In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, the Bourbon Life Crew (minus Stacey) spends some time hanging out together in The Bourbon Life Studios for their 12 Blinds of Christmas Spectacular, where the guys each drink a different blind pour during each of the three rounds and then try to guess what they’re drinking.

They talk about the new partnership that Whiskey House has with Whiskey Capital that will provide capital for the brands that Whiskey House is distilling for currently, the Top 5 Bourbons and Ryes of the Year, and the Top Distillery of the Year.

They also taste and review 12 different Bourbons and Ryes – too many to list here – but there were some dusties, some new ones, some Bourbons, and some Ryes and it was a great time. You’ll have to listen to the Episode to see how they each did in guessing their blind pours.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is presented by Liquor Barn and is also sponsored by Penelope Bourbon, Limestone Farms Bourbon, Old Dominick, Three Chord Bourbon, James E. Pepper Distillery, Pappy & Co, and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at: 

www.liquorbarn.com 

www.penelopebourbon.com

www.limestonefarms.com

www.olddominick.com             

www.threechordbourbon.com

www.jamesepepper.com  

www.pappyco.com

www.visitthekitchentable.com

This Week on The Whiskey Trip Big Chief visits the newest stop on the Texas Whiskey Trail—Whiskey Castle, home of the Whiskey Crusaders. He sits down with Owner, Founder, and Whiskey Expert, Matt Zitrick, to explore the world of whiskey education.

Matt shares his passion for the “water of life,” recounts his journey, and gives insight into his remarkable collection of over 4,500 bottles.

The show begins with a Suntory Yamazaki 12 Year Single Malt Japanese Whiskey. Big Chief notes its flavors of vanilla, orange creamsicle, and a subtle touch of smoke.

Next, they sample the Old Pulteney 17-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, with tasting notes of straw, earthiness, and a hint of salted bean—a whisky perfectly reminiscent of the sea for any sailor.

To close the first half, Matt pours a Westland Garryana Single Malt Whiskey. This 8th edition explores the robust, savory spice of Garryana Oak, blended with dark fruit notes from Pedro Ximénez sherry and Washington State red wine casks. Big Chief describes it as tasting like a Payday candy bar with chocolate undertones.

Kicking off the second half, the duo dives into The Irishman Single Cask 17-Year-Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey. This luxurious whiskey offers a velvety texture, with rich caramel, dark chocolate, toasted nuts, and nuances of baking spices.

To finish, they savor Amrut Portonova, an unpeated single malt whisky with a fascinating journey. It’s matured in new American oak and ex-bourbon barrels, transferred to Portuguese port pipes, then returned to ex-bourbon casks. The result is an exotic, vibrant whisky bursting with raisins, vanilla, cherry liqueur, and warm spices.

This episode celebrates sharing whiskey—whether with new enthusiasts or seasoned connoisseurs—and reminds us there’s always more to learn and experience. 

Cheers to another unforgettable adventure on The Whiskey Trip!

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out in The Bourbon Life Studios with Heather Wibbels, aka Cocktail Contessa, Mixologist/Author and Managing Director of Bourbon Women.

The guys talk with Heather about how her passion for Bourbon led her to become a world-famous mixologist and author, her role as Managing Director of Bourbon Women and her passion for sharing her love of Bourbon with people across the US, and her inspiration for writing her book,Bourbon Is My Comfort Food and how anyone can begin to create their own cocktails at home by following her recipes.

They also taste and review several cocktails made by Heather including a Browned Butter Fat Washed Bourbon Old Fashioned featuring Heather’s Christmas/Holiday Syrup, a Rye Mimosa featuring the Holiday Syrup and Castle and Key Restoration Rye, and A Rye Mimosa featuring the Holiday Syrup and Wilderness Trail Rye.

To make Heather’s Holiday Syrup you can follow this easy recipe:

Christmas/Holiday Syrup

·         ½ c fresh squeezed orange juice, strained

·         ½ c water

·         1 c sugar

·         10 allspice berries

·         8 cloves

·         3 cinnamon sticks, cracked

·         2 star anise

·         Orange peel from two oranges (no pith)

Add all ingredients to a saucepan and simmer on low for 10 minutes, or until the sugar has dissolved and the orange peel is slightly translucent. Turn off the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature. Strain and refrigerate. Will keep for 3-4 weeks in the fridge.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is presented by Liquor Barn and is also sponsored by Penelope Bourbon, Limestone Farms Bourbon, Old Dominick, Three Chord Bourbon, James E. Pepper Distillery, Pappy & Co, and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at: 

www.liquorbarn.com 

www.penelopebourbon.com

www.limestonefarms.com

www.olddominick.com             

www.threechordbourbon.com

www.jamesepepper.com  

www.pappyco.com

www.visitthekitchentable.com

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief steps off the whiskey trail to sit down with singer-songwriter Colin Boutwell at Wilson Valley Mercantile Distillery. Together, they dive into whiskey, love, and music, making for a soulful and spirited conversation.

Colin, a longtime whiskey enthusiast whose journey began with Old Grand-Dad, shares stories and songs that take Big Chief on a nostalgic ride through the back roads of the Texas Hill Country. Colin performs four songs during the show, showcasing remarkable vocal and guitar control, effortlessly transitioning between notes and dynamics to captivate the room.

Throughout the episode, Colin savors Wilson Valley Mercantile’s Texas Notch Bourbon on the rocks. This “seed-to-sip” whiskey boasts a mash bill of 51% corn, 34% wheat, and 15% oats—all grown at Evans Ranch—and is aged for one year in Bell County. An additional yeast used during fermentation adds depth, creating a robust flavor that shines in every sip.

Meanwhile, Big Chief enjoys Wilson Valley Mercantile’s Texas Three Way Bourbon neat. Featuring the same mash bill as the Notch, he describes it as the perfect session whiskey—a spirit that pairs beautifully with porch-sitting and music that touches the soul.

Once again, Big Chief uses this pause from the whiskey trail to spotlight a talented musician, proving that whiskey and music are the perfect pairing. Cheers to another unforgettable journey on The Whiskey Trip!

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with Robert Likarish, Founder, Jonathan Likarish, Master Distiller & Blender, and Marcia Likarish, the Mother of Texas Whiskey, of Ironroot Republic Distillery.

The guys talk with Robert, Jonathan, and Marcia about their respective backgrounds and how a collective family decision led them into the wonderful world of whiskey, all of the incredible people who worked with them along the way to help them reach where they are today as well as a really cool story about how they got their still, as well as what the future looks like for Ironroot Republic Distillery.

They also taste and review Ironroot Republic Sleight of Hand Bourbon, Saints Alley The Nobleman, Saints Alley The Harold, and Ironroot Republic Harbinger.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is presented by Liquor Barn and is also sponsored by Penelope Bourbon, Limestone Farms Bourbon, Old Dominick, Three Chord Bourbon, James E. Pepper Distillery, Pappy & Co, and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at: 

www.liquorbarn.com 

www.penelopebourbon.com

www.limestonefarms.com

www.olddominick.com             

www.threechordbourbon.com

www.jamesepepper.com  

www.pappyco.com

www.visitthekitchentable.com

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief takes listeners on a spirited journey along The Tennessee Whiskey Trail with Executive Director Charity Toombs.

Charity offers insider tips on exploring the trail and its remarkable distilleries. She also highlights its vibrant festivals and events, including this year’s holiday pop-up, Carols & Barrels. While sharing her insights, Charity sips on Old Dominick Distillery’s The Original Toddy, a versatile winter delight perfect served warm or cold.

Big Chief embarks on his own tasting adventure, starting with Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey from Nashville. He then indulges in one of his favorites—a cask-strength rye whiskey from Leiper’s Fork Distillery.

The journey continues in the second half with more Tennessee treasures. Big Chief samples Jack Daniel’s Triple Mash, a nod to the iconic Lincoln County Process still thriving in Lynchburg. He wraps up with Chattanooga Whiskey’s single-barrel, wheated profile, a standout from the state’s southeastern corner.

Celebrate the rich history, bold flavors, and unforgettable experiences of The Tennessee Whiskey Trail with Big Chief. Cheers to another incredible ride on The Whiskey Trip!

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, the Bourbon Life Crew (minus Chad) spend some time hanging out together live in The Bourbon Life Studios, sharing some great pours and even better conversation.

They talk about the amazing job, and all of the hard work, that Matt did on his 22-month old country ham that he cured back in January 2023 and shared with the Crew as part of this Episode, the Penelope Estate Collection Release Party that Mark and Stacey attended last week at 21c Hotel in Louisville, and if we’re starting to see some pricing correction in the Bourbon market currently and where that trend might be headed and what it means for consumers.

They also taste and review the new Country Smooth Tennessee Straight Bourbon, Penelope Estate Collection Founder’s Reserve Lot E, and a 2024 King of Kentucky.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is presented by Liquor Barn and is also sponsored by Penelope Bourbon, Limestone Farms Bourbon, Old Dominick, Three Chord Bourbon, James E. Pepper Distillery, Pappy & Co, and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at: 

www.liquorbarn.com 

www.penelopebourbon.com

www.limestonefarms.com

www.olddominick.com             

www.threechordbourbon.com

www.jamesepepper.com  

www.pappyco.com

www.visitthekitchentable.com

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief hits The Texas Whiskey Trail and travels to Central Texas, visiting John Evans—Owner, Founder, and Distiller at Wilson Valley Mercantile, a true farm-to-glass distillery.

Established in 1867, the Evans Ranch embraces a “seed-to-sip” philosophy, growing all its grains on-site. In 2022, John decided to transform his corn harvest into spirits, creating a new chapter for the family farm.

The episode kicks off with their Texas Three Way Whiskey, crafted with a mash bill of 51% corn, 34% wheat, and 15% oats. This whiskey delivers a honey-butter sweetness that coats the palate, finishing with a touch of barrel spice.

Next, they sample the Texas Notch Bourbon, which shares the same mash bill but uses a different yeast strain, reducing the sweetness while adding spice for a longer finish.

In the second half, John introduces their Texas Bloody Butcher Corn Bourbon, featuring a rich, dusty nose and notes of popcorn ball and Cairo corn syrup that linger on the palate—a true nod to heritage corn whiskey.

To wrap things up, they taste the Wilson Valley Rye, made with 51% rye, 34% corn, and 15% oats. This “bourbon drinker’s rye” offers unique flavors of black licorice and root beer, making it the perfect whiskey for breakfast.

It’s always inspiring to see farmers returning to their roots, distilling their grains to create something extraordinary.

Cheers to another unforgettable ride on The Whiskey Trip!

In this REMIX Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out live in The Bourbon Life Studios with Brad Williams, Senior Category Manager for Spirits at Liquor Barn/BevMo/GoPuff. Brad was previously a guest on Episodes 90 & 127. This Episode originally aired on December 15, 2023 as Episode 201.  

The guys talk with Brad about what has changed and what has stayed the same with his position over the past year and half since he was last on the show, what it’s like being responsible for picking barrels for over 400 stores across the US now, and what the future looks like as Liquor Barn fully integrates with GoPuff.

They also taste and review a Liquor Barn Rittenhouse Rye Pick, the new James E. Pepper Barrel Proof Bourbon, and the James B. Beam Distilling Co. Distillers’ Share Batch 04.  

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is presented by Liquor Barn and is also sponsored by Penelope Bourbon, Limestone Farms Bourbon, Old Dominick, Three Chord Bourbon, James E. Pepper Distillery, Pappy & Co, and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at: 

www.liquorbarn.com 

www.penelopebourbon.com

www.limestonefarms.com

www.olddominick.com             

www.threechordbourbon.com

www.jamesepepper.com  

www.pappyco.com

www.visitthekitchentable.com

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief takes us to the Pacific Northwest to meet Kenny Miller, the Founder and Owner of The Distillarium, a craft distillery nestled in picturesque Yakima, Washington. Known for its rich agricultural heritage, the Yakima Valley provides the perfect backdrop for crafting exceptional spirits with top-tier ingredients.

The show kicks off with a tasting of The Distillarium’s Cask Strength Rye Whiskey, boasting a mash bill of 95% rye and 5% malted barley. At 116 proof, this whiskey delivers tart apple pie flavors with a touch of cinnamon spice, making for a bold and flavorful start.

Next, they dive into the Cask Strength Triticale Whiskey, featuring a mash bill of 95% triticale and 5% malted barley. Also at 116 proof, this silky-smooth whiskey has Big Chief buzzing with excitement over its unique character and balance.

In the second half, Kenny shares their Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey, crafted with a mash bill of 83% corn, 12% gazelle rye, and 5% malted barley. At 116 proof, this bourbon brings a spicy kick to the glass, rounding out a trio of powerhouse whiskeys.

To close the show, Kenny treats Big Chief to their VSOP American Brandy, a refined spirit with notes of crisp green apples, honeysuckle, and crème brûlée. This elegant brandy is the perfect afternoon indulgence, offering a refreshing contrast to the bold whiskeys.

Once again, The Whiskey Trip highlights the incredible craftsmanship and distinctive flavors of the Pacific Northwest.

Cheers to another unforgettable journey!