In this region-spanning tasting session, The Bourbon Road hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter guide listeners through four American whiskeys that each bring something unique to the table. From the high plains of Wyoming to the oak-rich rickhouses of Kentucky and the bold, sun-soaked warehouses of Texas, this episode offers a full-flavored exploration of how place and process shape the final pour.

First up is Buffalo Bill Cody Straight Bourbon from Wyoming Whiskey—a 6-year-old, 97-proof bourbon blended from 26 barrels. Distilled with 100% Wyoming-grown grain in Kirby, this expression honors a frontier legend with bold notes of cherry, leather, exotic spice, and sweet cream. Jim and Todd both agree it’s a standout example of what regional distilling can deliver—complex, approachable, and full of character.

The second pour shifts eastward to RD1’s Sister Cities, a blend of 5- and 7-year-old Kentucky bourbons with an 8-year-old rye, finished using French oak “necklaces” and Japanese Mizunara staves. Bottled at 102 proof, the whiskey opens with a bright, tart fruit nose—orange zest, raisin bran, and cherries—then develops into warm layers of milk chocolate, spice, and drying oak. The result is a richly nuanced pour that pays homage to Lexington’s international connections with refinement and flair.

In the second half, the hosts feature two expressions from Milam & Greene’s “The Answer” line—each identical in distillate but aged in different states. The Kentucky-aged version delivers a more traditional bourbon profile, showcasing smooth oak integration, brown sugar, and baking spice. Meanwhile, the Texas-aged version leans bolder and darker, shaped by the state’s intense climate with notes of charred wood, molasses, and earth. Side-by-side, these two pours demonstrate how dramatically aging environment alone can influence a whiskey’s flavor, texture, and personality.

Throughout the episode, Jim and Todd offer their signature banter, detailed tasting notes, and honest reflections on what makes each pour special. Whether it’s a frontier homage, an internationally inspired blend, or an experiment in terroir through aging, every whiskey in this lineup tells a compelling story.

This is American whiskey at its best—diverse, regional, and endlessly expressive.

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