Bourbon Barrel Talk

Scott and Jonny sit down and discuss the Brown Forman Sale. The two front runners Sazerac and Pernod Ricard. How it impacts the market and the brand. We also speculate who may be the best fit. *** This episode was recorded prior to Sazerac's recent offer to merge. ***

The crew celebrates our 400 episode. We discuss some of our favorite moments and look to the future or our ragtag group. 

Today Johnny and Scott review the latest High West Bourye 26A21 release. This annual, limited-edition favorite (with a true cult following) showcases a distinctive, premium blend of rich bourbon and rye whiskeys, resulting in an exceptional sipping experience. This year’s release delivers an elevated ABV of 50.5%, along with bold notes.

Scott, Brian, Toby and Jared discuss the bourbon bubble. What is the impact of shutdowns at Beam, MGP’s Kentucky distilleries, and Green River? What will this affect? How will it affect the market, and who will be affected the most?  Will it be better for the NDP's or hurt them?

The crew sits down and interviews Chattanooga Whiskey's Founder and CEO Tim Piersant. Tim tells us about the transition from sourcing MGP to becoming the 2026 Craft Distillery of the Year. 

The crew discusses the most recent 13th Colony 113 Proof Maple and Cask Strength. All sourced MGP they are finished with maple spirals. 

The crew reviews the Starlight Repeal Day Blake and Ted Picks. While the gents from Starlight continue to put out great stuff there is very little that creates FOMO like Repeal Day. This episode really dives into these two barrels and what makes Blake and Ted unique. 

The crew reviewed vintage airplane bottles with Chad from Bourbon Boyz in this crossover. Val was an extra voice that brought perspective from the industry. 

Scott and the crew have a great conversation with Master Distiller Ian Stirsman of Ross & Squibb / MGP Distillery. We discussed recent and upcoming releases (Master Distiller Experimental Series No. 2). There upcoming new single barrel program and much more. It was fun listening to his use of LBSV and LESV to discribe mashbills. Just a small reminder where Four Roses came from. 

In a quasi crossover episode, the crew discusses with Chad and Val barrel picks and other things happening in that part of our industry. Chad runs Mythical one of the larger pick groups in the Midwest. Val has worked with multiple brands, Smooth Ambler, Castle and Key and Jeptha Creed. 

Brian and Scott take a visit to the Blending House and have a conversation with Master Blender Ashley Barnes and Director of Operations Matt King. The Blending House serves as a centralized production hub designed specifically to optimize operations for spirits brands of all sizes. It is home to a 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art blending and bottling facility and seven cutting-edge K-RAX® rickhouses. Whether you are launching, scaling, restructuring, or refining your operations, The Blending House provides a reliable base of operations designed to support long-term brand growth.

The crew discussed the difference between and reviewed Wheated Whiskey (Starlight) vs Wheated Bourbon (Larceny BP). The Starlight Whiskey was from their recent Repeal Day, while the Larceny Barrel Proof was batch B525. 

The crew releases a more recent review from the folks at 291. Michael is doing some cool and unique things in Colorado, this is a discussion about one of their releases that was a good mistake. The 291 HR was an accidental double dump of their rye into this batch. The result you have to listen to hear. 

The crew sits down and reviews High West' most recent release the Cask Strength. Bottled in late 2025, released in January, this pour brings a variety of bourbons to the table with it's super unique blend. 3 Kentucky bourbons, an Indiana one and a Tennessee one. 

The crew went off book and reviewed our latest mail call Fresh Victor. It's a line of premium mixers for easy cocktails and mocktails too. In the second episode of this 2 part series, we indulged on the ones we thought that should be made as suggested. Three Citrus & Mint Leaf, Cucumber & Lime, Cactus Pear & Pomegranate, Jalapeño & Lime and Grapefruit & Sea Salt. If you want to try these, for 20% discount use a special code for our audience: BARREL20 https://shop.freshvictor.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqVzDfizywJ4SpDOfmTVMB5OpwZolJ2_CH668lPLsxTvGquEyCh

The fellas went off book and reviewed our latest mail call Fresh Victor. It's a line of premium mixers for easy cocktails and mocktails too. In the first episode of this 2 part series, we indulged on the ones we thought that would stand up to bourbon. Strawberry & Lemon, Lemon Sour (whiskey sour), Pineapple & Ginger Root, and Mexican Lime Agave. If you want to try these, for a 20% discount use a special code for our audience: BARREL20 https://shop.freshvictor.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqVzDfizywJ4SpDOfmTVMB5OpwZolJ2_CH668lPLsxTvGquEyCh

The crew sits down and reviews Old Forge's whiskey. This bottle was a blend of bourbon and neutral grain spirits. While youthful, it has some qualities that some folks might find appealing.

The crew sits down and discusses the two most recent Family Estate Bourbon and Ryes from Repeal Day. The Bourbon Barrel 15225 and the Rye 16140 are long awaited by many. We talk about these previous 16 series bottles and how they have usually been excellent. 

The crew sits down and discusses their favorite tours, interviews, bottles and things from this past year. The highlights were too many to count. From virtual conversations with High West, Film Land and Blind Barrels to distillery visits at West Fork, Casey Jones and Makers Mark. 

In our final episode of Festivus Barrel Aged Stouts. We Uplands Teddy Bear Kisses, and Atrium's Barrel Aged Beans and Sha-Boing Boing. I have to say Atriums consistency throughout this series was second to none. So much so, I saved their most recent release to put it up against the two Heaven Hill Goose Islands here in the next couple of weeks.  As this one rounds out the holiday season from our BBT family to yours we wish you a Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, or whatever holiday it is that you celebrate!!! And may 2026 bring you all the joy you desire.  

This episode we reviewed Barrel of Monkeys (Lexington, KY), Dragons Milk Reserve Oatmilk Cookie and Braxtons Dark Charge Brown Butter Pecan. Probably the hardest choice from a consistency point of the match ups. Maybe not he best group of beers but the most consistent. 

On this episode Scott and the Brocks review an Old Forester SiB Evansville Fire Dept. Athletic Club Pick. This Old Fo Barrel Strength single barrel is available in Evansville, IN. It has a robust flavor with a big hug. 

This episode we review three Barrel Aged Stouts from Against the Grain two of the 70k and the Bo and Luke. The Caramel Apple and Bo and Luke were definitely different than I thought, but I believe something happened to the Chocolate Orange, it didn’t taste right. 

This episode we reviewed some old favorites to a similar taste profile. Sierra Nevada Trip into the Woods, Atriums Sticky Fingers, and Goose Island's Caramella. All this while not complaining, but talking about how the secondary market is coming down a bit. 

The Old Fo reviews keep coming with a series of single barrels we got our hands on. This one is from SIPS So. Indiana Pick Society. We buy these barrels and split them up while donating a little change to local nonprofits. As we always say do a little good in the hood. 

The crew continues our Barrel Aged Stouts episodes with Butchertowns Elements of Time, Mile Wides BUKU, and Humble Forager's Existential Bliss. This Festivus was us complaining about distilleries charging a higher amount for smaller bottles. 

The crew discussed a couple of this years grievances while reviewing 3 Goose Island Barrel aged Stouts. 2025 OG, Choclate Praline, and Cherries Jubilee. 

The crew sits down and reviews the Old Forester 117 Series Extra Extra Old Batch 2. We try review and compare Batch 1 to Batch 2. While the 117 Series has been consistently good, some are better than others. Which is your favorite and why?

Nick and Scott sit down and review a Backbone Bourbon single barrel courtesy or the Rural Inn in Indianapolis. They are known by Hoosier natives as a place you can try a bottle before you buy it. Nick brought this MGP sourced bottled for us to discuss. 

The fellas review Rolling Fork Spirits Bourbon De Luxe Batch 2. Turner and Jordan's latest iteration of this revive bourbon name, brings a great conversation between us on what we like and what special note we were trying to remember. 

Brian, Jonny and Scott discuss 5 bottles that were distilled by or for the benefit of veterans. Special Operations, Larrikin, Green River 250, Jack Daniels Rye and the Pursuit Spirits VAREP bottle. 

Scott and Nick spend some time with Bobby DeMars with Blind Barrels. We went through the blind game and spoke about his background and why and how he started Blind Barrels. This premium blind whiskey experience has multiple ways to enjoy it. To give it a try go to https://blindbarrels.com/  

The crew has a conversation about High West's Midwinter’s Night Dram Act 13 Scene 11. I should have had the Legend over for another review. The mashbill is different then most of the others of recent past. 

Scott and the Brock's review the newer Elijah Craig Toasted Rye. I am a big fan of a lot of toasted products. I was impressed that the price point lined up with other mainstream toasted and double oak products. 

Scott and the Brock's discussed a bottle they recently picked up near Paducah at Patti's General Store this Single Barrel was found on their recent camping trip. 70/21/9 mashbill could be from multiple sources, but Green River may be the source of distillation. 

Scott and Nick Interview the ladies of Lodestar Whiskey. Recently featured in Forbes as two of 10 Women Changing The Whiskey Industry, co-founders & cousins Anna Axster & Wendelin von Schroder developed a love for whiskey during their travels while working in the music industry, but felt that existing brands didn’t speak to them as female consumers. Their unique whiskey blend is made up of a high rye bourbon and single malt whiskey. 

Scott sits down to discuss Origin Park https://www.originpark.org/ and their upcoming bourbon charity event with their Director of Development Dave Bell and event coordinator Phil Kollin of Phil Talks Whiskey. While discussing the November 6th event and their exclusive pick, we also discuss whats going on in the bourbon world. 

The crew sits down and talks with Kojin Tashiro the owner of Mugen Spirit. Kojin tells his story along with the inspiration behind the brand. Yokai the Single Barrel Series, Tengu the first series of the Yokai and a teaser for what's to come.  

The crew sits down and reviews the new 2025 Michter's Toasted Sour Mash. After trying and forgetting they were all low proof, we revisited a couple other years. Then decided something interesting about 2025. Scott also accidentally opens a 2019! 

On this episode the crew goes down the "Honey Hole". This is not the best places to find bourbon, but we tasted and review 4 different bourbons finished in a secondary honey cask. Seelbachs, Blue Note, Kentucky Nectar B1, and Woodford Reserve. While all of them are unique, there was a pretty consistent favorite. 

Scott and Brian discuss special bottles, moments and what they believe makes whiskey/bourbon special. 

The crew opens and reviews the latest Prisoner’s Share release from Hugh West Distillery is a limited-edition blended whiskey from High West Distillery that is finished in wine barrels from The Prisoner Wine Company. This collaboration creates a unique  blending of different bourbons and rye whiskeys that are aged and then matured in French oak barrels that once held The Prisoner's flagship red wine, a blend of six different wines.

On this episode, Brian brought us an Old Fitzgerald set and Old Grand Dad Bottled in Bond set, today's pour vs some older ones from a few years back and we blinded them. The Old Fitz was the new 7yr and one from 2013. and the OGD BiB was the new 7yr vs one from 2018. While all of them were solid pours, I think we were all a bit surprised which was which. 

Brian and Scott review and discuss Penelope’s newest releases Cigar Session, Creme Brulee and Eagle Rare 10 and the new 12 yr. I think we were both surprised by which was our favorite along with the contrast between a 10yr single barrel and the new 12 yr. 

On this episode, Scott discusses Habitat's recent journey to Starlight to pick a Double Oak French Oak barrel for their upcoming event on September 17th, 5:30 to when it ends, at Mansion 1886 in New Albany Indiana. We talk about the process, the taste and how to get your very own bottle at the event or after. Jessica of Habitat, Amber of AME (Amber Miller Events) and Chris talk through this and what makes Habitat special. 

The crew sits down and reviews the latest release from Redemption, their 18 yr Bourbon. MSRP $399.00, this Indiana distilled product brings a new dynamic to Redemptions typical rye line up. It was carefully blended by Alan and offers a unique spin on their traditional product set. 

The crew sits down and discusses the three most recent releases from Filmland Spirits with their owner Troy Bolotnick. A single barrel of Town at the end of Tomorrow, Quadraforce and Moonlight Mayhem 2 "The White Port Wolf". We talk the background the current fundraising campaign and the future of the company. 

Back for hiatus the crew reviews Rising Tides Spirits two newest releases Old Stubborn and Old Swagger. The Old Stubborn is a West Virginia potstill single barrel and Old Swagger is a 12 yr Bottled in Bond small batch from MGP. The attention to detail on these are second to none from packaging to taste. 

The Brock's, Brian and Scott review Wigle and Bulleit Bottled in Bond Bourbon. Wigle is from Pittsburgh and made from locally sources corn and winter wheat. The Bulleit is their newest BIB release.

The crew visits Tim's house and reviews some finished whiskey. We tried an Old Louisville Whiskey Co. 51/49 rye finished in a brandy barrel, Good Times Toasted Orange Vanilla and Angel's Envy Sherry finished SiB from Cox's.