It's This Week in Bourbon for December 12th 2025. WhistlePig Distillery has opened The WhistlePig Vault in Louisville, Garrison Brothers Distillery has released a limited-edition Spurs Single Barrel bourbon, and The Old Forester 117 Series is releasing their Prohibition Era Still Proof.

Show Notes:

• WhistlePig opened "The Vault" in Louisville—an immersive experience in a bank featuring a blending room and unique cocktail service via ATM tube
• Maker's Mark became the first Official Spirits Partner of the Unrivaled women's basketball league, their first-ever sports league sponsorship
• Jack Daniel's Distillery Series #16, a Tennessee Rye, was released after finishing in Southern table syrup barrels (exclusive to Tennessee)
• Garrison Brothers released a limited-edition Spurs Single Barrel to celebrate the San Antonio Spurs' City Edition uniforms return
• Old Hickory launched two new age-stated whiskies: a 12-year Straight Rye BiB and a 15-year Barrel Proof Whiskey
• Ole Smoky Distillery expanded nationwide into the premium straight whiskey category with a four-year-old Tennessee Straight Bourbon
• Old Forester 117 Series released the Prohibition Era Still Proof at 130 proof, marking Repeal Day with a historic strength
• Cathead Distillery introduced Tintype #3 'Kenny Brown,' an 11-year, high-rye, uncut & unfiltered Old Soul Bourbon

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We all know music and whiskey just inherently go together, but how do you actually build a successful business around that synergy? In this episode, we're sitting down with Ryan Gill, the Director of Marketing and Brand Development for Three Chord Bourbon. Ryan’s journey is pretty cool because he started his life in music production. He takes us through his early days running liquor stores in Memphis, where he first saw the magic of music and whiskey intertwine, straight through to his current role leading brand vision at Three Chord. We get into the inception of Three Chord and where Neil Girlado becomes a face of it. Plus, we dive into their innovative tactics, from artist collaborations to cool limited releases, and he even pitches us some great ideas for immersive experiences, like acoustic sessions right there in the liquor store. I'm you're a huge music junkie, this one's for you.

Show Notes:

• Ryan Gill's origins in retail and concert promotion
• Journey from liquor store manager to brand leader at Three Chord Bourbon
• The role of Dock 52 in his whiskey career
• Three Chord's mission to bridge music and whiskey cultures
• Creative branding strategies and artist collaborations
• Insights into the whiskey blending process
• Building community within the whiskey and music industries
• The concept of immersive retail experiences through acoustic sessions

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We cracked open the 2025 Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch Bourbon to see if this year’s blend lives up to the hype. Full tasting notes, honest reactions, and whether it’s worth chasing for $250. Cheers.

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 December 5th 2025. The founders of Uncle Nearest Distillery have filed an emergency motion, Catoctin Creek is trying to raise US$5 million, and Goose Island Brewery and Heaven Hill Distillery have partnered to release the 2025 Bourbon County Brand Reserve Stout.

Show Notes:

• Bourbon Pursuit video contradicted Adam Herz's report by suggesting the vintage whiskey counterfeiter's bottles might have shown up at Unicorn Auctions instead of Lot 14
• Uncle Nearest founders filed an emergency motion to prevent a court-appointed receiver from sharing sensitive trade secrets with potential rival buyers
• Nova Scotia will sell off US$14 million in US alcohol stock pulled due to tariffs and donate the US$4 million net profit to community food organizations.
• Catoctin Creek Distilling is raising up to US$5 million via a Private Placement Memorandum for growth, with plans for a large partner transition in 5-7 years
• Cave City, KY, is celebrating the opening of Dueling Grounds and MB Roland tasting rooms downtown, establishing the city as a major Western Kentucky bourbon destination
• Baker's Bourbon released 125 pairs of hand-painted collector's gloves honoring Baker Beam, retailing for $39.99
• Jack Daniel’s launched its annual Barrel Tree sale, offering 140 barrels for $200 each to benefit the military community's "Operation Ride Home" program
• Goose Island partnered with Heaven Hill for its 2025 Bourbon County Brand Reserve Stout, aged two years in Parker's Heritage 17th Edition Rye barrels

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Is your love of high-proof, perfectly aged bourbon actually good for you? Or are we all just telling ourselves that? Today, we're tackling the elephant in the whiskey room with the science: Dr. Ulysses Wu (Yuli), the Chief Epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare. Uly's personal journey is wild—from corporate finance to infectious diseases—and now he focuses on the intersection of alcohol, health, and longevity. He joins us to share his personal bourbon journey and how he accidentally procured some seriously rare Stitzel-Weller when nobody was looking. In this eye-opening episode, we dive into: The Calorie Problem for barrel-proof bourbon, Uly's concept of "firewalls" (the human ability to curb excess), why robust long-term health studies on alcohol are so difficult to conduct, and the profound psychological impact of bourbon, which Uly calls a "time machine" for positive memories. This is a mandatory listen for anyone who loves brown water and wants to understand the science behind drinking healthily and responsibly.

Show Notes:

• Introduction to Dr. Ulysses Wu (Uly), Chief Epidemiologist at Hartford HealthCare
• Uly’s surprising career shift from corporate finance to infectious diseases
• The connection between alcohol, health, and longevity
• Uly's personal bourbon journey, including the accidental procurement of rare Stitzel-Weller
• Scientific discussion on the true caloric content of barrel-proof bourbon
• Analysis of "firewalls"—the psychological ability to prevent excess in consumption
• Challenges of conducting robust, long-term health studies on alcohol consumption
• The psychological power of bourbon as a "time machine" for positive memory creation
• Advice for drinking bourbon responsibly and healthily
• Alcohol and Health Research and Data from Dr. Wu
• Support this podcast on Patreon

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Join us as we crack open Ingram’s new Unchartered wheated bourbon, aged in their floating barrel warehouses drifting along the Mississippi River. Creamy texture, cola notes, classic caramel and vanilla, and a price point that makes the one-liter bottle the obvious move.

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 November 28th 2025. The Lodge at Trial and Error is open, Jim Gaffigan’s Releases A Bourbon Set on YouTube, and Vintage Whiskey Counterfeiter Exposed in Maryland.

Show Notes:

• Jim Gaffigan's new bourbon-themed stand-up special, "Live from Old Forester: The Bourbon Set," is now streaming on his YouTube channel
• Elijah Craig is debuting a new fragrance, Char No. 3 Cologne, inspired by the warm, smoky scent of their charred oak barrels
• A man in Maryland was exposed for producing and selling at least 50 bottles of counterfeit "vintage" whiskeys by refilling old bottles with modern spirits
• Black Button Distilling, recently acquired by Blackstar, terminated its entire staff, including the founder, as the company moves to liquidate assets
• Give 270's Whiskey Wednesdays raffle offers a chance to win a full Pappy Van Winkle vertical and an exclusive bourbon set signed by comedian Jim Gaffigan
• Chattanooga Whiskey's signature recipe, Chattanooga Whiskey 91, is now available in a new, larger 1.5 liter bottle size in Tennessee and Georgia
• Foley Family Wines & Spirits, featuring Master Distiller Chip Tate, announced Ampersand, a new collection of unexpected spirits blends including bourbon finished in Tokaji barrels
• Support this podcast on Patreon

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Did the world need a 45 minute standup set on Bourbon? Probably not but I'm sure glad it's happened. I am thrilled to welcome back the hilarious Jim Gaffigan for his second time on the show! Since his last time on the show when he launched Fathertime Bourbon, Jim has been traveling the country and getting hooked into the bourbon scene at every stop. His journey has gone from curious to borderline hoarder because he reveals that he keeps a spreadsheet of his bourbon purchases, which just proves he's definitely one of us. The real subject of this show is to share the details about his new special, A Bourbon Set. 45 minutes of uncontrollable laughter that only us bourbon nerds will understand because we've all experienced it before. Don't wait, go now to YouTube to watch it because it's already hit 1M streams. And make sure you stay to watch the credits, you may see some familiar faces.

Show Notes:

• Jim Gaffigan's entry into bourbon during the pandemic
• The importance of bourbon in fostering community and masculinity
• Collaboration with Stu Pollard to create Father Time bourbon
• Humorous takes on bourbon hunting
• The fervor of bourbon collectors and “bourbon nerds”
• Charitable contributions in the bourbon community
• Promotion of Gaffigan’s special, *A Bourbon Set*
• Information on purchasing Father Time bourbon and upcoming meet-and-greet events
• Support this podcast on Patreon

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Maker’s Mark dropped their 2025 Cellar Aged release, and we were not ready for what happened in the glass. We break down the blend, the proof, the price, and why this year’s edition hits differently. If you’ve been on the fence about the Cellar Aged series, this might be the one that changes your mind.

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 November 21st 2025. Buffalo Trace does a pop-up in Mumbai, A break-in happened at Castle & Key, and Rabbit Hole Distillery introduces Amrûlé.

Show Notes:

• EU's top court rules non-alcoholic drinks cannot legally be labeled as "gin"
• Buffalo Trace launches its 27th annual "Holidays at the Trace" celebration in December, featuring "Spirited Nights" and a complimentary drive-through light show
• Sazerac promotes its bourbons in India with a three-day, immersive pop-up experience in Mumbai following the removal of retaliatory tariffs
• A new continuing appropriations bill recriminalizes most hemp-derived THC products by setting a strict 0.4 mg total THC limit per container
• Three men from Cincinnati face felony charges after breaking into Castle & Key Distillery, stealing bourbon, and damaging property during a two-hour manhunt
• New Riff Distilling re-releases its malt-focused Winter Whiskey and barrel-strength Sherry Finish Malted Rye for the holidays
• Country music artist Riley Green partners with Morningside Brands to launch Duck Club™ Bourbon, a new brand supporting wetland protection
• Rabbit Hole introduces Amrûlé, a limited-edition Sour Mash Rye finished in custom Maple Brûlé barrels
• Chattanooga Whiskey announces Batch 046: Spiced Cacao Infused, a bourbon liqueur featuring cacao nibs, cinnamon, vanilla, and two varieties of dried chiles
• Support this podcast on Patreon

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The bourbon world has a lot of tradition, but what happens when someone throws out the rulebook and decides to treat whiskey making like a scientific pursuit and a creative endeavor? That’s what our guest is doing today. We're sitting down with Macaulay Minton, the self-proclaimed Chief Alchemist of Dark Arts Whiskey House. This is Macauley's second time on the show and if you don't remember here's a bit about him. He was studying law but realized it wasn't his ultimate career path and became the Barrel Program Manager at Wilderness Trail. After Campari acquired Wildernes Trail he left and started his own brand and today he shares the creative vision behind Dark Arts. Macaulay gets candid about the major challenges of launching a brand right in the middle of a pandemic, from securing financing to maintaining a positive mindset. We walk through some of Dark Arts' most innovative—and sometimes controversial—aspects, including their use of unique wood finishes and their famous "Blunt Blend." This is a brand committed to pushing boundaries in a seriously crowded market. Plus, we get the inside scoop on the symbolic meanings behind their distinct labels and their newly opened venue in Lexington.

Show Notes:

• Macaulay Minton's transition from law to whiskey-making
• The journey from Wilderness Trail to founding Dark Arts Whiskey House
• Creativity and positivity in the face of entrepreneurial challenges
• Discussion of alchemical principles in whiskey production
• Unique offerings of Dark Arts, including wood finishes and experimental blends
• Symbolism of Dark Arts labels and storytelling through whiskey
• Insight into the creation of the "Blunt Blend"
• Vision for the immersive experience at Dark Arts Whiskey House
• Importance of community engagement in whiskey appreciation
• Support this podcast on Patreon

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