Bourbon Podcast

Latest Episodes:

1/23/25 Proof Positive: Maker's Mark 46 French Oak Cask Strength Jan 24, 2025

Show notes

Maker’s Mark 46 is the recipe of Bill Samuels Jr., son of founders Bill and Margie, and the first new major expression since classic Maker's was released in 1958. Maker’s 46® is aged longer with special seared French oak staves. With subtly layered bourbon notes and balanced complexity. Cheers!

1/16/25: Prav Saraff Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

Prav Saraff is a bourbon and whiskey connoisseur and the Director of Operations at 1 West Dupont Circle Wines and Liquors in Washington, DC. He has been featured on podcasts and has shared his passion for whiskey on Instagram.

1/9/25 The Icon Series: Freddie Johnson Jan 09, 2025

Show notes

The guys were joined by special guest Freddie Johnson at an event hosted by the Bourbon Podcast to raise money for bulletproof vests for police K-9's. Here's some background on Freddie Johnson and what he means in the world of bourbon:

Freddie Johnson is a third generation employee at Buffalo Trace Distillery and serves as its Distillery VIP Visitor Lead. Born in Paris, KY (Bourbon County), he spent some of his early childhood summers in the mountains of Breathitt County with his maternal grandfather who was a coal miner and friend to the moonshiners. The family moved to Frankfort, KY when he was five. Freddie enjoyed hunting, fishing and hanging out with his paternal grandfather, Jimmy Johnson Sr., and father, Jimmy Johnson Jr., at what is now known as Buffalo Trace Distillery.

Freddie was in the middle of a successful career as a network/operations engineer in Atlanta, GA when he put all of it aside to fulfill a promise made to his father, Jimmy, more than 20 years earlier. He had promised his father that he would work at the Distillery during his lifetime so they could say they had three generations of the Johnson family that worked at Buffalo Trace. Freddie took early retirement and moved back to care for his father and brother. Jimmy got him a job as a tour guide at the Distillery in 2002 but Freddie has been in and around the Distillery since he was five years old.

Freddie weaves together his childhood memories with the Distillery’s rich history as his entertains thousands each year in various tours around Buffalo Trace. One of the Distillery’s most popular and highly sought after tour guides, Freddie is the recipient of the 2015 ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) Award, the 2017 Lexington (Ky) Hospitality Award and was inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2018.

12/30/24: Whiskey of the Year! Dec 30, 2024

Show notes

Huge episode! What is the whiskey of the year according to the guys!! Cheers!

12/26/24 Proof Positive: 2024 King of Kentucky Dec 26, 2024

Show notes

(Per Breaking Bourbon) King of Kentucky has cemented itself as one of the most consistent great tasting bourbons year after year ever since Brown-Forman began releasing it in 2018. The 2024 version marks the seventh edition for the brand, and like the 2023 release, it again features a 16 year age statement. Unlike last year, the 2024 release goes up $50, now sporting a $350 price tag.
The release consists of two lots of barrels to set aside for the limited release product from 2007. Master Distiller Chris Morris states that “This year’s release of 63 barrels came from the production dates July 19, 2007, and November 15, 2007. All the barrels were aged in Warehouses G and J at the Brown-Forman Distillery. This showcases what a difference production dates and warehousing can have on barrels hand-crafted in the same year.” The company additionally states in their press release that “while the majority of this year’s volume will remain in Kentucky, the expression will also be available in limited quantities in Alabama, California, Florida, Illinois, Metro New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas.” Cheers!!

12/20/24 Proof Positive: 2024 Four Roses Limited Edition Dec 20, 2024

Show notes

This 2024 Limited Edition release is a symphony of lively flavors that captivate the senses with every sip. Creamy vanilla, honey and brown sugar on the nose are followed by the flavors of ripe berries and tangy citrus on the palate. Intertwined are herbal notes and Four Roses' signature mellow spice to balance out the layers of complexity and sweetness with a delicate finish – for a pour that's ready to savor and enjoy. Cheers!

12/12/24 Proof Positive: Larceny Barrel Proof A124 Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

Larceny Barrel Proof Batch #A124 is a standout expression in the world of bourbon, offering a unique and intense flavor profile. This cask-strength bourbon, bottled at 124.2 proof (62.1% ABV), is part of the highly acclaimed Larceny Barrel Proof series from Heaven Hill Distillery. Cheers!

12/5/24 Proof Positive: 2024 William Larue Weller Dec 05, 2024

Show notes

The 2024 release of William Larue Weller Bourbon from the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection is a tribute to the legacy of wheated bourbon pioneer W.L. Weller. Aged over twelve years on the lower floors of Buffalo Trace’s rickhouses, this uncut, unfiltered bourbon is bottled at a bold 125.8 proof. Its wheated mashbill, crafted at a barrel entry proof of 114, reveals rich, layered flavors with an exceptional depth that whiskey enthusiasts cherish. Last year’s release earned “Best of Class” for North America at the 2024 Global Whisky Challenge, underscoring this bourbon’s standout quality.

11/28/24 Proof Positive: High West Distillery A Midwinter Night's Dram® Act 12 Nov 28, 2024

Show notes

Happy Thanksgiving!!! A limited release of Rendezvous® Rye finished in port and French oak barrels. This is a very unique rye whiskey that tastes like the flavors of Christmas. The name is a play on Shakespeares A Midsummer Nights Dream. When we first tasted this special whiskey, it seemed perfect for a really cold night, hence, A Midwinter Nights Dram.

11/21/24: Angel's Envy Master Distiller Owen Martin Returns Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

In the fall of 2022, Owen Martin was appointed the Angel’s Envy Master Distiller. A Kansas City native, Owen now proudly calls Louisville home where he redefines and crafts the future of bourbon at the Angel’s Envy distillery. With a history and passion for maturing, blending, and the art of secondary finishing, he is always searching for new ways to offer an unparalleled bourbon and rye experience by continually pushing distillation boundaries.

With Owen’s extensive knowledge of secondary casks, he will ensure the exceptional quality standard across all expressions, core offerings and limited-edition collections. Today, he takes pride in his role at a leading distillery on Louisville’s Whiskey Row. Owen’s demonstrated experience in product development and experimentation regarding what’s next for the industry make him the perfect fit to lead Angel’s Envy into its exciting future.

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