Chasing the Unicorn: Bourbon & American Whiskey

Today's Cut covers Sazerac's $15 billion all-cash bid for Brown-Forman — the biggest American whiskey deal since 2014 — and the Brown family's apparent preference for Pernod Ricard's competing share-swap offer. First Sip covers the mash bill, anchored to Angel's Envy's first-ever age-stated cask-strength rye. Today's Chase Spotlight is that same Angel's Envy 10-Year Cask Strength Rye at $269.99, launching Friday. Full AWIB waiting at chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/the-brief.

Today's Cut covers Whiskey Riot Boston 2026 Spring, opening at six tonight at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center — roughly 240 American whiskey labels poured across two days, the cheapest fast-track to bourbon education on the spring calendar. Today's First Sip is How to Actually Taste Bourbon — the routine for working a 240-label tasting floor without burning out your palate. Today's Cut Spotlight is Frey Ranch's Single Estate Bottled-in-Bond Reserve 6-Year, $79.99, a 6-year BiB from one of three single-estate American whiskey operations in the country. Full American Whiskey Industry Brief at chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/the-brief.

Today's Cut covers Brown-Forman's full Q4 fiscal 2026 earnings — a $215 million Lynchburg expansion through 2028, a 12 percent right-size of Louisville bottling, and fiscal 2027 guidance that holds bourbon-segment volume flat. Today's First Sip explains finishing — what the term actually means and how to taste through it. Today's Cut Spotlight is the Lux Row Blood Oath Pact 12 ticket-allocation cycle, opened Friday at 3.9x standard / 13.8x premium ratios, distillery-direct event April 25 in Bardstown. Full American Whiskey Industry Brief at chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/the-brief.

Today's Cut covers the Bardstown Discovery Series 11 lottery — opened Thursday at 7,800 bottles against 6,200 entrants, a 1.26 ratio that's the cleanest allocation math the program has produced in six years. 14-year MGP wheated cask strength, $169.99 distillery direct, entrant window closes Sunday night. Today's First Sip explains allocated versus regular release — distribution reality, not a quality grade. Today's Cut Spotlight is Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series 11. Full American Whiskey Industry Brief at chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/the-brief.

Today's Cut covers Wild Turkey Master's Keep 2026 — 11,400 bottles, the smallest run since 2018 Revival, with a 17-year base, 110.4 proof, re-toasted-original-barrel finish at $249.99 single-day rollout April 30. Today's First Sip explains the mash bill — corn for sweetness, rye for spice, wheat for softness, malted barley for fermentation. Today's Cut Spotlight is Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series 11 at $169.99 — 14-year MGP wheated cask strength, the cleanest sourced-bourbon disclosure in the segment. Full American Whiskey Industry Brief at chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/the-brief.

Today's Cut covers three regional rye flagships landing at retail the same Tuesday — Dad's Hat Pennsylvania Bottled-in-Bond ($59.99), Kings County Empire Rye 2026 ($79.99), and Sagamore Spirit Reserve Cask Strength ($74.99) — three distinct mashbill traditions across Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland. First Sip explains Bottled-in-Bond — the 1897 federal designation behind the Dad's Hat label and one of the cleanest value signals on a whiskey shelf. Today's Cut Spotlight is Sagamore Reserve Cask Strength at $74.99 — the cleanest accessible entry to the Maryland 52-39-9 mashbill profile most American whiskey drinkers have never actually tasted. Full American Whiskey Industry Brief at chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/the-brief.

Today's Cut covers Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year hammering at $2,750 on Sunday's April 12 cycle — the bottle's lowest multiple over MSRP since 2019 and a 47.1% compression from the $5,200 peak. First Sip explains the secondary market — what it is, what it isn't, and why those prices are a signal about real scarcity. Today's Cut Spotlight is Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 12-Year at $89.99 — twelve years, 100 proof, BiB-grade, the cleanest age-stated value buy on the spring shelf. Full American Whiskey Industry Brief at chasingtheunicornpodcast.com/the-brief.

In Episode 4 of Chasing the Unicorn: Your Quest for the Perfect Pour, we're asking the question every bourbon lover needs to consider: Are you truly experiencing the spirit in your glass, or are you being swayed by labels, brands, and preconceived notions? This week, we're diving headfirst into the fascinating and incredibly valuable world of blind bourbon tastings!Join host John Schuster as we demystify the process of blind tasting and reveal why it's the ultimate tool for refining your palate and discovering your true bourbon preferences. We'll show you how to strip away the biases, focus solely on your senses, and unlock a deeper level of appreciation for bourbon's complexities.In this episode, you'll discover: • The surprising power of blind tasting to challenge your assumptions about bourbon. • Practical techniques for setting up your own blind tastings at home. • Tips to improve your sensory focus and identify key flavor elements. • Why Four Roses Small Batch is the perfect bourbon to hone your blind tasting skills. • How blind tasting can transform your bourbon journey from casual enjoyment to connoisseurship.Ready to put your palate to the test and experience bourbon in a whole new way? Click play and join the blind tasting showdown! Don't forget to share your own tasting notes and experiences with us on social media using #ChasingTheUnicorn!

Think you know everything about bourbon? Think again! In this episode of Chasing the Unicorn, we're debunking common bourbon myths and misconceptions. We'll explore the truth about where bourbon can be made, how age affects flavor, and whether filtering really removes flavor. Plus, our 'Perfect Pour' segment features a deep dive into the history and tasting notes of Old Forester 1920 Prohibition Style.

Dive into the fascinating world of bourbon and water in this episode of Chasing the Unicorn! We explore how different water sources impact flavor, from limestone springs to Jack Daniel's unique cave spring. Plus, we discuss the influence of social media on bourbon culture and take a historical look at Jack Daniel's distillery.