Bourbon Pursuit

The Official Podcast of Bourbon! The best in news, reviews and interviews with people making the bourbon whiskey industry happen. Join hosts Kenny Coleman, Ryan Cecil, and Fred Minnick as they talk with prominent guests and provide insight on American whiskey 3 times a week. Catch all new episodes every Thursday with special Whiskey Quickie reviews on Tuesday and get caught up on bourbon news with This Week in Bourbon on Friday.

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1,198 episodes
Updated Friday
Explicit

Episodes1198

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570 - Bourbon Myths with Kevin Carlson
On this week's episode, Kevin Carlson returns to the show and takes total control of the conversation with a rapid-fire set of “whiskey myth-busting” questions that every enthusiast needs to hear. We tackle the age-old debate head-on: was bourbon actually better before the boom, or are we living in a golden era of unprecedented variety and innovation? We break down whether the concept of a true "daily drinker" is officially dead for the hyper-focused enthusiast, and drop a masterclass on the ete
June 11 · 1 hr 11 min
Whiskey Quickie: This Bourbon Tastes Like a County Fair?!
Burnt Tavern’s new Kentucky bourbon from Chip Tate brings wild notes of kettle corn, nectarines, golden raisins, and smoky county fair vibes.
June 9 · 5 min
TWiB: Uncle Nearest May Have A Buyer, Saga Spirits lawsuits become public, Four Roses Distillery introduces Anthology
Uncle Nearest May Have A Buyer, Saga Spirits behind True Story has two alleged lawsuits that just became public, and Four Roses Distillery is introducing Anthology, a new 21 year old bourbon.
June 5 · 43 min
569 - Does Low Barrel Entry Proof Create Better Bourbon? on Bourbon Community Roundtable #119
On this week’s Bourbon Community Roundtable, our panel is tackling one of the deepest geek-out topics in the entire whiskey world: the battle over barrel entry proof and how it has evolved over time. While the modern industry has largely settled into an efficiency-driven standard of 120 to 125 proof, we’re digging into the history to ask the ultimate question: did the industry get it completely wrong in 1962, and does the next decade of bourbon belong at 105? With Buffalo Trace dropping a massiv
June 4 · 58 min
Whiskey Quickie: 139 PROOF Treasure Hunt?!
Old Treasure Bourbon is here… and this 139 proof release drinks WAY easier than expected.
June 2 · 5 min
TWiB: New updates happening in the Uncle Nearest case, Wild Turkey brings back the Cheesy Gold Foil, Bardstown Bourbon Company is going to Mars
New updates happening in the Uncle Nearest case, Wild Turkey brings back the Cheesy Gold Foil, and Bardstown Bourbon Company is going to Mars.
May 29 · 45 min
568 - Mastering 95/5 Rye at Scale with Ian Stirsman, Master Distiller at Ross and Squibb
On this episode, we sit down with Ian Stirsman, the Master Distiller steering the ship at this legendary production powerhouse. We tackle the distillery's endless naming history head-on and trace Ian’s journey from a chemical engineer working in a paper mill to commanding one of the largest distillation footprints in the world. Ian delivers a technical masterclass on how they produce massive mash bills at an unbelievable scale, the history behind their iconic 95/5 rye recipe, and why vintage lig
May 28 · 1 hr 12 min
Whiskey Quickie: This Bourbon Tastes Like an IPA?!
Dragon’s Milk Origin Toasted 2026C “A Breath of Fresh Air” brings a wild Madeira barrel finish layered with orange meringue, citrus, toasted sweetness, and surprisingly hoppy IPA vibes.
May 26 · 6 min
567 - The Engineering Secrets Behind Your Favorite Bourbon with Pete Kamer
Ever wonder what it actually takes to build, run, and automate a distillery? On this episode, we sit down with someone unknown to most of the general population, but he's on speed dial for every major prodocuer across the country. A 2023 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Inductee, and the owner of Distillery Engineering: Pete Kamer. We talk about Pete’s incredible journey from his early days learning the ropes at Four Roses to his milestone career of 27 years at Barton in Bardstown. The distilling w
May 21 · 1 hr 3 min
Whiskey Quickie: What Is Onyx & Amber… and Why Is It THIS Good?!
Onyx & Amber’s Guest Blender Series #1 is getting serious buzz… and we see why.
May 19 · 5 min
TWiB: Brown-Forman rejects $15 billion from Sazerac, Kash Patel scrutinized over Woodford Reserve, Penelope Bourbon announces Architects of Golf
Brown-Forman has officially rejected a $15 billion all-cash takeover bid from Sazerac, FBI Director Kash Patel is facing scrutiny with personalized bottles of Woodford Reserve, and Penelope Bourbon has announced Architects of Golf.
May 15 · 40 min
566 - Stories From The Retail Front Line with Bill Derham of Frankfort Ave Liquors
Ever wonder what’s really going on behind the counter of your local liquor store? On this episode we go back to the retail side of the business. We sit down with Bill Derham, the man behind Frankfort Avenue Liquors here in Louisville Kentucky to talk about his journey from the early days at Liquor World to building a standout store-and-bar destination. The retail world has its own hurdles like navigating inflation, shifting consumer trends, and how shops are handling the pressure of today’s mark
May 14 · 1 hr 16 min
Whiskey Quickie: Maker’s SWEETEST Release Yet?!
The 2026 Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series: The Stewards Release leans hard into dessert vibes.
May 12 · 6 min
TWiB: Tariffs removed between Scotland and the US, ACSA unveils the Certified Craft Seal, Stitzel Reserve 31-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey
It's This Week in Bourbon for May 8th 2026. Tariffs between Scotland and the US have been removed, the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) has unveiled the Certified Craft Seal, and Stitzel Reserve 31-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey.
May 8 · 34 min
565 - Could Sazerac Actually Acquire Brown-Forman? on BourbonCommunity Roundtable #118
On this week’s Bourbon Community Roundtable, the team is throwing down over the biggest rumor to hit the industry in decades: Is Sazerac really trying to buy Brown-Forman for $15 Billion, or is this the ultimate PR stunt? We’re breaking down the health of these two giants and asking the tough questions: Does Brown-Forman actually need Sazerac, or is this just a shark smelling blood in the water? We dig into the strategic timing of the offer and the massive cultural divide between the two compani
May 7 · 1 hr 2 min
Whiskey Quickie: People WAIT in Line for This?!
Michter’s 10 Year is back and the lines are real.
May 5 · 5 min
TWiB: Brown-Forman & Pernod Ricard merger talks end, 4 North Carolina lobbyists indicted, Blade and Bow re-releases 22-Year-Old Bourbon
Merger discussions between Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard are over, four North Carolina lobbyists have been indicted for organizing a bourbon tasting, and Blade and Bow re-releases of its ultra-premium 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
May 1 · 29 min
564 - Matt Pittman on Investing and Cowboys
Today we’re welcoming back the "Barbecue OG" himself, Matt Pittman, the founder of Meat Church. We’re tracing his wild journey from being a Dallas Cowboys water boy to becoming the official pitmaster of the team. We dive into how Matt built a literal empire out of backyard tailgates and high-quality rubs, and also get into the nitty-gritty of why barbecue and bourbon are basically the same language. It’s been a minute since we last chatted, and a lot has changed—including Matt joining the Pursui
April 30 · 1 hr 2 min
Whiskey Quickie: This Rare Perfection Is INSANE?!
Rare Perfection 10 Year from Preservation Distillery brings a 3-barrel micro blend at 130.7 proof.
April 28 · 5 min
TWiB: Sazerac offers $15 billion to buy Brown Forman, Uncle Nearest potential shut down within 30 days, Buffalo Trace Distillery releases Eagle Rare 30
Sazerac has formally offered $15 billion to buy Brown Forman, Uncle Nearest could be forced to shut down within 30 days, and Buffalo Trace Distillery has announced the release of Eagle Rare 30.
April 24 · 42 min

Bourbon Pursuit

570 - Bourbon Myths with Kevin Carlson

Whiskey Quickie: This Bourbon Tastes Like a County Fair?!

TWiB: Uncle Nearest May Have A Buyer, Saga Spirits lawsuits become public, Four Roses Distillery introduces Anthology

569 - Does Low Barrel Entry Proof Create Better Bourbon? on Bourbon Community Roundtable #119

Whiskey Quickie: 139 PROOF Treasure Hunt?!

TWiB: New updates happening in the Uncle Nearest case, Wild Turkey brings back the Cheesy Gold Foil, Bardstown Bourbon Company is going to Mars

568 - Mastering 95/5 Rye at Scale with Ian Stirsman, Master Distiller at Ross and Squibb

Whiskey Quickie: This Bourbon Tastes Like an IPA?!

567 - The Engineering Secrets Behind Your Favorite Bourbon with Pete Kamer

Whiskey Quickie: What Is Onyx & Amber… and Why Is It THIS Good?!

TWiB: Brown-Forman rejects $15 billion from Sazerac, Kash Patel scrutinized over Woodford Reserve, Penelope Bourbon announces Architects of Golf

566 - Stories From The Retail Front Line with Bill Derham of Frankfort Ave Liquors

Whiskey Quickie: Maker’s SWEETEST Release Yet?!

TWiB: Tariffs removed between Scotland and the US, ACSA unveils the Certified Craft Seal, Stitzel Reserve 31-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey

565 - Could Sazerac Actually Acquire Brown-Forman? on BourbonCommunity Roundtable #118

Whiskey Quickie: People WAIT in Line for This?!

TWiB: Brown-Forman & Pernod Ricard merger talks end, 4 North Carolina lobbyists indicted, Blade and Bow re-releases 22-Year-Old Bourbon

564 - Matt Pittman on Investing and Cowboys

Whiskey Quickie: This Rare Perfection Is INSANE?!

TWiB: Sazerac offers $15 billion to buy Brown Forman, Uncle Nearest potential shut down within 30 days, Buffalo Trace Distillery releases Eagle Rare 30