Podcasts about community roundtable

In this episode of the Bourbon Pursuit Podcast, we take on the very serious and complex situation surrounding Uncle Nearest. We're diving headfirst into the new lawsuit from Farm Credit, which alleges Uncle Nearest defaulted on over $100 million in loans, citing financial mismanagement and inflated barrel inventory. The discussion gets real, as our panel unpacks the legal jargon and business strategies, putting a spotlight on how a prior CFO's actions have complicated the entire case. We'll analyze what a federal judge's ruling for receivership could mean for the distillery and its co-founders, Fawn and Keith Weaver. We also reflect on how the rapid growth of the bourbon market post-pandemic might have contributed to this crisis and how a breakdown in communication between the distillery and its lender fueled the fire. Finally, we'll tackle listener questions and talk about the emotional weight of this case on the people who support the brand, showing why the implications of this go far beyond just one company. This one is a must-listen. Show Notes: Overview of Uncle Nearest's lawsuit from Farm Credit Mid-America Discussion on allegations of financial mismanagement and inflated inventory reporting Implications of the receivership ruling on the distillery's operations Analysis of financial trends and recklessness in the bourbon industry Insights on the founders' stories in the context of American whiskey history Speculation about the brand's future and community impact Audience engagement and reflections on the significance of the case Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you ever just say to yourself, this whiskey needs more proof? Well, if you're already above 140, how much more do you really need? In this episode, we cover the wild world of hazmat bourbon and whiskey. What once started as a rare novelty has turned into constant churn of 140+ high proof releases with everyone running to grab a bottle. We discuss why bourbon should be considered rare while the inclusion of light whiskey is an education problem but it still works for the high proof chasers out there. We talk about the retail end of things but also wonder if this trend will ever die or if it will be on fire forever. Show Notes: Exploration of the hazmat whisky phenomenon and its surge in the market. Historical significance of hazmat spirits and their evolution. Discussion on consumer tendencies towards higher proof and perceived quality. Insights on the novelty effect versus actual taste experiences. Legal and regulatory considerations in the transportation of hazmat whiskies. Predictions on the sustainability of the hazmat trend and potential future shifts in consumer preferences. Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this dynamic episode of Bourbon Pursuit, we're pulling up a few extra chairs to the table for a killer panel discussion! Your host Kenny Coleman is wrangling some serious bourbon brains: Fred Minnick, Blake Seelbach, Eric from Breaking Bourbon, and Brian Sipp from Sip and Corn. We kick things off with a little banter about those inevitable tech glitches and distillation woes before diving deep into the real meat and potatoes: what does it really take to launch a bourbon brand today versus five years ago? Blake points out that while getting started might seem easier with more resources available, the true test of survival for any new brand hinges on smart distribution strategies in an ever-consolidating market. The crew digs into critical topics like consumer education, the art of storytelling, and how to even compete against the established giants out there. Fred brings his signature insight, emphasizing that today's consumers have evolving expectations – new brands have to deliver on both quality and effective marketing. The panel also explores how whiskey marketing itself is changing, agreeing that a compelling narrative is absolutely essential to stand out in this saturated market. We chew on the pros and cons of the direct-to-consumer model and even debate whether contract distillation is the smartest play for newcomers. As we wind down, Kenny leaves us with an encouraging thought: building a brand is tough, no doubt, but with the right approach, it can be incredibly rewarding. This episode is packed with insightful discussion, plenty of laughs, and is a must-listen for anyone who loves bourbon or dreams of launching their own brand. Show Notes: Who are the panelists that joined Kenny? Tips for improving tech setups for podcasts. Current challenges and opportunities in starting a bourbon brand. The importance of consumer education in the bourbon space. How to navigate distributor and retailer dynamics. The significance of storytelling for new whiskey brands. The benefits and pitfalls of a strong online presence. Insights on contract distillation as a pathway for newcomers. Future trends and predictions for the bourbon industry. Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join the maker community as we discuss what's going on and whose doing what

You know, if there's one topic that sparks debate and curiosity among bourbon enthusiasts, it's definitely wheated bourbons. Today, we're doing a deep dive into these unique spirits with an incredible panel: the always insightful Brian Haara, the ever-knowledgeable Blake Riber, and our good friend Nick Beiter. We're exploring the history and the recent surge in popularity of these bourbons, tracing their lineage back to legendary names like Maker's Mark and Stitzel-Weller. But the conversation quickly shifts to a spirited debate: what truly makes a bourbon wheated? Show Notes: Kenny leads a roundtable discussion on the rise of wheated bourbons Brian shares his initial experiences with wheated expressions Blake discusses the historical legacy of Maker's Mark and "poor man's Pappy" A debate on how to define a wheated bourbon, including brands like Penelope Examination of marketing's role in consumer understanding of wheated bourbons Insights into how wheated bourbons compare to rye-based counterparts Speculation on the future evolution of the wheated bourbon category Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're coming together and we're talking about age statements. Wild Turkey 101 is making its 8 year return for the first time since 1992. But I really wanted to pose a question of when do age statements really matter? You see all kinds of brands that are very successful without age statements, namely coming from Brown Forman with the likes of Old Forrester and with Woodford Reserve. Even the most famous bourbon on the planet, Blanton's, doesn't have an age statement. So when do age statements matter? Show Notes: Wild Turkey 101 is making an 8 year return When do age statements matter? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but bourbon isn't dead. Sure the media has spun this to a point where major drinks organizations are groveling for every last bit of marketshare but bourbon isn't going anywhere and we cite why we think so. The second half of the show gets into contract distillation and how that has created more tension in the market than ever before. Show Notes: The impact of recent tariffs and cost implications on consumers. Bourbon market insights: why premium brands continue to thrive even as some larger brands see declines. Perspectives on the misconception that bourbon is dying. Recent formation of Lofted Spirits and the implications for Bardstown Bourbon Company and Green River Distilling. Potential expansion opportunities for distilleries into other spirits. Speculation on the future of contract distillation and the role of heritage distillers in the market. Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the 500th episode of Bourbon Pursuit! However, this isn't lighthearted and fun because we disucss the impact of tariffs on bourbon. The episode features a pre-recorded interview with Congressman Morgan McGarvey, wherein he shares insights on the political landscape of bourbon tariffs and their wider economic consequences. The discussion highlights bourbon's historical role in trade negotiations and the precarious situation for the industry, especially for smaller distilleries that may struggle to adapt. The short end of this is that consumers and producers alike need to come together in support of bourbon's vibrant culture. Show Notes: Congressman Morgan McGarvey's insights on tariffs affecting bourbon. Historical context of U.S.-Canada trade relations and its influence on bourbon sales. Discussion on the differing impacts of tariffs on large brands vs. craft distilleries. A call for unity and support within the bourbon community facing these challenges. Support this podcast on Patreon

The first Bourbon Community Roundtable of the year means it's time for our 2025 predictions! The first half of the show we talk about everything we got wrong. In fact, we got way more wrong than we got right. I won't give too much of it away but our 2025 predictions span potential new brands, the growing prominence of American single malts, the influence of social media, especially TikTok, the return of age-stated bourbons and how flavored whiskies might entice younger drinkers. Show Notes: Reflection on predictions from 2024 and admissions of mistakes Anticipated impacts of government regulations on the bourbon landscape The trend of flavored whiskies appealing to a younger demographic Expectations for IJW's potential new brand launch Increased scrutiny on alcohol marketing and compliance challenges The influential role of TikTok in bourbon narratives Predictions on a revival of age-stated products and craft distilling innovations Support this podcast on Patreon

For Bourbon Community Roundtable number 101, where we dive deep into the recent news of Stoli and its subsidiary Kentucky Owl filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This important conversation touches on the implications for the bourbon community, the brand's significant history, and our personal connections to its legacy. The group discusses how Kentucky Owl, once a celebrated brand under Dixon Dedman's careful curation, managed to capture the hearts of bourbon enthusiasts with limited releases that truly stood out. We unpack the challenges leading to Kentucky Owl's current predicament, we examine how Stoli's acquisition strategies may have shifted the brand's identity. Will Stoli choose to sell the brand as part of its restructuring? Show Notes: Kentucky Owl's Bankruptcy: A Reflection Future of Kentucky Owl: What Lies Ahead? Closing Thoughts on Kentucky Owl's Journey Support this podcast on Patreon

It's BCR100 and we look at how the last decade of bourbon has changed and what we've learned. Then we discuss the implications of MGP rolling back production. We wrap up the show talking about what producers we feel price accordingly but it quickly changes to those that are pricing aggressively. Show Notes: 00:00-The Lamb Diet and Bourbon Rituals 01:46-Celebrating 100 Episodes of Bourbon Pursuit 02:56-Whiskey Experimentation: The Debate on Oak Cubes 05:40-Reflections on a Decade of Bourbon 16:08-The Evolution of Bourbon Consumers 28:18-MGP's Market Shift and Future Directions 40:56-Exploring the Unique Distillery Experience 43:11-The Impact of MGP on the Whiskey Industry 46:01-Brand vs. Whiskey: What Drives Consumer Choices? 57:26-Pricing Strategies in the Whiskey Market 01:10:39-Celebrating Community and Connection in Bourbon Support this podcast on Patreon

Has celebrity whiskey turned a new page? In this edition of Bourbon Community Roundtable we start examining the world of celebrity once again. Previously disregarded amongst whiskey geeks, we now see the tide shifting where celevrities are beginning to put out some really great stuff. We discuss what makes a brand stick and how celebrities and can't just splash and dash if they want a long standing product. Show Notes: 00:00-Introduction to Bourbon Pursuit and Celebrity Whiskeys 12:15-The Rise of Celebrity Whiskeys 21:44-Challenges and Opportunities in Celebrity Whiskey Brands 28:24-Crafting Celebrity Spirits: The Business Models 31:18-Pricing Strategies: Balancing Quality and Accessibility 35:16-The Importance of Authenticity in Celebrity Brands 39:23-Challenges in the Celebrity Spirits Market 42:44-Consumer Perception: The Connection Between Celebrity and Product 46:37-Building a Portfolio: Beyond One Product 50:33-The Future of Celebrity Brands in Bourbon Support this podcast on Patreon

On this Bourbon Community Roundtable, we discuss the latest that happened at Kentucky Bourbon Festival and how this could resurge and fuel the growth of bourbon. Show Notes: 00:00-Celebrating Milestones in Bourbon Podcasting 01:02-The State of Bourbon Festivals and Industry Health 04:56-Reflections on Regrets in Bourbon and Career Choices 09:59-The Excitement of Bourbon Community Roundtable 19:57-The Role of Festivals in Bourbon Culture 30:06-Consumer Engagement and the Future of Bourbon Festivals 39:45-The Health of the Bourbon Category and Market Trends Support this podcast on Patreon

On this roundtable we talk about upcoming fall releases and which ones have always been consistently reliable while others seem to miss. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) asks if Kenny is a steak, what would it be? What are the fall releases that always hit? Support this podcast on Patreon

Congressman John Moolenaar, Michigan's 2nd congressional district. Moolenaar creates Task Force to investigate Trump assassination attempt & last week Hosted a Community Roundtable on Gotion.

On this roundtable we talk about an article published on Breaking Bourbon and talk about the next era of bourbon. Are finishes over? Is wood experimenting coming next? Or are we looking at beyond the big six? Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about the types of glasses he uses to drink Are we done with finishes? Are there any left? What is the next era? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DJz and Griffin go LIVE poolside from Culver City CA to discuss Scopely's bombshell announcement today and break down the reaction. Is it the property that makes us raise an eyebrow or is it the game mechanics? Let's discuss while YOU are hot on the topic and sound off on Talking Trek LIVE!

On this roundtable we talk about the updates to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail with a rebrand and what updates are happening. We discuss how everyone has to change from the standard distillery tour to something more immersive. Then we wrap up the show talking about our hidden gems when you visit Kentucky. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about Evan Williams Single Barrel leaving and coming back. What has changed with tourism in KY? What are your favorite hidden gems? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back with Bourbon Community Roundtable #94 and this one takes a single subject but it spins off into another. 2024 has seen the decline in whiskey sales and 2025 forecasts don't look much better. So have we finally eclipsed the peak of bourbon? A few years ago, there was a flourishing secondary market, droves of new people getting into the hobby, more options on the shelf, and massive expansions from all the big player. We've talked about this being a side-effect of the COVID boom but we also saw american whiskey get into more gimmicks and inflated prices. But we all still need the category to grow, so what's it going to take to reinvigorate more people to get into bourbon? Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about documentaries on other spirits. Have we eclipsed the bourbon peak? What can be done to make it just as popular again? Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Bourbon Community Roundtable #93 and this time we're talking about vintage labels. We've seen a resurgence of them over the past few years and there are more coming out from big distillers and smaller lesser known brands. I wanted to ask if there is any value in doing this before focusing on something more modern. There is a feeling of nostalgia but it also made me think about movie reboots and if all the good ideas are taken. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about used barrels with rye whiskey. What value is there in reviving old labels? NDPs or small craft producers taking something from a family lineage NDP or craft just to have a story azerac doing the Pre-Pro bottle labels Big names like Beam now doing 16yr OGD Support this podcast on Patreon

The past few weeks there have been lots of speculation about non distilling producers, or known as NDPs, being able to survive. The market has shifted and there are images of sourced brands that have prices slashed on shelves along with others having their facilities up for sale. This makes us wonder what is in store for the remainder of the year. We talk about what makes NDPs special and how every big distillery was also a NDP at one point as well. There's also a message coming directly from Barrell Bourbon about their current listings. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about hot sauce and bourbon. What will happen to NDPs in 2024? Support this podcast on Patreon

Is the bourbon boom really over? Some people think it may. Fred Minnick recently touched on this subject and people began talking about their ideas and buying habits. We wanted to tackle that by touching on publicly traded companies, heresay from our own experience, and if we truly think craft and NDPs are in trouble. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about international market not working. Publicly traded companies like Diego and Brown Forman. Consumers buying mainstays. Retailers are cautious about new brands. International markets. Economic impacts Support this podcast on Patreon

It cannot be stressed enough how powerful it can be to create after a loss, and this episode is a testament to that power. Jenn sits down for a community roundtable conversation with Sandra Sa, Angela Apodaca, and Meg Streeter Lauck for an emotional and impactful conversation about how creating after the major losses in their life reignited a spark within them, both let go and connect further with their loved ones, and find joy and release on a deep level. If you feel stuck or down after a loss, this episode is for you. Let these incredible women inspire you with their stories of how a wide range of art propelled them forward in their grief journey. Resources: Receive your Free Grief Guidebook here: https://walkthroughgriefwithgrace.com/ - Join the Grief and Grace private Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/176177430380895/ - Music by Daniel Plane: www.reelcello.com Podcast production by Caitlin Epstein  

Whether it's 2 or 12 years old, the age statement on a bottle seems to be an attractor to many. But as we start diving more into our bourbon journey we start realizing that age is just a number. I've had some really great bourbons at 4 years old and some really great at 14. With all that being said, at what point should you proudly display that age statement on the bottle? In this roundtable, we dive into this topic and look at the history of age statements and when we started paying attention to them. There's also brands that have a lot of success without an age statement like Maker's Mark and most of the Buffalo Trace portfolio. And now that the modern bourbon consumer has been accustom to seeing age statements, would you pass on a bottle just because it said 4 years old on it? Show Notes: bove the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about people hating Buffalo Trace products. When Does An Age Statement Matter? Support this podcast on Patreon

This is the first roundtable of 2024 and, as usual, we want to pack it with our best 2024 predictions of the year. Some may seem obvious, some may seem way out of left field, and some are even dreary. Yet, the current landscape of bourbon has changed so we're in for another wild ride in 2024! Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about drinking too much water. Our 2024 Predictions. Sorry, no spoilers. Support this podcast on Patreon

REPLAY -- Community Roundtable Discussion on Oprah Special --The State of Weight -- Part IIResources for the Community:https://www.ivimhealth.com/weightloss/ Telehealth for weight management_________________________________________________________________________This is a replay of our community roundtable discussion on Oprah's State of Weight special. Enjoy!featuring community guests: Lee -- @LeeFitsin , Brandi -- @BattledButWinning , and Lori @AuthenticallyLori _________________________________________________________________________⭐️Mounjaro Stanley⭐️griffintumblerco.Etsy.comUse code PODCAST10 for $ OFF_________________________________________________________________________Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0HUIGKl3BN4Vg6LYI-dkOA/join_________________________________________________________________________#Mounjaro #MounjaroJourney #Ozempic #Semaglutide #tirzepatide #GLP #GLP1 #Obesity #ObesitySupport the showKim Carlos @DMFKimonMounjaro on TikTokJernine Trott @TheeJernine on TikTokKat Carter @KatCarter7 on TikTokLydia Roberts @mounjaro_GLP_Help on TikTok

Resources for the Community:https://www.ivimhealth.com/weightloss/ Telehealth for weight management_________________________________________________________________________This is a replay of our community roundtable discussion on Oprah's State of Weight special. Enjoy!featuring community guests: Lee -- @LeeFitsin , Brandi -- @BattledButWinning , and Lori @AuthenticallyLori _________________________________________________________________________⭐️Mounjaro Stanley⭐️griffintumblerco.Etsy.comUse code PODCAST10 for $ OFF_________________________________________________________________________Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0HUIGKl3BN4Vg6LYI-dkOA/join_________________________________________________________________________#Mounjaro #MounjaroJourney #Ozempic #Semaglutide #tirzepatide #GLP #GLP1 #Obesity #ObesitySupport the showKim Carlos @DMFKimonMounjaro on TikTokJernine Trott @TheeJernine on TikTokKat Carter @KatCarter7 on TikTokLydia Roberts @mounjaro_GLP_Help on TikTok

Resources for the Community:https://www.ivimhealth.com/weightloss/ Telehealth for weight management_________________________________________________________________________This is a replay of our community roundtable discussion on Oprah's State of Weight special. Enjoy!featuring community guests: Lee -- @LeeFitsin , Brandi -- @BattledButWinning , and Lori @AuthenticallyLori _________________________________________________________________________⭐️Mounjaro Stanley⭐️griffintumblerco.Etsy.comUse code PODCAST10 for $ OFF_________________________________________________________________________Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0HUIGKl3BN4Vg6LYI-dkOA/join_________________________________________________________________________#Mounjaro #MounjaroJourney #Ozempic #Semaglutide #tirzepatide #GLP #GLP1 #Obesity #ObesitySupport the showKim Carlos @DMFKimonMounjaro on TikTokJernine Trott @TheeJernine on TikTokKat Carter @KatCarter7 on TikTokLydia Roberts @mounjaro_GLP_Help on TikTok

Resources for the Community:https://www.ivimhealth.com/weightloss/ Telehealth for weight management_________________________________________________________________________This is a replay of our community roundtable discussion on Oprah's State of Weight special. Enjoy!featuring community guests: Lee -- @LeeFitsin , Brandi -- @BattledButWinning , and Lori @AuthenticallyLori _________________________________________________________________________⭐️Mounjaro Stanley⭐️griffintumblerco.Etsy.comUse code PODCAST10 for $ OFF_________________________________________________________________________Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0HUIGKl3BN4Vg6LYI-dkOA/join_________________________________________________________________________#Mounjaro #MounjaroJourney #Ozempic #Semaglutide #tirzepatide #GLP #GLP1 #Obesity #ObesitySupport the showKim Carlos @DMFKimonMounjaro on TikTokJernine Trott @TheeJernine on TikTokKat Carter @KatCarter7 on TikTokLydia Roberts @mounjaro_GLP_Help on TikTok

It's the final Bourbon Community Roundtable of the year it's number 88. In typical fashion we have two topics. First is wondering why there isn't a consumer blowback when a brand gets acquired. It happens all the time in beer when a small craft brand is gobbled up by a large corporation and there is a small piece that dies. In the second half of the show we revisit our 2023 predictions to see who got it right and who got it wrong. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about the expiration date of whiskey Why is there never consumer blowback when a bourbon brand get acquired? Let's review our 2023 predictions Support this podcast on Patreon

It's Bourbon Community Roundtable #87 and this one dives into a single topic that has perplexed me over the past few months. It seems that there are only a handful of brands people talk about yet there are over 2000 distilleries across the US. I would like to think the stigma of craft is changing but my newsfeed is always talking about the same select few. What makes us always gravitate to the big 6 or perhaps we should refer to as the big 7 now? Is it accessibility because it's on the shelf or could be on your shelf pending allocation? Is it marketing and the big brands can throw their weight around at the distributor level? Or is Big Bourbon just better than craft? Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about mocktails Is big bourbon just better than everything else? Support this podcast on Patreon

Craig from YHS is joined by friends and members of the Ghostbusters Fan Community to breakdown thoughts, feelings, and emotions, coming out of the brand new trailer for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire! Thanks so much to Jim Maritato of Extraplasm Podcast, John Yurcaba IV, and Tom Henry and Matt Sanders of The GB Containment Unit for joining! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/yhspodcast/support

Is the daily drinker dead? I take this roundtable into the direction of deep thoughts once again. At some point in our bourbon journey, someone has asked you "what's your go to?" and maybe you had an answer, but today you may be uncertain about it. I ask everyone on the roundtable if we're living in the golden age of american whiskey and if they feel there's too many options on the shelf to be living in the bubble of only a few bottles. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about bourbon legislation. Is the daily drinker dead? Are we living in the golden age of American Whiskey? How do you break away from the daily drinker? @breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr Support this podcast on Patreon

This is another installment of bourbon community roundtable but digging deep into the psychology realm. I posed this question a few weeks ago to our Patreon community to get some initial feedback and I asked them, when is it enough? Not enough of buying bourbon, I'm completely cool with that. But at what point do you have enough of the same thing? It's pretty common to see people talking about and chasing the same bottles. Every day there is a load of comments on every picture of Blanton's or there's a line outside of a store with people waiting for Eagle Rare or Weller. And now we're getting to the point where I'm seeing pictures with nothing except one type of bottle lined up 10 deep on the shelf of the same thing. So if you see an Eagle Rare and you grab it, and you have had it plenty of times, why do you continue to pull it off the shelf instead of thinking "maybe I should put my resources into something different?". When is it enough? Are you looking for value? Are you looking for status? Are you afraid of change? I want to go deep once again to understand more of the bourbon buyer mentality. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about ex-bourbon barrels. When is it enough of the same bottle? Why have 10 of the same thing? Is it all for status? Has your taste changed? @breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr Support this podcast on Patreon

Our host Eric Morrow and co-host Tyler Matsumoto hop into a roundtable discussion with 2 Seattle Mariners Bleacher Report community members RC and Josh Grabeel. Eric and Tyler stick around after the debate to exclusively chat about the last week of M's baseball. *Produced and engineered by Vaden Podcast Services* contact: casualscornermariners@gmail.com

Today's Roundtable will take a deeper look into a trend I've been noticing and trying to figure out why, as influencers and a community, people keep talking about bottom shelf bourbon like it's something special. If you are in this hobby, most of us would give it a C rating and consider anything in the sub $20 or $25 category as average. Why do we keep doing this? Who are we trying to convince to drink these bourbons? The people that listen to this show, pay attention to blogs or YouTube'rs, or take whiskey seriously probably aren't buying $20 bottles and don't drink just average whiskey. I feel it's time to elevate the discussion and kill the bottom shelf promotion. If they aren't average bourbons, then let's figure out why and talk about criteria to be considered average. If it is a game of dollars, then is it a race to the bottom for the big 6 and why should this audience care if it's just average whiskey? Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about his parents. Why do we keep promoting bottom shelf bourbons? Who are we trying to convince to drink these bourbons? What makes an average whiskey? Should this audience care if it's just average whiskey? @breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr @sippncorn Support this podcast on Patreon

It's everyone's favorite, Bourbon Community Roundtable, and this is the 83rd edition. This episode gets, we'll say passionate at times because this is tackling the craze of finishes. The first topic is the seemingly abundance of "cigar" blend or batch bourbons. Why is this so attractive? Can't anything be called a cigar blend? I thought the whole point of a good cigar and a good bourbon is because they already naturally pair well. That of course spins into some amburana talk and you know how that ends up. In the second half of the show, I turn my attention to the major distilleries who are putting out finishes as limited or special releases. These distilleries have an abundance of really good bourbon, so why play the game of finished when you can rely on something like a special release with a double digit age statement? Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) having a whiskey trust. What does "cigar blend" really mean? Who here likes amburana? Why do the major distilleries release finished bourbon when they have a bunch of really good inventory? Support this podcast on Patreon

It's another great episode of The Bourbon Community Roundtable and this is the 82nd edition. Over the past few weeks Jack Daniel's has made its case against a dog toy manufacturer all the way to the Supreme Court. There's no better time than the present to have Brian Harra of Sipp'n Corn break it down into what this means for parody law and for anyone else trying to infringe on a trademark. Then we dive in with our first topic with expensive bottles of bourbon. I'm not talking secondary, I'm talking like $500 bottles. The idea came to me when I saw lots of people dismissing the new Daniel Weller release because it's 11 years old and only 4 proof points higher than Weller 12, but Buffalo Trace is putting a price tag that is 900% higher. Does bourbon need $500 bottles? In the second half we look at distillery tasting kits. Four Roses recently announced theirs and people are already getting amped up for it. However, many distilleries have done this in the past and failed. Has the time come when we could see this trend start to take off? Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about what distillery could overtake Buffalo Trace's Antique Collection. Talk about the Jack Daniel's case against the dog toy manufacturer. Does bourbon need $500 bottles? Do you think distillery tasting kits will take off? Why have tasting kits failed in the past? @breakingbourbon @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr @sippncorn Support this podcast on Patreon

Here we are again with another Bourbon Community Roundtable. This one started off pretty tame, but towards the end we start digging deep so here is what's on the menu for this one. A few weeks ago, it was announced that Penelope would be acquired by MGP, but notably its subsidiary Luxco for $215M. We all know this is a great move for the brand, but I posed a question to the group that intrigued me and that is if we will see more MGP brands be purchased as a result? I also follow it up with other powerhouse contract distillers and if we can see them copycat this acquisition in hopes of taking a brand to a new level. That quickly transitioned into the idea that brands can come out of nowhere. One of the most famous, or infamous, brands of all time was Ezra Brooks. A brand that was created out of thin air. Since consumers know more now than they ever have before, could we see another Ezra Brooks emerge in our lifetime? That tends to go into a few different directions but I won't ruin the fun for you. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about if you could only drink one bourbon. Will Penelope's acquisition lead to MGP buying more brands to build their portfolio? Consumers are as smart as ever, so could a phantom brand like Ezra Brooks work today? Support this podcast on Patreon

We've got two juicy topics to tackle so here's what we've got. Last year we saw the release of Russell's Reserve Single Rickhouse limited edition offering. That sparked a Vine Pair article that asked if single rickhouse bottlings will be the next big thing? I wanted to challenge that a bit and figure out if we really think there are varied flavor profiles based on rickhouses or are they cherry-picking barrels to make another marketing angle. In the second half of the show we discuss the current state of single barrels. They are flooded on shelves across the nation and they aren't selling like they used to. How will this get fixed or is this a side-effect of the COVID buying frenzy? Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about entry proof. Are single rickhouse bottlings going to be the next big thing? Do different rickhouses provide different flavor profiles or is this a marketing angle? How will we fix the abundance of single barrel offerings on the shelves across the nation? Is this a side effect of the covid buying frenzy? @breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr @sippncorn Support this podcast on Patreon

It's everyone's monthly favorite, the bourbon community roundtable where we invite some of the brightest minds in bourbon media to come on and go deep on some topics. And up first is the story that keeps on giving. Earlier this year Sazerac came out of the gate putting a $38.6M lawsuit in front of Republic National Distributing Company (known as RNDC). Now here we are a few weeks later and we get RNDC's response where they are countersuing for Sazerac's attempts at undermining the three-tier system and claiming over $10M in damages. In the second half of the show we dig into the increase of counterfeit bourbon bottles on the market and these bottles aren't even super rare. We're talking Four Roses Single Barrels and Weller Full Proof. Should distilleries step up and have more tamper-proof seals or is this a buyer beware type of situation? We've said it a million times on the show before, if you want to help combat the spread of these fakes, throw away your bottles by putting sharpie on the label or even go as far as breaking them. Don't be that person selling empties on eBay. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about single barrel programs. What impact will the Sazerac/RNDC lawsuit have on the bourbon industry? When will we see more anti-counterfeit seals? Who is responsible for preventing counterfeits? @breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr @sippncorn Support this podcast on Patreon

This episode is another Bourbon Pursuit milestone. It's episode 400! Well, it's technically number 668 if we include Whiskey Quickie and This Week in Bourbon, but let's not get into the details. On this Bourbon Community Roundtable we cover two topics in depth. First is the news blitz of the whiskey fungus articles focused on Jack Daniel's. If you've driven past any distillery in the past 100 or so year, you would have seen this everywhere. It also pops up in the news every year, but why is it just now making national headlines? I also ask the group if there is anything the distilleries can do to get in front of this to avoid any negative PR. The second half of the show dives into House Bill 5 that attacks the Kentucky Ad Valorem tax, in which Kentucky is the only state that taxes barrels aging and resting. We look at what this means for citizens that benefit from the tax and if we feel distilleries are already taxed enough. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about teeth staining. Why is the whiskey fungus just now making national news even though it's been around for years? What can distilleries do to make sure this argument of bad PR doesn't happen next year? What could the distilleries provide to residents to make them more comfortable? What do you think of the Ad Valorem tax on aging barrels? What would the removal of the tax mean for citizens? @breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr @sippncorn Support this podcast on Patreon

This is BCR #77 and its always a fan favorite so here's what we have tonight. Like bad hair and skinny jeans, trends come and go. But the same thing happens in the bourbon world. I pose a question to the group, if we see any trends fading. We start talking about stickers and barrel picks, but there are more we see happening. In the next section of the show, I ask everyone if the in-store buying experience is changing. There have been a lot of partnerships and acquisitions by Drizly, GoPuff, ReserveBar, and even Seelbachs. Are online and on-demand outlets such as these making consumers less likely to try new things? In the last part of the show, it's a question from Brian and he wants to know are there just too many bourbon festivals? Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) cigars. What bourbon trends are fading? Will Drizly/GoPuff/Seelbachs/ReserveBar kill the in-store experience? How can brands get people to try new things when many people will choose what's comfortable? Are there too many bourbon festivals? It seems like every festival is now BLANK + Bourbon. @breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr @sippncorn Support this podcast on Patreon

It's Bourbon Community Roundtable #76 and this is one I'm excited to talk about because as you're well aware, building a brand requires choosing the right distribution partners. The big shake up of the past few weeks is that Sazerac is pulling out of Republic National Distributing Company in favor of smaller, more mid-tier, and beer focused distributors in around 30 different states. So, we want to ask the roundtable a few questions. First, what would motivate Sazerac to break up this long-standing relationship? If you are a distributor that got selected, what problems are you going to experience. And lastly, as a consumer are we going to see any change like finding Pappy on the shelf at MSRP. Spoiler alert... the answer is no. Since it's the first roundtable of 2023, we all put in our predictions and see what the future holds for bourbon this year. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about dry January. Sazerac is leaving RNDC. What does this mean for Sazerac? Sazerac goes with mid-tier distributors. How do distirbutors adapt and what happens to other brands? Does Sazerac leaving RNDC mean anything for the end consumer? What are your 2023 predictions? @breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr @sippncorn Support this podcast on Patreon

Its Bourbon Community Roundtable #75 and in this episode we focus on one major topic and then end the show looking back at this year in bourbon. Last week, the team at Breaking bourbon came out with an article called Does Bourbon Have A Small Brand Problem. It was a fascinating article because it talks about many of the interesting things we see about craft brands. Are people only interested interested in heritage brands? Is there a big knowledge gap? Is this a problem because of the unfair playing field with the three tier system? Are there too many choices or do brands just lack hype? In the last part of the show, I revisit all of our 2022 predictions to see who got it right and who got it wrong. Show Notes: Does bourbon have a small brand problem? Are small brands at an inherit disadvantage? Do brands need a level of hype to survive? Is there a lack of trust or knowledge? What was your 2022 prediction and did you get it right? @breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr @sippncorn Support this podcast on Patreon

It's Bourbon Community Roundtable #74 and here are the topics we chose for today's show. American Single Malts. The media is a buzz talking about them and traditional heritage distilleries are starting to release some in small numbers. Is this a trend that we need to pay attention to? It's safe to say that over half the bottles on the shelf are sourced product. Has sourcing been embraced finally? Or do people not care and don't know? Every year we will see Wild Turkey pictures flood social media on Thanksgiving. What should you bring to your Thanksgiving get togethers? Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about Beam decanters. American Single Malts have their own designation and legal wording. Is this a trend worth watching for us bourbon geeks? It's safe to say that over half the bottles on the shelf are sourced product. Has sourcing been embraced finally? Or do people not care and don't know? Every year we will see Wild Turkey pictures flood social media on Thanksgiving. What should you bring to your Thanksgiving get togethers? @breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr @sippncorn Support this podcast on Patreon

It's another month and another Bourbon Community Roundtable and we've got a great list of topics in #73. The first is stickers. I know, it seems like we talk about them all the time but now it's gotten serious. A Louisville bourbon club and liquor store chain was sued by Bob Baffert for almost $70k over a sticker, and yes, they paid up. So now, have we gone too far with stickers? Every year it seems like there are a few acquisitions that happen. Recently, we've seen Heaven Hill acquire Samson & Surrey, Pritzker buy Bardstown Bourbon, and last year MGP purchased LuxCo. These were all strategically different plays. So what do we think makes a good acquisition target in today's market? Following on that last question, those were all very high dollar buys. Is this a trend that we will see continue or is there a chance that smaller brands on the upswing could be gobbled up? Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about storing bottles. Bob Baffert sued a Louisville liquor retailer for almost $70k over a sticker. Have we gone too far with stickers? What do we think makes a good acquisition target in today's market? Is there a chance that smaller brands on the upswing could be gobbled up? @breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr @sippncorn Support this podcast on Patreon

There are new investments made into multi-million dollar distilleries every week it seems. There are more brands and product extensions popping up everyday. Yet, there's a shortage of barrels that are putting a strain on existing production. But when all this evens out and everything gets produced as planned, are we going to see an overproduction and what could be the result? Russell's Reserve is coming out with their new limited edition Single Rickhouse line extension. Sure, it features barrels that are selected from the former Camp Nelson C, but does it warrant a price tag of $250? Lastly, we look at the announcement of Angel's Envy hiring Owen Martin to be their next Master Distiller. Angel's Envy hasn't had a Master Distiller since the passing of Lincoln Henderson in 2013 who co-founded the brand. Is this an attempt to fill a void that is missing after Wes Henderson announced his retirement? Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about who might be the next Dave Pickerell. There are more brands and product extensions popping up every day. This is a side effect of the boom but what will happen when everything evens out, production goes as planned, and then we see an overproduction? Russell's Reserve has debuted an all-new, annual limited-edition collection: Russell's Reserve Single Rickhouse. However, the price tag is $250. Is this deserving of that premium price tag? Angel's Envy hasn't had a Master Distiller since the passing of Lincoln Henderson in 2013 who co-founded the brand. Is this an attempt to fill a void that is missing after Wes Henderson announced his retirement? @breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr @sippncorn Support this podcast on Patreon

It's Bourbon Community Roundtable #71 where we are joined by the likes of all of our friends to talk about some hot topics in the recent bourbon news. Up first, we discuss lotteries vs lines. Now that Old Forester and Four Roses have announced they are no longer going to sell their limited birthday bourbon and small batch editions in the gift shop to local Kentuckians from people camping out, it has moved to a nationwide sweepstakes where anyone can enter. So, is this the beginning of the end for waiting in lines for bourbon? The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame is inducting six new people. There is criteria to make it, but what criteria would we consider to be in our hall of fame? Lastly, we look at an old topic which is what is the cheapest bottle you need to own? Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about whiskey for medicinal purposes Is Waiting in Line Dead? What's the criteria for the Bourbon Hall of Fame? What is the cheapest bottle worth having? @oldforester @fourrosesbourbon @kentuckybourbontrail @breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr @sippncorn Support this podcast on Patreon

The roundtable is our monthly show where we look at new and interesting angles for the bourbon ecosystem. Marketing plays a big role in whiskey. There always needs to be a story that sells the brand. Last week, an article in VinePair sparked the question as to whether or not you need heritage for American whiskey. How important is it to have a deep lineage to bourbon and is that necessary for customer appeal? In the second half of the show, we break down finished bourbons and why in the past few years have we seen a big surge and what makes that attractive to more consumers. Show Notes: Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about the history of barrel proof bourbon. Does heritage matter in American whiskey? Why are we attracted to finished bourbons? @vinepair @bourbonr @breakingbourbon @sippn_corn Support this podcast on Patreon