A Steady Pour

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 What happens when you stop building someone else's brand and decide to create your own? This week on A Steady Pour, we're joined by returning guest Trey Wade, former Chief Experience Curator at Blue Run Spirits and now founder of Divergent Spirits, to talk about his bold new chapter in the spirits industry. Trey takes us behind the scenes of launching his own brand, from investing in whiskey barrels years before he had a company to challenging industry norms with his distinctive 375ml bottles and philosophy of accessible luxury. We get an exclusive look at Foundations, his inaugural 120-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon, as we break down the blend, explore its flavor profile, and discover the thought process behind every detail. But Trey isn't stopping at bourbon, as he shares his ambitious plans for rum, gin, agave spirits, and a single barrel program that promises to shake things up. We also get into the realities of launching a spirits brand in today's challenging market, the importance of supporting small businesses, and why building genuine relationships matters more than simply selling bottles. Of course, the conversation wouldn't be complete without some hilarious whiskey banter, a few unexpected interruptions, and plenty of gems from Trey along the way. Is Divergent Spirits about to redefine what a modern spirits brand can be? Pull up a chair, grab a glass, and find out! 

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 The Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2026 has officially wrapped, but the pours, laughs, and debates are far from over! 🥃 The A Steady Pour crew is joined by Isaac from Isaac's Happy Corner and Will from WheatedWhiskey for an after-hours recap of a weekend filled with incredible whiskey and even better company. We're talking standout pours like Old Forester's Kentucky Boy, an unexpected favorite from O.H. Ingram, and a bold Angel's Envy expression that had some of us reconsidering our feelings about Amburana finishes. We also shine a spotlight on craft distilleries making noise, including Dark Arts, Whiskey Thief, Left Bank, and Silk Velvet. But things get interesting when the conversation turns to MGP's Out of the Shadows release, did it deliver the statement whiskey enthusiasts were expecting, or leave us wanting more? We also debate rising bottle prices, the challenges of navigating KBF's heat and crowds, and what we'd change about the festival in 2027. Along the way, we share what we've learned covering KBF as media, the bottles worth chasing, and why the connections made throughout the weekend might be even more valuable than the whiskey itself. From hazmat pours to hot takes, unexpected discoveries, and nonstop laughs, this is the KBF recap you don't want to miss! 

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Season 13 is here, and the fellas are back like we never left! 🥃

We're kicking things off with plenty of laughs, a few life updates, and some serious whiskey talk. We reflect on the highs, challenges, and unexpected drama surrounding our sold-out A Steady Pour x Mugen Spirits single barrel release, including some eye-opening secondary market prices. Then it's time to get down to business as we taste through three expressions from 1792, including their Small Batch, Straight Rye, and highly anticipated 15-Year Cask Strength. Do these new releases live up to the hype, and is that 15-year worth the price tag? Let's just say the tasting takes a few unexpected turns, and the fellas don't exactly see eye to eye on every pour. But the whiskey isn't the only thing stirring up conversation, as one of the crew shares an unexpected encounter that might just be the beginning of something special. From whiskey debates to brotherhood, hilarious moments, and a little romance, we're starting Season 13 with everything that makes A Steady Pour what it is. Pull up a chair, grab a glass, and welcome back to A Steady Pour! 🥃

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 In this special episode, we're joined by one of the most respected palates in American whiskey, Eboni Major. She takes us behind the scenes of her journey from food scientist and master blender to launching her own brand, Major Spirits, sharing the passion, precision, and purpose that drive every bottle she creates. We dive into the science of blending, the art of building unique whiskey experiences, and why she refuses to chase trends in an industry that's constantly evolving. Along the way, we taste through her newest releases, explore what makes each expression unique, and hear the philosophy behind creating bottles meant for life's most meaningful moments. Eboni also opens up about stepping away from whiskey, what inspired her return, and how community helped shape her next chapter. If you've ever wondered what separates a great whiskey from a truly intentional one, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. Cheers! 

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 Season 12 is in the books, and we're raising a glass to one unforgettable ride. In this finale episode, the crew looks back on some of the biggest moments from the season, from standout guests and memorable pours to barrel picks, whiskey events, and the experiences that continue to shape A Steady Pour. We revisit some of our favorite conversations, share behind-the-scenes stories, and reflect on what we've learned along the way. The discussion also dives into a milestone celebration that turned into a whiskey lover's dream, complete with rare pours, live music, and plenty of memorable moments. Of course, it wouldn't be a season finale without a special bottle on the table. The crew uncorks a highly talked-about bourbon and debates whether it deserves a spot among the year's best pours. If you've been riding with us all season, or you're looking for a great place to jump in, this episode is a celebration of community, whiskey, and what's next for A Steady Pour. Cheers to Season 12, and cheers to what's coming in Season 13. 

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What happens when a scientist, conservationist, and whiskey enthusiast decides to launch her own whiskey brand? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Dawn O'Neal, founder of New Dawn Distilling, to talk about her unconventional path into the whiskey world and the lessons she's learned building a brand from the ground up. From graduate school whiskey tastings and surprising first impressions of legendary bottles to creating a whiskey company rooted in sustainability and community, Dawn shares a perspective you don't hear often in the industry. We dive into what "craft whiskey" really means, why cask strength is her preferred way to drink whiskey, and how her scientific background influences every decision she makes.v The conversation also explores the challenges of launching a new brand, navigating the whiskey business as a Black woman entrepreneur, and balancing innovation with long-term vision. Along the way, we sip through New Dawn's unique releases, discuss bold flavor profiles, and get a sneak peek at what's potentially coming next. If you enjoy stories about whiskey, entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and building something with purpose, this is an episode you won't want to miss. 

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 The crew puts three Black Bourbon Run single barrel selections through a blind-style showdown, featuring pours ranging from "high proof" to "borderline hazmat." Along the way, the conversation dives into what experienced whiskey enthusiasts look for in a barrel pick, whether higher proof always means a better experience, and how flavor, complexity, and balance really stack up against each other. Expect plenty of laughs as tasting notes take unexpected turns, debates break out over what qualifies as a true "journey" in a whiskey, and one breakfast sandwich pairing nearly derails the entire episode. The crew also discusses the growing influence of Black Bourbon Run in the whiskey community and what makes their barrel selections stand out from the crowd. By the end, everyone has a favorite, but not without a few surprises along the way. If you enjoy single barrel picks, high-proof pours, and spirited whiskey debates, this is an episode you won't want to miss. 

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 What actually makes a whiskey “craft”? 🥃 This episode started with a pour of 13th Colony’s maple spiral-finished bourbon and rye… and somehow turned into one of our most spirited debates yet. The crew breaks down maple wood spirals, neck pours, proof points, rye spice battles, and whether these unique finishes actually work. Along the way, things get hilarious as terms like “air pour” and “perfectly cromulent” somehow become part of the whiskey vocabulary. 😂 But then the conversation takes a turn… What qualifies a distillery as “craft” in today’s whiskey world? Does sourcing disqualify you? Can blending itself be considered a craft? And at what point does a brand become too big to still claim the label? This one has whiskey reviews, nerdy whiskey talk, jokes, debates, and a whole lot of “wait… hold up.” Tap in and let us know where YOU stand on the craft whiskey conversation. 

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 MGP. Ross & Squibb. Luxco. Remus. Penelope. If you’ve ever been confused about how all these names connect in the whiskey world… this episode is for you. 🥃 This week, the crew sits down with Ross & Squibb Master Distiller Ian Stirsman for a deep dive into the world behind some of the most talked-about whiskey brands on the shelf. Ian breaks down how a chemical engineer ended up becoming one of the youngest master distillers in the game, what really goes into blending and barrel selection, and why Indiana whiskey deserves way more respect than it gets. The conversation gets especially interesting when the crew debates cask strength vs. high proof, what “craft whiskey” actually means, and whether MGP has been misunderstood all along. Along the way, there’s plenty of laughs, industry insight, and a few pours that completely changed expectations. If you’re into whiskey, bourbon, rye, or just love hearing how the industry really works behind the scenes, this is one you don’t want to miss. 🥃🔥 #ASteadyPour #WhiskeyPodcast #RossAndSquibb #MGP #GeorgeRemus #RossvilleUnion #Bourbon #RyeWhiskey #WhiskeyCulture 

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 This episode starts off light but quickly turns into one of those “wait… is this really good? or are we being sold on hype?” whiskey conversations. The crew cracks open two very different pours—one that looks the part but doesn’t quite deliver, and another that has everyone rethinking value vs. hype. From brutally honest ratings to hilarious analogies, they break down what makes a bottle worth your time—and what definitely isn’t. Then things take a turn as they dive into one of the most talked-about trends in whiskey right now: “Buff Turkey.” What is it really? Is it genius… or just marketing? The conversation gets deeper as they unpack how collaborations, sourcing, and hype culture are shaping the industry—and whether consumers are being influenced more than they realize. Along the way, you’ll get bold takes, a few wild theories, and plenty of laughs. If you’ve ever wondered what’s actually worth buying versus what just sounds good online, this episode is for you. Tune in and decide for yourself. 🥃