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On this week's episode of The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief takes listeners on a ride to the heart of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, where music, history, and whiskey all share the same soul. He sits down with Thom and Kim Bard, the founders of The Bard Distillery, inside their beautifully restored 1920s schoolhouse to talk about heritage, community pride, and the craftsmanship behind their exceptional lineup of spirits. The first half of the show opens with a pour of Cinder & Smoke 10 Year, a bold and expressive bourbon that reflects the Bards' commitment to long aged, character driven whiskey. As they sip, Thom and Kim share the story behind the Cinder & Smoke series, the inspiration for its name, and how their small town roots and historic distillery shape the identity of everything they make. The conversation moves into the next pour, the Cinder & Smoke finished in Oloroso sherry barrels, a whiskey that deepens the experience with layers of dried fruit, rich oak, and soft smoke. Big Chief and the Bards explore how the sherry influence complements the base bourbon and why these types of finishes matter to them creatively. The second half begins with something truly meaningful: "You Got Gold," their tribute whiskey honoring the legendary singer songwriter John Prine. Thom and Kim talk about their personal connection to Prine's work, the emotional weight behind creating a whiskey in his honor, and the care that went into crafting a bottle worthy of his legacy. The moment is heartfelt, a blend of memories, music, and the unmistakable Kentucky spirit that shaped both Prine's songwriting and the Bards' approach to distilling. To wrap up the ride, they pour Muhlenberg Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, a spirit dedicated to the county they call home. Big Chief and the Bards discuss what Muhlenberg means to them, how the local community continues to support their journey, and why this bourbon stands as a living tribute to the people and pride of Western Kentucky. The conversation closes with reflections on the future of Bard Distillery, their hopes for growing their footprint without ever losing the authenticity that defines them, and the importance of family, music, and tradition in every drop they release. By the end of the episode, listeners walk away not just with an appreciation for the whiskey, but with a deeper understanding of the heart and grit behind The Bard Distillery. Thom and Kim's passion, their commitment to their craft, and their dedication to their community make this ride one that truly captures the spirit of The Whiskey Trip, where every bottle has a story, and every story is worth the pour.
Bard Distillery (Graham, KY) WF0038 It's time for the "Great 48 Tour" as I make my way across the country, visiting a craft distillery in each of the 48 contiguous states. It seems appropriate to start this kind of journey in Kentucky, the state that helped bring whiskey back after Prohibition. But so many distilleries in east and central Kentucky are well established. Heading to Western Kentucky is like seeing the rebirth of distilling all over again. Today's stop is the Bard Distillery (Stop #1), where Tom and Kim Bard established a distillery in the very schoolhouse where Tom got his education. During this visit, he gives us an education about the founding of Bardstown, how the couple met on the racing circuit, and how they are looking to evolve their distillery with the recent addition of a column still and development of a full-fledged visitor's center. All sorts of travel advice and This Week In Whiskey Lore in this episode. Find this and past Whiskey Flights at whiskey-lore.com/flights The unedited interview (with 11 extra minutes) available to members at patreon.com/whiskeylore
This episode features Kim Bard and Tom Bard of The Bard Distillery. In this episode we catch up with Tom and Kim. We talk about Bar Convent Brooklyn and their experiences. The Bard was featured on Episode 83. Do go back and listen to learn more about their history and how they got started. We do discuss the progress and growth that they have made at the distillery since February 2022. Be sure to listen to our lively and entertaining conversation as we taste their Cinder & Smoke Expressions. 5080 Highway 175 S, Graham, KY 42344 - (270) 338-6543 - www.thebarddistillery.com - Facebook Highlights from our discussion: Bar Convent Brooklyn Harvest Hosts Vendome Copper and Brass Works Lisa Roper Wicker Shanky's Whip
This episode features Kim Bard and Tom Bard of The Bard Distillery. It all started in 2005 when tom walked into Kim's race shop. In 2006 they found themselves in Kentucky and decided to go to visit a distillery. The chose to check out Maker's Mark. They loved the tour and afterwards they were fueled by what they saw. They couldn't stop talking about it, The smells, the sights, the sounds and the people. They were not able to shake the idea. In 2015 they took the plunge and purchased Tom's old school, creating The Bard Distillery, which opened in 2019. We had a fantastic experience at the distillery. We got to see the vision of what it all will become. Their spirits are wonderful and creative. Brewscuits is the sponsor of the podcast. Be sure to check them out at www.brewscuits.com. Type in Fermented Adventure at checkout to get 15% off your first order. 5080 Highway 175 S, Graham, KY 42344 - (270) 338-6543 - www.thebarddistillery.com - Facebook Highlights from our discussion: Bardstown, KY William Bard Muhlenberg, KY ACSA Convention John Barleycorn Awards Neeley Family Distillery George Washington's Mount Vernon Distillery The Drinking Coach Whiskey Business Grand Rapids Fred Minnick UNK's Barbecue Clucks and Pups Log Still Distillery John Prine The Everly Brothers Merle Travis Muhlenberg Music Mission Harvest Host
On November 7, 2021 we were present for a historic event at George Washington's Mount Vernon Distillery. Keystone Rosen Rye was milled, fermented and distilled. In part two we speak with Thomas and Kim Bard of The Bard Distillery. They traveled all of the way from Kentucky share their skills and to be part of the experience. Lisa Roper Wicker of Widow Jane has been an instrumental part of the distillery. She provides insights into her experiences working with Rosen and the distillery. Steve Bashore gives his own take on working with the Rosen Rye and discusses where they are in the process. Brewscuits is the sponsor of the podcast. Be sure to check them out at www.brewscuits.com. Type in Fermented Adventure at checkout to get 15% off your first order. 5514 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309 - (703) 780-3383 - https://www.mountvernon.org/the-estate-gardens/distillery/ - Facebook Highlights From our Discussion: Stoll and Wolfe Distillery Good Deeds Whiskey Project American Craft Spirts Association StepUp Foundation NASCAR Starlight Distillery Limestone Branch Distillery Woodford Reserve Dave Scheurich American Whiskey Convention Kelvin Cooperage Speyside Cooperage Dean Norton Laura Fields Delaware Valley Fields Foundation Dancing Star Farm
Two animal psychologists and a historian of animal studies join Eleanor Rosamund Barraclought to discuss whether it's possible to recognise similar traits in humans, chimps, crows, hawks, dogs and cats in terms of affinity and attachment, despite different evolutionary paths. How do we know when a chimp wants to play? How does one crow decide what to feed its mate? The Free Thinking Festival explores the emotional similarities and differences between humans & animals. Nicky Clayton is a scientist and a dancer who began as a zoologist and moved into psychology. She is Professor of Comparative Cognition at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of the Royal Society. She is also Scientist in Residence at dance company Rambert and co-founder of The Captured Thought blog and project. Her expertise is in studying members of the crow family, who have huge brains for their body size, and in studying thinking with and without words. Kim Bard is a Professor at the University of Portsmouth. She has studied the development of emotions, cognition, communication, and attachment in captive young chimpanzees for over 30 years. Her research concerns understanding the process of development in evolution and contributes to captive animal welfare. Erica Fudge is Professor of English Studies and Director of the British Animal Studies Network at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. She has written widely on modern and historical human-animal relationships and has recently finished a study of people's lives with their livestock animals in early modern England titled Quick Cattle and Dying Wishes. Producer: Jacqueline Smith
CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (Video)
Kim Bard of the University of Portsmouth, UK presents data on comparative development of infant states, that is, states of arousal, state regulation, emotion states, and engagement states in chimpanzee and human infants. Comparative developmental studies are valuable for understanding hominid evolution, and essential for delineating those characteristics that are uniquely human. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 28030]
CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (Audio)
Kim Bard of the University of Portsmouth, UK presents data on comparative development of infant states, that is, states of arousal, state regulation, emotion states, and engagement states in chimpanzee and human infants. Comparative developmental studies are valuable for understanding hominid evolution, and essential for delineating those characteristics that are uniquely human. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 28030]
CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (Video)
From the moment of birth, human infants require an inordinate amount of care and, unlike our nearest living relatives, remain dependent on a variety of caretakers during an unusually long maturation period followed by extraordinary adult longevity. How did such a distinctive pattern of development evolve and what other human features are linked to it? Wenda Trevathan (New Mexico State Univ) begins with a discussion about Birth and the Newborn Infant, followed by Kim Bard (Univ of Portsmouth) on the Infant State in Apes and Humans, and Sarah Blaffer Hrdy (UC Davis) on Born Human: How the Utterly Dependent Survive. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 28016]
CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (Audio)
From the moment of birth, human infants require an inordinate amount of care and, unlike our nearest living relatives, remain dependent on a variety of caretakers during an unusually long maturation period followed by extraordinary adult longevity. How did such a distinctive pattern of development evolve and what other human features are linked to it? Wenda Trevathan (New Mexico State Univ) begins with a discussion about Birth and the Newborn Infant, followed by Kim Bard (Univ of Portsmouth) on the Infant State in Apes and Humans, and Sarah Blaffer Hrdy (UC Davis) on Born Human: How the Utterly Dependent Survive. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 28016]