Blind Tasting Podcast
You're gonna get honest (and sometimes irreverent) reviews, news, and opinions on whiskey and the industry. Will I dwell on the minutia? Sure, sometimes. Will I use sarcasm to get my point across? Yep. Either way you can bet you'll learn something and have something to say about it and that is exactly what Blind Tasting Podcast is all about. Bourbon, Whiskey, and Attitude! Enjoy!
Jon From BarRoom Knowledge on Whiskey Myths, Marketing & Controversy
How much of what we believe about whiskey is actually history, and how much is just good marketing? Today, I'm hanging out with Jon from BarRoom Knowledge, a guy who loves digging into the history, stories, and facts behind the booze we drink. We're talking whiskey myths, questionable origin stories, social media misinformation, and why some whiskey opinions can get people awfully worked up.
Find Jon and follow BarRoom Knowledge on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578692213748
Grab my book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tal...
Does Ice Ruin Your Whiskey? The Neat vs. Ice Debate Finally Settled!
Whiskey Freaks, does ice ruin your whiskey? I asked the question, you all had plenty to say, and the ladies had some pretty amazing answers of their own. And we’re finally settling the long-running Team Neat vs. Team Ice debate once and for all. What really happens when you add ice to your whiskey? Let’s find out. Cheers!
Grab my book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
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New Whiskey, Whiskey in Space & Free Stuff, What More Could You Want?
This episode’s got new releases from Angel’s Envy, Remus, StilL 630, a little trip back to 1996 with Woodford Reserve, and a whiskey experiment that’s literally going out of this world. Yep, we’re talkin’ SCIENCE!!!
Plus, I’ve got a contest you won’t want to miss, and I’m sharing a little personal experience with one that actually paid off for me. Plus, if you ask nicely I might tell you where the best classic country radio station in America is located!
So grab a pour and settle in. We’ve got a lot to talk about...
Inside StilL 630 Distillery: “Don’t Let the Bastards Grind You Down”
I sat down with Dave and Doug from StilL 630 distillery in St. Louis, and these guys gave me a hell of a lot to talk about. We get into the story behind award winning Due Process bourbon, their American 250th Birthday Bourbon series, taking on the big boys (and beating them), and why StilL 630 is still a hidden gem in its own city. Brutally honest talk about building a small distillery, the mistakes they've made, and the attitude it takes to keep pushing forward. “Don’t let the bastards grind you down” pretty much sums up their mindset. And when i...
Inside the 2026 St. Louis Bourbon & Cocktail Festival w/Co-Founder Andrew Chostner
The St. Louis Bourbon & Cocktail Festival is back October 9th, and this thing is BIG. I sat down with Andrew Chostner, co-founder of the St. Louis Bourbon Society to get the inside scoop on what folks can expect this year, from 86 vendors and more than 600 samples to cocktail competitions, VIP lounges, exclusive single-barrel picks, cigars, live music, charity, and the spooky atmosphere around Lemp Mansion. I was there last year, but Andrew gives us a whole different look at what goes into making this massive event happen. If you're thinking about heading to the festival, you'll want to hear...
Dude Was Mad at Heaven Hill...So He Punished the Tour Guide?
I usually don't let the bourbon world's drama bother me. But this post about Heaven Hill hit a nerve, and I couldn't just keep scrolling.
Grab my book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
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Pappy Is Back, MGP Steps Out of the Shadows, & Don’t Shaft Your Tour Guide
Buffalo Trace gets into the RTD game, MGP finally steps out of the shadows with its own bourbon, and Pappy season is officially upon us. Plus, I’ve got an update on that Trails End 10-year bourbon, a little Heaven Hill tour controversy that gets me fired up, and a giveaway for my loyal Whiskey Freaks. We’re talkin’ bourbon news, transparency, distillery tours, and why you might want to think twice before stiffing your tour guide. So buckle up, grab your bourbon, and let’s get after it.
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McBrayer Blind Bourbon Battle: The Judge vs. Their 250th Anniversary Release
Same mash bill. Same family legacy. Different barrels. Different releases. In this episode, I put two McBrayer bourbons to the test as The Judge and their 250th Anniversary release go head-to-head in a blind bourbon battle. Which one will come out on top?
Grab my book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
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Bad Marketing, Stolen Beer & Another Crazy Week in Bourbon
Sazerac is making moves again, because...duh. Somebody made a decision involving nonalcoholic beer that I simply cannot understand, and one major whiskey brand has me questioning whether their marketing team has their heads up their ass.
Plus, more new releases coming down the pike, a little bourbon history, and a whiskey I stumbled across on top of a mountain that turned out to be one hell of a pour.
Just another week of bourbon news, crazy life choices, and me trying to make sense of it all.
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Why Are You Saving That Bottle of Whiskey?
How many unopened bottles are sitting in your whiskey collection right now? I asked that simple question on social media and got answers ranging from zero... to a number so ridiculous I had to question whether one guy was secretly running a liquor store. But the numbers weren't the most interesting part. The reasons people are saving their bottles? Now THAT got me thinking.
Grab my book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
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Pursuit United Double Oak Rye Whiskey Review: Is It REALLY “Wise Beyond Its Years”?
Pursuit United Double Oak Rye makes a pretty bold claim about being “wise beyond its years.” So I had to crack one open and find out if the whiskey can actually back up the brag.
Grab my book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
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Still 630 Wins Big, Fireball Gets Silly & North Dakota Gets My Ire
This week I’ve got a little bit of everything lined up. Still 630 just picked up a HUGE award, Fireball has apparently decided regular Fireball wasn't enough, and Pernod Ricard is dealing with some unwanted attention from regulators. Then I explain why North Dakota has apparently declared war on fountain soda and decent bourbon. Plus, a big shoutout to Cardinals rookie Joshua Baez after he made some baseball history. So grab yourself a pour. We've got a lot to talk about!
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tal...
World’s Best Bourbon, Guess the Whiskey Returns & I Rant About AI
This week on the Blind Tasting Podcast, I’ve got a little bit of everything.
I’m talking about the 2026 ASCOT Awards, big news from Pursuit Spirits, and a new bourbon documentary that every bourbon history nerd needs to check out. Then, I’ve got the latest Old Forester 117 Series release.
And then... Guess the Whiskey is BACK!!!
And finally, I rant about AI and thermostats. Yeah... I really do.
So grab yourself a pour and come hang out for another round of bourbon, whiskey, history, technology, and even some s...
Silk Velvet Small Batch Select Whiskey Review: Was It Worth Waiting 100 Years?
What happens when you bring a bourbon brand back from the dead after more than 100 years?
Silk Velvet Whiskey was once considered one of the finest bourbon brands in America before disappearing into history. Now it’s back with a new chapter and a bottle that carries a lot of history with it.
In this episode I pour Silk Velvet Small Batch Select 107 proof Bourbon and find out if this comeback was worth the wait.
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales he...
Four Roses NEW Yellow Label 100 Proof: Should You Buy It?
The new Four Roses Yellow Label 100 Proof is here! Is this the next great budget bourbon...or should you leave it on the shelf? Crank up the volume and let’s find out!
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
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Whiskey Witness Protection Program: Which Bottle Gets Banished Forever?
I asked one simple question: If you could banish ONE whiskey forever...which one would it be?
All ya’ll whiskey freaks answered. Hundreds of opinions. Plenty of grudges. More than a few surprises.
Today we're revealing the results of the very first Whiskey Witness Protection Program as bottles are defended, condemned, and quietly relocated for their own safety. (And maybe ours)
Who survives...and who gets voted off the whiskey island?
Grab a pour, send the kids over to Grandma's house, and crank up this episode!
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Old Forester 117 Series High Angels' Share Rye: Hype or Heaven?
I picked up Old Forester's High Angels' Share Rye (Batch 001) from the 117 Series at the distillery on Whiskey Row in Louisville, and today I'm putting it to the test. We'll talk about what makes this limited-edition, 110-proof rye unique, how those high angel's share barrels create a more concentrated whiskey, and I'll break down the nose, palate, finish, and whether it's worth the $65 price tag. Most importantly, does it earn a Keep It, Collect It, or Cull It? Let's find out.
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold...
Back in the Barrel Again! Family, Bourbon, Buffalo Trace & What's Up Next
The Blind Tasting Podcast is back! After a short break, John catches up on family, summer adventures, and America's 250th birthday before diving into the latest bourbon news. This episode covers Buffalo Trace, Sazerac's latest moves, new 1792 releases, upcoming whiskey reviews, and a look at what's coming next for the podcast. Pour a glass and join your number one attitudinal bourbon destination!
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
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Is Bourbon Losing Its Soul…To Foreign Ownership?
Is bourbon quietly being taken over by foreign corporations…or is this just the biggest overreaction in whiskey right now? We’re talkin’ Four Roses, Brown-Forman rumors, and who really controls what’s in your glass.
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
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My Conversation with Bill McBrayer, McBrayer Legacy Spirits
This week on Blind Tasting Podcast, I sit down with Bill McBrayer of McBrayer Legacy Spirits to talk bourbon history, his 175 year old family legacy, and how one forgotten Kentucky whiskey name helped shape the bourbon world we know today.
We get into old-school distilling, Hollywood connections, Wild Turkey, Kentucky Owl, trademark battles, family mash bills, and what it actually takes to bring a historic bourbon brand back to life in modern America.
And yes…we sip a little McBrayer whiskey while we’re at it!
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourb...
Most Underrated Bourbon? I’ve Got Thoughts. Plus Whiskey News & an Olympic-Sized Rant
This week on Blind Tasting Podcast: I dig into a couple major whiskey stories, rant about the most underrated bourbon on the shelf, and somehow end up stress-testing my sanity trying to buy 2028 Olympic tickets like it was a classified government operation.
We’ve also got baseball bourbon, soccer whiskey, Wild Turkey doin’ Wild Turkey things, and a Bernheim pour so good it might make you slap your mama. Please do not actually slap anybody’s mama. We here at Blind Tasting Podcast do not endorse mama slappin’.
Grab yourself a pour, throw in those AirPods...
ICYMI: Cock of the Walk Bourbon Review, Is It Pappy’s Bold Wheated Cousin?
In this ICYMI episode, I revisit one of my favorite bourbon reviews from the archive: Preservation Distillery’s Cock of the Walk Bourbon. After a candid conversation with VP of Operations Kyle Lloyd, I break down what makes this micro-batch wheated bourbon stand out, and why it reminded me of a bolder, rowdier cousin to Pappy Van Winkle.
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
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Why I REFUSE to Attend Bourbon & Beyond 2026
I explain why I’m officially refusing to attend Bourbon & Beyond 2026 after a bizarre “hokey pokey” process that left me scratching my head. This isn’t just about one festival, it’s about how the whiskey world treats smaller voices, authentic coverage, and the whiskey freaks who actually support the industry.
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
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<...Resurrecting Silk Velvet Whiskey With Zach Hargis & Master Distiller Jacob Call
The first batch of Silk Velvet Whiskey was produced in the winter of 1880. After 40 years, it faded into oblivion, just like so many others after Prohibition.
Today, the brand is back in full force, and Zach Hargis and 8th-generation Master Distiller Jacob Call join me to break down the resurrection of this forgotten whiskey, from an antique store discovery to a full-scale revival rooted in Kentucky history.
We get into the origin story, the blending decisions, the early challenges, and the moment they realized, “Hey… this thing might actually work.” Plus, Jacob lays out his now-fa...
Knob Creek Blender’s Edition Review: Goodbye to Oakie
A deep dive into Knob Creek’s first Blender’s Edition release, a 10-year sweet bourbon blend from Beam Suntory. This one hits a little differently for reasons beyond the glass, and I walk through exactly what’s in it, what’s missing, and what it might be trying to say.
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
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Jackson Purchase Full Proof Review, $12K Eagle Rare 30, Steph Curry Bourbon & Buffalo Trace Chaos
Buffalo Trace drops a five-figure Eagle Rare 30 Year Old, Steph Curry’s going after mizunara finishes, and Kentucky’s arguing in court over who actually gets to claim the title of first Black-owned bourbon distillery. Oh, and I found a 4-year old full proof bourbon from Craig Beam at Jackson Purchase Distillery that drinks like it’s got a point to prove.
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
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This Huge Bottle of Bourbon Only Cost Me $23 Bucks
While bourbon hunters chase hype bottles and horsey toppers, J.W. Dant just keeps showin’ up with 100 proof, history, and a price tag that feels like it came from another decade. Today, I pour it, taste it, give you my honest take, and do the hard work so y’all don’t have to.
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
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MGP Pauses Whiskey Production for a Year: What’s It Mean for Lux Row & Limestone Branch?
MGP’s stock has been getting crushed, the industry’s been shifting, and now MGP’s finally jumping on that same train.
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
Like what I'm doing? Support the pod here: https://buymeacoffee.com/blindtastingpodcast
Help support the podcast by shopping for whiskey, prohibition, and gangster-related photos and art at: https://famousdocs.etsy.com Get 20% off for a limited t...
BREAKING NEWS: Sazerac Wants Brown-Forman...What Happens to Jack Daniel & Buffalo Trace?
Buffalo Trace and Jack Daniel’s under the same umbrella? That’s the story making waves right now. Let’s break down what’s actually happening, and what it could mean if it becomes reality!
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
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Help support the podcast by shopping for whiskey, prohibition, and gangster-related photos and art at...
Statesman Bourbon Whiskey: Is it the Redheaded Stepchild of Old Forester?
Welcome in Whiskey Freaks to a quick-hit episode where we shine a light on a bourbon that gets ignored, disrespected, and totally overlooked. I’m talkin’ Old Forester Statesman, a solid, balanced straight bourbon whiskey that quietly bridges the gap between entry-level and high-proof pours. We dive into the history, the story behind the bottle, and why it deserves a spot in your collection. Grab a glass, tune in, and let’s give this underdog the respect it’s been missing.
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales <...
Bourbon Drops From Texas to Kentucky, Sweepstakes, & My Take on Booker’s Beam House Batch
Today on the Blind Tasting Podcast, we’re diving headfirst into all things bourbon. We talk Garrison Brothers’ 2026 Lady Bird Bourbon and the limited Cask Strength, Lux Row Estate Bourbon grown right on the distillery’s land, Ezra Brooks 90 Proof sweepstakes (yep, 90 prizes for 90 proof), and Remus Bourbon’s Ross & Squibb VIP trip contest. I also hand you a dangerously easy Jim Beam Pineapple cocktail recipe, sip on Bookers The Beam House Batch, and give you my honest, zero-BS take on what’s worth your money and what’s just hype. Pour a drink, buckle up, and let’s figure out bou...
The Only Bourbon Trail Advice You Really Need
Alright Whiskey Freaks, before you book that flight or print out the whole Bourbon Trail map, just…stop. Today, I break down rookie mistakes, how to use the KDA “Build Your Own Trip” tool, and the smart way to hit distilleries without burning out. Do it right, enjoy the bourbon, and leave some room for fun too. Whether it’s your first pilgrimage or your tenth trip to Kentucky, this one’s for you.
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon...
The Beam Bloodline Speaks: Craig Beam on Legacy, Heaven Hill & Starting Over
Whiskey Freaks, this one’s a big one. I sit down with bourbon royalty himself, Master Distiller Craig Beam, seventh-generation distiller, newly inducted member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, former longtime force at Heaven Hill Distillery, and now Master Distiller at Jackson Purchase Distillery. We talk about learning whiskey at ten years old under the watchful eyes of Earl and Parker Beam, what it means to carry one of bourbon’s most legendary names, and then crack into the story behind Jackson Purchase Bourbon, including its traditional mash bill, that Mississippi River micro-climate, and all of this from...
Breaking News: Elijah Craig Finally Did the Thing
Elijah Craig finally rolls out a 15-year single barrel at 108 proof, and for a lot of bourbon drinkers, the first question is obvious: does this finally deliver what people have wanted the 18-year to be all along?
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
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Why Buffalo Trace Refuses to be on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Why does Buffalo Trace refuse to be on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail? It’s a bourbon trivia question that trips up even serious whiskey freaks. In this short episode I lay out the why and the why not and I tease my upcoming legendary guest with the last name, BEAM. Tune in to find out all the things!
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
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Stagg 25D Review: Worth the Hunt…or Hard Pass? Plus, New Releases from Makers, Barrell, Michters & More!
Whiskey Freaks, we’re havin’ a good time today. I run through a pile of new whiskey releases from folks like Michter's, Barrell Craft Spirits, and Maker's Mark, talk about a new bourbon inspired by the show Peaky Blinders, and tell the wild story of a sealed bottle discovered in an old mining town near Alta, Utah from 150 years ago. Then I crack open a bottle of Stagg 25D Bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery to see if it’s a winner or a dud. And just for fun, I drop a teaser about an upcoming guest from one of bourbon...
Breaking News: Sazerac Expands Its Bourbon Empire.....Again
In this Breaking News short, I tell you how a $27 million bourbon collapse in Garrard County, Kentucky just turned into Sazerac’s latest power move in its quest for whiskey world domination.
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
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Is Maker’s Mark’s NEW Age-Stated Cask Strength Actually Better…or Just Taller?
Maker’s Mark just slapped a 7 year, 3 month age statement on their Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whisky, and the bourbon world is buzzing. But is it actually better than the “old” version…or is this just a fancy new label and an extra inch of glass? I pour ’em side by side (not blind, don’t judge me), break down the nose, palate, finish, and decide once and for all: Keep It, Collect It, or Cull It.
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: ...
Fred Minnick Answers My Top 100 Question, Blanton’s Voted Off the Island & Bourbon Trail Hack
Whiskey Freaks, buckle up! In this episode, I break down the latest bourbon news, from Sazerac’s growing empire to a Bourbon Trail pro tip that keeps everyone happy. Then, I reveal the results of your listener poll on the least favorite bourbon, Blanton’s, Weller 107, Eagle Rare 10, or Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, and dive into the passionate, hilarious, and surprising feedback.
Plus, I asked Fred Minnick at his book release, the question every bourbon fan wonders: does a Top 100 list really help regular drinkers? We break down his answer, my take, and what it means for pick...
Could You Handle George Washington’s Rye Whiskey? I Finally Taste It on this Extended Splash 'n Dash
Whiskey Freaks, we’re taking a sip back in time with George Washington’s own rye whiskey recipe, freshly recreated and bottled for modern taste. Is it a collector’s dream, a sip of history, or something else entirely? Tune in and find out!
Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3
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