Bonded - Life and Bourbon Conversations

This week on Bonded-Life and Bourbon Conversations, Aaron and I are joined not only by returning guest Adam but also our wives! We explore whether or not Aaron and I have judged this experimental bottle too harsh in the past or if our special guest's opinions can sway us any. Pour a drink and join us as we review Weller CYPB!

This week on Bonded, after much delay, we crack open the Penelope Estate Collection 10 Year Single Barrel! Being one of Penelope's more mature releases we're excited to dig into what a decade of aging brings to the glass. From the nose to the palate and of course the finish join us as we discuss where this bottle fits into Penelope's lineup!

This week on Bonded Life and Bourbon Conversations we're pouring an Elijah Craig Single Barrel Private Barrel hand-picked by our local shop, Planet Spirit. Aged 8 years in rickhouse GG this 126.4 proof definitely isn't coming to the table quietly. We'll dive into the nose, palate, and finish to see what makes this barrel different from your standard Elijah Craig pour! Grab a glass and...

This week on Bonded Life and Bourbon Conversations , Michael and I sit down with guests Adam and Ryan again to pour up Widow Jane 10 Year Ocho Cask ! This unique take on the Brooklyn distillery's signature 10-year bourbon. Finished in Ocho Tequila casks, this bottle brings an unexpected twist to a well aged bourbon layering a brighter agave character alongside notes of caramel, oak, vanilla, and s...

This week on Bonded-Life and Bourbon Conversations Aaron and I sit down to discuss one of our biggest pours yet with Horse Solider Cask Strength, coming in at a massive 137 proof. We'll dive into the incredible story behind Horse Solider Bourbon and Will Summers, brand ambassador and one of the Green Berets whose mission in Afghanistan following 9/11 helped inspire the story told in 12 Strong. So...

Aaron and I head to Wine Cellar Durant for the first ever Allocated Bourbon Drop Day! We spent the day hanging out with owners Jordan and Angie for a behind the scenes look at the event, the bourbon community, and what made this day one to remember! Tune in as we recap the great bottles, great people and memorable day out at Wine Cellar Durant!

This week we pour up something a little different with Penelope Architect Crème Brulee which adds a decadent twist to this unique release. We'll talk about what makes this bottle stand out and how those Crème Brulee flavors come through from the nose to the finish! Grab a glass and join in on the conversation as we find if Penelope Architect Crème Brulee deserves a spot on the shelf!

This week on Bonded-Life and Bourbon Conversations, Aaron and I crack open a heavy hitter from the Weller lineup with the help of our two friends Adam & Ryan. Bottled at 114 proof, Weller Full Proof is a wheated bourbon that delivers a rich, full bodied flavor that Buffalo Trace intended straight from the barrel. As an added bonus to the episode stick around to hear me attempt the highest numb...

This week Aaron and I sit down to discuss Lost Lantern's United States of Bourbon! We’ll dig into the story behind the bottle, the producers and regions represented, as well as the flavors that bring it all together. As always, we’re talking whiskey, craftsmanship, and the stories behind the pour. Grab a glass and settle in for a conversation that’s all about discovering this bottle one sip at...

This week on Bonded-Life and Bourbon Conversations, Aaron and I crack open DFW's Builders Bourbon Society's O.K.I 11 Year Single Barrel club pick. This 109.2-proof is rich not only in flavor but also in the story behind it. Join us as we once again enjoy one of the best sounds in the world-second only to hearing "I found this at MSRP!"-and dive into this outstanding barrel pick f...

For our final episode of the America 250th series we pour Barell Bourbon's Batch 038 Cask Strength! Matt returns once again to help cap off this tremendous month and share his thought on this bottle's flavor, nose and overall expert rating. If you have your bingo cards handy with a space clearly marked "Aaron reigns Matt & Michael back in" or "Taco Casa Discussions"...

Week 4 of our July special celebrating America's 250th is upon us! This week Aaron, Matt, and I uncork 2 unique bottles; one from WhistlePig and the other by Breckenridge, to see what they have offered up this year! Join us as we dive into both distilleries and explore how they pay tribute to American heritage. As an added bonus listen in to see how many times Aaron has to pull Matt and I back...

Join Aaron, Matt, and I this week as we raise a glass to discuss Green River Distilling U.S. Army's 250th anniversary. A fitting bottle to crack open during our month long special celebrating American craftsmanship, tradition, and service!

In this episode, Matt joins us once again to break down the latest Garrison Brothers Red, White & Bourbon release. We'll discuss what makes this annual drop so highly anticipated, explore the story behind the whiskey, what fans can expect from this year's release, and the craftsmanship that goes into every bottle. Whether you're a longtime Garrison Brothers fan or just discovering...

In this episode of Bonded: Life & Bourbon Conversations, we're raising a glass to America's history with Evan Williams Single Barrel 250th Celebration. This special commemorative release honoring America's 250th anniversary is bottled at a bold 117.76 proof and delivers rich layers of caramel, toasted oak, dark fruit, baking spices, and a warming finish worthy of the occasion. Join...

This week, we dive into one of the most talked-about craft bourbons in America: High Wire Distilling’s Jimmy Red 7-Year Bourbon . Made from the legendary heirloom Jimmy Red corn — a nearly extinct Southern grain revived through years of preservation work — this whiskey has become a symbol of terroir, craftsmanship, and the future of American bourbon. We explore the story behind the grain, how High...

For our 13th episode, we’re pouring something fittingly special the George Dickel 13-Year Bottled in Bond. This Tennessee whiskey brings serious age, bold character, and a bottled-in-bond pedigree that whiskey fans love to debate. Expect plenty of caramel, oak, spice, and classic Dickel minerality as we discuss whether this bottle lives up to the hype — and whether it earns a spot on your shelf. W...

In Part Two of our special two-part series, Aaron and I pour up the Texas-aged expression of Milam & Green “The Answer” to see how the Lone Star climate transforms this bourbon. We compare it side-by-side with the Kentucky-aged release, breaking down the differences in flavor, oak influence, mouthfeel, and overall character. The Texas heat brings bold personality to the glass, and we dive into...

It's our very 1st two part series; what do we have in store but none other than a long lasting debate brought to us by Milam & Green's The Answer! Aaron and I sit down with a glass to explore the Kentucky-aged expression and what makes it such a unique pour. We break down the nose, palate, finish, and the craftsmanship behind how aging environments can dramatically shape a bourbon’s ch...

Discover the craftsmanship behind Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Origin Series Bottled-in-Bond bourbon in this week's deep dive into one of Kentucky’s most talked about modern whiskeys. Aaron and I explore how Bardstown shapes flavor with quality and why this release stands out for bourbon enthusiasts and newcomers alike. From grain to glass, hear the story behind the distillation process, tastin...

In this episode of Bonded Life and Bourbon Conversations we dive into the highly anticipated Rare Character Limited Release Batch 14. After forging through a hilarious start for Aaron and I, we break down the nose, palate, and finish, sharing honest impressions and standout moments from this unique pour that has only 3,800 bottles in existence. Along the way, we explore what sets Rare Character ap...

In this Proof & Pour episode of Bonded Life & Bourbon Conversations, we crack open Col. E.H. Taylor’s Straight Rye and let the good times flow. As we break down what makes this rye something special stay with us for some added trivia knowledge, tasting notes, & storytelling! It’s equal parts whiskey wisdom and laid-back banter, so pour yourself a glass and join us for a ride.

This week we kick things off with a long over due dive into Whiskey Riot, where on March 14, 2026 the fairgrounds turned into a whiskey lover’s playground. Whether you were there or just wish you had been, join Aaron and I as we journey back to some of our favorite moments of the event!

In this episode of Bonded – Life and Bourbon Conversations, our Proof & Pour Selection dives into Redwood Empire’s Pipe Dream bourbon, clocking in at a bold 101 proof. This week you'll not only learn about the wildly different flavor profiles Aaron and I have but also some interesting facts about those giants out to the west!

Proof & Pour buzzes into flavor country with Shortbarrel’s “The Bee’s Knees,” and yes—while we absolutely could have milked the bee puns, i promise there is only one in there! Between sips, we break down how this honey-forward pour walks the line to be dangerously crushable. Pour one up, press play, and get ready for a ride with a little sting.