Podcast appearances and mentions of Jay West

In this episode of The Bourbon Lens Podcast, Jake and Scott welcome Jay West, widely known in the bourbon community as T8ke, and now the Principal Whiskeymaker at Middleburg Barrel Company. Jay joins the show to discuss his unique path through the whiskey world—from the early days of Reddit's r/bourbon community, to his work with Whiskey Raiders, and into his current role shaping Middleburg's growing portfolio of American whiskey.The conversation explores how Jay's years as a whiskey critic and reviewer helped refine his palate and approach to barrel selection and blending. Jake, Scott, and Jay discuss Middleburg Barrel Company's current releases, including The Reveries and Provenance Bourbon, and how Jay balances creativity, deep bourbon knowledge, and practical grit when building a whiskey brand in today's competitive market.Jay also shares insight into his long-term vision for Middleburg Barrel Company, plans to expand the portfolio, and what it takes to transition from evaluating whiskey to actively creating it. Throughout the episode, listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at modern independent whiskey making through the lens of one of the most respected palates in American bourbon.About Jay West (T8ke):Jay West is a multifaceted spirits professional with a foundation rooted in years of experience as a professional critic and spirits writer, having reviewed thousands of whiskeys from around the world. He has been featured in major lifestyle and spirits-focused publications such as Gear Patrol, Men's Health, Bourbon Pursuit, The Bourbon Life Podcast, The RumCast, and more. Through his work, Jay has established himself as a trusted voice in the industry, providing insight and expertise that resonate with both casual enthusiasts and seasoned connoisseurs.Jay's expertise in barrel selection and blending has made him a sought-after figure in the whiskey community. Beyond his writing, he has collaborated with leading distilleries, brands, and industry professionals—including Beam Suntory and Diageo—to curate and create exclusive bottlings rooted in innovation. These releases have earned critical acclaim nationwide, showcasing his keen palate and ability to craft compelling whiskey experiences.In his latest venture, Jay now lends his curation talents as Principal Whiskeymaker at Middleburg Barrel Company, makers of Provenance Bourbon. In this role, he oversees barrel selection and blending, ensuring each release meets the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.

January 11, 2026 AM Service

January 4, 2026 AM Service

We've seen plenty of people try to make the jump from enthusiast to industry pro, but nobody has done it quite like Jay West. It's been a few years since he was last on the show, and we're thrilled to welcome back the mastermind behind the massive r/bourbon barrel program on Reddit and the Principal Whiskey Maker at Reveries. This is Jay's second time on the show and this time without the cload and veil. He went from a quiet contributor and guy behind the scenes on a subreddit to one of the most respected voices and blenders in the game. We dive into the staggering growth of the Reddit whiskey community—now 300,000 members strong—and why keeping that culture supportive and nontoxic is so important to the overall whiskey community. We also geek out on the barrel-picking process and how he's managed to scale up to hundreds of barrels a year to meet the insane demand for unique bottles people are searching for. Of course, we also had to talk about Jay's brand, Reveries, and his unique philosophy on acquiring great barrels, blending and storytelling. Show Notes: Jay West's evolution from anonymity to industry leader Current growth of the r/whiskey community Insights into the expanding barrel-picking process The role of moderation and community engagement Reveries brand philosophy and blending techniques Highlights of standout whiskey blends from Reveries The interplay of creativity, storytelling, and community feedback Ways to support Reveries and engage with r/bourbon on Reddit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

December 21, 2025 AM Service

December 14, 2025 AM Service

December 7, 2025 AM Service

November 30, 2025 AM Service

November 30, 2025 AM Service

In this episode 301 of MiCannaCast, hosts CannaDave & Groovee sit down with Sahir, owner of High Prophecy, and Jay, COO of West Coast Meds, for an inspiring conversation about cannabis, mental health, yoga, and holistic healing.

November 16, 2025 AM Service

November 9, 2025 AM Service

November 2, 2025 AM Service

T8ke A Trip to Virginia (via Kentucky, For Now) Show Notes Thank you to Jay for entering the Whiskey Ring!  If you haven't joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so at patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring. If you haven't yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram and Facebook. 1787 Provenance Provenance Website Provenance Bourbon Instagram Jay West's Instagram

October 19, 2025 AM Service

October 12, 2025 AM Service

October 5, 2025 AM Service

September 28, 2025 AM Service

September 21, 2025 AM Service

September 14, 2025 AM Service

September 7, 2025 AM Service

August 31, 2025 AM Service

August 24, 2025 AM Service

August 17, 2025 AM Service

August 10, 2025 AM Service

August 3, 2025 AM Service

June 29, 2025 AM Service

May 4, 2025 AM Service

April 27, 2025 AM Service

April 20, 2025 AM Service

April 13, 2025 AM Service

April 6, 2025 AM Service

March 30, 2025 AM Service

March 16, 2025 AM Service

March 9, 2025 AM Service

March 2, 2025 AM Service

February 16, 2025 AM Service

February 9, 2025 AM Service

February 2, 2025 AM Service

January 26, 2024 AM Service

January 19, 2025 AM Service

January 12, 2024 AM Service

January 5, 2025 AM Service

December 22, 2024 AM Service

December 15, 2024 AM Service

December 8, 2024 AM Service

December 1, 2024 AM Service

November 24, 2024 AM Service

November 17, 2024 AM Service

November 10, 2024 AM Service