Having a variety of SKUs or choices in a brand’s portfolio is a great thing, right? You can reach a multitude of customers with multiple entry points or stepping blocks for them to learn more about you. However, the biggest challenges folks don’t really see come after the product development: continuously communicating with distributors why a new SKU should be carried, shelf space competition, ongoing marketing material about the new SKUs. The behind-the-scenes work can really add up, and is it worth it?
Today, we dive in to the topic of expanding the portfolio. 

We hit on:

Is there a life cycle or cadence to how long to carry a set of SKUs before adding new ones? 

Does having too many SKUs dilute the attention for your core products? 

Are there certain SKU expansions that are necessary to reach more mass consumption? 

How has the reception been in markets since the release of Oak Collection?

Do distributors give you more attention because you have more products in your lineup? 


and much more.
For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at podcast@pursuitspirits.com.

031 - Expanding the Brand's Portfolio

Take part in a journey to build a bourbon brand. Brian Beyke sits down with the founders of the top whiskey podcast, Kenny and Ryan of Bourbon Pursuit, to figure out what it takes to bring their whiskey label to life. Experience the highs, lows, and everything in between from investments, filling barrels, and shipping bottles. Special episodes will feature in-depth tasting notes for single barrel releases. It's your chance to have the first ever inside look into the bourbon business and learn about the whiskey industry with Pursuit Spirits.

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In this episode, Kenny discusses the challenges and frustrations faced by small brands and distilleries when it comes to building codes and regulations, especially here in Kentucky. He explains the different classifications for beverage/alcohol facilities and the high costs associated with meeting the requirements for H3 occupancy. Kenny also highlights the discrepancies between the international building codes and the interpretations, which can vary from state to state. Will we see Kentucky adopt the updated building codes, and what will that continue to mean for smaller brands either way?
We hit on:

Small distilleries face challenges and high costs when it comes to meeting building codes and regulations.

The classification of H3 occupancy requires significant investment in infrastructure, while F1 occupancy allows for more flexibility.

Kentucky is lagging behind in adopting the updated international building codes that provide more favorable conditions for distilleries.

Why would it matter to the Big 6 if other small local brands have an easier road to building codes if others in different states are already able to break into the local market? 

Are there any additional benefits to which classification you fall under?

The interpretation of codes by local authorities can vary, leading to inconsistencies and frustrations for distilleries.

Why not just move the Pursuit HQ outside of the city limits?

Does drilling into or tasting through barrels make them included in your total volume quota?

There is a need for advocacy and collaboration within the industry to address the barriers faced by small distilleries.


Be sure to visit pursuitspirits.com and click on Visit Us to book a tasting or barrel selection experience. For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at podcast@pursuitspirits.com.

063 - Inconsistencies and Frustrations of Code Interpretations

Blending for the PUPS program has been incredibly insightful. Micro-blending 3-5 barrels at a time and then putting that blend back into the very barrels they came from seems to add a lot of interesting nuance from barrel to barrel, instead of just letting the blend rest in totes until bottling. So much so that Kenny and Ryan have decided to start from scratch and standardize this process for all blends moving forward. Today, we talk about how that will fold into the production of the core products.
We hit on:

The micro-blending process for PUPS

What marrying the blends in the casks offers versus marrying in a tote

Would this process have been feasible if you were still working out of BBC instead of your own facility?

Presumably this will make a better product moving forward, but do you think it will be noticeable?

Will this throw off the blend breakdown and balance we are used to in Pursuit United flagship?

Does this change anything about inventory allotment for PUPS vs flagship blends?

What do you think draws people to the PUPS program seemingly over the flagship?

Is this a sustainable direction to take?


Be sure to visit pursuitspirits.com and click on Visit Us to book a tasting or barrel selection experience. For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at podcast@pursuitspirits.com.

062 - Starting from Scratch

Will consumers become tired of Kentucky bourbon? With the rise of non-Kentucky brands gaining recognition for their quality whiskey, Kentucky bourbon still holds a strong position in the market due to its long-established reputation and consumer perception of safety and acceptance. 
While Kentucky will likely continue to hold the cache of consumer preferences, today we debate whether consumers will move past the big six Kentucky brands, or Kentucky in general, and latch on or explore other options. We'd love to hear from you on this!
We hit on:

Non-Kentucky brands like Ben Holladay, JT Meleck, Still Austin and Frey Ranch gaining recognition for their quality whiskey.

Kentucky bourbon still holds a strong position in the market due to its long-established reputation and consumer perception of safety and acceptance

Consumers may be hesitant to move past the big six Kentucky brands due to familiarity and brand recognition

The cache of Kentucky will likely continue due to marketing and consumer preferences

Are there Kentucky Bourbons being made that are still riding the 'Kentucky Badge of Honor' that aren't very good?

As a blender, why does Kentucky matter as a point of inclusion if that isn’t a focus of the product (or even on the label)?


and much more.
Be sure to visit pursuitspirits.com and click on Visit Us to book a tasting or barrel selection experience. For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at podcast@pursuitspirits.com.

061 - Will People Get Tired of Kentucky Bourbon?

You know what they say about all work and no play. Today, Kenny and Ryan are back in the studio after a week off. We break down their trips, discuss the access to bourbon outside of our Kentucky bubble, and the importance of stepping away from time to time.
We hit on:

Taking time off for vacation being important for mental and physical health

Bourbons popularity to other spirits at outside of Kentucky

The challenges of being a whiskey-focused company in a market dominated by mass-market liquors

Meeting demand and planning for future growth being ongoing challenges for the company


and much more.
Be sure to visit pursuitspirits.com and click on Visit Us to book a tasting or barrel selection experience. For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at podcast@pursuitspirits.com.

060 - Taking Time Away

Everyone has seen it play out: there's a bottle you cant get, really want to get, or you see someone else get it... and now you gotta have it. We saw it ourselves with the positive reception to the Pursuit United Double Oaked release, but what made it more hyped than our other offerings? In today's episode, we talk about what drives hype for certain brands and bottles, and explore the playbook for building and maintaining it.
We hit on:

In a world of Double Oaked products, what was it about Pursuit United Double Oaked that has so many talking about it?

Hype in the whiskey industry being driven by factors such as scarcity, limited availability, and the desire for status.

The innate human condition that has us wanting to fit in with the masses.

Seeing hype play out involving a buzz through press releases, influencers, and social media.

Balancing the needs of the mass market and whiskey enthusiasts being important for brand success.

Is playing into the hype game really in the best interest of the consumer, or for the brand, or can it be both?


and much more.
Be sure to visit pursuitspirits.com and click on Visit Us to book a tasting or barrel selection experience. For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at podcast@pursuitspirits.com.

031 - Expanding the Brand's Portfolio

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