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BourbonBlog.com
Author: Tom Fischer
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Bourbon and whiskey expert Tom Fischer shares the news with a glass of whiskey in one hand and a microphone in the other. Discussions of cocktails, travel, and occasionally even Scotch. Calling all chefs, distillers, and humans: Pull up a seat at the bar and have a chat...the first drink is on us! Contact: bourbon@ bourbonblog.com to book an interview or say hi.
184 Episodes
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It’s Bourbon Heritage Month 2025, and Bourbon expert Tom Fischer talks with High West's Tara Lindley to explore The Prisoner’s Share.This limited release blends Straight Bourbon and Rye aged 4–15 years, then finishes in French oak barrels that previously held Napa Valley’s The Prisoner Red Blend. Bottled at 102 proof, it delivers a layered whiskey experience that unites the worlds of bourbon and wine.Show Notes: Why High West Distillery in Utah partnered with The Prisoner Wine Company in California. How wine finishing and French oak shape flavor and textureTasting impressions and pairing ideasHow this whiskey release compares to other wine-finished bourbonsThe bigger question: Is wine-finished whiskey worth the hype? Whiskey SpecsType: Blend of straight bourbon & ryeAge: 4–15 yearsFinish: French oak barrels, ex–The Prisoner Red Blend (Napa Valley). Zinfandel is the backbone of the original wine blend.Proof: 102Release: Limited; 2025
Ever smoked tobacco grown in France? This tobacco comes from the Mugron River Valley near Bordeaux, and it’s the Macanudo Emissary France Cigar. Bourbon expert Tom Fischer is joined by Matt Wilson, Macanudo’s Senior Brand Manager, as they light up this rare blend with tobaccos aged 4 to 10 years from Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, the U.S., and Brazil.To top it off, they pair the cigar with Bhakta Spirits Hogsworth Batch 1 - a first-ever blend of bourbon and vintage Armagnac, including a 1982 Armagnac that’s over 40 years old. The bourbon backbone and Armagnac's serious age and fruit play beautifully with the Emissary’s mineral and dark berry notes.For more cigar, whiskey, and spirits reviews and pairings, subscribe to this podcast channel and visit BourbonBlog.com.
Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2025 brought one of the big highlights of the weekend: Buzzard’s Roost’s first-ever Cigar Blend Bourbon. Known for their Cigar Rye, this new special barrel release is crafted to pair perfectly with a fine cigar.In this episode, Tom Fischer of BourbonBlog.com talks with co-founder Jason Brauner about what makes this bourbon unique, how it compares to the Cigar Rye, and why cigar lovers should be paying attention.For more bourbon releases, tastings, and interviewsvviisrt BourbonBlog.com
Bourbon expert Tom Fischer previews Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2025 with 15 STARS founders Rick and Ricky Johnson. They discuss the first-ever Artisan Collection release, a 109-proof blend of 15- and 12-year Kentucky and Indiana bourbons, limited to just 1,290 bottles, available nationwide with a select number featured in Bardstown, Kentucky this weekend during the festival.We also taste and chat about the complete First West Bourbon lineup: Small Batch, Toasted Oak, and Extra Aged 8-Year—crafted with their own heirloom red, white, and blue corn distilled at Bardstown Bourbon Company. The conversation wraps with a taste of the upcoming 15 STARS Fine Aged Rye, showcasing their signature blending style and bold rye character.
American Single Malt Whiskey is now officially recognized as a distinct whiskey category by the federal government—the first new addition in over 52 years!
The TTB’s landmark decision, effective January 19, 2025, establishes clear standards for American Single Malt, ensuring authenticity, protecting producers, and elevating its global reputation.
In this podcast, whiskey expert Tom Fischer sips some Town Branch American Single Malt with Dave Bob Gaspar, National Brand Manager at Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company.. They discuss the profound impact of this historic recognition while looking at the specific rules that define this category.
They also explore the serious work of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC) to accomplish this. Founded in 2016, the ASMWC has worked tirelessly to establish, promote, and protect this category, with nearly 100 member producers across the U.S.
Additionally, more than 250 distilleries across the country are producing at least one American Single Malt, underscoring the category's remarkable growth and widespread adoption.
WhistlePig The Boss Hog XI: The Juggernaut is a limited-edition, 13+ year-old rye whiskey finished in the world’s first Thandai barrels, seasoned with hand-selected spices from India. Part of a highly sought-after collection, this release brings an exotic flavor profile with saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and more.
In the first-ever live review of the release from WhistlePig’s farm in Shoreham, Vermont, bourbon expert Tom Fischer joins WhistlePig’s Head Blender Meghan Ireland and Distiller Mitch Mahar to explore the tasting notes and the unique process that brought The Juggernaut to life. Full story on this link.
Cohiba's Cigar Blender Sean Williams and Bourbon Expert Tom Fischer chat live for a cigar review of the 2024 Weller by Cohiba Full Proof Cigar.
This limited-release cigar features a US Connecticut broadleaf binder, aged in Weller Full Proof Bourbon barrels, and is paired with Weller Bourbon for a distinctive tasting experience. Dive into their expert insights and explore more on their Masters Series through CigarWorld or at BourbonBlog.com/series.
Bourbon expert Tom Fischer visits the birthplace of bourbon whiskey regulations and parts of Kentucky's state constitution? Yes, you can soon tour Louisville's Oxmoor Farm! Opening in June 2024, this historic site is a must-see when you visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Kentucky's largest private library with 10,000 books where you can also enjoy tastings and cocktails featuring the new Oxmoor Bourbon Whiskey.
In this podcast, Fischer interviews and tours with historians Shirley Harmon and Tim Knittel at Oxmoor Farm and the new Oxmoor Bourbon Company.
We are the first to chat with Cohiba's Sean Williams about the new Cohiba Serie M Reserva Roja Cigar for 2024.
In this cigar podcast, Cohiba's Sean Williams and bourbon expert Tom Fischer try this limited edition Cohiba Serie M together pairing it alongside whiskeys and spirits: Bhakta Bourbon Whiskey 2014, Buzzard's Roost, Peerless Double Oak Bourbon, and Bhakta Vintage 1979 Armagnac.
As Bruno Mars gears up for his headline performance at the Trifecta Gala in Louisville, during Kentucky Derby 150 week, we are sharing Bourbon expert Tom Fischer's recent interview with Grammy-winning songwriter and record producer Phil Lawrence - who performs and writes with Bruno Mars.
Learn more about the Bruno Mars performance and Trifecta on this link. Listen to this podcast recorded after Bourbon & Beyond 2023 as Phil dives into upcoming ventures and projects including his work with siblings (Dee Dee Lawrence and Shane Lawrence) in "The Lawrences".
The Trifecta Gala, organized by Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman for the 150th Kentucky Derby, supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, celebrating community and mentorship
Bourbon expert Tom Fischer invites Hud Mellencamp, Levi Collison, and Hard Truth Head Distiller Bryan Smith for a first-of-its-kind conversation on the origins of Mellencamp Whiskey Company. They talk about the collaboration with Indiana's Hard Truth Distilling Co., showcasing a limited series of whiskeys, each adorned with a painting by musician and artist John Mellencamp.
The new release, Mellencamp Whiskey Farmer's Reserve, is a blend of sweet mash bourbon and rye finished in Amburana casks, revealing rare flavors from Indiana's farmers.
As a new era of the Mellencamp family name begins, building a reputation for incredible whiskey, this is the first time the three founders have been interviewed like this.
On this Bourbon podcast, a whiskey tasting and interview feature Savage & Cooke’s first-ever bottled-in-bond bourbons: Howling Mob and Bloody Butcher Bourbons, crafted from heirloom California corn.
Bourbon expert Tom Fischer and Master Distiller Jordan Via explore these limited-production whiskeys, both produced grain-to-glass at Dave Phinney’s Mare Island, California distillery near Napa.
Bourbon expert Tom Fischer reviews all three Hard Truth Bourbon Whiskeys alongside Master Distiller Bryan Smith as they chat live from the Nashville, Indiana distillery. Hard Truth Distilling Co's new releases include Hard Truth Sweet Mash Bourbon, Hard Truth Sweet Mash Wheated Bottled in Bond Bourbon, and Hard Truth Sweet Mash Four Grain Bottled in Bond Bourbon.
While all three Bourbons are uniquely sweet mash whiskeys, two of them are made following the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897.
Alice in Chains fans...listen as Bourbon whiskey expert Tom Fischer talks with founder and distiller of FEW SPIRITS Paul Hletko.
In this whiskey podcast, they taste and chat about the 2023 reissue of All Secrets Known Bourbon Whiskey, a collaborative masterpiece from FEW Spirits with rock band Alice In Chains.
Bourbon expert Tom Fischer and Raj Bhakta, founder of Bhakta Spirits and also well-known in the spirits world for being co-founder of WhistlePig.
Joining us live at Griswold Campus in Vermont, they taste and discuss a selection of rare spirits, including the Bhakta 1928 blend, a rare blend of Rye, Calvados, and vintage Armagnac, and other unique selections like the 1963 Armagnac, 1990 Rum, 2013 Bourbon, and 1973 Armagnac.
Raj Bhakta shares his journey of helping innovate and excite enthusiasts in the Armagnac category with Bhakta Spirits. He reveals insights into transforming Green Mountain College into The BHAKTA-GRISWOLD Campus, a hub for spirit enthusiasts and whiskey education.
Tasting and mixing new cocktails with legendary bartender Dale DeGroff. Bourbon expert Tom Fischer tastes with Dale and chats with him about his spirits brand called DeGroff Spirits including the New World Amaro and Bitter Apertivo. Stories from New York's iconic Rainbow Room and Hotel Bel-Air, plus learn about Dale's favorite cocktails and predictions for cocktail trends in 2024.
DeGroff is the acclaimed author of award-winning books, 'The Craft of the Cocktail' and 'The Essential Cocktail.'
Join us in a whiskey huddle as we taste Breckenridge Bourbon Denver Broncos 2023 Back-to-Back Bourbon Blend and more with Breckenridge Distillery CEO Bryan Nolt.
Bourbon expert Tom Fischer talks with Nolt about new releases from the Colorado distillery as they taste Two Clans Blended Whiskey (partially blended with Scotch whiskey) and the Buddy Pass Bourbon & Breckenridge Brewery Collab finished in Imperial Stout Casks.
They also discuss 2024 whiskey trend predictions while previewing Breckenridge's core line, including upcoming beer-finished bourbons in collaboration with breweries under Tilray.
Listen as Bourbon expert Tom Fischer closely follows the unfolding story at Glenmore Distillery in Owensboro, Kentucky. What was initially perceived as a major bourbon theft has unexpectedly turned out to be a case of misrouting.
The Owensboro Police Department informs us that the Bourbon initially thought to be stolen, was actually misrouted. Tune in to our latest podcast to discover the full details of this incident, which initially appeared to involve $70,000 worth of stolen Bourbon whiskey, drawing parallels to the famed Pappy Van Winkle Heist of 2013. Glenmore Distillery is a part of the Sazerac family.
Subscribe to this podcast channel for more Bourbon updates.
$70,000 worth of Kentucky Bourbon whiskey has been stolen from Glenmore Distillery, and bourbon expert Tom Fischer talks with Owensboro Police Department's Dylan Evans to uncover details that have not yet been reported in this podcast. Listen to learn how the bourbon was rerouted in what sounds like a meticulously planned heist and what that might involve.
Continue to follow this podcast channel and visit BourbonBlog.com as we will be staying with the story for more updates on the investigation's complexities, and the efforts of Glenmore Distillery's parent company, Sazerac, along with the General Wholesale Beer Company, to recover this precious stolen Bourbon whiskey.
Comedian James "Murr" Murray joins Bourbon expert Tom Fischer, offering first-ever glimpses into the next season of Jokers. Who's the next prank target, and what's the punishment? Murr also talks about his "Murr Live" Comedy Tour across the country.
And need some Joker education? Some universities have now made "Impractical Jokers" a part of their curriculums. We sip whiskey with Murr and also plan a prank to play on a celebrity next time. By the way, Murr loves whiskey and tells us the last time he was buzzed...yep, recently.