Podcasts about Proof Positive

A legendary, highly coveted Bottled-in-Bond expression from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Revered by collectors as a true "unicorn" bottle, this unprecedented 17-year-old masterpiece was crafted from Buffalo Trace's iconic low-rye Mash Bill #1. It pays homage to the meticulous standards of the "Father of the Modern Bourbon Industry," Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr.What sets the original Cured Oak apart is an extraordinary focus on barrel engineering. Standard white oak barrel staves are typically seasoned for six months. For this special project, the white oak staves were left to air-dry in the open elements for a full 13 months before being coopered into barrels. This extended, more-than-doubled curing period allowed natural weather cycles and microbes to deeply alter the wood's composition. The process reduced harsh wood tannins while drawing immense terpene development to the surface.The result is a bourbon that pulled deep, highly localized complexities from the wood during its nearly two decades of slumber inside the historic, steam-heated Warehouse C. Cheers!

Old Charter Oak "Finest Oak" is crafted at Buffalo Trace Distillery, honoring the historic Old Charter brand established by Adam and Ben Chapeze in 1874. The bourbon pays tribute to the iconic white oak trees that have long shaped the character of American whiskey, emphasizing the critical role of oak in flavor development. This expression is part of the Old Charter Oak series, which explores how different oak origins and barrel treatments influence the final bourbon. Cheers!

Half Time Is Over: Finish 2026 Strong Time is ticking away on 2026 and it might feel like you have just over 4 months left in the year, you really only have 3. The whistle blew on June 30th, and now is the time to take action if you want to impact what remains of 2026. Most leaders spend August telling themselves there's plenty of time, but November and December already belong to holidays, budget season, and year-end close. That leaves August, September, and October as the window where the work actually happens. This is the halftime audit for anyone responsible for a team, a customer experience, or a budget. Special shout out to all the campuses opening this week in higher education - thanks for welcoming the student back and creating a place where they can feel like they belong. Let's talk about the halftime audit - customers, teams, strategy, and you. This is how you will crush the rest of the year. In this episode: • Why role clarity rather than motivation is the quiet drag on your team's performance right now • Prioritize quality recognition and coaching around your most important priorities • Focus on what matters most going into year end - you can't tackle everything, so focus on key priorities with impact • Decide what you'll focus on, what needs to be removed from your list, and what gets pushed to 2027   Perfect for: hospitality leaders, business owners, CEOS, COOs, CX/EX professionals, operational managers, retail and service teams, training and development leaders, and anyone responsible for people and performance (and sales growth). Book time with me to learn about our speaking, training, and consulting services: https://calendly.com/thetonyjohnson/strategy  Links & Resources:

The fifth installment in Heaven Hill's annual limited-edition Heritage Collection series. Released in early 2026, it stands as the oldest bourbon featured in the collection to date, crafted from roughly 270-275 barrels originally distilled in 2003 and aged on the upper floors of Bardstown's famous Rickhouse Y.

The Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archives: Gold Foil Edition is a 16-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey bottled at 120 proof. Released in May 2026 with an MSRP of $400, this inaugural expression launched a new collector series paying tribute to the historic "cheesy gold foil" bottlings from Wild Turkey's past. Cheers!

The vintage Old Fitzgerald Colonial Decanter is a collectible 1960s–1970s bottled-in-bond bourbon release from the legendary Stitzel-Weller Distillery. These 100-proof, 4/5-quart decorative glass bottles featured colonial-themed prints or shields. Often featuring age statements around 6 years old, such as distilled in 1963 and bottled in 1969. Cheers!

Saying "Great Work" Isn't Recognition "Great work." Two words, zero impact. Your team can tell the difference between recognition and reflex, and so can your turnover numbers. In this episode I sit down with Alex Grande, founder of Recognize, to talk about what actually moves the needle on employee experience. Alex brings a rare combination to this conversation - he's an entrepreneur building HR technology, but he came up through psychology with published research in unconscious bias and social cognition. So this isn't a pep talk about praise. It's a working conversation about how recognition gets designed, why peer-to-peer is the purest form of it, and what happens to a team when the winners start noticing each other without a manager in the room. Practitioner to practitioner. Real tools you can use Monday. In this episode: Why training managers on 1:1s, feedback, and recognition is the highest-leverage employee experience investment you can make Comfort as a prerequisite for engagement - people don't bring their best to a room they're guarded in Why peer-to-peer recognition is the purest and most impactful form there is Winners want to work with winners: how recognition snowballs into a performance culture The specificity rule. Why "great work" fails and what to say instead Gamifying recognition without gimmicks: if the points don't lead somewhere, they don't lead anywhere Think SAPS: status, access, power, and stuff. This motivates people intrinsically The remote team killer nobody names: decision velocity, and why empowerment fixes it Building organic connection at a distance with water cooler channels and open meeting chat Meeting fatigue is real — kill the whole-team status update and make standups goals-based Camera on or camera off?  Alex Grande is an entrepreneur and workplace innovation expert who combines gamification with HR technology to help organizations build stronger, more connected cultures. As founder of Recognize, a social employee engagement platform, he helps companies improve communication, recognition, and retention. With a degree in psychology and published research in unconscious bias and social cognition, Alex brings an evidence-based, human-centered approach to creating recognition programs that drive lasting cultural change.  

Jack Daniel's 14-Year Batch 2 is an ultra-aged Tennessee Whiskey released in Spring 2026. Part of the brand's premium, age-stated lineup, this limited release features the classic mash bill (80% corn, 12% rye, 8% malted barley) and is bottled at a barrel proof of 117.6 (58.8% ABV). Cheers!

Little Book Chapter 10 “All the Wiser” is the 10th release in the brand's Chapter line, and it pays respect to Little Book Chapter 3: "The Road Home" and the company's Small Batch Collection. Chapter 3 was a blend of bourbons: 9 year old Knob Creek, 9 year old Basil Hayden, 11 year old Booker's, and 12 year old Baker's. Like Chapter 10, that blend was bottled uncut at 122.6 proof. For the current release, Master Distiller Freddie Noe takes the same approach but shuffles the age of each component, while also throwing in a finished component. The end result is a blend of 11 year old Knob Creek, 14 year old Basil Hayden, 10 year old Booker's, 9 year old Baker's, and 4 year old Jim Beam finished in sherry and toasted casks. Chapter 10 is also bottled at 122.6 proof. Cheers!

In this episode of Complex Systems, Patrick McKenzie (patio11) is joined by Justin Kuiper, a longtime writer for MatPat's Game Theory family of channels and now creator of Proof Positive, to discuss the microeconomics of YouTube. They break down how creators actually get paid — from $3–$20 CPMs and the leaky funnel where a million views yields perhaps 50,000 actual ad views, to sponsor reads, Super Chats, and MrBeast selling chocolate bars as his own advertiser of last resort. Along the way, they explore how a successful channel becomes a firm that absorbs specialist labor from less successful peers, why the algorithm gives every upload a trial by attention, and what parasocial spending has in common with Mark Twain's speaking circuit.–Full transcript available here: https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/justin-kuiper-youtube/ –Presenting Sponsors: Mercury, Chainguard & MongoDB Complex Systems is presented by Mercury—radically better banking for founders. Mercury's new feature Command brings an LLM directly into your banking interface, so checking balances, finding invoices, or sending a wire is as easy as asking. Apply online in minutes at https://mercury.com/. If attackers are using AI to weaponize code faster than any team can review it, your scanners won't save you. Chainguard builds libraries and container images from source, verified all the way down, with near-zero CVEs and zero malware. Build safely at https://www.chainguard.dev/. What's the point of building faster with AI if your database can't keep up? MongoDB's native data model mirrors the language LLMs already speak. Ship at the speed of AI while staying ACID compliant at Fortune 500 scale. Start building at https://mongodb.com/ai.–Links:Proof Positive on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCns_C7cPAguFSv2YdltaOsg –Timestamps:(00:00) Preview(00:45) How creators make money on YouTube(04:06) CPMs and the international ad market(06:36) From solo creator to firm: working for MatPat(09:28) Sponsors: Mercury | Chainguard(12:30) From solo creator to firm: working for MatPat (cont'd)(13:49) YouTube as a farm league for other industries(17:15) Why now is the best time to start: discovery and universal basic attention(20:47) Power users and how recommendations work(24:23) Brand safety, rabbit holes, and the money laundering short(27:38) Fads, timing, and the day-two piece(35:52) The production function: scripts, shot lists, and editing labor(42:14) The aesthetics of authenticity(46:58) Sponsor: MongoDB(47:47) Why more people should make videos(53:52) Content marketing, sponsor reads, and remnant inventory(01:00:24) Chocolate bars, paint sets, and creator products(01:05:00) Parasocial relationships and the market in status(01:16:43) Where to find Justin: Proof Positive(01:18:58) Wrap

The Gem of Kentucky is the premiere offering from 2XO. The only double barreled single barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey on the market. The barrels are exclusively selected by Dixon from his double barreled stocks of the high rye bourbon mash bill (35%) that spend up to a year in new charred oak barrels before bottling. It is a full-bodied, full-flavored expression that leans on Dixon's unique double-barreling process for a richer and more viscous mouthfeel. The differing char levels on the secondary barreling allow complex flavors to develop and balance the spicy finish from the high rye distillate. Cheers!

Titans of Hospitality: What 250 Years of American Service Can Teach Us About What's Next America is about to turn 250, and the story of who we are as a country cannot be told without the story of how we serve. From the frontier to the drive through to the Apple Store, hospitality is one of the most American art forms we have. It is also one of the most misunderstood. On this Independence Day, let's celebrate the titans who created american hospitality. In this episode, I walk through the leaders who built the way we welcome, feed, host, and wow.  We have evolved from commodity to product to service to experience. Up next is transformation and impact. We start with Fred Harvey, the English immigrant who civilized the American West one white tablecloth at a time and put the first professional service workforce on the map.  We meet the woman behind the scenes, Mary Colter, whose Grand Canyon architecture proved that the room itself is part of the hospitality. Then we hit the road with Howard Johnson, whose orange roof became a national promise and go global with Conrad Hilton, who believed hotels could be consistent, clean, and outstanding at the same time. We spend time with Walt Disney, who engineered the immersrive experience and Truett Cathy, who anchored the whole thing in values + people. We look at Steve Jobs, the outsider who leaned into hospitality in his stores, and the man who built the third place, Howard Schultz.  We finish with Ray Kroc and his gift for standardization and scale.  This is a walk through our first 250 years of service, told from the perspective of how it impacted the customer. Perfect for: hospitality leaders, business owners, CEOS, COOs, CX/EX professionals, operational managers, retail and service teams, training and development leaders, and anyone responsible for people and performance (and sales growth).   Book time with me to learn about our speaking, training, and consulting services: https://calendly.com/thetonyjohnson/strategy  Links & Resources:

The Four Roses Single Barrel 2026 collection highlights three new, rotating recipes (OESF, OBSK, and OESQ) alongside the brand's flagship OBSV bottling. Each bottle in the collection is aged 7 to 9 years, bottled at 100 proof, and available for a Suggested Retail Price (SRP) of $49.99 per 750ml. Cheers!

Uncut, unfiltered Kentucky straight bourbon produced by the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Released as an early-season batch, this highly allocated whiskey is bottled at a bold 129.3 proof (64.65% ABV) and is prized for its signature rich, cask-strength profile. Listen to what the guys think of this coveted bottle. Cheers!

The Value Paradox: Why Guests Are Spending More and Forgiving Less Consumer sentiment is at an all-time low, yet people are still spending. The World Cup just kicked off on American soil. And right here in Polk County, Florida, a landmark healthcare partnership just opened its doors with a vision that every hospitality leader should study. In this episode, I unpacks the paradox reshaping restaurants, hotels, and every guest-facing business right now: guests are opening their wallets and they are less forgiving than ever when the experience falls short. The brands winning aren't the cheapest or the fanciest - they're the ones whose people make guests feel like the money was worth it. We talk about lessons from the Watson Clinic and Orlando Health ribbon cutting in Lakeland - a masterclass in designing for the future. We also talk about the FIFA World Cup as the ultimate high-stakes CX case study, with a practical playbook for host cities, hotels, restaurants, and stadium concessions operators facing surge volume, international guests, and a global spotlight. In this episode: Why value has less to do with price than you think - and the three layers that actually drive loyalty The K-shaped consumer market and what it means for your frontline team The World Cup CX playbook: cultural fluency, surge staffing, recovery, and finishing strong Three leadership moves to make this week -not next quarter Perfect for: hospitality leaders, business owners, CEOS, COOs, CX/EX professionals, operational managers, retail and service teams, training and development leaders, and anyone responsible for people and performance (and sales growth).   Book time with me to learn about our speaking, training, and consulting services: https://calendly.com/thetonyjohnson/strategy  Links & Resources:

An inaugural limited-release bourbon from Jim Beam that highlights a sweeter, confectionary profile compared to traditional Knob Creek offerings. It features a 10-year age statement, is bottled at 106 proof (53% ABV).Developed by eighth-generation master distiller Freddie Noe and team, this limited release dials back the traditional dry, nutty, and heavily charred notes of standard Knob Creek in favor of a sweeter, richer drinking experience.Knob Creek Blender's Edition No. 1 is widely considered one of the best value-driven bourbons on the market. Compared to other Knob Creek expressions, it hits a very competitive sweet spot. Cheers!

A cask-strength (uncut and unfiltered) rye whiskey produced by Frey Ranch Distillery, a "farm-to-glass" estate operation in Fallon, Nevada.Mash Bill: 100% Cereal Winter Rye grown and harvested on-site at the 2,500-acre Frey Ranch.Proof & Age: Aged for a minimum of six years and typically bottled at around 124.52 proof (batch dependent).Tasting Notes: Known for its bold and viscous profile, it features layered notes of candy cinnamon, cream soda, coffee beans, and a herbaceous, spicy finish.

As of April 2026, Jack Daniel's has released highly sought-after "hazmat" (over 140 proof) single-barrel rye whiskeys, with special releases like the Tanyard Hill or Small Batch variants often ranging between 142.7 and 146.1 proof. These limited, uncut, and unfiltered, Tennessee straight rye whiskeys feature a 70% rye mash bill and are known for intense heat and complex, dark fruit flavorsPrav Saraff is a prominent Washington, D.C.-based bourbon connoisseur, owner of 1 West Dupont Circle Wines & Liquors, and creator of the independent bottling label "Dream Spirits". Known as a major figure in the whiskey industry for sourcing rare bottles and exclusive single-barrel picks, he is highly regarded for his expertise and customer-focused approach.

Released in February 2026, the King of Kentucky Small Batch is a premium, limited-release bourbon from Brown-Forman, featuring a blend of 12-to-18-year-old barrels. The 2026 series introduced three distinct batches (105, 107.5, and 110 proof) with a $299 SRP. It offers12-year aged, high-proof, complex flavors with a 75% corn, 15% rye, and 10% malted barley mash bill. Cheers!

The 2026 Elijah Craig Small Batch PGA Championship Commemorative Edition is a limited-release bourbon bottled at -proof ( ABV) to honor the 108th PGA Championship, launching nationally in April 2026 for a suggested retail price of . The release features special packaging with a gold coin cork and is sourced from select barrels in rickhouses N and S. Cheers!

A lot of people have offered a lot of opinions on Jesus of Nazareth, but let's explore what He said about Himself, His mission on earth, and His eternal Kingdom. Watch the video version of this sermon.  We have been learning what Jesus said about His saints and His Church in our series "I will build My Church." Check out all of the sermons in this series. ►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

(Per breakingbourbon.com)-Bernheim Original Wheat Whiskey is named in honor of the Bernheim Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. Bernheim Distillery was founded in 1992 by United Distillers (who became Diageo in 1997), and then sold to Heaven Hill and renamed Heaven Hill Bernheim Distillery in 1999. It would later become Heaven Hill's primary distillery after the 1996 distillery fire destroyed Heaven Hill's Bardstown Distillery along with 90,000 barrels of whiskey. Cheers!

Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. Barrel Proof Bourbon is a highly sought-after, uncut and unfiltered Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey from Buffalo Trace Distillery. Bottled at over 125 proof, it offers a robust, intense flavor profile featuring rich caramel, toasted oak, and dried fruit, designed to replicate pre-Prohibition whiskey. Cheers!

(Per BreakingBourbon.com)-In the spring of 2018, Brown-Forman finally answered fans' calls to release a high proof  Woodford Reserve Batch Proof Bourbon. Now, more than 7 years later, the company has decided to release a high proof version of their standard Woodford rye. This release seems unexpected, as the standard Woodford Rye is often overshadowed by its more well-known bourbon counterparts and various limited edition bourbon offerings that the company delivers. This new limited-edition release is presumably intended to be an ongoing series and will most likely see future releases carrying various proof points, much like Batch Proof Bourbon does. Cheers!

To sip Barrel Proof Rye is to experience our Straight Rye Whiskey in its purest form: uncut, straight from the barrel, and without chill filtering. Each bottle is labeled with its unique proof, batch number, and age; but the nose, taste, and finish are pure Elijah Craig.'Each batch of Barrel Proof Rye is bottled with a unique age statement, including the monthand year of the youngest barrel from the batch. The proof also varies with each release.The batch number on the label provides specific information about each batch. The firstletter indicates the order of the release for that year, starting with "A.” The first numberrepresents the month of the release. The third and fourth digits indicate the year. Cheers!

Highly acclaimed, high-proof (often 125–135+ proof) bourbon noted for rich, intense flavors of caramel, brown sugar, oak, and baking spices. It is generally considered excellent, earning ratings around 8.5/10 to 87/100, offering a, complex, and sometimes hot, "Kentucky hug". Cheers!

The Heaven Hill 90th Anniversary 9-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon is a limited-edition, 107-proof (53.5% ABV) release honoring the distillery's 1935 founding. Released in late 2025 for $124.99 MSRP, it features a 9-year-old blend of 70% standard barrels and 30% heavy-char barrels filled in 2015. Cheers!

“You know, we all are made in the image and likeness of God, and God is creation. So we're all creative, but sometimes I think some of us are given an extra dose.”Celine Farrell has lived a lot of life, and those words are just a sliver of the knowledge she's picked up along the way.She's seen what it takes to get inspired and fired up creatively. At the end of the day, it's why she's kept engaged, making art as a sculptor and beautifying her space as owner and curator of Grove Gallery (she's also the curator and gardener of its grounds). Everything in her day-to-day touches on some form of tactile creation and inspiration from a higher power.In this episode, guest host Erin Wolf spends time with Farrell as this creatively driven member of our community shares a few pieces of the vast knowledge she's gathered over the years.#####Guest host: Erin WolfUniquely Milwaukee is made possible by the support of our Radio Milwaukee members.

Another great Proof Positive by the guys! Cheers!

The Willett Family Estate Small Batch Bourbon is a commingling of two classic Willett family mash bills. A new addition to the Willett family of brands with legendary roots and fresh elegance. Both mash bills enter the barrel at 125 proof with a final bottling proof to vary among batches based on the discretion of Master Distiller and fifth generation whiskey maker, Drew Kulsveen. Cheers!

Kentucky straight bourbon finished in a second, custom-toasted, lightly charred oak barrel. It features notes of toasted oak, caramel, spice, and milk chocolate. While the standard release is 94 proof, rare, high-proof (120+) single barrel, 8-9 year old is your barrel proof. Cheers!

In this episode, I introduce 2026: The Year of Experiential Hospitality and why it's time to stop treating customer experience and hospitality as separate conversations. Customer experience is the strategy. Hospitality is how that strategy shows up in real moments, on the front line, every day. Experiential hospitality is about intentionally creating moments where people feel welcomed and understood, and using those moments to build trust, loyalty, and differentiation. In this episode, we cover: Why experience is the clear differentiator in a commoditized marketplace How hospitality becomes the front-line expression of customer experience What hospitality-rich organizations do differently, and what every industry can learn from them How tiered service levels (value through luxury) create clarity and intentional premiumization The role of leaders and frontline teams as the true multipliers of experience Where technology and AI enable experience, and why humans must stay in the loop This episode sets the foundation for how experience, hospitality, people, leadership, and technology come together in 2026, with hospitality leading the way. Perfect for: hospitality leaders, business owners, CEOS, COOs, CX/EX professionals, operational managers, retail and service teams, training and development leaders, and anyone responsible for people and performance (and sales growth) in 2026. If you are ready to start 2026 with clarity, confidence, and momentum, this episode is your launch point. Book time with me to learn about our speaking, training, and consulting services: https://calendly.com/thetonyjohnson/strategy  Links & Resources:

Highly sought-after, limited-edition Kentucky bourbons and ryes, especially the "Christmas Dream" release, known for rich holiday spice, dark fruit notes (like eggnog, cinnamon, clove, cherry), and complex profiles, often from older, rare casks bottled by Preservation Distillery for Japanese export or select markets, making them prized collector's items. These unique bottlings offer intense, flavorful experiences, with aromas and tastes reminiscent of festive baking and classic Christmas candies. Cheers!

Tom Curran and Phil Perry react to the Patriots' 28-16 win over the Houston Texans to advance to their first AFC Championship Game since the 2018 season.0:00- Patriots beat Texans 28-16 to advance to the AFC Championship Game against the Broncos1:00- Were you surprised at all about the way this game played out?4:45- Patriots come up with another masterstroke defensive gameplan to slow down C.J. Stroud and Houston's offense11:50- Texans defense was "as advertised" against New England's offense17:30- Drake Maye's sloppy play cause for concern, or were winning plays when it mattered what we should focus on?25:35- What a turnaround for Rhamondre Stevenson this season32:15- Is the national media finally going to buy-in on this team heading into the AFC Championship Game vs. Denver and Jarrett Stidham? WATCH every episode of the Patriots Talk podcast on YouTubeFollow NBC Sports Boston:NBCSportsBoston.comX @NBCSpatriotsFacebookInstagramTikTok Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Blanton's Gold Edition is a higher-proof (103/51.5% ABV), limited-release Kentucky straight bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery, known for its richer, spicier, and more complex flavor than the Original Single Barrel, featuring notes of honey, rye, fruit, oak, and vanilla, and is highly sought after by collectors for its intensity and smoothness, offering a bold experience for bourbon enthusiasts. Cheers!

Highly anticipated, limited-edition, cask-strength Texas bourbon, released in December 2025, notable for its extreme 146.4 proof (73.2% ABV) and aged at least 8 years, offering rich notes of burnt wood, spice, dried fruits, and toasted marshmallows from its unique Texas aging, with only 10,000 bottles available globally at an SRP of around $250. Cheers!

As we head into 2026, leaders are facing a familiar challenge in a new form. Expectations are higher. Attention spans are shorter. Technology is accelerating. And yet, the differentiator hasn't changed. In this episode I talk about what is needed to drive employee experience, customer experience, and hospitality to drive business results. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why leadership, hospitality, and CX are no longer separate conversations • How employee experience directly shapes customer behavior and loyalty • Why hospitality is a strategic growth lever, not a "soft" skill • The rise of premiumization and intentional moments that matter • How technology should enable humanity, not replace it • The leadership behaviors that will differentiate brands in 2026 • Practical questions every leader should be asking right now Perfect for: hospitality leaders, business owners, CEOS, COOs, CX/EX professionals, operational managers, retail and service teams, training and development leaders, and anyone responsible for people and performance (and sales growth) in 2026. If you are ready to start 2026 with clarity, confidence, and momentum, this episode is your launch point. Book time with me to learn about our speaking, training, and consulting services: https://calendly.com/thetonyjohnson/strategy  Links & Resources:

Merry Christmas! Each limited edition of William Heavenhill is a unique expression of Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. For William Heavenhill, distilling was a family tradition. By some accounts Heavenhill's Corn Whiskey supplied Bardstown's historic Talbott Tavern in the early 1800s. But our connection to his legacy runs even deeper. The limestone spring Heavenhill used to make his Bourbon was the same spring that inspired our original name—Old Heavenhill Springs Distillery.

King of Kentucky has cemented itself as one of the most consistent, great-tasting bourbons year after year ever since Brown-Forman began releasing it in 2018. The 2025 version marks the eighth edition for the brand, and like the 2024 release, it is seeing a $50 increase over the previous year. But if one brand has consistently proved its worth, it would be the rightfully named King of Kentucky.  Age statements for the brand tend to fluctuate by only a few years with each release. The 2025 edition features a 17 year age statement, and you'll taste every bit of it. Released as a single barrel product, this year's release consists of 63 barrels, which, according to Brown-Forman Master Distiller Emeritus Chris Morris, were “personally selected and tasted from the highest-quality warehouses, are a true masterpiece.” It's a big talk, but once again, the bourbon speaks for itself. The barrels for this year's release were pulled from the fourth floor of Warehouse J and the first floor of Warehouse G, and ranged in proof from 124.5 to 135. The total yield for this year's release was 5,000 bottles, which, while still small, is larger compared to some of the releases in years past.

Host: Tony JohnsonGuest: Geoffrey Reid Author: The Revenue Catalyst: Mastering the Art of Sales In this episode, I sit down with Geoffrey Reid, a globally recognized sales leader with a rare blend of academic depth and real-world execution. Geoffrey's journey from public policy and mediation to sales leadership gives him a unique lens on how selling really works and why so many organizations struggle to teach it well. We dig into why customers want to buy but hate being sold, how sales has become a full business discipline rather than a single function, and what leaders must do to build sales teams that last. Key Takeaways Customers want to buy, but they do not want to be sold Sales today requires an all-fronts, fifth-dimension approach across the business Intentional hiring matters if you want teams that stay through tough cycles Training, coaching, and development are not optional for sales excellence KPIs should be embedded across the entire sales journey, not just at the close This conversation is practical, grounded, and especially relevant for leaders who want sales to feel less transactional and more connected and intentional.   Book time with me to learn about our speaking, training, and consulting services: https://calendly.com/thetonyjohnson/strategy  Links & Resources:

Knob Creek 21 Year Old is a limited-edition, 100-proof straight bourbon whiskey that became the oldest expression in the brand's history upon its release in October 2025. It features complex notes of charred oak, caramel, and fruit from its long aging period, with a rich and robust profile designed to be bold yet balanced

The mighty Sam Bronfman, Seagram's first master blender, revolutionized the art of blending as he built his Seagram Company into a massive spirits empire. Their Master Blender, Drew Mayville, comes from this Seagram master blender lineage. Before he came to Sazerac, Mayville was the last master blender at Seagram's and his mentor was Seagram Master Blender Art Dawe, who worked directly with Sam Bronfman. Mayville created this perfect blend through experimentation and precision and it is fittingly bottled at their Old Montreal Distillery in Montreal, Quebec. Cheers!

As the year winds down and the holiday rush kicks into high gear, leaders face a critical question: Are you coasting… or closing? In this Thanksgiving-themed leadership check-in, I break down how to keep your team sharp, energized, and aligned during the toughest stretch of the year while positioning your organization to win in 2026. Whether you lead a frontline team, a regional operation, or an entire organization, this conversation gives you the tools to finish 2025 strong and start 2026 with purpose. You could be a CEO, VP, Owner, or Entrepreneur - there is something in here for everyone who leads teams or serves customers. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why the "last mile" of the year exposes the strengths and cracks in every organization • How to keep your team sharp, rested, and focused through the holiday crunch • How to deliver consistent customer experience when demand, emotions, and fatigue are highest • What leaders must prioritize to win customer experience, employee experience, and loyalty in the new year • Why execution, empathy, and presence will define the leaders who succeed in 2026 • How to leverage AI and technology to support planning and performance without losing the human touch Perfect for: hospitality leaders, business owners, CEOS, COOs, CX/EX professionals, operational managers, retail and service teams, training and development leaders, and anyone responsible for people and performance during the busiest season of the year. If you're ready to close the year with intention and launch into 2026 with clarity, confidence, and momentum, this episode is your Thanksgiving checkpoint.   Book time with me to learn about our speaking, training, and consulting services: https://calendly.com/thetonyjohnson/strategy  Links & Resources:

Named in honor of the whiskey pioneer George T. Stagg, who acquired the historic O.F.C. Distillery from Colonel E.H. Taylor in 1878, this powerhouse bourbon embodies his legacy of boldness and vision. Before taking the helm of what is now Buffalo Trace Distillery, Stagg had built a reputation as a successful whiskey salesman, and today his name graces the boldest expression in the Antique Collection. First introduced in 2002 to meet growing demand for well-aged, barrel-strength bourbon, this year's George T. Stagg Bourbon was drawn from barrels aged more than 15 years and 4 months. The 2025 release is one of the strongest ever, bottled at 142.8 proof to deliver uncut, unfiltered intensity. The 2023 George T. Stagg release earned top honors, including Best in Class and Double Gold medals at the 2024 Whiskies of the World Competition.

A limited-edition rye whiskey from High West Distillery that continues its annual winter release series, which is inspired by Shakespeare's play. The 2025 release was crafted from a blend of straight rye whiskeys and finished in ruby and tawny port barrels, resulting in a luxurious, fruit-forward whiskey with notes of spice, plum, and dried fruit.  Cheers!

Bottled at barrel strength, the 2025 Limited Edition Small Batch is built around two standout 13-year-old V batches, delivering luscious notes of apricot, vanilla, and caramel. The addition of a bold 19-year-old OESV and OBSK brings layers of antique oak, rye, and depth for a truly balanced and complex profile. From the sweet, fruit-forward nose to the long, soft finish, every sip is a masterclass in craftsmanship - showcasing Four Roses' signature mellow spice. This is more than a bourbon - it's a celebration of age, character, and harmony in a bottle. Cheers!

The latest chapter in the legendary Stagg (Jr.) lineage is here, and it's another powerhouse straight from the heart of Buffalo Trace.For the uninitiated, Stagg is a uncut, unfiltered Kentucky straight bourbon that delivers a bold, complex experience every time. Batch 25A continues this tradition with authority. Cheers!

Kim Marotta is the Chief Environmental Sustainability Officer and Head of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) at Suntory Global Spirits, a global premium spirits leader with iconic brands including Jim Beam, Maker's Mark, and Hibiki. Kim spearheads the company's development and implementation of long-term sustainability initiatives through its Proof Positive strategy, ensuring a comprehensive approach across the entire value chain. Kim also plays a crucial role in integrating risk management into the company's core strategies to drive growth and enhance organizational resilience. Before joining Suntory Global Spirits, Kim spent nearly two decades with Molson Coors Beverage Company and its predecessor companies, where she served as Global Senior Director of Sustainability and ERM. Kim holds degrees from Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School. After completing law school, she served as The Deputy State Public Defender and an adjunct law professor at Marquette University Law School. Kim currently serves on the boards of Maker's Mark Distillery and Marquette University National Alumni Association. Kim also served on the Keurig-Dr. Pepper advisory board and was appointed by the Governor of Wisconsin to the Great Lakes Protection Fund. Recognized as a leader in sustainability, Kim has been named among Crain's Notable Leaders in Sustainability, Assent's Top 100 Corporate Social Responsibility Influence Leaders, and Triple Pundit's Top 35 Female CSR Leaders. She is a sought-after speaker and has been featured in media outlets such as Fortune, The Guardian, the Economist, Reuters, Cheddar News, and CNBC. Additionally, she has been an invited lecturer at the University of Chicago, the University of North Carolina, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Marquette University. Kim Joins Sustainable Nation to Discuss: Integration of sustainability and risk management: Suntory Global Spirits' Proof Positive strategy Achieving water reduction goals using employee incentives  Suntory's supplier engagement program Scaling regenerative agriculture Listen as Kim Marotta shares insights from her two-decade-long career in sustainability, particularly within the alcohol industry, and discusses her unique path from public defense into corporate sustainability leadership. She provides an overview of Suntory Global Spirits' global operations and explains how Japanese cultural values influence the company's holistic and long-term approach to sustainability. Kim delves into the development and execution of the company's Proof Positive sustainability strategy, touching on key areas such as water conservation, carbon and energy reductions, sustainable sourcing, and regenerative agriculture. She highlights how Suntory has achieved a 50% reduction in water use per unit and is pushing ambitious climate targets, including engaging suppliers in emissions reductions. Kim also discusses the integration of sustainability and risk management, the importance of tying employee incentives to progress on sustainability goals, and the collaborative, metrics-driven process behind supporting suppliers and farmers in adopting sustainable practices. Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the need for cultural commitment, stakeholder engagement, and continual innovation to make meaningful, measurable progress in the industry.