The Bourbon Life

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The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 7 - Mark Shilling, President, & Brandon Onstott, Head Distiller - Maverick Distilling Feb 17, 2026

Show notes

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with President Mark Shilling and Head Distiller Brandon Onstott of Maverick Distilling for a conversation built on Texas history, independence, and whiskey that carries the weight of the Maverick name. The legacy of Samuel Maverick sets the tone early, independent, unbranded, and unapologetically Texan, and that same spirit shows up in every pour.

They open the first half of the show sipping Maverick's Straight Bourbon Whiskey, made with all Texas grains. At 88 proof, it drinks with a natural sweetness and a rich, viscous mouthfeel that coats the palate without overpowering it. It is approachable but still carries structure, a true everyday Texas bourbon that does not sacrifice character for smoothness. From there, they step it up to their Bottled in Bond 5 year old expression. The extra age and proof bring depth and backbone, layered oak, developed sweetness, and that unmistakable bottled in bond integrity that speaks to patience and discipline in the rickhouse.

In the second half, they begin with their Single Barrel Four Grain, a whiskey that immediately commands attention. Bold yet balanced, complex yet intentional, it is the pour that makes Big Chief lean back and say it out loud, this one can compete for his Whiskey of the Year. The balance of grains creates a layered experience with sweetness, spice, and oak working together instead of fighting for dominance. It is Texas confidence in a glass.

They close the show with their Triticale expression. That grain brings a distinctive character, offering spice on the front end, a steady sweetness through the mid palate, and lingering tobacco notes on the finish. It is different, thoughtful, and memorable, the kind of pour that reminds you Texas distillers are not afraid to innovate.

Throughout the episode, Mark speaks to the responsibility of carrying the Maverick legacy forward, while Brandon breaks down how grain selection, Texas heat, and barrel management shape each expression. This is not whiskey chasing Kentucky tradition. This is whiskey rooted in Texas soil, shaped by Texas climate, and driven by Texas independence.

Pour something worthy, settle in, and take the ride.

Season 7, Episode 5: Barry & Tori Brinegar - Kentucky's First Couple of Bourbon Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark and Matt welcome Barry and Tori Brinegar into The Bourbon Life Studios for a conversation that's equal parts bourbon history, industry insight, and good-natured chaos. Barry is well known across the whiskey world as the former Co-Founder and National Brand Ambassador of RD1 Spirits, and he's joined by his wife Tori—affectionately known around here as the First Lady of Bourbon.

Across three segments, the guys dig into Barry's journey through the bourbon industry, the founding and growth of RD1, and what life looks like after stepping away from a brand he helped build from the ground up. Barry shares behind-the-scenes stories from the road as a brand ambassador, lessons learned building a bourbon company, and a few tales that probably shouldn't be repeated—but thankfully were anyway. Tori jumps in with her perspective on life in the bourbon world, keeping Barry grounded, and what it's really like being married to a guy whose job revolves around whiskey.

As always, the pours are flowing and the reviews are honest. This episode features tastings of:

Henry McKenna 10 Year Bottled in Bond
Stagg Jr. Batch 12
Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye

There's plenty of laughter, a few strong opinions, and a whole lot of great bourbon conversation in this one. Pull up a chair, pour yourself something neat, and enjoy a fun, candid sit-down with one of bourbon's most recognizable personalities—and the woman who keeps him in line.

This Episode is sponsored by District 7 and The Kitchen Table at the James B. Beam Distilling Co.

The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 6 - Emiliano A. C. Guajardo, Head Distiller - Still Austin Whiskey Co. & Samantha Olvera, Distiller - Garrison Brothers Distillery Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief sits down with Emiliano A. C. Guajardo, Head Distiller at Still Austin Whiskey Co., and Samantha Olvera, Distiller at Garrison Brothers Distillery, for a conversation that runs far deeper than what's in the glass.

This episode is about whiskey, yes, but it is also about identity, roots, and the Mexican and Hispanic heritage that helped shape Texas long before bourbon ever flowed through oak. Emiliano and Samantha share their personal journeys, family stories, and what it means to carry that heritage proudly while helping shape the future of Texas whiskey.

Throughout the conversation, all three sip on multiple expressions from both Still Austin and Garrison Brothers, using each pour as a doorway into deeper discussion about craftsmanship, patience, place, and the responsibility that comes with putting your name and culture behind a bottle.

Big Chief guides the conversation through culture, history, and responsibility, what it means to represent not just a brand, but a people, a legacy, and a future generation watching from behind the scenes. They talk about breaking barriers, honoring those who came before them, and how Texas whiskey is finally telling its full story, in its own voice.

The glasses are filled, the laughs are honest, and the moments are real. This is not a surface level interview. It is a reminder that whiskey has always been about more than grain and barrel, it is about who you are, where you come from, and what you choose to pass on.

Pour one, slow down, and Take the Ride. This is a conversation worth hearing all the way through.

Season 7, Episode 4: April Catron, Brand Ambassador & Junior Cecil, Co-Founder/Owner - Southern Kentucky Distillery Feb 06, 2026

Show notes

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time in The Bourbon Life Studios with April Catron, Brand Ambassador, and Junior Cecil, Co-Founder/Owner, of Southern Kentucky Distillery.

The guys talk with April and Junior about their respective backgrounds and how they each ended up in the Bourbon industry, the story of how Southern Kentucky Distillery was created from a passion for making moonshine and their unique process that involves Cherrywood, and the success that this relatively young distillery has already had with its releases and its inclusion on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the Kentucky Moonshine Trail.

They also taste and review quite a few expressions from Kentucky Southern Distillery including their Turby's Kentucky Cherrywood Wheated Bourbon at 90 Proof and 106 Cask Strength, their soon to be released Turby's Kentucky Cherrywood Rye Mashbill Bourbon at 90 Proof and 108.2 Cask Strength, and their only sourced product, Long Ridge High Rye Kentucky Straight Bourbon. There may have also been some moonshine and other goodies poured up in between too.

This Episode is sponsored by District 7 and The Kitchen Table at the James B. Beam Distilling Co.

The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 5 - Zach Hargis & Jacob Call, Master Distiller - Silk Velvet Whiskey Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

Big Chief takes the ride to Henderson Kentucky and sits down with Zach Hargis and Master Distiller Jacob Call for a deep and honest conversation about the resurrection of Silk Velvet Whiskey, a storied Kentucky label with roots that stretch back well over a century.

Silk Velvet was once a household name, known for its smooth character and dependable quality during an era when whiskey was as much about trust as it was flavor. Born in Henderson and carried through generations, the brand survived shifting tastes, industry consolidation, and long stretches of dormancy. What Zach and Master Distiller Jacob Call are doing today is not a reinvention for trend's sake. It is a careful revival that honors the legacy while applying modern discipline, transparency, and thoughtful blending to bring Silk Velvet back the right way.

In the first half of the show, the glasses are filled with Silk Velvet Small Batch at 107 proof. Big Chief does not just sip. He pours a second glass because it hits everything he loves. Built from a blend of two mash bills, this whiskey delivers a rich sweetness up front, a silky mouthfeel, and a lingering tingle of spice that hangs on just long enough to demand another taste. It is bold, balanced, and classic without feeling dated.

The second half steps into the Silk Velvet Single Barrel, also bottled at 107 proof and aged seven years. The mash bill of 75 percent corn, 21 percent rye, and 4 percent malted barley shows its depth immediately. Floral notes rise from the glass, followed by a beautifully balanced wave of spice and sweetness that confirms the patience spent in the barrel. It is expressive, confident, and unmistakably Silk Velvet.

This episode is about more than what is in the glass. It is about honoring history, respecting the craft, and proving that some names are worth bringing back with care and conviction. Pour yourself something worthy and take the ride with Big Chief.

The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 4 - April Weller Cantrell - The Bourbon Baroness Jan 27, 2026

Show notes

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief sits down with April Weller Cantrell, widely known throughout the whiskey world as The Bourbon Baroness. A trusted voice in American whiskey and one of Big Chief's closest confidants in the industry, April brings experience, perspective, and straight shooting honesty to a conversation that is honest and deep, rooted in respect for the craft and the people behind it.

In the first half of the show, Big Chief pours the new Shiner Texas Bourbon from K. Spoetzl Distillery. This single barrel release at 112 proof showcases bold Texas character and opens the door to a thoughtful discussion on grain, climate driven maturation, and where Texas bourbon fits within the broader American whiskey conversation.

The second half sees the glasses change. Big Chief sips on Sazerac Rye Full Proof, digging into high proof rye spice, structure, and intensity, even hinting that this pour may have the chops to compete as a Whiskey of the Year contender. Alongside him, the Baroness pours Shakertown Spirits whiskey, offering a heritage driven counterpoint that deepens the conversation around balance, tradition, and thoughtful production.

As always, this episode goes beyond tasting notes. It is about truth, perspective, and supporting the people building American whiskey the right way.

At its heart, this conversation is a reminder to slow down, be present, and appreciate the moment. A shared pour becomes a pause, a reflection, and a quiet connection to something greater than ourselves. Pour a glass, settle in, and take the ride with Big Chief and the Baroness. Cheers

Season 7, Episode 3: The Bourbon Life Crew - 2026 Industry Predictions Jan 23, 2026

Show notes

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, The Bourbon Life Crew (minus Stacey) spend some time hanging out together in The Bourbon Life Studios sharing some great conversation and great pours.

The Crew talk about the recent BourbonCon event that was just held in Lexington, KY for the 4th year, some updated news regarding several troubled distilleries and brands and the impact that may have on the Bourbon industry, and they each make their predictions for the Bourbon industry in 2026.

They also taste and review the new Angels Envy Two-Grain Kentucky Bourbon, the new Michter's Toasted Barrel Finish Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey, and 15 Stars Artisan Collection 12-Year Old Bourbon.

This Episode is sponsored by District 7 and The Kitchen Table at the James B. Beam Distilling Co.

The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 3 - Stephen Callahan, President/Founder/Co-Owner - Tennessee Hills Distillery Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief heads into the rolling hills of East Tennessee to sit down with Stephen Callahan for a straightforward, no nonsense conversation about building whiskey the right way. The discussion is rooted in experience, patience, and respect for the craft, giving listeners an honest look at what it really takes to build a distillery with intention instead of chasing trends.

In the first half of the episode, they sip on S.E. Callahan's Distiller's Select Straight Bourbon Whiskey, an expression that represents the core of the Tennessee Hills house style. The nose opens with familiar and inviting notes of vanilla, honey, milk chocolate, and toasted oak. On the palate, flakey pastry and sweet vanilla cream lead the way, supported by warm baking spices that add depth without overpowering the pour. The finish carries medium long with a rich, viscous linger and noticeable baking spice that keeps you coming back. As they taste, Stephen talks through barrel selection, proofing decisions, and balance, offering real insight into how this bourbon comes together and how he knows when a whiskey is ready.

In the second half, the glass shifts to the Tennessee Hills Madeira Cask Finished Bourbon, where thoughtful finishing takes center stage. Rich, smoky oak anchors the whiskey, followed by layers of ripe stone fruit and toasted hazelnut. A subtle wine driven sweetness from the Madeira cask settles in and lingers, adding complexity while allowing the bourbon underneath to remain the star of the show. It is a finish that feels intentional and restrained rather than flashy.

The episode closes with a broader conversation about East Tennessee whiskey roots, lessons learned along the way, and the role community plays in building something that lasts. It also serves as a reminder of why supporting craft whiskey matters. These are the producers putting quality first, honoring tradition, and taking the long road so the whiskey in your glass has a real story behind it.

Pour a glass, settle in, and take the ride with Big Chief.

Season 7, Episode 2: Chad Watson, Blending & Operations Manager - Rare Character Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time in The Bourbon Life Studios hanging out with our good friend and Bourbon Life Crew Member, Chad Watson, Blending & Operations Manager, for Rare Character. Chad was previously a guest on Episode 199.

The guys talk with Chad about his background in retail and how his passion for Bourbon and writing reviews on Instagram led him to a position with Rare Character, the meteoric rise of Rare Character and the almost cult-like status that it has obtained amongst Bourbon drinkers and fans, and the new line extensions that Rare Character has released since his last appearance and how Rare Character is working to continue focusing on its core business that brought it so much success while also developing these new line extensions to reach a broader audience.

They also taste and review several of the newer line extensions from Rare Character including their Hurst Knoll Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey, their 15-Year Brook Hill Kentucky Straight Bourbon, and their Old Cassidy Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

This Episode is sponsored by District 7 and The Kitchen Table at the James B. Beam Distilling Co.

The Whiskey Trip - Season 4, Episode 2 - Clinton Dugan, Co-Founder & Master Blender - Short Barrel Bourbon Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

On this episode of The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with Clinton Dugan, co-founder and master blender of Short Barrel Bourbon out of Atlanta. Clinton dives into his approach to blending, barrel selection, and what it really takes to build a whiskey brand that stands out without chasing trends. This is a conversation rooted in patience, experience, and letting the whiskey speak louder than the label.

The first half kicks off with Short Barrel's new four grain whiskey, a five year old blend pulling wheat bourbon from Green River Distilling Co. and rye bourbon from Wilderness Trail Distillery. Bottled at 94 proof and priced at a wallet friendly $39.99, this 30 barrel batch delivers exactly what you want in an everyday pour. Soft wheat sweetness leads the charge while the rye brings balance and spice, making this an easy drinking whiskey that quietly punches above its weight.

Things turn up quickly with OZ Tyler, a bruiser clocking in at 138.8 proof after spending three years aging in the Atlanta heat. Distilled by Jacob Call, this pour is bold, loud, and unapologetic. Heat, barrel, and time collide to create a whiskey that demands respect and doesn't apologize for it.

In the second half, the big men come out swinging with an Old Fourth 10 Year Old Bottled in Bond. The MGP distilled juice is rich and oily, coating the palate with sticky sweetness and layers of stone fruit and chocolate that linger long after the sip. It's a reminder of how elegant well aged whiskey can be when the blending is done right.

To close it all out, Clinton pours their Tokaji cask finished rye, and it stops Big Chief in his tracks. Finished in Hungarian Tokaji dessert wine barrels, this rye brings a deep raisin funk right out front, followed by grape driven sweetness, sugar cookie silk, and a smooth, confident finish. Big Chief doesn't hesitate to put it on record, calling it the first whiskey on his list for Whiskey of the Year for 2026.

Real talk, real whiskey, and big pours from start to finish. Pour something good and Take the Ride with Big Chief and Clinton Dugan on The Whiskey Trip.

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