Behind the Pursuit: From Bourbon to Brand

2025 marks the 10-year mark for Bourbon Pursuit, and even longer of the guys having conversations about what they will do in the whiskey space together. Fresh off of their live Bourbon Community Roundtable event, In this episode of Behind the Pursuit Kenny and Ryan reflect on their experiences in the bourbon industry and the evolution of Pursuit Spirits. They discuss the challenges and successes they've faced over the past decade, the importance of building a brand that resonates with consumers, and the lessons learned from industry trends and guests. The conversation highlights the journey of entrepreneurship in the bourbon space and the significance of storytelling in connecting with audiences.

We hit on:

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 [email protected].

In this episode of Behind the Pursuit we reflect on the past year, focusing on both growth and challenges. Kenny and Ryan delve into their goals for 2025, including the opening of our new downtown location, the importance of connecting with consumers, and the strategies for direct-to-consumer sales. The conversation also touches on the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, the challenges of marketing in the spirits industry, and the need for innovative approaches to stand out in a crowded market.

We hit on:

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 [email protected].

Building on the history surrounding Mellwood that we dove into on Episode 66, today we are talking about the upcoming Mellwood Legacy Collection release which pays homage to the historic Mellwood Distillery. We recap a bit of the history of the distillery, the creative process behind the new labels, and the unique offerings of the Derby Town and Old Anvil labels. The conversation also touches on the current state of the whiskey market and the opportunities for independent bottlers. While a press release isn't out yet on these, we wanted to give you a peek behind the curtain of what to expect.

We hit on:

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 [email protected].

It seems like today's whiskey drinker is set on cask strength and barrel proof expressions, but what is it exactly that draws them to the higher proof - and is a whiskey truly better for it? Today, we dive into the topic of cask strength whiskey, when they guys may do one for Pursuit United, and much more.

We hit on:

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 [email protected].

Another year, another festival recap! In today’s episode of Behind the Pursuit we reflect on our experiences at the recent Kentucky Bourbon Festival and Bourbon and Beyond Festival. We discuss the evolution of Pursuit Spirits over the last three years and how our presence at these festivals has changed over those years. The conversation highlights the importance of brand storytelling, the growing popularity of Double Oaked, and the intersection of bourbon culture with music festivals. We share insights on consumer behavior, sales performance, and the overall atmosphere at the events, emphasizing the excitement and community surrounding bourbon and whiskey tasting.

We hit on:

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 [email protected].

Ryan tackled these questions back on Episode 068, and with the feedback we got from listeners, we wanted to give Kenny an opportunity to chime in as well. Today's question comes from listener Richard C. Richard had a series of questions looming from the recent Bourbon Roundtable Live Q&A during Pursuit Palooza. Kenny & Ryan used to joke that they should have gone the "easy route" to a brand and just bottled MGP instead of doing their own thing. Now, MGP brands are truly everywhere, the bourbon market is undergoing a correction, and bottles are sitting on the shelf for longer. 

We hit on:

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 [email protected].

"For this product, we wanted to push the boundaries of what rye whiskey can be and compete with the best older whiskeys out there. At 108 proof, it delivers a bold yet balanced experience that we believe will captivate both rye enthusiasts and those new to the category. This limited release truly embodies our pursuit of whiskey excellence."

Coming off the heels of Pursuit United Double Oaked Bourbon, it’s time for Pursuit United Double Oaked Rye! In today's episode, we unpack a bunch of questions around the product ahead of it's release at the Warehouse & Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky on Thursday, August 29th.

We hit on:

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 [email protected].

“You can create an amazing product but if it's not what the market wants, it doesn’t matter.” - Ryan Cecil

While Pursuit United Rye is our highest awarded product, it still doesn’t seem to perform the same way as the bourbon SKUs do. We don’t pretend that this is a trend only seen within our brand, as we see it with other brands in the industry as well. With the upcoming release of Pursuit United Double Oaked Rye, could it help changes people’s minds on what they think about the rye category? Can using the “buzz” of double oaked, in both process and marketed terminology, reach a larger market of whiskey consumers? 

We hit on:

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 [email protected].

Today's question comes from listener Richard C. Richard had a series of questions looming from the recent Bourbon Roundtable Live Q&A during Pursuit Palooza, and we thought they'd made for a great episode for Ryan while Kenny was out. Kenny & Ryan used to joke that they should have gone the "easy route" to a brand and just bottled MGP instead of doing their own thing. Now, MGP brands are truly everywhere, the bourbon market is undergoing a correction, and bottles are sitting on the shelf for longer. 

We hit on:

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 [email protected].

We have a rare treat today. Not only is Ryan back, but he’s rocking a solo episode with Brian while Kenny is taking a staycation. With so many products in the works, we figured we’d talk about some of the projects currently cooking in the Pursuit lab. From old recipes to new SKUs, we have a lot to dive into with this one.

We hit on:

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 [email protected].