Bourbon Pursuit

Bourbon Pursuit

The Official Podcast of Bourbon! The best in news, reviews and interviews with people making the bourbon whiskey industry happen. Join hosts Kenny Coleman, Ryan Cecil, and Fred Minnick as they talk with prominent guests and provide insight on American whiskey 3 times a week. Catch all new episodes every Thursday with special Whiskey Quickie reviews on Tuesday and get caught up on bourbon news with This Week in Bourbon on Friday.

Episodes

Whiskey Quickie: Old Soul Tintype #3: Southern Heat, Big Barrel Flavor

March 10, 2026 • 6 mins
Old Soul Tintype Series No. 3 honors blues legend Kenny Brown with an 11 year, 103.5 proof bourbon built on a high rye MGP mash bill. We break down the sweet tea and strawberry notes, rich brown sugar caramel, and that bold charred barrel kick that Southern aging brings. Does the heat make the difference? Let’s find out.DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not...
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TWiB: Whiskey Thief and Louisville Bats partnership, Heaven Hill has 2 new releases, Pursuit Spirits' new Sakura Bloom Bourbon

March 6, 2026 • 45 mins
It's This Week in Bourbon for March 6th 2026. Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. and the Louisville Bats have announced a multi-year partnership, Heaven Hill has 2 new releases, and Pursuit Spirits has the new Sakura Bloom Bourbon.Show Notes: Whiskey Thief and Louisville Bats partner to debut home plate speakeasy and stadium club Give 270 announces 20/20 Unicorn raffle featuring 1988 vintage Old Rip Van Winkle Hotel Distil launches Pee...
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556 - Hot Takes and Grievances of the Bourbon Market with Matt Kusek

March 5, 2026 • 70 mins
Is the bourbon market hitting a breaking point, or are we just drowning in a sea of average whiskey? Or maybe we're just trying to pick at things because that's what we do! Today's show didn't have a theme other than airing some grievances we see across the bourbon landscape. And the guy who has all the hot takes is Matt "The Colonel" Kusek. Matt never pulls his punches, and today we'll talk about the non-stop barrage of Limited Ti...
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Whiskey Quickie: Blade & Bow 30 Year Bourbon… Better Than Pappy?!

March 3, 2026 • 10 mins
30 years in the barrel. $1,200 price tag. A mysterious mash bill and just 42 barrels blended. We dive into Blade & Bow 30 Year Bourbon and break down the dusty funk, cherry Smarties, pecan pie richness, and whether this ultra-aged release truly outshines the usual trophy bottles. This one surprised us.DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the...
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TWiB: USDA awards DISCUS $1.07 million, Pursuit Spirits releases The Alpha Barrel, Heaven Hill releases 20th Anniversary Bottle

February 27, 2026 • 49 mins
It's This Week in Bourbon for February 27th 2026. The USDA has awarded the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) over $1.07 million to promote American spirits, Pursuit Spirits has released The Alpha Barrel, and Heaven Hill Distillery announces the release of Bernheim Original Kentucky Straight Wheat Whiskey 20th Anniversary Limited Edition.Show Notes: Hotaling & Co. shuttering Pier 50 distillery to focus on brand...
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555 - The State of Cannabis and Path to Regulation with Jim Higdon of Cornbread Hemp

February 26, 2026 • 75 mins
Is the bourbon industry about to meet its biggest competitor? Today, we’re welcoming back a familiar face, Jim Higdon, co-founder of Cornbread Hemp and the author of The Cornbread Mafia. Last time Jim was on Episode 342, we were talking about the history of Kentucky's most infamous drug ring, but today we’re looking at the future of cannabis and how it’s fighting for its life against big bourbon. It's no doubt that THC beverages ha...
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Whiskey Quickie: $300 Russell’s Reserve Rickhouse… Worth the Hype?!

February 24, 2026 • 6 mins
Wild Turkey drops one of its most anticipated bottles of the year: Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson E. Floor 5. 128 proof. $300. We break down the sweet oak, blackberry cobbler vibes, leather, spice, and whether this limited release truly earns its price tag. Is this the one to chase?DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spi...
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TWiB: E. & J. Gallo to acquire Four Roses, Uncle Nearest court-ordered receivership, Michter’s Releases Celebration a $6,000 bottle

February 20, 2026 • 50 mins
It's This Week in Bourbon for February 20th 2026. E. & J. Gallo announced its plans to acquire Four Roses, Uncle Nearest will remain under court-ordered receivership, and Michter’s Releases their Celebration at $6,000 a bottle.Show Notes: E. & J. Gallo expands its spirits portfolio with a $775 million acquisition of Four Roses Distillery from Kirin A U.S. District Judge ruled that Uncle Nearest will remain under court-ordered rece...
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554 - Blenders Without Borders with Justin Aden of Stranahans and Alex Tomas of Bushmills

February 19, 2026 • 69 mins
What happens when you put a pioneer of American Single Malt in a room with a master of Irish heritage? Well we’re finding out today as we step outside the bluegrass to explore the global world of malt. We’re joined by Justin Aden from Stranahan's and Alex Thomas from Bushmills to break down the art of the blend and why local ingredients become a key competitve advantage in this market. Justin talks to us about the high-altitude of ...
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Whiskey Quickie: Willett Purple Top… as a Small Batch?! This Was NOT What We Expected

February 17, 2026 • 6 mins
Willett Purple Top is legendary and usually ultra-premium. So what happens when Willett turns that DNA into a 4-year small batch bourbon at 127 proof and under $70? We break down the mash bills, the sweetness, the funk, and whether this bold move actually works. This one sparked a real debate.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 p...
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553 - What is the Perfect Proof? On Bourbon Community Roundtable #115

February 12, 2026 • 67 mins
It’s time for another Bourbon Community Roundtable, and the panel is locked, loaded, and ready to talk about the one number that drives every enthusiast crazy: The Proof. We look at how we all start with those easy-drinking, low-proof staples like Kentucky Tavern before eventually finding ourselves chasing the high-octane allure of barrel-strength pours. We even get into some fun hypotheticals—if you could sample the same bourbon a...
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Whiskey Quickie: Yellowstone Turned 10… But Is This Anniversary Bourbon Worth $100?

February 10, 2026 • 5 mins
Yellowstone celebrates 10 years with a special anniversary blend featuring multiple mash bills aged 10 years or more. At 105 proof and $100, this Whiskey Quickie dives into sweet oak, tobacco, citrus, malted chocolate notes, and a bold, well-layered palate. A milestone release worth a closer look.DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spir...
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TWiB: Grim financial outlook for Uncle Nearest, The Kentucky Bourbon Trail adds 10 new stops, Brown Forman's new King of Kentucky Small Batch

February 6, 2026 • 40 mins
It's This Week in Bourbon for February 6th 2026. The court-appointed receiver for Uncle Nearest, presents a grim financial outlook for the whiskey brand, The Kentucky Bourbon Trail adds 10 new stops, and Brown Forman is releasing King of Kentucky Small Batch.Show Notes: Uncle Nearest faces insolvency with $164M debt and revenue shortfall ABC Fine Wine & Spirits enters Colorado with Applejack acquisition Kentucky Bourbon Trail exp...
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552 - How Old Crow Went From On Top to Bottom Shelf with Fred Minnick

February 5, 2026 • 59 mins
Can a forgotten, dusty bottle of bourbon actually save a life? That’s the question we’re tackling today with the one and only Fred Minnick. Fred gives us a first hand account of this personal project from his new book, Bottom Shelf: How a Forgotten Brand of Bourbon Saved One Man's Life. Fred gets incredibly candid about his battles with PTSD following his military service and how the legacy of Old Crow, a brand many today just over...
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Whiskey Quickie: Bourbon Aged in a TRAIN CAR?! | Black Diamond Bourbon Review

February 3, 2026 • 4 mins
We found a bourbon that claims it’s aged in a historic railroad boxcar turned “rolling rickhouse”, so of course we had to taste it. Black Diamond (103 proof, $58) brings big chocolate-covered cherry energy with a creamy, candy-box palate, but the finish splits the room. Is train-car aging genius, gimmick, or the future?DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not ...
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TWiB: Sotheby's sets record for most valuable bourbon, Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction's new lot, Nelson brothers relaunch Belle Meade whiskey

January 30, 2026 • 36 mins
It's This Week in Bourbon for January 30th 2026. Sotheby's has set a record for the most valuable bourbon ever sold at auction, Kentucky Bourbon Country Auction has announced a historic collaborative lot titled “United We Stand”, and Brothers Andy and Charlie Nelson have reclaimed and are relaunching their Belle Meade whiskey.Show Notes: Bardstown Bourbon Company unveils packaging redesign for core portfolio and new wheated single ...
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551 - What Can A Copacker Do For You? with Jeff Wuslich of Cardinal Copacking

January 29, 2026 • 61 mins
Have you ever wondered how all these brands get into a bottle without owning a multi-million dollar distillery? We've talked about sourcing before but that's just one part of the puzzle. In this episode, we're going to talk about that second step, co-packing. We’re joined by Jeff Wuslich, he's the President of Cardinal Spirits and Cardinal Copacking, to break down what it takes to actually manufacture booze at scale. Jeff has a bac...
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Behind The Pursuit: The 2026 Expansion Reality

January 28, 2026 • 45 mins
While most of the industry uses December to wind down and coast into the new year, we’ve been doing the exact opposite. January hit and it was an immediate sprint. We’ve been back on the road, opening up new markets, and staring down the barrel of distributor meetings and case goals. If you look at our single barrel requests right now, everything is looking "up and to the right," but in this business, the view from the top is alway...
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Whiskey Quickie: We Went Bourbon Hunting… And Found a Steal | Duck Club Bourbon

January 27, 2026 • 6 mins
We go bourbon hunting and land on Duck Club Bourbon, a smooth, easy-sipping blend with classic brown sugar, vanilla, and oak notes. At 92 proof and under $30, this one delivers big value.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. Lear...
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TWiB: Stoli Group USA and Kentucky Owl in liquidation, B3 Beverage Company acquires Casey Jones, Penelope Bourbon collaborates with Serena & Lily

January 23, 2026 • 37 mins
It's This Week in Bourbon for January 23rd 2026. Stoli Group USA and Kentucky Owl have moved into a Chapter 7 liquidation, Casey Jones Distillery has been acquired B3 Beverage Company, and Penelope Bourbon is doing a collaboration with Serena & Lily.Show Notes: Few Spirits founder Paul Hletko officially departs distillery Meta restricts alcohol business pages on Facebook, slashing organic reach Stoli Group USA and Kentucky Owl mo...
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