Bourbon Lens

We are celebrating a BIG milestone this week as we release the 300th Episode of Bourbon Lens.  Old Forester and Brown-Forman were gracious enough to invite Jake and Scott to Whiskey Row to celebrate.  Bourbon Lens is joined by Melissa Rift and Caleb Trigo from Old Forester to discuss the historic brand, its legacy and future, and to toast our milestone with the 2024 Edition of Birthday Bourbon.  We couldn’t think of a better choice for celebrating this milestone episode and thank the team at Brown-Forman and Old Forester for their support all these years. As we celebrate this milestone, we also want to thank all of our listeners over the past 6 years, our Patreon supporters, and each of the brands that have helped make Bourbon Lens a success.  Cheers to you and the next 300 Episodes! Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there.  We are thankful for your support over the last 6 years. We must give the biggest shoutout to our amazing community of Patreon supporters! As always, we'd appreciate it if you would take a few minutes time to give us feedback on Bourbon Lens podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 Star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a written review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show. Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.  Also, consider supporting Bourbon Lens on Patreon for some of the behind the scenes, to earn Bourbon Lens swag, join the Bourbon Lens Tasting Club, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com. Check out BourbonLens.com to find our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and whiskey reviews. Cheers,Scott and JakeBourbon Lens   For more details on Melissa Rift and Caleb Trigo and the critical roles they play at Old Forester, check out these posts at BourbonLens.com: Old Forester Master Taster Melissa Rift Caleb Trigo Named Assistant Master Distiller Old Forester 2024 Birthday Bourbon  

It’s the question that every whiskey enthusiast has been asked: What’s the one bottle of whiskey you keep on your bar?  Since one bottle clearly wouldn’t make a great podcast, we decided to up the ante a bit and decided to build the Ultimate 5 Bottle American Whiskey Bar.  Jake and Scott run through how they would build their whiskey bar if only afforded 5 slots. We’ve given ourselves criteria in hopes of finding a bottle for every niche and occasion.   We run through our choices for 1) best everyday whiskey, 2) best cocktail whiskey, 3) high proof whiskey, 4) Top Shelf whiskey, and 5) a “wild card” whiskey of our choice to round out the bar.  What do we pick?  Tune in to find out.  And be sure to reach out to us on social media and share your #5BottleWhiskeyBar. Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there.  We are thankful for your support over the last 5 years. We must give the biggest shoutout to our growing Patreon Community of supporters! As always, we'd appreciate it if you would take a few minutes time to give us feedback on Bourbon Lens podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 Star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a written review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show. Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.  Also, consider supporting Bourbon Lens on Patreon for some of the behind the scenes, to earn Bourbon Lens swag, join the Bourbon Lens Tasting Club, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com. Check out BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and whiskey reviews. Cheers,Scott and JakeBourbon Lens  

It’s been a wild season of new whiskey and bourbon releases and we’re catching up on some of the ones you may have missed. The press releases have been coming in fast and furious of late and Bourbon Lens is doing our best to keep you abreast of all the news.  We recap some of the most exciting releases from the heritage Kentucky distilleries, the best distilleries both inside and outside of Kentucky, and even some celebrity brands that have the whiskey world talking. As always, be sure you’re following along at BourbonLens.com for all the latest news and notes of the whiskey world. Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there.  We are thankful for your support over the last 5 years. We must give the biggest shoutout to our growing Patreon Community of supporters! As always, we'd appreciate it if you would take a few minutes time to give us feedback on Bourbon Lens podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 Star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a written review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show. Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.  Also, consider supporting Bourbon Lens on Patreon for some of the behind the scenes, to earn Bourbon Lens swag, join the Bourbon Lens Tasting Club, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com. Check out BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and whiskey reviews. Cheers,Scott and JakeBourbon Lens Artwork Generated by Artificial Intelligence

Scott and Jake sit down to debrief after a long weekend at the Kentucky Bourbon Festival.  We discuss some of our favorite pours and experiences from yet another memorable Festival. We must give a shoutout to our AirBnB housemates who joined us to celebrate and to all our listeners who introduced themselves over the weekend. We wrap up this recap episode with some tips to consider as you plan your trip to the 2025 Kentucky Bourbon Festival on September 5 - 7, 2025. Thank you to the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, its board and staff, and Estes PR for inviting us to the Festival to cover the events and festivities of the weekend. Image Credit: BourbonBlog.com's Tom Fischer Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there.  We are thankful for your support over the last 5 years. We must give the biggest shoutout to our growing Patreon Community of supporters! As always, we'd appreciate it if you would take a few minutes time to give us feedback on Bourbon Lens podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 Star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a written review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show. Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.  Also, consider supporting Bourbon Lens on Patreon for some of the behind the scenes, to earn Bourbon Lens swag, join the Bourbon Lens Tasting Club, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com. Check out BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and whiskey reviews. Cheers,Scott and JakeBourbon Lens    

Scott and Jake travel to Newport Kentucky to visit New Riff Distilling and sit down with co-founder Jay Erisman.  We kick back inside the Aquifer Bar to discuss New Riff’s history, their whiskey portfolio, and what’s ahead now that the distillery recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.   In this episode, we taste New Riff Bottled in Bond Bourbon, Silver Grove Bourbon, Malted Rye, and their 8 Year Bourbon.  Stay tuned to Bourbon Lens for more coverage of New Riff coming soon, including their second batch of Kentucky Single Malt and their Whisky NRD tasting courses currently scheduled at the distillery. About New Riff: Fiercely independent and unabashedly innovative: New Riff Distilling starts with time-honored sour mash methods and bottled-in-bond standards, creating new riffs on old traditions since 2014. Located in Northern Kentucky — the gateway to bourbon country — the independently-owned distillery produces award-winning bourbon, rye, single malt whiskey and gin. Bourbon and rye are also available in single barrel selections, and the distillery boasts a popular private barrel selection program offering quarter, half and full barrel picks complete with personalized labels. New Riff sources its water from an alluvial aquifer under the distillery, accessed via a 100’ deep private well and providing cold, clean and mineral-rich water perfect for whiskey making. The public-facing spaces in the distillery, renovated in 2023, include the Riff Shop with customizable gifting options and locally sourced artisan goods; and The Aquifer Tasting Room, located on the third floor of the distillery, featuring signature cocktails, flights, and pours of New Riff’s entire portfolio of award-winning spirits including rare, limited-edition, and distillery-exclusive releases. About Jay Erisman: Jay Erisman is vice-president of strategic development and co-founder of New Riff Distilling. A home brewer who became a fine spirits expert and then a self-taught distiller, Erisman is nicknamed New Riff’s “chief blender and palate.” He focuses on grains and raw ingredients, cooperage, aging strategies, product development and regulatory compliance. An expert in pot still distillation, Erisman also spearheads the distillery’s gins. Previously, Erisman served as fine spirits manager at The Party Source.

We continue our coverage for Bourbon Heritage Month as we explore Four Roses Bourbon, including their new Limited Edition Small Batch release for 2024.  We are joined by Brent Elliott, Master Distiller for Four Roses Bourbon Distillery.  We discuss Brent’s process for crafting this limited edition bourbon, the 10 different recipes of Four Roses Bourbon, the distillery’s commitment to quality and tradition, and the recent announcement of an expansion of the Four Roses Bourbon recipe lineup.  What is your favorite Four Roses recipe or release? About Four Roses: Established in 1888, Four Roses combines two mashbills with five proprietary yeast strains to distill and age 10 distinct bourbon recipes, each with its own unique flavor profile. With distilling and warehousing operations in Lawrenceburg and Cox’s Creek, Kentucky, respectively, Four Roses is available in all 50 states. This past year, Four Roses has received 54 awards, including 2 Double Platinum medals, 3 Platinum medals, 9 Double Gold medals and 22 Gold medals from esteemed competitions such as the American Whiskey Masters and Whiskies of the World. About Brent Elliott, Master Distiller for Four Roses Bourbon Distillery: Brent Elliott became Master Distiller at Four Roses in September 2015 and has been involved in producing award-winning premium Bourbons since he began working with the company in 2005.  As Master Distiller, Elliott ensures that each bottle of Four Roses is handcrafted with the same passion and quality that the brand has maintained since 1888. Elliott’s years of experience with Four Roses include everything from applying his Chemistry degree in production, to formulating Four Roses’ 10 distinct Bourbon recipes and hand-selecting barrels for award-winning bottlings that the brand has become known for around the world. Elliott also frequently travels on behalf of the brand, sharing his deep industry and brand knowledge through tastings, seminars, training sessions and events. Named Master Distiller/Blender of the Year at the 2020 Icons of Whisky America award ceremony, Elliott is particularly proud of Small Batch Select, the distillery’s newest permanent product-line extension since 2006, and the biggest addition to the storied history of the 132-year-old brand since he became Master Distiller. Since its release, Small Batch Select was ranked No. 3 in Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 Whiskies of 2019 – the highest-rated Bourbon on the list – and also earned Category Silver for Kentucky Bourbon at the 2020 World Whiskies Awards.  A native of Owensboro, Kentucky, Elliott resides in Frankfort Kentucky with his wife, Amy, and their two children.

We’re kicking off National Bourbon Heritage Month with one of the legendary distilleries of Kentucky Bourbon.  We’ve traveled to James B. Beam Distilling Co. to chat about the Homeplace, located in Clermont, Kentucky and their 90th year at that location.  Alex Bowie, Director of Homeplace Experience at James B. Beam Distilling Co. sits down with Jake and Scott inside the Historic Beam House. We discuss how Beam has evolved its Homeplace over the last 90 years, the importance of adapting to the evolving bourbon tourist, and some of the innovations coming from this historic distillery. After listening to this week’s episode, you need to head to BeamDistilling.com to plan your trip to Clermont and book your experiences to immerse yourself in the James B. Beam Distilling Co.   Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there.  We are thankful for your support over the last 5 years. We must give the biggest shoutout to our growing Patreon Community of supporters! As always, we'd appreciate it if you would take a few minutes time to give us feedback on Bourbon Lens podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 Star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a written review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show. Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.  Also, consider supporting Bourbon Lens on Patreon for some of the behind the scenes, to earn Bourbon Lens swag, join the Bourbon Lens Tasting Club, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com. Check out BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and whiskey reviews. Cheers,Scott and JakeBourbon Lens About The James B. Beam Distilling Co. Founded by America’s first family of bourbon, the James B. Beam Distilling Co. has crafted genuine American Whiskey since 1795. Its portfolio includes globally coveted and award-winning whiskey brands including Jim Beam®, Basil Hayden®, Knob Creek®, Booker’s®, Baker’s®, Little Book®, Legent®, Old Tub®, Old Overholt®, Old Crow®, and Old Grand-Dad®. Maintaining the whiskey traditions of eight generations of family distillers while advancing the category through innovation, the Beam family has defined what American Whiskey could be and should be for more than 225 years. The James B. Beam Distilling Co. crafts American Whiskey with genuine, quality ingredients that are distilled and aged without compromise at its family distilleries in Clermont, Kentucky. Head over to beamdistilling.com. While there, you’ll find more information about The James B. Beam Distilling Co. and to purchase tickets to any of their experiences. While tours are limited to guests age 21+, guests of any age can visit the grounds and The Kitchen Table restaurant. The James B. Beam Distilling Co. is an ideal location and venue for weddings, corporate travel and meetings, family gatherings, bachelor(ette) parties, birthdays and more. Image Credit: LOVE & Luke Hayes

We travel to The Last Refuge in Louisville’s NuLu neighborhood to visit the future brand home of Heaven’s Door Whiskey.  We are joined by Adam Edwards, National Brand Ambassador, to discuss the inspiration behind the brand, Bob Dylan’s art and music, and their portfolio of whiskeys.  Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there.  We are thankful for your support over the last 5 years. We must give the biggest shoutout to our growing Patreon Community of supporters! As always, we'd appreciate it if you would take a few minutes time to give us feedback on Bourbon Lens podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 Star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a written review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show. Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.  Also, consider supporting Bourbon Lens on Patreon for some of the behind the scenes, to earn Bourbon Lens swag, join the Bourbon Lens Tasting Club, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com. Check out BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and whiskey reviews. Cheers,Scott and JakeBourbon Lens   About Heaven’s Door: Heaven’s Door is a collection of handcrafted American Whiskeys co-created with Bob Dylan. The perfect blend of art and craft, a collection of stories to be savored and shared. Each bottle of Heaven’s Door showcases Dylan’s distinctive welded iron gates he created in his studio, Black Buffalo Ironworks. To learn more about our whiskey, visit heavensdoor.com About Adam Edwards Adam Edwards, with two decades of experience in the spirits industry, possesses extensive knowledge of the history and depth of fine wines and whiskeys. Originally from the heart of Kentucky in Louisville, Adam's roots run deep, fueling his passionate mission to enlighten enthusiasts nationwide about the rich heritage of Bourbon Whiskey. As a distinguished Certified Executive Bourbon Stewart and holder of the Spirits WSET II – With Distinction Certificate, Adam is active in the Bourbon community, conducting educational panels and training sessions for trade, consumers, and media alike. When not participating in Bourbon culture, Adam can be found hiking in the woods with his wife and daughter, running with his two dogs Saz and Boo, or playing the tuba in a New Orleans-style brass group. Articles: Heaven's Door Distillery - Bourbon Lens Bob Dylan's Heaven's Door bourbon brand center to open in Louisville Heaven's Door | Award-Winning Bourbon Whiskey & Distillery The Collection | Heaven's Door Whiskey Inside Heaven's Door's New Distillery and Visitor's Center   Image Credit: Heaven's Door

Bourbon Lens is joined by Raj Alva, Co-Founder of Outsiders Spirits, and Ari Sussman, renowed whiskey-maker, to discuss their project Whiskey JYPSI.  We discuss the origin story of the brand, including co-founder Eric Church, how his music inspires the direction of the brand, and what’s in store for their future. Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there.  We are thankful for your support over the last 5 years. We must give the biggest shoutout to our growing Patreon Community of supporters! As always, we'd appreciate it if you would take a few minutes time to give us feedback on Bourbon Lens podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 Star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a written review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show. Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.  Also, consider supporting Bourbon Lens on Patreon for some of the behind the scenes, to earn Bourbon Lens swag, join the Bourbon Lens Tasting Club, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com. Check out BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and whiskey reviews. Cheers,Scott and JakeBourbon Lens About Outsiders Spirits Outsiders Spirits, LLC was founded in 2020 by CMA Entertainer of the Year and 10-time GRAMMY nominee Eric Church and entrepreneur Raj Alva as a purpose-driven incubator for whiskey innovation. The company officially launched its first whiskey release, Whiskey JYPSI Legacy Batch 001, in May 2023. It has since won multiple national and international awards, including the coveted Double Gold Medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and superlative ratings from the NY International Spirits Competition, the PR%F Awards and the Beverage Testing Institute. In April of this year, their all-new Explorer Series was released and has since won Gold in the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. For more information, visit WhiskeyJYPSI.com and follow @WhiskeyJYPSI on Facebook, Instagram, and X. About Eric Church A seven-time ACM Award winner, four-time CMA Award winner (including the 2020 award for Entertainer of the Year) and 10-time GRAMMY nominee, Church has amassed a passionate fan base around the globe known as the Church Choir, plus a critically acclaimed catalog of music. Known for his tenacity on the road, his recent The Outsiders Revival Tour earned rave reviews as he brought a rotating lineup of emerging artists along for the first fully-outdoor tour of his career. His prior outing, the 55-city The Gather Again Tour, offered fans an in-the-round arena show and earned the 2022 Billboard Music Award for Top Country Tour. Church is currently working on new music as the follow up to his most recent chart-topping project, the Heart & Soul triple album, which featured the results of a marathon session during which he spent nearly a month writing and recording a song per day while sequestered in rural North Carolina. This followed his Gold-certified Desperate Man, which earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album (his third nod in the category) and prior releases including the Platinum-certified Sinners Like Me (“How ’Bout You,” “Guys Like Me”), Carolina (“Smoke a Little Smoke,” “Love Your Love the Most”) and Mr. Misunderstood (“Record Year,” “Round Here Buzz”), the Double-Platinum certified The Outsiders (“Like a Wrecking Ball,” “Talladega”) and the 3x Platinum-certified Chief(“Springsteen,” “Drink In My Hand”), as well as 30 Gold, Platinum and multi-Platinum certified songs. Church is also a minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets, a co-owner of the iconic Field & Stream brand, has his own SiriusXM music channel, “Eric Church Outsiders Radio,” and recently opened Chief’s, a six-story venue on Nashville’s famed lower Broadway. For more information, visit EricChurch.com and follow on Facebook and Twitter @ericchurch and Instagram @ericchurchmusic.

Jake takes a deep dive into Scotland in this week’s episode featuring Tamdhu Single Malt Whisky.  He’s joined by Gordon Dallas, Brand Development & Advocacy Director for Tamdhu, for an informative and enlightening comparative tasting of a portion of the Tamdhu portfolio of sherry cask whiskies. Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there.  We are thankful for your support over the last 5 years. We must give the biggest shoutout to our growing Patreon Community of supporters! As always, we'd appreciate it if you would take a few minutes time to give us feedback on Bourbon Lens podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 Star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a written review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show. Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.  Also, consider supporting Bourbon Lens on Patreon for some of the behind the scenes, to earn Bourbon Lens swag, join the Bourbon Lens Tasting Club, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com. Check out BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and whiskey reviews. Cheers,Scott and JakeBourbon Lens   About Tamdhu: Tamdhu is owned by Ian MacLeod Distillers, one of Scotland’s leading independent family-owned distillers. Tamdhu is 100% matured in the finest Oloroso sherry oak casks from Spain. Tamdhu uses only the best Oloroso sherry seasoned American and European oak casks giving the award-winning single malt its natural, dark amber color, intense richness on the palate and its deep, long finish. Born on the banks of the River Spey in 1897, its quality is also defined by the wisp of peat in its malted barley and the natural Speyside water that is drawn directly from the Tamdhu spring. About Gordon Dundas, International Brand Ambassador for Ian MacLeod Distillers: Gordon has been working in the whisky industry directly for over 17 years. Although initially having been an engineer and then working in the Sport events and hospitality industry, he had always had an interest in the wonderful whisky world. Gordon started working for international title Whisky Magazine in 2003 gaining incredible insights and knowledge of the whisky industry and setting up the famous Whisky Live shows internationally in the US, Asia and Australia. In 2011, Gordon then joined Morrison Bowmore Distillers (and laterally Beam Suntory) as Global Brand Ambassador working in European, Asian and Travel Retail markets. Working on Bowmore, Auchentoshan and Glen Garioch initially then the whole Beam Suntory whisky portfolio. Gordon was honoured to be appointed a Keeper of the Quaich in 2013. In 2017, Gordon joined family owned Ian MacLeod Distillers Ltd (IMD) as International Brand Ambassador. IMD were awarded Whisky Magazine’s 2018 Distiller of the Year, and are producers of the award winning Glengoyne, Tamdhu and Smokehead single malt whiskies along with Edinburgh Gin. In 2017 IMD also purchased Rosebank and are currently in the process of re-building this iconic distillery. Gordon’s whisky journey is always ongoing and he loves the international travel it brings, the fabulous people around the world enjoying whisky and working with a team of talented people! Tamdhu Whiskey Portfolio Snapshot: Tamdhu 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch (SRP: $67.99) - Matured in ex-sherry casks for 12years, this drink holds aromas of cinnamon rolls, orange candy, fresh oak, raisins & traces of mint. The palate offers notes of banana, raspberry jam, malty biscuits & toasted oak, with cinnamon and dried fruit flavors that linger in finish. Tamdhu 15 Year Old Single Malt Scotch (SRP: $129.99) - Aged in Oloroso Sherry casks, this 15 year old Tamdhu has aromas of apple pie, spiced currants and orange zest. The palate is full of juicy apricots, vibrant raspberries and bitter almonds, before a long finish full of malty biscuits and creamy sherry notes. Gold Medal winner at the 2024 San Francisco International Spirits Competition Tamdhu 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch (SRP: $199.99) - The oldest expression at Tamdhu is fully matured only in Oloroso seasoned Sherry Casks. Both the richness of European Oak and the more subtle American Oak flavors combine with the fruity this very limited edition.

Jake is joined by Chris Barton, Master Blender for World Whiskey Society, to talk about the unique whiskey offerings that comprise the collection of WWS releases. Jake tastes the single barrel release of Doc Holliday 7 Year and the latest Japanese Single Malt release crafted in collaboration with Chip Tate.  The WWS also has a new series that pays tribute to Wyatt Earp, their latest releases of American Single Malt Whiskeys. Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there.  We are thankful for your support over the last 5 years. We must give the biggest shoutout to our growing Patreon Community of supporters! As always, we'd appreciate it if you would take a few minutes time to give us feedback on Bourbon Lens podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 Star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a written review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show. Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.  Also, consider supporting Bourbon Lens on Patreon for some of the behind the scenes, to earn Bourbon Lens swag, join the Bourbon Lens Tasting Club, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com. Check out BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and whiskey reviews. Cheers,Scott and JakeBourbon Lens   About World Whiskey Society: Established in 2020, the World Whiskey Society (WWS) comprises an ultra-premium collection of rare expressions previously unavailable to even the most sophisticated whiskey enthusiasts. WWS scours the globe far and wide with a singular goal in mind – uniqueness – before selecting a distillery partner to join WWS. Or they may choose to release something completely new by finishing small-batch American bourbon in exotic oak barrels from Japan. Whether it is the Classic Collection, the Reserve Collection, the tributes to Doc Holliday, or the Diamond Collection, WWS offers whiskies for everyday enjoyment and moments of celebration. About Chris Barton, Master Blender: Chris Barton is a true renaissance man of the spirits world. A former college football player and Marine Corps veteran, Chris brings a unique blend of discipline and passion to his role as Master Blender for World Whiskey Society. He oversees all aspects of the distillery, drawing on his extensive experience in the beverage industry. From his time as a Head Bartender to his roles as a Liquor Store Manager and On-Premise Sales Rep, Chris has a deep understanding of the industry from every angle. He is a leader of the new generation of spirits professionals, dedicated to crafting exceptional whiskey and sharing his knowledge with the world. When he's not blending award-winning spirits, Chris enjoys spending time with his Wife, Son, and two beloved dogs, Weller and Whiskey. About The Doc Holliday Portfolio: Doc Holliday Straight Kentucky Bourbon Single Barrel Edition Aged 6 Years (SRP : $89): Leads with hints of tobacco leaf, green peppercorns, wet charred oak and earth on the nose. On the palate are flavors of cinnamon syrup, spiced raisins, vanilla bean and gentle oak, followed by baking spices, brown sugar, oak wood and a light rye spice finish. 57.9% ABV. Doc Holliday Straight Kentucky Bourbon Single Barrel Edition Aged 7 Years (SRP: $134): Exhibits an impressively deep nose of sweet vanilla bean, mulled spice, and subtle hints of butter. Baked vanilla pairs with explosive flavors of cinnamon-hot candies, baked pie crust, drizzled in butter, and sweet cake batter. A silky mouthfeel filled with space and the gentle underpinning of sweetness in a long and warming finish. 57.9% ABV. Doc Holliday Straight Kentucky Bourbon Single Barrel Edition Aged 10 Years (SRP: $184): Despite its higher proof, the nose is elegant, with cherry and peach pie aromas, as well as vanilla, deep caramel and soft cedar plants touched with apricot and dates. The sip is warm, yet balanced, with burnt orange, apricot jam, and soft marzipan next to black-tea soaked dates, old figs, and brandy-stewed prunes. There are notes of chocolate and hazelnut at the end with a nice mix of mincemeat pies and sticky toffee pudding. 66.4% ABV.  

The Bourbon Lens is joined by Logan Welk, President and Chief Operating Officer of B.R. Distilling Company.  B.R. Distilling is known for their portfolio of Blue Note Bourbon and Rye Whiskeys. Logan has moved up the ranks at Blue Note and is well-versed in the ins-and-outs of the business of bourbon and brand-building. We also discuss whether Blue Note Bourbon and Rye will help improve your pickleball game, on the heels of their recent announcement of becoming the official bourbon of Major League Pickleball. Join us for this insightful and inside-look at growing a bourbon brand. Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there.  We are thankful for your support over the last 5 years. We must give the biggest shoutout to our growing Patreon Community of supporters! As always, we'd appreciate it if you would take a few minutes time to give us feedback on Bourbon Lens podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 Star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a written review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show. Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.  Also, consider supporting Bourbon Lens on Patreon for some of the behind the scenes, to earn Bourbon Lens swag, join the Bourbon Lens Tasting Club, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com. Check out BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and whiskey reviews. Cheers,Scott and JakeBourbon Lens   Blue Note Bourbon™, the award-winning whiskey portfolio which features big notes and a smooth structure, is making waves in the spirits industry. Founded in 2014, B.R. Distilling Company holds the oldest distillery license in the city of Memphis, Tennessee. Blue Note, launched in 2018, is artfully crafted to honor the rich blues music that is synonymous with Memphis.  The brand’s whiskey portfolio is distilled in partnership with Bardstown Bourbon Company (parent company of Green River Distilling Company) and then aged just north of downtown where the Mississippi and Wolf Rivers collide. The long summers filled with infamous Memphis heat and cooler evenings forces the whiskey deep into the oak, creating an unmistakably rich flavor that’s bold yet smooth. “The location of our warehouses with high humidity and higher average temperatures than Kentucky make it the perfect place to age our whiskey,” said Logan Welk, President and Chief Operating Officer, B.R. Distilling Company. “Our award-winning flagship Blue Note expressions prove that point, with both Juke Joint and Crossroads winning Double Gold at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition two years running and Blue Note Uncut being named #7 on Whisky Advocate’s list of top whiskeys in 2022.” The Blue Note Bourbon portfolio includes: Blue Note Juke Joint ($34.99) Blue Note’s flagship Straight Bourbon Whiskey is bottled at 93-proof, unfiltered Mash Bill: 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley Awards: 2024 Platinum Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition; 2022, 2023 and 2024 Double Gold Medals, Wine Enthusiast (93 pts) Blue Note Crossroads ($44.99) Finished with several types of toasted French oak staves and bottled at 100-proof, unfiltered Mash Bills: 70% corn, 21% rye, 9% malted barley and 78% corn, 13% rye, 9% malted barley Awards: 2024 Platinum Medal, San Francisco World Spirits Competition; 2022, 2023 and 2024 Double Gold Medals Blue Note Uncut ($49.99) Aged for a minimum of four years and bottled at variable proofs Mash Bill: 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley Awards: Whisky Advocate’s #7 top whiskeys of 2022 (92 pts) Blue Note Straight Rye Whiskey ($34.99) The most recent release is bottled at 93-proof, unfiltered Mash Bill: 95% rye and 5% malted barley  Awards: 2024 ASCOT Awards Double Platinum, Whisky Advocate (90 pts) The brand has also introduced several highly awarded limited-release offerings, which include Premium Small Batch, Single Barrel Reserve, 17-year, and Special Reserve.  Blue Note’s packaging is unique and quintessentially Memphis. Metallic blue music notes accent the front label, which features a guitar-like illustration, further reinforcing the product’s connection to the Bluff City’s musical roots. Production Facility & Tasting Room The 110,000 square foot production facilities, located on Royal Avenue just North of downtown Memphis, are open from Monday through Friday from 10am – 4:00pm and includes a unique and intimate tasting room. Guided tours are available on Thursdays and Fridays for $10 plus tax & fees. Guests can add a Tasting Flight Experience for an additional $5. For more information and to book a guided, behind-the-scenes tour, visit www.bluenotebourbon.com.  About B.R. Distilling Company Founded in 2014 in Memphis, TN, B.R. Distilling Company is the oldest licensed distillery in Memphis, TN, and producer of world-famous Blue Note Bourbon. Currently, the company produces four flagship expressions, along with regular limited releases, which are distributed across 17 U.S. states, including: AL, AR, CO, CT, FL, GA, KS, KY, LA, MS, MO, NY, NJ, OK, SC, TN, and TX, and online at BlueNoteBourbon.com via Bevstack, which can be shipped to: AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MN, MO, NE, NJ, NC, NM, NV, NH, NY, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, VA, WA and WI. Please sip responsibly. Image Credit: Blue Note Bourbon / B.R. Distilling  

Jake and Scott sit down with two new, rare releases from Wild Turkey Distillery. The guys talk about their recent trip to Wild Turkey and taste Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Old Kentucky Bourbon and Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Triumph Rye.  A big thank you to the PR team for Wild Turkey and Russell's Reserve who helped maked this episode possible by providing generous samples of these two limited releases. Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there.  We are thankful for your support over the last 5 years. We must give the biggest shoutout to our growing Patreon Community of supporters! As always, we'd appreciate it if you would take a few minutes time to give us feedback on Bourbon Lens podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 Star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a written review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show. Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.  Also, consider supporting Bourbon Lens on Patreon for some of the behind the scenes, to earn Bourbon Lens swag, join the Bourbon Lens Tasting Club, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com. Check out BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and whiskey reviews. Cheers,Scott and JakeBourbon Lens Image Credit: Wild Turkey Distillery

Jake and Scott share a few pours of whiskey in this week’s “Hosts-Only” podcast episode of Bourbon Lens.  We discuss all things Beam and the powerhouse that is The James B. Beam Distilling Co.  We kick off the discussion with Jim Beam Black, Beam’s latest rebranding of their 7 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon.  Then we kick it up a notch in proof and flavor with the Springfield Batch of Booker’s Bourbon before wrapping up the discussion with Little Book Chapter 08: Path Not Taken.  What is your favorite whiskey from The James B. Beam Distilling Co.? About Jim Beam: Jim Beam is the world’s best-selling bourbon, crafted by eight generations of family distillers since 1795. Fred Noe, Jim Beam’s seventh Generation Master Distiller, and Freddie Noe, Jim Beam’s eighth Generation Master Distiller, have stayed true to the family recipe that’s been passed down through generations. The Jim Beam portfolio of products includes Jim Beam Bourbon, Jim Beam Black®, Jim Beam Double Oak, Jim Beam Devil’s Cut, Jim Beam Flavors, and Jim Beam Rye among other offerings. For more information, go to JimBeam.com @jimbeamofficial on Instagram and @jimbeam on Twitter. About the The James B Beam Distilling Co.: Founded by America’s first family of bourbon, the James B. Beam Distilling Co. has crafted genuine American Whiskey since 1795. Its portfolio includes globally coveted and award-winning whiskey brands including Jim Beam®, Basil Hayden®, Knob Creek®, Booker’s®, Baker’s®, Little Book®, Legent®, Old Tub®, Old Overholt®, Old Crow®, and Old Grand-Dad®. Maintaining the whiskey traditions of eight generations of family distillers while advancing the category through innovation, the Beam family has defined what American Whiskey could be and should be for more than 225 years. The James B. Beam Distilling Co. crafts American Whiskey with genuine, quality ingredients that are distilled and aged without compromise at its family distilleries in Clermont, Kentucky. Image Credit: The James B. Beam Distilling Co. Facebook

Mark Vierthaler, Head Distiller for Whiskey Del Bac, joins Bourbon Lens to talk Single Malt.  Whiskey Del Bac is known for its mesquite style of American Single Malt, but they have so much to offer for any fan of American Whiskey who is looking to explore what the Southwest has to offer. Founded in 2011, Whiskey Del Bac has really hit a stride with their releases including Dorado, Classic, Frontera, and their Distiller’s Cut American Single Malts.  We discuss each during this week’s episode and found a well-balanced portfolio with something for everyone. Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there.  We are thankful for your support over the last 5 years. We must give the biggest shoutout to our growing Patreon Community of supporters! As always, we'd appreciate it if you would take a few minutes time to give us feedback on Bourbon Lens podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 Star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a written review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show. Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X.  Also, consider supporting Bourbon Lens on Patreon for some of the behind the scenes, to earn Bourbon Lens swag, join the Bourbon Lens Tasting Club, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or guest suggestions, please email us at Info@BourbonLens.com. Check out BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and whiskey reviews. Cheers,Scott and JakeBourbon Lens   About Whiskey Del Bac Hamilton Distillers was born of a novel concept by former furniture producer and woodworker Stephen Paul. Paul observed the Velvet Mesquite, native to his home in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, leftover from his woodworking and conceived to use this easily sourced, local wood to make a mesquited style of American Single Malt whiskey modeled after Scotch. In just over a decade, the team at Hamilton Distillers has captured the spirit and terroir of the region of Sonora, down to the name itself. “Del Bac” draws from both Spanish and O’odham, the language of the indigenous peoples of the Sonoran Desert in southern and central Arizona. Bac translates to “place where the river appears in the sand,” referencing where the distillery sits along the Santa Cruz River. Whiskey Del Bac, a private family-owned and operated brand, was founded by father-daughter duo Stephen and Amanda Paul in 2011. Known for a unique mesquited American single malt whiskey, it produces a highly acclaimed portfolio of whiskeys made in Tucson, Arizona. Whiskey Del Bac exemplifies the desert of the southwest and native flavors of the region. Learn more at whiskeydelbac.com.