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Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2025 brought one of the big highlights of the weekend: Buzzard’s Roost’s first-ever Cigar Blend Bourbon. Known for their Cigar Rye, this new special barrel release is crafted to pair perfectly with a fine cigar.

In this episode, Tom Fischer of BourbonBlog.com talks with co-founder Jason Brauner about what makes this bourbon unique, how it compares to the Cigar Rye, and why cigar lovers should be paying attention.

For more bourbon releases, tastings, and interviewsvviisrt BourbonBlog.com

⁠Bourbon expert ⁠ Tom Fischer previews Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2025 with 15 STARS founders Rick and Ricky Johnson. They discuss the first-ever Artisan Collection release, a 109-proof blend of 15- and 12-year Kentucky and Indiana bourbons, limited to just 1,290 bottles, available nationwide with a select number featured in Bardstown, Kentucky this weekend during the festival.

We also taste and chat about the complete First West Bourbon lineup: Small Batch, Toasted Oak, and Extra Aged 8-Year—crafted with their own heirloom red, white, and blue corn distilled at Bardstown Bourbon Company.

The conversation wraps with a taste of the upcoming 15 STARS Fine Aged Rye, showcasing their signature blending style and bold rye character.

American Single Malt Whiskey is now officially recognized as a distinct whiskey category by the federal government—the first new addition in over 52 years!

The TTB’s landmark decision, effective January 19, 2025, establishes clear standards for American Single Malt, ensuring authenticity, protecting producers, and elevating its global reputation.

In this podcast, whiskey expert Tom Fischer sips some Town Branch American Single Malt with Dave Bob Gaspar, National Brand Manager at Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company.. They discuss the profound impact of this historic recognition while looking at the specific rules that define this category.

They also explore the serious work of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC) to accomplish this. Founded in 2016, the ASMWC has worked tirelessly to establish, promote, and protect this category, with nearly 100 member producers across the U.S.

Additionally, more than 250 distilleries across the country are producing at least one American Single Malt, underscoring the category's remarkable growth and widespread adoption.

WhistlePig The Boss Hog XI: The Juggernaut is a limited-edition, 13+ year-old rye whiskey finished in the world’s first Thandai barrels, seasoned with hand-selected spices from India. Part of a highly sought-after collection, this release brings an exotic flavor profile with saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and more.

In the first-ever live review of the release from WhistlePig’s farm in Shoreham, Vermont, bourbon expert Tom Fischer joins WhistlePig’s Head Blender Meghan Ireland and Distiller Mitch Mahar to explore the tasting notes and the unique process that brought The Juggernaut to life. Full story on this link.

Cohiba's Cigar Blender Sean Williams and Bourbon Expert Tom Fischer chat live for a cigar review of the 2024 Weller by Cohiba Full Proof Cigar.

This limited-release cigar features a US Connecticut broadleaf binder, aged in Weller Full Proof Bourbon barrels, and is paired with Weller Bourbon for a distinctive tasting experience. Dive into their expert insights and explore more on their Masters Series through CigarWorld or at BourbonBlog.com/series.

Bourbon expert Tom Fischer visits the birthplace of bourbon whiskey regulations and parts of Kentucky's state constitution? Yes, you can soon tour Louisville's Oxmoor Farm! Opening in June 2024, this historic site is a must-see when you visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Kentucky's largest private library with 10,000 books where you can also enjoy tastings and cocktails featuring the new Oxmoor Bourbon Whiskey.

In this podcast, Fischer interviews and tours with historians Shirley Harmon and Tim Knittel at Oxmoor Farm and the new Oxmoor Bourbon Company.

We are the first to chat with Cohiba's Sean Williams about the new Cohiba Serie M Reserva Roja Cigar for 2024.

In this cigar podcast, Cohiba's Sean Williams and bourbon expert Tom Fischer try this limited edition Cohiba Serie M together pairing it alongside whiskeys and spirits: Bhakta Bourbon Whiskey 2014, Buzzard's Roost, Peerless Double Oak Bourbon, and Bhakta Vintage 1979 Armagnac.

As Bruno Mars gears up for his headline performance at the Trifecta Gala in Louisville, during Kentucky Derby 150 week, we are sharing Bourbon expert Tom Fischer's recent interview with Grammy-winning songwriter and record producer Phil Lawrence - who performs and writes with Bruno Mars.

Learn more about the Bruno Mars performance and Trifecta on this link. Listen to this podcast recorded after Bourbon & Beyond 2023 as Phil dives into upcoming ventures and projects including his work with siblings (Dee Dee Lawrence and Shane Lawrence) in "The Lawrences".

The Trifecta Gala, organized by Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman for the 150th Kentucky Derby, supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, celebrating community and mentorship

Bourbon expert Tom Fischer invites Hud Mellencamp, Levi Collison, and Hard Truth Head Distiller Bryan Smith for a first-of-its-kind conversation on the origins of Mellencamp Whiskey Company. They talk about the collaboration with Indiana's Hard Truth Distilling Co., showcasing a limited series of whiskeys, each adorned with a painting by musician and artist John Mellencamp.

The new release, Mellencamp Whiskey Farmer's Reserve, is a blend of sweet mash bourbon and rye finished in Amburana casks, revealing rare flavors from Indiana's farmers.

As a new era of the Mellencamp family name begins, building a reputation for incredible whiskey, this is the first time the three founders have been interviewed like this.

On this Bourbon podcast, a whiskey tasting and interview feature Savage & Cooke’s first-ever bottled-in-bond bourbons: Howling Mob and Bloody Butcher Bourbons, crafted from heirloom California corn.

Bourbon expert Tom Fischer and Master Distiller Jordan Via explore these limited-production whiskeys, both produced grain-to-glass at Dave Phinney’s Mare Island, California distillery near Napa.