Bourbon Pursuit

Hunting for rare bourbon is hard these days so many people have gravitated to single barrel selections as a way to combat it in the hopes of getting a stellar bourbon that is less expensive and more appealing. On this episode, we blind taste our way through a series of five comparisons where we try to see if a single barrel store pick can compete with past limited editions. We see if Weller CYPB, Booker’s Rye, 2016 Four Roses Single Barrel, and Elijah Craig 18 are worth the price. We also talk about flavors we prefer over others and how to create your own small batch limited edition bourbon as well. If you’ve done something like this before, drop us a comment with your results.Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about the return of bourbon. Is it worth waiting in line or camping out for bourbon? Tasting store picks vs. limited releases. Weller CYPB vs Weller 107 pick by Cork N Bottle Booker’s Rye vs Knob Creek Rye by Westport Whiskey and Wine 2016 Four Roses Limited Edition Single Barrel OESK vs North Atlanta Bourbon Society OESK Elijah Craig 18yr vs Elijah Craig Loch n Key Wild Turkey 17yr Decades vs Russell's Reserve by Cork N Bottle How many barrel picks have you been on? Is there something on the flavor wheel that you don't like to get out of a bourbon? Have you tried to create your own small batch before? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Fern Creek Bourbon 2019 Exceptional & Rare. This bourbon is non-age stated, 87.5 proof, and $180 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

Some people thought it was crazy to build a business doing 100% contract distilling. David Mandell, Former President and CEO of Bardstown Bourbon Company, told us this back on Episode 019. Four years later, we catch up with him to see how the operation has tripled from its original plan. This podcast covers what it takes to be a client of Bardstown Bourbon Company and how they are making 40 different mash bills for them. From the business side, we talk about building a destination for visitors and what it takes to find the right talent pool and keep employee retention. We look into their recently launched bourbon line and what the future has in store for more collaborations.Show Notes: Barrell American Vatted Malt: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190827005179/en/Barrell-Craft-Spirits-Releases-First-Ever-American-Vatted NAWR post on 21 states violating the constitution for shipping laws: https://nawr.org/twenty-one-states-in-violation-of-constitution-after-tennessee-wine-supreme-court-case/ Bardstown Bourbon Company’s new CEO: https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2019/09/bardstown-bourbon-co-names-new-ceo/ Bardstown Bourbon Company new Visitor Experience: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bardstown-bourbon-company-opens-immersive-visitors-center-experience-300914083.html This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about glassware. What's been going on since the last time you were on the podcast? What is Bardstown Bourbon Company? What kind of brands do you work with? What technology have you implemented in the distilling process? Talk about building Bottled & Bond Kitchen. How did you find the right staff? Do you see an end of investing into the business? Tell us about your innovation. How did you decide to get into this business? How many locations did you scout? What do you do for employee retention? Tell us about your bourbon. What's the next phase for the Fusion line? What about your vintage whiskey? Where do you see the business going in the future? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Four Roses 2019 Limited Edition Small Batch. This bourbon comes in at 112.6 proof and $140 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

Welcome to Bourbon Heritage Month where it’s full of awesome festivals like Bourbon and Beyond. We dive into the show talking about Pernod's intent to acquire Castle Brands which Jefferson’s is a major portfolio player and if $223 million was a good deal. We comment on PBR's newest whiskey which is aged for a grand total of 5 seconds. Next is looking at the artificial tongue and what this could mean to the future of the industry. We wrap it up examining EU tariffs and it’s impact 1 year later on the whiskey market.Show Notes: This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick takes a look back at the Legend Series. Let's discuss Bourbon and Beyond. Pernod buys Castle Brands for $223 million. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190828005771/en/Pernod-Ricard-Acquire-Castle-Brands-223-Million Do you think more smaller brands are going to get bought out? Is Pernod trying to get back to bourbon? Was this a good buy for Pernod? What do you think about PBR making whiskey? https://www.jsonline.com/story/entertainment/beer/2019/08/22/pabst-blue-ribbon-now-making-whiskey-collaboration-new-holland/2086883001/ Have you all seen Screwball Peanut Butter Whiskey? What are your thoughts on the artificial tongue? https://www.geek.com/tech/artificial-tongue-can-taste-subtle-differences-in-whiskey-1798999/ More secondary markets are gone. What are your thoughts? Who do you think is behind the shut downs? Tariffs continue to hammer down on bourbon. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-whiskey/us-whiskey-exporters-struggle-after-year-of-eu-tariffs-idUSKCN1V80DN What do you think is next for tariffs? What impact do tariffs have on the bourbon industry? Thanks to Nick from breakingbourbon.com, Brian from sippncorn.com, and Blake from bourbonr.com for joining. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Kentucky Owl Confiscated. This non-age stated bourbon comes in at 96.4 proof and $130 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

There’s a new chapter in the history books for Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company. A thriving distillery that had been lost during prohibition is now reemerging right in the heart of downtown Louisville. Corky Taylor, CEO of Peerless, joins the show to share his story. After being bored with retirement, Corky decided to risk it on building a distillery and fighting with a team of lawyers to reclaim their original DSP-50 designation. We talk more about their rye, the recent bourbon release, and some stories from when he was roommates with the Allman brothers.Show Notes: Denny's Bourbon Menu: https://vinepair.com/booze-news/dennys-bourbon-menu-pancakes/ Sweet spot for aging bourbon: https://www.winemag.com/2019/08/12/ultra-aged-spirits-ripping-you-off/ Can liquor go bad?: https://www.bustle.com/articles/99585-does-alcohol-go-bad-yep-so-heres-how-long-you-have-to-finish-off-your-favorite This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about marketing to children. Tell us about growing up in Hawaii. Where does the name Corky come from? What is the history of Peerless? What happened during prohibition? What made you decide to bring the brand back? Why Louisville? Tell us about getting your original DSP number back. Was it hard to make such a big investment? Why was it important to wait to release your own product vs. sourcing? What differentiates you from other brands? What systems are you investing in? If you were younger, would you have focused as much on quality as you are now? Tell us about the bottle and the price point. Why does rye age quicker than bourbon? Is the price of the rye going to go up when it is older? Tell us about the small batch and single barrel. What is your definition of small batch? Were your recipes trial and error? What other ryes do you like? Who are you teaming up with for barrels? How did you chose your Master Distiller? What's your connection to General Patton? What about the Allman Brothers? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B519. This 12 year old bourbon comes from Heaven Hill, is 122.2 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Gold Rush, Seelbach, Pink Lady. These are all names we associate with standard cocktail menus. Today, we invite Molly Wellmann, owner of Japp's, and Bill Whitlow, owner of Rich's Proper, to look at the influence bourbon has had on the bartending culture and when should you use a particular bourbon in a staple cocktail. We then examine the changes of the season and how tastes change between having something refreshing to dark and oaky. It’s all about cocktails for the right occasion.Show Notes: Tom Bulleit steps back: https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article234080232.html, https://www.just-drinks.com/news/diageos-bulleit-bourbon-founder-steps-back-as-abuse-claims-intensify_id129116.aspx, https://www.hollisbofficial.com/ Castle and Key spillage: https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article234080232.html Willett Distillery Barrel Pick: https://www.patreon.com/posts/29294662 This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about the news of the day. Tell us about your journey into spirits. Was there a moment when you saw bourbon become a staple behind the bar? How do you study the history of a cocktail? Tell us about the Gin Ricky. What are good cocktails for Summer? What are the ingredients in your favorite cocktails? What is a Clover Club? What is a Gold Rush and Brown Derby cocktail? What are good cocktails for Fall? What is a gateway cocktail to get someone into bourbon? What ingredients go in a Seelbach? Is it hard to go to other bars and witness bartenders making cocktails improperly? Let's talk about bourbon slushes. What do you think of barrel aged cocktails? What style of bourbon works well in certain cocktails? What's the ultimate mixing bourbon? What do you think about using allocated bourbon in a cocktail? Is there a cocktail to make lower end whiskey taste better? How do you coverup or reduce negative notes in younger bourbons? What do you think of Mint Juleps? What's a good Winter cocktail? What about vodka cocktails? How do you make an Old Fashioned? What proof bourbon do you use in your cocktails? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Jeptha Creed Straight 4-Grain Bourbon. This 2 year old bourbon is made with Bloody Butcher Corn, comes in at 98 proof and a $50 MSRP. Let us know what you think.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