The Scotchy Bourbon Boys

Send us Fan MailWe taste and rate Brown-Forman's Kentucky Boy, a resurrected historic label released to honor Chris Morris's 50-year legacy, and we push past the hype to see if the pour earns the story. We also unpack what's known and unknown about the blend, why the Kentucky Bourbon Festival was the perfect debut stage, and what bourbon fans should demand from “commemorative” bottles. • Kentucky Boy release details, 100 proof, $99.99 MSRP, one-time limited release • Why resurrecting a dormant label from Brown-Forman's archives changes the story • Chris Morris's impact on Old Forester and Woodford Reserve innovations • The mentorship angle with Elizabeth McCall and Caleb Trigo creating the whiskey • What “unprecedented blend” means when components and ages are not published • Tasting notes and Barrel Bottle Breakdown scoring, ending at 16.5/18 • Open it or collect it, and whether Brown-Forman should keep Kentucky Boy alive • How the Kentucky Bourbon Festival has evolved and why that matters • Second Stride charity tie-in and the thoroughbred theme connection If you go to Apple and you leave a five-star review and you write something, we go up. Whether you listen to us or watch us, make sure that you leave good feedback, leave super chats, become members. We even got a Patreon site. A bourbon name that vanished for generations suddenly comes roaring back and it's not just a label stunt. We're tasting Kentucky Boy Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a one-time limited release from Brown-Forman that revives a historic brand the company acquired in 1923 and uses it to honor Chris Morris and his 50-year legacy in Kentucky whiskey. The bottle debuted at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, with Chris Morris signing bottles and the whole release feeling like a real moment in modern bourbon history, not just another shelf drop.What makes Kentucky Boy more than a commemorative keepsake is who built it. Brown-Forman handed the project to two of Morris's protégés: Elizabeth McCall of Woodford Reserve and Caleb Trigo of Old Forester. The official story calls it an unprecedented blend inspired by whiskeys Morris helped shape, often linked to Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, King of Kentucky, and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked, but the company doesn't publish component percentages or ages. We talk about what that transparency gap means for serious bourbon fans and why mentorship might be the most meaningful “ingredient” in the bottle.Then we get to the only thing that ultimately matters: the pour. Our Barrel Bottle Breakdown pulls big banana pudding and banana cream pie on the nose, backed by baking spice, apple, and sweet oak. The body shows thick legs and a surprisingly rich mouthfeel for 100 proof, the palate stays flavorful without harsh heat, and the finish keeps that sweet banana note rolling. We score it 16.5/18 and debate the real questions: would you open it or collect it, does resurrecting Kentucky Boy improve the story, and should Brown-Forman keep the label alive for future milestones?If you enjoy bourbon tasting notes, Brown-Forman history, Old Forester and Woodford Reserve deep cuts, and honest talk about festival culture and hype, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a bourbon friend, and leave us a five-star review so more listeners can find the show. If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe retrace our 11-day run through Kentucky leading up to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival and tell the real story behind the bottles, the bus tour, the volunteer work, and the people who make Bardstown feel like a second home. We share what went right, what surprised us, and why the best pours often happen outside the official tasting lines. • kicking off Season 8 and setting the festival mission • hunting a 1965 I W Harper Bottled In Bond through Revival Vintage Spirits • using Bardstown as the perfect bourbon travel hub • early distillery stops and gift shop strategy at Jim Beam and Heaven Hill • hosting Dan McKee for dinner plus a night that goes sideways fast • Louisville barrel thieving with Tegrity and a visit with Amin • volunteering to load in distilleries and how the festival runs backstage • tasting Dark Arts releases with Macaulay Minton in Lexington • Scotchy Bourbon Boys bus tour stops at Whiskey Thief Four Roses and Buffalo Trace • picking a Whiskey Thief barrel and how to find the Scotchy pick • Bourbon In The Air highlights plus why some lines feel worth it • Old Forester Kentucky Boy release and our take on value vs price • Whiskey House events and the My Kentucky Home dinner train • meeting Jim Gaffigan and gifting bacon bourbon balls • wrapping the weekend with final bottle pickups and goodbyes Remember www.scotchybourbonboys.com for all things scotchy bourbon boys, Glenn Carons and t-shirts are available. Whether you listen to us or you like us, make sure that you leave good feedback, especially on Apple. Write a review, give us five stars, that helps us out so much. Eleven days. Multiple towns. More bottles than we planned. Season 8 starts with our full Kentucky Bourbon Festival travel diary, from the first volunteer meeting in Bardstown to the last goodbye pour on the way home. We talk through the real mechanics of doing bourbon country the right way: where to base yourself, how to book meals and tastings, when to buy early, and how to avoid burning out your palate before the main events even begin.We get into the moments that made this year different: tracking down a vintage 1965 I W Harper Bottled In Bond through Revival Vintage Spirits, stacking distillery stops like Jim Beam and Heaven Hill, and hosting Michter's master distiller Dan McKee for a laid-back dinner that turns into a night none of us will forget. We also hit Louisville for barrel thieving at Tegrity and a visit with Amin, then head to Lexington to taste Dark Arts festival releases with blender and owner Macaulay Minton.Once the Kentucky Bourbon Festival events kick off, we break down what worked: smoother Will Call, better line flow, strong food, and a media tent setup that makes live interviews and quick conversations easier. We share highlights from our Scotchy Bourbon Boys bus tour with stops at Whiskey Thief, Four Roses, and Buffalo Trace, including a Whiskey Thief barrel pick you can ask for by name. And yes, we also tell the story of meeting Jim Gaffigan and handing over bacon bourbon balls.If you love bourbon, Bardstown, barrel picks, and the culture behind the glass, hit play, subscribe, and leave us a review so more bourbon fans can find the show. If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe put our “whiskey without borders” promise to the test by tasting King Car Taiwanese single malt finished in bourbon barrels and arguing over the wildest notes we find. We score it nose, body, taste, and finish, then stack it up against bottles like Highland Park 12 and Johnnie Walker Green before we shift into Kentucky Bourbon Festival plans. • Why international whiskey belongs on a bourbon-forward show • King Car's tropical fruit nose: pineapple, mango, banana, vanilla, caramel • Bubblegum, suntan lotion, and other “you had to be there” aroma calls • Mouthfeel talk: oily, viscous, then gently drying • Smoke and leather notes without heavy peat • Barrel Bottle Breakdown scoring system and our final average score • Finish debate: medium vs long and the lingering licorice-anise edge • Comparison pours and what bourbon drinkers might like best • Kentucky Bourbon Festival logistics and where to find us • Bourbon balls made with maple-finished bourbon and long-soaked pecans www.scotchybourbonboys.com If you watch us or if you listen to us, make sure that you leave us good feedback If you listen on Apple, leave us a good five-star review and give us a review If you're coming down to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, come check out the Scotchy Bourbon Boys, come find us, say hello, and let's have a pour or two A single malt from Taiwan finished in bourbon barrels sounds like a mashup, but the glass tells a real story. We pour King Car and immediately start chasing notes that feel both familiar and surprising: pineapple acidity, mango smoothness, vanilla sweetness, light caramel, and a nostalgic bubblegum aroma that sparks a full-on debate. If you're a bourbon drinker who wants to explore international whiskey without diving straight into heavy peat, this tasting is built for you.  We break the whiskey down the Scotchy Bourbon Boys way, scoring nose, body, taste, and finish, and we get specific about what's working and what isn't. The nose shines with fruit and dessert-like sweetness, the body brings an oily, viscous mouthfeel, and the palate shifts quickly into gentle smoke and a dry leather-oak edge. Then we argue about the finish, because some pours disappear fast and others hang around in the back of your throat like a “ghost note” for the rest of the night. We even float the idea of an “after aroma” category for the empty glass, because sometimes that's where the best whiskey memories live.  To help you place King Car in your own collection, we compare it to familiar bottles like Highland Park 12 and Johnnie Walker Green, calling out peat level, fruit character, and smoke intensity in plain terms. After the tasting, we pivot into real-world whiskey life: Kentucky Bourbon Festival travel plans, where you can find us on the grounds, and the homemade bourbon balls we're bringing along for friends and fellow fans.  If you enjoy bourbon, single malt, Scotch comparisons, and honest tasting notes, subscribe and share this one with a whiskey buddy. Leave us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts, and drop a comment with the one flavor note you always chase when you try a new single malt.7 If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe get ready for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival and relive how a bourbon trip becomes a mix of friends, schedules, and chasing the next great pour. Then we dig into why Michter's keeps winning us over and argue about whether festival bottle lines count as real bourbon hunting.• Kentucky Bourbon Festival plans with the full crew, house schedule, and bus tour energy • Bourbon balls for the holidays, merch updates, and where to follow us online • Why Michter's shelf lineup stays consistent and drinkable • Quality-first releases versus mash bill transparency, including skipping a 10-year release • The Michter's rye bottles that changed our minds and shaped our palates • Bottle-your-own at Michter's Fort Nelson, anniversary pours, and the chair story in Shively • What went wrong with last year's long lines and limited allocated bottles • How Jim Beam handled festival sales better, plus why single barrels matter • Whether a festival-only batch release solves the problem or kills the huntPlease, please leave us a five-star review with a review about what you like about usWaiting in a bourbon line for two hours and walking away with nothing changes how you see a festival. We're gearing up for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival with the whole crew, but we also want to talk honestly about what worked, what didn't, and what we hope gets fixed this year, because the festival is supposed to feel like the Super Bowl of bourbon, not a lesson in frustration.We spend a big chunk of time on Michter's, one of our favorite distilleries to drink and to visit. We talk through why Michter's Sour Mash and their core lineup are such reliable pours, how their team protects a consistent flavor profile, and why they're willing to skip a release when it doesn't meet their standard. It turns into a real conversation about whiskey transparency versus quality: do you need the mash bill, or do you trust what's in the glass?Then we jump back into festival strategy. We break down last year's Kentucky Bourbon Festival bottle situation, the Heaven Hill line chaos, and why Jim Beam's setup felt smoother for actual festival-goers. We also spotlight festival single barrel picks as a smart move when allocated bottles get messy, and we dig into a rumor we've heard about a Kentucky Bourbon Festival only release designed to keep people from leaving empty-handed. Of course, that leads to our favorite argument: is the festival still “the hunt,” or is it a stocked pond where you just choose your fish?If you love bourbon travel, distillery visits, allocated bottle drama, and honest tasting talk, hit play. Subscribe, share this with your bourbon crew, and leave us a review so more whiskey fans can find the show. If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with Ansey and Renee to map out Bourbon On The Banks and why a Kentucky River setting, capped tickets, and smart logistics make it feel more like a great hang than a crowded scramble. We share how to plan your pours, find the best single barrel picks, and build a full Frankfort weekend that still gives back big to local charities. • riverfront park layout in downtown Frankfort and why it changes the vibe • controlled growth, limited ticket sales, and Twilight tickets to reduce bottlenecks • Thursday bourbon boat event and the Whiskey Thief kickoff night • Four Roses pub stroll details and why pacing matters • how bottle sales work, including Capital Cellars for out-of-state distilleries • bottle check with the Shriners so you can shop without carrying everything • what's new this year, including more seating, shade, and sponsor lounge space • festival barrel picks and why they sell out fast • Friday night VIP reception and charity auction with special pours and experiences • free community events and the Saturday Bourbon Women tent programming • food and hydration strategy for a safer, better whiskey festival day Go to bourbononthebanks.org and go to the contact section and send an email to us if you want to be put on the waiting list for any of the tickets. Whether you listen to us or you watch us, make sure that you leave good feedback and you do things like become members or leave super chats. A great bourbon festival shouldn't feel like a contact sport, and Bourbon On The Banks proves it. We're back on the mic with Ansey and Renee to break down what makes this Frankfort, Kentucky whiskey festival different: a Kentucky River park setting, intentionally capped crowds, and a weekend layout that rewards people who come to taste, learn, and actually enjoy the day. If you've ever left a festival thinking “I waited in lines more than I sampled,” this conversation is for you.  We talk ticket strategy and timing, including Special Access, Early Access, General Admission, and why Twilight tickets are a smart move for locals or anyone who wants a shorter visit with fewer choke points. You'll hear practical tips on pacing, hydration stations, and the underrated win of eating a real meal before high-proof pours. We also get into the festival's bottle game: distilleries can sell on-site, out-of-state brands run purchases through Capital Cellars, and the Shriners bottle check keeps you from hauling glass all afternoon while supporting a great cause.  Then we zoom out to the full Bourbon On The Banks weekend experience: the Thursday kickoff at Whiskey Thief, the bourbon boat event, the Four Roses pub stroll across downtown, Friday's food pairing, and the VIP reception and charity auction where special pours often show up that you won't see on Saturday. We also cover festival barrel picks worth hunting, new comfort upgrades like more seating and shade, the Bourbon Women tent sessions that are open to everyone, and how the event continues to push serious dollars back into local charities.  If you're planning your first trip or tightening your game plan for this year, hit play, share this with your festival crew, and leave us a review so more bourbon fans can find the show. What bottle or distillery tent are you chasing this year? If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe go head to head on Knob Creek 12 Year 2026 at 100 proof versus the rare 121.2 proof cask strength release, asking whether proof actually equals better flavor. The 100 proof impresses with balance and peanut brittle notes, then the cask strength lands a rich butterscotch finish that blows past our scoring scale. • upcoming Bourbon on the Banks and Kentucky Bourbon Festival plans • why we start with the lower proof first in a fair tasting • Knob Creek history, Beam small batch roots, and personal Knob Creek stories • what “cask strength” means and why adding water was the original intent • our barrel bottle breakdown scale for nose, body, taste, and finish • tasting notes on the 100 proof 12 year, including cinnamon, caramel, vanilla, peanut brittle, leather and oak • tasting notes on the 121.2 proof cask strength, including richer caramel, vanilla chew, butterscotch, and a long sweet finish • final scores and which bottle we would share for which occasion Remember, www.scotchybourbonboys.com for all things scotchy bourbon boys. Same age statement, same distillery DNA, two very different proof points. Tonight we put Knob Creek 12 Year 2026 at 100 proof against the limited Knob Creek 12 Year Cask Strength 2026 at 121.2 proof and chase one question all the way down the glass: does higher proof really mean more flavor, or does the standard release win on balance?We start with what makes Knob Creek a modern classic in Kentucky bourbon: long aging, heavy oak influence, caramel and vanilla, and that unmistakable Beam family nuttiness. Then we break down what “cask strength” and “barrel proof” actually change in the final bottle, from mouthfeel and finish to how alcohol heat can either hide flavors or amplify them. We also use our Barrel Bottle Breakdown rating scale so you can follow the nose, body, taste, and finish in a clear, repeatable way.The 100 proof 12-year delivers big with cinnamon, brown sugar, dried apple, caramel, and a peanut brittle note that screams Knob Creek. Then the cask strength surprises us with a richer caramel-vanilla nose and a butterscotch-driven finish that drinks shockingly easy for 121.2 proof, earning a score so high it breaks our scale. If you love bourbon reviews, tasting notes, and honest proof debates, this pour is for you.Subscribe, share this with a bourbon friend, and leave a review on Apple or your favorite podcast app so more people can find the show. If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe catch up with Rebecca Neely on what's new at Neely Family Distillery, from a hidden speakeasy room to a rare three-chamber still that's finally running. We also get deep on blending, finishing, and festival releases, plus the behind-the-scenes chaos of a surprise New Orleans wedding. • the speakeasy room and how guests stumble into it • what a three-chamber still is and why it matters in Kentucky whiskey history • first agave spirit plans and how they'll barrel-age it • why finished bourbon is a creative choice rather than a cover-up • how Neely thinks about barrel picks, naming, and special collaborations • what changes in flavor as whiskey ages and oak takes over • getting Neely whiskey into Ohio and what the distribution process is really like • blending as a craft, including sampling technique and quality control before bottling • absinthe culture, the 1890s absinthe still, and a four-year aged absinthe release • Kentucky Bourbon Festival plans including a 10-year bourbon and the banana batch four-grain www.scotchyburbonboys.com. Remember drink responsibly, don't drink and drive, and go out and live your life uncut and unfiltered. A hidden speakeasy door at a Kentucky distillery is fun, but the real surprise is what's happening behind the scenes. Rebecca Neely joins us to talk about how Neely Family Distillery keeps pushing forward with hands-on barrel picks, relentless day-to-day work, and a very specific obsession with chasing flavors you can't find anywhere else. If you're into craft bourbon, Kentucky distilling history, and the reality of building a spirits brand with a small team, this conversation goes straight to the source.  We spend serious time on their three-chamber still, one of the rarest setups you'll find in modern American whiskey. Rebecca breaks down why it's so difficult to run, what they've already distilled on it, and why their next move is an agave spirit, plus plans to barrel-age it and experiment with finishes down the road. From tequila and gin barrels to a sotol finish that “tastes like fireworks,” we talk about the point of finishing, why “finished bourbon means bad bourbon” is a myth, and how blenders protect their reputation by fixing a blend before it ever reaches a bottle.  Then we zoom out to what's happening in the market: getting into Ohio distribution, why strict shipping rules can actually save your product, and why the “bourbon bubble burst” narrative misses the bigger truth that experiences and authenticity are what fans chase. We also nerd out on Neely's absinthe, made on a dedicated 1890s absinthe still, including a new four-year barrel-aged absinthe, and we preview Kentucky Bourbon Festival drops like their first 10-year bourbon release and the cask-strength banana-note four-grain. Subscribe, share this with a bourbon friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe taste Buffalo Trace's three CRC certified kosher whiskeys and dig into the real reason they exist: Passover rules turn barrel aging into an ownership puzzle that has to be solved years in advance. Along the way, we compare profiles, argue about whether 94 proof is the sweet spot, and decide which bottle is genuinely worth the hunt. • overview of the Buffalo Trace kosher lineup and why it is released after Passover • what kosher whiskey means beyond ingredients like grain, water, and yeast • why Passover creates an ownership challenge for whiskey aging in barrels • how Buffalo Trace and the Chicago Rabbinical Council structure barrel ownership and tracking • why dedicated barrels and flushed bottling lines matter for kosher certification • tasting the rye recipe bourbon with caramel, cherry and a surprising dusty note • tasting the wheat recipe bourbon for softness, fruit, vanilla and candied toffee • tasting the straight rye for spice, citrus, clove and a minty finish • whether “normal bourbon” is already kosher and why certification is different • proof talk and why the rye feels like it wants barrel proof • final verdict on which bottles collectors and drinkers should chase Remember www.scotchybourbonboys.com for all things. Scotchy Bourbon Boys. No matter whether you listen to us or you watch us, make sure you leave us good feedback. An Apple, leave us a really good review and a five-star. Kosher whiskey isn't a blessing on a bottle, it's a production and logistics problem that has to be solved years before the first pour. Tonight I crack open a sealed trio from Buffalo Trace Distillery: Kosher Rye Recipe Bourbon, Kosher Wheat Recipe Bourbon, and Kosher Straight Rye, all at 94 proof and all produced under Chicago Rabbinical Council (CRC) supervision. If you've ever wondered what “CRC certified kosher” actually means for bourbon and rye, this story gets surprisingly practical, surprisingly nerdy, and genuinely fascinating.We walk through the Passover challenge that makes whiskey different from most foods: bourbon matures for years, so you can't simply adjust a recipe for one week and call it done. That leads to the core question of ownership during Passover, and the solution Buffalo Trace put in place starting in 2012, including dedicated barrels, separation and tracking in the warehouse, and bottling line flushing to avoid any contact with non kosher spirits. The timeline matters too, from early planning around 2010 to the first release in 2020, because it shows how far ahead a kosher bourbon program has to be designed.Then we get to what's in the glass. I compare the kosher rye recipe bourbon against standard Buffalo Trace and get hit with caramel, cherry, and a “dusty” note that feels like a throwback. The wheat recipe bourbon leans softer and sweeter with fruit, vanilla, and a candied toffee vibe, while the straight rye brings spice, citrus, clove, and a minty finish that rye fans may love. We also tackle the question everyone asks: isn't most straight whiskey already kosher, and does knowing the process change how you value the bottle?If you enjoyed this deep dive into kosher bourbon, Passover constraints, and Buffalo Trace tasting notes, subscribe, share the episode with a whiskey friend, and leave us a five-star review so more people can find the show. If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with Randy Prasse president of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, to talk about how the event sold out at warp speed and why the real reason people return is the friendships and the shared pours. We also dig into what's new on the grounds this year, how distilleries are using the festival for launches, and what it takes to keep lines, gates, and expectations under control. • sold-out ticket demand and what it signals about bourbon fans • keeping the festival's core as a social reunion, not just bottle chasing • growth in distilleries, brands and SKU variety across the weekend • barrel picks and why a Kentucky Bourbon Festival label now matters • Bardstown's transformation and the festival's impact on local business • new entry gates, VIP-only access windows and smoother flow • the Speakeasy upgrade and the push toward corporate hospitality • craft distilleries, brand eligibility and how connections keep brands alive • bottle lines, scarcity, entitlement and smarter systems like tokens • volunteering, staffing and building a team that can execute at scale • trip planning tips, hydration, designated drivers and responsible drinking kybourbonfestival.com scotchyburbonboysall.com Make sure you leave good feedback and also become a member or do super chats. Remember to always drink responsibly, never drink and drive, and live your life uncut and unfiltered. Tickets vanish, lines form, and suddenly Bardstown feels like the center of the bourbon universe. We're joined by Randy Prasse, president of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, to unpack how the festival sold out like a rock concert and what that demand says about bourbon right now. Spoiler: the hype is real, but the best part is still the people, the reunions, and the conversations you only get when distillers and fans are sharing the same space.We get into what's changing on the ground for this year's Kentucky Bourbon Festival in Bardstown, Kentucky: a second general admission gate to move crowds faster, tighter protection of the VIP entrance during key hours, and a new Speakeasy-style upgrade that hints at bigger corporate hospitality plans ahead. Randy also shares how the layout is staying familiar while the experience keeps leveling up, from the craft distillery area to education spaces and activations that make you want to visit a brand's home distillery after you taste with them.Then we go straight at the hot-button topics bourbon fans actually care about: barrel picks (around 30 this year), festival-only releases, and the hard truth of allocated bottles and long lines. We talk solutions like token systems, producing special festival bottles in enough volume to reduce frustration, and why responsible drinking has to be part of the plan for a three-day tasting marathon. If you're planning bourbon tourism, chasing a rare pour, or just curious how a major whiskey festival runs, this conversation gives you the real mechanics behind the magic.Subscribe for more bourbon stories, share this with your festival crew, and leave us a review so more whiskey fans can find the show. What's the one bottle or booth you'd build your weekend around? If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with the founders of KO Distilling to trace how a Ravens game conversation turned into a Virginia craft distillery with serious bourbon and cask strength rye. We get candid about equipment upgrades, control-state distribution, barrel strategy, and why barrel picks with a cigar club can become a real community engine. • the origin story from Merchant Marine Academy to a third career in distilling • learning licensing, regulation, and taxes while building a distillery from scratch • hiring a head distiller with chemical engineering and distilling science training • how military and engineering habits show up in process, safety, and consistency • the shift from pot still whiskey to a continuous column still and what it changed • building a tasting room experience inside an industrial warehouse space • naming the brand, winning trademarks, and why Bare Knuckle fits KO • developing rye from early young releases to older cask strength expressions • blending for consistency, setting aside unicorn barrels for single barrels • barrel sourcing with Kelvin Cooperage and navigating shortages • cracking Virginia ABC distribution and pitching for shelf space • online sales via retailers and why hazmat bourbon sells fast • cigar club barrel picks, pairing notes, and the hands-on bottling and labeling day www.scotchyburbonboys.com for all things, Scotchy Bourbon Boys. Check out our t-shirts, our Glen Karens, and then also follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and X along with Apple iHeart and Spotify. Leave good feedback, become a member A craft distillery doesn't get built on vibes, it gets built on hard lessons, tight process, and a lot of unglamorous decisions. We're joined by the team behind KO Distilling in Manassas, Virginia, the makers of the Bare Knuckle line, to unpack how two longtime friends and Merchant Marine Academy grads turned a “what if we started a distillery?” moment into real whiskey on real shelves.We talk about the early reality most people never see: licensing, control-state rules, taxes, and the constant need to learn fast without cutting corners. They explain why their engineering and military backgrounds actually matter in a distilling operation, from pumps and valves to boilers, safety, and repeatability. Then we get nerdy about the production side, including the jump from pot still distilling to a Vendome continuous column still, and how they kept their bourbon and rye profile consistent while scaling.From there, we dig into what whiskey fans are chasing right now: cask strength rye, single barrels, and the “unicorn barrel” you just can't blend away. We also cover barrel sourcing with Kelvin Cooperage, the economics of distribution through Virginia ABC, online ordering across multiple states, and a limited hazmat bourbon release that disappeared fast. Finally, we bring in a cigar club that does KO barrel picks to share what bottling day is like when fans help label, proof, and take the bottles home.If you enjoy craft bourbon, Virginia rye whiskey, and behind-the-scenes distillery stories, subscribe, share this with a whiskey friend, and leave us a review. What bottle would you want to pick from a barrel? If You Have Gohsts voice over Whiskey ThiefSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe turn the Four Roses 10 Recipe Tasting Kit into a hands-on bourbon class, testing how two mash bills and five yeast strains can reshape flavor in the glass. We rank our favorites, compare the kit to an OBSK single barrel, then build a custom blend to chase the perfect balance of sweet, fruit, and spice. • quick sponsor shout and housekeeping plus where to watch and listen • why Four Roses matters plus the brand history from Prohibition to its US comeback • the 10-recipe system explained using two mash bills and five yeast strains • tasting through Mash Bill E recipes and calling out vanilla, pear, tea, floral and bitterness • tasting through Mash Bill B recipes and tracking rye driven spice, cherry, caramel and oak • naming our top picks with OBSK as the standout for our palate • comparing kit pours vs a bottled single barrel and checking proof • asking and answering barrel entry proof today and why it changes whiskey • blending equal parts to build a personal Four Roses style pour Remember www.scotchybourbonboys.com for all things scotchy bourbon boys. No matter whether you listen to us or watch us, make sure you leave us good feedback, become members, you know, just support us overall.Ten bottles from one distillery sounds simple until you realize Four Roses is playing a completely different game. We crack open the Four Roses 10 Recipe Tasting Kit and put the distillery's famous “two mash bills plus five yeast strains” system to a real test, glass by glass, note by note. If you've ever wondered whether yeast can really change bourbon flavor, or why one Four Roses single barrel hits your palate perfectly while another feels sharp, this tasting turns that mystery into something you can actually taste.We walk through the Four Roses story and the modern rebuild that made the brand a favorite among bourbon enthusiasts, then get practical with the production details: Mash Bill E versus Mash Bill B, and what each yeast strain is designed to contribute (delicate fruit, spice, rich fruit, floral, herbal). From there, it's a guided bourbon tasting focused on what matters most for building your own palate: identifying vanilla and caramel sweetness, spotting fruit shifts like pear and cherry, noticing herbal tea and mint notes, and paying attention to bitterness and finish when a recipe doesn't land as a great standalone sipper.The fun twist is we don't stop at rankings. We compare the kit to an OBSK single barrel, talk proof, look up Four Roses barrel entry proof, and then blend our own custom pour to see how the recipes behave when you mix them like a master distiller. If you love bourbon education, Four Roses recipe codes, and DIY tasting experiments, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a bourbon friend, and leave us a five-star review so more people can find the show. If You Have Gohsts voice over Whiskey ThiefSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe put Maker's Mark Star Hill Farm American Wheat Whiskey 2025 and 2026 in the ring and score them side by side to see what changed and which one drinks better. Along the way, we get into why wheat needs oxygen, why Maker's Mark is treating this as a vintage-style annual release, and how regenerative agriculture connects to flavor. • why Star Hill Farm exists and why it is not bourbon • Maker's Mark shift from one mash bill to experimentation • regenerative agriculture and why “grain matters” • why wheat whiskey can improve after opening • 2025 release proof age mash bill and tasting notes • our barrel bottle breakdown scoring system • 2026 release mash bill changes and what they do to flavor • head-to-head verdict plus a simple blend idea if you own both www.scotchyburbonboys.com for all things Scotchy Bourbon Boys. Make sure you leave good feedback that that's fantastic on, especially on Apple, please. And then also become members. You can become a member on Facebook, you can become a member on YouTube. And super chats are always greatly appreciated. Maker's Mark spent nearly 70 years defending one core mash bill, so when Star Hill Farm American Wheat Whiskey shows up as a yearly, changing release, we have to treat it like a real moment in modern American whiskey. We line up the first two annual releases, 2025 vs 2026, taste them with our barrel breakdown scoring, and answer the question every curious whiskey fan is asking: which one actually drinks better right now, and why?  We also dig into what makes this project different from a typical “new expression.” Star Hill Farm is built around wheat as the star, not corn as the safety net, and it's tied directly to Maker's Mark's push for regenerative agriculture and a grain-forward philosophy. We talk about why soil health and farming practices matter for long-term whiskey quality, and why this release is designed to evolve like a vintage rather than taste identical every year.  Then we get practical. Wheat can change dramatically after you open a bottle, and we share the cap-off, let-it-breathe approach that transformed the 2026 pour from too oaky into a dessert bomb. Expect tasting notes like cherry cola and toasted oak on the 2025, then caramel, vanilla, and an unmistakable “Milk Duds” finish on the 2026, plus the mash bill changes that help explain the swing. If you've got both bottles, we even float a simple blending idea to see what happens in your own glass.  If you enjoy cast strength whiskey reviews, Maker's Mark tasting notes, and smart whiskey talk that stays grounded in what you can taste, hit subscribe, share this with a bourbon friend, and leave us a review so more people can find the show. If You Have Gohsts voice over Whiskey ThiefSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailOne great bourbon story can change your whole drinking life, and Ed Blake's starts with a bottle he avoided for years. After a bad early run-in with bourbon, he returns to it later through a Pappy Van Winkle 15 and suddenly the rabbit hole opens. From there, we follow the real path from enthusiast to trusted palate: learning how to taste, learning how to talk about flavour, and learning how to help other people find what they actually like. Ed (Rising Tide Spirits) shares how barrel picks and community feedback sharpened his selection skills, including the practical reality of tasting barrels in winter, when whiskey can show harsher edges before it warms up. We also get into what it's like building brands as a non-distiller producer, how Old Stubborn came to life through a strong distillery relationship, and why he's committed to small production and high quality instead of chasing shelf space. Then we go deep on rye whiskey, especially MGP rye. We unpack the dill pickle note that turns some drinkers off, how fermentation timing can influence it, and why longer aging often brings more caramel sweetness, richer oak, and a smoother balance. If you're curious about Old Swagger, Old Stubborn, premium bourbon packaging, or what separates a hype bottle from a genuinely great pour, you'll leave with a clearer buying compass and a better vocabulary for your own palate. Subscribe for more whiskey conversations, share this with a rye or bourbon friend, and leave us a review with the best bottle you've had this year. What tasting note instantly makes you want another sip?We sit down with Ed Blake of Rising Tide Spirits and trace the real steps from bourbon fan to respected barrel picker and brand builder. We dig into how he sources and blends Old Stubborn and Old Swagger, why his packaging is part of the experience, and what he's learning from rye whiskey as the market shifts.  • Ed's early bourbon misfire and the moment Pappy brings him back  • Building a whiskey community and learning through shared pours  • The liquor store “help a shopper” moment that turns into a job  • How private barrel picks create trust and demand  • Sourcing as an NDP and why winter barrel samples can mislead  • Designing premium packaging that matches premium whiskey  • Staying small by choice while releases sell out fast  • Rye whiskey education, MGP dill notes, and how age softens them  • Barrel aging plans in Kentucky and a teased higher-aged release  Remember, we're the Scotchy Bourbon Boys, www.scotchyburbonboys.com for all things scotchy bourbon boys. Remember, you can get t-shirts, Glenn Karen's. Contact me direct for those. Whether you listen to us or you watch us, make sure you leave us good feedback.   If You Have Gohsts voice over Whiskey ThiefSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with Bill McBrayer to trace how a forgotten Kentucky bourbon legacy turns into a living brand, starting with a family story, a trademark deadline, and a mash bill hidden in the historical record. We talk through the hard parts of building a whiskey company the right way, plus the joy of watching family history become something you can taste and share. • the moment a trademark requirement forces real bourbon production • digging up William Harris McBrayer's story and why it matters to bourbon history • finding the 1870 mash bill reference and recreating a high-corn legacy recipe • partnering with Wilderness Trail and using heirloom Bloody Butcher corn • navigating licensing, controlled-state hurdles, and early bottling decisions • securing the Cedar Brook trademark and rebuilding brand identity • visiting and buying land tied to the Cedar Brook distillery site near Lawrenceburg • Whiskey Trust and Prohibition context that shaped Kentucky bourbon brands • walking through the current lineup: legacy mash bill, bottled-in-bond, and weeded bourbon • single barrel releases, Legacy Club access, and expanding distribution Sign up for the legacy club, doesn't cost anything. A family name can disappear from bourbon shelves for decades, but it doesn't have to stay gone. We're joined by Bill McBrayer, president and steward of McBrayer Legacy Spirits, to unpack the true story behind bringing an old Kentucky bourbon lineage back to life and why it started with something as unromantic as a trademark deadline.We talk about the rabbit hole that begins with genealogy research and a historic blog post, then turns into a real distilling plan when Bill learns he has to “use” the brand to keep it. From there, the conversation gets wonderfully specific: an 1870 letter connected to E H Taylor, a high-corn mash bill, heirloom Bloody Butcher red corn, and working with Wilderness Trail to recreate a legacy profile that stands out in today's crowded craft whiskey market.The story also moves beyond the bottle. Bill shares what it takes to navigate licensing, distribution, and the slow economics of aging Kentucky bourbon for 8, 10, or 12 years. We dig into Lawrenceburg history, the Cedar Brook distillery site, the Whiskey Trust era, and how protecting a heritage brand becomes a responsibility, not a hustle.If you care about bourbon history, bottled-in-bond releases, single barrel picks, and building a family-owned whiskey brand with long-term purpose, you'll want this one. Subscribe, share with a bourbon friend, and leave us a review with your favorite “lost brand” comeback story. If You Have Gohsts voice over Whiskey ThiefSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe dig into why bourbon demand cooled after years of explosive growth and why that shift could be a gift to craft distilleries that focus on quality and real relationships. We swap stories from the trail, debate what “craft” even means, and share how pricing, distribution, and the fading secondary market are changing what bottles people actually buy. • bourbon boom context and what changed after 2023 • why craft distilleries struggled early with young stock and pricing • how direct shipping, local shelves, and tasting rooms reshape the playing field • Iron Fish and the Mad Angler approach to storytelling and limited releases • Whiskey Thief and the bottle-your-own barrel experience as a draw • flippers, the secondary market peak, and why higher MSRPs squeezed resale margins • what separates craft from big producers, including scale, access, and experimentation • panel shout-outs to surprising producers and standout distillery tours Make sure that you do the things like become a member or become a member on YouTube, leave super chats, everything that's there Bourbon didn't “die” overnight. It got normal again, and that's a bigger deal than most people realise. We look at what happened after the 2015 to 2023 bourbon boom, why whiskey sales cooled, and how that pressure is forcing everyone from legacy brands to tiny craft distilleries to prove their worth with flavour, value, and trust instead of pure hype.We talk through what makes craft distilleries uniquely resilient right now: smaller production targets, tight local followings, direct-to-consumer shipping, and an experience-first business model built around tasting rooms, clubs, single barrels, and limited releases. We dig into Iron Fish as a case study in how branding and storytelling can actually deepen a whiskey's identity, including the Mad Angler concept and why community events and raffles keep fans coming back. Then we compare that to distillery destinations like Whiskey Thief, where the “fill your own bottle” barrel-thieving approach turns a purchase into a memory you'll talk about all year.We also get practical about the money. Distribution is expensive, shelf space is brutal, and when classic bottles sit at $35 to $60, a $90 craft bottle has to earn it. We break down how flippers and the secondary market peaked, why rising MSRPs changed the math, and what “quality over hype” looks like for today's more intentional whiskey buyer. If you care about craft bourbon, bourbon tourism, the bourbon trail, and where American whiskey is headed next, you'll leave with a clearer map.Subscribe wherever you listen, share this with a bourbon friend who's tired of chasing unicorns, and leave a review with the craft distillery you think deserves more attention. If You Have Gohsts voice over Whiskey ThiefSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe go deep on Booker's Bourbon and put two 2026 batches head to head, chasing the uncut, unfiltered barrel-strength experience Booker Noe wanted people to taste. Big Easy Batch brings the classic Beam backbone while Milkshake Batch surprises us with dessert-like sweetness that still feels unmistakably Booker's.• why Booker's stands out as uncut, unfiltered, barrel strength bourbon with real batch variation • where Booker's comes from in the Jim Beam lineup and why the flavor profile is a bourbon benchmark • pricing and availability differences across states and how we track releases • details and story behind Booker's 2026-01 Big Easy Batch plus full tasting notes • details and story behind Booker's 2026-02 Milkshake Batch plus why it “drinks below proof” • our Barrel Bottle Breakdown scoring for nose, body, taste, finish and how a “butt up up” works • the rare tie at 18 out of 18 and the tiebreaker chart that crowns the final winner • rapid-fire verdicts on best nose, best finish, most “Booker's” profile and which bottle to bunker www.scotchybourbonboys.com for all things scotchy bourbon boys. If you listen on Apple, please 100% leave us a five-star review. A barrel-proof showdown that somehow turns into a tie, then a dessert-bourbon debate. We pour Booker's 2026-01 Big Easy Batch against Booker's 2026-02 Milkshake Batch and chase the exact thing Booker Noe intended: an uncut, unfiltered, straight-from-the-barrel style bourbon experience that doesn't hide behind proofing or filtration.First up, Big Easy Batch (129.1 proof) brings a more classic Jim Beam Booker's profile, backed by a New Orleans-inspired story and tasting notes that lean roasted peanut on the nose with baking spice and a punch of cherry that reads like cherry cola. On the palate and finish, we get bold structure, oak-driven grip, and that long Kentucky hug that makes Booker's feel like a “main meal” pour, not a sweet treat.Then Milkshake Batch (124.4 proof) shifts the whole mood. The batch story ties back to Booker's chocolate malted milkshake tradition, and the whiskey follows through with creamy vanilla, caramel sweetness, toasted oak, and a malt-like note that makes the name click. It drinks below its proof, feels unusually approachable for barrel strength bourbon, and pushes Booker's into a sweeter direction without losing the house character.We score both using our Barrel Bottle Breakdown for nose, body, taste, and finish, land at 18 out of 18 for both, then go to a tiebreaker chart across sweetness, fruit, oak, dessert, complexity, and drinkability to crown a winner. Listen now, then subscribe, share the show with a bourbon friend, and leave us a review with your pick: Big Easy or Milkshake? If You Have Gohsts voice over Whiskey ThiefSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with Alex Castle and Matt Grove to talk about how Augusta Distillery grows fast without losing its cask strength, unfiltered identity. We dig into the Ohio OHLQ collaboration, why the $59 small batch matters, and how meeting people in stores and at festivals turns shelf bottles into home bar staples. • why Augusta moves from single barrels into three to six barrel small batch while keeping a single barrel mindset • how the Ohio OHLQ custom small batch and Buckner's 13 release land with fans across the state • why cask strength and no dilution stay non-negotiable for the brand • the real work behind barrel picks, blending decisions, and building a balanced flavor profile • why pricing is part of trust, giving new drinkers a lower risk way to try Augusta • what “boots on the ground” tastings change for a brand in a crowded bourbon market • how Augusta's distillery experience keeps evolving, from tours to bottle your own to cocktails Whether you listen to us or you watch us, make sure you leave us good feedback. A $59 bourbon can sound like a compromise until you taste what Augusta Distillery is putting in the bottle. We're joined by master distiller Alex Castle and brand ambassador Matt Grove to unpack the thinking behind Augusta's cask strength small batch, built from six barrels and designed to drink with the same care you'd expect from a single barrel program. No dilution, unfiltered, and largely made from 7 to 9 year old bourbon, it's positioned as a real entry point for people who have stared at premium Buckner's bottles and thought, “I need to taste this before I bet that kind of money.”We also get into Augusta's Ohio push with OHLQ and what it's like taking the show on the road, hitting tastings across Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati at some truly weird hours, then finding lines of fans already waiting. If you know Ohio, you know the love for weeded bourbon runs deep, so we talk about the reception for Augusta's weeded single barrel and why face to face tastings still matter in a world of constant releases and crowded shelves.Along the way we swap festival stories, explain why barrel picking and blending is harder than it looks, and tease what Augusta is planning for Kentucky Bourbon Festival. If you're hunting bottles, planning a bourbon tourism trip, or just want a cask strength pour that overdelivers for the price, this conversation gives you the context and the practical tips. Subscribe, share this with a bourbon friend, and leave us a review so more listeners can find the show. If You Have Gohsts voice over Whiskey ThiefSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with Greg from Hayner Distilling to trace a 150-year Ohio whiskey legacy from 1866 through Prohibition to a modern revival built on blending, transparency, and great barrels. We also dig into what makes a memorable tasting-room experience and why limited releases and community events can pull people off the shelf and into the story. • Hayner Distilling history from 1866 to Prohibition to a 2020 relaunch • Rebuilding the brand by reverse-engineering a 1904 bottle sample • Why Hayner uses Bardstown Bourbon Company for contract distilling • Blending philosophy vs single barrels, chasing complexity over “smooth” • Rye and bourbon combinations that win blind tastings • Barrel proof experience with fill-your-own bottles from the barrel • Expansion plans for a larger 1910s to 1920s themed space • Troy, Ohio stops to pair with a distillery trip • Craft whiskey marketing realities, crowded shelves, and earning the second bottle • Event talk: Bourbon and Cigars at Mother Stewart's plus an exclusive Hayner bottle www.scotchybourbonboys.com for all things Scotchy Bourbon Boys. And then also we're on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, X make sure, and then also Apple iHeart and Spotify, whether you listen to us or you watch us, make sure that you leave us good feedback. Become a member on YouTube or even on Facebook. But either way, also if you're on Apple, please leave us a good review. Five-star reviews are great, they get us better algorithm and searches. And then remember, good bourbon equals good times and good friends. Make sure you drink responsibly, don't drink and drive, and be like us. Live your life uncut and unfiltered. And AI is going to take us out. A forgotten Ohio whiskey giant is back and it's not pretending the old world never changed. We're joined by Greg from Hayner Distilling in Troy, Ohio to unpack how a brand founded in 1866 became the largest distiller in the state, shut down with Prohibition, and then re-emerged in 2020 with a very modern playbook: transparency, barrel selection, and serious whiskey blending.We get into the nuts and bolts of the revival, including how Hayner took a 1904 bottle sample to Bardstown Bourbon Company to help reverse-engineer an original-style mash bill, then built today's lineup while their own barrels come of age. If you care about craft whiskey, sourced bourbon done right, MGP rye, and what separates a smart blend from a random mix, you'll love the way Greg talks about complexity, mouthfeel, and why blends often beat single barrels in blind tastings.Then we shift from liquid to experience. We talk distillery visits, Hayner's barrel proof “fill-your-own” setup, and the big expansion into a larger 1910s to 1920s themed tasting space with a whiskey thieving room and a dedicated history area. We also preview the Bourbon and Cigars event at Mother Stewart's and the exclusive Hayner bottle tied to it, plus why limited releases and community-driven events still matter in a crowded bourbon market.If you're into Ohio bourbon, American whiskey history, and the future of blending culture, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a whiskey friend, and leave us a five-star review so more people can find the show. If You Have Gohsts voice over Whiskey ThiefSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with Missy and Joe of Indian Creek Distillery to trace a sixth-generation family whiskey legacy and the hidden copper pot stills that survived Prohibition. We taste frontier-style spirits, talk craft versus efficiency, and explore why Ohio's whiskey story deserves more attention. • the Staley family farm history and why the stills were hidden • what makes double copper pot still distillation slower and more flavorful • direct fire heat, consistency, and why modern control still matters • naming the stills and learning to “know your girls” • Joe's background in engineering, farming, and small business before distilling • navigating federal and Ohio regulations while building a craft distillery • the on-site frontier whiskey experience and why it converts first-time visitors • tasting unaged rye white dog, mash bill, proof, and cocktail uses • the story behind the single surviving pre Prohibition bottle • tasting Bond House bourbon, high corn recipe, small barrel aging, cask strength texture Give a shout out to your website and everything: minifreekdistillery.com. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, we make free distillery, and we have a lot of events. So come up, see us. www.scotchybourbonboys.com and then also Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, along with iHeart, Apple, Spotify. Whether you listen to us or watch us, make sure you leave us good feedback or become members or leave us super chats and everything.Two hundred year old copper pot stills are not supposed to be “operational,” but at Indian Creek Distillery they are the beating heart of a living Ohio whiskey legacy. We're joined by Missy Staley, a direct descendant of the original distilling family, and Joe, the hands-on distiller who helped bring the operation back in 2011 after the stills were hidden away when Prohibition hit. What follows is part history lesson, part craft masterclass, and part tasting session you can almost smell through your headphones.  We dig into why double copper pot still distillation creates a different spirit than modern column production: slower runs, more character, and those heavier flavor oils that give pot still bourbon and rye a signature mouthfeel. We also talk direct-fire distilling, why they use propane instead of wood, and how “inefficient” can be a feature when your goal is quality and authenticity. Joe shares how an engineering and small-business background helped, but also why the stills themselves teach you if you let them do what they're built to do.  Then we get into the bottles. We taste their unaged rye “white dog” and break down the mash bill and why it works even as a cocktail base. Missy tells the wild story of the one surviving pre-Prohibition bottle in the family, and we finish with a bold Bond House bourbon pour that shows what high-corn recipes and barrel aging can become at cask strength. If you care about craft distilling, historic American whiskey, and the growing Ohio bourbon scene, this conversation is a must.  Subscribe, share the show with a whiskey-loving friend, and leave a review so more people can find these stories. What's the one tradition you think the whiskey world should never “modernize” away? If You Have Gohsts voice over Whiskey ThiefSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe sit down at Middle West Spirits in Columbus with Steve Frederick to unpack how an Ohio grain-to-glass distillery scales up without losing what makes the whiskey special. Along the way we taste new Old Elk bottles coming out of Columbus, dig into finishes like Armagnac and sherry, and end with a straight-from-the-barrel moment that proves context changes everything. • Middle West's growth from small runs to a massive round-the-clock facility • What “crop to cask” means in practice for Ohio grains and farmer partnerships • Ethical sourcing choices like free trade vanilla and why it matters • How contract distilling and a serious bottling line support the business • Old Elk acquisition impact on portfolio, production and consumer pricing • Cigar Cut, Punch Cut and why structure matters for cigar pairings • Tasting notes across high malt bourbon, wheated bourbon and wheat whiskey • Why finishes and experimentation are pulling new drinkers into whiskey • Barrel thieving, proof talk and how a splash of water changes the pour • Where to find bottles in Ohio and beyond, plus distillery-only releases You can always go to our website Make sure you drink responsibly, don't drink and drive, and live your life like us. The wild part about visiting Middle West Spirits is realizing your brain is not calibrated for the scale. We're standing in Columbus, Ohio, talking with Steve Frederick about a distillery that went from craft beginnings to a facility that can fill barrels at an industrial pace, while still obsessing over mash bills, fermentation, and what ends up in your glass. If you care about American whiskey made the right way, this is a rare look at how “grain to glass” turns into real decisions, not just a slogan.We get deep into the Middle West approach to “crop to cask” sourcing, including how they work with Ohio farmers and why local grain changes both flavor and identity. Steve also shares the less-glamorous side of spirits production, like supply chain ethics, and why choices such as free trade vanilla matter. From there we zoom out to the business reality: contract distilling, a serious bottling line, and how a distillery can stay nimble while keeping quality high.Then we hit the big moment for whiskey fans: the Old Elk acquisition and what it means for Old Elk bourbon, wheat whiskey, and future blends. We taste through core Old Elk expressions bottled in Columbus, talk cask strength value, and break down finishes like Armagnac, Oloroso sherry, Sauternes, and tawny port. We even thief whiskey straight from the barrel and reflect on why the experience of drinking can change what you taste.If you enjoyed this kind of behind-the-scenes whiskey talk, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave us a review. What bottle are you hunting next, and are you team bourbon or team wheat whiskey? If You Have Gohsts voice over Whiskey ThiefSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with Doug McLaughlin of M&O Spirits to hear how a film-and-production background turned into a grain-to-glass distillery south of Columbus. We taste through Ta-Da, Pumpkin Spice, Black, Smoke, and a cask strength pour while Doug breaks down the process choices that make his whiskey stand out. • Doug and Mike's path from basement R&D to a fully licensed Ohio craft distillery • Why M&O sticks to 55-gallon barrels and waits for real maturity • The double oaking method using custom toasted and charred staves • Long fermentation for fruit esters and a cleaner, drinkable distillate • Ta-Da white whiskey: wheat-heavy recipe, multi-run pot distillation, quick oak touch for whiskey designation • Pumpkin puree in the mash and spice satchels in the barrel for a balanced holiday finish • Black vs Smoke: same mash bill, different distillation count, different flavor profiles • Cask strength tasting notes and how proof can mean concentrated flavour • Where to buy, distillery hours, and why some cask strength bottles are distillery-only • Our July 25 tasting event plug and why “try before you buy” matters www.scotchybourbonboys.com. Make sure whether you listen to us or you watch us to become a member, subscribe, leave good feedback, all that stuff. A lot of craft bourbon talk is hype. Doug McLaughlin from M&O Spirits shows what it looks like when the hype is backed by process, patience, and a distiller who can explain every decision from mash to bottle. We're joined by Doug (calling in from Asheville, Ohio) and we taste through the lineup while he lays out how M&O went from an off-the-books R&D basement setup to a fully legal, award-winning grain-to-glass distillery.  We dig into the techniques that shape the flavor: a long 20-day fermentation designed to build fruit esters, pot still runs that change the entire personality of the same mash bill, and a double oaking approach that uses custom white oak staves toasted, charred, and smothered to lock smoke into the wood. You'll hear why Black (triple distilled) lands smoother and more “classic bourbon,” while Smoke (double distilled) keeps a bigger mouthfeel with brighter fruit and built-in campfire notes that shine in an Old Fashioned.  Then we get into the fun bottles: Ta-Da, a wheat-forward white whiskey that surprises people who expect “gasoline,” and a pumpkin spice spirit made with real pumpkin puree in the cook and spice satchels aging in the barrel for years so the finish feels like dessert, not a candle. We also talk cask strength, non-chill filtering, careful cuts, and how small allocations impact where you can actually buy the rare stuff.  If you're near Columbus, Doug shares how to visit, tour, and taste at the distillery, plus how to catch him at the July 25 event at Mother Stewart's. Subscribe, share this with your bourbon group, and leave a review so more people can find the show and the makers behind the bottles. If You Have Gohsts voice over Whiskey ThiefSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with Drew Thorn of Silverthorn Reserve to trace his path from brewing and engineering into building whiskey brands, then we taste through his new lineup with a blender's eye for detail. Along the way, we get a rare look at how older sourced barrels become small-batch, cask strength releases through careful selection, marrying time, and controlled finishing.• Drew's journey from craft beer to distilling leadership • Why Silverthorn stays independent while still working with Sagamore for storage and processing • What it means to source whiskey as an NDP and why 10 to 14 year barrels are still competitive • Blue label bourbon blend breakdown and how “build a base then flavor it” works • Returning blends to casks to let flavors marry before bottling • Port-finished rye process and the CO2 pressurised mist-conditioning method • Rye blend designed to welcome bourbon drinkers without losing rye character • Single barrel selection philosophy and logging a sensory library • Core portfolio plans, limited drops, and slow growth to protect quality • Where to buy, which states can ship, and how to try bottles locallyIf you're interested, come to our website. You can drop your email into our we've got a whiskey group, drop your email in there. That'll put you on the mailing list.A lot of brands talk about “blending” like it's just mixing. We wanted the real thing, so we brought on Drew Thorn from Silverthorn Reserve to explain what actually happens when you build whiskey on purpose, barrel by barrel, with nothing to hide. Drew's background spans brewing, engineering, and leading a major rye operation, and he's now back in startup mode crafting small batch, cask strength whiskey with a tight focus on older barrels and precision finishing.We dig into how Silverthorn works as an independent, sourced-whiskey producer while still using Sagamore's aging barns for maturation and blending support, and why today's whiskey market is shifting in a way that matters if you care about 10 to 14 year bourbon and rye. Drew breaks down his “build a base then flavor it” approach, how he selects barrels for specific roles in a blend, and why he often returns a finished blend back into the same casks to let it marry before bottling. If you've ever wondered why some blends taste stitched together while others feel seamless, this is the missing piece.Then we taste. You'll hear the full story behind the blue label bourbon blend, a port-finished rye that uses a custom barrel-conditioning method, and a rye blend designed to keep the classic rye identity while dialing back harsh pepper notes. We also talk single barrel picks, sensory logging, and how a small producer can scale without breaking the quality promise that got people excited in the first place.If you like deep nerdy whiskey talk with practical takeaways you can taste, hit subscribe, share this with your whiskey group, and leave us a review where you listen. What's your favorite finish or rye note right now? If You Have Gohsts voice over Whiskey ThiefSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe raise a sip to remember, then dig into how Four Branches turns military roots into real whiskey quality and real giveback. We taste Liberty Reserve, break down the blending and double-oak choices behind it, and talk honestly about what it takes to grow a craft bourbon brand without losing the mission. • a toast for fallen service members and friends we have lost • why Founders Reserve becomes the flagship and what double gold means • the Founders Blend to Founders Reserve evolution and the four grain mash bill • how the giveback model works including charity auctions and ongoing proceeds • the Liberty Reserve concept with 1,776 bottles and 250th anniversary meaning • the Liberty Reserve recipe with 10-year and 6.5-year components at 100 proof • why toasted barrels change flavor without overpowering the bourbon • tasting notes that move from caramel and honey to toffee and char nuance • media moments and momentum from Fox Business and other features • expansion challenges, capital needs and future festival plans Everybody can find us online at www.forebranches.com. Remember, whether you watch us or you listen to us, make sure that you leave us good feedback, become members, leave super chats. A 250th anniversary bourbon sounds like marketing until you hear what's actually in the glass. We sit down with Rick Franco and master blender Greg Schneider from Four Branches and start with a “sip to remember” for those we've lost, because for this brand bourbon is tied to service, memory and gratitude as much as it is to flavor. Then we get into the whiskey details that serious bourbon fans care about: what makes a release stand out, what it takes to win, and how you keep quality consistent as demand grows.  We break down Four Branches Founders Reserve and why it's become the flagship, including the four grain mash bill and the thinking behind building a sustainable inventory. Greg walks us through blending choices, proof decisions, and what it means to earn a Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. We also talk about the mission that sits behind the bottle: giving back through charity auctions and ongoing support, including a dedicated Folds of Honor bottle that helps fund scholarships for Gold Star families and first responders.  Then we taste Liberty Reserve, the limited 250th anniversary release capped at 1,776 bottles. You'll hear the exact blend approach, the 100 proof target, and the finishing step that makes it different: double oaking with deeply toasted new barrels to pull more caramel and vanilla without smothering the original bourbon character. We trade tasting notes in real time and zoom out to the bigger bourbon market trends, media visibility, and what's next for Four Branches as they push toward wider distribution. If you care about veteran-owned bourbon, double oaked bourbon, four grain whiskey, and purpose-driven American craft spirits, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a fellow bourbon fan, and leave a review with your favorite Liberty Reserve tasting note. If You Have Gohsts voice over Whiskey ThiefSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe lose our planned guest and turn the night into a live cocktail lab, tasting Fresh Victor mixers straight and then building drinks with bourbon, rum, tequila, vodka, and gin. The surprises are how intense the mixers are on their own, how fast “equal parts” gets you to a great pour, and how easy it is to make solid mocktails too. • Why concentrated cocktail mixers beat weak juice blends • What “taste it straight first” reveals about balance and bite • Lemon Sour builds plus coconut cream as an egg white swap • Cucumber and Lime with barrel-aged gin and why it works • Strawberry and Lemon pairings with vodka and Amburana rum • Grapefruit and Sea Salt with blanco tequila for clean agave lift • Pineapple and Ginger Root with coconut or pineapple rum for a beach-style drink • Party hosting idea: set out bottles and let friends build their own “equal parts” cocktails • Quick notes on shipping cold, refrigeration, and bottle longevity • Upcoming Bourbon and Cigars event planning, Ohio distilleries, and charity tie-in www.scotchybourbonboys.com for all things scotchy bourbon boys, t-shirts, glends, contact me direct or do it right through the website Your guest cancels at the last second, you're live, and the bottles are already on the table. So we do what we always do: we pour, we taste, and we figure it out in real time. Tonight turns into a hands-on cocktail tasting where we put Fresh Victor all-natural cocktail mixers through their paces and build fast, repeatable drinks with bourbon, rye, rum, tequila, vodka, and gin. If you've ever wanted bar-quality flavour at home without hauling out three juices, simple syrup, and a cutting board, this one's for you.  We talk honestly about what makes these mixers different: they're intense on their own, designed to be diluted, and they're versatile enough for both cocktails and mocktails. You'll hear what happens when we try Cucumber and Lime with a barrel-aged gin, why Grapefruit and Sea Salt loves a clean blanco tequila, and how Strawberry and Lemon plays surprisingly well with an Amburana-finished rum. We also riff on Lemon Sour for whiskey sour builds, including a creamy twist when you want that egg-white texture without the egg.  Then we take it to “party mode” with Pineapple and Ginger Root, rum, and a splash of cream for a beachy pour that tastes way harder to make than it is. Along the way we share practical tips on equal-parts testing, big ice vs small ice, shaking for froth, easy garnish upgrades, and how shipping and refrigeration affects freshness. We also preview upcoming community fun, including our Bourbon and Cigars event plans and a wild Maker's Mark night featuring Eddie George.  If you enjoy bourbon cocktails, tequila margaritas, at-home mixology, and cleaner ingredient lists, hit subscribe, share this with a friend who hosts, and leave us a review so more people can find the show. If You Have Gohsts voice over Whiskey ThiefSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe taste through Rolling Fork's most interesting bottles with Turner Wathan and unpack how a rum-first company ends up leading with Armagnac, Calvados, and a revived Kentucky bourbon label. Along the way, we get the real story behind Fortuitous Union, the Bourbon Deluxe comeback, and what the current whiskey market means for drinkers who want value without hype. • Fortuitous Union build and why rum plus rye works • Weller-barrel finishing, proof choices, and non chill filtered texture • Fred Minnick book story, mental health honesty, and mentorship moments • Wayward Cask approach to Armagnac and Calvados, buying containers and telling producer stories • Why French oak and no char changes long aging, including a 42-year Armagnac • Amburana finishes, what got overused, and when it still tastes great • Whiskey market downturn, overproduction, DSP closures, and how to stay solvent • Bourbon Deluxe trademark gamble, sourcing Kentucky straight bourbon, and Green River ties • Contract production, mash bills, and a legendary 41-day rum fermentation • Where to buy, what states can ship, and what releases to watch for remember, www.scotchyburbonboys.com for all things Scotchy Bourbon Boys, Glenn Karen's t-shirts like I'm wearing right here. But no matter whether you listen to us or like us, make sure you like, listen, subscribe, leave good feedback, become members, and do what Kirk does all the time and leave super chats. Drink responsibly, don't drink and drive A rum and rye blend that drinks like a serious rye, a 42-year cask-strength Armagnac that somehow stays silky, and a bourbon brand resurrected because a trademark clock was ticking. We sit down with Turner Wathan of Rolling Fork Spirits to taste, laugh, and get unusually honest about how bottles actually get made, found, and sold when they don't fit tidy categories.  We dig into Fortuitous Union and why the “distilled spirit specialty” label can hide some of the best liquid on the shelf: foursquare rum, MGP rye, careful proofing, and a Weller barrel finish that pulls vanilla into the blend without muting spice. Turner shares how bartenders react, why tastings are the real marketing engine, and what he looks for when he's building something meant to be opened with friends.  Then we go deep on Armagnac and Calvados through the Wayward Cask lens: container-sized buys, Gascony farmers, traveling stills, French oak that isn't charred, and the kind of terroir detail that makes brandy feel like a “final boss” spirit. We also talk Bourbon Deluxe, the Wathen family whiskey history, why Green River Distillery became the right partner, and what the current whiskey market slowdown means if you care about value, age statements, and authenticity.  If you like independent bottlers, barrel finishing, Kentucky bourbon history, rum in bourbon barrels, and rare French brandy, this one is packed. Subscribe, share this with a spirits friend, and leave us a review so more people can find the show.voice over Whiskey Thief If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailA barrel can be magic, or it can be ruined before it ever touches whiskey. We sit down with Macaulay Mitten (Dark Arts Whiskey House, aka The Bourbon Swami) to get painfully specific about what separates a memorable finish from a disaster: producer selection, barrel handling, shipping heat, and the kind of quality control most drinkers never see.We also crack open the America 250 release: an almost 11.5-year blend bottled at a hefty 128.28 proof. We talk about why blending at cask strength leaves nowhere to hide, how custom char and toast profiles can lift the flavors you want without dragging in bitterness, and what “bold” can taste like when it's built with intention. Expect notes and frameworks you can use the next time you're evaluating barrel proof bourbon, sherry cask finishing, or why proofing can change a brand's consistency.Then the conversation expands into what's next at the Whiskey House: patio upgrades, cigars and pairing strategy, a caviar and whiskey event, and the launch of Noble Arts for botanical spirits. Macaulay teases a navy strength gin designed for big oils and louche, absinthe experiments that could lead to absinthe-finished rye, and more one-off drops headed toward Kentucky Bourbon Festival, including a 19-year Mizunara-aged bourbon and other serious “eat lunch first” pours.Subscribe for more deep whiskey nerd conversations, share this with a friend who loves finishes, and leave us a five-star review if you want more guests who get into the real details.We catch up with Macaulay Mitten and talk through how Dark Arts turns sourced barrels into distinctive, high-impact blends with real control over finishing and flavor. We taste and break down the America 250 release, then zoom out into barrel quality, honey finishes, and the next wave of botanical spirits coming from Noble Arts.  • America 250 limited five-barrel run details, presale hiccups, Tuesday online allocation  • What Oloroso sherry finishing adds, why producer and sweetness level matter  • Barrel sourcing realities, shipping heat, spoilage risks, rejecting bad casks  • Blending at cask strength vs proofing down, consistency and complexity trade-offs  • Custom toast and char profiles per barrel to preserve and elevate core notes  • Tasting notes and why high proof does not have to drink hot  • Rye and Scotch palate talk, peat as a palate wrecker, mezcal appreciation  • Whiskey House updates, patio build-out, cigar plans and pairing strategy  • Caviar and whiskey event tease and what makes a pairing work  • Noble Arts roadmap, botanical library, navy strength gin, absinthe experiments, vodka base  • Honey barrel finish process, waiting list demand, filtration choices and haze  • Sweet and sour mash blend concept and trademark approach  • Old whiskey sourcing, 19-year Mizunara tease, avoiding tannic over-oaked barrels  • Philosophy on intent and energy in blending, why “bad whiskey” is often just preference  darkartswhiskey.com on the bottle shop tab there  Make sure that you leave good feedback, five-star reviews, everything like that  And also on YouTube, become a member and then consistently, like Kirk does, leave us with super chatsvoice over Whiskey Thief If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe hang out with Greg Keeley from Larican Bourbon Company and trace how a military career, a Kentucky road trip and a string of coincidences turn into a real bourbon distillery with a loyal following. We taste and talk through what sells, what the maker actually likes, and how new releases get built from the barrel up. • Greg's path from the Royal Australian Navy and US Navy to Kentucky distilling • Finding the farm and distillery building by pure coincidence • Being steps from Wild Turkey and earning visitor referrals • Building a destination experience with staff hospitality, cigar lounge and bar • Australian identity in the brand, merch and food truck menu • Amburana finishing and why cigar blends keep selling out • Bottled-in-bond blending with heavy tasting and minimal note taking • New nine-year rye details, proof preferences and how rye changes with age • Breaking news on Deep Purple, a bottling robot and barrel-aged Manuka honey www.scotchyburbonboys.com for all things Scotchy Bourbon Boys, Glenn Karen's t-shirts, check it out there or contact me direct. Whether you watch us or you listen to us, make sure that you become like a top shelf member that Kirk has become and leave super chats on YouTube or five-star reviews on Apple. A distillery a quarter mile from Wild Turkey sounds like a master plan, but Greg Keeley tells us it was closer to dumb luck and a willingness to say “yes” before everything was figured out. We sit down with the Larican Bourbon Company founder to unpack how a career that spans the Royal Australian Navy and the US Navy turns into Kentucky craft distilling, and how a farm search on a random Sunday leads to the place he now calls home. Along the way, we talk about what “grain to glass” really signals to drinkers, and why “uncut and unfiltered” is more than a slogan when you're the one making the calls.Then we get into the fun arguments bourbon fans actually have: finishing, flavor and what the market rewards. We debate Amburana, cigar blends and the line between finished bourbon and the flavored whiskey crowd, plus why some releases sell out even when the maker personally wouldn't reach for them first. We also hit the visitor experience side of Kentucky bourbon tourism, from being so close to Wild Turkey that guests get sent over daily, to building a welcoming space with a cigar lounge, a standout humidor and a team that earns name-checks in reviews.If you love process, the bottled-in-bond segment delivers. Greg explains blending by tasting through dozens of barrels, trusting a simple “yes or no” palate, and refining batches without turning it into a lab experiment. We close with real-time distillery updates: a new nine-year rye coming as picks, a rare Deep Purple drop, plans for a bottling robot, and barrel-aged Manuka honey that sets up a future honey-finished bourbon with an Australian twist. Subscribe, share this with a whiskey friend, and leave us a five-star review if you want more conversations like this.voice over Whiskey Thief If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe trace how honey moved from ancient mead to American whiskey culture, then taste modern honey expressions to see what the hype gets right. We also get honest about the messy line between “finished” and “flavored” and why labels and proof matter as much as sweetness.• honey as one of the earliest sweeteners in alcohol and why it pairs naturally with bourbon flavours like vanilla and caramel • the hot toddy as an 1800s remedy and how prohibition kept honey whiskey relevant • why local honey sources and honey styles can change aroma and mouthfeel • Dark Arts honey cask finish and what “finishing” is supposed to mean • Green River's real honey approach and the debate over what counts as finished versus flavored • Starlight's honey-barrel concept and how barrel character shows up in taste and finish • Jim Beam Honey as a honey liqueur style product and where it fits best • our Barrel Bottle Breakdown scoring for nose, body, taste, and finish plus the final winner Remember, we're www.scotchyburbonboys.com for all things scotchy bourbon boys. If you're listening to us on like Apple, make sure you go to Apple, give us a five-star review. If you're watching on YouTube, become a member or leave us super chats. Make sure that you drink responsibly. Don't drink and drive.Honey in bourbon sounds like an easy win, until you taste a few side by side and realize you're not always drinking the same “category” of whiskey. Tonight we dig into the history that made honey a natural whiskey partner long before modern cocktails, from ancient mead traditions to the 1800s hot toddy that families still treat like medicine. Along the way, we talk about why honey works so well with bourbon's built-in notes of vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, toasted oak, and baking spice.Then we get practical and pour three very different bottles, including a honey-cask finished blend that leans into “liquid gold” depth, a bottle that literally involves pouring real honey into bourbon, and a craft approach that uses honey-aged barrels to layer sweetness on top of serious barrel character. You'll hear what shows up on the nose, where the honey actually lands on the palate, and how proof changes the entire experience from rich and integrated to straight-up dessert.We also tackle the question bourbon fans keep arguing about: where does finishing end and flavoring begin, especially when honey's viscosity makes barrels hard to truly “empty”? If you care about transparency, labeling, and whether “a hint of sweetness” is honest, you'll want this one.Subscribe for more bourbon deep-dives, share this with a friend who loves honey whiskey, and leave us a review with your take: is honey-finished bourbon a gateway pour or its own lane?voice over Whiskey Thief If You Have Gohsts Support the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with master distiller Caitlin Bartlemay to dig into why American single malt keeps gaining ground and why McCarthy's still stands out after decades on the shelf. We get practical about peat, Oregon oak maturation, proof, climate, and what it takes to steward a whiskey brand without chasing every trend. • the rise of American single malt and what category recognition changes for shelves and menus • Caitlin's farm and winery background and how it shapes her approach to distilling • learning the job through apprenticeship culture and the realities of early distillery work • what defines McCarthy's American single malt and why the core process stays consistent • Oregon oak (Garryana) casks, reuse, cask sizes, and why time in wood is more than colour • how warehouse climate affects proof and maturation at the base of Mount Hood • why the six-year McCarthy's is bottled at 100 proof and how it drinks • tasting language, peat as an on-ramp, and the idea that whiskey should stop you mid sip • limited experiments, special finishes, and where to watch for releases remember www.scotchybourbonboys.com for all things Scotchy Bourbon Boys. We've got Glenn Karen's in t-shirts, so check check out the website or just contact me directly. Facebook message me or mention uh comment on YouTube. And then also remember on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, and then we also on Apple, iHeart, and Spotify, and anywhere else that you listen to a podcast, we are there. Make whether you listen to us or watch us, make sure that you leave good feedback and become members. Leave super chats. That's always good on thank you, Kirk, for your super chat tonight. A peated American single malt aged in Oregon oak shouldn't work this well and that's exactly why we had to talk about it. We're joined by Caitlin Bartlemay, master distiller behind McCarthy's American Single Malt, to unpack how a whiskey can be smoky, fruity, and bold without turning into a palate-wrecker. Along the way, we get into why American single malt keeps surging, what it means when stores finally label a real “American Single Malt” section, and why bourbon fans are starting to look for something beyond dessert flavours.Caitlin brings a rare mix of backgrounds: farm kid problem-solving, years of winery work, and a food science education built on hands-on production. That story matters because it shows up in the way McCarthy's is made and protected. We talk through the brand's fingerprint: peated malted barley sourced from Scotland, copper distillation, glacial-fed water, and maturation in 100% Garryana (Oregon oak) barrels, including what happens when you reuse casks over multiple cycles and why “time in wood” is about more than extractive-heavy colour.Then we taste and debate the six-year McCarthy's at 100 proof, from smoke character to mouthfeel to the surprising ways peat can play like mezcal in a cocktail. We also touch experiments like rum cask aging, what trends get right and wrong, and how a whiskey should make you stop mid conversation and actually notice what's in your glass.If you enjoy American whiskey, craft distilling, single malt, peat, barrel aging, and real production talk, hit subscribe, share this with a whiskey friend, and leave us a review where you listen. What's your personal peat limit?voice over Whiskey Thief If You Have Gohsts Support the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe put the Old Fashioned to the test by tasting bottled RTDs, pre-batched bar styles, and homemade builds to see where convenience truly holds up. We dig into history, ingredients, proof, and technique, then land on what we'd actually buy again and what we'd rather fix with our own bitters and syrup. • why the Old Fashioned stays the gold standard cocktail • whether higher proof RTDs taste closer to a true Old Fashioned • bitters that change everything, especially black walnut bitters • sweeteners that work best, from agave to barrel-aged maple syrup • the Yellowstone ready-to-serve pour and how citrus zest shifts balance • Penelope bottled Old Fashioneds and why the black walnut stands out • Prohibition's influence on muddled fruit and soda habits • the Wisconsin Old Fashioned style and the brandy versus bourbon debate • why barrel-aged Old Fashioneds feel more integrated and smooth • glassware and ice choices that improve texture and dilution • how sugar makes Old Fashioneds hit harder than neat whiskey • the bacon fat washed Old Fashioned build and why it works • our final ranking, including why Handy and Schiller holds up best www.scotchybourbonboys.com for all things scotchy bourbon boys. Check it out, Glenn Karen's t-shirts, and contact us. Also, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X along with Apple, iHeart, Spotify. Whether you listen to us or watch us, make sure you leave good feedback, become members, do super chats on the podcast, and you know, everything to support us, every single cent that we get goes right back into this. The Old Fashioned looks simple until you start comparing what's in the glass. We line up homemade builds, bottled ready-to-drink Old Fashioneds, and bar-style barrel-aged batches to answer a real question for bourbon fans: is the classic Old Fashioned still king, or have RTD cocktails finally gotten good enough to keep stocked year-round?  CT joins us as our resident mixologist and we get hands-on with what actually changes the drink: proof, dilution, bitters, sweeteners, citrus, cherries, ice, and even the weight of the rocks glass. We taste through popular options and talk straight about what works and what tastes like “every bad bar Old Fashioned,” including how to rescue an orange-heavy pour with lemon zest, or rebalance sweetness by cutting syrup and leaning into rye whiskey or higher proof bourbon.  We also dig into Old Fashioned history, from the 1806 cocktail definition to Prohibition-era muddled fruit, plus the Wisconsin Old Fashioned tradition with soda. Then we go full experiment mode with barrel-aged flavor, smoking tools, and a showstopper: a bacon fat washed Old Fashioned built with black walnut bitters, a touch of chocolate bitters, and barrel-aged maple syrup.  If you love bourbon cocktails, bitters, and practical home bartending tips, you'll want this one. Subscribe, share the episode with a whiskey friend, leave a review, and tell us your go-to Old Fashioned build: classic, Wisconsin-style, or something weird that somehow works?voice over Whiskey Thief If You Have Gohsts Support the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe taste and talk through the Blind Barrels model with Bobby, from sourcing craft whiskey to building a blind lineup that rewards curiosity over hype. We leave with a better way to buy bourbon, rye, and American single malt based on what we actually enjoy, not what the label tells us to enjoy. • why blind tasting changes what we think we like • how Blind Barrels gamifies guesses with QR codes • what makes a whiskey eligible for the lineup • the Doc Holliday barrels story and why limits matter • how quarterly drops, member pricing, and flat-rate shipping work • how the tasting panel selects bottles and sets the order • scaling to thousands of members while navigating three-tier rules • custom blending trips and the “smallest batch” concept • the Best Of The Best tasting and the four reveals • why we should share bottles and stop hoarding Don't throw them away. Put something else in there and give it to a friend. Introduce them to blinds. vYour palate is smarter than your label loyalty, but most of us never get a fair test. We sit down with Bobby from Blind Barrels to unpack how a blind whiskey tasting kit can change the way you buy bourbon, rye, wheated bourbon, and even American single malt. Instead of debating bottles by brand, we talk about tasting A to D with no names attached, using QR codes for hints and a reveal, and scoring your guesses on age, proof, and whiskey style. It's part whiskey education, part game night, and it gets brutally honest fast.  We dig into how Blind Barrels curates each quarterly lineup, why they focus on American craft distilleries, and what “unique” really means when you're trying to avoid both shelf turkeys and impossible-to-find unicorns. Bobby tells stories from the sourcing trenches, including rare barrels that shock experienced tasters, the hard choices around purchase limits, and the logistics of serving thousands of members while staying inside the three-tier system and state-by-state shipping rules. If you've ever wondered why some bottles are hard to ship, why proof matters, or how clubs set pricing, we get specific.  Then we pour and react, breaking down what stands out, what feels classic, and what gets weird in the best way. Along the way we talk custom blending trips, barrel picks, and why the whiskey community thrives on sharing and discovery. If you want better tasting skills and better buying instincts, hit play, then subscribe, share this with your tasting group, and leave a review with the most surprising note you've ever found in a glass.voice over Whiskey Thief If You Have Gohsts Support the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe walk the bourbon aisles in May 2026 and track what is genuinely sitting on shelves, what has become a reliable repeat buy, and what still feels like a surprise. The big story is availability and pricing shifting in real time, with several formerly allocated bottles now showing up like normal shelf bourbon. • yearly shelf check and what it reveals about supply and demand • Baker's returning as a consistent shelfer plus High Rye showing up • Dark Arts as a steady pick and why we say do not sleep on it • price corrections across familiar brands including Rabbit Hole and Woodford • Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond and Elijah Craig Toasted becoming easier to find • Bulleit expanding with Bottled in Bond plus single malt variants • Penelope range on shelves and how pricing looks compared with launch • surprise sightings including Jack Daniel's Heritage Barrel and Larceny Barrel Proof • ready to drink whiskey cocktails from Buffalo Trace and what to watch for www.scotchyburbonboys.com for all things Scotchy Bourbon Boys. If you go there, leave us a five-star review.We walk the bourbon aisles in May 2026 and track what is genuinely sitting on shelves, what has become a reliable repeat buy, and what still feels like a surprise. The big story is availability and pricing shifting in real time, with several formerly allocated bottles now showing up like normal shelf bourbon.  • yearly shelf check and what it reveals about supply and demand  • Baker's returning as a consistent shelfer plus High Rye showing up  • Dark Arts as a steady pick and why we say do not sleep on it  • price corrections across familiar brands including Rabbit Hole and Woodford  • Heaven Hill Bottled in Bond and Elijah Craig Toasted becoming easier to find  • Bulleit expanding with Bottled in Bond plus single malt variants  • Penelope range on shelves and how pricing looks compared with launch  • surprise sightings including Jack Daniel's Heritage Barrel and Larceny Barrel Proof  • ready to drink whiskey cocktails from Buffalo Trace and what to watch for  www.scotchyburbonboys.com for all things Scotchy Bourbon Boys.  If you go there, leave us a five-star review.voice over Whiskey Thief If You Have Gohsts Support the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe get honest about what really builds bourbon flavor and why the barrel may be the single most important ingredient after distillation. We compare bourbon rickhouses to wine cellars, then bring in cooperage expertise on toast, char, white oak chemistry, and why great barrels still cannot fix bad spirit. • how oak drives extraction, oxidation, colour, and mouthfeel • why bourbon must use new charred oak and how entry proof and char levels shape outcomes • what char actually does versus what toasting creates in the wood • why wine producers chase stability with caves, humidity, and gentle oak influence • how used wine barrels become tools for whiskey finishing and flavour twists • why American white oak works, including tyloses and leak resistance • how air-drying staves reduces harsh tannins and bitter phenolics • why warehouse location, heat swings, and monitoring matter for maturation • what fermentation choices and distillation cuts change before the barrel even starts Remember www.scotchyburbonboys.com. For all things Scotchy Bourbon Boys, we got Glenn Karen's, we got t-shirts. Just check out our website. Make sure you do things like leave super chats or become members or leave good feedback, especially on Apple. Those five-star reviews immensely they help us out so much. The barrel is not just where whiskey sits. It is where whiskey becomes bourbon. We go deep on barrel influence in bourbon, whiskey, and wine, starting with the basics: new make comes off the still clear and raw, and oak brings the colour, sweetness, spice, and texture that people actually chase in a great pour. We break down how extraction, oxidation, and temperature swings drive flavour, why bourbon can pull 60 to 80 percent of its character from the barrel, and what details like barrel entry proof, char level, and even barrel size do to maturation and the angel's share.Then we zoom out and compare two totally different philosophies of aging. Bourbon rickhouses embrace environmental extremes, hot summers, cold winters, and big swings that force spirit into and out of the wood for faster, more aggressive interaction. Wine cellars and caves aim for stability, cooler temperatures, controlled humidity, and a lighter touch, because wine is delicate and easy to throw off balance. We also talk about why wineries reuse barrels for years until they become neutral, and why those used wine barrels can be so interesting for finishing whiskey, adding dark fruit and layered complexity without pretending it is “better,” just different.Greg Schneider joins with real cooperage and maturation insight, including why American white oak works (hello, tyloses), how toasting converts wood chemistry into caramel and vanilla notes, and why char acts more like a charcoal filter than a flavour generator. We also get into natural air-drying, tannin management, cost trade-offs, and why no barrel can rescue bad distillate. If you love bourbon barrel aging, whiskey maturation, cooperage craft, and the truth behind cask finishing, this one is for you. Subscribe, share the episode with a bourbon friend, and leave us a five-star review so more people can find the show.voice over Whiskey Thief If You Have Gohsts Support the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe hang out with Dave Bob from Lexington Brewing & Distilling and get a guided walk through Town Branch, from the visitor center that feels like an Irish street to the barrels that shape everything. Along the way we taste through beers, bourbons and American single malts and end up stunned by a single barrel with raspberry, vanilla and butter notes we can't stop talking about. • what it feels like to arrive at Town Branch and start a tour • Pierce Lyons' Irish roots, yeast legacy and why it still matters • how Bourbonola went from Prohibition story to 12% RTD • why the brewery and distillery combo changes the tasting experience • beer highlights including Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale and vanilla barrel cream ale • the barrel thieving tour and why tasting from the barrel hits different • the core whiskey lineup from 90 proof bourbon to True Cask batches • Overproof 104 as a bartender-focused blend for cocktails at home • a live barrel pick on air and the single malt that steals the show • what we want to see next in Ohio distribution and upcoming releases make sure that you leave good feedback, become subscriber, member, top shelf on on uh YouTube Drink responsibly don't drink and drive You can learn a lot about bourbon from a label, but you learn a lot more when someone who lives in the rickhouse walks you through it. We sit down with Dave Bob from Lexington Brewing & Distilling and let him take us inside Town Branch, a true brewery-distillery that feels equal parts Kentucky Bourbon Trail stop and Irish whiskey hideaway. From the moment you step into the visitor center, the place is built for discovery and Dave explains why that “experience design” is just as intentional as what goes into the barrel.We dig into the Pierce Lyons story, the Irish roots behind Town Branch, and the yeast-driven mindset that shaped everything from their American single malt whiskey to their Kentucky straight bourbon. Then we go deep on Bourbonola: how a Prohibition-era idea became a modern 12% ready-to-drink bourbon cola, why the team built a custom cherry cola flavor to match their whiskey, and what makes it stand apart from the usual canned collabs.The night turns into a live barrel pick, tasting multiple single malt and bourbon samples on air. We talk True Cask (their cask strength bourbon batches), Overproof 104 for cocktails, the barrel thieving tour, and the rare moment when a single barrel stops the conversation cold with notes like raspberry, vanilla icing and butter. If you care about barrel picks, Lexington bourbon tours, American single malt, or finding the best value cask strength bourbon, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a whiskey friend, and leave a review with the barrel note you'd chase first.voice over Whiskey Thief If You Have Gohsts Support the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe taste and score Weller 12 bottle by bottle, then zoom out to why Buffalo Trace keeps winning even as the bourbon market cools. We dig into the $1.2B expansion, the aging-time reality behind “scarcity”, and how marketing and mindset shape what we think we taste.• Weller 12 barrel-to-bottle breakdown across nose, body, taste and finish• proof talk and why 90 proof changes the experience• Buffalo Trace expansion details and what they actually change• why allocated bourbon stays tight despite more production• 2026 to 2032 outlook for availability, lines and secondary prices• Eagle Rare lineup talk and what Eagle Rare 12 signals• Chicago vs Ohio distribution stories and bottle-hunting reality• Traveler debate and how blind tasting flips assumptions• why exclusivity and packaging can matter as much as flavour• a deep dive on ultrasonic-in-barrel maturation ideas with American Metal Whiskeywww.scotchybourbonboys.com for all things Scotchy Bourbon Boys. Make sure that you follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and X, and also on Apple, iHeart, and Spotify, and if you're on Apple, leave really, really good five-star reviews with a review, and if you're on YouTube, become a member.Buffalo Trace just finished a massive expansion and yet Weller, Blanton's, Eagle Rare, and E.H. Taylor still feel like they vanish the moment they hit a shelf. We get honest about why that contradiction isn't really a contradiction at all, and what it means for anyone chasing allocated bourbon over the next few years.We start with a full Weller 12 tasting and score it the Scotchy Bourbon Boys way: nose, body, taste, and finish. Expect straight talk on the buttery butterscotch profile, the dusty oak and cherry notes, and the big question that always comes up with Weller 12: does 90 proof hold it back, or is that softness exactly why it works? From there we connect the glass to the bigger market, including why some Buffalo Trace releases drink “premium” even when the proof looks modest on paper.Then we zoom out to the bourbon industry trends heading into 2026 and beyond: the $1.2B Buffalo Trace expansion, the unavoidable aging lag that keeps demand ahead of supply, and why secondary prices and lotteries still rule access. The roundtable brings heat too: Eagle Rare 12 chatter, Chicago availability stories, the Traveler whiskey debate, and a reminder that blind tasting can embarrass even confident palates. We also welcome Greg to unpack a wild concept: ultrasonic sound waves inside a barrel to enhance maturation for American Metal Whiskey.If you care about Buffalo Trace, allocated whiskey, Weller, Eagle Rare, and where the bourbon market is heading, this one's for you. Subscribe, share with a bourbon friend, and leave us a five-star review so more people can find the show.voice over Whiskey Thief If You Have Gohsts Support the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe set up inside High Bank's barrel-filled war room and taste Whiskey War through a full brunch pairing that changes what we smell, taste, and remember. We also break down how blending, proof, and finishing choices shape a bottle, plus why the restaurant experience matters as much as the whiskey.• quick intros with Tony, Dylan, James, and chef Eric at the Grandview location• why a distillery restaurant and great cocktails drive repeat visits• the three High Bank locations and how each vibe stays unique• the speakeasy trend as an “escape” experience for whiskey fans• how Whiskey War is blended for taste, affordability, and availability• why blending has shifted from hiding flaws to building quality• pairing 88 proof Whiskey War with burrata, peach jam, and balsamic• stepping up to barrel proof with chorizo rangoons and spicy ranch• what double oaking changes and why it works with berry pancakes• pairing hot honey chicken biscuits with Double Double releases• how Amburana finishing works, why it moves fast, and how they control it• favorite pairings and what we'd want to try nextYou can find us at uh sealbox.com or website, highbankdistillery.com.Brunch food that actually makes whiskey taste different is rare, and we build a full lineup to prove it from the barrel house at High Bank Distillery in Columbus, Ohio. Sitting in their “war room” surrounded by barrels, we talk with the team behind Whiskey War and walk through how a distillery can turn tasting into a real experience, not just a drink at the bar.We dig into what makes Whiskey War work as a modern blend, why consistency and affordability matter, and how today's whiskey market is changing what's possible at the same price point. Then we get hands-on with proof and process: regular Whiskey War versus barrel proof, what double oaked releases add, and why “double double” style expressions keep winning attention. Along the way we hit the bigger debates that whiskey fans love, including blending for quality, the rise of finished whiskey, and how a brand can experiment without losing its core profile.The food pairing is the centerpiece: burrata with peach jam and balsamic, chorizo rangoons with spice, berry pancakes that unlock vanilla and syrup notes in double oaked whiskey, and a hot honey chicken biscuit that shows how oak and proof can mellow heat while amplifying depth. We also talk speakeasy culture, High Bank's three locations (Grandview, Gahanna, Westerville), and the kind of hospitality that keeps people coming back.If you love whiskey tasting, bourbon blending, barrel proof releases, double oaked whiskey, and smart whiskey and food pairing ideas, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a new Columbus distillery stop, and leave a review with the best whiskey pairing you've ever had.voice over Whiskey Thief If You Have Gohsts Support the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe chase the real engine of whiskey flavor by breaking down fermentation from mash temperatures and enzymes to yeast behavior and the distiller's beer that feeds the still. Then we pivot from science to the glass with a George Dickel 15-year Tennessee whiskey single barrel review, including how charcoal mellowing shapes what we taste. • our sponsor and community updates plus where to watch and listen • grain-to-sugar basics, starch conversion, mash temperature control • alpha amylase and beta amylase, why enzymes matter for fermentable sugars • yeast fermentation, alcohol plus CO2 plus heat plus flavor compounds • why distillers guard yeast strains and monitor pH, oxygen, contamination • fermentation's link to ethanol fuel, rockets, aviation, and modern biofuels • Lincoln County Process explained, charcoal mellowing as subtractive filtering • George Dickel 15 OHLQ single barrel breakdown, nose-body-taste-finish score make sure you like, subscribe, follow, share, become a member Fermentation is the step most whiskey fans skip past and it might be the step that decides everything. We walk through the bourbon fermentation process from the moment cereal grains hit hot water to the moment yeast turns sugar into alcohol, heat, and the flavor compounds you later call cherry, spice, fruit, or funk. If you've ever wondered why mash temperature matters, what enzymes like alpha amylase and beta amylase actually do, or why distillers treat yeast strains like treasure, we lay it out in plain language with a real-world distiller mindset.Then we take a sharp turn into a wild connection: the same fermentation science that builds whiskey also shows up in fuel history and modern biofuel research. Ethanol has powered more than good times, and seeing “grain, sugar, yeast, energy” as biology plus engineering makes the whole craft feel bigger than a barrel warehouse. We also talk about why fermentation can be the most underestimated stage of distilling, even when everyone loves to debate aging, maturation, and wood.To bring it back to the glass, we run a full barrel bottle breakdown of a George Dickel 15-year Tennessee whiskey single barrel (OHLQ selection). We cover the Lincoln County Process, charcoal mellowing, and how filtration plus age can deliver a gorgeous nose but a more muted, char-forward palate and finish. If you like detailed tasting notes and honest scoring, you'll get plenty to react to.Subscribe wherever you listen, share this with a whiskey friend who loves the “why,” and leave us a review with your take: can you taste fermentation character in a finished whiskey?voice over Whiskey Thief If You Have Gohsts Support the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe hand Watershed the keys and let Ryan Venrick run our first distillery-led blind tasting, and we learn fast that we're not as good at guessing as we think. The reveals turn into a real lesson on slow water reduction, finishing choices, and how Watershed is reshaping Ohio bourbon from the barrel up. • Ryan's career path from bottling line to blending and barrel management • Why Watershed's bourbon portfolio changed after the mash bill shift • Blind tasting format and why pairing samples exposes process differences • Apple brandy finish side-by-side with crash dilution vs slow reduction • How slow water reduction affects mouthfeel, perceived proof, and flavor • Bottled-in-bond vs toasted bourbon and what “toasted” is meant to add • Uncut Unfiltered Batch 7 reveal and why proof placement matters in tastings • Nochino finished bourbon and the labor of harvesting unripe walnuts • The elevage program and why only a small number of distilleries do it • Watershed closing the restaurant and building new on-site experiences • What's coming next: OHLQ single barrels, fall finishes, maple finale, Japan tease • Blending philosophy: start with a base then shape with “one trick pony” barrels www dot scotchyburbonboys.com for all things scotchy bourbon boys make sure you check us out we've got glenn's we've got t-shirts we've got bourbon balls and then make sure you follow us on facebook instagram youtube and axon along with apple iheart and spotify and anywhere else you listen or watch us no matter what make sure you leave good feedback become a member definitely support us in any way that you can and support the brands that we bring on like when you see these brands support them support ohio support whoever it is but because support them because good bourbon equals good friends and good times don't drink and drive drink responsibly and live your life uncut and unfiltered Crash dilute or slow reduce, can you actually taste the difference? We bring on Ryan from Watershed and hand him full control of a five-pour blind tasting built to show where Watershed has been and where their bourbon is headed. The curveball: two glasses are the exact same apple brandy finished whiskey at the exact same proof, but diluted two different ways. Once you hear what's happening in those barrels, you'll never think about proofing water the same way again.From there we work through the lineup and put names to what our palates are telling us: a core Bottled-in-Bond, a limited toasted bourbon done with a short, targeted finish, and a final punchy reveal that lands at 123 proof with Uncut Unfiltered Batch 7. Along the way we get into the real “why” behind mouthfeel, perceived heat, oak extraction, and how slow water reduction can preserve flavor compounds and create a more cohesive pour. If you love blind tastings, barrel finishes, and nerdy whiskey process talk that stays practical, this one delivers.We also zoom out to the bigger story of Ohio whiskey. Ryan shares how Watershed is building an elevage-style program, why scaling techniques like slow reduction is hard, and what's next as they invest in better visitor experiences like a blending class and a bottle-your-own option. We talk upcoming OHLQ single barrels, the fall finishing series, and why the maple finish is designed for balance, not syrup.Subscribe, share this with a bourbon friend who swears they can always call Add for SOFL If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe cross borders for a Cinco de Mayo pour that rewrites what whiskey can be when the grain, the place, and the people drive the process. With Sierra Norte's Doug French, importer Bob Murphy, and our Whiskey Doctor Randy Ford, we dig into rainbow corn whiskey, heritage agriculture, and how Oaxaca shapes flavor from seed to barrel.• why Sierra Norte moves from mezcal into 100% corn whiskey as a way to use and protect native Oaxacan corn • how reviving endangered corn varieties supports farmers, creates local jobs, and builds community pride • what “rainbow corn” means and why different corn colours create distinct whiskey flavour profiles • Oaxaca farming realities, rainy-season growing, drought risk, and traditional corn-beans-squash planting • pot still distillation, open-air fermentation with wild yeast, and why slow distilling keeps grain character • barrel strategy with used French oak wine barrels, re-charring, and managing accelerated aging in warm climates • how Mexican whiskey fits into a crowded US market and a Mexico market that still leans toward tequila, mezcal, and Scotch www.scotchybourbonboys.com for all things scotchy bourbon boys. Make sure you check out all of our whiskey. No matter whether you listen to us or watch us, make sure that you leave us good feedback, become members.Mexico doesn't just make tequila and mezcal. We sit down with Doug French of Sierra Norte in Oaxaca, plus importer and distributor Bob Murphy and our own Whiskey Doctor Randy Ford, to unpack a whiskey story built on native corn, hard farming realities, and a distilling philosophy that keeps the grain doing the talking. If you've ever assumed “real whiskey” starts and ends in Kentucky, this one challenges that fast.We get into what makes Sierra Norte's corn whiskeys so distinctive: single-varietal expressions made from different colours of native corn, plus the wild-sounding “rainbow corn whiskey” created from multicoloured kernels that can't be cleanly sorted. Along the way we talk terroir in plain terms: Oaxaca's water scarcity, rainy-season growing, drought risk, and the traditional corn-beans-squash approach that helps fields stay productive. The bigger takeaway is that heritage agriculture and craft spirits can reinforce each other when the market rewards farmers for keeping rare seeds alive.Then we go inside the build: pot still distillation, open-air fermentation with natural yeast, and aging choices designed for balance rather than heavy wood. Doug explains how used French oak wine barrels, re-charring, and careful barrel management can shape a corn-forward whiskey in a warmer climate where aging can move faster. We also touch the business side of world whiskey, from the oversupplied US market to why whiskey remains a smaller category inside Mexico, and how distribution and online shipping help niche bottles find the right drinkers.If you're curious about Mexican whiskey, corn varietals, and what “Whiskey Without Borders” really tastes like, press play, share this with a whiskey friend, and leave us a review so more people can find the show. Add for SOFL If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe bring Kentucky Derby energy to the mic and talk about why this race hits different when bourbon tradition is part of the build-up. Along the way we trade Woodford Reserve notes, argue cocktail culture, and lock in our picks for win, place, and show.• Kentucky Derby history and why it feels like a full-day event • Woodford Reserve as the official Derby bourbon and what makes the annual releases fun • Double Oaked flavour notes and why proof and barrel picks matter • Bourbon versus the Derby as Kentucky's biggest cultural signal • Mint julep facts plus the case for skipping the mix and sipping good bourbon • Derby legends like Secretariat and the Triple Crown context • Watching on TV versus being there in person • Betting basics including win, place, show and why long shots are tempting • Our final picks for Saturday plus the bourbons we would pair with a win ScotchyBourbonboys.com for all things, Scotchy Bourbon Boys. If you're listening on Apple, make sure that you give us a five-star review. The Kentucky Derby is only two minutes long, but the build-up is a full-day rollercoaster and bourbon is part of the reason. We lean into the history, the hype, and the Kentucky pride that makes Churchill Downs feel like a national stage, then we follow the trail straight into what's in your glass. From Woodford Reserve's role as the official bourbon of the Kentucky Derby to the way commemorative bottles and barrel picks turn into traditions of their own, we keep it grounded, curious, and opinionated.We also get honest about Derby drinking culture. Is Derby Day really about sipping bourbon neat, or is it built for cocktails and pageantry? We talk mint juleps, the silver cup, the staggering weekend numbers behind the “official drink,” and why some bourbon fans would rather pour a great whiskey and skip the sugar and mint entirely. Along the way, our friend Greg Snyder drops helpful Woodford Reserve facts and a memorable julep take that you will not forget.Then we shift to what everyone secretly came for: betting and picks. We break down the basics of win, place, and show, why exacta and trifecta bets pull people in, and why long shots are often the most fun way to ride the Derby. After we walk through the odds board, we lock in our choices and even match a celebratory bourbon to our winning horse, because that's how you turn a race into a ritual.If you're watching from home, hosting a Derby party, or just looking for a smarter way to enjoy Kentucky Derby bourbon season, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a bourbon friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Add for SOFL If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe mix a smoked old fashioned that riffs on Dr Pepper flavor using burnt sugar syrup, cherry and chocolate bitters, and a heavy smoke cap that hangs over the glass. Then we run a full barrel bottle breakdown on Elijah Craig 15 Year Single Barrel and put it head-to-head with Elijah Craig 18 to settle the oak debate.• Race weekend chatter and why spring kicks off better sipping• Dr Pepper style smoked old fashioned build with exact pours bitters and cherries• Smoking technique that keeps the smoke layer thick and stable• Barrel aging a batched cocktail idea for summer hangs• Black Diamond plans including train car barrel aging and live content• Elijah Craig 15 Year single barrel review with nose body taste finish scoring• Why Elijah Craig 15 feels more balanced than Elijah Craig 18 for many palateswww.scotchyburbonboys.com for all things Scotchy Bourbon Boys, Glenn Karen's t-shirts, everything like that Make sure that you check us out on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube Apple, iHeart, and Spotify, any place that you listen to podcasts, oh, we're there Make sure good bourbon equals good friends good whiskey and good friends equals good timesA smoked old fashioned that lands in the neighborhood of “Dr Pepper 23” sounds like a gimmick until you watch the build and taste it with us. We start with race-day energy, porch weather, and the kind of relaxed hang where one good drink can carry you through a long event. Then we turn it into a practical cocktail walkthrough: a bigger whiskey pour than the usual old fashioned, burnt sugar simple syrup for a deep toasted sweetness, cherry bitters and chocolate bitters for a dessert-like edge, plus those “dirty” cocktail cherries that get even better after they sit in the glass.The technique is the point. We talk ice, stirring, and why chilling first makes the smoke sit on top like a visible layer instead of disappearing right away. We also share simple smoker tips that help you avoid scorching chips or blasting them out of the holder. If you like smoked cocktails, bourbon cocktails, or old fashioned variations, you will leave with a repeatable home setup you can actually pull off on a weeknight.Then we shift from mixology into a full bourbon review and tasting notes: Elijah Craig 15 Year Single Barrel at 108 proof. We score it across nose, body, taste, and finish, and we get specific about what shows up in the glass: cherry, caramel, vanilla, apple, cinnamon, and that crucial oak balance that keeps everything bright instead of turning bitter. Finally, we compare it directly to Elijah Craig 18 and talk about the bigger question every bourbon fan runs into: when does “more age” stop improving the whiskey?If you enjoy honest bourbon podcasts, single barrel breakdowns, and the kind of conversation that feels like sharing a pour with friends, subscribe, share this with a whiskey buddy, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Add for SOFL If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe hang out with Stephen Canepa and Troy Bolotnik from FilmLand Spirits and dig into how they built a whiskey brand around vintage movie poster storytelling without sacrificing what matters in the glass. We taste their Moonlight Mayhem and Rise Of The Robots, talk blending philosophy, and hear why they obsess over labels, transparency, and the long-term connection with drinkers. • why Filmland Spirits launches bourbon in Kentucky and California • the origin story of blending bourbon culture with film and screenwriting • designing labels like real movie posters with scripts, bios, and Easter eggs • using AI for mockups while keeping a creative and quality standard • the Crimson Cask Kentucky-exclusive reveal and what makes it different • how they source MGP and blend in small batches for a signature profile • limited releases like Quadraforce and the risk of multi-state blending • tasting notes and what “Extended Cut” means for cast strength • why their rye leans minty, citrusy, and sweet instead of harsh spice • barrel-aged cocktails at home and how proof changes an old fashioned check us out at filmlandspirits.com. And also we're on all the social platforms at filmlandspirits. We definitely encourage you to go chat with the filmologist on our website. If you're interested in purchasing, just ask it for discounts. www.scotchybourbonboys.com for all things Scotchy Bourbon Bourbon Boys. Make sure that you leave us good feedback. Go to Apple, leave us good reviews. That five out of five star thing helps A whiskey label catches your eye once. A whiskey story makes you pick it up. A great pour makes you come back, and that's the bet Filmland Spirits is making. We sit down with founders Steve Kanepa and Troy Blatnik to unpack how they built a craft bourbon and rye brand that treats each bottle like a vintage B-movie poster, complete with character bios, hidden Easter eggs, QR-code trailers, and original screenplays written for every release.  We get into the real nuts and bolts too: sourcing and blending MGP bourbon and rye, aging and bottling in Kentucky, and why “small batch” can mean seven to twelve barrels instead of thousands. Troy and Stephen share how they chase consistency without going generic, what judges have rewarded in blind tasting competitions, and why they refuse to let packaging distract from liquid quality. Along the way, we talk AI in whiskey marketing and label art, not as a magic button, but as a tool with real creative and cost tradeoffs.  Then we taste. Moonlight Mayhem Extended Cut brings that cast strength depth and long finish, while Rise Of The Robots Extended Cut rye lands surprisingly minty and sweet with notes that spark a real debate. We also reveal the Kentucky-exclusive Crimson Cask with a film-noir vibe, and we dig into distribution realities like Ohio control-state challenges and what a future Filmland tasting room could look like.  If you like bourbon podcasts, rye whiskey deep dives, and the intersection of storytelling and spirits, hit play, subscribe, share this with a fellow whiskey nerd, and leave us a review so more people can find the show. Add for SOFL If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with the Echo Spirits team to talk about how a Columbus, Ohio distillery builds award-winning rum, creative whiskey blends, and a bar that feels like home. Along the way we dig into sourcing versus grain-to-glass debates, how finishes can rescue tricky barrels, and why community matters more than competition. • Columbus distillery community and why collaboration works • Why Echo starts with rum and how the portfolio evolves • Queen Share rum and the “saved cuts” distillation method • San Francisco World Spirits Competition medals and what they signal • Engineer Series blends as a limited, never-repeated workbench • Picking favourites like Trail Mix and Bavarian Rhapsody • Elusive herbal liqueur built for Chartreuse-style cocktails • Designing a cocktail bar that stays casual and welcoming • Two Cats canned cocktails and how RTDs get made • The costs and risks of fast growth and staying in stock • How barrel selection works and why rejects become new projects • Finishing barrels with beer casks and the amburana learning curve • Bottle Your Own Bourbon tour and hands-on bottling • Echo Spirits On The Vine seasonal location and Ohio events echo spirits.com follow us on Instagram Facebook as Echo Spirits also the bar at Echo Spirits on both of those platforms Echo Spirits on the Vine is our location up in Liberty Township Powell area that's also the social media for them Echo Spirits on the Vine Something interesting is happening in Columbus, Ohio: craft distilleries are getting better, bolder, and more connected, and Echo Spirits is right in the middle of it. We talk with the Echo team and our Cleveland rep Matt Lysen about what it really takes to build a modern distillery brand when you're small, bootstrapped, and trying to “bat above your weight” without losing what makes you special.We get deep into rum and whiskey making, including Echo's Queen Share rum, a flavor-packed, barrel-aged release built with a traditional “queen share” process and proven on a huge stage with medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Then we pivot to bourbon blending with the Engineer Series, Echo's limited, never-repeated blends that treat barrels like ingredients in a chef's kitchen. We also unpack what sourcing means today, why transparency matters, and why “what's in the glass” still wins when the pricing is fair.There's plenty of real-world talk too: how a cocktail bar can feel like a neighborhood hangout while still serving upscale drinks, how the bar team created Elusive to solve a Chartreuse shortage problem, and why canned cocktails like Two Cats help reach new drinkers. If you're planning a Columbus distillery trip, we cover Echo's Bottle Your Own Bourbon experience and their seasonal Echo Spirits On The Vine spot for live music, outdoor pours, and summer energy.If you like honest industry talk, award-winning spirits, and practical behind-the-scenes detail, listen through and share it with a friend who loves bourbon, rum, or great cocktails. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: do you care who distilled it, or only how it tastes? Add for SOFL If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe catch up after boots-on-the-ground Ohio bottle signings and get Ross Cornelison on the phone while he drives back to Kentucky. We dig into what makes Barton 1792 so consistent, why the brand's profile has shifted over time, then end with a full live Barrel Bottle Breakdown of 1792 Sweet Wheat. • Meeting Ross Cornelissen in Ohio and why the state shows up big for bourbon • Why Barton 1792 operates as a working distillery and keeps tours closed • How Ross thinks about consistency through degree of maturation • What goes into blending 1792 Small Batch as the flagship bourbon • Building the 1792 12 Year blend and why it changes each year • The reality of bottle signings and how Ross developed his signature • Technical whiskey questions from fans including fermentation and sanitation • Sweet Wheat deep dive: tasting notes, mouthfeel, proof talk and our 13/18 score • Tips for flying with bottles and preventing breakage • Matt Lysin's Cleveland On The Rocks and what they review beyond bourbon www.scotchybourbonboys.com for all things, scotchy bourbon boys. Whether you listen to us or you watch us, make sure that you find a way to show your support, whether it's become a member, subscribe, become a member, do leave super chats on on YouTube, and go to the Apple podcast thing and just write a nice little review for us, give us five stars and get our rating up.Ross Cornelissen just spent days meeting Ohio whiskey fanatics and signing bottles, and we caught him on the road back to Kentucky to hear what that experience is really like from the master distiller's seat at Barton 1792 Distillery. Along with our guest Matt Lysin from Cleveland On The Rocks, we talk through the moments that stick: the questions fans ask when they finally get face time with the person behind the bourbon, the stories people share about starting with 1792, and why Ohio might be one of the loudest bourbon states in the country.  We also get technical in a way that actually helps you drink smarter. Ross explains how he thinks about blending for consistency, why “degree of maturation” can matter more than a simple age number, and how open air rickhouses and warehouse placement shape flavor. We dig into the role of 1792 Small Batch as the flagship expression, plus how releases like Bottled In Bond, Full Proof, Single Barrel, and the 1792 12 Year come together with a bigger team than most people realize.  After the call, we bring it back to the glass with a live Barrel Bottle Breakdown of 1792 Sweet Wheat. If you love wheated bourbon, you'll want our tasting notes, the proof debate, and the final score. We even swap real-world tips for traveling with whiskey so your best bottles survive baggage handling.  If you're into bourbon, Barton 1792, Sazerac brands, barrel picks, or tasting notes you can actually use, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a bourbon friend, and leave us a five-star review on Apple Podcasts. Add for SOFL If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe talk with Randy Prasse about why the Kentucky Bourbon Festival keeps selling out faster and how the team protects the general admission experience while still offering real VIP comfort. We get into the unglamorous details that make the weekend work, from gate flow and bottle lines to add-ons, education, and what is new for this year. • tickets selling out and what the “sold out” numbers really mean • why KBF prioritises GA first and keeps VIP co-mingling • how COVID shaped the fenced footprint and current festival model • distilleries upgrading tents, decor, and interactive activations • bottle lines, sampling lines, and better cutoff communication • entry gate fairness and adding a second GA gate • featured distillery spotlight on New Riff • new speakeasy style upgrades and small suite concepts • cigar lounge ambitions and why it is polarising • add-ons timing, lockers, shuttles, and premium education options • bourbon tourism impact for Bardstown and repeat visitors www.scotchybourbonboys.com for all things Scotchy Bourbon Boys, merchandise, Glenn Cairns, everything Drink responsibly, don't drink and drive, and go out and live your life uncut and unfiltered Tickets vanish in a day and suddenly the Kentucky Bourbon Festival becomes a planning sport. We sit down with festival director Randy Prasse to unpack how KBF in Bardstown earned that demand, what actually changed after COVID, and why the smartest design choice is surprisingly simple: build the general admission experience first, then let VIP be a comfort upgrade without splitting the crowd into two different festivals. If you care about bourbon culture, bourbon tourism, and how the best whiskey events stay authentic at scale, this conversation delivers the blueprint.  We get specific about the stuff that makes or breaks a bourbon festival weekend: bottle lines, sampling lines, communicating inventory before people waste an hour, and improving gate flow so “fairness” is more than a slogan. Randy explains why capacity hasn't quietly ballooned even when it feels tighter, how distilleries have expanded their footprints, and why the festival pushes brands to bring real engagement instead of a generic pour-and-smile setup. We also talk featured distillery New Riff, the “new product launch” energy KBF is aiming for, and the behind-the-scenes team dynamics that keep the whole thing running.  Then we look forward. Randy shares what's new, including a speakeasy style upgrade that works like a mini VIP, potential corporate hospitality suites, and the expanding menu of add-ons like education sessions, cocktail and culinary experiences, lockers, and shuttles. If you're trying to do KBF the right way, you'll leave with a clearer plan and a better sense of what to prioritise. Subscribe, share this with your bourbon crew, and leave us a review, what's the one festival change you'd make first? Add for SOFL If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with Danny Polise from Penelope Bourbon to trace how a three-barrel experiment turns into a national brand built on obsessive blending and real boots-on-the-ground hustle. We dig into how sourcing, warehouse knowledge, and smart scaling shape flavor, then taste through new and upcoming bottles while talking festivals, charity blends, and what the next decade of bourbon could look like. • the early Penelope bet at MGP and why three mash bills mattered • learning blending through repetition rather than formal training • selling in the early days and building a label that stands out • the crossroads of distilling vs scaling and the MGP acquisition • how tanker-scale batching improves consistency for core products • light whiskey explained, why used barrels matter, hunting profiles by warehouse • estate collection breakdown, single barrels, private select, Omega French oak finish • naming sessions, gimmicks that still have a reason, and dream collaborations • the F Cancer charity project and the annual blend-off format • bourbon festivals, cigar blend talk, and what bottles to bring to KBF • first tastes and details on the upcoming Penelope Classic bourbon and rye www.scotchyburbonboys.com for all things Scotchy Bourbon Boys, contact me directly or just buy it off the website. Whether you listen to us, like, or watch us, make sure that you leave good feedback, become a member, subscribe, do all those fun things, and drink responsibly, don't drink and drive They walked into MGP like they were about to buy a million barrels and walked out with three. That's the true starting point of Penelope Bourbon, and it sets the tone for a conversation that's equal parts origin story, blending masterclass, and behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a whiskey brand that actually tastes different.We're joined by Danny Polise talk about how Penelope uses blending to escape the “standard sourced bourbon” profile by combining mash bills, chasing specific notes, and putting in the unglamorous reps. Danny breaks down how his process evolved from week-long blend marathons with endless iterations to a faster, sharper approach powered by tasting memory, barrel surveys, warehouse differences, and a constantly growing flavor encyclopedia. If you care about bourbon tasting notes, batch consistency, and how professionals decide what makes it into a bottle, you'll hear the logic in real time.Then we get into the big business inflection point: scaling. Danny explains why the MGP acquisition helped Penelope grow without losing its identity, how tanker-scale batching can improve consistency for flagship pours, and why small-batch releases still matter when you want precision. We also dig into light whiskey, the Estate Collection, Omega's French oak finish, the F Cancer charity blend-off, festival plans, cigar blend talk, and a first look at the upcoming Penelope Classic Series with a 92-proof bourbon and a surprisingly bright 92-proof rye.If you enjoy bourbon podcast deep dives, Penelope Bourbon details, MGP sourcing transparency, and practical blending insight, hit subscribe, share this with a whiskey friend, and leave us a review. What bottle or style should we taste next? Add for SOFL If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with Mark Carter to talk about how Old Carter stays unmistakable batch after batch, from chewy caramel depth to that long, silky finish. We get into the real work behind very small blends, the Social Club experience, and why we chase “delicious” over age statements and hype. • tasting through recent Old Carter releases and why bottles can open up over time • what the Old Carter Social Club is and how lockers, appointments, and tastings work • how Mark builds tiny blends and uses a blind tasting panel to choose winners • double barreling with brand new barrels and how char levels shape flavor • distilling history since 2017 and why keeping barrels “straight” matters • mash bill range from high corn to rye and why older rye drinks better • bourbon community culture, whiskey versus wine logistics, and lessons from both worlds go to uh oldcarterwhiskeyco.com let's do the www.scotchybourbonboys.com for all things scotchy bourbon boys Caramel you can chew, a finish that won't quit, and a blender who treats barrels like instruments in a band. We're joined by Mark Carter of Old Carter Whiskey to unpack how his team keeps a bold, recognizable profile across small batch bourbon, very small batch drops, and club only releases without watering anything down.We talk through the Old Carter Social Club and why the membership model changes everything: tiny two barrel blends, 375ml formats that actually make sense for ultra limited whiskey, lockers, and tasting appointments that feel like a shared night with friends who care about the details. Mark explains how a blend earns the label, how his blind tasting panel makes final calls, and why “delicious” beats chasing proof or age for its own sake.Then we go full nerd on double barreling done the hard way, meaning brand new oak barrels, multiple coopers, and char levels that help dial in viscosity, aromatics, and that signature toffee and caramel depth. We also get into mash bills, from high corn sweetness to older 95/5 rye, plus the real world “neck pour” debate and what shipping, heat, and oxygen can do to a bottle.If you love barrel proof bourbon, blending talk, and behind the scenes whiskey decisions, hit play, subscribe, share this with your bourbon group, and leave a review with the Old Carter batch you'd pour for a friend. Add for SOFL If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe dig into why 375ml bourbon bottles are suddenly everywhere and what that shift means for prices, access, and trying new whiskey without committing to a full bottle. Along the way we swap festival stories, call out standout distillery releases, and make the case for half bottles as the ultimate share-friendly format. • New Orleans Bourbon Festival highlights, logistics and surprise moments • Makers Mark barrel pick timeline and how releases get coordinated • Why 375ml bottles help with rising bourbon costs and buyer hesitation • How allocated and limited releases reach more people in half bottles • Pocketable sharing bottles, travel wins and shelf-space reality • Standout examples from Woodford, Old Forester 117, Jim Beam experimental series and Bardstown Cathedral • Whether 375s feel special when the same whiskey exists in 750ml • The business tradeoffs of more bottles, more corks and higher per-ounce pricing • Comparing festival strategies, booth lines and bottle hunting expectations Let us know what your thought is on 375s. Leave a comment before before, thumbs up, thumbs down, you know Half bottles are making big waves in bourbon, and we have questions. When a distillery drops a 375ml instead of a 750ml, is that a sneaky way to charge more per ounce, or the smartest way to help more people actually taste the good stuff? We talk through the real-world math, the collector mindset, and the simple truth that most of us want variety without turning our home bar into a storage unit.I'm joined by Matt from Cleveland On The Rocks, and we connect the 375ml trend to what we're seeing at distilleries and bourbon festivals. We revisit the New Orleans Bourbon Festival experience, including how the layout, food, and producer access changes the whole weekend, then compare it to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival reality of booth lines and timed bottle drops. If you've ever planned a trip around an allocated release, you'll recognize the strategy behind smaller formats.Then we get specific: Old Forester 117 series, Woodford gift shop releases, Jim Beam's experimental 375s, and the kind of special story-driven bottles that feel tailor-made for the half-bottle format. We also dig into why 375ml bottles can be the best “try before you commit” move for rum finishes, honey finishes, and other experiments, plus why they are built for sharing and traveling.If you're curious whether 375ml bourbon is a trend or the future of limited releases, hit play and weigh in. Subscribe, share the show with a bourbon friend, and leave a review with your take on half bottles. Add for SOFL If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe head to Chicago to taste Koval Distillery and dig into how two PhDs built a grain to bottle “black sheep” whiskey brand that helped revive city distilling. Then we run a full tasting and score the Four Grain Single Barrel that hits us with banana bread sweetness and a finish that keeps us debating. • how Koval returns distilling to Chicago after Prohibition • who Dr Robert Birenker and Dr Sonat Birenker Hart are • what grain to bottle means in a small urban distillery • why organic and kosher production changes expectations • four grain mash bill with oat malted barley rye and wheat • rye whiskey notes with pepper heat and creamy mouthfeel • bourbon notes and why it shines in cocktails • wheat whiskey at higher proof and why it feels “toasted” • Old Louisville Whiskey Company barrel bottle breakdown scoring • why 375ml bottles make collecting and tasting easier go to Apple Podcasts, find us, and leave a good review Plus, you can become a member on Facebook, you could become a member on on YouTube. Please do that Chicago doesn't get enough credit for shaping American spirits, so we're heading straight into Koval Distillery, a modern craft producer that helped bring distilling back to the city in 2008. John Ritt joins me as we break down Koval's origin story: two PhDs leaving established careers, betting on whiskey, and building a grain to bottle operation focused on consistency, creativity, and ingredient driven flavor. Koval also leans into a rare stance for American whiskey: certified organic and kosher production, plus mash bills that refuse to play it safe.  Then we taste. We crack into a Koval sampling pack and work through Four Grain, Rye, Bourbon, and Wheat Whiskey with real time notes and plenty of debate. The Four Grain is the shocker. With no corn and a mix of oat, malted barley, rye, and wheat, it lands like confectioners sugar and banana bread in a Glencairn, sweet without feeling syrupy. The rye brings grassy aromas and a pepper flake finish, the bourbon shows a bolder bite that makes us think “Old Fashioned ready,” and the wheat whiskey drinks big and toasty at higher proof.  We finish by choosing a winner for our Old Louisville Whiskey Company barrel bottle breakdown and talk about why Koval works best when you stop comparing it to Kentucky and start appreciating regional American whiskey on its own terms. We also get into cocktail potential, a quick hack for blending bourbon and rye, and why 375ml bottles might be the most practical move for collectors who actually want to drink what they buy. If you enjoy craft distillery tours, Chicago whiskey, Koval Four Grain, and honest tasting notes, hit play, subscribe, share the show, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Add for SOFL If You Have GohstsSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with Steve Lambert from Leather and Oak Spirits to get real about what makes Ohio whiskey special when it is built from grain genetics up instead of hype. We taste through the logic behind 100% corn bourbon, pot still texture, and the hands-on experiments that keep small-batch releases consistent while still interesting. • why grain genetics and yeast set the flavor floor • tasting white dog to understand the true foundation • how a 100% corn mash bill changes aging needs • barrel toast and char choices that drive caramel and toffee notes • pot still oils and viscosity vs column still output • batching and proof targets that stay approachable • Mill Street history and what it taught about process • handmade limoncello at scale using lemon peel oils • enzymes, amylase, sugar conversion, and cleaner fermentation • yeast trials, residual sugar, and shaping rye whiskey character • rapid stave testing to avoid long aging mistakes • managing inventory, growth pressure, and staying small on purpose • Hilliard support, tasting room plans, and how to book tours • the rye plus limoncello cocktail that unexpectedly works • cigar pairings that match sweet corn bourbon A great bottle doesn't start in a barrel. It starts with decisions most people never see: grain genetics, yeast behavior, cut points, and whether you're willing to taste your spirit before oak makes it pretty. We're joined by Steve Lambert of Leather and Oak Spirits in the Columbus area to talk about the new wave of Ohio craft distilling and why “grain to glass” is more than a slogan when you're running a small pot still and betting everything on flavor.We dig into what makes Leather and Oak stand out in the bourbon world: a 100% corn mash bill. Steve explains why corn can be the hardest grain to mature, how barrel toast and a heavy char can build deep caramel, butterscotch, and toffee notes, and why proofing to that sweet spot keeps the whiskey approachable without going thin. Along the way, we get nerdy in the best way about fermentation enzymes like amylase, how sugar conversion affects yield and taste, and why subtle yeast differences can reshape a rye whiskey profile.Then we take a hard left into something we didn't expect to love: handmade limoncello and how alcohol acts as a solvent, pulling oils from lemon peel the same way whiskey pulls vanillin and tannins from oak. It leads to one of our favorite moments: mixing their rye with their 80-proof limoncello and accidentally finding a genuinely balanced cocktail. If you care about Ohio bourbon, pot still whiskey, small batch distilling, and real behind-the-scenes process, you'll want this one.Subscribe, share this with a whiskey friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What should we name that rye-limoncello drink?www.scotchybourbonboys.com for all things, Scotchy Bourbon Boys. www.leathernoaks.com. Make sure you follow us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and X, along with listen to us on Apple, iHeart and Spotify and anywhere else that you can listen to podcasts. voice over Whiskey Thief Add for SOFLSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/

Send us Fan MailWe sit down with Wendy Peveich, founder and blender behind Archer Eland, to talk about building a rye whiskey brand that flies the Ohio flag and still competes on flavor, proof, and value. We taste through four distinct rye expressions and dig into why rye is so hard to make, so easy to misunderstand, and so rewarding when it's blended with intent. • New Orleans Bourbon Festival reception and what “finger on the pulse” really looks like • Wendy's shift from cardiovascular nurse practitioner to whiskey industry work • Why she chooses rye over bourbon and what makes rye distillation difficult • Archer Eland's 100% rye approach and how malted rye fits the process • Solstice as the 104-proof entry bottle and the Rye-Rita cocktail idea • Aurora as the “problem child” blend and the Northern Lights naming story • Cashmere as a cask strength rye that surprises bourbon drinkers • Suede as a one-off release plus the 9-11 barrel birthday meaning • How warehouse placement and maturation timing shape flavor • Why stainless steel stops maturation and what oxidation can still do • Upcoming limited drops including 14X1B and where releases will land Ohio rye doesn't need permission from Kentucky, and Wendy Peveich is living proof. We're joined by Wendy, the founder and blender behind Archer Eland rye whiskey, fresh off the New Orleans Bourbon Festival, where she put her brand in front of drinkers who swear they “hate rye” and watched the room change sip by sip. She shares how judging spirits, traveling the festival circuit, and learning to read palates helped her refine a whiskey brand built on intention, transparency, and real value at the shelf.  Wendy's story starts in an unexpected place: she spent years as a cardiovascular nurse practitioner, then used whiskey as a creative outlet during the stress of COVID. That curiosity turned into barrel curations, market-building work, and finally a leap into entrepreneurship. We dig into why she chose 100% rye (rye plus malted rye) instead of chasing a crowded bourbon lane, what makes rye so difficult to distill, and why “green” minty notes and spice don't have to be a dealbreaker when blending is done with discipline.  Then we taste the Archer Eland lineup: Solstice as the approachable 104-proof entry point (plus a rye margarita twist), Aurora as a deeper rye-forward pour with Northern Lights inspiration, Cashmere as a cask strength curveball that can fool bourbon drinkers, and Suede as a one-off “happy accident” she refuses to recreate. We also get into warehouse maturation, how rye can swing season to season, why stainless steel stops aging, and what's coming next with limited time offerings and future finished rye innovation.  If you're into rye whiskey, craft distilling, Ohio whiskey, or simply want a smarter way to think about blending and barrel maturation, subscribe, share this with a rye skeptic, and leave us a review. Which of the four profiles would you reach for first?www.scotchyburbidboys.com No matter what, make sure that whether you watch us or listen to us, make sure you leave us good feedback. voice over Whiskey Thief Add for SOFLSupport the showhttps://www.scotchybourbonboys.comThe Scotchy bourbon Boys are #3 in Feedspots Top 60 whiskey podcasts in the world    https://podcast.feedspot.com/whiskey_podcasts/