PODCAST · leisure
Blind Tasting Podcast
by John Starck
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!
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102
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, hit that play button, and settle in for a little bourbon-fueled chaos and whiskey talk. Enjoy, whiskey freaks.Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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101
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/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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100
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/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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99
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-famous work credo, a simple rule that might explain why this whole operation runs as smoothly as it does.If you’re into bourbon, business, or just a damn good comeback story, this one’s worth your time, whiskey freaks.Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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98
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/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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97
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/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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96
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/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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95
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/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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94
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/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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93
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 here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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92
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 bourbon together,Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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91
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.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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90
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 one of the most respected men to ever put his hands on a barrel.Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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89
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/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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88
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/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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87
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’s most legendary families…the name Beam. Grab a pour, hit subscribe, and let’s get after it.Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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86
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/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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85
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: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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84
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 picking bottles without losing your mind.Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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83
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/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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82
Hazmat Bourbon Is Going to Ruin Bourbon
We’ve all seen it: the latest 140+ proof bourbon that makes the rounds on socials. But before you hand it to a friend, think twice. Today, I’m asking some uncomfortable questions about hazmat bourbon and the direction it’s taking the whiskey world.Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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81
BREAKING NEWS: Whiskey Giant Four Roses Sold!
Big news, Whiskey Freaks! Four Roses is officially changing hands, and yes, Gallo is the buyer. What does this mean for your bottles, the distillery, and the future of this iconic bourbon? Let’s unpack the deal. Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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80
Bourbon Banned on FB, Still630 Patriotic Release, High-Tech K-RAX Rickhouses, 2024 Yellowstone Limited Edition Review
Whiskey Freaks! This week on the Blind Tasting Podcast, we’re pouring bourbon goodness with a patriotic Still630 release, a deep dive into Whiskey House of Kentucky’s new high-tech rickhouses, and a full review of the 2024 Yellowstone Limited Edition finished in cognac and brandy casks. Plus, I rant about the algorithm overlords trying to hide us from new whiskey fans and why you need to help spread the word. Pour a glass and join me for bourbon news, laughs, and honest reviews. You won’t want to miss this one!Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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79
Weller Antique 107 Review, Woodford Reserve New Release, & Are Aluminum Whisky Bottles Coming Soon?
Today I’ve got a little bit of everything for the whiskey freaks. I talk about Woodford Reserve dropping Double Double Oaked and why a ninety proof, 700ml bottle at $199.99 might require a conversation at home before you buy it. I take a quick trip over to Scotland to talk about a distillery experimenting with aluminum whisky bottles, and why I’m not buying into that idea just yet. Then I finally crack open and review Weller Antique 107, the red bottle everybody argues about, breaks the internet over, and overpays for. I break down how it smells, how it drinks, what I paid, what I would pay, and whether it actually lives up to the hype in the real world. Keep it, collect it, or cull it, I give you my call.Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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78
BREAKING NEWS: This Bottle of Bourbon Just Shattered Records, and No, it’s not Pappy 23
A single bottle of bourbon shattered auction records, and it’s not the bottle everyone assumes.Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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77
Is MGP in Trouble? Plus Other News & My Review of I.W. Harper 15 Straight Bourbon Whiskey
In this episode we dive into news from Wyoming Whiskey and WhistlePig, I ask some tough questions and muse about MGP. Could they be sold off? Finally, I review IW Harper 15 Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the bottle you all picked for me to review.It’s bourbon news, a little industry thinking, and a big pour. Grab a glass and let’s get into it. Go Big Red!Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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76
Hazmat Bourbon, Hockey Whiskey, Buffalo Trace News & Cooper’s Craft Barrel Reserve 100 Review
In this episode I cover a new HAZMAT release from Texas that’s basically liquid fire, a rare Chicago Blackhawks bourbon that sold for jaw-dropping numbers, and some wild gift shop drops from Buffalo Trace that have crowds lining the road.Finally, I crack open Coopers Craft Barrel Reserve 100 proof and give my take, along with a quick side-by-side sip of Old Forester 1897. Full tasting notes? You’ll have to listen. If you like bourbon news, high-proof chaos, and a few unexpected history lessons, 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.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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75
In-Depth Interview with Switchgrass Spirits, An Employee-Owned Distillery in St. Louis, MO
In this episode, I sit down with Nick Colombo, Operations Manager at Switchgrass Spirits in St. Louis, for a no-fluff, behind-the-scenes conversation about what it takes to run a worker-owned, award-winning distillery. We dig into the origins, the challenges, the mistakes, and why local whiskey done right is making waves.Check out the full episode for an honest, in-depth look at Switchgrass, the people behind it, and the bourbon that keeps them winning gold medals.Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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74
Blanton’s Gold vs Straight From the Barrel - Does MORE Blanton’s Actually Make Blanton’s Better?
In this not-so-short Splash 'n Dash edition of the Blind Tasting Podcast, I put two of the most hyped Blanton’s bottles head to head with no labels and no bias. Blanton’s Gold versus Blanton’s Straight From the Barrel. Same warehouse. Same mash bill. Very different proofs and price tags.I break down the fascinating history behind Blanton’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Warehouse H, Elmer T. Lee, and why this bourbon was never meant to be mass market. Then I taste both pours blind and answer the question everyone argues about. Does higher proof and higher price actually deliver a better drinking experience once the hype is gone?This episode is honest, as always, and straight to the glass. No flexing. No marketing talk. Just what actually tastes better and whether it's worth the money.If you've ever chased Blanton’s, paid secondary prices, or wondered if Straight From the Barrel really earns its reputation, this one is for you.Cheers, whiskey freaks.Grab the new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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73
Everyone Is Wrong About Jim Beam And We Have the Receipts
Social media had opinions when Jim Beam announced it was pausing distillation at its Clermont Kentucky facility and most of them were loud, political, and wildly wrong. In this bonus episode of the Blind Tasting Podcast I dive headfirst into the comment section chaos and bring backup. Joined by our resident economics guru we break down the biggest misconceptions floating around the internet including tariffs, stock prices, bourbon demand, generational drinking habits, and whether politics has anything to do with what is happening in American whiskey. No vibes, no outrage, no hot takes, just real numbers, real context, and real world economics. Consider this episode a fact check for whiskey freaks who prefer data over drama.Grab the new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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72
Breaking Bourbon News: Jim Beam Shuts Down Main Distillery Production for 2026
Something big just dropped in the bourbon world, and it’s not the kind of news you casually scroll past. In this emergency segment, I break down a major announcement from Jim Beam that has ripple effects far beyond one distillery. What’s pausing, what’s still moving, and why this matters right now for whiskey freaks everywhere. No panic, no hype, just straight talk on a situation that deserves your attention.Grab the new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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71
Beavis & Butt-Head, Bradshaw, Magnus Cigar Blend, Plus the Rock n Roll HOF Pissed Me Off
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, whiskey freaks. In this episode I bounce all over the place like a bourbon-fueled pinball machine. We’ve got some bourbon news, a bizarre new release you’re not gonna believe, a quick detour into Beavis & Butt-Head territory, a rock and roll rant that I definitely needed the “Relax!” sound clip for, and finally a bold pour of Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Batch 228.It’s a little whiskey, a little nostalgia, and a big rant. Grab a pour and let’s get into it.Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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70
Heaven Hill & Wild Turkey "New Releases", Best 3 Bourbons to Gift, and Dented Brick Rye Whiskey Review
In this episode I almost take you on a deep dive into pumpkin spice lattes and teenage TikTok meltdown culture, but luckily for everyone involved, I pull the plug before we all lose IQ points.Instead we get into the good stuff. I cover the “new releases” from Heaven Hill and Wild Turkey and then I give you the update on the Ezra Brooks 99 Traeger Smoker Sweepstakes where I somehow won a grill without losing my identity or my dignity. I share three bourbons that will make you look like a holiday gifting hero without refinancing your house. Then I wrap things up with a review and recommendation of Dented Brick Straight Rye Whiskey. Yes, it is actually from Utah. Yes, it is actually good. No, I cannot explain it.I sip on some old Jim Beam Distillers Cut while I ramble and I give a shoutout to the Metro East Bourbon Society and to everyone who survived Thanksgiving travel. If you like bourbon news, weird whiskey finds, holiday chaos, and a little attitude, this one is for you.Grab the new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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69
Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales (for Christmas!!)
Need a last minute gift for that someone special who loves bourbon, or whiskey, or history? Here ya go! My new book -- Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold TalesFrom the host of the Blind Tasting Podcast comes a barrel-proof mashup of fact, folklore, and flat-out fiction. Right Here on Amazon Kindle Books: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Did bourbon really age in a sunken ship?Did moonshiners use possums as lookouts?Was a World Series fixed over a bottle of rye?Some of it happened. Some of it almost happened.And some of it… well, let’s just say it might’ve been distilled in a politician’s basement.Perfect for seasoned whiskey lovers, curious sippers, and fans of a wild story. But especially, whiskey freaks! (Pretentious drinkers need not inquire.)Right Here on Amazon Kindle Books: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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68
Evan Williams Black vs Old Forester 86: Budget Bourbon Battle Plus New Releases From Willett, Castle & Key and Blade & Bow
Today’s episode is packed with news, flavor notes, and a budget bourbon showdown you didn’t know you needed.First, we dive into the latest releases from Blade & Bow, Willett, and Castle & Key, including a 30-year Blade & Bow monster, Willett’s new Family Estate Small Batch Bourbon, and Castle & Key’s wheated and rum-finished experiments. Some of it sounds incredible, some of it sounds…like the marketing team lost a bet, but it’s all worth talking about.Then it’s time for the main event: a head-to-head tasting of Evan Williams Black Label and Old Forester 86 Proof. Same proof, similar specs, totally different personalities. Which one brings more flavor, more value, and more reasons to keep it on your shelf? I break down color, nose, palate, finish, and which pour punches above its price.Grab the new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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67
Big Buffalo Trace & Michter’s News, Booker’s Should Be Retired & Review of Booker’s 2025-03 Jerry’s Batch
In this episode, I dive headfirst into one of the most heated debates in the whiskey world: is it time to retire Booker’s bourbon? Yeah, I said it. And judging from the comments y’all sent in, some of you were ready to fight me in a Kroger parking lot over it.Before we get into the madness, I break down the latest whiskey news, including Buffalo Trace dropping a 125 proof Sazerac Rye and Michter’s launching a 20 year bourbon whiskey that’ll cost you your marriage and at least one kidney. Then I read your wild reactions to my Booker’s question, from “retire it” to “revamp it” to folks ready to defend it like it was their firstborn child.And to prove I’m not just talkin’ trash, I crack open and review the newest Booker’s release, Jerry’s Batch 2025-03. You’ll hear the full tasting notes, the verdict, and why I think the brand might be running on repeat even though I still love Beam.It’s hot takes, high proof, and a whole lot of Whiskey Freak energy. Tune in and let’s keep it honest.Grab the new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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66
Big Ass Jack, Peyton Manning, Bud Heavy, MGP Mess, Yellowstone Select Bourbon Whiskey Review
Today we’ve got a full plate of bourbon news and pours you won’t want to miss. From Jack Daniels’ historic new bottle size to Sweetens Cove’s latest Tennessee releases, plus a deep dive into the ups and downs at MGP, it’s all coming at you full-speed. I also crack open Yellowstone Select 93 Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey and give you my take on what’s worth your time, your money, and your glass.Bourbon. Whiskey. Attitude. Let’s Go!Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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65
I Found WhistlePig by Accident, Whiskey News, Plus Puff Daddy & Keanu Reeves Cameos
Welcome in, Whiskey Freaks. This episode dives into my unexpected visit to the WhistlePig tasting room in Quechee, Vermont, where I sat down with their Distillers Craft Flight and tried three premium ryes you almost never see on the shelves. I walk you through each pour and give them the full Keep It, Collect It, or Cull It treatment, along with some honest thoughts on flavors, finishes, and those eye-watering WhistlePig price tags.We’ve also got a couple big whiskey stories on deck, including Heaven Hill’s new 90th Anniversary 9-Year release and the latest addition to World Whiskey Society’s Western Collection, the Henry Deringer American Single Malt. And to round things out, I drop a quick movie review of Good Fortune, starring Keanu Reeves, who proves once again he can pretty much do anything on screen.A fun mix of news, pours, and one very serendipitous stop in Vermont. Let’s Go!Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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64
Preservation Distillery’s Cock of the Walk Bourbon: Is it Pappy’s Bold Wheated Cousin? Plus Whiskey News & More
In this episode I review Cock of the Walk Bourbon Whiskey from Preservation Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky. I talk about my candid conversation with Kyle Lloyd, Preservation’s VP of Operations, and break down what makes their micro-batch, wheated bourbon so unique. Could it be Pappy’s long, lost cousin? Listen and find out!You’ll also get updates on the new 2025 Remus Gatsby Reserve, Locke & Co.’s Big Blaze Bourbon, and Knob Creek’s 21-year release. Honest reviews and absolutely no freebies. Bourbon. Whiskey. Attitude.Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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63
BREAKING NEWS: Four Roses is Up for Sale, Is a Massive Bourbon Shake-up Coming?
Something big’s brewing in the bourbon world, and it involves one of Kentucky’s most iconic names: Four Roses.Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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62
St. Louis Bourbon Festival Highlights, Whiskey News, and a Bulleit Bourbon Review
Whiskey Freaks! This week I bring you a full recap from the 5th Annual St. Louis Bourbon Festival, where I tasted copious amounts of bourbon and whiskey, met distillers from Missouri and beyond, and explored some of the standout releases. I also cover the latest whiskey news, including new high-rye and barrel-strength releases from Calumet Farm and Woodford Reserve. Finally, I sit down with a full pour of Bulleit Straight Bourbon, giving you my honest tasting notes from a perspective that only I can bring. You’ll get my thoughts (like it or not, lol) and a verdict on whether it belongs in your bar or collection. Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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61
World’s Best Bourbon 2025, Uncle Nearest Drama, Buffalo Trace Milestone & Remus Repeal Reserve IX Tasting
Whiskey Freaks, forget the glitter and halftime shows, this episode is all about bourbon chaos. We dive into Uncle Nearest’s rocky road to recovery, Woodford Reserve’s experimental Sweet Oak Bourbon, Elijah Craig’s first-ever Barrel Proof Rye, and the return of Ezra Brooks in giant 1.75L form. I also break down Rebel Butter Pecan Bourbon Cream with a dessert latte recipe, reveal the world’s “best bourbon” nobody has even heard of and hit you with Buffalo Trace’s nine millionth barrel milestone. Finally, I taste and give my verdict on Remus Repeal Reserve IX: Keep it, Collect it, or Cull it? Grab a glass, and let's get after it!Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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60
STOP! Don’t Visit Buffalo Trace Distillery Until You Hear This – Special Alert
Just a quick bourbon morsel for you, Whiskey Freaks. I finally got a straight answer from Buffalo Trace about what’s really going on with their gift shop allocated bottles. So let’s clear up some of that confusion together!Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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59
Barely Legal Bourbon Battle: Elijah Craig 18 vs Knob Creek 18, Which Whiskey Wins?
Whiskey Freaks! It’s the Splash n Dash edition of the Blind Tasting Podcast, where I skip the history lesson and dive headfirst into a blind battle between two 18-year-old heavyweights. Elijah Craig 18 and Knob Creek 18. Same age, same price, but totally different vibes. I break them down, blind, to find out which bottle is actually worth dropping $180 on. And as always, there's no distillery freebies, no filters, just brutally honest bourbon talk. Grab a pour (maybe not Traveller), hit play, and let’s see which 18-year-old takes the crown.Grab the new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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58
Pappy Van Winkle 2025 Drops, New Riff High Balls, Pro Tips on Buffalo Trace, and Revisiting Ben Holladay Rickhouse Proof Smoked Bourbon Whiskey
Hey whiskey freaks, on this new episode, forget life’s big questions. No upside-down pineapples, no soul-searching. It’s all bourbon, all the way.We’re diving into the 2025 Pappy drop (good luck getting any), revisiting a rare smoked Ben Holladay bourbon to see if it still hits like it did months ago, and talking stocks: because apparently, I own both Brown-Forman and MGP, and I like to buy when everyone else panics.There’s a charity barrel pick to shout about, canned bourbon cocktails, and a firm reminder that standing in line at Buffalo Trace is a terrible idea you should never do again. Pour a glass of the good stuff, buckle up, and let’s see what’s still fire, what’s mellowed out, and what makes whiskey freaks tick.Grab the new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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57
Should Booker’s Be Put Out to Pasture? Heaven Hill News, Buffalo Trace Travels, Ireland Gets Invaded, Review of Booker’s 2025-02 By the Pond
In this episode I dive into a wild mix of bourbon news, Ireland is getting invaded, Heaven Hill’s grain-to-glass wheater, Buffalo Trace hitting the road (literally), and some bad news out of Lebanon, Kentucky. But the main event? My review of Booker’s 2025-02 By the Pond. Spoiler alert: I think it might be time to send Booker’s out to pasture. Yeah, I said it. Don’t come at me, bro, I’ve got reasons. Grab a pour, lean back, and let’s stir the pot on whether Booker’s has run its course. You might not like it, but you’ll definitely want to hear it.Grab the new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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56
Sorghum Bourbon, Gaming Gear, Four Roses News, Review of Cask House Triple Cask Bourbon Aged in Rye Barrels, Say what?
Welcome back whiskey freaks. This episode kicks off with some “bad news” you won’t want to miss, then we roll straight into the madness of bourbon heritage season. There’s plenty of whiskey news to sort through, and of course, a review that caught me off guard.I’m tasting Cask House Triple Cask, finished in rye barrels at 116.58 proof. Say what? Yeah, I know. A bottle that looks plain, sounds questionable, and costs about as much as a fast-food combo meal. So is it a Keep It, a Collect It, or a Cull It? That’s the big question.Pour one up and let’s find out together.Grab the new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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55
Buffalo Trace vs. Clyde May’s Blind Tasting Bourbon Battle – Too Close to Call?
Welcome in, Whiskey Freaks! This week on the Blind Tasting Podcast, we’re throwing down in a blind bourbon showdown. In one corner: the heavyweight champ of entry-level Kentucky bourbon, Buffalo Trace 90 proof. In the other: a scrappy Alabama upstart with outlaw moonshiner roots, Clyde May’s Straight Bourbon 92 proof.I’ll walk you through the wild backstory of Clyde May,the man, the myth, the moonshiner, before lining it up against the legendary Buffalo Trace. Which one wins on the nose? Which one brings the better finish? And which one just leaves me sad with thin mouthfeel and melancholy vibes?We’ll dig into distillery history, sip through the good, the bad, and the “meh,” and crown a winner in this blind tasting brawl. Spoiler: it was closer than you think.Plus, I share a few nuggets from my recent trip to Buffalo Trace, including a little-known fact about how they age Eagle Rare. This one’s packed with bourbon history, blind tasting honesty, and a few laughs along the way.So pour yourself a glass, hit play, and let’s see who comes out on top, Buffalo Trace or Clyde May’s.Grab the new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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54
Blackberry Jack, Bourbon & Beyond is for Millionaires, Kentucky Owl in Distress, 1st Whiskey Confessions
I kick things off with a bourbon BOLO featuring Beyke’s Blue Corn Bourbon and Yellowstone’s new ready-to-drink cocktails. After that, I run through the Bourbon & Beyond festival lineup (spoiler: it now includes roller coasters), and then dive into a Kentucky Owl story that plays out like a full-on bourbon soap opera.Next up, I asked you all: what was your first whiskey, and do you still drink it? Your answers did not disappoint — from moonshine in Grandpa’s shed to Canadian Mist disasters, and plenty of laughs in between.Finally, we get to the main event: my review of the brand-new Jack Daniel’s Blackberry Whiskey. We’ll find out if it’s a Keep It, Collect It, or Cull It pour...and yes, lemonade might be involved.Grab the new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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53
Whiskey Freaks on Parade, Bourbon BOLOs, A Rant (Yep), and Review of Old Forester 86 Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey
It’s a big day on the Blind Tasting Podcast, and this episode is straight fire!I start out with this week’s bourbon BOLO which includes Remus Repeal Reserve Series IX from Ross & Squibb and the final chapter in Wild Turkey’s Master’s Keep series. After that, I finally explain what a “Whiskey Freak” actually is, since a lot of you have been asking. Spoiler: it’s not an insult.There’s also a little rant about a one-star reviewer named Vlad (don’t worry, I only say his name once), and then a quick detour into movies, greasy popcorn, and why Tuesdays are still the best night to hit the theater.Finally, we get to the main event: my review of Old Forester 86 Proof. At the end we’ll decide if it’s a Keep It, Collect It, or Cull It bottle.Pour a glass and hang out with me, This episode’s got news, rants, laughs, and plenty of whiskey talk.Grab the new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3Like 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 time when you purchase 4 or more items!Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasting Podcast on Facebook and Instagram at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560596922297https://www.instagram.com/blindtastingpodcast/
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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!
HOSTED BY
John Starck
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