Bourbon Showdown Podcast

This week on The Bourbon Showdown, Jesse sits down with Courtney Sandora, Founder of GoSocial and Co-Founder of Bourbon Signals, to explore how AI is changing the way consumers discover, research, and choose bourbon.Courtney takes us inside Bourbon Signals and the fascinating question behind it: When someone asks AI what bourbon to buy, which brands get recommended—and why?We talk about what influences those recommendations, why some bourbon brands are showing up while others are being left out, and how reviews, social media, podcasts, creators, awards, and the larger digital conversation surrounding a whiskey can help shape what AI knows—and ultimately recommends.We also dig into what this means for the future of bourbon marketing, brand discovery, and the spirits industry, and what whiskey brands should be thinking about right now as consumers increasingly turn to AI for recommendations.It's bourbon, branding, marketing, technology, and the future of how we discover what's in our glass.And you know the rule…What do we do when we're talking to good people about good whiskey? WE DRINK IT! 🥃

Remus Lou Gehrig Reserve with Ian Stirsman of Ross & SquibbThis week on The Bourbon Showdown, Jesse sits down with Ian Stirsman of Ross & Squibb Distillery to crack open and drink through the new Remus Lou Gehrig Reserve.Ian takes us behind the bottle to talk about how this special release came together, what makes it different from the rest of the Remus lineup, and the story behind pairing one of baseball’s most legendary names with American whiskey.Then we get down to business and taste the whiskey.We break down what’s in the glass, talk bourbon and blending, dig into what Ross & Squibb is doing with Remus, and find out if the Lou Gehrig Reserve is a bottle worth hunting down.Bourbon. Baseball. History. And a damn good whiskey.What do we do when talking to good people about good whiskey?WE DRINK IT!🥃 The Bourbon ShowdownGood people. Good whiskey. Great conversations.

This week on The Bourbon Showdown Podcast, Widow Jane is back!Jesse sits down with Sienna Jevremov, Head Distiller at Widow Jane, to talk about one of the distillery’s most exciting releases yet: Widow Jane 10-Year Bourbon finished for eight months in Tequila Ocho casks.Sienna takes us behind the scenes of this unique collaboration and explains what happens when mature bourbon meets the rich, roasted-agave character of Tequila Ocho. We get into how the partnership came together, why tequila and bourbon can work so well together, and the challenge of finishing a 10-year-old bourbon while still keeping the bold character that makes it unmistakably Widow Jane.And then, of course, we do what we do when talking to good people about good whiskey…WE DRINK IT!Jesse and Sienna pour up the new Widow Jane Tequila Ocho Cask Finish Bourbon and break down the aromas, flavors, and character you can expect when you get this bottle into your own glass.Great whiskey, a seriously cool collaboration, and one of our favorite people to talk whiskey with—it’s all here on this week’s Bourbon Showdown Podcast!

This week on The Bourbon Showdown, we’re raising a glass with one of the best in the business — Lux Row Master Distiller John Rempe — for a deep dive into the brand-new Blood Oath Pact 12.John takes us behind the scenes of Blood Oath and into the mind of the man who has created every Pact since the beginning. We talk about the challenge of making each release completely unique, how he chooses the whiskies that make the final blend, and what went into creating Pact 12.And, of course, we drink it.John and I crack open Blood Oath Pact 12 and taste through his latest creation while talking whiskey, blending, and what keeps Blood Oath one of the most anticipated annual bourbon releases.If you’re a Blood Oath collector, a Lux Row fan, or just love hearing how great whiskey gets made, this is one you don’t want to miss.

This week on The Bourbon Showdown, Jesse Jones is joined by James Bowker, Global Advocacy Manager for The House of Suntory, for an unforgettable deep dive into the world of Japanese whisky.Whether you're new to Japanese spirits or already a devoted fan, this episode is a true masterclass. James walks us through the fascinating history of whisky in Japan, how it evolved into one of the world's most respected whisky traditions, and the philosophy behind The House of Suntory's iconic portfolio. From craftsmanship and culture to flavor and innovation, you'll gain a whole new appreciation for what makes Japanese whisky so special.Of course, we couldn't have a conversation like this without tasting some incredible pours. Together we sip through:🥃 Toki🥃 Hibiki Japanese Harmony🥃 Yamazaki Single Malt 12 YearIf you've ever wanted to understand the artistry, precision, and heritage behind Japanese whisky, this is an episode you won't want to miss.