Bourbon Lens

With Christmas right around the corner, we know there will be a few bottles of whiskey under the Christmas Tree this year. If you are playing Santa for your whiskey-loving friends & family, we have some great gift bottles you should check out.   Whether it's a classic bourbon, something with some fancy packaging, or some whiskey that might be a little out of the norm, you're sure to find a bottle on our list that someone will love.   Download this episode on your favorite podcast player by clicking here. 

Show Links:

• The Best Bottles Of Bourbon Under $100 To Give As A Gift
• The 30 Best Bourbons for Every Budget (2021) | VinePair 
• The Best Expensive Bourbon Whiskeys To Give As A Gift This Year
• The Best Bourbons for Gifting, Mixing, and Straight-Up Sipping
• Holiday Gift Guide 2021: Best Whiskeys And Whiskies Made By Women

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

An American distillery with Irish heritage in its veins, O'Shaughnessy Distilling Company has engaged a modern legendary distiller of  Irish Whiskey to grow a product line which embraces the best of both whiskey worlds. Combining a classic American Rye with two Irish Whiskies, Master Distiller Brian Nation is looking to put Minnesota on the world whiskey map. The O'Shaughnessy Family convinced Brian to leave an established and world-renowned Irish distillery to perfect his own passion project.  Brian explains why he made this massive leap in his career in this episode, but in the words of Brian's mother, "What's for you, won't go by you."  We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did.  We were honored to have Brian on the Bourbon Lens podcast.  Download this episode on your favorite podcast player by clicking here. 

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

Our guest this week is David DeFazio, co-founder of Wyoming Whiskey. We discuss building a distillery on a ranch and making whiskey in Wyoming. David is a former lawyer turned whiskey maker and has a wealth of experience in working hard, solving problems, and crafting whiskey. We also want to give a huge shoutout to Bob Cutler of Novio's Bistro in Bangor Maine for connecting us with Wyoming Whiskey.  He's a long-time supporter of the show and of Wyoming Whiskey and we are so excited that we were able to collaborate for an episode.  We hope you enjoy this week's episode and if you have a chance to try Wyoming Whiskey, let us know what you think!

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

Our guests this week are the founders of Talnua Distillery in Arvada Colorado. Patrick and Meagan Miller fell in love with the traditionally Irish, Single Pot Still Whiskey on a honeymoon trip to Ireland. They aimed to recreate the style of whiskey featuring malted and unmalted barley, but with an American twist. Talnua created the first Single Pot Still distillery outside of Ireland. They wanted to bring this style of whiskey to America and imbue it with the nation's terroir while  honoring Gaelic distilling traditions, the immigrant soul, and the pioneering spirit of the American people. Enjoy this week's episode and check out this newer style of American Whiskey.

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 the Talnua Brand:

In 2017, we embarked on a mission to define a new chapter of American whiskey with the introduction of our American Single Pot Still Whiskey.

True to gaelic-style distilling practices, and unique to the new world, our spirits are produced using a mashbill of raw and malted barley and triple distilled in copper pot stills. Located on the Front Range of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, the altitude, changing seasons, crystal clear mountain water, and local barley all lend a uniquely American terroir to our spirits.

We're celebrating 150 episodes of the Bourbon Lens with some very special bourbons. We appreciate each and every one of our supporters, listeners, fans, and friends. Without you, we wouldn't have the drive to continue producing the bourbon and whiskey content that we do. Cheers to you! And here's to 150 more! 

In this episode, Jake and Scott have a blind lineup of the last 3 Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch releases.  Which will come out on top? Which year is your favorite? 

Our 3 Glasses contain:

• Red  - 2020
• Green - 2021
• Yellow - 2019 

Scott's Ranking:

1. 2019 (Yellow)
2. 2021 (Green)
3. 2020 (Red)

Jake's Ranking:

1. 2021 (Green)
2. 2019 (Yellow)
3. 2020 (Red)

2021 Image Credit - Four Roses Distillery

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

It's the whiskey brand with an Italian name and they're looking to make their mark in the world of Kentucky Bourbon. We are joined by Luca Mariano Distillery this week to talk about starting a bourbon brand, finding a home for your distillery, and growing brand awareness. Jennifer Brandt and Kenny Fuller are our guests this week as we taste through the full lineup Luca Mariano whiskey in downtown Louisville. 

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout to our 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 us, join in whiskey tastings, 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

==

In a special Veterans Day episode, we are joined by retired, Special Forces Veteran Scott Neil who is the co-founder of Horse Soldier Bourbon. Horse Soldier, was co-founded by the horse-mounted Green Berets who lead America's counter-terrorism effort in Afghanistan almost immediately following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Scott Neil has an incredible story, a warrior's mindset, and a soldier's determination with everything he does, including his current mission: growing a bourbon brand.  A huge thank you to Scott Neil, Horse Solider Bourbon, and all the United States' Veterans on this very special Veterans Day.

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

A

A grain-to-glass distillery since 2011, FEW Spirits produces craft whiskey in a tucked away alley located in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, IL.  A historical town where Prohibition lasted until 1972, Founder & Master Distiller Paul Hletko changed the future of Evanston when he opened FEW Spirits Distillery, the first (legal) alcohol-production facility of any kind to ever open 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

. 

Rob Samuels is our guest this week and we are honored to have this 8th generation of whisky-maker on our podcast.  The Samuels family has long been known for founding Maker's Mark Distillery in Loretto Kentucky. Rob is the Managing Director of Maker's Mark and is a passionate story-teller ensuring his family's history is told to the masses.  Rob knows that Maker's Mark is the result of a "purposefully inefficient handmade process" but recognizes the importance of it to his family, their legacy, and to the quality of their bourbon. After this episode, hopefully you will recognize that Maker's Mark is about so much more than the whisky.

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

* Dripping Wax Logo and Branding Courtesy of Maker's Mark

About Maker's Mark® Bourbon

In 1953, in Loretto, Ky., Bill Samuels, Sr., fulfilled his dream to create a handmade and delicious bourbon. He decided to make his whisky in small batches, using soft red winter wheat to enhance the softness and sweetness. He then rotated each barrel by hand for consistency and, finally, aged each barrel to taste. Bill Samuels, Sr., transformed bourbon from a "commodity" into a premium handmade spirit, and today Maker's Mark® continues to make its bourbon the same way. In recent years, Maker's Mark has introduced thoughtful, super-premium innovations to its portfolio, including Maker's Mark 46®, Maker's Mark® Cask Strength and Maker's Mark® Private Selection, the brand's first-ever custom barrel program. For more information, visit www.makersmark.com.

We are joined by Alastair Brogan, Founder and Owner, and Ryan Negley, Lead Ambassador and Whiskey Fellow for Boulder Spirits by Vapor Distillery. We learn about the Scottish influence that Alastair brought to Colorado and American Single Malt while still finding a unique niche in the American Whiskey Category, including their high-malt bourbons. Boulder Spirits features the largest pot still in the state of Colorado which adds an impressive layer of complexity to their whiskies as does their usage of new charred oak casks for their American Single Malts.  We had the opportunity to taste through several of their high-malt bourbons and American Single Malts and a few of their forthcoming 5 year old releases.  

Be sure to check out the new Adventure Kits by Boulder Spirits to get an amazing selection of high-malt bourbons and American Single Malts. This is the best way we've seen to experience all that a brand has to offer; each kit features 6 different whiskies.  Each kit will provide you with a link to a thorough, half hour long guided tasting with Alastair and Ryan.  You are sure to find several whiskies to add to your bar.  You can learn more here: https://boulder-spirits.com/products-adventure-kit. 

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