Bourbon Lens

The Bourbon Lens Crew had the privilege of taking a private tour of the Rabbit Hole Distillery in Downtown Louisville recently. We sat down with the Brand's Digital Ambassador, Adam Edwards, to discuss the history of the distillery, its founder Kaveh Zamanian, and the spirits they craft. We discuss the ultra exclusive Founder's Collection and its first offering, Boxergrail Rye Whiskey at Cask Strength as well as future plans for the brand. And we discuss, maybe for the first time publicly, the Heigold single barrel program which will launch in 2021. This program will initially be limited to only 10 barrels, but will grow each year.  We thank Rabbit Hole for reaching out to us and hosting us for this podcast, we encourage you to check them out the next time you are in Louisville or find their bourbon on a shelf.

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

About Rabbit Hole Distillery:

Distilling is baked in Louisville's culture. Rabbit Hole is at the city's creative heart, the NULU district, the nexus of old and new, where artists and entrepreneurs pursue their vision without budgeting for regret. We could be nowhere else. From grain to bottle, inside Rabbit Hole, you'll witness the creation of modern spirits. Because those spirits don't come to life until they're shared, the easy sociability of Rabbit Hole's tasting bars and event center, the Over Look, complete the experience.

About Founder, Kaveh Zamanian:

As with all good stories, this one starts with love. While living in Chicago, Kaveh met Heather, a Louisville native, who introduced him to Bourbon. A Scotch devotee, he fell in love with her and Bourbon at the same time. He soon entrenched himself in the study of Bourbon and, with Heather by his side, ventured down a rabbit hole he may have never dared alone. 

About Adam Edwards:

Adam, with his over 15 years experience in the spirits industry, has extensive knowledge on the history and depth of fine wines and whiskies. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, as well as a Certified Bourbon Steward, Adam joined Rabbit Hole distillery as a Tour Guide Educator in 2018. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Rabbit Hole created the innovative title of Digital Brand Ambassador (something never before seen in the Bourbon industry), which is especially suited for Adam's personality and passion for American Bourbon Whiskey.

The Spirits:

Cavehill - Our signature four-grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a homage to generations of proud Louisville distillers. Distinct and unorthodox, this expression sets a new standard for American whiskey while building on the legacy these great bourbon pioneers created as they traveled down their own whiskey rabbit holes. Crafted from a unique mash that couples malted grains with corn, this superpremium bourbon combines depth with style. Deliberately distilled from our proprietary cooking process and aged in hand-selected barrels, this authentic whiskey is expressly crafted in small batches to yield a flavor like no other.

Heigold - Our Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, made with a high percentage of imported German rye, pays tribute to an immigrant maker. Strong and bold, this offering honors Christian Heigold, a German stonecutter who settled in Louisville prior to 1850 and went down a rabbit hole of his own. Taken with the hope of this new land, he carved ornate symbols of his patriotism on the facade of his landmark home. This super-premium bourbon, composed of 25% malted rye, places a distinct twist on a timeless recipe. Deliberately distilled from our proprietary cooking process and aged in hand-selected barrels, this authentic whiskey is expressly crafted in small batches to yield a flavor like no other.

Boxergrail - Our Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, composed of 95% rye, celebrates Louisville's rich boxing heritage. Here, local fighters, emerging from neighborhood gyms, have followed a path down a boxing rabbit hole to become prizefighting champions. Bold and unexpected, this whiskey reveals a character worthy of the title. This super-premium rye whiskey adds malted barley to its mash bill to present a velvety mouthfeel, while subtle spice and brown sugar notes distinguish it from the rest. Deliberately distilled from our proprietary cooking process and aged in hand-selected barrels, this authentic whiskey is expressly crafted in small batches to yield a flavor like no other.

Founder's Collection Boxergrail - Boxergrail Founder's Collection elevates Rabbit Hole's award winning Boxergrail Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey to a level of sublime. This special release showcases how cask and whiskey come together at its natural strength to create a dimensional rye with an incredible spectrum of flavor. Comprised of 95% rye and 5% malted barley, Boxergrail Founder's Collection, like all whiskies in the Rabbit Hole portfolio, has a low entry proof of 110 for deeper complexity. This cask- strength offering is 114.6 proof/57.3% ABV. The experience of Rabbit Hole Boxergrail Founder's Collection Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Cask Strength begins with an intriguing nose of butterscotch, mint, dill and citrus. On the palate, rich flavors of caramel, black pepper, vanilla and herbaceous spice envelope the palate before yielding to an enduring finish of black tea, sweet vanilla and citrus. 

Dareringer - Our Sherry Cask Finished Bourbon epitomizes Kaveh's wife, Heather. Elegant, sweet, and charming, she is the muse behind our brand. A Louisville native and bourbon enthusiast, she lured Kaveh away from his beloved Scotch and down a rabbit hole he may have never dared alone. Bottled at 93 Proof / 46.5% ABV with a Mash Bill of 68% Corn, 18% Wheat, and 14% Malted Barley.  This Wheated Bourbon is finished in PX Sherry Casks. 

Bespoke Gin - A reimagined classic. Fashioned in Kentucky Rye Barrels, it offers a new experience that awakens the senses. We start with the finest London Dry Gin then finish it in the same hand-selected barrels we use to age our award-winning Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, Boxergrail. This process mellows the gin and adds a hint of spice while tinting this luxurious spirit with an eye-catching hue that shimmers gold in your glass. But before you sip our Bespoke Gin, a word of advice: let go. Let go of everything you know about gin and allow yourself to be fully immersed in all the wonders of this one-of-a-kind spirit. Aromas of citrus, honeysuckle and elderflower evoke Kentucky rick houses in the summer, while notes of juniper, nutmeg, and lemongrass bring you to London in the spring. Coupled with a bespoke bottle suited for any occasion, this gin is smooth enough to be sipped neat, but equally fit for your own distinct cocktails.

Photos Courtesy of Rabbit Hole Distillery

This week we have a solid lineup of limited edition bourbons from Maker's Mark. Our first podcast back together as a group of 3 since the pandemic started, we had a lot of fun catching up and talking shop. We each brought something different to run through a tasting together. Jake had Maker's 101 and Maker's 46 Cask Strength, Scott brought Maker's Cask Strength (Batch 20-03), and Michael grabbed his Private Selection of Maker's from Match Cigar Bar. We discussed the legendary Maker's Mark red wax, Maker's bottle collections, and how we believe Maker's in a great position to continue to evolve its lineup.  Maker's Mark may be one of the most well known wheated bourbons around today, but it was clear that they needed to branch out into different offerings to stay competitive.  We enjoyed each of these bourbons for different reasons, so be sure to tell us which is your favorite bourbon from Maker's Mark.

And finally, we wrapped up the show discussing our golf games and boozing on the golf course. Also, learn about one of our favorite new ways to carry some bourbon on the golf course or wherever. "The Chub" from XactlyLife; a double-wall, stainless steel insulated Travel Shot which holds 3.2oz of your favorite booze. The CHUB is TSA compliant too.  This is not a sponsorship or an ad, just a damn cool product that we like to use.

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:

• MakersMark.com
• Maker's 46
• XactlyLife.com -The Chub 3oz stainless steel vacuum tumbler
• VinePair - Maker's Mark Story
• Behind The Seal: The Story of the Maker's Mark Bottle
• Whisky Magazine - The Mark of a classic (Maker's Mark)
• Match Cigar Bar

Raj Peter Bhakta, the founder of WhistlePig and now Bhakta Farms, has left the world of rye whiskey and entered into the world of rare Armagnac brandy. Raj just introduced BHAKTA 50, a marriage of Argmanac's he discovered with Vintages from 1868 - 1970. And he's gone a step further  and finished it in Islay casks. A complex spirit that is ideal for the curious  whiskey lover. Sweet and smoky but not overly so, this finishing process for 50+ year old Armagnac is unlike anything else.  Raj had us all on our toes for this episode and we were excited to explore something so rare and unique.  And don't miss the teaser for Raj's next big project; his whiskey project, called Empire, a "global whiskey" coming out next year (2021).

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:

• BhaktaBrandy.com
• VinePair - Raj Peter Bhakta and Bhakta Brandy 
• Bhakta Farms & Bhakta Spirits
• Bhakta 50 - Barrel 3 Review
• Whiskey Consensus - Bhakta 50 - The Armagnac Secret That Whiskey Drinkers Need to Know About

About:

Raj Peter Bhakta, founder of WhistlePig Whiskey and Bhakta Brandy, has a deep appreciation for rare and exquisite spirits—as well as a knack for bringing them to American attention. His success in rye established the category during a time when the industry overlooked it. Now, with BHAKTA, he is reviving another spirit: ancient Armagnac brandy, bottled stateside in Vermont.

Bhakta is a first generation American. Both of his parents are immigrants. Born in 1975 to a Gujarati father and an Irish mother, he grew up in the Philadelphia area and attended the Hill School in Pottstown, PA before graduating Boston College in 1998. After beginning his career with investment banking firm Violy & Co, Bhakta departed to found Automovia, a valuation tech startup for pre-owned vehicles. He also worked for a time in the family business, leading a condominium development project in Vail, CO.

While in Colorado in 2004, Bhakta scored a role on Trump's nascent reality show The Apprentice, Season 2. His business prowess and theatrical antics helped him navigate, barter, and flirt to the ninth week before being fired by Trump. His charisma with women became fodder for gossip columns like New York Post's Page Six, and his frequent wearing of bow ties was credited with a surge in the accessory's popularity.

In 2006, Bhakta ran for U.S. Congress from Pennsylvania's 13th district. His campaign gained national notoriety due to his television background and playboy reputation. In October, Bhakta protested US-Mexican border weakness by riding an elephant along the Rio Grande with a 6-man mariachi band. This garnered even more publicity, and by the end of his unsuccessful campaign, Bhakta appeared on MSNBC, CNN's Crossfire, and Fox News.

After his defeat in 2007, Bhakta moved from Manhattan to seek green fields. He purchased a decrepit Vermont dairy farm and began searching for obscure spirits to market under his new brand WhistlePig. Acquiring stocks from Canadian distiller Alberta Premium, Bhakta partnered with master distiller Dave Pickerel and began bottling his 10-year rye in 2010. Praised nationwide, WhistlePig put rye back on the map and grew to America's premier luxury whiskey in just a few years. After selling in 2019, Bhakta began a crusade for the world's finest spirits.

On this journey, Bhakta stumbled on a stock of rare and exquisite Armagnacs in a Gers chateau. Distilled 1868-1970, the portfolio contains enough to bottle blends well over 50 years old. The vintages also predate Armagnac history's largest crisis, the Great French Wine Blight, which devastated vineyards and changed grape varietals forever. The oldest brandies use only original cultivars, making them perhaps the only genuine Armagnacs left in existence. Bhakta, immediately enamored, negotiated a hefty purchase and brought them back home to Vermont.

With these assets, Bhakta is set to outdo his former ventures. BHAKTA 50 Year Brandy is older than any whiskey available and steeped in generations of small-scale craft. It also gets a unique Islay cask finish: the perfect marriage of brandy and Scotch. Bhakta has even put his own name on the bottle, showing just how proud he is of this magnum opus. BHAKTA offers a singular experience: brandy for the whiskey-lover. Just like he returned rye to the national spotlight, he's now found a niche new spirit with its own distinct category.

Bhakta Brandy has just launched this 4th of July. Barrel 1 contains vintages 50-152 years old, with more released one-by-one this year. With only 38 total barrels, the $250 price tag seems impossible. As more barrels launch, demand will swiftly outpace his vanishing supply to create a fast-appreciating asset. Recall Bhakta's BossHog Line and WhistlePig 111, which began at $111 and now sells for upwards of $2,300. For followers of these previous ventures, the upward potential in Bhakta's liquid investment is easily tenable. The rest will have to taste and find out themselves if his unique brandy is worth the acclaim.

photo credit: Bhakta Farms / Bhakta Spirits

Maryland Style Rye Whiskey is the topic today.  We explore a handful of rye whiskies from Sagamore Spirit in Baltimore Maryland.  We're joined by Brian Treacy to talk about what makes Sagamore Spirit unique, their core lineup, and some exciting limited release rye whiskies.  Sagamore Spirit jump started their brand sourcing some of the wildly popular "MGP Rye" from Indiana's largest distillery, but they are excited to move to their own distillate in the very near future.  We enjoyed each of the whiskies that Sagamore sent to us for this episode and look forward to visiting their distillery in the future and tasting more of their whiskey.  Enjoy this week's episode and be sure to check out Sagamore Spirit.

Show Links: 

• Sagamore Spirit and Brian Treacy's Story
• Sagamore Spirit on Instagram
• Brian on Instagram @Sagamorewhiskeybrian
• Independent Stave Company- "Wave Stave" Barrels
• Thrillist - This New Whiskey Was Aged With Sierra Nevada Beer 
• Sagamore Spirit has released a limited-edition whiskey called the Sagamore Spirit Barrel Select Bartender's Barrel to benefit the local restaurant industry.
• NY Times - Maryland Rye Whiskey Has Finally Returned. But What Was It in the First Place?
• Under Armour's Kevin Plank Enters the Whiskey Wars -2016 Inc. article. 

About Sagamore Spirit

• Sagamore Spirit is a Maryland Style rye.  
• Their five-acre waterfront distillery in Baltimore's Port Covington neighborhood opened in April 2017. 
• The Distillery is equipped with a 40-foot mirrored finished copper column still, nine 6,500-gallon fermenting tanks, an 8,000-gallon beer well, and a 6,000-gallon mash cooker.  
• The American Whiskey story started over 158 years before the first bottle of Kentucky bourbon, when great veteran distillers of the mid-Atlantic distilled Rye Whiskey. 
• Maryland was home to 44 distilleries before Prohibition and by 1939, it held one-third of the nation's Rye Whiskey supply. 
• Maryland Rye Whiskey was nationally renowned, and quickly became synonymous with quality and class.  At Sagamore Spirit, we've picked up the torch. Our mission is to inspire a global passion for Maryland Rye Whiskey and revive – and dominate – the Rye Whiskey category. 
• With over 75 awards for taste and packaging, we are committed to building awareness and excitement around Rye Whiskey's historic birthplace – Maryland.  
• All Sagamore products are made from two mash-bills.
  • The first is 52% rye, 43% corn and 5% malt barley. 
  • The second is 95% rye and 5% malt. 
  • The rye mash ferments for three days in 6,500-gallon open top fermenters. It's then distilled in the world's only 40-foot mirrored finished copper column still, then redistilled twice in a doubler.
• Three core offerings and limited releases:
  • Signature 
  • Double Oak
  • Cask Strength
  • Manhattan Finished Rye - Upcoming limited release
    • https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-styles/american-whiskey/latest-sagamore-rye-whiskey-finish-inspired-by-classic-manhattan-cocktail/ 
  • Other Limited Releases
    • Port Finish
    • Calvados Finish

Jake and Scott are at it again with another Bourbon Heritage Month episode.  This time, we dive into the world of Bourbon Hunting and the madness created every Fall surrounding "Bourbon Hunting Season." Jake and Scott discuss their different perceptions of bourbon hunting and seeking out the rare and expensive bottles that pop up around this time every year.  We also discuss some of this year's highly anticipated whiskey releases.  Join us and let us know what your thoughts are on Bourbon Hunting Season.  We also crack the wax on Jake's new bottle of Freddie Noe's Little Book Whiskey, Chapter 4.  This is a unique blend of straight whiskies and we were excited to give it a try.  

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 & Jake
The Bourbon Lens

Links:

• Eighth Generation Beam Distiller Freddie Noe Releases Fourth Chapter Of Little Book® Whiskey Series - "Lessons Honored"
• LittleBookWhiskey.com/
• WhiskeyConsensus.com - Rabbit Hole Boxergrail Founder's Collection
• Bourbinsane.com - New Bourbon Releases 2020
• BreakingBourbon.com - Bourbon Hunting Tips
• TheBourbonCulture.com - Bourbon Hunting
• BourbonLens.com - 2020 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Breakdown
• GoBourbon.com - Parker's Heavy Char

Jake and Scott taste through two heavy-hitting Bottled in Bond Bourbon releases; Old Fitzgerald 15 Year Old and Wild Turkey Master's Keep 17 Year Bottled in Bond. While both are limited releases, we discuss how they stack up against each other and in the bourbon world. Each has their own highlights, high price points, and we both had to pick a winner after a side-by-side tasting.

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

Image Credits: Wild Turkey & Heaven Hill Distilleries

LINKS:

• Wild Turkey Master's Keep
• RareBird101 Review of WT MK17 (2020)
• Old Fitzgerald - Heaven Hill Distillery
  
  

We're continuing National Bourbon Heritage Month with a relatively new Kentucky distillery. This week, it's New Riff Distillery, which claims to put "A New Riff on an Old Tradition". We are joined by Jay Erisman, vice-president of strategic development and co-founder of the distillery in Newport, Kentucky. We discuss the meaning of "New Riff", the brand's focus on bottled in bond whiskey, and what makes New Riff different. We also dive into some of the more technical distillation, fermentation, aging, and bottling techniques used by New Riff to produce their bourbons and rye whiskies. 

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

About Jay:

Jay Erisman is vice-president of strategic development and co-founder of New Riff Distilling. A home brewer who became a fine spirits expert and then a self-taught distiller, Erisman is nicknamed New Riff's "chief blender and palate." He focuses on grains and raw ingredients, cooperage, aging strategies, product development and regulatory compliance. An expert in pot still distillation, Erisman also spearheads the distillery's gins. Previously, Erisman served as fine spirits manager at The Party Source.

Links:

• https://newriffdistilling.com/
• https://newriffdistilling.com/about/story/
• https://www.whiskyadvocate.com/jay-erisman-combining-bourbons-highest-quality-standards-with-an-inventive-approach/  
• https://www.drinkmemag.com/distill-my-heart-new-riff-is-re-defining-kentucky-bourbon

photo credit: New Riff Distilling

Jake and Scott are finally back on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.  This time, we stop in Lebanon Kentucky at Limestone Branch Distillery, producers of the famed Yellowstone Bourbon.  We sit down with Steve Beam and share the full lineup of Limestone Branch whiskies.  Steve Beam is in the Beam Family Tree, which has had their hands in the bourbon of nearly every major distillery in Kentucky. In addition to some Beam family history, we also discuss the Dant Family of Bourbon.  We also touch on the history of Yellowstone Bourbon, its links to the National Park, and the growth of Limestone Branch and its brands. 

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

Photo Credit: Limestone Branch Distillery

LINKS:

Yellowstone Select Bourbon

Brand History by Michael Veach - Yellowstone Bourbon

Rebirth of Yellowstone

2020 Limited Edition of Yellowstone Bourbon

Chuck Cowdery - History of Yellowstone

Limestone Branch Distillery

Just in time for National Bourbon Heritage Month, we are exploring a first for us, bourbon barrel aged wine. We may be familiar with wine barrel-finished bourbons, but what about the other way around?  Josh Cellars recently introduced their Reserve Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon which was matured in Redemption Bourbon barrels for two months.  We shared some whiskey and wine with the Founder of Josh Cellars.

We're joined by Joseph Carr, Founder of Josh Cellars, to talk whiskey and wine. The son of a lumberjack (Josh; the brand's namesake), Joe started out serving beers and shots of Jack Daniels at the local bar.  But, in chasing his American Dream, Joe advanced his career by working in New York City and eventually began traveling the world as a Wine Sommelier and whiskey lover.

Michael and Scott picked Joe's brain and we explored similarities between the two worlds of wine and whiskey. This is especially true in the cooperage (barrels) used for each, unique woods, and perfectly tuned and crafted barrels are critical to unique whiskies and wines. The next time your wine-loving friends are looking for a bottle, but sure to point them toward this unique Cabernet Sauvignon, the best of both worlds. The bourbon barrel contributes subtle notes of vanilla, brown sugar, and rich caramel, which blend with traditional Cabernet flavors of red fruits.  Thank you to the Deutsch Family of Spirits for connecting us with Josh Cellars and sending us the new Bourbon Barrel Cabernet Sauvignon and Redemption Bourbon to enjoy on the show.  

Links:

• Josh Cellars Official Website
• Deutsch Family of Spirits
• Bourbon Lens Podcast with Taconic Distillery
• Vintner Joseph Carr donates 500 meals to Capital Region hospital workers
• Operation Gratitude Camoflauge Wine from Josh Cellars
• Forbes Feature: Meet The Unlikely Vintner Behind The Hit Wine, Josh. 
• Joe and wife Deirdre Carr, co-founders of Josh Cellars.

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

We're joined by Marianne Eaves to discuss her career in the whiskey world and her aspirations for the future. Marianne is currently the Master Blender behind Sweetens Cove Tennessee Bourbon. We were lucky enough to taste through Batch #1 with Marianne and learn her process behind selecting whiskey for blending and for single barrel selections.

About Marianne Eaves:
She's no stranger to the spirits industry or creating and growing one-of-a-kind premium spirits, Marianne will forever hold a place in history as Kentucky's First Female Bourbon Master Distiller since Prohibition. She was recognized by Whisky Advocate Magazine as "the Next Generation" of the bourbon industry; honored by Forbes in their 30 under 30 list in 2015; named as one of America' Top 40 under 40 Tastemakers by Wine Enthusiast Magazine; and, was identified as one of the top "Southern Women" by Garden & Gun Magazine in 2019. It is no wonder that she was recruited to serve as Master Blender of the first Sweetens Cove release.

Photo Credits: Sweetens Cove Spirits and Marianne Eaves

Links:

• Marianne Eaves Official Website
• Sweetens Cove Spirits
• Travel Channel Feature on Marianne at Castle & Key
• Esquire: Peyton Manning's New Bourbon Is So Legit I Can't Even Call It a 'Celebrity Bourbon'
• Andy Roddick dishes on Sweetens Cove, working with Peyton Manning and making bourbon
• Eli And Peyton Manning Are Launching A $200 Bourbon

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