Bourbon Lens

Jack Daniel's just launched two new bottled in bond whiskies and Bourbon Lens is among the first to try them.  Among the two new releases, a Bonded Tennessee Whiskey and a Triple Mash Blended Straight Whiskey.  One of the most recognizable, traditional American Whiskey distilleries has really stepped up their whiskey releases beyond Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey and we discuss how these new Bottled in Bond offerings fit into their portfolio. Interestingly, this may be the first time that the Kentucky boys have discussed Jack Daniel's on the Bourbon Lens.  Were the guys impressed with the new whiskies?  Tune in to find out.

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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].

Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts, or even purchase your own Bourbon Lens tasting glass or t-shirt.

Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens

About the Product Launch & Full Press Release

Jack Daniel's Launches First Super Premium Line Extension in 25 Years, Jack Daniel's Bonded and Jack Daniel's Triple Mash.  Jack Daniel's two new Bottled-In-Bond whiskeys premiere as first two permanent expressions in the brand's new Bonded Series

Lynchburg, Tennessee (May 3, 2022) – The Jack Daniel Distillery introduces Jack Daniel's Bonded Tennessee Whiskey and Jack Daniel's Triple Mash Blended Straight Whiskey as the first two permanent expressions in the brand's new Bonded Series. The Bonded Series honors the whiskey making excellence of the iconic Jack Daniel Distillery and will be a permanent extension in the Jack Daniel's Family of Brands.

Both Jack Daniel's Bonded and Triple Mash are Bottled-in-Bond at 100 proof (50% abv), with packaging inspired by the original design of the 1895 Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey bottle. As stipulated by the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, a bonded whiskey must be distilled by a single distiller during a single season, matured in a government bonded warehouse for at least four years and bottled at 100 proof.

"The Jack Daniel Distillery has been making exceptional American whiskey to the highest standards for generations, before and after the Bottled in Bond Act, dating back to the days of Mr. Jack himself," said Chris Fletcher, Jack Daniel's Master Distiller. "Jack Daniel's Bonded and Triple Mash are a nod to our heritage with a touch of innovation and craftsmanship. These whiskeys are another opportunity for both our friends and new drinkers to explore and discover everything Jack Daniel's has to offer."

Jack Daniel's Bonded Tennessee Whiskey

Jack Daniel's Bonded is Jack's time-honored recipe of 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye. Barrels were hand selected for their unique and particular characteristics of deeper color, flavor, and aroma, which bring a darker, richer, and more oak-forward character to Jack Daniel's Bonded. It is a big, bold Tennessee Whiskey at 100 proof with layered notes of caramel, rich oak, and spice giving way to a pleasantly lingering finish.

Jack Daniel's Triple Mash Blended Straight Whiskey

Jack Daniel's Triple Mash is a blend of three straight Bottled-In-Bond whiskeys – 60% Jack Daniel's Tennessee Rye, 20% Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey and 20% Jack Daniel's American Malt. Each expression is distilled in Lynchburg, Tennessee, in the same distilling season, aged to the stipulations of the Bottled in Bond Act, then blended and bottled at 100 proof. It's a remarkable whiskey that can only be crafted by a complete distillery like Jack Daniel's. Jack Daniel's Triple Mash has pleasant notes of honey, malt, and soft oak leading to a long lasting well-rounded finish.

Jack Daniel's Bonded and Triple Mash will be available across the US beginning in May with international markets to follow later in 2022. It will initially be available in 700mL bottles for suggested retail prices of $29.99 and $32.99 respectively. They will be available for pre-sale through ReserveBar beginning May 3, 2022 including a limited edition Jack Daniel's gift item while supplies last.

About Jack Daniel's

Officially registered by the U.S. Government in 1866 and based in Lynchburg, Tenn., the Jack Daniel Distillery is the first registered distillery in the United States and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Jack Daniel's is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Double Mellowed Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Apple, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Rye, Jack Daniel's Sinatra Select and Jack Daniel's Country Cocktails. Today, Jack Daniel's is a true global icon found in more than 170 countries around the world and is the most valuable spirits brand in the world as recognized by Interbrand.

Show Links:

• Jack Daniel Distillery 
• Bourbon Lens
• Use Code BOURBONLENS to save 20% and get Free Shipping (Sponsored Link)
• Jack Daniel's Is Debuting the Bonded Series, Starting With Two Releases | VinePair

They're taking the bourbon craze into the world of crypto, blockchain, and NFT. Party Horses joins Bourbon Lens to demystify the NFT (non-fungible token) and discuss how the bourbon community can embrace the blockchain to gain exclusive access to rare bottles and once in a lifetime events.  Party Horses co-founder Chris Wiedmar is our guest for this week's episode.  Party Horses is a collection of 3.2k NFTs on the Ethereum Mainnet. Their vision is to create a future where NFTs create access and special experiences in perpetuity, backed by great art and community. NFTs in this project are produced as generative artwork that lives on a blockchain. Using an Ethereum smart contract that is created through computer code, algorithms uniquely assign traits to each piece of art during a process called "minting." The Party Horses NFT is an evolving NFT that will generate real-world benefits, from bottles of rare bourbon to exclusive event access.

Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, the horse racing capital of the world, the Party Horses team came together around very simple goals: "Use Web3 for good, have fun, create beauty, destabilize the disappointing, and collaborate with others to build amazing things."  Their highly-anticipated Season One drop included tickets to a Derby weekend party on May 6th, in Louisville. Party Horses is committed to providing every NFT holder (ages 21+) with the ability to secure a bottle of bourbon through Maker's Mark - their whiskey partner. Learn about their roadmap further on their website here.

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 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].

Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts, or even purchase your own Bourbon Lens tasting glass or t-shirt.

Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens

Images and Logo Credit to: PARTY HORSES

Show Links:

• PARTY HORSES 
• Party Horses Is Bringing Limited-Edition Bourbon And Access To Derby Weekend Through NFTs - BevNET.com
• Party Horses to celebrate Kentucky Derby | Food Engineering 
• Inside Party Horses' $1.3M mint — and what comes next
• PARTY HORSES: AND WE ARE OFF TO THE RACES
• Nonfungible.com - Bourbon + Racing + NFTs = Party Horses!
• Maker's Mark's NFT Bottle Collab: Everything You Need To Know
• How Bored Ape Yacht Club NFTs Became $400K Status Symbols 

The Bourbon Lens is traveling to some Louisville hotspots over the next few months and we are stopping in one of the newest spots in NuLu (New Louisville). This week we are at The Local Seltzery as we gear up for Derby Week. This Seltzery is a high tech mixology bar which leverages unique natural flavors with booze and carbonated water to craft hard seltzers.  And, just in time for Derby, they've added a Bourbon Mint Julep Seltzer to their lineup.  We sit down with The Local Seltzery's General Manager Tyler Sparkman as we discuss the concept of a Seltzery, the changing landscape of the booze business, and how a Seltzery is positioning itself in the heart of Bourbon Country.  

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 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].

Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts, or even purchase your own Bourbon Lens tasting glass or t-shirt.

Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens

Show Links:

• The local Seltzery
• These Kentucky brothers are looking to 'redefine what a seltzer can be' with NuLu store
• @thelocalseltzery • Instagram photos and videos
• The local Seltzery on Facebook 
• Untangling the Complex History of One of America's Most Popular Cocktails—The Mint Julep
• Exactly what is a Seltzery? - Hard Seltzer News
• Every Drink Is Seltzer Now
• The Complete Hard Seltzer Guide
• North America $14.23 Bn Hard Seltzer Markets, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2017-2021 & 2022-2027

"IT'S (BOURBON) TIME!" with Bruce Buffer and Umberto Luchini as we talk about their brand Puncher's Chance Bourbon and its two current offerings.  If you don't know Bruce Buffer, you likely know his voice and his iconic trademarked introduction; "IT'S TIME!"®. He's the official Voice of the Octagon for the UFC and he is putting his name and reputation behind this bourbon brand that he loves so much.  We are also joined by the brand's founder, Umberto Luchini.  He's an Italian with tons of experience in the international spirits world as well as Kentucky Bourbon; he previously helped grow the Campari Group portfolio, which also included Wild Turkey.  Don't miss this episode and get hyped to grab a bottle of this Kentucky Straight Bourbon when you see it on shelves or online.

Download or 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 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].

Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts, or even purchase your own Bourbon Lens tasting glass or t-shirt.

Cheers,
Scott & Jake
Bourbon Lens

About Bruce Buffer: "The Voice of Mixed Martial Arts"

Bruce Buffer, an entrepreneur, announcer, entertainer, and motivational speaker who excites the public about products and events he represents, is perhaps best known for introducing events worldwide with his internationally trademarked phrase, IT'S TIME!®

Most will recognize Bruce as the official "Voice of the Octagon" for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) since 1997. He currently appears on all ESPN -televised UFC events and Pay Per Views. Bruce also appears and announces for many other sporting events such as the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, various collegiate sporting events such as the University Of Kentucky's March Madness event, as well as Fantasy and Esports events.  On the virtual side, Bruce is a feature character in nine UFC video games released since 2014 (ex., CRAVE, THQ, UFC) and is the model and voice for the boxing character Tony T. in the Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Round 2 video game by Midway.

Among numerous TV and movie appearances, Bruce has appeared with Robin Williams and Billy Crystal on "Friends"; on HBO's "Entourage"; alongside Antonio Banderas in the motion picture "Play it to the Bone," and Will Ferrell in the comedy "Holmes & Watson"; as well as performed voice over work for Clint Eastwood's 2004 Best Picture Oscar award winner "Million Dollar Baby." A ranked professional poker player, Bruce has been seen on NBC's Poker After Dark, the Travel Channel's popular "World Poker Tour TV Show," and co-stars in the critically acclaimed instructional poker DVD "All In" along with poker pro Phil Gordon.

Bruce manages his entrepreneurial ventures through Buffer Enterprises, Inc., as well as guides and manages the career of his brother Michael Buffer, including the creation, design, and management of all product and promotional licensing surrounding Michael Buffer's world famous LET'S GET READY TO RUMBLE® trademark phrase, which has grown into a major international enterprise, approaching $500,000,000 in retail sales worldwide.

Bruce's latest project is Puncher's Chance™ pure Kentucky Straight Bourbon, inspired by two great American traditions: whiskey, and fighting for what we believe in. Bruce explains: "A puncher's chance means that anyone has the potential to succeed, whatever the odds, if he or she works for it. Being the underdog is often the greatest strength. Puncher's Chance is the bourbon for everyone who believes and lives that credo."

About Umberto Luchini

Founder & Proprietor, Wolf Spirit

Umberto Luchini (pronounced: oom-BEAR-toe loo-KEE-nee) is the founder and proprietor of Wolf Spirit, a different kind of spirits company started in a former Eugene, Oregon laundromat (Nanny's Wash & Dry, in fact). Wolf Spirit brands include Puncher's Chance Bourbon, Blood x Sweat x Tears Vodka, Bosscal Mezcal and Tom of Finland Organic Vodka from Finland.

Umberto was born in Milan, Italy into a small, tightly-knit family. He attended school in London, worked in France, became jobless after 9/11, and took a low-paying job with a great brand: Campari (Monaco). Umberto rose through the marketing ranks, ultimately moving to San Francisco in 2004, where he resides today as an American citizen.

Umberto worked with Campari America for 17 years, during which time he formed an award-winning team of 30 marketers and developed well-known marketing programs for globally recognized brands. Umberto led the team behind the reimagining of Wild Turkey, following the purchase of the brand by Campari Group from Pernod Ricard in 2009. He also took an unknown tequila brand named Espolòn and turned it into "the Tito's of Tequila," selling more than 400K 9L cases. In 2017, Umberto left Campari with multiple business models and dreams of becoming an entrepreneur; that same year Wolf Spirit was founded.

Umberto is happier than ever and working harder than ever to grow his own brand, as he did for so many others. In his spare time, he enjoys ultra-endurance sports and traveling.

About Puncher's Chance Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Eugene, Oregon-based Wolf Spirit released its first foray into fine whiskey with the release of Puncher's Chance® Kentucky Straight Bourbon in Fall 2020. Crafted through a partnership with IJW Whiskey Company of Louisville, Kentucky, Puncher's Chance is now available at fine spirits retailers and online at $34.99 SRP for a 750 ml. Inspired by two great American traditions – whiskey and fighting for what you believe in – Puncher's Chance was created for the whiskey curious who appreciate an approachable knockout bourbon with finesse.

Puncher's Chance Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a five- and six-year-old blend of fine whiskies, crafted from a 75 percent corn, 13 percent rye and 12 percent barley mash bill and proprietary yeast. The liquid coming off the all-copper column still is aged in American white oak barrels with a #4 alligator char in traditional wood rickhouses. Clocking in at 90 proof, the final whiskey strikes the nose with aromas of apricot and maple oatmeal.

"Our goal with Puncher's Chance is to create perfectly balanced whiskies," says Umberto Luchini, Founder of Wolf Spirit. "This means the flavors and aromas that comprise a memorable whiskey, such as sweet, spicy, fruity, floral or savory, sing in resolute harmony, with none outshining another. Puncher's Chance will explore how that is achieved as we release new expressions in the future, including extra aged/barrel finished and single barrel offerings in 2022."

On the palate, this new-to-market American Whiskey entry leads with caramel, spicy, slightly sweet, and creamy vanilla notes. On the back end, the bourbon shows complex oaky sweetness alongside orange, dark chocolate, leather, and baking spices. The finish is long with sweet maple and sugar notes.

The brand name "Puncher's Chance" is a boxing reference, denoting that almost anyone can deliver a knockout punch, no matter what the odds... particularly if that punch is delivered with perfect balance.

Puncher's Chance comes housed in a jet-black, screen-printed bottle with a gentle fade at the bottom to reveal the amber liquid within. The brand's tiger mascot, a common symbol in boxing and MMA fighting, prowls the label. Bruce Buffer (IG: @BruceBufferUFC), the "Voice of Mixed Martial Arts," serves as a partner in Puncher's Chance – introducing his more than one million fans to this fine whiskey.

Exceptional as a sipper, Puncher's Chance also brings perfect balance to a well-crafted Manhattan, Old Fashioned or Boulevardier.

The brand may be purchased in California, Florida, Kentucky, Colorado, Oklahoma and New Mexico (Southern Glazer's); New York, Tennessee and Georgia (Empire); Massachusetts and Rhode Island (Atlantic Beverage); Missouri (Major Brands); Connecticut (Murphy); and Wisconsin (Badger/Frank), and through the Puncher's Chance website.

Find Puncher's Chance online at www.puncherschancebourbon.com and on social media Instagram and Facebook @puncherschancebourbon.

About Puncher's Chance The D12tance

Finished in California Cabernet Sauvignon Barrels in January 2022.  The D12TANCE is a Straight Tennessee Bourbon. Aged for 12 years in traditional stone and wood rickhouses and finished in California Cabernet Sauvignon barrels, The D12TANCE is now available at fine spirits retailers at $120 SRP for a 750 ml.

Just 70 barrels of The D12TANCE, sourced from the IJW Whiskey Company in Louisville, Kentucky, were born from a mash bill of 84 percent corn, eight percent malt, eight percent rye and a proprietary yeast strain. With a complex aroma of vanilla, dark cherry fruit and toasted oak, this Tennessee Bourbon yields incredible flavor. At a respectable 96 proof, the warm hint of caramel and vanilla hits the palate first. As the proof gently fades, the tongue picks up a long, fruity finish reminiscent of the French Oak wine barrels in which the liquid rested for two months.

The D12TANCE is the second release from Puncher's Chance – a new American Whiskey entry from Wolf Spirit, out of Eugene, Oregon, and comes on the heels of the fall 2020 release of the company's foray into aged dark spirits with the release of Puncher's Chance Kentucky Straight Bourbon. The brand name of Puncher's Chance itself is a boxing reference, denoting that almost anyone is possible of a knockout punch, no matter what the odds. Naming our latest aged spirit entry The D12TANCE is a double entendre – referring both to the age of the liquid and the 12 official rounds in a formal boxing match.

Says Umberto Luchini, Founder of Wolf Spirit, "As a relative newcomer to the whiskey category, Wolf Spirit knew the liquid for Puncher's Chance The D12TANCE needed to pack a punch (pun intended) if we wanted to make our mark, which is why we partnered with the talented team at IJW."

"With The D12TANCE, we are finishing a 12-year-old Bourbon in wine casks, which is quite unique, as you usually see much younger whiskies receiving this treatment. This was critical to us because we didn't want the fine Bourbon overpowered by the wine barrel finishing. Our goal was to use the finishing to coax more of the existing characteristics out of the whiskey," Luchini continues.

The D12TANCE comes housed in the traditional Puncher's Chance jet-black bottle with a gentle fade at the bottom to reveal the amber liquid within. The Puncher's Chance tiger, a common symbol in boxing and MMA fighting, again graces the label, but this time in striking gold leaf making it easily identifiable on the backbar.

The D12TANCE is best served neat or on the rocks to truly experience the subtle effects the finishing has on this perfectly-balanced and nuanced liquid.

With only 2,000 cases produced for the U.S. market, The D12TANCE may be purchased in California, Florida, Kentucky, Colorado, Oklahoma and New Mexico (Southern Glazer's); New York, Tennessee and Georgia (Empire); Massachusetts and Rhode Island (Atlantic Beverage); Missouri (Major Brands); Connecticut (Murphy); and Wisconsin (Badger/Frank).

About Wolf Spirit

Perhaps the only liquor company in the world founded in an old laundromat (Nanny's Wash & Dry, to be exact), Wolf Spirit is a true Eugene, Oregon original, producing fine, handcrafted products that capture the pioneering spirit of the American northwest. Founded by Campari Group veteran Umberto Luchini and helmed by longtime spirits industry expert Bradd Levitan, Wolf Spirit embodies the traits of its namesake. Guided by instinct and fueled by a hunger for brands with authentic stories, Wolf Spirit is building a pack of unique products with courageously bold identities that come together with purpose. Our premium brands include Puncher's Chance® Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Tom of Finland® Organic Vodka, Blood x Sweat x Tears® Vodka and Bosscal Mezcal. Launched in 2017, Wolf Spirit's products are now available in more than 35 states across the US with a keen focus on national and regional on- and off-premise chains. Find out more at https://wolfspiritdistillery.com/.

Show Links:

• Puncher's Chance Bourbon
• WolfSpiritDistillery.com
• Puncher's Chance™ Kentucky Straight Bourbon - Wolf Spirit Distillery 
• Puncher's Chance Bourbon®️ (@puncherschancebourbon) • Instagram photos and videos
• Bruce Buffer
• Here's the origin story of Bruce Buffer's iconic UFC 'It's time!' catchphrase 
• Facebook Video on Bruce Buffer
• @brucebufferufc • Instagram photos and videos
• Puncher's Chance™ Kentucky Straight Bourbon: A Pandemic Success Story

We are on location at the Michter's Distillery in Shively (Louisville) Kentucky for this episode.  We sit down with Dan McKee and Andrea Wilson and share an incredible rye whiskey flight as we discuss the brand, its origin, and its growth into the future.  We discuss Dan's role as Master Distiller and Andrea's as Master of Maturation as we enjoy this flight of a single barrel Rye, a 10 Year Rye, Barrel Strength Rye, and Toasted Barrel Strength Rye Whiskey.

Download 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 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].

Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts, or even purchase your own Bourbon Lens tasting glass or t-shirt.

Cheers,
Scott, Jake, & Michael
Bourbon Lens

About Dan McKee:

Born and bred in Indiana, Michter's Master Distiller Dan McKee moved to Kentucky to pursue his dream of making whiskey. He began his career in the bourbon industry as a Distillery Operator at Jim Beam Distillery in Clermont, Kentucky. After two years of hands-on experience making some of the industry's leading bourbons and ryes, he was promoted to Distillery Supervisor at Booker Noe Distillery, where he worked for seven years. At that distillery, Dan reported to Pam Heilmann and gained valuable experience in all aspects of whiskey distilling. After being brought to Michter's Distillery by Ms. Heilmann, he played an integral role in assisting with the construction of the company's new Shively Distillery, and along with Ms. Heilmann and Andrea Wilson he built the company's current production team. Dan has continued to expand the company's operations with his work to bring Michter's Fort Nelson distillery online with its legendary pot stills and cypress wood fermenters from the original Michter's Pennsylvania operation. With his expertise in grain, Dan has played a key role in working with our local farmers to coordinate the planting schedules on Michter's 205-acre parcel in Springfield, Kentucky. Having graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University, Dan serves as Michter's technical representative on the Kentucky Distillers' Association.

About Andrea Wilson:

Andrea is Michter's Master of Maturation as well as its Executive Vice President - General Manager. As Michter's Master of Maturation, Andrea manages barrel specifications, barrel procurement, heat cycling and temperature monitoring during aging, tracking maturation of barrels, whiskey filtration in preparation for bottling, and innovation to continue to improve the aging process. Becoming the first woman to ever serve as Chair of the Kentucky Distillers' Association is among the many honors achieved by Andrea during her illustrious career. Andrea is admired for her accomplishments in the whiskey industry and has been involved in all aspects of making Michter's whiskeys. Before joining Michter's, Andrea spent over ten years with Diageo in various whiskey related positions including Director of Distillation and Maturation, North America - overseeing both the U.S. and Canadian distillation and maturation programs. Prior to her departure from Diageo she was the company's Director of Whiskey Strategy for North American operations. She holds a Master of Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Louisville, and she has been highlighted in the KET television documentary, Kentucky Bourbon Tales: Distilling the Family Business.

About Michter's Process:

Cooperage
We Pay Careful Attention to the Wood Used in the Construction of Our Barrels.  We are specifying wood that has been thoroughly and properly dried, sometimes for as long as 18-48 months, in order to enhance the natural properties of the wood which allow for better flavor and to reduce the levels of tannin imparted to the whiskey.

Toasting & Charring
The Barrels Made to Our Specifications Are Toasted Before Charring.  Toasting a barrel before charring helps to make the wood's sugars more accessible. These sugars caramelize and concentrate to form the "red line" in the barrel stave cross-sections due to the heat, ultimately adding more flavor and color to the whiskey as it seeps through the char to the caramel red line.

Low Entry Proof
We Enter Our Rye and Bourbon Into Barrels at 103 Proof (51.5% ABV). Although the typical industry entry proof is 125 proof, we believe that the lower 103 proof (51.5% ABV) level – which was historically regarded as the gold standard in Kentucky – allows for the concentrated sugars in the toasted and charred wood to dissolve more readily into the distillate as it cycles in and out of the barrel. Even though the lower entry proof yields fewer bottles per barrel, we believe that the smooth flavor and richer mouthfeel makes it worth it.

Heat Cycling
We Heat Cycle Our Barrels During Their Aging.  The more often whiskey expands and contracts ("cycles") soaking in and then out of the wood of the barrel, the more flavor it absorbs from the sugars in the caramelized red line of the wood. Heat cycling is an uncommon practice used to raise and lower the temperatures in the barrel warehouses to induce extra cycles within a given year. This practice is extremely costly because heat cycling significantly increases the "Angel Share" evaporation during aging, but in most cases enhances the flavor of the whiskey.

Chill Filter
At our distillery, we chill filter all of our whiskeys instead of using carbon filtration that can strip out flavor and aroma. Moreover, rather than use the one size fits all approach of many distillers, we use the different filtration mediums and techniques best suited to each of our individual whiskey offerings – despite it being time consuming and costly – to highlight each expression's best qualities.

Show Links:

• Michter's Distillery 
• Michter's American Whiskeys 
• Andrea Wilson Featured in Gear Patrol's 20 Women Who Are Making Waves in Whiskey 
• All 17 Bottles Of Michter's Whiskey -- Tested, Reviewed, And Ranked 
• 13 Things You Should Know About Michter's | VinePair 
• Michter's – Kentucky Bourbon Trail 
• After 10,000 Years, Rye Is Having Its Moment - The Whiskey Wash
• Michter's 10 Year Bourbon Release Held Back Until 2023
• American whiskey distiller breaks down major supply disruptions amid Russia-Ukraine war 
• Small Business Big Mission: Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery - Louisville Business First

In conjunction with the release of this podcast, we are launching our very first Single Barrel of Frey Ranch Distillery's Four Grain Bourbon. This is a 5 year, 4 grain, 129.36 proof, grain-to-glass Nevada Bourbon that was hand selected with the Bourbon Lens team and the owners, Colby and Ashley Frey.  It is available now through our online retailer, SharedPour.com, and shipping to nearly 40 states.  

The guys are joined by Colby and Ashley Frey to discuss this single barrel pick, to catch up on the distillery since our last episode (way back in April 2020; Episode 66), and to talk about what's coming next from the Freys. Don't miss your shot at trying Frey Ranch Distillery, as they are currently only available in Nevada and California retailers and online. Also, for every bottle sold, Bourbon Lens will be donating $2 to Frey Ranch's Women + Whiskey Campaign supporting Pinocchio's Moms on the Run – an organization that provides financial and emotional support for women battling breast cancer.  Buy now!

Show Notes:

• Purchase this Limited, Single Barrel Frey Ranch Bourbon selected by Bourbon Lens team here.
• Frey Ranch 
• 66: Whiskey Farmer - Ground to Glass Bourbon 
• Frey Ranch Donates $10,000 to Moms on the Run - Bourbon Lens 
• SharedPour.com 
• Frey Ranch Farmers + Distillers 

We are venturing away from American Whiskey in an effort to expand our palates and appreciation for single malt whisky. Brandon from @TheDailyDram on Instagram stops in with a flight of Japanese Whiskies, including some of his favorites, Hakushu 12 Year and Yamasaki 18 Year. Brandon teaches us a little about the history of whisky in Japan as well as the terroir and regional styles of Japanese Whisky. Have you tried Japanese Whisky before? Be sure to let us know your favorites and thoughts about this type of world whisky.  

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 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].

Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts, or even purchase your own Bourbon Lens tasting glass or t-shirt.

Cheers,
Scott & Jake
Bourbon Lens

Our guest this week is Herman C. Mihalich, Founder and Distiller of  Dad's Hat Rye Whiskey at Mountain Laurel Spirits, LLC in Pennsylvania. Find out what makes Pennsylvania Rye different and how Pennsylvania contributed to the birth and rise of the earliest American Whiskies. 

Download 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 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].

Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts, or even purchase your own Bourbon Lens tasting glass or t-shirt.

Cheers,
Scott, Jake, & Michael
Bourbon Lens

We're celebrating St. Patrick's Day and Irish Whiskey all week and we are kicking it off with J.J. Corry Irish Whiskey. We are joined by Louise McGuane, Founder and Whiskey Bonder of J.J. Corry. You'll learn a little history of Irish Whiskey, Louise's efforts to revive the practice of Whiskey Bonding, and J.J. Corry's extensive whiskey and barrel inventory for future releases.  And, as a bonus for our Kentucky Bourbon fans, we taste through the latest release from Kentucky Owl. Kentucky Owl and Louise teamed up to blend a unique Kentucky Bourbon for their St. Patrick's Limited Edition. 

Download 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 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].

Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts, or even purchase your own Bourbon Lens tasting glass or t-shirt.

Cheers,
Scott, Jake, & Michael
Bourbon Lens

The American Whiskey Ambassador for the James B. Beam Distilling Company joins Bourbon Lens today to talk about all things Beam and we enjoy some pours of Legent Bourbon with Beth Burrows. We discuss the origin story of this unique finished Kentucky Bourbon which we've not tasted since way back in episode 11 of the Bourbon Lens.  It's been a while since that episode and we were excited to be re-introduced to Legent which may have been slightly ahead of its time nearly 3 years ago.  

Download 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 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, gain early and exclusive access to our barrel picks, 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].

Visit our website BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts, or even purchase your own Bourbon Lens tasting glass or t-shirt.

Cheers,
Scott, Jake, & Michael
Bourbon Lens