Bourbon Podcast

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!

As Eric Church and Raj Alva began the development of Whiskey JYPSI, they sought the help of experienced whiskey masters and blenders who could help them reimagine traditional whiskey industry conventions. After countless meetings with master distillers and blenders, they decided Ari Sussman was the first man for the job.After all, Ari had been the head of Spirits Development for Michigan State’s Artisan Distilling Program and an award-winning whiskey maker. But he also had a healthy dose of the JYPSI Spirit in him. Before entering the whiskey world full time, Ari’s career included winemaking in France, bartending on multiple continents, and working with seed banks to revive historic grain varietals for whiskey making. He also raised ostriches and almonds with Bedouin tribes in the Middle East. And when it comes to whiskey, it turns out he is a remarkable experimenter, tinkerer and innovator. “The mad scientist,” they call him. Which made Ari the perfect choice for creating something new. Called Whiskey JYPSI.

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!

David Thomas Tao writer, reviewer, producer, and spirits expert based in New York City. A Kentucky native and Kentucky Colonel, David’s passion for drinks began in bourbon and has since expanded to all corners of the spirits world. He’s a member of The Barleycorn Society, one of the beverage world’s most prestigious tasting panels.David covers the world of spirits, cocktails, and hospitality, with a particular (but not singular) focus on whiskey.David’s writing has appeared in Fortune, Forbes, Slate, VinePair, Drinkhacker, and Malt Review. In 2016, he co-founded BarBend.com, which grew to become one of the world’s largest independent fitness publishers. David served as BarBend's CEO, leading growth to over 30 million annual readers before the company was acquired in 2023.David graduated from Harvard College and was a Forbes 30 Under 30 list maker for Media in 2019. He’s an active producer of movies, television, and Broadway stage productions. Recent credits include serving as an Executive Producer on “Ferrari” (2023), directed by Michael Mann, as well as “Illinoise” and “Oh, Mary!” on Broadway (both 2024).

The guys partnered with the WVU Hospital Foundation in a barrel pick for charity. Cheers!

Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel Tennessee Whiskey is a permanent line extension that was announced in August 2025, first reaching United States markets and expanding into international markets thereafter. The release follows limited edition bottlings of the whiskey in 2018 and 2019. For the initial release, a total of 400 barrels were dumped. However, barrels will be dumped on an ongoing basis, with the intention of making the product readily available.

Buffalo Trace Distillery announced two super-premium wheat whiskey innovations from the Original Wheated Bourbon brand, including Weller 18 Year Old, the brand’s oldest age statement to date. Meticulously crafted to push the boundaries of maturation and blending, these releases boldly demonstrate the exceptional aging potential and versatility of wheat in American whiskey production. Cheers!

The guys get a chance to pick a barrel of Elijah Craig Toasted. Listen to what the guys like! Cheers! Made to honor the innovative spirit of Elijah Craig, this twice-barreled expression takes their award-winning Small Batch Bourbon to new heights. After it’s fully matured, they finish it in a second, custom toasted barrel, where it picks up an added layer of sweet oak complexity.

2025 Angel's Envy Cellar Collection Vol.5. Inspired by tequila’s distinct production process, their Master Distiller set out to innovate beyond fortified wine and explore barrels from a new continent and spirit category. What he discovered was an extraordinary find—Patrón French Oak Extra Añejo Tequila barrels that had held agave distillate for four years. Exceedingly rare for both their French Oak construction and extended aging, these barrels lend a rich, spiced finish to their Straight Rye Whiskey.

For someone who wants a more complex bourbon experience, Four Roses Single Barrel embodies the uniqueness of an individual barrel hand-selected by our Master Distiller. It achieves a pronounced yet elegant flavor that is worth savoring. This bottle is the inspiration behind the Single Barrel Collection. Cheers!

Rick and Ricky Johnson return to show to talk some bourborn with the guys! Cheers!There was a time when craft, courage, and character shaped the American frontier. First West is created in that same spirit. These bourbons are made for those who don’t follow the map, but chart their own course. Your journey begins with First West.

In 1753, Swiss Mennonite farmer John Shenk founded Shenk’s distillery, which was later renamed Bomberger’s Distillery in the 1800s before having its name changed once again to Michter’s Distillery in the mid-20th Century. It is this great heritage that we honor with the release of Bomberger’s Declaration and Shenk’s Homestead which comprise our Michter’s Legacy Series.

Eagle Rare 12-Year Bourbon Whiskey continues Eagle Rare's endeavor to offer enthusiasts innovative new expressions on its journey to make the world's best whiskey. This bourbon is aged for a minimum of 12 years in a meticulously-monitored warehouse and is hand-selected by the distillery's expert team. Eagle Rare is a bourbon that lives up to its name with its lofty, distinctive taste experience.Eagle Rare Bourbon Whiskey is masterfully crafted and carefully aged for no less than ten years. Every barrel is discriminately selected to offer consistent flavor but with a seemingly individual personality. Eagle Rare is a bourbon that lives up to its name with its lofty, distinctive taste experience.

The first release of their new Cigar Sessions series—crafted to elevate the cigar experience, one pour at a time. Chapter 1 is a masterful blend of Straight Bourbon, American Single Malt, and American Light Whiskey, aged six years and bottled at 101 proof. Developed in collaboration with master cigar blenders, this rich and balanced expression was designed to complement medium-bodied cigars with depth, complexity, and harmony. Cheers!

Michter's US*1 Single Barrel Straight Rye Whiskey is made from a mash comprised primarily of fresh, plump rye grains. Once the grains are harvested, they are sheared so that during fermentation, the grains are saturated with more flavor. After the grains have been fermented, they are distilled through a copper-pot still before being matured in charred, American oak barrels. The barrels are allowed to rest in a heat-cycled warehouse, which forces the wood to expand and contract as the temperature rises and falls. This heat cycling causes the whiskey and wood to mingle with each other, and contributes notes of marmalade and light caramel to the rye. Cheers!

Old Fitzgerald Bourbon has a long history of excellence, dating back to 1870. Today, this 7-Year-Old expression is made under the exacting standards of the Bottled-in-Bond Act, with a whisper of wheat. Rich and viscous, with notes of brown sugar, baking spices, and oak—this Bourbon is worth sharing. So, make it Your Key to Hospitality. Cheers!

Born in the shadow of the first Old Stubborn, the rye bourbon release had a lot to live up to. A little sibling rivalry was all it took to have this release pushing itself to deliver big. And boy howdy, it’s no slouch. In the spirit of kinship - this release was magically identical in proof to the first, 123.8. It could not have been planned. Like its sibling, it is a hand marriage of 11 barrels, this time comprising of 10, 11, and 12 years, producing just over 1,400 bottles. It has the namesake complexity and long finish you have come to expect. Cheers!

Rare Character's Brook Hill 10-Year is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey known for its rich flavor profile and connection to the legacy of Brook Hill Whiskey, which was originally produced by Joseph L. Friedman. This single barrel expression is aged for a decade in charred oak barrels, resulting in a deep amber color and a complex taste. It features notes of vanilla, caramel, toasted oak, dark chocolate, and dried fruit, with a long, warming finish. The high proof (often around 129.92 or 64.96% ABV) contributes to its robust and full-bodied character. Cheers!