Bourbon Pursuit

When your entire professional life revolves around premium spirits, late-night industry events, and endless barrel selections, the lines between work and life don’t just get blurry—they can completely disappear. The bourbon lifestyle promises a lot of camaraderie and incredible pours, but what does it actually cost your health, your calendar, and your family dinner table? On this week's episode Fred and I sit down for a deeply personal conversation about balancing bourbon with the reality of raising kids. We're not going to be hitting on tasting notes or anything like that but it's a look into our personal live...

Found North Batch 12 continues the brand's streak of impressive Canadian whiskey releases. This 16-year-old, 128.2 proof blend is rich with brown sugar, butter, cornbread, and sweet oak, while an extra maturation in new American oak barrels adds incredible depth without overpowering the whiskey. Is this one of the best Found North releases yet? Watch our full review to 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...

It's This Week in Bourbon for July 10th 2026. Fawn Weaver and Keith Weaver have been terminated from Uncle Nearest, a new investigation into Canada's ongoing boycott of American alcohol, and Barton now has their 1792 Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey.

Show Notes:Court-appointed receiver terminates Fawn and Keith Weaver from Uncle Nearest, Inc. amidst Humble Baron's collapseJack Daniel Distillery partners with USO for national "United We Toast" campaign honoring the Armed ForcesWhistlePig Whiskey sells Moriah Business Park auxiliary facility for over $17,000,000 to Zags 26Wyoming Whiskey returns to local ownership as WW Partners, LLC acquires an 80% stake from EdringtonCongresswoman Claudia Tenney...

Long before the modern bourbon boom, one family bet everything on a credit card cash advance business—and turned a single D.C. storefront into a legendary whiskey empire. On this week’s episode, we sit down with Prav Saraff and talk about an unbelievable immigrant success story that transformed a single, cash-strapped Washington, D.C. storefront into a premier destination for ultra-rare spirits and legendary barrel picks. Prav takes us back to his family’s roots—moving from India to Nepal before grinding through grueling hours in America as dishwashers and gas station attendants to finally buy their first liquor s...

Angel’s Envy celebrates 15 years of Cask Strength with one of its most ambitious releases yet. This 117.8 proof port-finished bourbon delivers rich blackberry jam, honey, tobacco, leather, and sweet oak notes that had us rethinking everything we thought we knew about Angel’s Envy. Is this the ultimate version of a bourbon fan favorite?

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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On this week’s Bourbon Community Roundtable, our panel is tackling the single biggest shockwave to hit the industry this year: Gallo’s massive acquisition of Four Roses. We're diving headfirst into what this tectonic ownership shift means for one of bourbon’s most fiercely protected heritage brands. We dissect the massive changes coming to the marketing playbook as corporate retail giant Gallo takes the driver's seat, debating whether we’re about to see aggressive national distribution, mainstream sports sponsorships, or an entirely new strategy to scale the brand beyond the enthusiast bubble. Of course, it wouldn't be a roundtable without...

Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Mars collaboration blends Kentucky bourbon and Japanese single malt in a first-of-its-kind co-aging experiment. The result? Creamy chocolate, Rice Krispie treats, stone fruit, and a finish that completely surprised us. Is this Bardstown’s most unique release yet?

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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It's This Week in Bourbon for June 26th 2026. Willett Distillery has officially marked a major milestone at its brand-new Washington County facility, filling its very first barrel, The Bourbon Capital Alliance has announced the launch of its new Bourbon Capital Diplomat Certification Experience, and Four Roses Distillery is stepping into a new era of bourbon innovation with the debut of its highly anticipated Experimental Series.

Show Notes: Belmark partners with ADI Distilling for revenue and packaging uptime webinar Willett Distillery fills first barrel at brand-new Washington County expansion facility American Whiskey Association pushes for commercial access in historic...

Ever wonder how your favorite bottle actually gets onto the liquor store shelf? I'm not talking from a production standpoint but from the actual shipment. This is a fun episode becuase we're going to cover something almost completely invisible ito the consumer, trucking and logistics. Joining the show is Rebecca Estes, VP of Sales and Marketing at Mr. P Express. At Pursuit, we talk to logisitcs companies all the time because we're shipping pallets out the door but there's so much going on that most take for granted. Rebecca was eyeing to be a college professor but left to join...

Blood Oath Pact 12 blends 7, 9, and 12-year bourbons with an Italian wine-finished component, creating layers of strawberry compote, pound cake, dark fruit, and earthy complexity. One of the more interesting wine-finished bourbons we've tried lately... but is it a hit or a miss?

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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It's This Week in Bourbon for June 19th 2026. Green River Distillery Select Toasted Double Oak Bourbon, the debut of SHANG from the whiskey house, and Lost Lantern has announced the launch the United States of Bourbon collection.

Show Notes: Spec’s Family Corp. acquires Lee’s Discount Liquor in first move outside Texas Give 270 launches restored 1989 Ford Bronco raffle for Kentucky Jailers Association Liberty Pole Spirits and MB Roland team up for America's 250th anniversary blend Green River Distilling Company debuts 8-Year Toasted Double Oak Bourbon Coors launches exclusive 110.5-proof Blended American Malt Whiskey in expansion into premium spir...

What does it actually look like when your family dinner table conversations literally shape the history of American whiskey? Well today we're sitting down with a true legend of Kentucky distilling royalty: 2025 Bourbon Hall of Fame Inductee, Craig Beam. Growing up with a last name that defines the entire category, Craig shares what it was really like sitting at the table listening to his father, Parker Beam, and grandfather, Earl Beam, talk shop about Heaven Hill’s fermentation and equipment hurdles while simultaneously working cattle and farming. Craig takes us through his early days of pulling grunt work in vacant ri...

We’ve had a great run relying on volunteers and that original bottling setup in the back of the warehouse—it got us where we are today—but to be honest, things had to change. When you’re looking at your annual sales goals and trying to maintain a consistent product across the board, you eventually hit a ceiling where "the way we’ve always done it" just doesn’t cut it anymore. We spent a lot of time weighing our options, looking at contract bottling and beefing up our hand-lines, but at the end of the day, investing in our own inte...

Beyke Blue Corn Double Oaked Batch 1 takes the original blue corn bourbon to another level. Blueberry smoothie vibes, chocolate drizzle, creamy oak, and big dessert energy at 118 proof. This one disappeared FAST for a reason.

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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It's This Week in Bourbon for June 12th 2026. $500,000 of Noble Oak bourbon has been stolen in a truck heist, An organized crime ring targeting high-end whiskey collectors has been solved from the Madisonville Police Department, and Booker's "The Milkshake Batch" Bourbon gets released.

Show Notes: Philadelphia Police and FBI Investigate $500,000 Noble Oak Bourbon Heist Lawrenceburg Historic Homes to Host Exclusive Screening and Guided Tours This July Madisonville Police Disrupt FB Group Whiskey Scam Defrauding Buyers of $86K Whiskey House of Kentucky Lays Off 30% of Staff Amid Industry Slowdown Give 270 Announces Next 20/20 Unicorn Raffle Featuring Rare Brown-Forman 150th Anniversary...

On this week's episode, Kevin Carlson returns to the show and takes total control of the conversation with a rapid-fire set of “whiskey myth-busting” questions that every enthusiast needs to hear. We tackle the age-old debate head-on: was bourbon actually better before the boom, or are we living in a golden era of variety and innovation? We break down whether the concept of a true "daily drinker" is officially dead for the enthusiast, and touch on the eternal battle of proof versus flavor. We argue why higher proof doesn't automatically mean a better whiskey, because there are fan favorites like Mich...

Burnt Tavern’s new Kentucky bourbon from Chip Tate brings wild notes of kettle corn, nectarines, golden raisins, and smoky county fair vibes. A double oaked release with a seriously unique profile… but does the finish hold up?

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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It's This Week in Bourbon for June 5th 2026. Uncle Nearest May Have A Buyer, Saga Spirits behind True Story has two alleged lawsuits that just became public, and Four Roses Distillery is introducing Anthology, a new 21 year old bourbon.

Show Notes: Uncle Nearest receiver signs letter of intent to sell distillery and assets to Black-owned investment firm Wes Henderson’s saga spirits group faces $1.5M in debt lawsuits over Kentucky Castle project New Riff Distilling drops exclusive 10-Year-Old Bourbon and Rye for High Note Series Michter's rolls out 10-Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye for June 2026 James B. Be...

On this week’s Bourbon Community Roundtable, our panel is tackling one of the deepest geek-out topics in the entire whiskey world: the battle over barrel entry proof and how it has evolved over time. While the modern industry has largely settled into an efficiency-driven standard of 120 to 125 proof, we’re digging into the history to ask the ultimate question: did the industry get it completely wrong in 1962, and does the next decade of bourbon belong at 105? With Buffalo Trace dropping a massive new 15-year-old wheated bourbon at a 105 entry proof and Michter's continuing to dominate the premium space with thei...

Old Treasure Bourbon is here… and this 139 proof release drinks WAY easier than expected. Big chocolate, caramel, cereal milk vibes, and one seriously fun pour. Is this hidden gem worth hunting down?

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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It's This Week in Bourbon for May 29th 2026. New updates happening in the Uncle Nearest case, Wild Turkey brings back the Cheesy Gold Foil, and Bardstown Bourbon Company is going to Mars.

Show Notes: A federal judge has expanded Uncle Nearest's receivership to investigate a secret $20 million loan from Jay-Z's firm. Blending pioneer Nancy Fraley is retiring from Jos. A. Magnus & Co., leaving her legacy with Head Distiller Will Fabry. The Kentucky Bourbon Festival introduces a secure, face-value official ticket resale platform via TIXR. Filmland Spirits releases The Crimson Cask, a 90-proof noir-inspired bourbon exclusive to Kentucky. Blue...

Whether you call it Seagram’s, LDI, MGP, or its official modern name, Ross & Squibb—the massive facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, is the undisputed backbone of the whiskey industry. On this episode, we sit down with Ian Stirsman, the Master Distiller steering the ship at this legendary production powerhouse. We tackle the distillery's endless naming history head-on and trace Ian’s journey from a chemical engineer working in a paper mill to commanding one of the largest distillation footprints in the world. Ian delivers a technical masterclass on how they produce massive mash bills at an unbelievable scale, the history behind...

Dragon’s Milk Origin Toasted 2026C “A Breath of Fresh Air” brings a wild Madeira barrel finish layered with orange meringue, citrus, toasted sweetness, and surprisingly hoppy IPA vibes. Weird? Absolutely. Delicious? Maybe even more so.

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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Ever wonder what it actually takes to build, run, and automate a distillery? On this episode, we sit down with someone unknown to most of the general population, but he's on speed dial for every major prodocuer across the country. A 2023 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Inductee, and the owner of Distillery Engineering: Pete Kamer. We talk about Pete’s incredible journey from his early days learning the ropes at Four Roses to his milestone career of 27 years at Barton in Bardstown. The distilling world has its own unique engineering hurdles, especially as traditional floor operations transitioned into modern automation. Pe...

Onyx & Amber’s Guest Blender Series #1 is getting serious buzz… and we see why. A blend of 7–12 year barrels aged in Colorado, bringing peach tea, orange marmalade, brown sugar, and a smooth toasted coconut finish. Is this sleeper hitting above its weight?

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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It's This Week in Bourbon for May 15th 2026. Brown-Forman has officially rejected a $15 billion all-cash takeover bid from Sazerac, FBI Director Kash Patel is facing scrutiny with personalized bottles of Woodford Reserve, and Penelope Bourbon has announced Architects of Golf.

Show Notes: Brown-Forman rejects Sazerac’s $15 billion takeover bid to maintain family-owned independence Sixth Circuit strikes down Ohio’s unconstitutional ban on out-of-state wine shipping "Free Our Spirits" campaign launches to privatize North Carolina’s government-run liquor system FBI Director Kash Patel under fire for gifting personalized Woodford Reserve bottles Little Book Chapter 10 “All the Wiser” debuts with intuitive...

Ever wonder what’s really going on behind the counter of your local liquor store? On this episode we go back to the retail side of the business. We sit down with Bill Derham, the man behind Frankfort Avenue Liquors here in Louisville Kentucky to talk about his journey from the early days at Liquor World to building a standout store-and-bar destination. The retail world has its own hurdles like navigating inflation, shifting consumer trends, and how shops are handling the pressure of today’s market. Bill shares his take on the explosive rise of vintage spirits, the return of cock...

The 2026 Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series: The Stewards Release leans hard into dessert vibes. Think toffee, nougat, and chocolate candy bar richness from toasted oak staves. Smooth, sweet, and seriously interesting… but does it stick the landing?

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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It's This Week in Bourbon for May 8th 2026. Tariffs between Scotland and the US have been removed, the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) has unveiled the Certified Craft Seal, and Stitzel Reserve 31-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey.

Show Notes: President Trump pledges removal of 10% Scotch whisky tariffs to restore trade relations John McKillop releases novel Bourbon Brothers featuring rare real-world bottles Give 270 hosts Bourbon Strong 50-4-50 raffle benefiting Feeding America American Craft Spirits Association launches TTB-approved Certified Craft Seal Old Fourth Distillery rebrands spirits portfolio starting with Cane-Based Vodka Chicken Cock and Laird’s collaborate on Old Glory Rye an...

On this week’s Bourbon Community Roundtable, the team is throwing down over the biggest rumor to hit the industry in decades: Is Sazerac really trying to buy Brown-Forman for $15 Billion, or is this the ultimate PR stunt? We’re breaking down the health of these two giants and asking the tough questions: Does Brown-Forman actually need Sazerac, or is this just a shark smelling blood in the water? We dig into the strategic timing of the offer and the massive cultural divide between the two companies. From Sazerac’s "boots on the ground" influencer tactics to the legacy-driven machine of Bro...

Michter’s 10 Year is back and the lines are real. This 2026 release (94.4 proof) delivers big fruit, creamy soft serve vibes, and rich cherry oak. Is it worth the wait?

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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It's This Week in Bourbon for May 1st 2026. Merger discussions between Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard are over, four North Carolina lobbyists have been indicted for organizing a bourbon tasting, and Blade and Bow re-releases of its ultra-premium 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Show Notes: Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard merger talks collapse, reopening the door for Sazerac’s $15B bid Bardstown Bourbon Company launches NFC-enabled "Bourbon Gifting Reimagined" for personalized digital messaging North Carolina lobbyists indicted for illegal bourbon trip while "Operation High Octane" sweeps illicit secondary sales Maker’s Mark partners with basketball star Kelsey Plum for "Yam Jam"...

Is there a better pairing in the world than smoke and oak? Well, today we’re welcoming back to show, Matt Pittman, the founder of Meat Church. Did you know he was a waterboy for Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and now he has become the official pitmaster of the Cowboys. Matt built a literal empire out of backyard tailgates and high-quality rubs but his love for barbecue and bourbon are finally coming together. It’s been a minute since we last chatted, and a lot has changed—including Matt joining the Pursuit family is as an investor in Pursuit Spirits. We talk a...

Rare Perfection 10 Year from Preservation Distillery brings a 3-barrel micro blend at 130.7 proof… and it gets wild. Sweet oak, chocolate milkshake vibes, smoky savory notes, and one of the most surprising pours of the year.

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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It's This Week in Bourbon for April 24th 2026. Sazerac has formally offered $15 billion to buy Brown Forman, Uncle Nearest could be forced to shut down within 30 days, and Buffalo Trace Distillery has announced the release of Eagle Rare 30.

Show Notes: Jeptha Creed Distillery launches new visitor experiences and single-barrel programs to mark 10th anniversary Sazerac launches $15 billion acquisition bid for rival Brown-Forman Uncle Nearest faces potential shutdown and insolvency amid financial crisis and default Diageo opens new $415 million automated manufacturing facility in Alabama Buffalo Trace announces Eagle Rare 30, its oldest age-stated bourbon, for $12,500 Kentucky Senator Bourbon and PDJF...

Is the era of the secret sourced bottle finally over, or are we just getting started? Today, we’re digging into contract distillation. We’re tracing the roots from the early days of "shhh, don't tell them it's MGP" to the massive, high-tech operations like Bardstown Bourbon Company that have turned being a NDP into a badge of honor. But as you, the consumer, gets more sophisticated, the demand for transparency is hitting an all-time high, and we’re talking about why "faking the funk" with a made-up story just doesn't fly in 2026. We also tackle the elephant in the room...

We’ve been living out of suitcases lately. Between officially opening up the West Coast and those back-to-back market visits, it’s been a whirlwind, but it’s the only way to really see how the brand is landing on the ground. On today’s episode, we’re recapping those travels and diving deep into the inception of Pursuit United Sakura Bloom Bourbon. We talk about the momentum we’re seeing from one release to the next and how a successful launch like this actually dictates our LTO strategy as we start mapping out the calendar for the rest of 2026 and even int...

Bardstown Bourbon’s new Cascadia Garryana Finish takes straight bourbon whiskey and gives it a unique Garryana oak barrel finish. The result brings rich baking spice, cocoa, brown sugar, and a surprising pear cobbler note that makes this one seriously memorable.

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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It's This Week in Bourbon for April 17th 2026. Sazerac has reportedly approached Brown-Forman regarding a potential merger, MGP stops distilling operations at Limestone Branch Distillery and Lux Row Distillers, and Oscar Mayer has announced its first bacon innovation in five years with the launch of Maple Bourbon Bacon with Evan Williams.

Show Notes: Sazerac has approached Brown-Forman with a rival merger bid, complicating Brown-Forman’s ongoing "merger of equals" talks with Pernod Ricard Sazerac has rebranded its La Vergne, Tennessee, site as the AJ Bond Distillery and will launch its first Tennessee whiskey this summer MGP Ingredients is id...

Does the whiskey industry need another corporate documentary, or does it just need a better script? Today we’re joined by Ryan and Alec Balas, the creative minds behind Whiskeyland TV, to talk about their transition from professional filmmaking to capturing the soul of the bourbon trail. From shooting childhood home videos to their serendipitous entry into the spirits world with their film Runner, the brothers share how a candid "bathtub epiphany" led to a vision for whiskey-centric storytelling that bypasses the big brands to focus on the authentic narratives of smaller producers. In a saturated market that often favors fl...