Bourbon Lens

MGP is well known in the bourbon and whiskey world, though there is a bit of mystery behind the historic Lawrenceburg Indiana distillery. We're joined by MGP Master Blender, David Whitmer, to explore the history of MGP, King of The Bootleggers George Remus, and MGP's core lineup of whiskies. We taste through two offerings of Rossville Union Rye, George Remus Bourbon, and a very special limited release of Remus Repeal Reserve Bourbon.  Are these MGP's best kept secrets?

August is National Rye Month, followed by National Bourbon Heritage Month in September. MGP, as the "Masters of Rye", are doing their part to celebrate all things rye this month.  They'll also be spending September celebrating Bourbon with the launch of Remus Repeal Reserve Series IV Bourbon. 

David Whitmer, Master Blender, has a background spanning nearly 30 years in the food and beverage industries.  As you'll quickly learn, David Whitmer is a walking encyclopedia of the science, history and craft behind spirits and product innovation. As the head of quality production and innovation for MGP Ingredients, his responsibilities include managing the master blending and reserve program for the distillery's award-winning brands, George Remus Bourbon and Rossville Union Straight Rye Whiskey.

We're thankful for MGP for sharing samples of their core lineup, which includes:

• Remus Repeal Reserve Series IV
• George Remus Straight Bourbon
• Rossville Union Barrel Proof Straight Rye
• Rossville Union Master Crafter Straight Rye
• Eight & Sand Blended Bourbon 

SHOW LINKS:

GeorgeRemus.com

RossvilleUnion.com

Chicagobourbon.org - Inside MGP (MUST SEE!)

Courier-Journal - 1 million whiskey barrels comes from this distiller you've probably never heard of

CincinnatiMagazine.com - The Biggest Distillery You've Never Heard Of

A Visit to MGP - Alcademics

Forbes - How an Indiana Distillery Revolutionized Kentucky Bourbon

PBS.org on George Remus

King of the Bootleggers Book

Ghosts of Eden Park Book

George Remus - Inspiration behind The Great Gatsby

Vinepair.com - George Remus is the Real Great Gatsby

Smithsonianmag.com - History of George Remus

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, and Michael
The Bourbon Lens

We're exploring whiskey on ice. Hockey Hall of Famer, Ed Belfour, has launched his own whiskey brand and we had the opportunity to sample two of their whiskies.  We were honored to have the opportunity to interview 1999 Stanley Cup Champion, Eddie the Eagle. 

During this week's podcast we discuss:

• Ed's Canadian roots, his love for Canadian Rye Whisky, and these being the inspiration behind Belfour Spirits
• How Ed's hands on approach to hockey has bled into the whiskey craft.  Ed has studied whiskey, the craft of distilling, selecting barrels, and oversees each batch from start to finish.
• Insight into each whiskey profile, including the Rye Whiskey and Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Texas Pecan Wood.
• Where Belfour Spirits is currently available and sneak peek into future markets 

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.

About Belfour Spirits: 
Belfour Spirits – a recently launched (Oct. '19) ultra-premium whiskey producer known for its spirits' unique character and stunning packaging, led by Hockey Hall of Famer and Olympian, Ed Belfour. 

There are a lucky few who do what they love, not once in a lifetime, but twice. In this, his second landmark career, Hockey Hall of Famer, Stanley Cup winner and Olympian Ed Belfour has teamed up with his son and daughter to translate his on-ice intensity into a new passion: hand-crafting ultra premium spirits that honor legends, warriors and everyday heroes. From generational lessons to stories of underdog triumph, there's a legend in every glass. 

From On-ice Intensity to Distillation Precision:  Since 2014, Ed and Dayn have been on an endless pursuit to learn all things whiskey, attending schools in Kentucky and Canada, exploring the finest ingredients and equipment, and talking with industry veterans and rookies alike. Today, these Founding Distillers are hands on in every aspect of the business, from creation of the Belfour family mash bill to blending, and from label design to consumer tastings.

Future Growth: Belfour Spirits has created more than 1,700 barrels of whiskey, and more are slated for production in 2020 and each year beyond.With corporate headquarters in Dallas, Belfour Spirits plans to lay our distilling roots in Kentucky, growing the business in bourbon country. The distillery, tasting room and gift shop are expected to open to the public in 2022. For Ed Belfour, hockey is just the beginning of the legacy he wishes to leave. This is more than a job for him; it's a second dream come true. And he's all in.

Belfour currently has three premium whiskeys in its profile:

• Rye Whiskey
• Bourbon Whiskey Finished w/ Texas Pecan Wood
• Limited Edition Straight Rye Whiskey
  
  
• Rye Whiskey 47% ABV, 94 Proof, 750 ML. Aged min. 18 mos.  A nontraditional tasting Rye Whiskey, this spirit honors a nostalgic mash bill profile and lures you in with every sip. A burnt sea salted vanilla caramel aroma is followed by a warm sweet taste and soothing finish. You'll want to pour this unexpected spirit all night.
  • Appearance: Golden honey, medium amber
  • Nose: A burnt sea salted vanilla caramel  aroma, leather
  • Taste: Sweet caramel, butterscotch, tobacco
  • Finish: Full-bodied velvety warmth that lingers with a peppermint finish
  • Mash Bill: Rye, corn, malted barley
• Bourbon Whiskey Finished With Texas Pecan Wood 46% ABV, 92 Proof, 750 ML.  The majestic beauty of a 300-year-old, over sized pecan tree on the old Belfour ranch in North Texas inspired this unique spirit. Born out of one of the natural wonders of the Lone Star State, this 92-proof Bourbon Whiskey aged beautifully in American white oak barrels then spent extra time mellowing with added staves of Texas pecan wood. These imparted subtle notes of brown sugar and heavy notes of smoky roasted pecan.    

• Appearance: Golden honey, light amber
• Nose: Nutty, butterscotch, crème brulee
• Taste: Smoky vanilla, molasses
• Finish: Long mellow warmth with a rich  mouthfeel layered with vanilla
• Mash Bill: Corn, wheat, malted barley

Photo Credit: Belfour Spirits

Were you sad to see Yippie Ki-Yay bid farewell from the High West lineup?  We sit down with High West Whiskey Production Manager, Isaac Winter, to understand the decision behind this classic bottle leaving the line up and what the brand has in store next!  We discussed the full lineup of High West Whiskey and point out some of our favorites.  High West calls Utah home and Isaac convinced Jake and Michael that they need to move to Park City during this week's episode. Scott was off on vacation, so you never know what's going to happen on this episode!  

We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app and please leave us a written review. This will help others discover our podcast and will help us expand our reach.

Also, be sure to 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, 
Michael and Jake
The Bourbon Lens

Links:

Bourbon Lens Podcast - Episode 32 (High West Tasting Episode)

High West Official Website

High West Whiskey Offerings

Quartz.com: A Utah distillery proudly drags the whiskey industry's dirty little secret out of the shadows

Whiskey Advocate on Double Rye

Join the High West Whiskey Club

High West Debuts High Country American Single Malt Whiskey

How Can Different Craft Whiskeys Come From One Big Distillery?

MGPI - Midwest Grain Products Ingredients


Photo Credit: High West Whiskey

Four Gate Whiskey Company recently released Batch 6 and 7 of their whiskey series and were nice enough to send us some samples to check out.   Batch 6 is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in Cognac and Rum Casks and Batch 7 is their first release of a Rye Whiskey.  If you haven't already listened to Episode 58, be sure to check out that podcast interview with the brand owners, Bill Straub and Bob D'Antoni.

Let us know what you think of Four Gate by sending us a note on social media and leaving a comment on this podcast. 

We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app and please leave us a written review. This will help others discover our podcast and will help us expand our reach.

Also, be sure to 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.

Batch Details from Four Gate Whiskey Company

Batch 6 - THE KELVIN COLLABORATION II

• In April of 2019, we released our very first barrel finished whiskey, dubbed THE KELVIN COLLABORATION. The reception was better than we ever could have hoped for. To follow up on that with our first release in 2020, we returned to the same mash bill that made batch 1 so popular and added a twist. 
• In collaboration with Kelvin Cooperage, we took our now 12 year old high rye Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and filled three massive Cognac barrels and a selection of dark rum barrels Kelvin Cooperage acquired from the same rum distillery as the barrels used to finish batch 1.
• 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in Cognac and Rum Casks
• Mash Bill: 74% Corn, 18% Rye, 8% Malted Barley
• Non-Chill Filtered
• 126.4 Proof
• 2,574 Bottles
• MSRP: $199.99
• Available:now, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Seelbachs.com only
• TASTING NOTES
• Nose: Deep brown
• Taste:  Sweet and spicy, the outer palate is coated with sugary molasses and dark rum notes while the rear palate is inundated with mature oak and booze-soaked red grapes.
• Finish: Medium-long, the rum and barrel tannins linger in a sweet yet oak-filled experience.

Batch 7 - River Kelvin Rye

• 7 year blend of 95-5 (Rye/malted barley) Indiana straight rye (MGP). 
• 113.2 Proof - barrel proof 
• 1484 Bottles produced
• MSRP: $174.99
• Available in KY, Indiana and Seelbachs.com
• This base whiskey will undergo two barrel finishes in the future for future batches
  • 1st is Kelvin's Split Stave (holidays 2020)
  • 2nd is Ruby Port-Rum Casks (2021) 
• Four Gate Whiskey is releasing its first-ever Straight Rye Whiskey. 
• Tasting Notes:
  • Appearance:   Medium Amber
  • Nose: Mint, candied citrus, lemon zest, black pepper, dill.
  • Taste: A splash of refreshing mint hits the tip of the tongue and is followed by candied oranges and lemon zest on the mid palate. The rear palate is greeted with spicy black pepper and sweet citrus. 
  • Finish: Medium in length, the black pepper, spice, and lemon zest coat the mouth with a pleasingly refreshing finish
• Previously, Four Gate releases have all been either straight bourbon or barrel finished bourbon. This marks the first expansion of the company's product line into a new spirit since its launch in 2018.

On this week's episode we sit down with High Wire Distilling owner and founder, Scott Blackwell, to discuss their unique ways for distilling some fine whiskey and Jimmy Red Corn. Scott comes from a culinary background. After selling his bakery to General Mills, Scott and his wife pursued their dream of starting a craft distillery located in Charleston, SC. Scott wanted to bring his culinary experience to distillation by focusing on the ingredients to make a unique whiskey and experience.

Let us introduce you to Jimmy Red. Jimmy Red Bourbon is a 100% corn bourbon, but it's not what you may be thinking. Jimmy Red is the type of corn used to make this whiskey. It provides a rich, sweet and creamy taste that lingers on the palate and has an extremely viscous mouth feel and has a deep, dark amber color in the glass.

Scott walks us through the start-up process and why he chose to make his whiskies with 100% Jimmy Red corn. We have to be honest, we weren't sure what to think when we received this bourbon made of 100% corn, but oh boy were we surprised! This would be a great whiskey to test your whiskey loving friends on, blind!

Pour yourself a glass and follow along as Scott Blackwell educates us in the world of corn selection and how he used this philosophy to distill his Jimmy Red bourbon.

LINKS:

Daily Beast Article High Wire Distilling and Bourbon Using Heritage Grains

Instagram Post Referenced in the Podcast re: Covid-19 Setbacks

High Wire Distilling Co. Official Website

High Wire on Instagram

High Wire on Twitter

High Wire on Facebook

As always, we appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast player of choice and be sure to leave us a written review. We are grateful for our listeners who help us to spread the word to their friends.

Also, be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected] 

Visit our website www.BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to.

Cheers,
Scott, Jake, and Michael
The Bourbon Lens

There's no question that twice-barreled bourbons are becoming more popular.  However, a large majority these of bourbons are being finished in used barrels which previously contained wine, rum, or brandy.  Some, such as the two bourbons we are discussing today are finished in a second, virgin charred oak barrel. We discuss the ever-popular Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and compare it to a bourbon from growing, innovative craft distillery.  That is Starlight Distillery and their Carl T. Huber's Indiana Straight Double Oaked Bourbon Whiskey.  We discuss the "double oaked" category and how it doesn't always mean "over-oaked". Sometimes, due to the secondary barrel's characteristics, more unique flavors can be developed in a relatively short period of time. What is your favorite double oaked bourbon?  Be sure to reach out and let us know.  

As always, we appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast player of choice and be sure to leave us a written review. We are grateful of our listeners who help us to spread the word to their friends.

Also, be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected].

Visit our website www.BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to.

Cheers,
Scott, Jake, and Michael
The Bourbon Lens

About Starlight Distillery Carl T. Huber's Indiana Straight Double Oaked Bourbon Whiskey

Starlight Distillery's brand new Double Oaked project begins with a fresh blending of Carl T. bourbon that is at least 4 years old which is used to fill a second, new American Oak barrel from Seguin Moreau in Napa, California. We crafted 5 barrels for the first round of this project. 2 of these 5 barrels have already been selected as private barrel picks, one for a retailer in Washington D.C. and one for a retailer in Indianapolis. Historically, the Seguin Moreau Napa Cooperage only produced wine barrels. When the company decided to start producing bourbon barrels, Starlight Distillery became one of their first clients. For our Double Oaked project, Seguin Moreau created the Vanilla Toast barrel. Our Carl T. bourbon becomes richer, more oaky, bolder, and more flavorful in these barrels. To achieve this, the bourbon has aged for a minimum of 8 months in the barrel."

Carl T. small batch bourbon is a blend of our 3 and 4 grain mashbills (60% corn, 20% rye, 20% malted barley and 51% corn, 20% rye, 20% malted barley, 9% wheat)

Source:  http://www.starlightdistillery.com/ 

About Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

An innovative approach to twice-barreled bourbon creates the rich and colorful flavor of Woodford Reserve Double Oaked. Uniquely matured in separate, charred oak barrels – the second barrel deeply toasted before a light charring – extracts additional soft, sweet oak character.

TASTING NOTES (From Woodford Reserve)

PROOF - 90.4°

APPEARANCE - Deep Amber.

NOSE - Rich notes of dark fruit, caramel, sharp honey, chocolate, marzipan and toasted oak.

TASTE - A full-bodied mix of vanilla, dark caramel, hazelnut, apple, fruit and spices.

FINISH - Long and creamy with lingering hints of honeyed apple.

Source: https://www.woodfordreserve.com/whiskey/double-oaked/

He's the ultimate Wild Turkey fan and he's just released a new book on the history of Wild Turkey. You may know David Jennings better as "Rare Bird 101".  He joins us on this week's episode to "talk Turkey".  Wild Turkey's history is unique and full of rich family traditions.  This is all detailed in the new book, American Spirit: Wild Turkey Bourbon from Ripy to Russell.  

We enjoyed the book and recommend any bourbon love to pick up the book at https://wildturkeybook.com/; you'll develop a new appreciation for that bottle of Wild Turkey 101 you see so frequently on the bar or store shelf. More links can be found below to Rare Bird 101's website, social media, and more. 

As always, we appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast player of choice and be sure to leave us a written review. We are grateful of our listeners who help us to spread the word to their friends.

Also, be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected] 

Visit our website www.BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to.

Cheers,
Scott, Jake, and Michael
The Bourbon Lens

About American Spirit: Wild Turkey Bourbon from Ripy to Russell, by David Jennings

The story of Wild Turkey is in many ways the story of bourbon itself. From the struggles of nineteenth-century immigrants, to the triumphs of the longest-tenured master distiller in the world, a bold, uniquely American spirit emerges.

American Spirit: Wild Turkey Bourbon from Ripy to Russell is a tribute to the perseverance of two families, each perfecting their passion through extraordinary circumstances. It's a testament to Jimmy Russell and his sixty-five years of unmatched dedication to quality. And much like a glass of fine bourbon, it's a journey – a personal reflection on something carefully crafted over time. This book is a love letter to Wild Turkey that all bourbon enthusiasts can raise a glass to and enjoy.

Links:

• https://rarebird101.com 
• https://www.patreon.com/rarebird101
• https://wildturkeybook.com/
• https://rarebird101.com/2020/06/09/wild-turkey-rare-breed-rye-112-2-2020/
• https://rarebird101.com/2020/06/23/wild-turkey-masters-keep-bottled-in-bond-2020/
• https://rarebird101.com/2020/06/30/camp-nelson-rickhouse-f-blind-comparison/

Image copyright 2019 David Jennings. Photography by Victor Sizemore.

A true whiskey lifestyle brand. We are joined by Aston LaFon, Co-Founder of 18.21 Man Made, to discuss the whiskey lifestyle and his men's grooming company.  How do men's products fit into a whiskey lifestyle?  Their brand was inspired by the bootlegging of Prohibition and customizing grooming products to fill a void in the market. The 18.21 Man Made namesake is an homage to the 18th Amendment which implemented Prohibition and was later repealed by the 21st Amendment.  This is a Texas based business, owned and operated by Angel del Solar, Aston LaFon and David del Solar.  Each shares a passion for making premium, uncommon goods that gentlemen will take pride in owning.

Aston Lafon joins us to discuss the details behind what makes up this innovative men's grooming lineup. With scents like "Sweet Tobacco Spirits", their products draw inspiration from whiskey and cigar culture.  We also dive in deeper to find that grooming products go through a lot of similar processes as bourbon/whiskey:  from dreaming them up in a lab, distilling or making a product, to sampling, and then ultimately distribution.   We encourage you to check out 18.21 Man Made the next time you're in need of next level grooming products for yourself or someone else.  Head to their website or Instagram for more details. 

We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app and please leave us a written review. This will help others discover our podcast and will help us expand our reach.

Also, be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected] 

Visit our website www.BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to.

Cheers,
Scott, Jake, and Michael
The Bourbon Lens

American Single Malt Whiskey is on the rise and Wanderback Whiskey is right in the middle and playing a unique role. Phil Downer, Founder of Wanderback Whiskey, joins the Bourbon Lens to discuss the growing market category and what inspired him to create his unique brand.  Wanderback produces hand-crafted, limited edition American single malt whiskeys in Hood River, Oregon. Instead of making a flagship whiskey and reproducing the same taste over and over, Wanderback prefers to explore the endless possibilities of American whiskeys through partnerships.

Once distilled, their whiskey is transported to the family Farm in Hood River, Oregon for aging. Barrel selection is a deep passion and exploring unique cask types allows the whiskey to unveil its final and fullest expression. This process gives Wanderback the freedom to interpret endless iterations of limited edition American single malt whiskeys. They have currently released 3 batches and intend to release annually in addition to special releases. 

We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app and please leave us a written review. This will help others discover our podcast and will help us expand our reach.

Also, be sure to follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter.

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected] 

Visit our website www.BourbonLens.com to check out our blog posts and see what we are up to.
Cheers,
Scott, Jake, and Michael
The Bourbon Lens

Links:

The Whiskey Wash - Wanderback Whiskey - A Sourced Whiskey Story Done Right

Hood River Oregon Tourism

Distiller.com - American Malt Whiskey

Seven Fifty.com - Emerging Styles of ASMW

Vine Pair - American Single Malt Whiskey

Esquire.com Best American Single Malt Whiskey Bottles

Whisky Advocate - American Malt Whiskey

American Single Malt Whiskey Commission

More About The Brand

Phil Downer founded Wanderback Whiskey Co. out of a strong passion for the burgeoning American single malt whiskey category, a belief that collaboration and transparency would create better whiskeys, and his desire to revitalize the family cherry orchard in Hood River, Oregon. Phil is currently completing his Brewing and Distilling Diploma at the famed Heriot Watt University in Scotland.

Wanderback has a unique mission and production process that combines the experience of top distilleries around the country with the mastery and vision of Wanderback's founder, Phil Downer, to create small batches, of limited edition American single malt whiskeys in Hood River, Oregon that are unique, bold, and draw on the bounty of the Pacific Northwest.

Details on the 3 Batches Enjoyed During this Episode

Batch No 1 American single malt whiskey
Made in collaboration with Westland Distillery in Seattle, our first ever American Single Malt whiskey release is an exceptional single malt made from a mix of four flavorful PNW barley malts and aged in new American oak barrels. Winner of the 2018 double gold medal from The American Distilling Institute.

Mash Bill: Washington Select Pale Malt, Pale Chocolate Malt, Munich Malt, Crystal Malt
Aged: Minimum 3 years
Distillation Type: Double pot distilled
Barrel: 53-Gallon High Toast, Low Char New American Oak Casks
Bottle Proof: 90 Proof

Batch No 2 American single malt whiskey

Batch No. 2 is made from the same grain bill as our first release. But, this time around we've explored unique finishes by transferring the whiskey into Nicaraguan ex-rum and Heaven Hill ex-bourbon barrels at our farm in Hood River, Oregon. The additional six months in these barrels lends the whiskey a sweeter, savory and less smoky flavor profile. Winner of the 2020 gold medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Mash Bill: Washington Select Pale Malt, Pale Chocolate Malt, Munich Malt, Crystal Malt
Aged: Minimum 4 years in New American Oak then additional 6 months finishing in Nicaraguan ex-rum and Heaven Hill ex-bourbon casks
Distillation Type: Double pot distilled
Barrel: 53-Gallon High Toast, Low Char New American Oak Casks plus 53-gallon Nicaraguan ex-rum and Heaven Hill ex-bourbon casks
Bottle Proof: 100 Proof

Batch No 3 American single malt whiskey
Batch No. 3 is made from the same grain bill as the prior releases.This batch has been aged for a minimum of 5 years in new american oak and ex-bourbon barrels and finished in port wine casks. The port wine cask and the longer aging period have created a truly complete whiskey to add to our lineup. The effects of the port barrels display a smooth balanced mouthfeel with notes of dried dark fruits, cocoa nib, and toasted pecan. This is not your port forward whiskey. The true beauty of this whiskey is found in a happy medium of influence from the various casks used while not overshadowing the amazing product we started with.

Mash Bill: Washington Select Pale Malt, Pale Chocolate Malt, Munich Malt, Crystal Malt
Aged: 5 years in New American Oak and ex-bourbon barrels with an additional 6 weeks finishing in port wine casks.
Distillation Type: Double pot distilled
Barrel: 53-Gallon High Toast, Low Char New American Oak Casks plus 53-gallon French ex-port and Heaven Hill ex-bourbon casks
Bottle Proof: 90 Proof

"It ain't just a bourbon. It's a damn fistful."  We had a great time with Anthony Bohlinger, National Brand Ambassador for Fistful of Bourbon. Fistful of Bourbon is a new, national release bourbon from William Grant & Sons. You may be more familiar with the company known for Scotch brands like Glenfiddich and The Balvenie (as well as Hendrick's Gin and  Sailor Jerry rum), but this is the company's first new American Whiskey. Fistful is a blend of five straight American bourbons (five fingers … fist ... fistful, it all makes sense now) that are all aged at least two years.  The blending is a joint effort by Master Blender Brian Kinsman and Kelsey McKechnie, both from William Grant & Sons.

The bottle design is a unique one, evoking the Spaghetti Western theme. Learn more about the lifestyle this brand is trying to reflect, one that's full of fun if you follow Anthony's Instagram feed. The whiskey recently won a Double Gold at the 2019 International Spirits Challenge.  Find out our thoughts on this 90 proof, $25 bottle of straight bourbon in this week's episode.  We had a great time with Anthony and appreciate him sharing this whiskey with us. 

Fistful of Bourbon will have nationwide distribution and is currently available for about $25 on Drizly.  Learn more about Fistful on their website. 

We would appreciate you giving us a 5 star rating on your podcast app and please leave us a written review. This will help others discover our podcast and will help us expand our reach.

Also, be sure to 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, and Michael
The Bourbon Lens