Bourbon, Brass & Beyond

French Oak Bourbon Face-Off: Penelope Omega vs Maker's Mark 46 French Oaked Cask Strength

Two French oak finished bourbons go head to head in this episode of Bourbon Brass and Beyond, with a focus on how finishing, mash bill, age, and proof shape the final pour. Dan and Bob compare Penelope Omega 11 Year and Maker's Mark 46 French Oaked Cask Strength, then dig into Maker's history, tours, and a few personal stories along the way.

#penelope #bourbon #makersmark #frenchoak #whiskey #billsmauelsjr #wheated #bourbontasting #podcast #bourbonbrassandbeyond #barrelseasoning

Key topics

In this episode: Dan and Bob compare Penelope Omega 11 Year and Maker's Mark 46 French Oaked Cask Strength side by side.

Penelope Omega is introduced as an 11 year bourbon finished 3 to 4 years in French oak, bottled at 109.8 proof.

Maker's Mark 46 French Oaked Cask Strength is bottled at 112 proof and is discussed as a toasted French oak stave finish.

They break down Penelope's mash bill as 79% corn, 10% rye, 1% barley, and note that it reads as corn-forward with a toasted nose.

The Penelope shows notes of caramel, vanilla, sweet oak, raisin, and dark fruit, with a medium finish and strong mouthfeel.

They compare it to prior Penelope estate releases and suggest the older single barrels may have been softer and more muted than this bottle.

Maker's Mark gets a deeper history segment, including the Samuels family, Bill Samuels Jr., the move from engineering and NASA toward whiskey, and the brand's long-standing wheated style.

Dan and Bob discuss how Maker's finishes its whiskey after the core liquid is aged, including stave seasoning and stave finishing rather than true single-barrel variation.

They note the Maker's nose is sweeter and more pronounced than Penelope's, with classic caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar notes.

The episode closes with a direct preference comparison: Penelope wins on flavor and finish for them, Maker's wins on nose.

Timestamps

00:00 - French oak theme and the two bottles on deck

01:26 - Penelope Omega mash bill and proof breakdown

02:30 - First impression of Penelope's toasted nose

03:28 - Penelope's mouthfeel, finish, and flavor

04:33 - Raisin and dark fruit notes from French oak

05:23 - Comparing Penelope to earlier estate single barrels

06:26 - Penelope estate packaging and proof differences

08:39 - Maker's Mark 46 French Oaked Cask Strength intro

09:08 - Bill Samuels Jr. story and Maker's origin

10:38 - Makers' wheated mash bill and Pappy Van Winkle yeast

11:07 - Tasting prep for Maker's French Oaked 46

12:17 - Maker's sweeter nose and caramel vanilla profile

13:48 - Maker's flavor evolution and familiar top-of-tongue note

15:05 - How Maker's uses stave finishing after aging

16:18 - Woodford, Buffalo Trace, and distillery tour comparisons

17:51 - Why this is a cask strength version of the standard whiskey

18:52 - Flavor vs nose: Penelope and Maker's side by side

19:19 - Star Hill Farm, Heart releases, and Cellar Aged talk

20:33 - Kids, permits, and the chaos of teen driving years

22:20 - Looking for Wyatt's first car and a father-son road trip idea

23:19 - Learning to drive young, including a 13-year-old road home

24:38 - Final verdict: Penelope on flavor, Maker's on nose

25:36 - Closing thoughts and future guest tease

26:06 - Subscribe, comment, and where to find the show

Bourbon, Brass & Beyond - https://www.bourbonbrassandbeyond.com

Bourbon Brass and Beyond: Penelope Estate Collection Tasting

Dan, Bob, Michael, and Calvin gather for a wide-ranging bourbon tasting, comparing Penelope Estate Collection releases, sampling Heaven Hill Double Mash, and sharing a standout Monks Road barrel pick. Along the way, they talk flavor notes, proof, sourcing, barrel picks, and how the bourbon landscape may be changing.

In this episode

• The group tastes Heaven Hill Double Mash, a nine-year, bottled-in-bond release that combines wheated and high-rye bourbon components.
• They compare Penelope Estate Collection ten-year single barrels from different years, noting differences in proof, aroma, and flavor.
• The hosts discuss tasting notes ranging from rye spice, vanilla, oak, and cherry cola to grass, cinnamon, and apricot.
• They explore Penelope’s lineup of single barrels, private selects, and finished whiskeys, including French oak expressions.
• A conversation about MGP raises questions about sourcing, whiskey inventory, and what may happen as producers adjust their stocks.
• A Monk's Road barrel pick sourced by Wally Dant at Log Still Distillery, earns high praise for its smoky character, caramel, cinnamon, and ripe-fruit notes.
• The group reflects on the personal appeal of barrel picks and bottles with handwritten details.
• The episode closes with football, fall weather, and everyday life updates.

Timestamps

00:00 – Fresh cracks and the evening’s lineup
03:57 – First taste of Heaven Hill Double Mash
06:13 – The nine-year age statement and whiskey inventory
08:27 – Pennsylvania rye and Liberty Pole Spirits
12:27 – Comparing Penelope Estate Collection bottles
15:18 – Rye spice, vanilla, and proof differences
18:13 – MGP, sourcing, and the whiskey market
21:19 – Tasting differences between releases
27:18 – Penelope’s finished whiskeys
30:40 – French oak and stave finishing
34:08 – Introducing the Monks Road barrel pick
36:13 – The standout pour’s flavor and finish
41:43 – Barrel-pick experiences and handwritten labels
46:16 – Comparing Penelope blends and single barrels
51:18 – Final lineup and closing thoughts
56:27 – Sign-off and where to find the show

Bourbon, Brass & Beyond - https://www.bourbonbrassandbeyond.com

Penelope - https://penelopebourbon.com

Log Still Distillery - https://www.logstilldistillery.com

Heaven Hill - https://www.heavenhilldistillery.com

Dan and Steph recap their Bourbon & Beyond weekend, sharing festival highlights, bourbon tastings, artist discoveries, and an honest comparison of the event’s VIP options. They also offer practical tips for anyone planning a future festival trip.

#bourbonandbeyond #bourbonandbeyond2026 #dannywimmerpresents #bourbonbrassandbeyond #bourbon #whiskey #musicfestival #louisvilleky #bourbontrail #monksroad #monksroadboilerhouse #bottleshare #logstilldistillery #oldlouisvillewhiskey #fredminnick #derektrucks #brewzle #pappyandco #oldripvanwinkle #davematthewsband #dmbgc #swagswap #dmbbigwhiskey #podcast #thebourbonhunters #fritterpour #bottomshelf #tedeschitrucksband #asspocketwhiskey #apw #wallydant #andbeyond

• Preparing for the festival by previewing unfamiliar artists
• How the Derek Trucks interview and media passes came together
• Comparing general admission, Mint VIP, and Angels Envy Beyond VIP
• VIP perks—including food, drinks, lockers, restrooms, and stage access—and where expectations fell short
• A memorable bottle share featuring rare and distinctive pours at Monk's Road Boiler House
• Meeting bourbon personalities and fellow enthusiasts: JD Fritzges, Derek Trucks, Brewzle, Fred Minnick, Preston Van Winkle...
• Standout music moments, from Hootie and the Blowfish to Chris Stapleton and Dave Matthews Band
• Festival food, walking, weather, and crowd experience
• Whether the weekend—and VIP—was worth it

Wear comfortable shoes, bring ear protection, and consider getting a locker. Expect plenty of walking and changing temperatures. Before choosing a VIP tier, weigh the amenities against the access you’ll actually use.

00:00 Festival intro
03:19 Previewing bands on the drive down
04:47 The Derek Trucks interview
06:23 Media passes and VIP wristbands
07:51 VIP food, drinks, and amenities
10:42 Mint VIP crowding
15:54 Thursday’s headliners
17:10 The Monks Road Boiler House bottle share
22:21 Mumford & Sons
23:21 Red Clay Strays and ear protection
27:46 Meeting Fred Minnick
31:00 Hootie and the Blowfish
32:21 Dave Matthews Band
34:49 Standout discovery acts
36:46 Bottle share pours
43:15 Bourbon programming and festival encounters
49:25 Festival food
51:22 Comfort, walking, and weather
53:33 Final festival ratings
60:33 Listener callout and giveaway tease
65:45 Closing thoughts

“Bourbon’s not about the bourbon. Bourbon’s about meeting people and drinking bourbon with other people.”

“Hootie and the Blowfish were the surprise of the whole festival for me.”

Bourbon, Brass & Beyond- https://www.bourbonbrassandbeyond.com

Bourbon & Beyond - https://www.bourbonandbeyond.com

Monk's Road Bourbon - https://www.logstilldistillery.com

Ass Pocket Whiskey - https://asspocketwhiskey.com

Fred Minnick joins Dan to talk bourbon, mental health, family history, and the changing rules around whiskey labeling. The conversation also gets personal, touching on pilot mental health, jujitsu, aging, and why preserving stories matters. If you want a grounded look at where bourbon is today and what its future might look like, this one covers a lot of ground.

#bourbon #fredminnick #whiskey #vodkasucks #podcast #bourbonbrassandbeyond #bourbonandbeyond #monksroad #derektrucks #asspocketwhiskey #oldripvanwinkle #jamesbeam #oakandage #bottomshelf #bestsellingauthor

• Fred Minnick talks about his book Bottom Shelf, including the paperback edition coming in February with added research on Old Crow and the people James Crow taught to distill.
• He and the hosts discuss mental health in aviation, including the stigma pilots face when seeking help and why recognizing the need for help has to come first.
• Fred shares his view that self-awareness matters more than blame, and warns against getting stuck in victim thinking or using social media outrage to validate anger.
• The conversation explores pilot medical certification, PTSD, and whether airlines are giving pilots enough support.
• Fred talks about his personal life, including building a house, selling his office, and trying to keep up during wrestling season.
• He discusses jujitsu and aging, including how he trains more selectively now and why he values safer, more sustainable rolling.
• The hosts and Fred revisit Bourbon & Beyond, which Fred helped build from its early days into one of the country’s biggest festivals.
• A major section focuses on bourbon labeling, with Fred arguing that the word “bourbon” needs stronger protection and that “whiskey” should often be the lead term for blends, finishes, or nontraditional expressions.
• Fred explains how trade agreements and legal definitions protect bourbon internationally—and why inconsistent labeling in the U.S. could create problems if other countries push for their own definitions.
• He closes on the current whiskey market, discussing American single malt, blends of straights, barrel finishes, and the quality whiskey entering wholesale as companies try to weather the next few years.

00:00 — Fred Minnick returns, Bottom Shelf, and the Cleveland versus Columbus mix-up
01:28 — Pilot mental health and why reaching out matters
02:58 — Recognizing when you need help
03:27 — How social media fuels blame and victim thinking
05:13 — PTSD risk and the stigma around pilots seeking care
06:11 — Paperback update, Old Crow research, and family history
07:11 — Jujitsu, wrestling, and training smarter with age
09:09 — Building Bourbon and Beyond into a major festival
10:07 — Why family stories and bourbon history need to be preserved
11:05 — The fight over protecting the word “bourbon”
13:02 — Why international bourbon labels could become a bigger issue
14:00 — Blends, finishes, and transparency on the shelf
15:28 — Scotch’s protected naming model versus bourbon
16:52 — What’s keeping bourbon moving forward
17:49 — Dusties, traditional flavor, and old-school high-rye profiles
18:48 — Wholesale barrels, NDPs, and concerns about flavor drift
19:15 — Finding a 143-proof Beam barrel worth buying
20:15 — How whiskey companies are surviving the next three years

“You gotta recognize it yourself.”

“If you have a lot of money, you can do whatever the hell you want.”

Bourbon, Brass & Beyond - https://www.bourbonbrassandbeyond.com

Fred Minnick - https://www.fredminnick.com

A lively crossover tasting at Bourbon and Beyond brings Dan and JD Fritzges, from The Bourbon Hunters, together to explore standout bourbons, rare bottles, barrel picks, and the stories behind them. From a creamy 11-year Old Louisville single barrel to historic dusty bottles, the conversation celebrates whiskey’s flavors—and the memories and friendships shared around it. A very special thank you to Wally Dant, Log Still Distillery, and Monk's Road Boiler House for welcoming us for our Bottle Share. It was an amazing experience. And a thank you to Teddy, General Manager at Monk's Road Boilerhouse for helping his through the afternoon. Chef Ciro was amazing as always.

#bourbonandbeyond #bourbonandbeyond2026 #bourbon #whiskey #bourbonbrassandbeyond #thebourbonhunters #fritterpour #oldlouisville #olddusties #asspocketwhiskey #derektrucks #apw #oakandage #jamesbeam #oldgranddad #jackdaniels #singlebarrel #barrelpick #dudepoole #wallydant #monksroad #logstilldistillery

• What makes a memorable barrel pick: rich texture, layered flavors, and a finish that lingers.
• JD’s Old Louisville 11-year MGP single barrel, compared with a previous 9-year pick.
• Why flavor matters more than proof, and how different producers work with sourced MGP whiskey.
• Favorite performances so far from Bourbon and Beyond, including Linda Perry, Live, Queens of the Stone Age, The Fray, and Lindsey Stirling.
• High West’s Prisoner Share and how its wine finish complements rather than overwhelms the bourbon.
• Rare and vintage bottles, including old Wild Turkey, Old Grand-Dad, and a special whiskey distilled in 1977 and bottled in 1982.
• The Dant family’s whiskey heritage, including family history, JW Dant, and stories preserved across generations.
• Dan’s reason for podcasting: creating a record of the bourbon stories his grandfather shared.

00:00 — Old Louisville 11-year MGP single barrel
01:20 — Stone fruit, brown sugar, and a creamy mouthfeel
03:24 — Flavor over proof
04:15 — MGP and how different producers handle it
04:55 — Bourbon and Beyond festival highlights
08:16 — Derek Trucks and the connection between music and bourbon
09:45 — Comparing the 9-year and 11-year picks
11:14 — Rye whiskey, tasting notes, and discovering new favorites
16:52 — Vintage bottles and estate-sale finds
20:45 — What makes Wild Turkey distinctive
25:09 — Finding rare bottles at estate sales
27:38 — The story behind a special unnamed bottle
29:03 — Visiting Wally Dant and Log Still Distillery
30:38 — A pour that recalls Dan’s grandfather
32:28 — The Dant family’s whiskey history
34:44 — High West Prisoner Share
51:10 — How the wine finish shapes the whiskey
56:18 — An 11-year Jim Beam pick that surprises the tasters
61:08 — Tasting opinions, hype, and judging a bottle on its own merits
69:34 — Dant family heritage and the unnamed whiskey
91:56 — Dan’s grandfather, JW Dant, and the roots of the podcast
102:18 — How JD got into bourbon
103:13 — Preserving family stories through podcasting
107:49 — Returning to the Old Louisville pick

• “We’re looking for something that’s gonna be creamy.”
• “The experience is ninety percent of it. It’s where you get to have it, who you get to have it with.”
• “This is what I grew up with.”

Bourbon, Brass & Beyond- https://www.bourbonbrassandbeyond.com

The Bourbon Hunters - https://bourbonhunters.com

Log Still Distillery - https://www.logstilldistillery.com

Dan sits down with Derek Trucks for a short, personal conversation about whiskey, bourbon culture, and what it means to be part of a craft passed down through generations. They cover how his palate evolved from bourbon-first to appreciating quality whiskey more broadly, and why being around experienced distillers still feels like a master class.

#asspocketwhiskey #bourbonandbeyond #bourbon #whiskey #podcast #bourbonbrassandbeyond #derektrucks #tedeschitrucksband #dannywimmer #thesearch #prestonvanwinkle #pappyvanwinkle #pappyandco #oldripvanwinkle #chrismorris #brownforman

• Daniel introduces Derek Trucks and frames the conversation around Bourbon Brass & Beyond and a bottle share tied to the release.
• Derek explains that he and his brother first got into bourbon through strong, heavily flavored bottles, but eventually became fans of good whiskey across styles.
• He says the standard he looks for now is quality first, not a specific profile, and that rye eventually became more appealing to him over time.
• The whiskey hunt started as a bottle-chasing hobby, especially in the Deep South, but now that market is often marked up 20x to 30x, making the old game unrealistic.
• A big draw for him is meeting bourbon families and seeing how many are third, fourth, or fifth generation operations.
• He emphasizes the importance of stewardship, comparing bourbon heritage to the musical lineage he feels in the Allman Brothers tradition.
• Derek says what impresses him most is when veteran distillers still get genuinely excited after 30, 40, or 60 years in the business.
• He describes tasting a distillate, watching a master distiller adjust it every 10 to 15 minutes, and seeing that same energy in people who never stop loving the work.
• He talks about having a hand in their own bourbon process now, including making decisions about barrel char and heat, then waiting years to see how it develops.
• He says one of the biggest surprises was stepping outside Kentucky for a release, and he notes that number 15 and the third release are his favorites so far.
• He shares that he has to track down bottles from friends because some releases are already gone, including number 6.
• The conversation closes on the community around the project, including recent time spent with Chris Morris and Preston, who helped spark his deeper entry into whiskey.

Timestamps00:00 - Derek Trucks introduced and the bottle-share context
01:05 - Moving from bourbon-first tastes to a broader whiskey palate
02:13 - Why bourbon families and generational stories matter
03:00 - Bourbon lineage compared to musical stewardship
03:45 - Veteran distillers still showing real excitement after decades
04:30 - Getting a hand in the bourbon-making process
04:56 - Char level, barrel heat, and long-term aging choices
05:27 - Surprise release outside Kentucky
06:17 - Favorite releases so far: number 15 and the third release
07:07 - Master class energy from Chris Morris and other whiskey veterans
07:45 - Preston, Pappy 10, and how the whiskey connection started
08:26 - Tracking down releases and learning from each new visit
09:10 - Wrap-up and quick farewell

Bourbon, Brass & Beyond - https://www.bourbonbrassandbeyond.com

Ass Pocket Whiskey - https://www.asspocketwhiskey.com

Bourbon & Beyond - https://www.bourbonandbeyond.com

Dan and Steph open a rare 1977-distilled, 1982-bottled JW Dant bourbon that Steph found at a yard sale. They explore the bottle’s Schenley-era history, taste its sweet and peppery high-rye profile, and discuss why vintage bourbon bottles are valuable pieces of history—even when the labels are showing their age. The conversation then turns to Bourbon and Beyond, including the festival’s four-day schedule, musical lineup, bourbon brands, bottle-sharing plans, and Fork and Flask events.

#bourbonandbeyond #jwdant #asspocketwhiskey #derektrucks #apw #schenley #bourbon #monksroad #logstilldistillery #gethsemane #monksroadboilerhouse #bottleshare #whiskey #podcast #bourbonbrassandbeyond #davematthewsband #dmb #dmbgc #dmbbigwhiskies #bourbontasting #wallydant #bourbonforgood #pappyandco #oldripvanwinkle #pappyvanwinkle #ancientage #buffalotrace #heavenhills #stitzelweller #bernheim #hootie #countingcrows #chrisstapleton #mumfordandsons

• The story behind a vintage JW Dant bottle distilled in 1977 and bottled in 1982
• How JW Dant’s production changed during the Schenley era
• Tasting notes: sweet aromatics, pepper, viscosity, and a lingering finish
• Why older bourbon bottles and their glass designs are so collectible
• A George Dickel bottle and a signed Log Still Distillery single barrel
• Details about the Bourbon and Beyond bottle share at Monks Road Boiler House on Friday Sept. 25th from 1 -3pm
• Festival planning, weather, merch, comfortable shoes, and staying near the venue
• Artists they’re excited to see, including Foo Fighters, Mumford and Sons, Dave Matthews, Chris Stapleton, Counting Crows, and more
• The Fork and Flask stage, bourbon brands, distillers, and possible interviews
• The couple’s plans for the festival’s bottle share, swag swap, and meeting listeners

00:00 – Steph’s yard sale JW Dant discovery
00:31 – Dating the bottle and exploring its history
02:14 – Why the vintage bottle is so special
05:31 – Opening the bottle and the first smell test
06:26 – Comparing vintage and modern JW Dant
08:00 – High-rye bourbon tasting notes
09:54 – The appeal of vintage bottle design
12:45 – Log Still Distillery and Wally Dant
14:41 – Bourbon and Beyond bottle share details
16:07 – Preparing for a four-day festival
18:16 – Thursday’s music lineup
22:27 – Friday highlights and Mumford and Sons
24:08 – Festival weather and practical planning
26:15 – Fork and Flask stage events
27:31 – Celebrity bourbon and Travelers whiskey
29:40 – Sunday’s lineup and Dave Matthews
32:57 – Bourbon brands attending the festival
37:01 – How to find Dan and Steph at Bourbon and BeyondVisit bourbonbrassandbeyond.com, leave a message, and reach out if you’ll be at Bourbon and Beyond. Dan and Steph hope to see you at the bottle share or around the festival.

Log Still Distillery - https://www.logstilldistillery.com

Monk's Road Boiler House - https://www.monksroadbh.com

Bourbon & Beyond 2026 - https://www.bourbonandbeyond.com

Dan, Bob, Nick, and Michael taste and compare the Stag 2026 A, B, and C releases, exploring their proof, aroma, flavor, heat, sweetness, oak, and overall drinkability.The group describes notes of cherry cola, Dr. Pepper, grape soda, tobacco, cocoa, leather, and oak. They discuss how letting bourbon breathe can change the experience and debate which batch is the best: A brings more pronounced flavor, B is balanced and approachable, and C offers rich sweetness and impressive legs. The conversation also covers Middle West Distillery, cask-strength pumpernickel rye, Spanish orange wine cask finishing, French oak favorites, Maker’s 46 Cask Strength, and upcoming bottle-sharing plans. The episode then shifts to aviation safety. A pilot explains how excessive approach speed increases landing distance, why crossing the runway threshold too fast can create serious problems, and when pilots should choose a go-around instead of forcing a landing. The episode closes with announcements about a September 25 bottle share at Monks Road Boiler House in Louisville and an upcoming Derek Trucks interview at Bourbon and Beyond.

#stagg #buffalotrace #georgetstagg #bourbon #whiskey #bourbonandbeyond #bourbontasting #bottleshare #podcast #bourbonbrassandbeyond #davematthewsband #asspocketwhiskey #derektrucks #tedeschitrucksband #logstilldistillery #monksroadboilerhouse #louisvilleky

00:00 – Introducing the Stag 2026 releases
03:04 – Why Stag drinks hot, bold, and spicy
04:37 – Cherry cola and Dr. Pepper tasting notes
05:11 – How air changes the whiskey
07:13 – Middle West bourbon recommendations
10:39 – Tobacco, cocoa, grape soda, and oak
11:22 – French oak favorites
12:56 – Aviation safety and approach speed
14:20 – When pilots should go around
18:22 – Vref and the danger of excess speed
23:02 – Ranking Stag batches A, B, and C
25:19 – The most drinkable Stag of the set
27:12 – Bottle share announcement
28:38 – Bourbon and Beyond updates
29:52 – Closing remarks

“I think Stags drink hot intentionally.”“Every ten percent you increase your approach speed increases your landing distance to twenty-one percent.”“This might be the most drinkable Stag I’ve had.”

Bourbon, Brass & Beyond - https://www.bourbonbrassandbeyond.com

Sept 25 Bottle Share - https://www.bourbonbrassandbeyond.com/events

This episode is a tasting-heavy Bourbon Brass and Beyond conversation focused on three Wild Turkey bottles, with plenty of side-by-side comparison and bottle history. Nick and Michael join Dan and Bob for a relaxed but detailed look at an 1983 Wild Turkey 8 Year 101 proof dusty, Wild Turkey Generations, and the Austin Nichols Archive Gold Foil Edition 16 Year.The discussion matters because it goes beyond “good bourbon” and gets into how age, proof, packaging, and time in the bottle change the experience. If you like hearing how seasoned drinkers compare old and new releases, this one stays very specific and very useful.

#bourbon #wildturkey #brucerussell #whiskey #Cheesygoldfoil #podcast #bourbontasting #bourbonbrassandbeyond #russellsreserve #jimmyrussell #eddierussell

• In this episode, Dan, Bob, Nick, and Michael compare three very different Wild Turkey pours:
  • 1983 Wild Turkey 8 Year, 101 proof
  • Wild Turkey Generations
  • Austin Nichols Archive Gold Foil Edition 16 Year
• They start with the 1983 dusty bottle, describing a sweet, dusty nose, caramel sweetness, and the idea that old Turkey bottles have a distinct profile because of lower entry proof and older production methods.
• Generations gets a deep breakdown:
  • a blend of 9, 12, 14, and 15 year old whiskey
  • 120.8 proof
  • notes of honey, molasses, dark citrus, rye spice, oak, and a long chewy finish
• The Gold Foil Edition 16 Year is framed as Bruce’s homage to the old gold foil Turkey labels and packaging, with a lot of detail called out in the label, topper, and box design.
• The tasting notes on the Gold Foil lean toward leather, tobacco, caramel, cherry, mint, cinnamon, and a dusty funk, with the group noting it drinks easier than the nose suggests.
• They compare the old dusty 1983 bottle with modern limited releases and discuss how older bottles could deliver huge flavor without today’s higher proof and more modern barrel strategies.
• The episode ends with a broader reflection on Wild Turkey’s legacy.

00:00 - Wild Turkey night kicks off with guests and the first dusty pour
00:41 - Introducing the 1983 Wild Turkey 8 Year 101 proof
01:48 - The estate sale story and how the dusty bottles were found
02:52 - Michael’s Navy band and trumpet background
04:48 - Why the estate sale turned into a bourbon hunt
06:32 - Old barrels, hot warehouses, and why future whiskey may change
08:04 - Setting up Wild Turkey Generations
09:03 - Generations blend breakdown and first flavor notes
10:58 - Dark molasses, blood orange, rye spice, and oak
12:23 - Why Generations feels unusually complex
13:31 - Proof discussion and the Kentucky hug
14:52 - Why the nose and finish keep growing on them
15:17 - First reaction to the Gold Foil Edition 16 Year packaging
17:24 - Confirming the 16 year age statement and non-chill filtered bottling
19:22 - Fresh crack nose: leather, tobacco, caramel
20:41 - Citrus, legs, and the nose opening up with air
23:07 - How open bottles change over time
24:25 - Why revisiting bottles can change your opinion
25:38 - Price, perception, and why double double oak comparisons come up
26:23 - Bruce’s role and why this release feels important for Wild Turkey
27:35 - Packaging details and the gold foil throwbacks
29:16 - Ranking the three pours and deciding the favorite
30:39 - Old Turkey versus modern Turkey and lower proof flavor
31:40 - Final comparisons between Generations and Gold Foil
33:14 - Availability, allocation, and whether bottles will ever be everyday pours
36:16 - Russell’s Reserve 15, Beacon, and future episode plans
40:19 - Old dusty bottles like 1983 Turkey and old Taylor still stand out

Masters Keep Vertical Part 1: 17 Year, Decades, 1894, and Russell's 13

Dan is joined by Nick and Calvin for a Wild Turkey-heavy tasting of 3 Masters Keep expressions, kicking off a multi-part vertical through Nick’s collection. The episode is less about formal review scores and more about comparing how Eddie Russell’s blending choices, age statements, proof points, and warehouse influence show up across each bottle.

In this episode, they also talk about upcoming bottle shares, Bourbon and Beyond media access, and where the Masters Keep line is headed next.

#wildturkey #russellsreserve #eddierussell #bourbon #whiskey #podcast #bourbonbrassandbeyond #bourbontasting #whiskeytasting #bottleshare #bourbonandbeyond #monksroad #specialrelease #masterskeep

Key topics

Nick brings 3 bottles to start the Masters Keep vertical

including 2015 17 Year, Decades, 1894, and Dan re-visits his Russell’s 13 45th Anniversary

The 2015 17 Year stands out for its nose more than its palate

Decades is praised for balance and finish

The bottle brings more proof and structure at 104 proof

1894 is the most rye-forward of the first three

At 90 proof, it is described as extremely approachable and drinkable

Dan, Nick, and Calvin compare how Wild Turkey has evolved

They discuss how older releases were often made to be more drinkable and smooth

They note that newer Wild Turkey releases seem to be leaning back toward a more classic, bold Turkey profile

The conversation touches on how preferences changed as bourbon fans started chasing higher proof and more intensity

Russell’s 13 45th Anniversary gets the strongest praise

The group sees it as a return to a big caramel bomb style

At 121.2 proof, it has the most intensity of the night

They mention it as possibly the best Russell’s 13 they’ve had in a while

The bottle share and Bourbon and Beyond updates are a big part of the episode

Dan announces a September 25 bottle share in Louisville at Monks Road Boiler House

They also share that they’ve received media passes and credentials for Bourbon and Beyond

Dan mentions a Derek Trucks interview scheduled for Thursday between 3:30 and 4:30

They preview the rest of the Masters Keep series

Next bottles mentioned include Revival, Cornerstone Rye, Bottled in Bond, Masters Keep One, Unforgotten, Voyage, Triumph, and Beacon

Beacon is described as a standout and a likely comparison point with other recent Wild Turkey releases

Timestamps

00:00 - Kicking off a Masters Keep vertical with Nick and Calvin

02:08 - The 2015 17 Year and its low-proof, sweet oak profile

05:31 - Why the 17 Year feels lighter and less chewy than expected

08:57 - Wondering whether the 17 Year would shine at barrel strength

15:12 - Decades and the story behind the anniversary release

16:43 - Butterscotch, cardamom, and a long finish on Decades

20:36 - How the Masters Keep line fits into Wild Turkey’s evolution

27:22 - Introducing 1894 and the Rickhouse A backstory

31:41 - The wood, grass, and rye character of 1894

33:47 - Why these lower-proof bottles are so easy to keep sipping

40:40 - Russell’s 13 45th Anniversary and the darker, richer color

42:36 - A caramel-heavy palate with classic dusty Turkey character

46:46 - Previewing Revival, Cornerstone Rye, and Bottled in Bond

48:22 - The wildest bottles ahead: Unforgotten, Voyage, Triumph, and Beacon

52:20 - Why the 45th Anniversary has such a strong empty-glass nose

53:40 - Closing thoughts, thanks, and the next vertical plans

Bourbon, Brass & Beyond - https://www.bourbonbrassandbeyond.com