This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with his great friend, the Bourbon Baroness – April Weller Cantrell. Together, they tackle one of the toughest conversations in whiskey today: the wave of distillery shutdowns, bankruptcies, and industry turmoil that has rattled the whiskey world over the past two years. From promising craft upstarts to iconic brands under pressure, the discussion pulls no punches while offering a clear-eyed look at where whiskey stands—and where it may be headed.
April enjoys bold and beloved pours of Smokewagon and Four Roses Single Barrel Select, adding her sharp insight into how brands like these continue to endure and thrive.
For the first half Big Chief pours The 2025 Birthday Bourbon, a 12-year-old sweet mash at 92 proof.
Aroma – Herbal tea and cardamom, kissed with raw oak, tropical fruits, and crisp green apple.
Taste – Silky layers of oak and vanilla, balanced with citrus sweetness and a touch of clove spice.
Finish – Candied apple and burnt sugar, wrapped in leather and chai spice.
For the second half he sips on the new – The Eagle Rare 12 Year at 95 proof.
Aroma – Toasted oak, dark cherries, leather, and honeyed vanilla with hints of tobacco, orange peel, and spice.
Taste – Rich caramel, dried fruit, and cocoa balanced by vanilla, nutty oak, and subtle rye spice.
Finish – Long and warming with dark chocolate, seasoned oak, and a touch of sweet tobacco.
Big Chief and April dive deep into the realities of whiskey’s recent hardships—distilleries shuttering, brands consolidating, and shifting consumer demand. But it’s not all gloom. The two explore what these struggles mean for the future, the resilience still alive in the industry, and the lessons whiskey lovers can take away from past downturns.
This episode is equal parts hard truth and hope, poured neat with passion and authenticity. Whether you’re a casual drinker or a seasoned enthusiast, you’ll walk away with a sharper understanding of whiskey’s challenges and the enduring spirit behind the dram.
So pour a glass, sit back, and saddle up with The Whiskey Trip for one hell of a ride.
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