Bourbon Pursuit

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Latest Episodes:

222 - Do Bourbon Brands Care About Their Customers? Oct 10, 2019

Show notes

If you’re a bourbon die hard, you’ve probably asked yourself this question, “Do bourbon brands care about me?”. You know what I’m talking about because you join in on the conversation when distilleries increase prices or you get angry because your barrel picking group has been snubbed out for allocation reasons. The Bourbon Pursuit team takes a hard look at many of the larger whiskey producers by looking at some of their past actions. But if you’re the whiskey producer, what would you do in the same situation?

Show Notes:

Wilderness Trail Expansion: https://amnews.com/2019/10/03/wilderness-trail-distillery-expanding-planning-huge-announcement/
Toddy’s: https://www.liquor.com/articles/best-bourbon-store-toddys-liquors/#gs.7u244v
Glenlivet Scotch Pods: https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/05/world/glenlivet-scotch-whisky-capsule-glassless-trnd/index.html
Scotch Tariffs: https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/03/business/us-tariffs-whisky-wine/index.html
This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about line etiquette.
What are your thoughts on the Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond relaunch?
What do you think Heaven Hill did wrong in that situation?
Are we moving away from a $15 price point?
What about the Booker's price increase?
Let's discuss Maker's attempt to lower the proof.
What about Sazerac's strategy?
What about Brown-Forman?
What's happening with the allocation of barrel picks? Are people or groups getting cut off?

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Whiskey Quickie: Smooth Ambler Old Scout Bourbon Review Oct 08, 2019

Show notes

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Smooth Ambler Old Scout Bourbon. This 5 year old bourbon comes in at 99 proof and a $45 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!

DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

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221 - Blending, Finishing, and Sourcing with Joe Beatrice and Tripp Stimson of Barrell Bourbon Oct 03, 2019

Show notes

Today is all about Barrell Bourbon. We had Joe and Tripp back on Episode 164, but it’s time we get an update on what’s happening with this team. We talk more about the flavors they are pulling from different states of distillation and how that goes into the blend as well as hearing about their newest release of the American Vatted Malt Whiskey. We then talk about some gripes with the TTB, take another stab at online sales, and then look to the future with new dovetail offerings while potentially phasing out other products.

Show Notes:

Bourbon Warehouse made out of shipping containers: https://www.wdrb.com/news/wdrb-video/bourbon-warehouse-made-of-shipping-containers-planned-in-j-town/video_100e2934-e0ca-5335-a956-83f9d9a9150a.html
Bourbon Pursuit Yelp Collection: https://www.yelp.com/collection/Si779eiZUmjGomZP2pZLTg
This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about barrel proof bourbon.
What's new with Barrell?
Tripp, what is your role?
Do you taste every barrel?
What flavors are you looking for?
Do you think every batch is significantly different?
How many barrels does it take to get the right flavor?
Tell us about Batch 18.
What is your ratio of barrels from each state?
What notes do you pull from KY, IN, TN
barrels?
Where do you get the barrels?
What makes up an American malt whiskey?
Is the TTB creating new categories for you?
How do you decide what to blend?
Why do producers have non-disclosure agreements?
How many employees work at Barrell Craft Spirits?
Did you envision this growth?
What challenges have you faced?
Are distributors knocking on the door for the next batch?
Any plans for Barrell Vodka?
Are you pro online sales?
What's next?
Is it hard to make a new label for every product?
Any plans to phase any products out?
Is sourcing rum similar to bourbon?
Why rum?
What do you think is the next it category?
Have you considered using armagnac?
Tell us about Dovetail 3.
What's the difference between finishing and aging?
How much product is left in the finishing barrels?
What are you passionate about?
Any plans to distill your own product instead of sourcing?

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Whiskey Quickie: 2019 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection Review Oct 01, 2019

Show notes

On this special edition of Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection in five 60 second reviews. The collection includes: Sazerac Rye 18 Year, Eagle Rare 17 Year, George T. Stagg, Thomas H. Handy, and William Larue Weller. Each bottle has a suggested retail price of $99. Which is going to be our favorite this year? Watch and find out. Cheers!

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220 - The Van Winkle Family and Bourbon Community Roundtable #37 Sep 26, 2019

Show notes

This episode is a twofer. You get the Van Winkle Family and the Bourbon Community Roundtable all in one which took place at Bourbon & Beyond 2019. Julian gives history about the brand and the timeline of when it became a part of the Sazerac portfolio. One of Julian’s daughters talks about the emergence of Pappy & Co and how she is more of a tequila person and never really gets to drink any of the family bourbon. Preston talks about their involvement with crack down of the secondary market groups as a counterfeiting measurement. Fred keeps lots of good questions rolling along that you all will find interesting. The 2nd half of the podcast is a live recording of the bourbon community roundtable as we share thoughts on the festival, the news that broke the evening prior, and what we recommend for those who can’t get Pappy. There’s almost too much going on, but it’s timely and full of good info you all will enjoy.

Show Notes:

This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about Bourbon and Beyond.
What was it like when your dad was trying to sell whiskey when no one was interested?
Did you ever sneak in and steal some whiskey from your dad?
What was it like for bourbon in the 1980s?
How did you barter with whiskey?
Were you ever worried that you would have to close the company?
When you were a child, did you feel the stress your dad was experiencing?
Tell us about the moment you realized you wouldn't have to shut down.
What was the thinking behind partnering with Buffalo Trace?
What do you think about your haters?
What is the relationship with Buffalo Trace like?
Does Preston have the same palette as Julian?
What's your favorite expression?
Is it ok to drink Pappy 23 with coke?
What does the future look like for the brand?
Do you plan on increasing the price?
What steps have you taken to curb the secondary market?
What would happen if you were in the same room as an alleged counterfeiter?
What did you learn from the sessions so far at Bourbon and Beyond?
Thoughts on the Van Winkle session.
Who caught up with Marianne Eaves?
If you can't get Pappy, what do you recommend?

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Whiskey Quickie: Bardstown Bourbon Company Phifer Pavitt Reserve Review Sep 24, 2019

Show notes

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Bardstown Bourbon Company Phifer Pavitt Reserve. This 9 year old bourbon comes in at 107 proof and $124.99 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!

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219 - Limited Edition Bourbon vs Single Barrel Picks with Mikey Conrad Sep 19, 2019

Show notes

Hunting for rare bourbon is hard these days so many people have gravitated to single barrel selections as a way to combat it in the hopes of getting a stellar bourbon that is less expensive and more appealing. On this episode, we blind taste our way through a series of five comparisons where we try to see if a single barrel store pick can compete with past limited editions. We see if Weller CYPB, Booker’s Rye, 2016 Four Roses Single Barrel, and Elijah Craig 18 are worth the price. We also talk about flavors we prefer over others and how to create your own small batch limited edition bourbon as well. If you’ve done something like this before, drop us a comment with your results.

Show Notes:

This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about the return of bourbon.
Is it worth waiting in line or camping out for bourbon?
Tasting store picks vs. limited releases.
Weller CYPB vs Weller 107 pick by Cork N Bottle
Booker’s Rye vs Knob Creek Rye by Westport Whiskey and Wine
2016 Four Roses Limited Edition Single Barrel OESK vs North Atlanta Bourbon Society OESK
Elijah Craig 18yr vs Elijah Craig Loch n Key
Wild Turkey 17yr Decades vs Russell's Reserve by Cork N Bottle
How many barrel picks have you been on?
Is there something on the flavor wheel that you don't like to get out of a bourbon?
Have you tried to create your own small batch before?

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Whiskey Quickie: Fern Creek Rare Bourbon Review Sep 17, 2019

Show notes

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Fern Creek Bourbon 2019 Exceptional & Rare. This bourbon is non-age stated, 87.5 proof, and $180 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!

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218 - The Contract Bourbon Business with David Mandell, Co-Founder of Bardstown Bourbon Company Sep 12, 2019

Show notes

Some people thought it was crazy to build a business doing 100% contract distilling. David Mandell, Former President and CEO of Bardstown Bourbon Company, told us this back on Episode 019. Four years later, we catch up with him to see how the operation has tripled from its original plan. This podcast covers what it takes to be a client of Bardstown Bourbon Company and how they are making 40 different mash bills for them. From the business side, we talk about building a destination for visitors and what it takes to find the right talent pool and keep employee retention. We look into their recently launched bourbon line and what the future has in store for more collaborations.

Show Notes:

Barrell American Vatted Malt: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190827005179/en/Barrell-Craft-Spirits-Releases-First-Ever-American-Vatted
NAWR post on 21 states violating the constitution for shipping laws: https://nawr.org/twenty-one-states-in-violation-of-constitution-after-tennessee-wine-supreme-court-case/
Bardstown Bourbon Company’s new CEO: https://www.thespiritsbusiness.com/2019/09/bardstown-bourbon-co-names-new-ceo/
Bardstown Bourbon Company new Visitor Experience: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bardstown-bourbon-company-opens-immersive-visitors-center-experience-300914083.html
This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about glassware.
What's been going on since the last time you were on the podcast?
What is Bardstown Bourbon Company?
What kind of brands do you work with?
What technology have you implemented in the distilling process?
Talk about building Bottled & Bond Kitchen.
How did you find the right staff?
Do you see an end of investing into the business?
Tell us about your innovation.
How did you decide to get into this business?
How many locations did you scout?
What do you do for employee retention?
Tell us about your bourbon.
What's the next phase for the Fusion line?
What about your vintage whiskey?
Where do you see the business going in the future?

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Whiskey Quickie: Four Roses 2019 Limited Edition Small Batch Review Sep 10, 2019

Show notes

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Four Roses 2019 Limited Edition Small Batch. This bourbon comes in at 112.6 proof and $140 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!

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