Sip Wiselee

Welcome back to Sip Wiselee! While our heart and roots are firmly planted in celebrating Missouri spirits, we love bridging the gap to the rich history and traditions of iconic Kentucky bourbon.

In part one of this two-part series, we sit down with a great friend of the show—Zack, Brand Ambassador for Augusta Distillery in Augusta, Kentucky! Many of you know Zack from his days on the regional distributor side where we first met him. After falling in love with Augusta's whiskey as a fan and distributor, he made the leap to join their team full-time.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

• The history, heritage, and unique location of Augusta Distillery along the Ohio River.

• Zack’s journey from selling spirits in our region to representing Augusta on the road.

• A special member Q&A with Society member Randy Davis joining the conversation.

• A sneak peek at upcoming pours like Old Route 8 and Buckner’s 10-Year Single Barrel (plus a hilarious geography mishap on the small batch label you won't want to miss!).

Grab a glass, settle in, and get ready for a deep dive into bourbon history before we pop the corks in Part 2!

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Grab a glass and join us on the patio at Old Monroe Distilling! In this mid-month tasting episode, we sit down with founder and master distiller Adam to dive deep into the glass. We’re tasting through their impressive lineup—starting with their signature 90-proof everyday Small Batch Bourbon, moving into three distinct high-proof Single Barrels (including a wild 132.5-proof monster and a shockingly dark 3-year heirloom corn bourbon), and finishing with their 115-proof pre-prohibition style Malted Rye.

Beyond the tasting, Adam breaks down the fascinating science of craft distilling—from how temperature fluctuations in their Columbia, Illinois rickhouse shape proof and flavor, to how barrel-char layers actually act as natural filtration. Whether you're a seasoned bourbon collector or just starting your whiskey journey, this episode is packed with flavor notes, distilling secrets, and great conversation.

• Old Monroe Small Batch Bourbon: Why Adam sacrifices "smoothness" for big, bold flavor profiles, and how blending 4.5 to 7-year barrels creates their signature everyday drinker.

• The Science of Aging: How oak barrel char layers work, how seasonal temperature swings in Illinois affect oxidation, and why 8 years is considered the "sweet spot" for bourbon complexity.

• Single Barrel Breakdown:

  • Sample #1: An 8-year, 8-month pour at 109.2 proof featuring rich oak and leather notes.

  • Sample #2: A powerhouse 9-year, 2-month pour sitting at a staggering 132.5 proof.

  • Sample #3: A rare 3-year "throwback" bourbon made with Bloody Butcher heirloom corn that punches way above its age.

• Pre-Prohibition Style Rye: The unique 1911 handwritten manuscript recipe behind their 72% rye / 25% malted rye blend, and why malted rye creates an unforgettable, velvety texture.

• Follow the Podcast: Don't forget to hit the +Follow or Subscribe button in your podcast app so you never miss an episode!

• Watch on YouTube: Want to see the rich colors of these pours for yourself? Check out the full video episode on our YouTube Channel.

• Join the Conversation: Follow us on Social Media to share your favorite tasting notes and let us know which bottle you're hunting down next!

Remember: Sip Wiselee and never drink and drive!

What does true grain-to-glass distilling actually look like? In this episode of Sip Wisely, we hit the road and head over to Columbia, Illinois, to visit Old Monroe Distilling.

Host [Your Name] and club member Art sit down with owner and master distiller, Adam, to talk about the rich history of Old Monroe and their uncompromising commitment to the craft. From growing their own grains right on the family farm to the final pour in your glass, Adam shares the passion, hard work, and agriculture that defines their exceptional spirits. If you love local craft distilling and great storytelling, this is an episode you can't miss.

In this episode, we cover:

• The history and origin story of Old Monroe Distilling.

• What it really means to be a "grain-to-glass" distillery.

• How farming and distilling merge on their local Illinois farm.

• A sneak peek at what we're tasting for our upcoming episode!

Quick Notes:📺 Watch the Video: This episode was recorded live on camera! Head over to our YouTube channel to see the distillery and watch the interview in action.🗓️ Mark Your Calendars: Pay close attention to what we taste in this episode, because our official tasting episode drops on the 15th of the month! Get your glasses ready.👉 Subscribe & Review: If you love what we're doing, please subscribe and leave us a review!

Welcome into our first episode of Season 3! In this episode we have a special treat for you! Members of the St. Charles Bourbon Society took a trip to Memphis to help with a special barrel pick with A1 Wine & Spirits on Mexico rd.

After this amazing experience, I had the pleasure sitting down with Brittney to learn all about this historic distillery! Enjoy!

It is the 15th of the month and that means it is time for another tasting episode. I got to sit down with Nick from Cardinal Sin and taste three of their amazing products! Pride, Envy and Wrath are three amazing products that should be on anyone's shelf!

What do you think of Cardinal Sin whiskey? Share your thoughts on social media. Be sure to check out their store on main street St. Charles!

Cardinal Sin Distillery

St. Charles Bourbon Society

Join us on location just off Main Street in St. Charles as we sit down with Steve Herberhold from Cardinal Sin Distillery. Have you ever wondered what happens when an aerospace engineer, an orthopedic surgeon, and a marketing executive are all neighbors who enjoy a drink together? In 2010, this trio turned a casual neighborhood hang-out into a partnership that blends mechanical aptitude with chemical precision.

In this episode, we dive into the science behind their process and the unique challenges of jumping from day jobs to distillation. You’ll hear the story behind "Starka," a barrel-aged spirit so unique that it initially baffled federal regulators and sparked a debate over what to legally call it. Steve explains how a clear spirit can take on the soul of a whiskey and why the government refused to let them put certain words on the same line of the label.

Tune in to discover how "Cardinal Sin" got its name, why they are currently facing "champagne problems" at their historic storefront, and how they manage to keep their friendship intact while navigating the complex world of craft spirits. Whether you are a vodka drinker or a die-hard bourbon fan, this conversation proves that sometimes the best business plans start in a neighbor's living room.

Cardinal Sin Distillery

St. Charles Bourbon Society

Welcome to another monthly tasting episode of the Sip Wiselee Podcast! We are thrilled to welcome back Clayton from Lionheart Distilling.

In this episode, we dive deep into the glass to explore a highly celebrated single barrel spirit that has become the distillery's number one seller. We reveal why this expression, along with others submitted by Lionheart, earned multiple medals in their inaugural competition, including a top score of 95.

Prepare to become a "mad scientist" as we discuss the complex factors that give a spirit its exceptional viscosity and desirable "legs on the glass". We explore how the smallest addition of water can dramatically transform the flavor profile, opening up new characteristics and making the spirit "smooth as can be going down".

You'll hear about the immense care and quality put into the product, including the rigorous process of selecting single barrels and the dedication required to taste through multiple barrels to ensure consistency. This dedication extends to their unique water source: learn why the team drives approximately 2.5 hours one way with a stainless tank to collect high-quality water from Welpman Springs in Stover, Missouri, ensuring essential mineral content is retained.

Finally, we discuss some of Lionheart’s other creative products, including Coalesce, a "really fun" blend of bourbons and ryes resulting from collaborations across the whiskey community.

Listen now, and then make plans to visit the historic and quaint town of Hermann, Missouri, to experience this quality for yourself! Lionheart Distilling is easily accessible from major nearby highways.Lionheart Distilling Co.

St. Charles Bourbon Society

Sip Wiselee Podcast - Episode 17: The Lionheart Whiskey Co.

Welcome to Episode 17 of the Sip Wiselee podcast! This month, we had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Clayton Newell, the Proprietor of Lionheart Whiskey Co., located in Hermann, Missouri.

Lionheart's foundation is inspired by powerful values: having the courage to be exceptional. They are dedicated to creating whiskeys that are bold yet elegant, familiar yet new, and best shared with friends. Clayton shares his deep-rooted passion for the spirit, revealing he has been appreciating the complex flavor of whiskey for over two decades.

We dive into the history of Lionheart, discussing why quality is their guiding foundation and how they meticulously ensure their expressions are handled with care, even utilizing natural Missouri limestone spring water in their process.

Clayton invites us into the world of Lionheart, explaining the philosophy behind their signature rye whiskey and their barrel proof Single Barrel releases. Plus, we explore the authentic experience visitors can expect when they step into their historic building in Hermann. Clayton describes this experience as inviting you into his living room for the day, complete with tasting tours and guided flights.

To enhance your experience, get out there and pick up a Lionheart single barrel now to prepare for our upcoming tasting episode!

The conversation is just beginning! Be sure to subscribe to the Sip Wiselee podcast and share this episode with friends and family who enjoy whiskey, distilling stories, or learning about unique spots in Missouri.

Head over to the St. Charles Bourbon Society website to catch up on everything we are doing! You will find links to all of our amazing small business partners, links to our YouTube channel where you can subscribe to enjoy our weekly Sip Blindlee episodes, and to our latest Sip Blindlee magazine! Check out our memberships and join today!

No matter how you enjoy your whiskey, be sure to Sip Wiselee!

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Lionheart Whiskey Co.

St. Charles Bourbon Society

Sip Blindlee Podcast

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This mid-month tasting is a special one! Jonathon welcomes back Hunter and Cole from Red Ox Distillery to explore their full lineup of handcrafted spirits, from bright citrus cordials and aromatic liqueurs to two standout bourbons that showcase the best of Missouri craft distilling.

Recorded live at Ohana Pizzeria, this session pairs Red Ox’s creativity with Ohana’s hospitality and cocktails that perfectly complement the tasting. Grab your favorite pour and join in as the conversation flows from the still to the glass.

If you haven’t yet, make sure to check out the earlier episode featuring the Red Ox story. It’s the perfect setup for this tasting journey.

🎧 In this episode:

• Behind-the-scenes insights from Hunter and Cole

• Flavor exploration across the Red Ox portfolio

• Community and craftsmanship in Missouri spirits

• Bonus: a local shoutout to our friends at Ohana Pizzeria

Before you hit play, don’t forget to:
✅ Visit our website for new Sip Wiselee merchandise
✅ Join the St. Charles Bourbon Society Facebook group
✅ Subscribe to our YouTube channel for Sip Blindlee, where the pours are blind and the opinions aren’t

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🥃 Red Ox Distillery

The Sip Wisely podcast welcomes distiller guests Hunter Smith and Cole Oxley of Redox Distillery, joining the host from Ohana Pizzeria in Fulton, Missouri. Redox, a name derived from Cole Oxley's nickname ("red ox") and his red hair, focuses on creating high-quality, innovative spirits, emphasizing that they are "not stuck on traditional ways" due to their engineering backgrounds. The conversation covers their unique production process, including using a Civil War-era yeast for precise single distillation to retain maximum flavor. They proudly discuss their award-winning line of products, which includes the ADI "number one citrus liqueur in the world," Orange Cello, and silver medal whiskies like Wicked Warrior and Alumni Select. A core mission of Redox is local partnership; they currently collaborate with over three dozen Missouri businesses on unique products ranging from whiskey-aged cheddars to barreled cigars. The distillers also tease ambitious future projects, including a tea-infused whiskey and a special bourbon blend using spirits gathered from every state in the union for the nation's 250th anniversary. Finally, they reveal that the next episode will feature a tasting of the Wicked Warrior, Alumni Select, Orange Cello, and Almond cordial.

Check out the Red Ox website!

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