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

Newest first

April 23 · 1 hr
563 - The State of Contract Distillation for 2026
Today, we’re digging into the backbone of the modern whiskey boom: contract distillation. We’re tracing the roots from the early days of "shhh, don't tell them it's MGP" to the massive, high-tech operations like Bardstown Bourbon Company that have turned being an NDP into a badge of honor. But as consumer palettes get more sophisticated, the demand for transparency is hitting an all-time high, and we’re talking about why "faking the funk" with a made-up story just doesn't fly in 2026. We also ta
April 22 · 43 min
Behind The Pursuit: The Relentless Pursuit
In this episode of Behind the Pursuit we’re recapping our Q1 travels and diving deep into the inception of Pursuit United Sakura Bloom Bourbon. We talk about the momentum we’re seeing from one release to the next and how a successful launch like this actually dictates our LTO strategy as we start mapping out the calendar for the rest of 2026 and even into 2027.
April 21 · 5 min
Whiskey Quickie: What Happens When Bardstown Finishes Bourbon in Garryana Oak?
Bardstown Bourbon’s new Cascadia Garryana Finish takes straight bourbon whiskey and gives it a unique Garryana oak barrel finish.
April 17 · 44 min
TWiB: Sazerac proposes merger with Brown-Forman, MGP haults operations at Limestone Branch , Oscar Mayer announces Maple Bourbon Bacon
Sazerac has reportedly approached Brown-Forman regarding a potential merger, MGP stops distilling operations at Limestone Branch Distillery and Lux Row Distillers, and Oscar Mayer has announced its first bacon innovation in five years with the launch of Maple Bourbon Bacon with Evan Williams.
April 16 · 1 hr 10 min
562 - An Intersection of Film and Bourbon with the Balas Brothers
Today we’re joined by Ryan and Alec Balas, the creative minds behind Whiskeyland TV, to talk about their transition from professional filmmaking to capturing the soul of the bourbon trail. From shooting childhood home videos to their serendipitous entry into the spirits world with their film Runner, the brothers share how a candid "bathtub epiphany" led to a vision for whiskey-centric storytelling that bypasses the big brands to focus on the authentic, gritty narratives of craft distilleries. In
April 14 · 7 min
Whiskey Quickie: Tennessee Whiskey SHOCKER
Leiper’s Fork’s 8 year Single Barrel Cask Strength Tennessee Whiskey completely caught us off guard.
April 9 · 1 hr
561 - What Does the Brown Forman and Pernod Merger Mean? On Bourbon Community Roundtable #117
It’s time for another Bourbon Community Roundtable, and we’re diving straight into the tectonic shift that just rocked the industry. In this episode, we dissect the confirmed mutual interest between Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard. Following the massive news of Gallo’s acquisition of Four Roses, we’re debating what this level of consolidation means for the "little guy" and whether craft producers are about to get squeezed off the shelf entirely. We’re navigating the anxiety surrounding job securi
April 7 · 7 min
Whiskey Quickie: Best Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Yet?!
Angel’s Envy’s 2025 10 year cask strength release brings port-finished richness, deep oak, dark fruit syrup, and wild berry pastry vibes at 122.6 proof.
April 3 · 27 min
TWiB: Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard confirm merger, 2 lawsuits dismissed for competing brands, Larrikin releases 3rd “Pour for the Roses"
Brown-Forman Corp. and Pernod Ricard have confirmed mutual interest in a merger, two lawsuits have been dismissed for competing bourbon brands, and Larrikin Bourbon has released its third annual “Pour for the Roses".
April 2 · 1 hr 1 min
560 - Where Storytelling, Marketing, and Good Whiskey all Meet with Daniel Whittington of Wizard Academy and Whiskey Marketing School
Today, we’re joined by Daniel Whittington, the Chancellor of Wizard Academy and co-founder of the Whiskey Marketing School, to pull back the curtain on how narrative and community are the real drivers behind your favorite bottles. Daniel shares his transition from the wine world into the "Wild West" of whiskey, breaking down how a secret whiskey group eventually evolved into a mission to change how we educate our palates. We’re diving into the technical and psychological side of the glass, from
March 31 · 7 min
Whiskey Quickie: 146 Proof Texas Hazmat | Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon 2025 Review
Garrison Brothers returns with the 2025 Cowboy Bourbon, a hazmat-level 146.4 proof Texas release hand-selected by master distiller Donnis Todd.
March 27 · 49 min
TWiB: Uncle Nearest back at it again, Heaven Hill Distillery announces new release, Evan Williams to release 5 new bottles
Uncle Nearest back at it again, Heaven Hill Distillery has announced the inaugural release of Elijah Craig Single Barrel 15-Year-Old, and Evan Williams is releasing five limited-edition Single Barrel Bourbon Nation Collegiate Edition bottles.
March 26 · 1 hr 8 min
559 - That Distillery in North Carolina You'll Hear About Real Soon with Pete Barger Southern Distilling
Today, we’re joined by Pete Barger, the co-founder of Southern Distilling Company, to talk about how he’s disrupting the craft bourbon landscape from just outside of Charlotte. Pete brings a unique blend of engineering and agricultural expertise to the table, and he’s sharing the story of how they built a massive, state-of-the-art operation that’s doing everything from contract distilling for powerhouses like Brothers Bond to winning double golds with their own Paragon wheated bourbon. We’re div
March 24 · 5 min
Whiskey Quickie: Toasted Barrel Flavor Bomb?! | H.K. Young Wheated Bourbon
H.K. Young leans into the wheated bourbon craze with a 7 year, 122.4 proof release finished in two custom toasted oak barrels from Independent Stave Company.
March 20 · 48 min
TWiB: Uncle Nearest Saga has taken a wild twist, Kentucky Bourbon Fest announced ticket sales, Bardstown Bourbon Company new release
Uncle Nearest Saga has taken a wild twist, Kentucky Bourbon Festival has announced ticket sale dates, and Bardstown Bourbon Company will release its Distillery Reserve Cascadia Garryana Oak Barrel Finish.
March 19 · 1 hr 17 min
558 - Is Brandy America's First Native Spirit? with Rob Bourdon of Copper and Kings
Today, we’re joined by Rob Bourdon, the new owner of Copper & Kings, to discuss his vision for revitalizing one of Louisville’s most creative distilleries. Rob shares his unconventional path from professional hockey to the Tennessee Distilling Group, breaking down the grit it takes to navigate the distilling industry's strict legal landscape and production hurdles. We’re diving deep into the technical side of the craft, from their "low and slow" distillation process to innovative releases like a
March 17 · 6 min
Whiskey Quickie: YouTuber Launches a Bourbon… Did He Nail It?! | Drum Key “The Debut”
Jason from The Mash & Drum just dropped his first bourbon: Drum Key Spirits “The Debut.”
March 13 · 38 min
TWiB: Buffalo Trace new online system, Uncle Nearest hiding a $20M loan, Maker’s Mark launches its Wood Finishing Series
Buffalo Trace Tried doing a new online bottle release system, Uncle Nearest is back in the news with hiding a $20M loan, and Maker’s Mark launches its Wood Finishing Series: The Stewards Release.
March 12 · 1 hr 12 min
557 - Barrel Finishes, Dusty Futures, and Fads from Patreon Q&A on Bourbon Community Roundtable #116
It’s time for another Bourbon Community Roundtable, and we’re handing the reins over to our Patreon supporters to see what’s actually on your minds. We’re pulling back the curtain on our chaotic group chat to debate the "Dusty" vs. Modern era and why some single barrel picks just hit different. Ryan is still leading the charge for high-proof heat, while Blake breaks down why balance is the only thing that keeps a brand relevant in a crowded market. We’re also digging into the finished whiskey cr
March 10 · 6 min
Whiskey Quickie: Old Soul Tintype #3: Southern Heat, Big Barrel Flavor
Old Soul Tintype Series No. 3 honors blues legend Kenny Brown with an 11 year, 103.5 proof bourbon built on a high rye MGP mash bill.

Bourbon Pursuit

563 - The State of Contract Distillation for 2026

Behind The Pursuit: The Relentless Pursuit

Whiskey Quickie: What Happens When Bardstown Finishes Bourbon in Garryana Oak?

TWiB: Sazerac proposes merger with Brown-Forman, MGP haults operations at Limestone Branch , Oscar Mayer announces Maple Bourbon Bacon

562 - An Intersection of Film and Bourbon with the Balas Brothers

Whiskey Quickie: Tennessee Whiskey SHOCKER

561 - What Does the Brown Forman and Pernod Merger Mean? On Bourbon Community Roundtable #117

Whiskey Quickie: Best Angel’s Envy Cask Strength Yet?!

TWiB: Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard confirm merger, 2 lawsuits dismissed for competing brands, Larrikin releases 3rd “Pour for the Roses"

560 - Where Storytelling, Marketing, and Good Whiskey all Meet with Daniel Whittington of Wizard Academy and Whiskey Marketing School

Whiskey Quickie: 146 Proof Texas Hazmat | Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon 2025 Review

TWiB: Uncle Nearest back at it again, Heaven Hill Distillery announces new release, Evan Williams to release 5 new bottles

559 - That Distillery in North Carolina You'll Hear About Real Soon with Pete Barger Southern Distilling

Whiskey Quickie: Toasted Barrel Flavor Bomb?! | H.K. Young Wheated Bourbon

TWiB: Uncle Nearest Saga has taken a wild twist, Kentucky Bourbon Fest announced ticket sales, Bardstown Bourbon Company new release

558 - Is Brandy America's First Native Spirit? with Rob Bourdon of Copper and Kings

Whiskey Quickie: YouTuber Launches a Bourbon… Did He Nail It?! | Drum Key “The Debut”

TWiB: Buffalo Trace new online system, Uncle Nearest hiding a $20M loan, Maker’s Mark launches its Wood Finishing Series

557 - Barrel Finishes, Dusty Futures, and Fads from Patreon Q&A on Bourbon Community Roundtable #116

Whiskey Quickie: Old Soul Tintype #3: Southern Heat, Big Barrel Flavor