The Bourbon Case Files

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What sets a seasonal whiskey like New Riff Winter apart? Aaron Paul returns to talk about what makes this seasonal bourbon stand out. Beyond bourbon, the duo dives into unforgettable family adventures, including epic trips to Italy, Christmas football at Lambeau Field, and skiing in Utah’s best resorts. They also share stories of food, travel, cars, and the little experiences that make life richer outside of work.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🥃 New Riff Winter: seasonal whiskey tasting and impressions

😬 Bottle Regret: passing on a Master’s Keep release

🍽️ Philly Eats: memorable food and city experiences

🏈 Sports & Family: fandom, parenting, and priorities

⛷️ Ski Adventures: family trips and favorite resorts

Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDXqiYR1znpjffLgoHyplOg

📞 Call us 24/7 at (407) 801-3000 for a free consultation. Remember, if we don’t win, you don’t pay.

🔗 Learn more at https://nordenleacox.com

📕Download Zachary and Nicholas’ E-Book: https://nordenleacox.com/about-us/download-our-ebook/

🥃 Don’t miss a pour — Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDXqiYR1znpjffLgoHyplOg

Join Nick and special guest Aaron Paul as they each bring a favorite bottle- Peerless Single Barrel and Dettling Bourbon- for a spirited side-by-side tasting and lively comparison. Along the way, they explore the stories and flavors behind these standout bourbons, sharing personal insights on collecting, savoring unique pours, and balancing passions with family and career.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🥃 Peerless Single Barrel: first pour, early impressions, and why we love it

🦬 Meet Dettling Bourbon: a standout bottle with a story

📚 Aaron’s Bourbon Journey: collecting, learning, and sharing along the way

👨‍👧 Family & Life: the personal side behind the passion

💼 Business & Career Insights: how work and bourbon worlds overlap

⛳ Golf Talk: simulators, swings, and off-course fun

Get In Touch with Aaron Paul: 

Synergy Wealth Alliance: 

https://www.synergywealthalliance.com/team/aaron-paul

Email Aaron:

[email protected] 

Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDXqiYR1znpjffLgoHyplOg

📞 Call us 24/7 at (407) 801-3000 for a free consultation. Remember, if we don’t win, you don’t pay.

🔗 Learn more at https://nordenleacox.com

📕Download Zachary and Nicholas’ E-Book: https://nordenleacox.com/about-us/download-our-ebook/

Nick and Peter are back for round two, this time tasting and reviewing Widow Jane 10-Year Bourbon. They break down the distillery’s unique approach, their limestone mineral water process, and how blending barrels from across the country creates its signature flavor profile. Along the way, they get into bottle-hunting strategies, fantasy football, and the bourbons worth keeping on your shelf.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🥃 Widow Jane Intro: history and how the New York distillery sources barrels

🔥 Taste Test: first impressions, heat level, and flavor notes

🏪 Where to Find It: availability, pricing, and what’s coming next

🔍 Bourbon Research: how Nick chooses new bottles to try

🏈 Fantasy Football: preseason chatter, league strategy, and weekend plans

Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDXqiYR1znpjffLgoHyplOg

📞 Call us 24/7 at (407) 801-3000 for a free consultation. Remember, if we don’t win, you don’t pay.

🔗 Learn more at https://nordenleacox.com

📕Download Zachary and Nicholas’ E-Book: https://nordenleacox.com/about-us/download-our-ebook/

Nick welcomes Chris Ochoa back for another pour- this time featuring Woodford Reserve Double Oaked- as the two swap tasting notes and stories from everyday life. Between rich flavors of chocolate and coffee, Chris opens up about juggling work, parenting, and the hobbies that keep him grounded, from golf to flying. He also shares the story behind effNETS, the nonprofit he founded to support pancreatic cancer research and bring hope to families fighting the disease.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🥃 Bourbon Tasting: exploring the flavor and character of Woodford Reserve Double Oaked

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Life Updates: family stories, work-life balance, and the beauty of distraction

⛳ Golf & Florida Life: Chris’s local courses, best shots, and weekend escapes

🧘 Hobbies & Headspace: how flying, golf, and routine help Chris manage stress

💜 effNETS Foundation: honoring family and driving awareness for pancreatic cancer research

Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDXqiYR1znpjffLgoHyplOg

📞 Call us 24/7 at (407) 801-3000 for a free consultation. Remember, if we don’t win, you don’t pay.

🔗 Learn more at https://nordenleacox.com

📕Download Zachary and Nicholas’ E-Book: https://nordenleacox.com/about-us/download-our-ebook/

In this episode, Nick sits down with Peter Ridge, Esq., a litigation attorney with the Norden Leacox team, to sample and review Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit. They dive into what makes this single barrel special, from the smooth taste to the story behind barrel selection, proof, and aging. Throughout the conversation, Nick and Peter swap stories about law, competitive sports, and the pursuit of excellence. 

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🥃 Kentucky Craftsmanship: What makes Kentucky Spirit distinct 

🚴 Triathlon: How Peter stays competitive and motivated through triathlons

🧠 Discipline & Focus: The shared mindset of law and athletics

🏝️ Travel & Reset: Peter’s getaway to Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic

Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDXqiYR1znpjffLgoHyplOg

📞 Call us 24/7 at (407) 801-3000 for a free consultation. Remember, if we don’t win, you don’t pay.

🔗 Learn more at https://nordenleacox.com

📕Download Zachary and Nicholas’ E-Book: https://nordenleacox.com/about-us/download-our-ebook/

This episode of The Bourbon Case Files features a meaningful pour of Larceny Barrel Proof as Nick is joined by Chris Ochoa, founder of effNETS. While savoring the sweet, bold notes of this Heaven Hill release, Chris shares how he got into bourbon tasting, but also how life took a turn when his wife was diagnosed with pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer. That journey inspired the launch of effNETS, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing research and supporting families impacted by this rare disease. 

You’ll hear the history behind Larceny, taste impressions of this barrel-proof favorite, and most importantly, learn about the many ways effNETS is making a difference. Nick and Chris discuss the organization’s upcoming charity golf tournament on November 21st, future events, and the growing community support behind the cause.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🥃 Pouring and tasting Larceny Barrel Proof

💜 Chris’s story: turning his wife’s diagnosis into purpose

⛳ Upcoming charity golf tournament (Nov 21, 2025)

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family and community involvement in effNETS

📚 Bourbon history: the story behind Larceny

Donate or Learn More about effNETS:

https://www.effnets.com/

2nd Annual effNETS Golf Tournament:

https://www.effnets.com/Events

Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDXqiYR1znpjffLgoHyplOg

📞 Call us 24/7 at (407) 801-3000 for a free consultation. Remember, if we don’t win, you don’t pay.

🔗 Learn more at https://nordenleacox.com

📕Download Zachary and Nicholas’ E-Book: https://nordenleacox.com/about-us/download-our-ebook/

In this episode, Nick is joined by Mike Vaughn, Esq., to taste and talk about Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond, a seven-year-old Kentucky bourbon with a smooth, honey-like finish. As they pour a glass, Mike shares stories from his remarkable career, including decades of service in the Coast Guard, life as a trial lawyer, and the lessons he’s carried through both. 

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🥃 Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond: smooth, honeyed, and balanced

⚓ Coast Guard stories: deployments, JAG work, and unique duty stations

👨‍⚖️ Mike’s career as both a defense and plaintiff trial lawyer

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family life and raising kids

💬 Reflections on purpose, service, and the human side of law

Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDXqiYR1znpjffLgoHyplOg

📞 Call us 24/7 at (407) 801-3000 for a free consultation. Remember, if we don’t win, you don’t pay.

🔗 Learn more at https://nordenleacox.com

📕Download Zachary and Nicholas’ E-Book: https://nordenleacox.com/about-us/download-our-ebook/

Not every great bourbon has to be rare or hard to find. In this episode of The Bourbon Case Files, Nick and guest Mike Vaughn, Esq., Senior Trial Attorney at Norden Leacox, explore what makes Four Roses Single Barrel a true “everyday drinker.” From smooth cinnamon notes to its unique OBSV recipe, Nick explains why this bottle balances accessibility, flavor, and value- a pour that belongs on almost any bar.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🥃 First impressions of Four Roses Single Barrel

⚖️ Mike’s love for trial work & working under pressure

🔥 Florida heat stories & The OBSV recipe explained 

🏄 Surfing, friendships, and family traditions 

💡 Why single barrel bourbons are unique

Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDXqiYR1znpjffLgoHyplOg

📞 Call us 24/7 at (407) 801-3000 for a free consultation. Remember, if we don’t win, you don’t pay.

🔗 Learn more at https://nordenleacox.com

📕Download Zachary and Nicholas’ E-Book: https://nordenleacox.com/about-us/download-our-ebook/

This week, Louis Berk returns to taste and review Buffalo Trace with Nick. Known as one of America’s most iconic bourbons, Buffalo Trace has an impressive history and has even been designated a national historic landmark. Nick shares stories about the distillery’s production challenges, from shortages just a few years ago to today’s wider availability thanks to increased output.

At just under $30 a bottle, Buffalo Trace offers a smooth, approachable flavor profile- making it a perfect entry point for bourbon beginners or scotch drinkers exploring something new. 

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🥃 Tasting notes and first impressions of Buffalo Trace

🏛️ The distillery’s landmark history

📦 From impossible to find → now on every shelf

💵 Why it’s a great $30 entry-level bourbon

🌎 Bourbon hunting tips from Nick’s travels

Learn more about Louis and Louis Berk Law:

https://www.louisberklaw.com/

Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDXqiYR1znpjffLgoHyplOg

📞 Call us 24/7 at (407) 801-3000 for a free consultation. Remember, if we don’t win, you don’t pay.

🔗 Learn more at https://nordenleacox.com

📕Download Zachary and Nicholas’ E-Book: https://nordenleacox.com/about-us/download-our-ebook/

In this episode, Nick welcomes longtime friend and fellow attorney Louis Berk for a flavorful conversation over a glass of Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel. A loyal scotch drinker, Louis takes the plunge into bourbon territory with a little nudge from Nick, who introduces him to a pour known for its rich notes of caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak.

Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode:

🥃 What makes Elijah Craig Toasted different from small batch

🧊 How a cube of ice can shift the whole flavor profile

💡 The surprising origins of bourbon from a Baptist preacher in 1789

💸 Why price doesn’t always equal quality in bourbon

🤝 Friendship forged through law, bourbon, and generosity 

Learn more about Louis and Louis Berk Law:

https://www.louisberklaw.com/

Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDXqiYR1znpjffLgoHyplOg

📞 Call us 24/7 at (407) 801-3000 for a free consultation. Remember, if we don’t win, you don’t pay.

🔗 Learn more at https://nordenleacox.com

📕Download Zachary and Nicholas’ E-Book: https://nordenleacox.com/about-us/download-our-ebook/