The Bourbon Life

This week’s episode of The Whiskey Trip takes listeners on a wild and exciting journey with Brandon Cummins from High N’ Wicked, where he serves as the blender and director of education.

Brandon shares how the brand’s name was inspired by Bruce Kiskaddon’s poem, “High and Wicked,” which tells the story of a cowboy and a wild bronc. The whiskey captures the untamed nature of the horse while honoring the man determined to tame it.

The episode kicks off with a tasting of their Straight Kentucky Bourbon, a 5-year-aged sweet mash at 104 proof. With a high-rye mash bill of 51% corn, 39% rye, and 10% malted barley, it offers flavors of caramelized berries and baked fruit pie, complemented by baking spices and orange notes. The palate is sweet, yet the whiskey remains dry and bold overall.

In the second half, they take on the Kentucky Straight Rye—a 5-year-aged, 98.2 proof whiskey with a mash bill of 91% rye and 9% malted barley. This one is full and complex, with rich layers of apple, pear, shortbread cookie, and cinnamon spice.

This episode and brand pay tribute to the men and women who tamed the Wild West, perhaps with a sip of whiskey to ease their burdens and pain.

Cheers to another memorable stop on The Whiskey Trip!

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, presented by Liquor Barn, Mark and Special Co-Host, Stacey, spend some time hanging out with Cordell Lawrence, CEO & Co-Founder, and Caleb Kilburn, Master Distiller & Co-Founder, of Eastern Light Distilling in Morehead, Kentucky.

Mark and Stacey talk with Cordell and Caleb about their impressive backgrounds in the industry and what made them decide to leave Kentucky Peerless to start Eastern Light, why they decided to open their Eastern Light in Eastern Kentucky and what they both hope it will mean for the surrounding community, as well as what the timeline looks like for their opening and what the future looks like for Eastern Light Distilling.

They also taste and review Four Roses Small Batch, Wild Turkey 101, and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, all of which were picked purposefully by Cordell and Caleb for this Episode.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is presented by Liquor Barn and is also sponsored by Penelope Bourbon, Limestone Farms Bourbon, Regard Law Group, 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.regardlaw.com 

www.olddominick.com             

www.threechordbourbon.com

www.jamesepepper.com  

www.pappyco.com

www.visitthekitchentable.com  

This week's episode of The Whiskey Trip takes listeners on a flavorful journey to Minneapolis, Minnesota, with a visit to O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co. Big Chief chats with distiller Kate Douglas about the brand's Keeper’s Heart Whiskey. The family motto, "Fugit Hora" or "The Hour Flies," is a reminder to treasure every moment with loved ones, making their whiskey a fitting choice for any occasion, from celebrations to casual gatherings.

The episode begins with a blend of Irish Whiskey and Bourbon, clocking in at 86 proof. This whiskey is described as having rich caramel notes, reminiscent of a freshly baked pecan pie, offering a unique and memorable experience.

Next, they sample the 10-year Irish single malt finished in Malaga casks, which wows the host with its biscuity cereal flavors, alongside hints of apricots, honey, and almonds. It’s so impressive that it’s a contender for "whiskey of the year."

As they move on, the team tries the Irish+Bourbon blend at 92 proof. The added strength brings nutmeg spice, heavy cream, and chocolate notes, enhancing the complexity of the drink.

In the second half, they up the ante with the Irish+Bourbon Cask Strength at a potent 118 proof. This whiskey delivers a powerful combination of sweet caramel, vanilla, and charred oak aromas from the bourbon, mixed with earthy pot still notes and orchard fruits.

To finish, they savor the Irish + American Surely Darkness single barrel, finished in barrels from Surly Brewery. At 110 proof, this whiskey offers a delightful sensory experience, sure to please even the most discerning whiskey drinkers.

This episode highlights the craftsmanship of a northern distillery, combining various distilling techniques to produce remarkable whiskeys.

Cheers to a memorable stop on The Whiskey Trip!

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, presented by Liquor Barn, Matt and Mark spend some time together hanging out with Chris Walters, Creator, of Nose Your Bourbon. Chris was previously a guest way back in 2020 on Episode 10.

They talk with Chris about how his passion for Bourbon and his desire to create a system for himself to understand nosing and tasting notes better led to the creation of Nose Your Bourbon, the importance of learning how to properly nose and taste Bourbon as well as learning how to talk about those notes, and what the future looks like for the Nose Your Bourbon brand.

They also taste and review Woodford Reserve Toasted Bourbon, Old Forester 1924, and Bardstown Bourbon Company Amrut Collaboration Series.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is presented by Liquor Barn and is also sponsored by Penelope Bourbon, Limestone Farms Bourbon, Regard Law Group, 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.regardlaw.com 

www.olddominick.com             

www.threechordbourbon.com

www.jamesepepper.com  

www.pappyco.com

www.visitthekitchentable.com  

This week's episode of The Whiskey Trip takes listeners to Kiln, Mississippi, where host Big Chief chats with Matt and James Crittenden, the father-son team behind Crittenden Distillery. Their whiskey, "Cut Above," has been distilled for over nine years, named after the family's ranch, and inspired by the area's history as the moonshine capital of the Gulf Coast.

The episode kicks off with their Bottled in Bond Wheated Bourbon, a 100-proof bourbon with a distinct peppercorn spice, designed for the refined palate. They follow it with their Single Barrel Family Reserve, a six-year-old rye bourbon at 122.5 proof, boasting flavors of caramel, dried figs, and Girl Scout Samoas cookies, offering a rich, long finish.

Next up is a five-year-old rye whiskey, finished with black cherry staves, coming in at 122.5 proof. This whiskey delivers a spicy, orange zest flavor that balances its heat.

The show wraps up with the BO-RY-RU, a blend of bourbon and rye whiskeys finished in a rum cask. Named after the Rougarou, the Cajun werewolf of Louisiana folklore, it features salty caramel, sweet tea, and chocolate notes that evoke a wild, roaring experience.

The episode dives into Mississippi's deep distilling heritage, with Crittenden's "Cut Above" showcasing the craftsmanship of Gulf Coast whiskey.

Cheers to another exciting journey on The Whiskey Trip!

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, presented by Liquor Barn, Matt and Mark spend some time together hanging with Matt Hondorf, Founder, of the Colorado Springs Distillery Week & Festival.

They talk with Matt about his background in law enforcement and how his passion for whiskey led him to create the Colorado Spirits Collective, Whiskey Church, and the Colorado Springs Distillery Week & Festival, what this year’s Festival looks like and all of the great events that attendees can look forward to, and what the future looks like for the Colorado Springs Distillery Week & Festival.

They also taste and review a lineup of great of whiskies from several different Colorado Springs producers including Axe and the Oak Bourbon, 135 Distilling Code Four Cask Strength Bourbon, and Distillery 291 Single Barrel Barrel Proof Aspen Stave Finished Rye.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is presented by Liquor Barn and is also sponsored by Penelope Bourbon, Limestone Farms Bourbon, Regard Law Group, 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.regardlaw.com 

www.olddominick.com             

www.threechordbourbon.com

www.jamesepepper.com  

www.pappyco.com

www.visitthekitchentable.com  

This week's episode of The Whiskey Trip podcast takes listeners on a flavorful journey to New Orleans, where Big Chief sits down with Luka Cutura, the Master Distiller of Seven Three Distilling, to dive into the history and craftsmanship behind their latest creation—Whiskey Tree.

Whiskey Tree pays tribute to a legendary site in Louisiana’s Honey Island Swamp, where moonshiners once gathered to trade goods and evade authorities. Big Chief and Luka kick off the episode by sipping this unique wheat straight bourbon, bottled at 100 proof and double oaked, which offers rich Louisiana flavors like salty caramel and deep chocolate.

In the second part of the show, the duo moves on to Bye Water Bourbon, another offering from Seven Three Distilling. Named after one of New Orleans' 73 distinct neighborhoods, this four-grain bourbon delivers complex notes of tropical fruit, vanilla, oak, bitters, and a hint of clove.

The episode celebrates the deep cultural roots of Louisiana’s spirits, honoring the rich history of the swamps, bayous, and rivers that shape the region’s distilling traditions.

Cheers to this memorable stop on The Whiskey Trip!

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, presented by Liquor Barn, The Bourbon Life Crew (minus Philip - sorta) spend some time together hanging out together in The Bourbon Life Studios sharing some great pours and even better conversation.

They talk about whether there is enough transparency these days with Bottled in Bond (or Brokered in Bond as Chad calls it) Bourbon and whether regulations need to be enhanced to promote more openness for the consumer, whether we’ve “jumped the shark” in the Bourbon finishing world and if further movement into finished products might dilute the classification of “straight” Bourbon, and the recent increase in “on premise” releases from brands and what that trend might signal for consumers.

They also taste and review a 1792 Bottled in Bond A&L Wine Castle Store Pick, Watson’s Reserve Bottled in Bond (which was really just a blend that Chad put together for us), and a New Riff Balboa Rye Bottled in Bond.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is presented by Liquor Barn and is also sponsored by Penelope Bourbon, Limestone Farms Bourbon, Regard Law Group, 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.regardlaw.com 

www.olddominick.com             

www.threechordbourbon.com

www.jamesepepper.com  

www.pappyco.com

www.visitthekitchentable.com  

In this week's episode of The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief heads to New Iberia, Louisiana, to sit down with Steve and Philip Mestayer, the owners and distillers behind Distillerie Acadian. The conversation revolves around the rich Cajun culture of the region and how their distillery was born from a deep-rooted interest in the moonshine process.

Big Chief recounts a visit with Philip over five years ago, during which he offered advice on how to improve his whiskey. Philip took those suggestions to heart, making significant changes, including switching from an open flame heated still to a steam-jacketed still and moving to 53-gallon barrels. These adjustments have allowed Philip to refine his craft, resulting in a whiskey that is truly exceptional.

The episode kicks off with a tasting of their T-Moon, a unique whiskey that incorporates cane sugar into the mashbill. The addition of cane sugar gives the whiskey a remarkable sweetness that beautifully balances the bourbon notes. They then move on to sampling the 94 proof and cask strength expressions of Cajun’s Cut, Louisiana’s first bourbon. This four-grain bourbon evokes flavors of honeysuckle and salted caramel, leaving a lasting impression on Big Chief.

In the second half of the show, the trio explores the cask strength and port finish expressions of Bon Vale, an American Single Malt that pays homage to the Mestayer family's Scotch and French heritage. The unique terroir of the region imparts a distinctive spice rarely found in single malts, complemented by notes of dried fruit, blooming flowers, and rich honey.

To wrap up the episode, the Mestayers introduce Big Chief to two future expressions—a Wheated bourbon and a rye whiskey. These new whiskies reflect Philip's dedication to creating spirits that he and his consumers will love.

This episode of The Whiskey Trip is a celebration of the rich traditions and cultures that make Louisiana such a magical place.

Cheers to a memorable journey!

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, presented by Liquor Barn, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out in The Bourbon Life Studios with Juliet Schmalz, CEO & Founder, of Fortune’s Fool Whiskey.

The guys talk with Juliet about her decision to leave her career as an anesthesiologist to pursue a career and launch a new brand in the whiskey industry, the creation of the brand and the challenges that she has faced since starting Fortune’s Fool, as well as what the future looks like for her and Fortune’s Fool Whiskey.

They also taste a review Fortune’s Fool “The Prelude” Straight Rye Whiskey and the Fortune’s Fool “The Overture” Straight Rye Whiskey.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is presented by Liquor Barn and is also sponsored by Penelope Bourbon, Limestone Farms Bourbon, Regard Law Group, 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.regardlaw.com 

www.olddominick.com             

www.threechordbourbon.com

www.jamesepepper.com  

www.pappyco.com

www.visitthekitchentable.com