The Bourbon Life

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, The Bourbon Life Crew spend some time hanging out together in The Bourbon Life Studios enjoying some great Rye pours and even better conversation.

They talk about a new Distillery that was recently announced in Elizabethtown, KY, the Whiskey House, which was created by several of the original founders of Bardstown Bourbon Company, the Bourbon on the Banks Festival that Matt and Mark recently attended as well as several other upcoming Bourbon Festivals in early 2024, and the whiskey industry trends that they each would like to see continue into 2024 as well as those that they’d like to see end in 2024.

They also taste and review the new Basil Hayden Malted Rye, Coppersea Empire Rye, and the 2023 Michter’s Toasted Barrel Rye.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Liquor Barn, The Stave Restaurant, Three Chord Bourbon, and District 7 Social.

Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at:

www.liquorbarn.com 

www.thestavekentucky.com 

www.threechordbourbon.com

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief traveled to Frankfort, Ky, for Bourbon on the Banks where he celebrated his 50th birthday. He had the opportunity to record a live show at the Kentucky History Museum with eight of his friends from around the Bourbon community.

He started with Kelly Tennile and Brian Haara discussing Brian’s book “Bourbon Justice” and whiskey on the reality TV show Moonshiners. He then invited Master Distillers, Lisa Wicker and Denny Potter, to talk about their new adventures and the rise of American Single malt. For the second half he started with Walter Zausch, from Whiskey Thief Distilling, and April Weller Cantrel, from Leiper’s Fork Distillery, to discuss Craft Distilling on the American Landscape.

Big Chief finishes the show with two legends of the whiskey industry, Andrea Wilson from Michter’s Distillery, and Freddie Johnson, from Buffalo Trace Distillery. They discuss Bourbon tourism and the great experience of the Bourbon Trail. Freddie ends the show with a toast to Big Chief and to turning 50.

All the guests sip on a single barrel Bourbon from The Whiskey Thief Distilling Co., who was the sponsor for the event.

This ride on The Whiskey Trip was an adventure and the first live show with many family and friends in attendance to show their support for the big man.

Cheers!

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with Alex Castle, Master Distiller, from Old Dominick Distillery. Alex was a previous guest on Episodes 32 and 137.

The guys talk with Alex about Old Dominick’s new Bourbon Series that was just released in September, what it’s like distilling for distillery that’s located in an urban environment, and what the future looks like for the brand.

They also taste and review the recently released Bourbon Series from Old Dominick, including their Straight Bourbon, Bottled in Bond Bourbon, and Batch 1 & 2 of the Cask Strength Bourbon.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Liquor Barn, The Stave Restaurant, Three Chord Bourbon, and District 7 Social.

Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at:

www.liquorbarn.com 

www.thestavekentucky.com 

www.threechordbourbon.com

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief travels to Memphis, Tennessee - home of blues music and Old Dominick Distillery.  He sits down with Master Distiller, Alex Castle, and discusses her rise in the whiskey industry from her humble Kentucky roots.

Alex, who has been with Old Dominick since the beginning has helped resurrect this pre-prohibition whiskey brand. Her vision and passion have been recognized throughout the industry and she recently won the Bourbon Women’s Women of Whiskey Award for Master Distiller of the Year.

In the first half Big Chief and Alex start with their Huling Station Trolly Stop 9-year which is 95 proof. This is a true high rye with a mash-bill of 52% Corn, 44% Rye, and 4% Malted Barley. Then they move onto the next expression with is their bottle in bond expression. This six-year, 100 proof Spring release is absolutely a must - great for Spring or Summer. They finish the show with a single barrel distillery only release. This is why this craft distillery has an amazing cult following.

This ride on The Whiskey Trip also introduces new listeners to some of Big Chief’s favorites - blues music and Gus’s fried chicken.

Cheers!

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with Blake Layfield, Senior Director & Head of Innovation, Blending & Quality, and Beth Buckner, Senior Manager, Innovation & Blending, for Maker’s Mark.

The guys talk with Blake and Beth about their respective backgrounds and how they each got into the whiskey industry, the incredible work that Maker’s Mark and Star Hill Farm are doing in the area of sustainability and the impressive projects that they are working on currently in that area, and the development of their new Cellar Aged release which is the first product aged for more than the standard 6-8 years ever released by Maker’s Mark.

They also taste and review Maker’s Mark Classic, Maker’ Mark Cask Strength, and the brand-new Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Liquor Barn, The Stave Restaurant, Three Chord Bourbon, and District 7 Social.

Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at:

www.liquorbarn.com 

www.thestavekentucky.com 

www.threechordbourbon.com

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief chats with Phil Brandon, Founder and Head Distiller, of Rock Town Distillery . This craft distillery located in the heart of downtown Little Rock, Arkansas produces some great whiskey that has never been done before.

Phil takes the Big Man on a journey through his distilling story while also introducing him to unique mash bills that make this distillery stand out. Brandon’s whiskey trip has taken him from the big hardwoods of Arkansas so that he understands where his barrels will come from in the future, to the farms of Arkansas, so he knows the hard work of the farmers who grow his grains.

In the first half Big Chief and Brandon start with the Arkansas Bourbon which has a mash bill of 82% corn, 9% wheat, 9% malted barley - right up the big man’s palate. The second expression they taste is an Arkansas Rice Bbourbon. Arkansas is the number one state for rice production. The rice gives it an extra sweetness. The last expression of the first half is an Arkansas Single Malt.

In the second half Phil introduces Mike to their Rock Town Column Still Collection. This collaboration with Bardstown Bourbon Company will help the company expand their reach across America. They sip on the small batch and then a toasted French Oak expression – a toasted, wheated bourbon to be exact!

This ride on The Whiskey Trip highlights David Pickerel’s legacy of craft distilleries he helped create across the American landscape.

Cheers!

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with the one and only Marty Duffy, the North American Brand Representative for Glencairn Crystal.

The guys talk with Marty about his extensive career in the spirits industry (including years spent as a bartender, a Brand Ambassador for Johnnie Walker, and as Senior Master of Whiskey for Diageo) and how all of his experience led him to Glencairn Crystal; the history of the Glencairn Crystal brand and how the Glencairn Glass has become synonymous with whiskey tasting; and some of Marty’s other activities in the spirits industry, including his status as an Advisory Board Member and Judge for The Council of Whiskey Masters.

They also taste and review the High West Campfire, The Bourbon Life’s Bulleit Bourbon Single Barrel Pick “Eleven Point Buck”, and the Maker’s Mark 46 Cask Strength.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Liquor Barn, The Stave Restaurant, Three Chord Bourbon, and District 7 Social.

Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at:

www.liquorbarn.com 

www.thestavekentucky.com 

www.threechordbourbon.com

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief chats with his friend, Lee Kennedy, who is the Founder and Master Distiller of Leiper’s Fork Distillery. This Episode is dedicated to Lee’s mother, Gayle Kennedy, who recently passed. Gayle loved Rye whiskey and Lee’s passion for this family distillery.

Big Chief and Lee talk about the start of Leiper’s Fork and how their whiskey has aged to gain a cult following. It’s easy to see why Gayle loved this charming distillery so. With its timber still house, 200-year-old dog trot cabin, and southern charm from the staff, the whiskey seems like an added bonus.

In the first half Big Chief and Lee start with a Tennessee whiskey single barrel which reminds the Big Man of hot honey tea in the winter. They then move to The Whiskey Trip Barrel Pick for Bourbon on the Banks. This wheated bourbon, which has notes of white chocolate, root-beer candy, and graham crackers, is one awesome pick with only 136 bottles. To finish off the show the guys sip on Gayle’s favorite - a Southern Rye single barrel.

This ride on The Whiskey Trip highlights the love and commitment a family has shown to making something truly special for others to enjoy. Take the ride out to Leiper’s Fork and leave with a piece of Americana.

Cheers!

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, the Bourbon Life Crew spends some time hanging out together in The Bourbon Life Studios sharing some great pours and great conversation as they recap and review their time at The Kentucky Bourbon Festival last weekend.

The Crew talk about all of the different pre-festival events that they each attended, the after-parties that occurred during the Festival, and the Bourbon Festival itself, including all of the amazing activities, events, and distilleries that were included as part of the Festival this year.

They also taste and review Stranahan’s Single Malt Whiskey Finished in Oloroso Sherry Casks which Matt provided, Ezra Brooks 99 which was brought by Philip, and the new Elijah Craig Barrel Proof C923 which Mark brought to the party.  

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Liquor Barn, The Stave Restaurant, Three Chord Bourbon, and District 7 Social.

Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at:

www.liquorbarn.com 

www.thestavekentucky.com 

www.threechordbourbon.com

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast , Big Chief travels north to Palestine, Texas to visit TahWahKaro Distilling Company.  He sits down with Master Distiller and Owner, Justin Jackson. They discuss how Justin had a life-changing experience and how he rose from the ashes.

Justin’s story is remarkable and at every turn he has faced obstacles, but he has overcome them all to make some unique whiskey with mash-bills that are different from any others the big man has experienced before. Listen in as Justin explains the history of his Distillery and the historic still he had the famous Vendome Company create using old Hershey Chocolate pots.

In the first half Big Chief and Justin start the show with the TAH Four Grain Bourbon and then move to the TAH Cask Strength Four Grain Bourbon. In the second half they start with the TAH Rye Malt Whiskey and then Justin treats the Big Man to a 5 1/2 year old Rye Malt Barrel Finished 4-grain Bourbon at cask strength. Oh my!

This ride on The Whiskey Trip shows how craft distilleries have to fight for everything to make it in the whiskey industry. Buy craft whiskey today and support your local distilleries.

Cheers!