

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

Oct 12, 2021 • 4min
Whiskey Quickie: King of Kentucky 2021 Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review King of Kentucky 2021. This 14 year old bourbon is 130 proof and $250 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

Oct 8, 2021 • 56min
TWiB: MGP Gets Rebranded, KY Owl Construction Begins, and No Stagg for 2021 BTAC
It's This Week in Bourbon for October 8th 2021. Here's the headlines for this week. MGP gets a somewhat rebrand to Ross & Squibb Distillery, Stoli hires David Mandell to lead KY Owl construction, and Buffalo Trace releases the details for the 2021 Antique Collection, but there's a big hitter missing this year.Show Notes:
MGP gets a pseudo-rebrand to Ross & Squibb Distillery
Shout out to @barrelproofmarketing for the inight on brand confusion
ADI has released two new books targeted for distillers
Vinepair gives a history lesson in Blanton’s toppers
Kentucky now has over 10,000,000 barrels of bourbon aging
Stoli hires David Mandell to lead the KY Owl Distillery and Park contruction
JustDrinks.com predicts drink trends to come in the next few months
Diego has opened the first carbon neutral facility in Lebanon, KY
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board puts limits of bourbon purchases
Good Deeds releases their first malt whiskey
Daylight Wine and Spirits releases Ammunition Straight Bourbon whiskey
Westward Whiskey introduces their barrel strength expression
Redemption rye has a new ex-cognax cask release
Peg Leg Porker releases Pitmaster Reserve 15 year
Kentucky Peerless releases their double oak
Woodford Reserve releases Chocolate Malt Whisper
High West unveils Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 9
Sazerac is releasing is second edition of Mister Sam
2021 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection is missing George T. Stagg
@mandelldavid @kentuckyowl @diageo @kentuckybourbontrail @westwardwhiskey @redemptionwhiskey @peglegporker @kentuckypeerless @woodfordreserve @drinkhighwest
Support this podcast on Patreon.
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Oct 7, 2021 • 56min
326 - Is Bourbon Broken? Part 3: Distribution and Retail based on Bourbon & Banter
Welcome back to Part 3 on our series of "Is Bourbon Broken?" as we analyze the multi-part blog series from Bourbon & Banter. This episode is one that many have been waiting for as we evaluate the variable that is completely out of our control as a consumer and that's distribution and retail. We've challenged this system multiple times and I'm not sure if we'll ever figure out the correct answer, but how do we make sure it's always working in favor of the consumer? How should distributors reward stores differently? What does the future of commerce look like? And should distributors and retailers be wary of the digital age?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.
Savor every drop of summer at Total Wine & More! You’re sure to find cool prices 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 celebrity whiskey.
Each state has its own laws on distribution, is this presenting a lot of challenges for the industry?
How do you reward stores without making them take on a bunch of inventory in order to get allocated items?
Do you feel that wholesalers and elected representatives are working for the benefit of the consumers?
Do you think that it's fair that retailers own the product and can charge whatever they want?
At the end of the day, everyone is still making their margin so why do retailers choose to mark it up?
Why don't more retailers push back on distributors?
Should distributors and retailers be scared about the future?
Should we move to a system where highly desirable releases only happen through a distillery website?
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Oct 5, 2021 • 5min
Whiskey Quickie: Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2021
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2021. This 12-16 year old bourbon is 114.2 proof and $150 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

Sep 30, 2021 • 1h 1min
325 - Is Bourbon Broken? Part 2: The Secondary Market based off Bourbon & Banter
Last week, we kicked off the series of analyzing Bourbon & Banter's article on "Is Bourbon Broken?" and this next installment looks at the secondary market. The prices of bourbon have been growing immensely and who knows if the prices will ever drop. Will there ever be an end in sight for consumers buying on the secondary or should companies adjust their prices accordingly? We tackle all this and more.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.
Savor every drop of summer at Total Wine & More! You’re sure to find cool prices 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 mixing bourbon.
Are people forced to buy special bottles on the secondary market these days?
Is it foolish to buy bottles for so much more than retail?
How can you deter bottle flipping?
Is there anything distilleries can do to prevent flipping on the secondary market?
At what point will we hit the price ceiling?
Is it ethical for distillers to look at pricing on the secondary market to make business decisions?
Are auctions setting the secondary prices of bottles?
How do auctions get a pass unlike the secondary market?
Are current pricing strategies fair to the consumer?
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Sep 28, 2021 • 4min
Whiskey Quickie: Stagg Jr. Dallas Bourbon Club Single Barrel
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review a Stagg Jr. Single Barrel pick from the Dallas Bourbon Club. This non-age stated bourbon is 134.4 proof. 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. 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

Sep 23, 2021 • 1h 5min
324 - Is Bourbon Broken? Part 1: The Consumer based off Bourbon & Banter
Welcome to the first part in a series of "Is Bourbon Broken?" where we take an in-depth look at a multi-part blog series from Bourbon and Banter. In these four episodes, we are going to look at the consumer, the secondary market, retailers and distributors, and then wrap it up once again evaluating the consumer. In this first part, we take a long hard look at the consumer. Are every day bourbon drinkers the ones to blame? What compels people to stand in line for Blanton's? But ultimately, what can we all do as bourbon enthusiasts to educate the broader mass market?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.
Savor every drop of summer at Total Wine & More! You’re sure to find cool prices 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 containers.
What has helped grow bourbon to where it is today?
Is Fred Minnick to blame?
Why are people still standing in line for Blanton's?
Limited releases vs. every day shelf items.
How do we educate consumers?
What were your thoughts on Facebook groups in the early days?
What do you find exciting when doing tastings?
Is chasing bottles with specific dates or batches part of the problem?
What advice would you give to everyday consumers?
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Sep 21, 2021 • 4min
Whiskey Quickie: Booker's Tagalong Batch 2021-02 Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Booker's Tagalong Batch 2021-02. This 6 year 5 month old bourbon is 127.9 proof and $90 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

Sep 16, 2021 • 1h 4min
323 - A Broker Joins the KDA, Union Strikes, and Best Bourbon Marketers on Bourbon Community Roundtable #61
Last week, White Dog Trading became the newest member of the Kentucky Distillers' Association. This is the first time a bourbon broker that helps clients source whiskey has become a member. How does White Dog benefit from joining and vice-versa? Union strikes are not uncommon in bourbon. We've seen them happen plenty of times over the past few decades. We will touch on the latest strike to hit the bourbon market. We wrap up the show by talking about who is doing the best at bourbon marketing.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.
Savor every drop of summer at Total Wine & More! You’re sure to find cool prices 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 forests and barrels.
Above the Char Link on White Oak Regeneration: https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/compass/2020/05/12/white-oak-regeneration-in-canopy-gaps/
White Dog joins the KDA making it the first broker to join. What are your thoughts on brokers joining the KDA?
Are there any downsides?
Heaven Hill union goes on strike. What impacts do unions have on the bourbon industry?
Who's the best at bourbon marketing?
Thanks to @bourbonr, @breakingbourbon, and @sippn_corn for joining.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 14, 2021 • 4min
Whiskey Quickie: Hunt & Gather 15 Year Canadian Whisky Review
On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Hunt & Gather 15 Year Canadian Whisky. This 15 year old Canadian whisky is 121 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


