STITZEL-WELLER “What do you mean you’ll run out of Blade & Bow?” Urban Bourbon trail stop 4 was @stitzelwellerdistrillery. History abounds at the site Pappy himself once roamed. While there are no active production lines on site, the Rickhouses and aged buildings provide a classic atmosphere (ask about the black fungus...it’s safe, they say). The tastings were wide-ranging and included @bulleit, @bladeandbowwhiskey, and a 15-year @iwharper. Annie scared us a bit talking about a limited supply... surely they’ll think of something, right?

#pappyland #bourbonon #bourbontrail #pappyland #urbanbourbon #urbanbourbontrail #louisville #pappysoffice #nowellerhere #whiskey #bourbon #stitzelwellerdistillery #bulleit #iwharper #bladeandbow

PEERLESS Bourbon before lunch, a cat named Rye, a new pal named Jerry, and a kickass experience... Urban Bourbon trail stop 3 was @kentuckypeerless. My oh my, what an experience at this award winning distillery.  We talk sweet mash, dig into their non-mass distribution approach, and taste some mighty fine spirits.  Oh, and Corky, the man behind the machine, pops in and sets the tone for the entire welcoming experience (and shares some @officialgreggallman dirt). Don’t worry, Corky, we’ll be back! #kurtsmancrush #smallbatchbourbon #singlebarrel #goodrye #ryewhiskey #bourbonon #bourbontrail #greggallmanisadamnliar #bourbon #bourbonpodcast #bourbonreview #whiskey #allmanbrothers #smallbatch   #bourbon #ryethecat #urbanbourbon #urbanbourbontrail #louisville #dspky50

OLD FORESTER Something special is brewing @oldforester... and it’s bigger than the Modjeskas. Barb was a great guide covering everything from whisky vs whiskey, to mash bills to barrel toasting to the missing “r”. We learned about the history and distilling process at one of the oldest and continuously producing distilleries, before-during-after prohibition. We talk through the climate controlled rickhouse experiment and finish off with a tasting of 4 Old Forester varieties accompanied by bourbon-soaked-carmel-dipped-chocoloate-dipped-seasalted treats.  Oh, and you'll never believe who showed up on the trip!!!While not their primary production site the environment is well suited to learning about and experiencing good bourbon whisky.  BTW, we suspect the barrels aging onsite are part of a secret plan... #BourbonOn #bourbon #birthdaybourbon #breakfastbouron #bottledinbond #bourbontrail #marshallowdelights #marshmellows #bourbonpodcast #bourbonreview #whisky #secrets #oldforester #louisville #brownforman #bourbon #urbanbourbon #urbanbourbontrail #bourbontrail #bourbonboys #bourbonon #kurtwasinvited

Our first stop on the UrbanBourbon tour was at Rabbithole Distillery in the NuLu neighborhood of Louisville, KY. Mason our tour guide took us on a tour of their ultra slick, modern facility. It started with an old fashioned and ended in a tasting room overlooking the city sampling some very fine small batch and single barrel bourbon. Highly recommend it if you are in the area.

#rabbithole #rabbitholedistrillery #nulu #louisville #urbanbourbon #urbanbourbontrail #bourbontrail #bourbon #craftdistiller #bourbonon #bourbonboys

With the excitement of recording in Kratt’s barn shot because he can’t seem to finish a project, we find ourselves again at Sandowne Estates.  

Episode 026

The Old Fashioned is a deep part of America’s cocktail history. With a simple base ingredient list, it begs for  experimentation. In this episode we explore the history of the Old Fashioned (Kurt insisted) and each of us put our spin on the bourbon classic. Not surprising to those who have played with the recipes, we find four distinct tastes with each playing into personal taste preferences - sweetness, citrus, smoky flavor and spice. Bourbon neat is still the drink of choice but a good Old Fashioned cocktail is a great change of pace.  #bourbonon #oldfashioned #cocktails #oldtub

3:40 Kratt’s Recipe 

2 oz. bourbon

1 Demerara sugar cube

3 drops of Hello bitters

2 drops of Citrus bitters

Garnish

Process - muddle and dissolve sugar cube with bitters, mix with bourbon, add bitters, serve over ice, garnish 

12:45 Alton’s Recipe

2 oz. bourbon

1 Domino Sugar cube

1 Tsp Demerara 

2 Dashes Vanilla extract

1 Tsp. Water

Angostura bitters

Garnish with orange peel and Travers City Cherries

Process - dissolve sugars with dash of vanilla and water, add bourbon, a few dashes of citrus bitters, mix, serve over ice, garnish with orange peel and cherries

23:40 Kurtron’s Recipe 

2.25 oz. bourbon

1/2 oz. Whiskey Barrel Smoked Sugar 

Cacao bitters

Angostura orange bitters

Garnish

Process - dissolve smoked sugar with bitters and a tsp hot water, muddle sugar and bitters, 4 dashes of Cacao bitters, 2 dashes of Angostura orange bitters, add bourbon, mix well, serve over ice, garnish with cherries and orange peel

36:30 DEW’s Recipe

2.5 oz. bourbon

.25 oz. Demerara simple syrup 2:1 (water:sugar)

6 shakes Black Walnut bitters

Garnish with two black cherries and blood orange wheel and twist

Process - mix bourbon with simple syrup, stir in bitters, pour over ice ball, garnish with cherries and blood orange 

Episode 025.  No…wait, is it actually 26? I'm confused. Listen in as Kurtron commits to channel his inner Wisconsin brethren…@SeanHayes host of @SmartLess.  DEW quotes Spinal Tap, Alton offers to give Kurtron a hug, and Kratt talks about hammers. In this 2nd Family Tree session we’ll work through 3 of Wild Turkey’s finest: Wild Turkey 101, Russell’s Reserve 10 yr., and Rare Breed. Hope y'all get a chance to sample these on your own – all great pours from the mighty Kickin’ Chicken!!

P.S. If anyone can get in touch with @SeanHayes, Kurtron appreciates the help.

#bourbonon @wildturkey @seanhayes @russellsreserve @smartless

Who doesn’t love a blind bourbon tasting? We know the Bourbon Boys do! In this episode there are 4 new flavors ... the only guard rail was “bring something we haven’t tasted together.” Part of the fun was seeing the camouflaging techniques- plastic bags, a fancy burlap bag, a neoprene sleeve, and a good ole’ brown bag. Guess who brought out the fancy burplap...?  Best news is that none were dogs, all 4 had some interesting elements. Kurt is REALLY GOOD at guessing what’s in the bag, at one point in the game he was (somehow) 4-for-3! Join us for a good bourbon game. #BourbonOn #blindtasting #pegleg #revivalbourbon

Bourbon Boys or Rye Rascals? There is no question where DEW stands on the debate. Come along the tasting journey for three spirits - two grand bourbons and a rye whiskey that somehow snuck in the mix. Exploring Whiskey Advocates 2020 Top 20, the guys find a Knob Creek 12 gem (that we hope to see again soon) and revisit the delicious and hard-hitting Wild Turkey Rare Breed. In between, we meet Old Overholt for the first time. Like a good spirit-filled family reunion, some of the best banters comes as tensions mount around this episodes lineup.  #bourbonon #notryerascals #Top20 #whiskeyadvocate #oldoverholt #knobcreek #rarebreed #wildturkey @wildturkey @knobcreek @Old_Overholt_Official