is the Adult Beverage Field Specialist for Kentucky, Southern Indian, and Southern Illinois Kroger stores. We talk about the challenges of operating over 115 stores, distribution, competition, barrel picks, and of course allocation.Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about spirits competitions. What is your fast food restaurant of choice on a road trip? How do you manage inventory for so many stores? How do you use data to predict what people will buy? What are the challenges of distribution? Talk about the store experience. Are larger or smaller stores more difficult to manage? How do you distribute products? What is the most stolen item? How do you approach pricing? Do you try to compete with pricing against the larger liquor stores? What is the method for allocated items? If Sazerac increased their pricing on Pappy, would there still be lotteries? Talk about your barrel picks. Do you have a favorite barrel pick? Any other challenges? What product doesn't move as well as you think it would? Are there any plans to grow? Will Kroger ever deliver or ship? Support this Podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Jefferson's Straight Rye Whiskey Finished in Cognac Casks. This non-age stated rye is 94 proof and $60 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.Support this Podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Denny Potter has held multiple roles in the bourbon industry and many thought that being the Master Distiller at Heaven Hill would be the pinnacle of anyone's career. In 2018, Denny left Heaven Hill and assumed the role of Master Distiller at Maker's Mark which surprised many. In this episode, we talk about career growth as a Master Distiller and advice to give others aspiring for this role in the industry. And Fred tries to convince Denny to release a 12 year old Maker's Mark.Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about the three tier system. What made you decide to go to Maker's Mark? Do you feel like you have an opportunity to grow or have you hit the ceiling as a Master Distiller? What's it been like working with Rob Samuels? What do you bring to the table as a Master Distiller? How long should someone work in operations before becoming a Master Distiller? Will you ever put out a 12 year old product? Talk about the operations at Maker's. What are the challenges of scaling while trying to keep the integrity of the brand? What was different when you came back to Maker's? What is the difference between operating Maker's vs. Bernheim 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 Maker's Mark FAE-01. This non-age stated bourbon is 110.6 proof and $60 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.Support this Podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the biggest crazes right now is the single barrel. That special barrel that was chosen from a select few and shared with a bunch of people, most likely with a sticker on it. And as Ryan so eloquently puts it, it's the perfect product. It's a consumable, it's one of a kind, and there will never be another. Myself, Ryan and Fred have done our fair share of single barrels, probably selecting over 250 combined and probably tasting over a thousand at different distilleries. We've seen it all. In this episode, we talk about what we prefer when we do a private barrel selection experience. And speaking of single barrels, don't forget we have our own private barrel club where we select over 40 different barrels every year.Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about deciding what to drink. What is your favorite part about a barrel pick? Would it still be exciting if everyone drilled into the barrel vs. thieving? What do you think about distilleries pre-picking barrels to select from? What is a good number of barrels you should be able to taste through when picking? How do you feel about proofing down the barrel pick? Do you have a glassware preference? Snacks or no snacks during a barrel pick? Should distilleries provide lunch? 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 Fitzgerald Bottled-In-Bond Spring 2021. This 8 year old bourbon is 100 proof and $85 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.Support this Podcast on Patreon  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this 56th Bourbon Community Roundtable, we discuss what it means to Kentucky Owl now that Dixon Dedman is leaving the brand, what does Indiana Rye Whiskey mean as a new legal designation, and now that there are 10 million barrels aging in Kentucky, will we see an oncoming glut of bourbon in a few years?Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about the color of whiskey. Dixon Dedman leaves KY Owl. What does that mean for the brand? What does Indiana Rye Whiskey mean as a new legal designation? Now that there are 10M barrels aging in KY, will we see a glut of bourbon in a few years? Thanks to @bourbonr, @breakingbourbon, and @sippn_corn for joining. Support this Podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices