Bourbon Pursuit

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Latest Episodes:

346 - Stave Science with Andrew Wiehebrink of Independent Stave Company Feb 24, 2022

Show notes

Every few months we find a guest that scratches that itch when we want to get into the science of bourbon, and today we're talking about wood. Everyone has a different answer when it comes to the question of "how much influence does the barrel have on the whiskey?". Is it 20%? 90%? 70%? Our guest today is going to help us get closer to finding that magic number. Andrew Wiehebrink is the Director of Spirit Research and Innovation at Independent Stave Company and his job is to get real deep and nerdy into wood and the millions of permutations you can have that affects the taste of your whiskey. We ask all the questions you want to know about the effects of char levels, toasting, stave seasoning, and storage on a hypothetical and scientific level. His role at ISC has him working on multi-year experiments with wood varietals and aging conditions to see what hasn't been discovered yet. He has worked directly with Maker's Mark to create the finishing staves used in their private barrel program and we try to figure out why they would even consider getting rid of the mocha stave.

Show Notes:

Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about union strikes.
Talk about your background and journey
Why seek out wood science vs mechanical engineering with distillation?
What was oak R&D like 5 years ago?
What was the wine industry doing to start making the bourbon industry look at alternatives to just Char 4?
What made Char 3 or 4 the gold standard?
What's the highest char level you've tested?
Was there any bookkeeping to see what barrel experimentation has been done through ISC's history?
What are your key metrics you're trying to hit? Flavor? Faster aging?
When you start an experiment do you have a hypothesis or just wait for data?
Any experiments when it comes to sustainability?
Any experiments with the same oak grown in different locations?
What is the average age of a harvested oak tree?
How does stave seasoning play a role in this process?
Talk about the process of figuring out the stave profiles at Maker's Mark
What do you think about them getting rid of the mocha stave?
Do you have a special day set aside for tasting experiments?
Is it easier to work with Maker's Mark because they have a more consistent product?
When you use a toasted barrel once, is its lifespan over?
Can you name one experiment that was a mistake?
Do you feel that consumers take the barrel for granted?
Say I have bad distillate, what barrels can you suggest?
Has a customer ever asked you for something so off-the-wall that you had to decline them?
Are mizunara cask trends here to stay?
@independantstavecompany
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Whiskey Quickie: The Wiseman Bourbon Review Feb 22, 2022

Show notes

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review The Wiseman from Kentucky Owl. This non-age stated bourbon is 90.8 proof and $60 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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TWiB: Legal Bills To Save Barrel Picks, Louisville Slugger Museum Ventures into Bourbon, Eastside Distilling Releases Luxardo Whiskey Feb 18, 2022

Show notes

It's This Week in Bourbon for Febuary 18th 2022. Two new pieces of legislature have been introduced to save barrel picks, Louisville Slugger Museum is getting into bourbon tourism, and Portland's Eastside Distilling will release its first ever Maraschino Cherry Whiskey.
Show Notes:

Icons of American Whiskey Awards
Apax Funds has acquired a controlling stake in Ole Smoky Distillery
The International Journal of Drug Policy suggests that "alcohol may fall down the policy agenda"
Two new pieces of legislature have been introduced to save barrel picks
The company who operates Louisville Slugger is opening Barrels and Billets
Eastside Distilling will release a Luxardo Maraschino Cherry Whiskey
@americanwhiskeymag @olesmokey @fredminnick @slugger_museum @sluggernation @barrelsandbillets @eastsidedistilling @luxardousa @luxardoofficial
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345 - Chasing Bourbon Counterfeiters with Adam Herz Feb 17, 2022

Show notes

Refills, counterfeits, and bogus bourbon. It's the unfortunate reality that we live in right now. Only until very recently have we seen distilleries start taking a more aggressive approach thwarting some of these efforts. But there is one individual who has stepped up to be known as THE person in the community when it comes to hunting down scammers and that's Adam Herz. Adam calls himself a whiskey watchdog and got into the habit of tracking down fakes a few years ago. He works with a team of people to find where bottles, foils, and sales originated to bring justice to the bourbon world. Adam has been featured on Inside Edition and was responsible for tracking down employees at Buffalo Trace who were involved a counterfeit ring at one point. He gives us some insight into his process and even some red flags to look for when you are wanting to buy a highly desirable bottle. Here's another fun fact about Adam, he is the creator of the American Pie film series. What bourbon would you pair with apple pie?

Show Notes:

Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about dusty bottle ages.
When did you see the rise of counterfeit bottles start making their way to market?
Can you talk about your old hunting days?
What does FOAF'ing mean?
Can you give some insight and history into creating the American Pie series?
Now that you're an adult, what bourbon would you pair with apple pie?
How did you find a need in the market for someone to validate bottles?
What drives you to be "the person" who uncovers these stories?
How do you start gathering evidence and then presenting the facts?
Are you keeping a database of Pappy bottles sold on eBay?
What are some red flags when people are looking for fakes?
Is it easier to fake a new or older bottle?
Have you ever thought about involving law enforcement?
Talk about how you broke up a Pappy Van Winkle counterfeit ring that led back to an employee at Buffalo Trace
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Whiskey Quickie: Monk's Road Bourbon Review Feb 15, 2022

Show notes

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Monk's Road Bourbon from Log Still Distillery. This 6 year old bourbon is 100 proof and $80 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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TWiB: New TTB Rules for Bourbon, Treasury Competition Report Aimed at Booze ,Green River Launches Their New Flagship Feb 11, 2022

Show notes

It's This Week in Bourbon for Febuary 11th 2022. The TTB has published part 2 of it's modernization plan for labels, The US Treasury releases it's report on "PROMOTING COMPETITION IN THE ECONOMY" and it's big news for booze, Green River launches its flagship Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
Show Notes:

BIG GOVERNMENT RELATED EPISODE
Bill to privatize Mississippi wine, spirits distribution passes Mississippi House
Distilled Spirits Council annual economic briefing spirits sales volumes are up 12% and legislative wins
The TTB has published part 2 of it's modernization plan for labels and it means changes for bourbon
Frazier History Museum's Unfiltered Truth Collection
Blue Run Spirits announceS the hiring of Shaylyn Gammon as its first Whiskey Director
Puncher’s Chance® Bourbon is now the official spirits partner of The Professional Fighters League
The US Treasury releases it's report on "PROMOTING COMPETITION IN THE ECONOMY" and it's big news for booze
Custom Fireball-inspired tattoo designs to cover your inked regrets
Ten to One and Uncle Nearest collaborate on a new rum release
American punk rock band Beartooth recently released a rye whiskey
Hercules Mulligan Rum & Rye
Watershed Eaves Cask Strength Bourbon
Angel's Envy is releasing another cellar collection
Bardstown Bourbon Company’s new release in partnership with Founders Brewing
Green River launches its flagship Green River Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
@distilledspiritscouncil @frazierhistorymuseum @bluerunspirits @puncherschancebourbon @fireballwhisky @tentoonerum @uncleanearest @beartoothband @watersheddistillery @eavesblind @mariannebmd @angelsenvy @bardstownbourbonco @greenriverdistillingco
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344 - Heaven Hill's Acquisition Motives, What Happens When a Face of the Brand Leaves?, and the Top Places to Visit in Kentucky on Bourbon Community Roundtable #65 Feb 10, 2022

Show notes

It's Bourbon Community Roundtable #65 and here's what we have on the topic list for today! Heaven Hill acquires Samson & Surrey, but what is the motive and what does that mean for brands like FEW and Widow Jane? Wes Henderson announced his retirement from Angel's Envy. Fred Noe is retiring soon. Then Eddie will likely retire when Jimmy isn't around. So what happens when the face of a brand leaves? There has been a huge surge of updates to distilleries in the past year. So now what is your top place to recommend visitors when they visit Kentucky?

Show Notes:

Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about regaining your sense of taste and smell after being sick.
Heaven Hill Acquisitions. What does this mean and who could be next?
Wes Henderson announced his retirement from Angel's Envy. So what happens when the face of a brand leaves?
There has been a huge surge of updates to distilleries in the past year. So now what is the top place you recommend visitors going to on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail?
Thanks to @bourbonr and @breakingbourbon for joining.
@bourbonr @breakingbourbon @sippn_corn
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Whiskey Quickie: Widow Jane Lucky Thirteen 2021 Release Review Feb 08, 2022

Show notes

On this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Widow Jane Lucky Thirteen. This 13 year old bourbon is 93 proof and $100 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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TWiB: Heaven Hill Acquires Widow Jane and FEW Spirits, Bulleit Bourbon Doesn't Have Enough Bottles, Rabbit Hole Unveils Starlino Rye Whiskey Feb 04, 2022

Show notes

It's This Week in Bourbon for Febuary 4th 2022. Heaven Hill Acquires Widow Jane and FEW Spirits, Bulleit Doesn't Have Enough Bottles, Rabbit Hole Unveils Starlino Rye Whiskey
Show Notes:

Apologies from me for not knowing how to pronounce Islay
Heaven Hill has acquires Widow Jane and FEW Spirits
Wes Henderson is retiring from Angel's Envy
Kentucky Bourbon Trail releases tourism numbers for 2021
Nearest & Jack Advancement Initiative Business Incubation Program
Diageo said demand is depleting stocks of Crown Royal, Lagavulin, and Don Julio
Wine-searchers top searched bourbons of 2021
Do Spirits Need to Be Sustainable to Sell?
A bracelet that tells you when you're drinking too much alcohol
Woodford Reserve announces release of Double Double Oaked
Uncle Nearest releases its own distilled whiskey
Rabbit Hole unveiled the Distillery Series, Starlino rye whiskey
Kentucky Owl announces the St. Patrick’s Limited Edition
Pepsi and Boston Beer Company announce Hard Mountain Dew Baja Blast
A lesson on yeast from Dr. Pat Heist.
@heavenhillbrands @widow_jane @fewspirits @weshendersonky @angelsenvy @kentuckybourbontrail @unclenearest @jackdaniels_us @crownroyal @lagavulinwhisky @donjuliotequila @winesearcher @sevenfiftydaily @woodfordreserve @rabbithole @kentuckyowl @dr_pat_heist @pepsi @mountaindew @hardmountaindew
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343 - African American Contributions in Distillation History with Erin Gilliam, Associate Professor at Kentucky State University Feb 03, 2022

Show notes

The contributions of African Americans in the distilling industry has largely gone unnoticed and unrecognized for a long period of time. The story of Uncle Nearest put mainstream media attention and a spotlight on the issue. But there is one person who spends her time on capturing stories and diving into distillery archives to discover more African American influence on whiskey. Erin Wiggins Gilliam is an Associate Professor Of History at Kentucky State University and she sits down with me to talk about some of her findings. She gives an amazing amount of insight into record keeping that documented how slaves that knew how to distill were quite valuable. Erin also spends her time interviewing older generations of people who worked at distilleries in Kentucky and nearby states to document the culture and the roles African Americans held at distilleries through recent periods of time. She is always on the hunt for the next great story so if you have a relative or a family connection, reach out to Erin so she can continue her quest.

Show Notes:

Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about family members buying bottles.
How do you keep on losing so many AirPods?
What led you into academia?
What got you into spirits?
Was Buffalo Trace the first distillery to let you come see their archives?
Can you talk about some of your findings about African American influence at Buffalo Trace?
Can you share one of your stories interviewing from interviewing and documenting people?
What was one awful story that really sticks out?
How far back can you go with oral history?
How did enslaved Africans bring the skill of farming and barreling?
Describe the feeling you get when you discover a document?
What's the end goal when you gather all the information you can?
What is an example of something you read of African American history at a distillery?
Is there a certain individual that had a very interesting story?
Since you're a tequila person is there any African American involvement you've discovered with tequila?
@dr_eringil @_kbbg_
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