Bourbon Pursuit

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Latest Episodes:

Whiskey Quickie: Toasted Barrel Flavor Bomb?! | H.K. Young Wheated Bourbon Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

H.K. Young leans into the wheated bourbon craze with a 7 year, 122.4 proof release finished in two custom toasted oak barrels from Independent Stave Company. We dive into the cranberry, raisin, juicy fruit gum sweetness and bold toasted oak to see if this hyped wheated bourbon lives up to expectations.
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: Uncle Nearest Saga has taken a wild twist, Kentucky Bourbon Fest announced ticket sales, Bardstown Bourbon Company new release Mar 20, 2026

Show notes

It's This Week in Bourbon for March 20th 2026. Uncle Nearest Saga has taken a wild twist, Kentucky Bourbon Festival has announced ticket sale dates, and Bardstown Bourbon Company will release its Distillery Reserve Cascadia Garryana Oak Barrel Finish.
Show Notes:

Uncle Nearest founder Fawn Weaver files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and countersues lender for $529M
Court receiver moves to block Uncle Nearest bankruptcy filing and seeks $75K in sanctions
Judge stays $2.6M sale of Uncle Nearest Martha’s Vineyard property pending independent appraisals
Chicken Cock Whiskey rebrands Louisville speakeasy as “The Coupe” with grand opening March 26
Kentucky Bourbon Festival 35th anniversary tickets go on sale April 14 for September event
Lux Row Distillers debuts Lux Row Estate Bourbon featuring corn grown on-site
Evan Williams adds 65-proof Blackberry expression to its nationwide flavored whiskey portfolio
Barrell Craft Spirits introduces multi-cask finished Barrell Cigar Blend Bourbon for $85
Augusta Distillery launches cask-strength Small Batch and Wheated Single Barrel expressions
Blue Note Bourbon reveals 2026 Special Reserve featuring a nine-cask finish blend
Booker’s Bourbon kicks off 2026 with 129.1-proof "Big Easy" Batch
Bardstown Bourbon Company unveils Distillery Reserve Cascadia Garryana Oak Barrel Finish

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558 - Is Brandy America's First Native Spirit? with Rob Bourdon of Copper and Kings Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

Is American Brandy finally ready to step out of bourbon's shadow? Today, we’re joined by Rob Bourdon, the new owner of Copper & Kings, to discuss his vision for revitalizing one of Louisville’s most creative distilleries. I've had the great pleasure of knowing Rob for years because he was part of Tennesee Distilling Group and led a lot of their new fill and barrel contracts. Rob shares his past where was professional hockey player but we quickly pivot to talking about why brandy. When I heard he was buying Copper & Kings I was a bit shocked but Rob puts a great spin on it to see the opportunity in brandy versus the crowded bourbon market. But don't get me wrong, there's still a lot of really great brandy, bourbon, and tequila plays here. So if you're coming to Louisville and need a break from the bourbon, go check out Copper & Kings to see what he's got going on over there and pick one up on your shelf when you need to change things up.
Show Notes:

Challenges and developments in the Tennessee distilling industry
Rob’s vision for Copper and Kings and the significance of American brandy
Discussion of innovative products and unique distillation approaches
Tasting notes featuring their apple brandy and other specialties
Importance of educating consumers about brandy
Plans for community engagement and revitalizing distillery events

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Whiskey Quickie: YouTuber Launches a Bourbon… Did He Nail It?! | Drum Key “The Debut” Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

Jason from The Mash & Drum just dropped his first bourbon: Drum Key Spirits “The Debut.” A 123-proof blend of 7 to 9 year Green River barrels. We break down the toasted oak, brown sugar old fashioned vibes, apricot citrus, and strawberry shortcake notes to see if this first release lives up to the hype.
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: Buffalo Trace new online system, Uncle Nearest hiding a $20M loan, Maker’s Mark launches its Wood Finishing Series Mar 13, 2026

Show notes

It's This Week in Bourbon for March 13th 2026. Buffalo Trace Tried doing a new online bottle release system, Uncle Nearest is back in the news with hiding a $20M loan, and Maker’s Mark launches its Wood Finishing Series: The Stewards Release.
Show Notes:

Five Southern Glazer’s executives indicted for eight-year bribery and shelf-placement scheme
Farm Credit Mid-America alleges Uncle Nearest funneled $20M loan to hide assets
Sazerac takes control of Garrard County Distilling Co. after purchasing $26M debt
Give 270 receives $11,350 grant from Karis Management Group for community support
National Bourbon Week returns to Bardstown June 14–21 with 10 partner distilleries
Milam & Greene launches Bluebonnet Bourbon benefiting Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
New Riff debuts 2026 Silver Grove series featuring six-year Bourbon and Rye
Kentucky Senator honors Jim Bunning with seventh small batch release aged 8.5 years

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557 - Barrel Finishes, Dusty Futures, and Fads from Patreon Q&A on Bourbon Community Roundtable #116 Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

It’s time for another Bourbon Community Roundtable, and we’re handing the reins over to our Patreon supporters to see what’s actually on your minds. We’re pulling back the curtain on our chaotic group chat to debate the "Dusty" vs. Modern era and why some single barrel picks just hit different. Ryan is still leading the charge for high-proof heat, while Blake breaks down why balance is the only thing that keeps a brand relevant in a crowded market. We’re also digging into the finished whiskey craze and what the latest round of distillery consolidations means for your wallet. At the end of the day, we’re looking past the labels to find the soul of the industry. Does a great story still trump a massive marketing budget? We’re breaking down the trends, the hype, and the reality of being an enthusiast in 2026. Pour a glass and join the conversation.
Show Notes:

The art of cocktail creativity: Best unexpected spirit swaps
Are finished barrel whiskeys a fleeting trend?
Insights on modern bottling techniques and the revival of "Dusty" bottles
How distillery consolidation impacts consumer choices
High-proof spirits: Preference shifts and cocktail accessibility
The journey of craft distilleries and the stories behind their creations
The role of storytelling in enriching the bourbon experience

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Whiskey Quickie: Old Soul Tintype #3: Southern Heat, Big Barrel Flavor Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

Old Soul Tintype Series No. 3 honors blues legend Kenny Brown with an 11 year, 103.5 proof bourbon built on a high rye MGP mash bill. We break down the sweet tea and strawberry notes, rich brown sugar caramel, and that bold charred barrel kick that Southern aging brings. Does the heat make the difference? Let’s find out.
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: Whiskey Thief and Louisville Bats partnership, Heaven Hill has 2 new releases, Pursuit Spirits' new Sakura Bloom Bourbon Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

It's This Week in Bourbon for March 6th 2026. Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. and the Louisville Bats have announced a multi-year partnership, Heaven Hill has 2 new releases, and Pursuit Spirits has the new Sakura Bloom Bourbon.
Show Notes:

Whiskey Thief and Louisville Bats partner to debut home plate speakeasy and stadium club
Give 270 announces 20/20 Unicorn raffle featuring 1988 vintage Old Rip Van Winkle
Hotel Distil launches Peerless Distilling Suite featuring historical artifacts and immersive tastings
Pursuit Spirits debuts Pursuit United Sakura Bloom Bourbon finished in Japanese cherry wood
Burnt Church Distillery celebrates fifth anniversary with 100% Seashore Black Rye Whiskey
Bulleit releases Mesquite Smoked Malt Bourbon as its first permanent rye-free expression
Barrell Craft Spirits adds 12-Year Toasted American Oak Finish to premium Red Label Series
Larrikin Bourbon Co. unveils 2026 Rosewater Bourbon proofed with house-brewed botanical water
Heaven Hill launches Deatsville 13-Year-Old as first entry in commemorative site tribute series
Heaven Hill Heritage Collection returns with 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon at barrel proof
Jack Daniel’s and McLaren F1 debut 86-proof limited edition for 1000th Grand Prix milestone
Log Still Distillery and Archdiocese of Louisville release second annual Bishop’s Blend

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556 - Hot Takes and Grievances of the Bourbon Market with Matt Kusek Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

Is the bourbon market hitting a breaking point, or are we just drowning in a sea of average whiskey? Or maybe we're just trying to pick at things because that's what we do! Today's show didn't have a theme other than airing some grievances we see across the bourbon landscape. And the guy who has all the hot takes is Matt "The Colonel" Kusek. Matt never pulls his punches, and today we'll talk about the non-stop barrage of Limited Time Offerings (LTOs) and if NDPs are more exciting now than traditional heritage distilleries. We kick things off with a candid look at the struggle of creating fresh content in a saturated market and ask the tough question, has the rush to release more bottles caused a massive dip in quality? We've seen it in secondary markets because if every release is special then nothing is special. We also dive into the psychology of the "hunt" and why consumer demands are shifting. Matt poses a challenge to the big brands, questioning if they're falling behind while smaller, more nimble players to innovate. And we debate the future of "trophy" bottles like Pappy Van Winkle and whether collectability can survive. If you’ve ever looked at a shelf of $100 bottles and wondered if any are actually worth it, maybe this episode will tell you it's all psychology.
Show Notes:

The challenges of producing engaging content in the bourbon industry
The current state and originality of limited-time offerings
Consumer behavior and the perception of high-status brands like Pappy Van Winkle
The impact of non-distiller producers on quality and collectible options
Humorous tales from personal barrel picks and bourbon adventures
Predictions for the future of collectible and innovative whiskeys

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Whiskey Quickie: Blade & Bow 30 Year Bourbon… Better Than Pappy?! Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

30 years in the barrel. $1,200 price tag. A mysterious mash bill and just 42 barrels blended. We dive into Blade & Bow 30 Year Bourbon and break down the dusty funk, cherry Smarties, pecan pie richness, and whether this ultra-aged release truly outshines the usual trophy bottles. This one surprised us.
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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