Bourbon Lens

It's April, Fools! Scott pulls one over on Michael and Jake for April Fools Day in embarrassing fashion. We also continue the Tournament of Whiskey, completing our 1st round of 16 whiskies.  We announce the Elite 8 of our tournament. Listen along as we give a full recap of our notes on each whiskey and why we advanced each one to the next round. There were definitely some surprises in this tournament so stay tuned to see what advanced and which were upset early!

The Elite Eight is set: 

• From last week's episode:
  • Weller Special Reserve
  • Michter's Toaster Barrel Bourbon
  • Weller 12 Year
  • Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
• From this week's tasting
  • Peerless Rye 3 Year Single Barrel
  • Angel's Envy Oloroso Sherry Cask Finished
  • Weller Antique 107
  • Thomas H. Handy Sazerac Rye

Show Links:
Henry McKenna Losing its Designations (APRIL FOOLS!)

Tournament of Whiskey (Full Bracket)

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We recorded this podcast on International Whisk(e)y Day and discover that there is an important purpose for this day. It is not just another "Hallmark Holiday". We also discuss our thoughts on the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, which recently named its "Best in Show Whiskey":  Heaven Hill's Henry McKenna 10 Year, Bottled In Bond, Single Barrel Bourbon.

We also discuss the opening matchups of our own Tournament of Whiskey and whether we were surprised by any of the whiskies.  Find out more in the "Show Links" Section below.

Show Links:

Tournament of Whiskey (Full Bracket)

The Story Behind International Whisk(e)y Day

San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Full Results

Forbes Magazine (Fred Minnick): Best Whiskey: How Bourbon Dominated The 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Forbes (Brad Japhe): Heavy Medal: What It Means To Win At The San Francisco World Spirits Competition

Men's Journal: Inside the Secretive Competition that Determines the Future of Whiskey

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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.

In the style of March Madness and the NCAA Basketball Tournament, the Bourbon Lens creates a bracket of 16 whiskies from our home bars. We discuss the regions, seeding, and matchups of the 1st Annual Bourbon Lens Tournament of Whiskey.  

Matchups by Region:

4 Regions (names only, not indicative of whiskey type)

• Rye
• • Thomas H. Handy (1)
  • JTS Brown BIB (16)
  • Weller 107 (8)
  • E.H Taylor Small Batch BIB (9)
• Finished Bourbon
  • Angel's Envy Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish (4)
  • Legent (13)
  • Kentucky Owl Rye Batch 2 (5)
  • Peerless Single Barrel (11)
• Bottled in Bond
  • Old Fitzgerald 9 Year BIB (2)
  • Weller Special Reserve (15)
  • Michter's Toasted Barrel Bourbon (7)
  • New Riff BIB (12)
• Weller Region
  • Weller 12 (3)
  • Old Forester Rye (14)
  • Weller CYPB (6)
  • Woodford Reserve Double Oak (10)

Predictions:

• Burton - THH, Legent, Weller 12, Toasted Barre (Overall Winner - Weller 12)
• Scott - EH Taylor Small Batch, Peerless Single Barrel, Toasted Barrel, Double Oak (Overall Winner - Toasted Barrel Bourbon)
• Jake - THH, Angel's Envy, Toasted Barrel, Double Oak (Overall Winner - THH) 

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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.

With the St. Patrick's Day holiday, what do we think about Irish Whiskey? Should we try Proper Twelve?  We discuss a bit of nostalgia with WWF and WCW wresting. And the crew weighs in on Jim Beam's newest whiskey, Legent, a collaboration between Jim Beam and Suntory.  Find out our thoughts on whether Legent can bring the Japanese whiskey drinkers to bourbon.
And finally, we reveal our March Madness Tournament of Whiskey.

Whisky Advocate discusses Legent

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

The fellas take a trip to up-and-comer craft distiller Rabbit Hole Distillery. Rabbit Hole is located in Downtown Louisville, Kentucky and they are taking a more modern approach to the bourbon industry. We discuss our experience, their whiskies, and their Overlook Cocktail Bar and event space that will be open to the public as a swanky new place to hang out and socialize on weekends. Cheers!

Rabbit Hole Distillery

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.

We discuss some of our recent travels, including Disney World and the bourbon selection you will find there and some drinking stories from the west coast. We also dive into budget bourbons under $20. You will find out some of our favorites from the "bottom (sic: budget) shelf" and some random banter.

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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.

We have a guest appearance on The Bourbon Lens from long time friend, Brad Wood. Brad shares his recent experience at the Boone County Distilling Company.  We discuss the smoke and mirrors behind sourced whiskey, contract distilling, and the role that MGP plays in it all.

SHOW LINKS:

Whisky Brands That Are Made at MGP 

Instead of Fretting About How to Store Your Whiskey, Drink It All Immediately

Www.BourbonWeekly.com   - satire stories about the ridiculous world of bourbon.

MGP announces "tit has run dry," will begin weaning craft distillers off their whiskey in spring 

Whiskey Club Skips Barrel Selection, Will Just Sell The Sticker Instead

Husband Puts Ice in His Whiskey

Rare bourbon hunting? Do we see ourselves getting into this hobby? Or is it too late?

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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

We discuss the importance of the millennial to the bourbon industry as well as marketing schemes and social media. Which one of these outlets should be credited with saving the bourbon industry and creating what we now call the Bourbon Boom? We also discuss what role the craft distillers play in all of this. We hope you enjoy this episode and also realize not all opinions align with ours. We would love to get your opinion and feedback! Cheers!

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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.

SHOW LINKS:

The New Face of The Average Whiskey Drinker (Robb Report)

Best Craft Distilleries (including Peerless and New Riff)

Craft Whiskey - From Sourcing to Distilling

Old Forester Rye is the drink of the night and the secondary market goes wild driving its price up quickly.

Michter's invades downtown Louisville. The Bourbon Lens will be making a visit soon

It isn't just the Bourbon Boom, Downtown Louisville is feeling the impact too.

Goodwood Bourbon?  There is an unsolved mystery and Scott has the scoop.

Show Links:

Goodwood's New Bourbon

Fred Minnick says not so fast!

Old Forester 100 Proof Rye

Michter's Fort Nelson Distillery Opening.

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

We pay a visit Kentucky Peerless Distillery and provide our thoughts on the revived distillery brand.  We also discuss our thoughts on their rye whiskey and the processes they use as they prepare to launch their first bourbon. We also discuss the new partnership with the UFC and ESPN+ and if the first ever ESPN-UFC event was a bust or success.  

See the links below for photos from our tour at Kentucky Peerless.

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.

Show Links:

Single Barrel Selection:  https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs1kulAjh1i/

Rye Whiskey at Rest:  https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs6xkoVDxT2/

Vendome Copper:  https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs4AneKHN74/

Belly up to the Bar:  https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs1RduaHtuR/