Shows / 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
Bourbon PursuitTWiB: Uncle Nearest May Have A Buyer, Saga Spirits lawsuits become public, Four Roses Distillery introduces Anthology
It's This Week in Bourbon for June 5th 2026. Uncle Nearest May Have A Buyer, Saga Spirits behind True Story has two alleged lawsuits that just became public…
- Bourbon Pursuit
569 - Does Low Barrel Entry Proof Create Better Bourbon? on Bourbon Community Roundtable #119
On this week’s Bourbon Community Roundtable, our panel is tackling one of the deepest geek-out topics in the entire whiskey world: the battle over barrel entry…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: 139 PROOF Treasure Hunt?!
Old Treasure Bourbon is here… and this 139 proof release drinks WAY easier than expected. Big chocolate, caramel, cereal milk vibes, and one seriously fun…
Bourbon PursuitTWiB: New updates happening in the Uncle Nearest case, Wild Turkey brings back the Cheesy Gold Foil, Bardstown Bourbon Company is going to Mars
It's This Week in Bourbon for May 29th 2026. New updates happening in the Uncle Nearest case, Wild Turkey brings back the Cheesy Gold Foil, and Bardstown…
- Bourbon Pursuit
568 - Mastering 95/5 Rye at Scale with Ian Stirsman, Master Distiller at Ross and Squibb
Whether you call it Seagram’s, LDI, MGP, or its official modern name, Ross & Squibb—the massive facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, is the undisputed backbone…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: This Bourbon Tastes Like an IPA?!
Dragon’s Milk Origin Toasted 2026C “A Breath of Fresh Air” brings a wild Madeira barrel finish layered with orange meringue, citrus, toasted sweetness, and…
- Bourbon Pursuit
567 - The Engineering Secrets Behind Your Favorite Bourbon with Pete Kamer
Ever wonder what it actually takes to build, run, and automate a distillery? On this episode, we sit down with someone unknown to most of the general…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: What Is Onyx & Amber… and Why Is It THIS Good?!
Onyx & Amber’s Guest Blender Series #1 is getting serious buzz… and we see why. A blend of 7–12 year barrels aged in Colorado, bringing peach tea, orange…
Bourbon PursuitTWiB: Brown-Forman rejects $15 billion from Sazerac, Kash Patel scrutinized over Woodford Reserve, Penelope Bourbon announces Architects of Golf
It's This Week in Bourbon for May 15th 2026. Brown-Forman has officially rejected a $15 billion all-cash takeover bid from Sazerac, FBI Director Kash Patel is…
- Bourbon Pursuit
566 - Stories From The Retail Front Line with Bill Derham of Frankfort Ave Liquors
Ever wonder what’s really going on behind the counter of your local liquor store? On this episode we go back to the retail side of the business. We sit down…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: Maker’s SWEETEST Release Yet?!
The 2026 Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series: The Stewards Release leans hard into dessert vibes. Think toffee, nougat, and chocolate candy bar richness from…
Bourbon PursuitTWiB: Tariffs removed between Scotland and the US, ACSA unveils the Certified Craft Seal, Stitzel Reserve 31-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey
It's This Week in Bourbon for May 8th 2026. Tariffs between Scotland and the US have been removed, the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) has unveiled…
- Bourbon Pursuit
565 - Could Sazerac Actually Acquire Brown-Forman? on BourbonCommunity Roundtable #118
On this week’s Bourbon Community Roundtable, the team is throwing down over the biggest rumor to hit the industry in decades: Is Sazerac really trying to buy…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: People WAIT in Line for This?!
Michter’s 10 Year is back and the lines are real. This 2026 release (94.4 proof) delivers big fruit, creamy soft serve vibes, and rich cherry oak. Is it worth…
- Bourbon Pursuit
TWiB: Brown-Forman & Pernod Ricard merger talks end, 4 North Carolina lobbyists indicted, Blade and Bow re-releases 22-Year-Old Bourbon
It's This Week in Bourbon for May 1st 2026. Merger discussions between Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard are over, four North Carolina lobbyists have been…
- Bourbon Pursuit
564 - Matt Pittman on Investing and Cowboys
Is there a better pairing in the world than smoke and oak? Well, today we’re welcoming back to show, Matt Pittman, the founder of Meat Church. Did you know he…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: This Rare Perfection Is INSANE?!
Rare Perfection 10 Year from Preservation Distillery brings a 3-barrel micro blend at 130.7 proof… and it gets wild. Sweet oak, chocolate milkshake vibes…
Bourbon PursuitTWiB: Sazerac offers $15 billion to buy Brown Forman, Uncle Nearest potential shut down within 30 days, Buffalo Trace Distillery releases Eagle Rare 30
It's This Week in Bourbon for April 24th 2026. Sazerac has formally offered $15 billion to buy Brown Forman, Uncle Nearest could be forced to shut down within…
- Bourbon Pursuit
563 - The State of Contract Distillation for 2026
Is the era of the secret sourced bottle finally over, or are we just getting started? Today, we’re digging into contract distillation. We’re tracing the roots…
Bourbon PursuitBehind The Pursuit: The Relentless Pursuit
We’ve been living out of suitcases lately. Between officially opening up the West Coast and those back-to-back market visits, it’s been a whirlwind, but it’s…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: What Happens When Bardstown Finishes Bourbon in Garryana Oak?
Bardstown Bourbon’s new Cascadia Garryana Finish takes straight bourbon whiskey and gives it a unique Garryana oak barrel finish. The result brings rich baking…
- Bourbon Pursuit
TWiB: Sazerac proposes merger with Brown-Forman, MGP haults operations at Limestone Branch , Oscar Mayer announces Maple Bourbon Bacon
It's This Week in Bourbon for April 17th 2026. Sazerac has reportedly approached Brown-Forman regarding a potential merger, MGP stops distilling operations at…
- Bourbon Pursuit
562 - An Intersection of Film and Bourbon with the Balas Brothers
Does the whiskey industry need another corporate documentary, or does it just need a better script? Today we’re joined by Ryan and Alec Balas, the creative…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: Tennessee Whiskey SHOCKER
Leiper’s Fork’s 8 year Single Barrel Cask Strength Tennessee Whiskey completely caught us off guard. At 121.6 proof and $85, this bottle delivers rich…
- Bourbon Pursuit
561 - What Does the Brown Forman and Pernod Merger Mean? On Bourbon Community Roundtable #117
It’s time for another Bourbon Community Roundtable, and we’re diving straight into the tectonic shift that just rocked the industry. In this episode, we…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: Best Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Yet?!
Angel’s Envy’s 2025 10 year cask strength release brings port-finished richness, deep oak, dark fruit syrup, and wild berry pastry vibes at 122.6 proof. We…
Bourbon PursuitTWiB: Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard confirm merger, 2 lawsuits dismissed for competing brands, Larrikin releases 3rd “Pour for the Roses"
It's This Week in Bourbon for April 3rd 2026. Brown-Forman Corp. and Pernod Ricard have confirmed mutual interest in a merger, two lawsuits have been dismissed…
- Bourbon Pursuit
560 - Where Storytelling, Marketing, and Good Whiskey all Meet with Daniel Whittington of Wizard Academy and Whiskey Marketing School
Does the whiskey industry need more experts, or does it just need better storytellers? Today, we’re joined by Daniel Whittington, the Chancellor of Wizard…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: 146 Proof Texas Hazmat | Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon 2025 Review
Garrison Brothers returns with the 2025 Cowboy Bourbon, a hazmat-level 146.4 proof Texas release hand-selected by master distiller Donnis Todd. With bold…
Bourbon PursuitTWiB: Uncle Nearest back at it again, Heaven Hill Distillery announces new release, Evan Williams to release 5 new bottles
It's This Week in Bourbon for March 27th 2026. Uncle Nearest back at it again, Heaven Hill Distillery has announced the inaugural release of Elijah Craig…
- Bourbon Pursuit
559 - That Distillery in North Carolina You'll Hear About Real Soon with Pete Barger Southern Distilling
Can a North Carolina distillery really take on the heavyweights of the Bluegrass? Today, we’re joined by Pete Barger, the co-founder of Southern Distilling…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: Toasted Barrel Flavor Bomb?! | H.K. Young Wheated Bourbon
H.K. Young leans into the wheated bourbon craze with a 7 year, 122.4 proof release finished in two custom toasted oak barrels from Independent Stave Company…
Bourbon PursuitTWiB: Uncle Nearest Saga has taken a wild twist, Kentucky Bourbon Fest announced ticket sales, Bardstown Bourbon Company new release
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…
- Bourbon Pursuit
558 - Is Brandy America's First Native Spirit? with Rob Bourdon of Copper and Kings
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…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: YouTuber Launches a Bourbon… Did He Nail It?! | Drum Key “The Debut”
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…
- Bourbon Pursuit
TWiB: Buffalo Trace new online system, Uncle Nearest hiding a $20M loan, Maker’s Mark launches its Wood Finishing Series
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…
- Bourbon Pursuit
557 - Barrel Finishes, Dusty Futures, and Fads from Patreon Q&A on Bourbon Community Roundtable #116
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…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: Old Soul Tintype #3: Southern Heat, Big Barrel Flavor
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…
Bourbon PursuitTWiB: Whiskey Thief and Louisville Bats partnership, Heaven Hill has 2 new releases, Pursuit Spirits' new Sakura Bloom Bourbon
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…
- Bourbon Pursuit
556 - Hot Takes and Grievances of the Bourbon Market with Matt Kusek
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…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: Blade & Bow 30 Year Bourbon… Better Than Pappy?!
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…
Bourbon PursuitTWiB: USDA awards DISCUS $1.07 million, Pursuit Spirits releases The Alpha Barrel, Heaven Hill releases 20th Anniversary Bottle
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…
- Bourbon Pursuit
555 - The State of Cannabis and Path to Regulation with Jim Higdon of Cornbread Hemp
Is the bourbon industry about to meet its biggest competitor? Today, we’re welcoming back a familiar face, Jim Higdon, co-founder of Cornbread Hemp and the…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: $300 Russell’s Reserve Rickhouse… Worth the Hype?!
Wild Turkey drops one of its most anticipated bottles of the year: Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson E. Floor 5. 128 proof. $300. We break down…
Bourbon PursuitTWiB: E. & J. Gallo to acquire Four Roses, Uncle Nearest court-ordered receivership, Michter’s Releases Celebration a $6,000 bottle
It's This Week in Bourbon for February 20th 2026. E. & J. Gallo announced its plans to acquire Four Roses, Uncle Nearest will remain under court-ordered…
- Bourbon Pursuit
554 - Blenders Without Borders with Justin Aden of Stranahans and Alex Tomas of Bushmills
What happens when you put a pioneer of American Single Malt in a room with a master of Irish heritage? Well we’re finding out today as we step outside the…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: Willett Purple Top… as a Small Batch?! This Was NOT What We Expected
Willett Purple Top is legendary and usually ultra-premium. So what happens when Willett turns that DNA into a 4-year small batch bourbon at 127 proof and under…
- Bourbon Pursuit
553 - What is the Perfect Proof? On Bourbon Community Roundtable #115
It’s time for another Bourbon Community Roundtable, and the panel is locked, loaded, and ready to talk about the one number that drives every enthusiast crazy…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: Yellowstone Turned 10… But Is This Anniversary Bourbon Worth $100?
Yellowstone celebrates 10 years with a special anniversary blend featuring multiple mash bills aged 10 years or more. At 105 proof and $100, this Whiskey…
Bourbon PursuitTWiB: Grim financial outlook for Uncle Nearest, The Kentucky Bourbon Trail adds 10 new stops, Brown Forman's new King of Kentucky Small Batch
It's This Week in Bourbon for February 6th 2026. The court-appointed receiver for Uncle Nearest, presents a grim financial outlook for the whiskey brand, The…
- Bourbon Pursuit
552 - How Old Crow Went From On Top to Bottom Shelf with Fred Minnick
Can a forgotten, dusty bottle of bourbon actually save a life? That’s the question we’re tackling today with the one and only Fred Minnick. Fred gives us a…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: Bourbon Aged in a TRAIN CAR?! | Black Diamond Bourbon Review
We found a bourbon that claims it’s aged in a historic railroad boxcar turned “rolling rickhouse”, so of course we had to taste it. Black Diamond (103 proof…
Bourbon PursuitTWiB: Sotheby's sets record for most valuable bourbon, Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction's new lot, Nelson brothers relaunch Belle Meade whiskey
It's This Week in Bourbon for January 30th 2026. Sotheby's has set a record for the most valuable bourbon ever sold at auction, Kentucky Bourbon Country…
- Bourbon Pursuit
551 - What Can A Copacker Do For You? with Jeff Wuslich of Cardinal Copacking
Have you ever wondered how all these brands get into a bottle without owning a multi-million dollar distillery? We've talked about sourcing before but that's…
Bourbon PursuitBehind The Pursuit: The 2026 Expansion Reality
While most of the industry uses December to wind down and coast into the new year, we’ve been doing the exact opposite. January hit and it was an immediate…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: We Went Bourbon Hunting… And Found a Steal | Duck Club Bourbon
We go bourbon hunting and land on Duck Club Bourbon, a smooth, easy-sipping blend with classic brown sugar, vanilla, and oak notes. At 92 proof and under $30…
Bourbon PursuitTWiB: Stoli Group USA and Kentucky Owl in liquidation, B3 Beverage Company acquires Casey Jones, Penelope Bourbon collaborates with Serena & Lily
It's This Week in Bourbon for January 23rd 2026. Stoli Group USA and Kentucky Owl have moved into a Chapter 7 liquidation, Casey Jones Distillery has been…
- Bourbon Pursuit
550 - Leaving Jack Daniels to Start New with Jeff Arnett of Company Distilling
Where do you go when you're on top? That could be said for elite quarterbacks or CEOs of top 20 global companies. But if you're the master distiller for the…
- Bourbon Pursuit
Whiskey Quickie: This Rye Collab Is Wild | Willett x Wolves Whiskey Review
Willett and Wolves team up on a bold rye whiskey collaboration blending Kentucky and California aged barrels. Packed with vibrant citrus, pine, ginger candy…
- Bourbon Pursuit
TWiB: First Whiskey warehouse using KRAX, Sazerac wins trademark dispute against Liv Golf , High West releases its annual cask strength
It's This Week in Bourbon for January 16th 2026. Whiskey House finishes its first warehouse using KRAX, Sazerac wins an initial trademark dispute against Liv…