Whether you call it Seagram’s, LDI, MGP, or its official modern name, Ross & Squibb—the massive facility in Lawrenceburg, Indiana, is the undisputed backbone of the whiskey industry. On this episode, we sit down with Ian Stirsman, the Master Distiller steering the ship at this legendary production powerhouse. We tackle the distillery's endless naming history head-on and trace Ian’s journey from a chemical engineer working in a paper mill to commanding one of the largest distillation footprints in the world. Ian delivers a technical masterclass on how they produce massive mash bills at an unbelievable scale, the history behind their iconic 95/5 rye recipe, and why vintage light whiskey is suddenly having a massive moment. Plus, we pull back the curtain on how their team approaches blending, warehouse aging, and wood selection for Ross & Squibb's own rapidly growing premium house brands like George Remus and Rossville Union.

Show Notes:

• Why the industry still calls Ross & Squibb Seagram's, LDI, and MGP
• Ian Stirsman’s journey from chemical engineering to the Lawrenceburg distillery floor
• The Dayton whiskey bar epiphany that revealed MGP’s true market dominance
• Moving from process engineer to managing a multi-spirit team operation
• Deconstructing the legendary 95/5 rye recipe and the lasting impact of Seagram’s documentation
• The history of light whiskey and why older expressions are suddenly booming with consumers
• How the team selects barrels for George Remus and Rossville Union
• Wood management, rickhouse microclimates, and creating the Remus Experimental Series
• The future of Ross & Squibb’s brand strategy, bottle club, and upcoming changes to the barrel program

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Dragon’s Milk Origin Toasted 2026C “A Breath of Fresh Air” brings a wild Madeira barrel finish layered with orange meringue, citrus, toasted sweetness, and surprisingly hoppy IPA vibes. Weird? Absolutely. Delicious? Maybe even more so.

DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

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Ever wonder what it actually takes to build, run, and automate a distillery? On this episode, we sit down with someone unknown to most of the general population, but he's on speed dial for every major prodocuer across the country. A 2023 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Inductee, and the owner of Distillery Engineering: Pete Kamer. We talk about Pete’s incredible journey from his early days learning the ropes at Four Roses to his milestone career of 27 years at Barton in Bardstown. The distilling world has its own unique engineering hurdles, especially as traditional floor operations transitioned into modern automation. Pete shares his masterclass take on adjusting flavor profiles through still design, yeast, and cuts, and why relying on an operator's sight, smell, and hearing will always beat looking at a screen.

Show Notes:

• Pete’s career journey from Four Roses to his 27-year legacy at Barton in Bardstown
• The evolution of traditional distillery floor operations into modern automation
• Technical insights into manipulating whiskey flavor profiles through still design, yeast, and cuts
• Why sensory skills—sight, smell, and hearing—beat relying on control-room screens
• The mechanics and engineering hurdles of running a large-scale Kentucky distillery
• The physics and environmental factors that make duplicating the exact same whiskey impossible across different warehouses

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Onyx & Amber’s Guest Blender Series #1 is getting serious buzz… and we see why. A blend of 7–12 year barrels aged in Colorado, bringing peach tea, orange marmalade, brown sugar, and a smooth toasted coconut finish. Is this sleeper hitting above its weight?

DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

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It's This Week in Bourbon for May 15th 2026. Brown-Forman has officially rejected a $15 billion all-cash takeover bid from Sazerac, FBI Director Kash Patel is facing scrutiny with personalized bottles of Woodford Reserve, and Penelope Bourbon has announced Architects of Golf.

Show Notes:

• Brown-Forman rejects Sazerac’s $15 billion takeover bid to maintain family-owned independence
• Sixth Circuit strikes down Ohio’s unconstitutional ban on out-of-state wine shipping
• "Free Our Spirits" campaign launches to privatize North Carolina’s government-run liquor system
• FBI Director Kash Patel under fire for gifting personalized Woodford Reserve bottles
• Little Book Chapter 10 “All the Wiser” debuts with intuitive blending at 122.6 proof
• New Riff 2026 Single Malt features heirloom British barley and five-cask finishing
• Wenzel Distillery Batch 2 Sherry Barrel Finished Bourbon launches as a 119.1 proof limited release
• Green River Honey Finished Bourbon utilizes 100% local, raw honey inside the barrel
• Chattanooga Whiskey marks 10th Bottled in Bond vintage with new five-grain mash bill
• Maker’s Mark honors America’s 250th anniversary with patriotic red, white, and blue bottle
• Town Branch releases 6-Year Wheated Bourbon as its first dedicated wheat expression
• Penelope Bourbon debuts "Architects of Golf" trilogy featuring variable stave finishing intensity

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Ever wonder what’s really going on behind the counter of your local liquor store? On this episode we go back to the retail side of the business. We sit down with Bill Derham, the man behind Frankfort Avenue Liquors here in Louisville Kentucky to talk about his journey from the early days at Liquor World to building a standout store-and-bar destination. The retail world has its own hurdles like navigating inflation, shifting consumer trends, and how shops are handling the pressure of today’s market. Bill shares his take on the explosive rise of vintage spirits, the return of cocktail culture, and why building a community becomes key with rising competition. So whether you’re curious about how local retailers are keeping their shelves stocked or you just want to know the truth about the current state of the industry, Bill lays it all out for you here.

Show Notes:

• Bill's transition from Liquor World to Frankfurt Avenue Liquors
• The crucial role of community in bourbon retail
• Insights into shifting consumer trends in the bourbon market
• The effects of inflation on pricing in liquor sales
• Addressing the competitive bourbon landscape and allocation challenges
• The growing interest in vintage spirits and craft cocktails
• The necessity of local relationships for liquor retailers
• Future plans and community engagement at Frankfurt Avenue Liquors

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The 2026 Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series: The Stewards Release leans hard into dessert vibes. Think toffee, nougat, and chocolate candy bar richness from toasted oak staves. Smooth, sweet, and seriously interesting… but does it stick the landing?

DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

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It's This Week in Bourbon for May 8th 2026. Tariffs between Scotland and the US have been removed, the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) has unveiled the Certified Craft Seal, and Stitzel Reserve 31-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey.

Show Notes:

• President Trump pledges removal of 10% Scotch whisky tariffs to restore trade relations
• John McKillop releases novel Bourbon Brothers featuring rare real-world bottles
• Give 270 hosts Bourbon Strong 50-4-50 raffle benefiting Feeding America
• American Craft Spirits Association launches TTB-approved Certified Craft Seal
• Old Fourth Distillery rebrands spirits portfolio starting with Cane-Based Vodka
• Chicken Cock and Laird’s collaborate on Old Glory Rye and Apple Brandy blend
• Jack Daniel’s debuts ultra-premium Halo MK1 McLaren F1 Team collaboration
• Stitzel-Weller releases $3,000 Stitzel Reserve 31-Year-Old Bourbon at 163.2 proof
• 15 STARS debuts Kentucke County™ line to celebrate America's 250th anniversary

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On this week’s Bourbon Community Roundtable, the team is throwing down over the biggest rumor to hit the industry in decades: Is Sazerac really trying to buy Brown-Forman for $15 Billion, or is this the ultimate PR stunt? We’re breaking down the health of these two giants and asking the tough questions: Does Brown-Forman actually need Sazerac, or is this just a shark smelling blood in the water? We dig into the strategic timing of the offer and the massive cultural divide between the two companies. From Sazerac’s "boots on the ground" influencer tactics to the legacy-driven machine of Brown-Forman, we analyze the financial mechanics that make this potential deal both fascinating and terrifying. One thing is for sure: the landscape of your local liquor store shelf might never be the same.

Show Notes:

• Sazerac's potential acquisition of Brown-Forman: excitement and implications
• Financial dynamics and what they mean for both companies
• Brand loyalty's role and its impact on bourbon consumers
• Predictions on the merger's likelihood and challenges
• Comparing marketing strategies between Sazerac and Brown-Forman
• Regulatory considerations in the acquisition talks

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Michter’s 10 Year is back and the lines are real. This 2026 release (94.4 proof) delivers big fruit, creamy soft serve vibes, and rich cherry oak. Is it worth the wait?

DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly.

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It's This Week in Bourbon for May 1st 2026. Merger discussions between Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard are over, four North Carolina lobbyists have been indicted for organizing a bourbon tasting, and Blade and Bow re-releases of its ultra-premium 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

Show Notes:

• Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard merger talks collapse, reopening the door for Sazerac’s $15B bid
• Bardstown Bourbon Company launches NFC-enabled "Bourbon Gifting Reimagined" for personalized digital messaging
• North Carolina lobbyists indicted for illegal bourbon trip while "Operation High Octane" sweeps illicit secondary sales
• Maker’s Mark partners with basketball star Kelsey Plum for "Yam Jam" Private Selection and charity cocktail
• Major spirits brands pivot to TikTok as platform finalizes age-gating for organic and influencer content
• Blade and Bow re-releases ultra-premium 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon for April 2026
• Wenzel Distillery announces Batch 2 of Sherry Barrel Finished Bourbon following World Whiskies Award win
• A. Smith Bowman returns to rye after 16 years with experimental 11-year Abraham Bowman release
• Blue Run Spirits debuts Blueprint Series as its new national flagship Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Starlight Distillery unveils inaugural Dana Huber signature Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon release

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