Bourbon Lens

In this week's episode of Off Hours with Bourbon Lens, Jake and Jake sit down with IndyCar and NASCAR race car driver Conor Daly.  Conor shares about his love for racing, bourbon, and living in the moment.  When you are racing at over 200 MPH, you have to find ways to enjoy the moments in between.

Thanks for listening to another episode of Off Hours with Bourbon Lens.
Check out new episodes of Off Hours with Bourbon Lens streaming now here.

This has been another production of Bourbon Lens LLC.  Thank you for your continued support.

Scott & Jake
Bourbon Lens

 About Conor Daly:

Second-generation racer Conor Daly climbed into a kart for the first time at the age of 10; within five years, he was competing in both United States and international open-wheel ladder systems. He found success in each before concentrating solely on American motorsports in 2015. He currently drives the No. 20 BitNile Chevrolet for Ed Carpenter Racing and is entering his fourth season with the team.

Born and raised in nearby Noblesville, Ind., Daly has grown to be a hometown favorite in the Indianapolis 500. The 2021 edition saw him lead the most laps of all drivers and in 2022, he finished a career-best 6th. In 2023, he reached a career milestone as he made his 100th NTT INDYCAR SERIES start early in the season and competed in his 10th Indianapolis 500 on May 28th, 2023 where he finished 8th.

The 30-year-old's off-track interests are as diverse as his on-track talents. He is no stranger to reality television, having crisscrossed the globe on The Amazing Race and competed on American Ninja Warrior. Daly is a huge supporter of live music and is commonly seen greeting fans in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's Snake Pit just hours before the Indy 500. An avid gamer, Daly's popular Twitch channel features his quick wit and infectious personality. Daly is also an advocate for Type 1 Diabetes, with which he was diagnosed at age 14, and is the only known U.S. professional racing driver who competes full-time with T1D.

Conor also host his own podcast with Joey Mulinaro called Speed Street.  You can check it out here!

About Off Hours

Off Hours Bourbon is made for afternoon relaxations and late night convos as it dispels the idea that you have to wear a suit to drink a glass of Bourbon or that it can only be enjoyed poured over rocks at the end of the day. The award-winning liquid is aged in American white oak barrels for over 5 years. Tasting notes include aromas of creamy vanilla, hint of nutmeg and toasted pecans, rich notes of cinnamon and a silky finish of lingering honey. 

You can find out more about Off Hours with Bourbon Lens here.

In celebration of all things spirits and World Gin Day on June 10th, we have a special guest this week. We are joined by Alexander Stein, Founder of Monkey 47, to talk about a different type of distilled spirit; Gin.  While gin may be a bit outside of our typical coverage, Scott's first introduction to the spirits world was really through his discovery of this juniper-based spirit. 

Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you're there. 

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout goes to our growing Patreon Community as well! We'd appreciate it if you can take the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.  And please check out our Patreon to learn how you can support our endeavors, earn Bourbon Lens swag, be part of future barrel picks, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected].

Check out our BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and details on our upcoming single barrel picks.

Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens

About Alexander Stein:

Alexander Stein is the creator of German gin brand Monkey 47.  Born into a family of distillers (Alex's father and grandfather were brandy producers) it seemed inevitable that he would find himself drawn to the spirits industry in one form or another. Not before however he tried his hand in the more corporate world of telecommunications, where he rose to a senior level at Nokia.

It was while he was living and working in Detroit that his life path changed. He remembers a phone call in 2006 from a friend of his who recounted a story involving Max the egret monkey, Monty the RAF Wing Commander and a long lost gin recipe. It proved to be an exciting turning point.

About Monkey 47 Gin:

Through masterly distillation and maturing in traditional earthenware containers, the goodness of all 47 hand-picked ingredients is brought fully to bear. Admittedly, it appears somewhat eccentric to claim that a recipe for Gin has the power to unite great British traditions, with the spices of India, and the rich landscape of the Black Forest. And yet it is precisely this eccentricity that defines the enigmatic venturesome character of Montgomery Collins, from whom our Schwarzwald Dry Gin originates. Aficionados, bartenders and connoisseurs the world over have come to appreciate the incredible complexity and harmony of a gin, which has consistently been voted the No.1 Top Trending Gin brand in the World's Best Bars. 

Monkey 47 is a batch distilled and handcrafted gin that fuses British traditions, the exoticism of India, and the purity and originality of the Black Forest with masterly craftmanship. A genuine Black Forest dry gin. Indeed, a good third of the ingredients for this special gin originate from the Black Forest, such as the spruce tips, lingonberries, elderflower, sloes and blackberry leaves, to name but a few.

In total, 47 handpicked plant ingredients prepared in extremely soft spring water from the Black Forest lend Monkey 47 unrivaled complexity and quality. The pièce de résistance is a real Black Forest "secret weapon," fresh lingonberries. Through masterly distillation and maturing in traditional earthenware containers, the goodness of all these ingredients is brought fully to bear. From the tranquil Black Forest valley, Monkey 47 has now embarked on its round-the-world trip and is currently available in over 100 countries on four continents. Aficionados, bartenders and connoisseurs the world over have come to appreciate the incredible complexity and harmony of a gin that has been invented as long as 60 years ago – mainly out of nothing more than a nostalgic yearning for England.

Jake & Jake sit down with Dafne Mejia, Private Chef and runner up on Season 21 of Hell's Kitchen to discuss her passion for cooking, bourbon and much more.  Of course, Jake L. had to talk about his passion for cooking during this episode. Tune into the latest episode of Off Hours with Bourbon Lens on your favorite podcast listening app today.

During this podcast, we discuss a story involving a DUI and the impact that can have on one's life.  We ask you to please drink responsibly in your Off Hours.

Thanks for listening to another episode of Off Hours with Bourbon Lens.
Check out new episodes of Off Hours with Bourbon Lens streaming now here.

This has been another production of Bourbon Lens LLC.  Thank you for your continued support.

Scott & Jake
Bourbon Lens

About Off Hours

Off Hours Bourbon is made for afternoon relaxations and late night convos as it dispels the idea that you have to wear a suit to drink a glass of Bourbon or that it can only be enjoyed poured over rocks at the end of the day. The award-winning liquid is aged in American white oak barrels for over 5 years. Tasting notes include aromas of creamy vanilla, hint of nutmeg and toasted pecans, rich notes of cinnamon and a silky finish of lingering honey. 

You can find out more about Off Hours with Bourbon Lens here.

About Dafne Mejia

Born in Los Angeles in 1992, Chef Dafne is the daughter of Suyapa and Luis, first generation immigrants from Honduras. Dafne started her career by following the American Dream, seeking to fulfill her parents' hope for a better life in the land of opportunity. En route to becoming an OBGYN, Dafne attended SFSU where she was a biology major and quickly realized this was not her dream, but the dream of her parents.

From early in her childhood, Dafne's creativity was what brought her the most joy. As she realized medicine was not her true passion, she made a bold transition and decided to follow her heart to the creative arts. Committed to forging her own destiny, Dafne enrolled in The Art Institute of California - San Francisco where she graduated with an Associates degree of Science in the Culinary Arts. During her education, Dafne started apprenticing under a Certified Master Chef, learning the art of cooking at the highest level for four years.

Moving back to Los Angeles in 2015, Dafne began cooking as a private chef for Aubrey 'Drake' Graham, a high profile assignment that catapulted her to a Sous Chef level. Following her time as a personal chef, Dafne was soon hired by a fine dining Vietnamese restaurant, allowing her to hone new skills, honor different traditions and discover a new level of respect for the sometime tedious process of cooking.

For most of her culinary career, Dafne's primary love has been found in Italian cuisine. Her specialty, and most requested dish is born from the craft she's perfected through more than ten thousand hours of meticulous work: Handmade Corn and Truffle Ravioli. Reminding her of her Latin American roots, Dafne fell in love with the culinary traditions of Italy as she proclaims, both cultures' cuisines are  "dominated by grandmas". Following her passion for pasta, Dafne worked under many talented Italian Chefs, who all imparted their own expertise and artistry, ultimately inspiring Dafne to lean on her creativity in the kitchen.

In 2019 Dafne became the Executive Sous Chef at Spring Place, a private membership club in the heart of Beverly Hills. After helping to organize and build the restaurant from the ground up, Chef Dafne (and the rest of the culinary world) was rocked by the arrival of the pandemic. Though not discouraged for long, Chef Dafne was able to shift and once again, re-entered the private chef world.

While working as a private Chef Dafne was able to indulge in new found creativity, playing around with the culinary arts on her social media - creating captivating stories of her pasta making endeavors. It was through this that she began to gain some notoriety, and towards the end of 2021, Dafne was invited to partake in the world renowned cooking show, Hell's Kitchen.

Jeff Hopmayer joins us in "The Office" to discuss the Brindiamo Group, the company he founded, which has played an integral part in the behind-the-scenes creation of many spirits brands you've seen emerge and grow in years past. In fact, Brindiamo Group stands out as one of the largest suppliers of bourbon, whiskey, and other bulk spirits in the world. We delve into the Brindiamo Group's exceptional position in the spirits world and the growth of sourced and independently bottled whiskey. This provides a distinct perspective on one side of the whiskey industry that is often overlooked and even mysterious. We cannot express enough gratitude to Jeff for his openness and the insight he provided during this episode. If you are seeking more information on the services the Brindiamo Group offers, you can contact them via their website: https://www.brindiamogroup.com/.

Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you're there. 

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout goes to our growing Patreon Community as well! We'd appreciate it if you can take the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.  And please check out our Patreon to learn how you can support our endeavors, earn Bourbon Lens swag, be part of future barrel picks, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected].

Check out our BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and details on our upcoming single barrel picks.

Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens

About Jeff Hopmayer, Founder:

Jeff Hopmayer has decades of progressive experience in food, wine, spirits, bulk sourcing, mergers, acquisitions, branding, marketing, turnarounds and capital sourcing. His company, Brindiamo Group, is one of the largest suppliers of bourbon, whiskey and other bulk spirits in the world.

With a dedicated team in the U.S. and the U.K., Brindiamo Group is a global leading provider of bourbon, whiskey, spirits, consulting services, mergers and acquisitions direction, for consumer products with a focus on the adult beverage industry. Brindiamo Groups partners and affiliates have owned and operated successful beverage companies, distributors and import companies (public and private) and played an instrumental role in the growth of the beverage industry.

Brindiamo Group's skilled professionals have well-established expertise, including a deep understanding of the beverage industry, including craft, spirits, wine and beer, along with the skills, experience and resources to successfully complete all types of industry transactions. Within the industry, Hopmayer has worked with and is in constant contact at the highest level with teams from LVMH, Pernod Ricard, Constellation, Bacardi, Gallo, Campari, Kendall-Jackson and many others.

He is a former CEO of the largest preferred food supplier for Starbucks with four consecutive appearances on the Inc. 500 list of the nation's fastest growing private companies. Jeff is also a former CEO of a London Stock Exchange listed adult beverage company and of one of the larger wineries on the Central Coast of California.

Jeff has participated in boards around the globe including, Stoli, Amber Beverage (Latvia), SPI Group S.a.r.L (Luxembourg), Bardstown Bourbon Company (Kentucky), MStreet (Tennessee), Tennessee Performing Arts Council, The Albert and Anne Mansfield Foundation (Illinois) and several others.

About Brindiamo Group:

Brindiamo Group is one of the largest bulk bourbon and whiskey suppliers in the world and has years of experience sourcing bulk liquor for a variety of companies in the adult beverage industry. For those in need of a more continuous stream of liquid products, we have the resources you need. Marrying the practical experience of our team of experts with our long list of reputable suppliers allows our clients to get their business to market with quality bulk supplies.

At Brindiamo Group, we take a holistic approach to helping our clients. With a goal to empower and support spirit businesses, we provide various complimentary services. Within every project we take on, our aim is to connect with our clients and facilitate relationships with our extensive list of spirit partners. Married with our beverage industry knowledge, capital and more, Brindiamo Group aims to ensure our clients achieve their goals.

Every client is different and the solutions that we create for each of them are just as distinct. Our services can include:

• Liquid Sourcing
• Strategy & Advisory
• Financial Solutions
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Marketing & Branding

Jake Lewellen, Co-Founder of Bourbon Lens, is back for Season 2 of Off Hours with Bourbon Lens. This time, he is joined by Founder of Off Hours Bourbon, Jake Ireland, to co-host 12 new episodes. In this first episode, Jake & Jake explore Off Hours Bourbon, fatherhood, work-life balance, and more. Make sure you are subscribed to the Bourbon Lens in your favorite podcast app to catch a new episode every Wednesday!

Thanks for listening to Off Hours with Bourbon Lens.
Check out new episodes of Off Hours with Bourbon Lens streaming now here.

This has been another production of Bourbon Lens LLC.  Thank you for your continued support.

Scott & Jake
Bourbon Lens

About Jake Ireland

Jake Ireland grew up in Indiana, near MGP distillery where he has ties dating back to Seagram's ownership. Jake attended Indiana University and began his career in venture capital investments. His lifelong bourbon affinity led him to his first spirits investment and bourbon brand launch in 2013 with Spirit of America. Through his network and persistent hard work, he and the team successfully grew the brand to over 20 states in three years and experienced a successful exit in 2017. Having gained a significant amount of industry expertise through the aforementioned growth and sale of Spirit of America, Jake then founded Off Hours after years of perfecting the product and launched the brand in 2020.  The brand is aimed at challenging existing stereotypes surrounding bourbon and has seen an immense amount of success since launch. It is aimed at attracting the modern bourbon drinker, with a focus on social media, successful partnerships while also being approached by multiple professional athletes and celebrities for participation. Off Hours continues to expand rapidly to new states with distribution into Liquor Barn, Total Wine, BevMo, Big Red Liquor and more. Jake currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife Lauren and two children, Evan and Ella.

About Off Hours

The young bourbon brand is made for afternoon relaxations and late night convos as it dispels the idea that you have to wear a suit to drink a glass of Bourbon or that it can only be enjoyed poured over rocks at the end of the day. The award-winning liquid is aged in American white oak barrels for over 5 years. Tasting notes include aromas of creamy vanilla, hint of nutmeg and toasted pecans, rich notes of cinnamon and a silky finish of lingering honey. 

You can find out more about Off Hours with Bourbon Lens here.

We're joined by Alex Laufer, Co-Founder and CEO of District Made Spirits in Washington D.C.  Alex and his small distillery team are focused on creating unique spirits which leverage premium and equally unique heirloom grain Mashbills.  

Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you're there. 

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout goes to our growing Patreon Community as well! We'd appreciate it if you can take the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.  And please check out our Patreon to learn how you can support our endeavors, earn Bourbon Lens swag, be part of future barrel picks, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected].

Check out our BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and details on our upcoming single barrel picks.

Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens

About Alex Laufer:

Before Alex Laufer became the Co-Founder and CEO of District Made Spirits, he worked in biotechnology for seventeen years. Alex's background in science and love of cooking with local ingredients combined to form the genesis of his passion for distilling. His fixation with good food & drink led him to explore the flavors of every region he's called home, San Francisco, New York, and now the Mid-Atlantic. Alex lives in Silver Spring, MD, with his wife, two sons, and their golden retriever Modi.

About District Made Spirits:

More than the nation's capital, Washington DC, is the spirit of a region where cultural diversity and sustainability meet forward thinkers, artists, urban warriors, and creators. Distilling with determination, District Made embodies the spirit of this legendary city, crafting adventurous rye-forward spirits true to the values and terroir of the Mid-Atlantic.

Founders Sandy Wood and Alex Laufer left their established careers to open a distillery, believing in the heirloom grains of the region, the neighborhood of Ivy City, and each other. They discovered that the risk had paid off after tasting the toasty honeyed spice box flavors in those first batches of spirits made from Abruzzi and malted rye. Today, they bring together agriculture partners, cooperages, small business owners, and community members to showcase the very best of the region.

Every bottle of whiskey, vodka, or gin we make features our signature flavor and unparalleled taste known as the Heart of Rye. Smooth enough for sipping and strong enough to hold up the most ambitious cocktails, each proud pour represents the legacy of the land in a meeting place where finding what you're made of all comes with the territory. 

District Made Spirits are distributed by Breakthru Beverage in Washington, DC, Maryland, Delaware, and Momentum in Illinois. They can be purchased online at www.districtmadespirits.com/shop.

Delicious spirits from locally-sourced heirloom grains are handcrafted in Washington, DC by the distillery District Made Spirits, formerly known as One Eight Distilling since 2015. With an updated look and new website, the portfolio includes the Core Spirits Series (vodka, gin, barrel-rested gin, bourbon, and rye) and the experimental small-batch District Made Untitled Series. 

ABOUT THE CORE SPIRITS SERIES – Rye-forward, locally-sourced grains for the signature spice box flavor profile

District Made STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY 

(94 Proof; 57% Abruzzi Rye, 14% Corn, 29% Malted Rye)
District Made Straight Rye Whiskey puts a spin on classic Maryland-style rye while honoring its agricultural history in the region. Our mash bill highlights a large portion of heirloom malted rye, bringing darker honeyed notes of toast to the flavor in our signature style. Sweet hints of rock candy, cherry cola, and spicy cinnamon balance a nuanced spirit.

District Made STRAIGHT BOURBON WHISKEY 

(95 Proof; 58% Hickory King Corn, 16% Abruzzi Rye, 8% Hard Red Winter Wheat, 12% Malted Rye, 6% Malted Barley)
District Made Straight Bourbon Whiskey, aged at least four years, showcases Hickory King Corn, grown in the hollows of Virginia since the 1880s. To create our signature style, we distill this heirloom grain in two different mashbills, one wheated and one high-rye, age them individually, then marry a few barrels together. The result is a drier, richly textured four-grain spirit proudly poured.

ANNUAL RELEASE 2023 BOTTLED IN BOND (BOURBON)
The first consumer law created was the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 to guarantee the authenticity of a whiskey with a series of requirements that included only whiskey made from one distillery in one distillation season, aged at least four years in bonded warehouses, and bottled at 100 proof. District Made Bottled in Bond Bourbon honors this designation and the region.

Our guest is Becky Harris, Co-Founder and Chief Distiller of Virginia's Catoctin Creek Distilling Co.  We discuss their unique rye whiskey portfolio, including their Roundstone Rye Whiskey lineup. 

Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you're there. 

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout goes to our growing Patreon Community as well! We'd appreciate it if you can take the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.  And please check out our Patreon to learn how you can support our endeavors, earn Bourbon Lens swag, be part of future barrel picks, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected].

Check out our BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and details on our upcoming single barrel picks.

Cheers,

Scott and Jake

Bourbon Lens

About Catoctin Creek®:

Catoctin Creek® was founded by Becky and Scott Harris in 2009 as the first legal distillery in Loudoun County since before Prohibition. We are located in Purcellville, Virginia, in the heart of the Loudoun Valley. Virginia is the birthplace of American whiskey, and at Catoctin Creek, we faithfully dedicate ourselves to that tradition, producing Virginia's most awarded whisky: Roundstone Rye!

The name "Catoctin" is a regional name. Pronounced Ka-TOCK-tin, the name derives from the Indian tribal name "Kittocton" which, legend has it, meant "place of many deer". Catoctin describes a range of mountains and the eponymous creek which flows picturesquely past the distillery and into the Potomac River and Chesapeake Watershed.

At Catoctin Creek, we believe in high quality food and spirits. We source our grain and fruit from local sources, free of pesticides and chemical additives that would come through in the spirits we produce. The results are the finest, cleanest spirits possible, with the greatest attention to detail in every single bottle we produce.

Catoctin Creek has received numerous international gold medals and has been featured in many national publications, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Wine Enthusiast, and Whisky Advocate. The Daily Beast, Forbes, and Men's Journal have highlighted the distillery as an example of great American craft distilleries making whisky from scratch.

ABOUT BECKY HARRIS, CHIEF DISTILLER

Becky graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. As a chemical engineer, she specialized in industrial processes and production systems. Becky brought this knowledge and applied it to something she loved–making the finest distilled spirits in Virginia.

All her products begin with the finest local and organic grains and fruit to create the cleanest spirit possible. At the heart of the distillery is a pair of pot stills, where Becky insists on cooking the distillate for a full nine hours, more than twice as long as most other distilleries, to create the unique and award-winning flavors in her distillate.

Becky has been featured in Food and Wine as one of "6 Women in Whiskey to Watch," and serves as President of the American Craft Spirits Association, the trade association for craft distilleries.

ABOUT SCOTT HARRIS, GENERAL MANAGER

Scott graduated with honors and two degrees from Georgia Tech. He spent the last twenty years building a software career in telecommunication systems and government IT solutions and traded it all in for the chance to own and run his own distillery. As he likes to say, "Twenty years of government contracting taught me a great love of whisky!"

In 2011, Scott was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce, and in both 2012 and 2020, Catoctin Creek Distillery was awarded Small Business of the Year.

Scott currently sits on the Craft Distiller Advisory Board for DISCUS, and is an emeritus member of the board of directors for the Virginia Distillers Association. He was also appointed to the Virginia Spirits Board by the governor of Virginia, overseeing the marketing of Virginia spirits. Scott has been a tireless advocate for craft spirits both in the Commonwealth of Virginia, nationally and internationally.

Scott and Becky are happy to be doing something together that they love: Producing the finest spirits in Virginia, completely and truly by hand. At Catoctin Creek, Virginia Rye Whisky is our passion.

Our episode today is all about our recent experience of being tourists in our own city.  Thanks to Mint Julep Experiences for the opportunity and allowing Bourbon Lens to curate a custom bourbon tour around Louisville. You'll hear about our jam-packed day which included a rare look inside Brown-Forman Cooperage, an intimate tour of the historic Stitzel-Weller property, and an insider's look at Kentucky Artisan Distillery.  If you are looking to come to Kentucky, make sure you check out Mint Julep Experiences for an extensive list of opportunities to maximize your trip.

Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you're there. 

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout goes to our growing Patreon Community as well! We'd appreciate it if you can take the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.  And please check out our Patreon to learn how you can support our endeavors, earn Bourbon Lens swag, be part of future barrel picks, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected].

Check out our BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and details on our upcoming single barrel picks.

Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens

Book your tour today by heading to https://mintjuleptours.com/. 

About Mint Julep Experiences:

From handcrafted custom tour itineraries to public tour offerings, Mint Julep Experiences is Kentucky's premier destination management company for the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®, legendary horse farms, historic Kentucky landmarks and the Commonwealth's rich culinary scene.

As one of Conde Nast Traveler's "Best Guided Drinking Tours in America," the one-of-a-kind, family-owned tour company offers transportation and event planning services for hassle-free ventures for any group size, including corporate outings and V.I.P. excursions with transportation.

Based in Louisville, the Mint Julep Experiences team of bourbon experts, veteran tour guides and city concierges do it all to help you explore the living history of Kentucky in comfort and style. Regional transportation through Louisville, Bardstown, Lexington, Northern Kentucky, Cincinnati, Nashville, Franklin and more!

Show Links:

• Mint Julep Tours
• Bourbon Tours on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® | Mint Julep Tours
• Kentucky Bourbon Trail® Itinerary
• What to Know the First Time You Hit the Ky Bourbon Trail® Post-COVID - Kentucky Distillers' Association
• A Complete Guide to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail - AFAR
• Bourbon Trail Passport & Field Guide

Our guest this week is Will Woodington with Grain & Barrel Spirits. We've followed Will for quite a while on social media (you can find him at @MashbillWill and @BondedInBottles on Instagram) and now he's the National Brand Ambassador for the portfolio of brands. We discuss the history of Chicken Cock Whiskey, their flagship portfolio, and their latest limited release, an 8 Year Double Oak Kentucky Whiskey. 

Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you're there. 

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout goes to our growing Patreon Community as well! We'd appreciate it if you can take the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.  And please check out our Patreon to learn how you can support our endeavors, earn Bourbon Lens swag, be part of future barrel picks, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected].

Check out our BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and details on our upcoming single barrel picks.

Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens

About Will's New Role with Grain & Barrel:

Grain & Barrel Spirits, which develops and scales craft spirits that connect the best artisans to consumers worldwide, has appointed Will Woodington as its first National Whiskey Brand Ambassador. A long-time resident of Metro Detroit, he will be responsible for promoting the Grain & Barrel Spirits whiskey portfolio.

Will's primary focus will be expanding the national footprint for the historic Chicken Cock Whiskey brand, which was established in 1856 and rose to fame as the house whiskey at The Cotton Club, one of Prohibition's most legendary speakeasies. He will also assist with marketing and sales related initiatives for Elvis and Virgil Kaine whiskeys.

Will brings considerable beverage alcohol experience to the new role, having most recently served as a Brand Ambassador for Bardstown Bourbon Company, where he oversaw on- and off-premise events and tastings. Over the past several years, he has built a respectable following as a whiskey enthusiast and social influencer via @bondedinbottles. He is also co-founder of and moderator for The Bourbon Alliance, a select group of whiskey enthusiasts who aim to shine a light on distilleries nationwide.

Previously, Will worked as Channel Sales Manager at Roush Performance Products for nearly 10 years.

"Will brings substantial sales and marketing experience plus a passion for whiskey to this new role," said Matti Anttila, founder of Grain & Barrel Spirits. "He will be an excellent steward for our whiskey portfolio helping to generate national awareness and buzz.  To connect with Will, please email him at will. [email protected]

About Grain & Barrel Spirits

Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Grain & Barrel Spirits develops and scales craft spirits that connect the best artisans to consumers worldwide. The company's core brands include: Chicken Cock Whiskey, an historically significant whiskey brand established in Paris, Kentucky, in 1856; Dixie Vodka, the leading premium homegrown vodka produced in the Southeast; Virgil Kaine Lowcountry Whiskey; High Goal Luxury Gin, a small batch, ultra-premium gin produced in Charleston; Elvis Whiskeys, a duo of Elvis Presley-inspired whiskeys, and; Tequila Eterno Verano, a range of ultra-premium tequilas made for adventurous souls. Grain & Barrel has been named to the prestigious Inc.5000 list of the fastest-growing privately held companies in America three years in a row. For more information, visit www.grainandbarrel.com.

We're talking with Andrew Wason, Managing Director for Brush Creek Distillery in Wyoming.  Andrew is a Kentucky native and spirits industry veteran and he was finally able to join Bourbon Lens live to discuss what is happening in Saratoga Wyoming. Brush Creek Distillery sits on property that includes 30,000 acres of farmland, a cattle ranch, and a world-class resort with luxury accommodations. Brush Creek Distillery is focused on blending spirits that it has sourced by utilizing its spirits backgrounds and industry partnerships.  They've selected hundreds of mature bourbon barrels from a handful of award-winning distilleries in Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee and continue to age them at their "Barrel Barn".

Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you're there. 

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout goes to our growing Patreon Community as well! We'd appreciate it if you can take the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

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Bourbon Lens

(Images Courtesy of Brush Creek Distillery)

About Brush Creek Distillery:

Brush Creek Distillery is located at The Farm at Brush Creek.  Brush Creek Ranch is a working cattle ranch in the North Platte River Valley of south-central Wyoming, originally settled in 1884.   Today it encompasses over 30,000 acres of rolling western wonder surrounded by breathtaking views of the Sierra Madre mountains & Medicine Bow National Forest.

We take great pride in the rich history of the land, legacy, and traditions of the early settlers.  Like them, we are committed to bold, pioneering efforts that are equally visionary and innovative. At the heart of our vision is the desire to share the inspiration of the West with others.

About Brush Creek Railroad Rye:

Brush Creek Distillery's Railroad Rye, Straight Rye Whiskey begins its journey in Chicago, Illinois. Barrels of mature whiskey are specially selected for a distinct maturation process aboard a 60-foot side-load rail cart. From this starting point, the barrels set out along the historic route of the Transcontinental Railroad — embarking on an epic expedition to the heart of the American West ending in the old railroad town of Saratoga, Wyoming. 

Spanning 1,776 miles, the Transcontinental Railway stood as a towering symbol of American ingenuity and a testament to the boundless spirit of the West. One that left a lasting mark on the western frontier and shaped the character of a nation. And an indelible reminder — over 150 years later — of what's possible when we dare to dream big. 

In honor of the landmark achievement of the railroad and its creators' legendary passage, we're celebrating their monumental journey the best way we know how: with an exceptional rye whiskey forged in their path. 

Crafted to stand up to the distinct character of the railway's visionaries and builders, this unique limited edition expression is strikingly bold at 104 proof and contains a layer of complexity, complemented by oak characteristics and nuances of candied fruit and orange zest. 

Consider this our toast to the seekers and explorers. To those driven to uncover new possibilities and author their own destiny. Always looking ahead to the next adventure. 

About Brush Creek Bourbon:

Straight Bourbon Whiskey production began at Brush Creek Distillery in 2019. While we're super excited about what's in each of the barrels resting on-site, our own bourbon won't be ready for another 4-5 years. It's a fact that great whiskey can't be rushed, it simply takes time to age and develop.

Utilizing our spirits backgrounds and great industry partnerships, we were able to select hundreds of mature bourbon barrels from a handful of award-winning distilleries in Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee. We've transferred most of these barrels to our "Barrel Barn" where they rest and continue to age. As part of our spirits program each of these barrels undergo a barrel analysis and continuous profiling. The process, while intensive, ensures quality and consistency in every barrel, bottle and glass.

Tasting Notes: Bold aromas of malt and dried cherries mingle with hints of new leather and thyme. The palate envelops a silky coating of roasted cherries and dried blueberries. Toasted Oak notes and hints of cinnamon hit throughout the palate and create a refined finish.

About Brush Creek Rye:

Brush Creek Distillery's straight rye whiskey is like our straight bourbon whiskey in the fact that we've meticulously sourced unique rye barrels from the Midwest.  We transferred these hand-selected barrels to Wyoming to further age, blend and bottle while our own rye whiskey matures on-site.  We use multiple mashbills in limited quantities to create our initial Creek Straight Rye Whiskey.  We're equally as excited about our rye as the intense weather changes in Wyoming offer an unmatched product.

Tasting Notes: Robust notes of Sassafras, nutmeg and pine dance with bright notes of blackberries, apples, cinnamon, freshly made caramel and vanilla bean. The palate encompasses flavors of rose and dried oranges dipped in milk chocolate that are silky and balanced.

Brush Creek Distillery in The Media:

• Brush Creek Distillery 
• Brush Creek Distillery appoints new head distiller - American Whiskey Magazine 
• Destination Spirits: The Distillery At Brush Creek Produces Spirits With A Distinct Connection To Its Land 
• Round Up: Brush Creek Distillery - Big Sky Journal
• Whiskey Distilleries Where You Can Spend the Night | Men's Journal
• Brush Creek Distillery Launches Line of Spirits in Kentucky
• Experience the Brush Creek Distillery