The Bourbon Life

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The Whiskey Trip - Season 3, Episode 45 - Tony Formby, Owner - Acre Distilling Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

This week, Big Chief heads into the rough-and-rowdy heart of Fort Worth, Texas, where legends were born and outlaws once ruled the night. Deep in the infamous Hell's Half Acre, he finds himself at Acre Distilling, a distillery that honors the city's wild past and bold spirit.

Big Chief sits down with Tony Formby, one of the driving forces behind Acre, to hear how a group of brewers came together to create this award-winning distillery in the shadow of Fort Worth's notorious past. Tony shares the tales of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, who once roamed these streets until a photograph sealed their fate, and how that same spirit of rebellion lives on in every drop of Acre whiskey.

On the first half of the show, Big Chief pours Longhaired Jim Bourbon Whiskey and the Longhaired Jim Bourbon Cask Strength, two beautiful, full-bodied expressions inspired by the tough-as-nails lawman "Longhaired Jim" Courtright. These whiskeys carry a firm Texas backbone, bold, gritty, and full of flavor, just like the sheriff himself.

In the second half, the journey turns to Acre's Texas Single Malt Whisky and their Texas Smoked Single Malt Whisky, expressions that prove Texas malt can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world's best. The Single Malt, distilled from 100% Texas barley and aged in new charred American oak, brings rich grain character and classic malt sweetness. The Smoked Single Malt takes it a step further, with 40% of its barley smoked over Texas pecan and peach wood, offering a subtle, balanced smokiness reminiscent of old-world Scotch with a Lone Star attitude.

From outlaw legends to award-winning spirits, this episode celebrates Fort Worth's wild heart and Acre's dedication to craft, community, and the Texas way of doing whiskey.

So pour yourself a dram, kick back, and let Big Chief take you on a ride through history, grit, and Texas pride, because in Hell's Half Acre, the stories are as rich as the whiskey in your glass.

The Whiskey Trip - Season 3, Episode 44 - Mike Sherman, Owner & VP - Vendome Copper & Brass Works Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

This week, Big Chief sits down with Mike Sherman, one of the owners of Vendome Copper & Brass Works, the legendary Louisville-based company that has been crafting copper stills and distillation systems since 1903. For more than a century, Vendome has been the backbone of American whiskey, shaping the character and flavor of spirits made by the country's most celebrated distilleries.

While Mike was hard at work and couldn't sip, that didn't stop Big Chief from enjoying a few pours along the ride. In the first half of the show, he sipped on Weller Full Proof and ASW Fiddler, and in the second half, he poured Chattanooga Whiskey and Crittenden's Above the Cut — all distilled on Vendome copper.

Together, Big Chief and Mike dive into:

• The proud history and heritage of Vendome Copper & Brass Works.

• The art and precision of building stills by hand.

• How Vendome has adapted through prohibition, whiskey booms, and modern innovation.

• Stories from legendary distillers and iconic distilleries.

• Why copper remains the essential metal for crafting the world's finest spirits.

This episode is a must-listen for every whiskey enthusiast, distiller, and history lover who's ever wondered where great whiskey truly begins.

Because without copper, there is no whiskey—and without people like Mike Sherman and the Vendome family, there would be no soul behind the stills that shape the spirit of America.

Season 6, Episode 34: Troy Bolotnick, Founder & CEO - Filmland Spirits Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with Troy Bolotnick, Founder & CEO, of Filmland Spirits.

They talk with Troy about his past life as a writer in LA in the entertainment industry, the unique stories that Filmland embraces for each of their releases, and what the future of the brand looks like.

They also taste and review Filmland Spirits' Quadraforce Mr. Mysteron Straight Bourbon and their Moonlight Mayhem 2 Straight Bourbon finished in White Port Casks.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Three Chord Bourbon and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at:

www.threechordbourbon.com

www.visitthekitchentable.com

The Whiskey Trip - Season 3, Episode 43 - Alex Castle, Master Distiller - Augusta Distillery Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

This week, Big Chief rolls into Augusta, Kentucky, to sit down with one of bourbon's baddest trailblazers, Master Distiller Alex Castle of Augusta Distillery. And y'all, this woman's story is straight fire.

From studying distillation in her home state to cutting her teeth at Wild Turkey, to shaking things up in Memphis, Alex has been breaking barrels and boundaries her whole career. Now she's back home, running the show and helping Augusta Distillery light up their stills and craft some seriously bold single barrel whiskey.

In the first half, Big Chief and Alex dive into a pour of Old Route 8, a single barrel with serious spice and that sticky sweet hot honey heat that keeps you coming back for another sip.

Then things heat up even more with Buckner's 10-Year in the second half and oh my Lord, this one's a straight-up spice bomb. It's rich, fiery, and full of attitude, just like the woman behind the whiskey.

So pour a glass, buckle up, and take the ride with Big Chief and Alex Castle. This episode's proofed high, full of grit, and smooth as Kentucky charm.

Because on The Whiskey Trip, it's never just about the pour, it's about the people, the passion, and the stories behind every drop. And Alex Castle? She's proof that when hard work meets heart, greatness follows

The Whiskey Trip - Season 3, Episode 42 - Heath Trigg, Founder & Owner - The Heritage Flag Company Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief welcomes Heath Trigg, the owner and founder of The Heritage Flag Company and the newest sponsor of The Whiskey Trip. Based in North Carolina, The Heritage Flag Company was born from the love of country, craftsmanship, and whiskey. Heath's story is one of passion, patriotism, and purpose — showing how one idea, sparked by service and sacrifice, grew into a national symbol of pride made from reclaimed whiskey barrels.

Big Chief kicks things off sipping on Maker's Mark Cask Strength, a bold Kentucky classic full of caramel sweetness and oak spice. Heath enjoys a pour of Basil Hayden 10-Year, refined and elegant with soft vanilla and warm spice. Together, they talk about the origins of The Heritage Flag Company, the meaning behind each handcrafted flag, and how a small gesture of gratitude turned into a movement that honors veterans and heroes across America.

In the second half of the ride, Big Chief pours a glass of Leiper's Fork Distillery Tennessee Whiskey Cask Strength, a rich and soulful whiskey from one of his favorite small distilleries, while Heath sips on Elijah Craig Small Batch, a timeless bourbon known for its balance of oak, caramel, and spice. The conversation dives deeper into legacy, creativity, and the shared spirit that connects whiskey-making and woodworking — both requiring patience, heart, and a respect for tradition.

Heath Trigg reminds us that when passion meets purpose, you can build something far greater than yourself. From honoring service to celebrating American craftsmanship, The Heritage Flag Company stands as a testament to pride, perseverance, and patriotism.

As always — Take the Ride… With Big Chief.

The Whiskey Trip - Season 3, Episode 41 - Mike Fruge, Founder & Owner - J.T. Meleck Distillery Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

This week, Big Chief takes The Whiskey Trip deep into the beating heart of Branch, Louisiana, where faith, family, and providence have tilled the same soil for generations. Here he sits with Mike Fruge, the man behind J.T. Meleck Distillery, who turned a family rice farm into a living testament of Louisiana's spirit and soul.

The Meleck family came to Louisiana from Germany in 1896, settling among the French Creole communities and learning to make the best out of the land God gave them. Over the decades, their devotion became their destiny, rice fields that once fed families now fill glasses with a whiskey born of hard work, humility, and providence itself.

The journey begins with their Small Batch Rice Whiskey at 96 proof, soft, warm, and familiar, like rice pudding kissed with cinnamon straight from Grandma's kitchen. Then, the throttle opens with their High Proof Small Batch at 118 proof, where sassafras tea and clove spice rise up like the Cajun wind across the fields — rich, bold, and full of character.

But the final pour? That's where the road hits full stride. Big Chief and Mike close the ride with a Single Barrel Rice Whiskey, hand-selected by Spec's, blazing in at 120.9 proof. It's a powerhouse of flavor and finesse, a whiskey that will knock your socks clean off and stand toe-to-toe with any bourbon born north of the bayou.

This episode is a testament to what happens when faith meets fire, when heritage meets heat and when a dream becomes destiny in every drop of Louisiana gold.

So pour a glass, take a deep breath, and hang on tight, because this week's Whiskey Trip is one you'll feel in your chest and remember in your soul.

The Whiskey Trip - Season 3, Episode 40 - Seth Fuston, Co-Founder & Eric Lytle, Board Member - Staves of Honor Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

This week, Big Chief takes a heartfelt ride on The Whiskey Trip with two remarkable guests — Seth Fuston, U.S. Air Force Veteran and Co-Founder & President of Staves of Honor, and Eric Lytle, Board Member.

Together, they share the story of Staves of Honor, a nonprofit built to support veterans, first responders, and law enforcement officers through fellowship, charity, and the shared love of whiskey. What began as a small brotherhood of service members has grown into a nationwide movement — pouring hope and purpose back into the lives of those who've sacrificed so much.

As a veteran himself, Big Chief understands the challenges that come after service — the search for belonging, the weight of the memories, and the need for community. Over two incredible barrel picks from The Blendery, the three men raise a glass to those who serve, protect, and continue to lead with heart:

• "Final Ryde" – an undisclosed blend of 75/21/4 bourbon, 60/36/4 bourbon, and 95/5 rye whiskey, finished in a 15-year-old "BuffTurkey" barrel.

• "Razz Hunny Pie" – a beautiful mix of 60/36/4 Indiana bourbon blended with a 51/45/4 bourbon from Green River, finished in an 18-year-old Barton 1792 barrel.

With each pour, they talk about the mission, the meaning, and the magic that happens when whiskey brings people together for something bigger than themselves.

So pour one with us, take a deep breath, and join Big Chief, Seth, and Eric as they toast to service, healing, and brotherhood — because at Staves of Honor, every pour has a purpose, and every sip honors sacrifice.

The Whiskey Trip - Season 3, Episode 39 - Todd Grube & Dominic Sung, Houston Whiskey Social Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with Todd Grube and Dominic Sung to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Houston Whiskey Social.

We kick things off with a special Elijah Craig 10-Year private barrel selected for the anniversary, then dive into some legendary dusties. Todd brings out a 1994 Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond, followed by an unforgettable 1991 Austin Nichols Wild Turkey 101. To close, we raise a glass of Michter's Barrel Proof Rye—a pick from the very first Social back in 2015.

Throughout the conversation, we talk about how the Houston Whiskey Social has grown into one of the premier whiskey events in the country. We explore why dusty bottles carry a flavor profile unlike anything on modern shelves and share advice on how to pace yourself when faced with so many rare and remarkable pours.

Listeners will also want to pay close attention, because there are three amazing giveaways tied to this episode. The details are all inside, and you won't want to miss your chance.

Ten years in the making, this is more than just a whiskey festival—it's a family reunion for bourbon lovers, rye hunters, and dusty chasers alike. Legendary bottles are cracked open, friendships are forged, and stories are poured neat.

This week, you're not just listening to a podcast—you're climbing aboard and taking a ride on The Whiskey Trip. So grab your Glencairn, press play, and join us as we celebrate one of the greatest whiskey gatherings in the country.

Get your tickets and join the celebration.

The Whiskey Trip - Season 3, Episode 38 - Jacob Kiper - Coming Whiskey Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

On this week's episode of The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief is joined by whiskey researcher and writer Jacob Kiper for a conversation about what's coming next in the world of American whiskey. Known for his work as Coming Whiskey, Jacob has a reputation for being first to the presses with news on new labels, upcoming releases, and trends shaping the American whiskey and bourbon landscape.

The tasting lineup is one for the books. In the first half, Big Chief dives into Maker's Mark The Keepers Release from this year, while Jacob pours Silk Velvet Whiskey crafted by Master Distiller Jacob Call.

On the second half, Big Chief enjoys Woodford Reserve's brand-new Sweet Oak Bourbon, and Jacob samples the inaugural single barrel from Western Kentucky Distillery. Along the way, they trade tasting notes, stories, and insights into how these bottles reflect bigger changes happening in whiskey right now.

From label transparency to experimental releases, this episode is a must-listen for enthusiasts who want to stay ahead of the curve. Grab a glass, tune in, and hear what bottles you should be excited about on the horizon. So saddle up, pour a dram, and take the ride with us on The Whiskey Trip.

Season 6, Episode 33: Jason Brauner, Co-Founder & Master Blender - Buzzard's Roost Sippin' Whiskeys Sep 19, 2025

Show notes

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with Jason Brauner, Co-Founder & Master Blender, of Buzzard's Roost Sippin' Whiskeys.

They talk with Jason about his background in the restaurant world and how that led him into the world of Bourbon, how the Buzzard's Roost brand was created and their unique double oaking technique, as well as what the future looks like for the brand.

They also taste and review their Double Oak Bourbon, their brand new Double Oak Cigar Blend Bourbon, and Single Barrel Founder's Select Bourbon.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Three Chord Bourbon and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at:

www.threechordbourbon.com

www.visitthekitchentable.com

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