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In this episode of Bourbon With Friends. The BWF team sits down with Renowned Master Blender Jackie Zykan. 

Known for having one of the most respected palates in American Whiskey, Jackie Zykan’s approach to blending looks a lot like her approach to life – focused on balance, structure and celebrating the unique nuances of each blend. A native of St. Louis, and now calling Louisville, Kentucky home, she brings more than 16 years of beverage alcohol industry experience to Hidden Barn. 

With degrees in biology and chemistry, and experience in multi-concept beverage directorship, cocktail strategy, category education, product development, and global marketing, her career has taken her to nearly every corner of  the industry, giving her both balance and structure that few can match. She’s regarded not only for her technical know-how, but for her personal style of whiskey education, which is relatable and focused.

Most recently, Jackie served as Master Taster for Old Forester where she came to develop her hallmark  style of blending and descriptive analysis, while remaining focused on quality, integrity and her signature approachability. For Zykan, it’s not meant to be pretentious – whiskey is meant to be a celebration.

Follow Jacki on Instagram @jackiezykan
Find out more about Hidden Barn here - https://hiddenbarnwhiskey.com/
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Fudge Kitchen - In business for over 50 years. Fudge Kitchen ships delicious fudge, chocolates and sweet treats all across the USA. Fudge kitchen makes a perfect gift or decadent snack at all hours of the day!

Check out their website - https://fudgekitchens.com/

Blind Barrels - Blind Whiskey Tasting Kit that was born to disrupt the whiskey industry by showcasing American craft whiskey that don’t make their way to liquor store shelves due to distribution limitations. Blind tastings are all about discovery, education, and removing brand bias, and Blind Barrels hits home with whiskey communities by supporting the very best in smaller distillers who are making the most amazing, innovative, and delicious products that you can't get at your liquor store.

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In this episode, we officially welcome our new co-host Chanda to the team!

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Fudge Kitchen -

In business for over 50 years. Fudge Kitchen ships delicious fudge, chocolates and sweet treats all across the USA. Fudge kitchen makes a perfect gift or decadent snack at all hours of the day!

Check out their website - https://fudgekitchens.com/

Blind Barrels - Blind Whiskey Tasting Kit that was born to disrupt the whiskey industry by showcasing American craft whiskey that don’t make their way to liquor store shelves due to distribution limitations. Blind tastings are all about discovery, education, and removing brand bias, and Blind Barrels hits home with whiskey communities by supporting the very best in smaller distillers who are making the most amazing, innovative, and delicious products that you can't get at your liquor store.

Instagram - blindbarrels
www.blindbarrels.com

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Follow us on:
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In this episode of Bourbon With Friends. The crew sit down with Co-Owner of Bluegrass Distillers Ben Franzini and Director of Marketing & Distribution Maggie Young.

Bluegrass Distillers is a craft distillery soon to be located in Midway Kentucky. Established in 2012. It is best known for its Kentucky blue corn bourbon. They also just recently launched their newest product line of Midway Distilling.  When Bluegrass Distillers were considering relocating their distillery to Midway, they quickly learned of the rich distilling history of our new home.

The original Midway Distilling Company operated from 1916 to 1920 in Midway, KY, Kentucky's first railroad town. Production was suspended by the Food and Fuel Control Act. Midway Distilling barrels were then bottled as medicinal spirits until 1924 when the distillery and its remaining inventory were destroyed by fire. The city of Midway was founded after Colonel John Francsico sold his 216 acre farm to the L&O Railroad Company in 1835. The original “distillery district” of Midway aka Lot 25, where several distilleries operated 1865-1877, was then moved to the Northeast corner of Dudley & Gratz, which eventually became home to the original Midway Distilling Company. During this time, the main water source for the distilleries in the area was Lee’s Branch, an off-shoot of the Elkhorn Creek. Fast forward to 2021, the Midway Distilling name has been Reclaimed as a line of barrel aged rye whiskeys

The team at Bluegrass Distillers is committed to reviving the rich 155 year history of distilling in Midway by using the finest grains and time-honored methods to produce the finest finished whiskeys.

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Fudge Kitchen -

In business for over 50 years. Fudge Kitchen ships delicious fudge, chocolates and sweet treats all across the USA. Fudge kitchen makes a perfect gift or decadent snack at all hours of the day!

Check out their website - https://fudgekitchens.com/

Blind Barrels - Blind Whiskey Tasting Kit that was born to disrupt the whiskey industry by showcasing American craft whiskey that don’t make their way to liquor store shelves due to distribution limitations. Blind tastings are all about discovery, education, and removing brand bias, and Blind Barrels hits home with whiskey communities by supporting the very best in smaller distillers who are making the most amazing, innovative, and delicious products that you can't get at your liquor store.

Instagram - blindbarrels
www.blindbarrels.com

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Follow us on:
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In this episode of Bourbon With Friends. Paul, Connor and Special July Co-Host Alex sit down with Bobby Demars, Founder and CEO of Blind Barrels. 

Blind Barrels is a Blind Whiskey Tasting Kit that was born to disrupt the whiskey industry by showcasing American craft whiskey that don’t make their way to liquor store shelves due to distribution limitations. Blind tastings are all about discovery, education, and removing brand bias, and Blind Barrels hits home with whiskey communities by supporting the very best in smaller distillers who are making the most amazing, innovative, and delicious products that you can't get at your liquor store.

Make sure to visit https://blindbarrels.com/ and use promo code BWF10 for 10% off all Blind Barrels Products!

Also make sure you visit https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup to vote for Bourbon With Friends for a People's Choice Award for Best Make Hosted Bourbon Podcast. 

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Check out our Sponsor -  Blind Barrels. 
Blind Barrels is a Blind Whiskey Tasting Kit that was born to disrupt the whiskey industry by showcasing American craft whiskey that don’t make their way to liquor store shelves due to distribution limitations. Blind tastings are all about discovery, education, and removing brand bias, and Blind Barrels hits home with whiskey communities by supporting the very best in smaller distillers who are making the most amazing, innovative, and delicious products that you can't get at your liquor store.

Instagram - blindbarrels
www.blindbarrels.com

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Follow us on:
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In this episode of Bourbon With Friends, presented by Not 4 Long Media. The guys sit down with the creator and founder of Whiskey Stories® Rachna Hukmani.

Rachna Hukmani is the first South Asian woman to open a whiskey company. She has been working with whiskey for more than 11 years, has helped design legendary whiskies like The Macallan 12 Double Cask, The Macallan Luxury Editions, Highland Park Magnus, Noble Oak Bourbon and more. She has, in turn, trained many whiskey/whisky global brand ambassadors including those of The Macallan with her unique method that is what Whiskey Stories is based on. She runs her business Whiskey Stories LLC full time. Prior to going full time Rachna worked at whiskey companies like Pernod Ricard and Edrington helping lead the innovation teams in the US.  

Whiskey Stories® is a seasoned Michelin Guide recommended luxury multisensory immersive whiskey experience company company which includes a unique way of pairing gourmet food courses with whiskies, our signature Whiskey Stories® whiskey based unisex luxury colognes pairing and more sensory elements like their registered trademarked Whiskey In the Dark® experience. We have been featured on Bloomberg News, Forbes, Brown Girl Magazine, Time Out, SEEMA and more. Our methods are unparalleled & proprietary. We have our own venue in Brooklyn that is designed like a hidden speakeasy/vintage doll house.

Find out more about Whiskey Stories® at http://whiskeystories.rocks/

Also make sure you visit https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup to vote for Bourbon With Friends for a People's Choice Award for Best Make Hosted Bourbon Podcast. 

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Check out our Sponsor -  Blind Barrels. 
Blind Barrels is a Blind Whiskey Tasting Kit that was born to disrupt the whiskey industry by showcasing American craft whiskey that don’t make their way to liquor store shelves due to distribution limitations. Blind tastings are all about discovery, education, and removing brand bias, and Blind Barrels hits home with whiskey communities by supporting the very best in smaller distillers who are making the most amazing, innovative, and delicious products that you can't get at your liquor store.

Instagram - blindbarrels
www.blindbarrels.com

Support the show

Follow us on:
www.bourbonwithfriends.com
Instagram: @bwfpodcast
Facebook: BWFPodcast
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Send us Fan Mail

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In this episode of Bourbon With Friends. Paul, Connor and special July guest host Alex sit down and have a dram and ask each other 3 questions. We tried to keep it within the whiskey world, but as you know on Bourbon With Friends we sometimes let shenanigans take over! This is a really fun episode we know you all will really enjoy!

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In this episode of Bourbon With Friends. Paul & Connor sit down with Bill Binder

Bill Binder has created a name and brand for himself. Bill’s talent for creating led him to becoming head mixologist at the SOHO House in South beach. Not only has Bill been published in FORBES for his craft cocktails, he’s also globally published in other magazines, recognized as being a top mixologist and innovative whiskey den designer. The last Whiskey den he created, CWS Bar + Kitchen, has been named best bourbon bar in America by Bourbon Review, where he selected every bourbon and whiskey bottle on the shelf! Recently, Bill joined The Bearded Villains, a worldwide brotherhood dedicated to the beard, charity, family, respect, and loyalty.

Bill recently teamed up with SLAB Cigars to create his own cigar that will be a part of their members distribution. Bill talks about his collaboration that releases on July 11th on the show. 

You can follow Bill on Instagram, @billbinderIII 
To learn more about his cigar collaboration or to become a member of SLAP cigars. Go to www.slabcigarclub.com

Also make sure you visit https://www.podcastawards.com/app/signup to vote for Bourbon With Friends for a People's Choice Award for Best Make Hosted Bourbon Podcast. 

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In this episode of Bourbon With Friends. Paul & Connor sit down and have a chat about some of the random whiskey news that has been coming out the past few weeks. As well as discuss how our July 4th celebrations were with a bit of surprise news. 

Make sure to follow us on Instagram. @bwfpodcast

Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify if you enjoy the show! It really helps others find it!

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In this episode of Bourbon With Friends. They guys are joined by Marianne Eaves. 

Eaves has been recognized in Whiskey Advocate Magazine as “the Next Generation” for the bourbon industry, and has been honored by Forbes and included in the 2015 Food & Drink 30 under 30 list. As she stepped into the role of Master Distiller herself, taking on the herculean restoration project of Castle & Key Distillery, she was recognized by Wine Enthusiast Magazine as one of America’s Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers. 

Her combination of technical knowledge, hands-on experience, specialized palate and focus on thoughtful innovation are a unique formula for her role as Master Distiller. Praise for her recipes come from hobbyist consumers and spirits aficionados alike — her vodka and gin confuses and excites the palette with honest balance and nuanced complexity. The fortunate few who have tasted barrels that are resting at Castle & Key Distillery agree that the future is bright for Eaves and her creations.

As she transitions into her new role as a consultant and ambassador for Kentucky’s finest spirit, Eaves is well poised as a leader of the new generation of spirits professionals that will shape the industry. She hopes to use her expertise in process and product development to raise the bar for craft producers and help other passionate makers turn dreams into a reality. She is excited to teach the ways of authentic Kentucky made Bourbon to producers across the US.

Eaves role in changing the dynamic in this predominantly male industry is clear. She is proud to be a leader and a face for the movement and rise of women in spirits.  

You can also learn more about Eaves Blind here - https://www.eavesblind.com/home
Follow Marianne on Instagram @mariannebmd

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