Bourbon Pursuit

It's This Week in Bourbon for March 20th 2026. Uncle Nearest Saga has taken a wild twist, Kentucky Bourbon Festival has announced ticket sale dates, and Bardstown Bourbon Company will release its Distillery Reserve Cascadia Garryana Oak Barrel Finish.Show Notes: Uncle Nearest founder Fawn Weaver files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and countersues lender for $529M Court receiver moves to block Uncle Nearest bankruptcy filing and seeks $75K in sanctions Judge stays $2.6M sale of Uncle Nearest Martha’s Vineyard property pending independent appraisals Chicken Cock Whiskey rebrands Louisville speakeasy as “The Coupe” with grand opening March 26 Kentucky Bourbon Festival 35th anniversary tickets go on sale April 14 for September event Lux Row Distillers debuts Lux Row Estate Bourbon featuring corn grown on-site Evan Williams adds 65-proof Blackberry expression to its nationwide flavored whiskey portfolio Barrell Craft Spirits introduces multi-cask finished Barrell Cigar Blend Bourbon for $85 Augusta Distillery launches cask-strength Small Batch and Wheated Single Barrel expressions Blue Note Bourbon reveals 2026 Special Reserve featuring a nine-cask finish blend Booker’s Bourbon kicks off 2026 with 129.1-proof "Big Easy" Batch Bardstown Bourbon Company unveils Distillery Reserve Cascadia Garryana Oak Barrel Finish Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is American Brandy finally ready to step out of bourbon's shadow? Today, we’re joined by Rob Bourdon, the new owner of Copper & Kings, to discuss his vision for revitalizing one of Louisville’s most creative distilleries. I've had the great pleasure of knowing Rob for years because he was part of Tennesee Distilling Group and led a lot of their new fill and barrel contracts. Rob shares his past where was professional hockey player but we quickly pivot to talking about why brandy. When I heard he was buying Copper & Kings I was a bit shocked but Rob puts a great spin on it to see the opportunity in brandy versus the crowded bourbon market. But don't get me wrong, there's still a lot of really great brandy, bourbon, and tequila plays here. So if you're coming to Louisville and need a break from the bourbon, go check out Copper & Kings to see what he's got going on over there and pick one up on your shelf when you need to change things up. Show Notes: Challenges and developments in the Tennessee distilling industry Rob’s vision for Copper and Kings and the significance of American brandy Discussion of innovative products and unique distillation approaches Tasting notes featuring their apple brandy and other specialties Importance of educating consumers about brandy Plans for community engagement and revitalizing distillery events Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason from The Mash & Drum just dropped his first bourbon: Drum Key Spirits “The Debut.” A 123-proof blend of 7 to 9 year Green River barrels. We break down the toasted oak, brown sugar old fashioned vibes, apricot citrus, and strawberry shortcake notes to see if this first release lives up to the hype.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 March 13th 2026. Buffalo Trace Tried doing a new online bottle release system, Uncle Nearest is back in the news with hiding a $20M loan, and Maker’s Mark launches its Wood Finishing Series: The Stewards Release.Show Notes: Five Southern Glazer’s executives indicted for eight-year bribery and shelf-placement scheme Farm Credit Mid-America alleges Uncle Nearest funneled $20M loan to hide assets Sazerac takes control of Garrard County Distilling Co. after purchasing $26M debt Give 270 receives $11,350 grant from Karis Management Group for community support National Bourbon Week returns to Bardstown June 14–21 with 10 partner distilleries Milam & Greene launches Bluebonnet Bourbon benefiting Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center New Riff debuts 2026 Silver Grove series featuring six-year Bourbon and Rye Kentucky Senator honors Jim Bunning with seventh small batch release aged 8.5 years Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s time for another Bourbon Community Roundtable, and we’re handing the reins over to our Patreon supporters to see what’s actually on your minds. We’re pulling back the curtain on our chaotic group chat to debate the "Dusty" vs. Modern era and why some single barrel picks just hit different. Ryan is still leading the charge for high-proof heat, while Blake breaks down why balance is the only thing that keeps a brand relevant in a crowded market. We’re also digging into the finished whiskey craze and what the latest round of distillery consolidations means for your wallet. At the end of the day, we’re looking past the labels to find the soul of the industry. Does a great story still trump a massive marketing budget? We’re breaking down the trends, the hype, and the reality of being an enthusiast in 2026. Pour a glass and join the conversation. Show Notes: The art of cocktail creativity: Best unexpected spirit swaps Are finished barrel whiskeys a fleeting trend? Insights on modern bottling techniques and the revival of "Dusty" bottles How distillery consolidation impacts consumer choices High-proof spirits: Preference shifts and cocktail accessibility The journey of craft distilleries and the stories behind their creations The role of storytelling in enriching the bourbon experience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Old Soul Tintype Series No. 3 honors blues legend Kenny Brown with an 11 year, 103.5 proof bourbon built on a high rye MGP mash bill. We break down the sweet tea and strawberry notes, rich brown sugar caramel, and that bold charred barrel kick that Southern aging brings. Does the heat make the difference? Let’s find out.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 March 6th 2026. Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. and the Louisville Bats have announced a multi-year partnership, Heaven Hill has 2 new releases, and Pursuit Spirits has the new Sakura Bloom Bourbon.Show Notes: Whiskey Thief and Louisville Bats partner to debut home plate speakeasy and stadium club Give 270 announces 20/20 Unicorn raffle featuring 1988 vintage Old Rip Van Winkle Hotel Distil launches Peerless Distilling Suite featuring historical artifacts and immersive tastings Pursuit Spirits debuts Pursuit United Sakura Bloom Bourbon finished in Japanese cherry wood Burnt Church Distillery celebrates fifth anniversary with 100% Seashore Black Rye Whiskey Bulleit releases Mesquite Smoked Malt Bourbon as its first permanent rye-free expression Barrell Craft Spirits adds 12-Year Toasted American Oak Finish to premium Red Label Series Larrikin Bourbon Co. unveils 2026 Rosewater Bourbon proofed with house-brewed botanical water Heaven Hill launches Deatsville 13-Year-Old as first entry in commemorative site tribute series Heaven Hill Heritage Collection returns with 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon at barrel proof Jack Daniel’s and McLaren F1 debut 86-proof limited edition for 1000th Grand Prix milestone Log Still Distillery and Archdiocese of Louisville release second annual Bishop’s Blend Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the bourbon market hitting a breaking point, or are we just drowning in a sea of average whiskey? Or maybe we're just trying to pick at things because that's what we do! Today's show didn't have a theme other than airing some grievances we see across the bourbon landscape. And the guy who has all the hot takes is Matt "The Colonel" Kusek. Matt never pulls his punches, and today we'll talk about the non-stop barrage of Limited Time Offerings (LTOs) and if NDPs are more exciting now than traditional heritage distilleries. We kick things off with a candid look at the struggle of creating fresh content in a saturated market and ask the tough question, has the rush to release more bottles caused a massive dip in quality? We've seen it in secondary markets because if every release is special then nothing is special. We also dive into the psychology of the "hunt" and why consumer demands are shifting. Matt poses a challenge to the big brands, questioning if they're falling behind while smaller, more nimble players to innovate. And we debate the future of "trophy" bottles like Pappy Van Winkle and whether collectability can survive. If you’ve ever looked at a shelf of $100 bottles and wondered if any are actually worth it, maybe this episode will tell you it's all psychology. Show Notes: The challenges of producing engaging content in the bourbon industry The current state and originality of limited-time offerings Consumer behavior and the perception of high-status brands like Pappy Van Winkle The impact of non-distiller producers on quality and collectible options Humorous tales from personal barrel picks and bourbon adventures Predictions for the future of collectible and innovative whiskeys Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

30 years in the barrel. $1,200 price tag. A mysterious mash bill and just 42 barrels blended. We dive into Blade & Bow 30 Year Bourbon and break down the dusty funk, cherry Smarties, pecan pie richness, and whether this ultra-aged release truly outshines the usual trophy bottles. This one surprised us.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 February 27th 2026. The USDA has awarded the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) over $1.07 million to promote American spirits, Pursuit Spirits has released The Alpha Barrel, and Heaven Hill Distillery announces the release of Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey 20th Anniversary Limited Edition.Show Notes: Hotaling & Co. shuttering Pier 50 distillery to focus on brand building and importing Former HR VP files whistleblower lawsuit against Bardstown Bourbon Company alleging corporate misconduct American Whiskey Association President addresses industry "normalization" and global growth potential Iowa House committee approves bill to end state's monopoly on liquor distribution Mississippi facing severe alcohol shortages due to state-run warehouse technical failures North Carolina SBI investigating nonprofit "Greater Carolina" over alleged improper distillery lobbying President Trump invokes Section 122 of Trade Act to impose global 15% import surcharge USDA awards DISCUS $1.07 million to promote American spirits in global markets Pursuit Spirits announces "The Alpha Barrel" as its first barrel-proof single-barrel expression Limestone Branch Distillery launches "The Branch" members-only whiskey society Columbia Creek Tennessee Whiskey officially launches 95.6 proof six-year expression Bourbon & Beyond announces record-breaking artist lineup for September 2026 festival Heaven Hill debuts Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey 20th Anniversary Limited Edition Kentucky Distillers’ Association launches interactive "Build Your Own Bourbon Trail" trip builder Michter’s shipping highly anticipated 2026 release of its 10 Year Bourbon this March Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices