Bourbon Lens

Terry Bradshaw joined Bourbon Lens to talk whiskey and his new Bradshaw Bourbon. Terry Bradshaw, NFL Hall of Famer and four-time Super Bowl winning quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is widely acknowledged as today's preeminent NFL studio personality, serving as co-host on Fox NFL Sunday. While Terry is well known for his time on the football field, lately he's been busy with balancing a bourbon brand, The Bradshaw Bunch, and co-hosting duties at Fox.

Launched in February, the Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has a mashbill of 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley, and is proofed to 51.9% ABV, which is a creative nod to Terry's career completion percentage.  Bradshaw has partnered with Green River Distilling Co. (formerly Owensboro's O.Z. Tyler) to make the whiskey and Silver Screen Bottling, which specializes in licensing and distribution, to oversee branding and sales.  Best of all, this full flavored bourbon is priced right with an SRP of $40.

We were privileged to be joined by Terry and Ryan Mcelveen from Bradshaw Bourbon. Ryan is the brand's Chief Commercial Officer and is responsible for driving a successful launch of the brand, even in spite of the current spirits climate. We look forward to seeing where Bradshaw Bourbon goes next in only its 2nd year of sales. We know you'll enjoy this episode, grab some whiskey and sit back.

We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to give us feedback on our podcast.  If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app, leave us a review, or tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

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, Michael & Jake
Bourbon Lens

LINKS:

• BradshawBourbon.com
• Fox Sports - Terry Bradshaw
• Terry Bradshaw - Steelers Biography
• Fred Minnick's $41-60 Bourbon Blind - Bradshaw Takes 2nd Place
• Whisky Advocate Feature on Terry Bradshaw

Hank Ingram joined us to talk about his namesake whiskey and the unique aging technique it employs. Nashville entrepreneur, Hank Ingram, is the founder of Brown Water Spirits and their line of O.H. Ingram River Aged Whiskey. As the name implies, this whiskey was river-aged inside a floating rickhouse. This rickhouse is a large barge moored to the banks of the Mississippi River, benefiting from the riverside's temperature variations, humidity, and the constant motion of the river. While some may be skeptical of non-traditional aging techniques (including ourselves), this is hardly a shortcut in the aging process. Hank has patiently waited and released straight whiskey (2-4 years old) which has been enhanced by river aging.

We were honored to be the first people outside of Brown Water Spirits to taste the new Straight Rye Whiskey, which had not released at the time of recording. We think you'll be impressed with these whiskies and, as their distribution grows, you should check them out. 

We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to give us feedback on our podcast.  If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app, leave us a review, or tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

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, Michael & Jake
Bourbon Lens

About the Brand:  

O.H. Ingram River Aged Whiskey is aged inside a barge on a first-of-its-kind floating rickhouse. Moored on the riverbank of Ballard Country (Wickliffe, KY) we utilize the climate of the Mississippi River along with its drastic rise and fall to provoke a unique interaction between wood and spirit that is unlike any other. The temperature swings, humidity, and constant cadence of the flowing water keeps our whiskey working. This unique process provides a unique interaction between wood and spirit – we call it barrel aged and river raised!

About the Whiskey:

• River Aged Straight Whiskey:

• The first release in the River Aged Series.
• Vital Stats: Mash Bill – 96 proof, blend of 95% rye, 5% barley whiskey and 36% rye, 4% barley, 60% corn bourbon.
• Aged 3 years in new charred oak barrels.
• Available in select markets for ~$80/750ml.
• Appearance: Warm amber. Medium viscosity and a gentle swirl ends in clear, fine legs. 
• Nose: Right off I got the strong scent of baking spices, predominantly cinnamon. The throat-soothing allure of honey and meringue with a bit of acid from an orange peel
• Palate: Buttery mouthfeel, tastes kind of rummy, may be the way the sugar shows up. The slow build heat mellows into a smooth taste with distinct spice.

• River Aged Straight Rye:
  •  Just released in December 2020
  • Currently available in Middle and East Tennessee with additional markets coming as inventories are available.

We're joined by friends and co-founders of Penelope Bourbon, Mike Paladini and Danny Polise. Penelope Bourbon was founded out of a passion for family, friendship, and great bourbon. We enjoyed sitting down with Mike and Danny to discuss the brand, its origin story, and 3 different bourbons in their lineup. Penelope is distilled at the famed MGP, but blended with diverse input from Mike and Danny.

They've hit on something with their Four Grain blend and are staking their claim in the ultra-drinkable 80 proof category. But don't worry, they've also planned regular releases of Cask Strength bourbon and some unique finishes, including Rosé Wine Cask finish. We're excited about Penelope's plans for the future, including a long-awaited Kentucky release and another unique finish that we've not heard anyone explore. Tune in to find out more about Penelope.

Find Penelope online at Shared Pour (affiliate link)

We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app, leave us a review, or tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

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, Michael & Jake
Bourbon Lens

About the Brand:

Mike Paladini teamed up with his close friend and childhood next door neighbor, Danny Polise. Penelope Bourbon is a company that was crafted in the classic entrepreneurial tradition. Mike Paladini and his wife, Kerry teamed up with his close friend and childhood next door neighbor, Danny Polise. Both grew up in Basking Ridge, NJ. They began to embark on creating a bourbon that everyone could enjoy and love.

Both found out in 2018 that their wives were expecting. Mike and Kerry always knew that if they had a girl, her name would be Penelope. The day they found out they were having girl, a light bulb went off. Mike and Kerry decided they wanted to bring together two things they both love so dearly – their soon-to-be baby girl, Penelope and Straight Bourbon Whiskey. A company was born.

Penelope Bourbon is distilled at MGP's historic Lawrenceburg, Indiana distillery. The distillery was founded in 1847 and purchased by Seagram in 1933.  Nestled on 113 acres of rolling hills in a castle that holds more than a century of distilling history, Castle & Key blends and bottles Penelope Bourbon under the direction of Mike Paladini and Danny Polise.

*Photo Credit to Penelope Bourbon

We're joined by American Whiskey Legend, Greg Metze, for this week's podcast. If you don't know his name yet, you'll definitely know his whiskey.  Greg has decades of experience at one of the largest spirits producers in the United States; MGP in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. As part of his retirement planning, Greg decided to venture out on his own and develop products for the Old Elk Distillery, including the 3 we taste through in this episode. 

• Old Elk Straight Wheat Whiskey

• 5 year. 100 proof 
• Mashbill: 95% wheat; 5% barley

• Old Elk Straight Wheated Bourbon

• 5 year. 92 proof
• Mashbill: 51% corn; 45% wheat; 4% barley

• Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon 

• At least 4 years. 88 proof
• Mashbill: 51% corn; 15% rye; 34% barley

Greg Metze, Master Distiller at Old Elk Distillery, has four decades of distilling experience, starting at the Joseph E. Seagram & Sons Distillery located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in 1978.  He is considered one of the spirits industry's premier master distillers and has had a hand in crafting many of the whiskies on the shelf today. Greg's connection to Old Elk traces back to the distillery's inception. He was master distiller at MGP Ingredients when Old Elk Distillery asked him, in 2013, to create the signature mash bill for Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey that would bring to life the vision of Old Elk's founder, Curt Richardson.

With full creative control, Greg personally developed a custom mash bill with four times more malted barley than conventional bourbon recipes. Many of the barrels of liquid from that mash bill are still aging and are not yet on the market. Greg has personally overseen the production of several Old Elk products. Even though he was employed at MGP Ingredients when he started on the Old Elk project, Greg was entrusted with full leadership and creative control so he can speak to the quality that's inside every bottle. Greg and head distiller Kate Douglas developed Old Elk's proprietary Slow Cut™ proofing process, where the liquid is proofed down over a period of weeks instead of the traditional 24-48 hours. This results in less heat created during the proofing process, and thus a smoother tasting bourbon. 

We really enjoyed our time with Greg and tasting through his whiskey creations. If you are looking for a unique whiskey, definitely seek out Old Elk.  You will not be disappointed.

We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to give us feedback on our podcast.  If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app, leave us a review, or tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

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, Michael & Jake
The Bourbon Lens

Photo Credit: Old Elk Distillery

It's hard to believe we've produced 100 episodes of Bourbon Lens. The three of us spend some time talking about some of our favorite episodes, guests, and moments over the last 2 years.  We've appreciated each of our guests, our fans, and supporters who've kept us going.  Here's to another 100!! Thank you! 

You'll find a full list below of all the episodes we discussed during this week's "look back" episode. While we couldn't possibly name every episode, these are just a few standouts to us. Be sure to check them out as well as our back catalog of podcasts.

We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to give us feedback on our podcast.  If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app, leave us a review, or tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

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, Michael & Jake
Bourbon Lens

Open our entire podcast library in your podcast player by using this link.

Thank you all!

Gregg Snyder, from Chicken Cock Whiskey, joined the podcast to talk about all things Chicken Cock and to share some of their bourbon and rye whiskey. We discussed the history of the brand, its revival, and plans for the future, including their relationship with the Bardstown Bourbon Company Collaborative Distilling Program. Most of all, Michael and Scott enjoyed getting to hear from Gregg about his experience and expertise at famous Kentucky distilleries, including Brown-Forman, Wild Turkey, and Jim Beam. We  hope you enjoy hearing from one of the legends of the bourbon industry. Cheers!

Gregg Snyder spent nearly his entire working career in the bourbon industry.  And now he's teamed up with Grain & Barrel Spirits to be the Master Distiller and Consultant to Chicken Cock Whiskey. Gregg Snyder has over 41 years of experience in Distilled Spirits Operations and other related industries. Notably, he's the former VP and Managing Director for Austin Nichols, Inc., dba Wild Turkey Distillery and is credited with the development of the Russell's Reserve line of whiskies.  In his role as Master Distiller for Chicken Cock, Gregg brings his knowledge of barrels to the table as well.  He's former Director of Operations – Blue Grass Cooperage (now known as Brown Forman Cooperage).   And he's held various other supervisory and managerial positions of increasing responsibility, since 1978, in every aspect of beverage alcohol operations at: Joseph E. Seagram and Sons, Brown-Forman Corp. Now that he's teamed up with Chicken Cock, we think he's not going anywhere anytime soon.  

We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to give us feedback on our podcast.  If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app, leave us a review, or tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

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, Michael & Jake
The Bourbon Lens

LINKS:

• Chicken Cock Whiskey: The Famous Old Brand
• The Chicken Cock Story
• Chicken Cock Whiskey – Grain and Barrel
• Bardstown Bourbon distilling for Chicken Cock Whiskey brand
• The Return of Chicken Cock Whiskey 
• Chicken Cock on YouTube

This week we are discussing High West Whiskey and their new release of A Midwinter Night's Dram. Midwinter Nights Dram is a wildly popular version of High West Rendezvous Rye finished in French oak port barrels. This year is their Eighth Act (release) in the limited release series. It stands out for its unique and bold style while still appealing to many different types of whiskey drinkers. If you have the opportunity to grab this release, you shouldn't pass on it.  We also discuss future releases and plans for High West Whiskey, including their second release in growing their High Country American Single Malt Whiskey. 

We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to give us feedback on our podcast.  If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app, leave us a review, or tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

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, Michael & Jake
The Bourbon Lens

LINKS:

• High West - A Midwinter Night's Dram
• High West High Country American Single Malt
• High West Old Fashioned Barrel Finished Cocktail
• Bourbon Lens Podcast Episode 82 featuring High West Whiskey

'Pappyland' tells the story of the Van Winkle family, the bourbon business, & the demand for rare wheated bourbon bearing the name of Pappy Van Winkle. We were joined by Author & ESPN's Wright Thompson to discuss his new book which just released November 10, 2020: Pappyland: A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon, and the Things That Last. The book is about so much more than bourbon; it tells the story of those who make bourbon and those who enjoy it. As you know, both are essential to the story of Kentucky Bourbon.

Thank you to Wright Thompson for reaching out about his new book and to Penguin Press for sending us advance copies of Pappyland to enjoy and discuss with Wright.

We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to give us feedback on our podcast.  If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app, leave us a review, or tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

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, Michael & Jake
The Bourbon Lens

LINKS:

Last Chance - Buy the Book & Enter the Giveaway to Win Pappy Van Winkle

Uproxx: Author Wright Thompson Talks About 'Pappyland' And Bourbon Culture

WrightThompson.com - Official Website 

Marketplace.org - The Agrarian Roots of Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Whiskey

New York Times Review of Pappyland

From the Archives - Fortune.com 2011 Feature on Van Winkle Bourbon

From the Archives - Grantland.com Article on Pappy Van Winkle by Wright Thompson

From the Archives - Garden & Gun Feature on Julian Van Winkle III

Follow Wright Thompson on Instagram

Buy the Book on Amazon

KirkusReviews.com - Pappyland Interview

Buffalo Trace Distillery Official Website

We're checking out a couple rye whiskies this week, including the  Old Overholt 114 Proof (Ohio only Special Release) and Hudson Whiskey's new Do the Rye Thing Rye Whiskey. The new, higher proof Old Overholt is a spin on a classic rye. It is limited to Ohio only at this point, but it has garnered some good reviews from those who have had the opportunity to land a bottle. Find out how we think these two whiskies stack up. Thank you to Hudson Whiskey for sending us a care package featuring two of their new whiskies that have been totally rebranded.

We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to give us feedback on our podcast.  If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app, leave us a review, or tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

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, Michael & Jake
The Bourbon Lens

Links:

• Whisky Advocate - The True Story Of Old Overholt
• Old Overholt Overhaul
• VinePair - Old Overholt Rye Whiskey History
• TheManual.com - Old Overholt Rye Whiskey Update
• Forbes - New Limited Edition Old Overholt
• HudsonWhiskey.com - Whiskey Lineup
• TheManual.com - Hudson Whiskey Relaunch
• WhiskyAdvocate.com - Hudson Whiskey Relaunched
• BourbonBanter.com Hudson Baby Bourbon Review
• TheSpiritsBusiness.com - Hudson Creates New Whiskey and Updates Recipes

We are joined by Jackie Zykan, Master Taster for Louisville's Bourbon Brand, Old Forester. Jake and Michael sat down to discuss the brand's growth and her rise through the ranks.  We sipped Old Forester Rye Whiskey during this episode, which is another staple to add to any bar.  We also discuss the growth of the lineup from the Whisky Row series, Statesman, and bringing back President's Choice.  You'll learn how Jackie's background in the bartending industry helped her transition to this beloved brand.  With an endless supply of Old Forester, do you want to take a guess at Jackie's go-to Old Forester pour.  With a lot of new releases hitting shelves, Jackie even teases about more to come in the next few months. 

We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to give us feedback on our podcast.  If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app, leave us a review, or tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.

Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

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 and see what we are up to.

Cheers,
Scott, Michael & Jake
The Bourbon Lens

Links:

• OldForester.com
• Wall Street Journal Featuring Jackie Zykan
• LouisvilleFuture.com - 7 Questions with Jackie Zykan, Old Forester's Master Taster
• WHAS11.com - Feature on Jackie Zykan
• Observer.com - This Whisky Expert's Secret to Refining Your Palate: Go to…Target?
• WhiskyAdvocate.com - Bourbon as Escapism