Bourbon Lens

Taking a break from the metal and rock music at Louisville's Louder Than Life music festival, Rob Dietrich joins the Bourbon Lens to talk whiskey.  Rob Dietrich is Master Distiller for Blackened American Whiskey and has taken over their reins from the late Dave Pickerell. Rob is a talented distiller (formerly of Colorado's Stranahan's) and even has a history of working in the music industry, so landing with Metallica's Blackened brand is a natural fit for him. You'll hear a lot about Rob's philosophy of whiskey, his love for music, and his passion for this brand as they head international.  

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 Blackened Whiskey:

BLACKENED was created in 2018 by Metallica and late Master Distiller Dave Pickerell. It features a blend of the finest North American bourbons and ryes that were hand-selected by Dave and finished in black brandy casks. During finishing, the whiskey undergoes the BLACK NOISE sonic-enhancement where the low frequencies of Metallica's music pummel the finishing barrel, visibly shaking it, causing greater interaction between the whiskey and the wood, thereby extracting more flavor and color. The playlist for the batches are traditionally selected by the members of Metallica and can be found on the website at https://blackenedwhiskey.com/batch-playlists/ 

The brand recently unveiled its new "Masters of Whiskey Series," which partners Rob Dietrich with other renowned master distillers to reimagine craft whiskey. The series debuted with the BLACKENED x Willett Kentucky Straight Rye Finished in Madeira Casks created in collaboration with Drew Kulsveen and Willett Distillery. It's crafted from a base of low rye and high rye recipes hand-selected by Rob and Drew from the Willett Family Estate Reserve Selection. The whiskies are married in Madeira Casks where they undergo the BLACK NOISE sonic-enhancement process using a playlist selected by both Master Distillers. It's bottled at cask strength at 109.6 proof.

Bottle Stock Image Credit: Blackened American Whiskey

We are joined by Widow Jane Distillery President and Head Distiller & Blender, Lisa Wicker. Her fingerprints have been left in many distilleries over the years and she's landed in her new home away from Kentucky, Widow Jane Distillery in Red Hook, Brooklyn, NY. We discuss two different bourbons with Lisa Wicker, including Widow Jane 10 Year (5 barrels, 6+ years, small batch, 91 proof) and Lucky Thirteen Bourbon (small batch, less than 10 barrels, 93 proof). You'll hear about Lisa's time in the wine industry and how she's made her mark in the bourbon world as well.

About Widow Jane Distillery

Widow Jane is an award-winning artisanal distillery located in the New York City neighborhood of Red Hook, Brooklyn. The company is named in homage to one the legendary mines of Rosendale in Upstate New York, from which the brand sources its proofing water. Before becoming a natural reserve of extraordinary mineral water, the mines produced the natural cement used to construct some of the most iconic American landmarks, such as the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building, among others. The pure, limestone-filtered water from the mine, plus one of the country's largest holdings of long-aged Bourbons, and a refusal to compromise the product with chill-filtration, are just three elements that make Widow Jane a stand-out whiskey company.

The facility in Red Hook includes warehousing, aging, barreling, blending and bottling. For more information, visit www.widowjane.com or find Widow Jane on Instagram @widow_jane

Texas Whiskey is a growing category looking to make its mark in the world of American Whiskey and Kentucky Bourbon. We're joined by Nico Martini, who just published his book Texas Whiskey, an ever-evolving chronicle and guidebook of the "history" and people of Texas Whiskey. Nico is also co-founder of Grayson Whiskey, author of Texas Cocktails, and a lover of all things Texas. Grayson Whiskey is a blend of Texas bourbon and wheat whiskies and just hit the shelves only a few months ago after a successful launch.

In this episode, we taste Grayson Texas Blended Bourbon Batch 1, which is coming in at 3 years old and 119.4 proof. Batch 1 contains whiskey from Ironroot Republic Distilling, Balcones Distilling, and Five Points Distilling, the makers of Lone Elm Whiskey.  As you'll hear in the episode, after selling out Batch 1, Grayson will release Batch 1B in October 2020.  Batch 1B will contain the same distilleries and same percentage blend as the original batch, but some variation is expected.  On March 2, 2022, Grayson will release Batch 2, featuring 4 distilleries; with the addition of Still Austin.

A huge thank you to Nico Martini for the opportunity to try the whiskey, check out his book, and to Cider Mill Press for the review copy of the book.

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 are joined by Tim Heuisler, American Whiskey Ambassador for Beam Suntory, to discuss the Jim Beam Small Batch Collection of Whiskey.  We taste through the lineup of Basil Hayden and talk about all things Beam. A big thanks to Beam Suntory for allowing us to try the lineup.

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 Basil Hayden®

Crafted in 1992 by Booker Noe as part of the Small Batch collection, Basil Hayden introduced a more subtle side of bourbon compared to its counterparts. Inspired by bourbons with high-rye mash bills, Booker set out to create a bourbon that would offer an approachable taste profile and defy preconceived bourbon perceptions.  Basil Hayden Bourbon welcomes new drinkers into whiskey and showcases new occasions to drink it. Beyond its flagship Basil Hayden Bourbon, the brand has pushed the boundaries of innovation in recent years. These intriguing offerings have included expressions such as Basil Hayden Dark Rye, Basil Hayden 10 Year, the limited time release of Basil Hayden 10 Year Rye Whiskey and Basil Hayden Toast. 

Jake and Scott sit back down in the Office and blind taste two 10 year old Kentucky Bourbons. This week, we've cracked open a bottle of Russell's Reserve 10 Year from Wild Turkey and Eagle Rare from Buffalo Trace Distillery.  How do they match up?  Are these great value bourbons for their age?  We discuss this and more on this week's episode.  What is your favorite 10 year age-stated bourbon?

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

Show Links:

• Wild Turkey's Best Bourbon Isn't Wild Turkey. Allow Me to Explain
• Russell's Reserve 10-Year Bourbon (2020) – Rare Bird 101
• Eagle Rare Bourbon: Where to Buy It, What It Is and Why It's So Popular
• Eaglerare.com | Eagle Rare

Jackie Zykan, Master Taster for Old Forester, is back on the Bourbon Lens Podcast.  This time, we talk about the unique, new offering from her 117 Series; Warehouse K Barrels.  We discuss the various warehouses of Old Forester and what makes some of them unique and different; including the spiders of Warehouse K.  A true bourbon nerd is going to love the insight Jackie provides in this episode.  We discuss the construction of various warehouses, heat cycling warehouses, finding the perfect balance of proof and flavor, and more.  Enjoy this episode and be sure to let us know what your favorite Old Forester Whisky is!

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

Press Release: Old Forester's The 117 Series: Warehouse K Barrels Batch  

Louisville, Ky. (August 11, 2021) – Today, Old Forester Distilling Co. announces the release of the second expression in the 117 Series -- a blend of barrels from historic Warehouse K.   

The 117 Series is a limited-expression lineup created in Spring 2021, directed by the unique palate of Old Forester Master Taster Jackie Zykan. 

117 Series: Warehouse K features a blend of barrels aged on different floors from a warehouse known to produce exceptional liquid. Constructed in 1953, Warehouse K uses the time-honored tradition of heat-cycling and has long been one of Old Forester's favorite places for Single Barrel expressions. 

"Warehouse K has gained a cult following among bourbon connoisseurs," Zykan said. "This blend is a representation across multiple floors and locations within this warehouse, giving a more holistic example of the profile its barrels yield." 

This year marks Old Forester's 151st anniversary, making it the only bourbon brand with an uninterrupted history, sold by the same family company before, during, and after Prohibition.  

Old Forester Warehouse K is bottled at 110 proof and will be available starting August 12th at the retail shop at Old Forester Distilling Co. for $49.99 in limited quantities -- and at select Kentucky stores.  Visit OldForester.com for more information. 

The E.H. Taylor series of bourbon and rye whiskey has gained a huge following and has become harder and harder to locate. Is all the hype warranted? Scott and Jake sit down with E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon, Single Barrel Bourbon, and Straight Rye and compare tasting notes. We also discuss the upcoming Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, September 17 - 19th. Bourbon Lens will be there, on Press Row, amongst some legends of the Bourbon industry. 

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

Photo Credit: E.H. Taylor, Jr. & Buffalo Trace Distillery

Jake heads down to Owensboro Kentucky to smash some barrels with the crew from Broken Barrel Whiskey Co. He sits down with Founder Seth Benhaim to discuss the brand's re-introduction to the market, donning new packaging and seeing great growth since we last visited with Seth.  Check out Episode 49 (link below) for our first episode with Seth way back in December 2019. They spend the episode tasting through the core lineup of Broken Barrel Whiskies, which is sure to include something for everyone.  

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

Show Links:

• Bourbon Lens & Broken Barrel - Episode 49 from December 2019
• Broken Barrel Whiskey on Instagram
• Broken Barrel - Official Website

We have another special guest this week, Jake Ireland, founder and entrepreneur behind Off Hours Bourbon. Off Hours is a lifestyle brand of bourbon, aimed at giving you some of the best whiskey for those moments when you kick back and relax. Launched in 2020, some might say this brand came along at just the right time; the perfect time for a little "Off Hours" bourbon. 

This bourbon is distilled and aged at MGP in Lawrenceburg Indiana; near and dear to Jake Ireland being his hometown.  It's over 5 years old and it proofed at 95 proof by the Master Blender, Ashley Barnes (one half of the spirits consulting firm, The Spirits Group). As you'll hear from Jake, he skips the folklore and backstories so many bourbons depend on. Instead, he embraces full transparency in the bourbon's sourced origin, age, and its mashbill.  Off Hours is marketing itself to the next generation of bourbon drinkers. The branding is a modern design and utilizes simple messaging, and allows drinkers to choose how they want to drink their bourbon: straight, on the rocks, or in a cocktail. 

Off Hours is seeing great growth and looking to expand their market footprint. They are exploring Single Barrel Bourbon releases very soon as well. It can be found in major retailers around Kentucky and surrounding states. You can also purchase Off Hours Bourbon from retailers like Flaviar, Caskers and Drizly starting at $41.99 for a 750 ml bottle.

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us, including our amazing Patreon Community. We'd appreciate it if you would 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 Jake Ireland:

Jake Ireland grew up in Indiana, close by to the distillery that Off Hours currently sources barrels from. He went to Indiana University and started his career in healthcare and then moved into venture capital investments.

During his time spent in this field, Jake was able to invest in and become an owner in a bourbon brand where he learned a host of lessons on both what works and what to avoid in order to breakthrough in the hyper competitive spirits industry.

Jake founded Off Hours after years of perfecting the product and launched the brand in 2020. He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife Lauren and two children, Evan and Ella.

Show Links:

Do Scott and Jake have what it takes to be the "World's Top Whiskey Taster"? We traveled to the Bourbon Capital on the World to hang out with some of the crew from Bardstown Bourbon Company. We are joined by Brandon and Sam to discuss the distillery's upcoming products and the World's Top Whiskey Taster Competition. We even get a little test of our own as we sample and analyze 3 whiskey samples in a blind tasting. Listen in to hear how Jake and Scott fared in our own Top Whiskey Taster competition. 

Here's the Lineup of Samples:

• Glass 1:  Discovery Series 5; 104.7 Proof; ​​a blend of four straight Bourbon whiskeys, hailing from Kentucky and Tennessee and aged between six and 13 years.  Discovery Series #5 has a suggested retail price of $129.99/750 ml.
• Glass 2: Distillery Collection - 13 Year Sourced Kentucky Bourbon finished 6 weeks in French Oak; 105 Proof
• Glass 3: 12 Year Kentucky sourced, 6 and 7 year old high rye sourced bourbon; experimental cask - ISC Toasted and Charred Barrel. 105 Proof Not available to the public yet.

We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. 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

More details on "World's Top Whiskey Taster" with Bardstown Bourbon Company. Bardstown Bourbon Company's 2nd annual competition to find the World's Top Whiskey Taster is now LIVE! You have one week left to enter! Entries are accepted through August 15, 2021.  Head to World's Top Whiskey Taster | Presented by Bardstown Bourbon Co. for all the details of how to enter, but here's the quick rundown:

1. Submit your application before August 15th, 2021.
2. Qualified applicants will receive a link to complete a video interview.
3. All interviews will be conducted and recorded online through MyInterview.
4. BBCo. will ask 3 questions to get to know you.
5. Selected contestants will be invited to compete in one of the five regional showdowns.
6. Regional finalists will receive a trip to the Bardstown Bourbon Company distillery December 10 -12th, with the final showdown taking place on Saturday, December 11th.
7. Go to WorldsTopWhiskeyTaster.com to enter.