Aussie Bourbon Lovers

In this special episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we’re joined by Caryn Luz, National Brand Ambassador for Green River Distilling Co., as we explore their wheated bourbon — a near-identical twin to their flagship high-rye bourbon. We explore: 🧪 What happens when you swap wheat for rye in a mashbill 🥃 How the same char, yeast, and age delivers two very different pours 🎓 Caryn’s bourbon tasting a...

We’re back with Sean McCormick from Burton James Distillery, sipping their single barrel wheated bourbon and diving deep into Sean’s path from hotel kitchens to creating a custom bourbon for us. In this episode: 👨‍🍳 Sean’s journey from culinary school to Kraft Foods 🧪 The accidental career switch that led him to food science 🥣 Developing cereal flavours and why bourbon came next 🥃 What makes...

In this episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we pop open the gloriously retro bottle of Chicken Cock Single Barrel Bourbon, a 130.8 proof beast we almost didn’t bring home. We talk through: 🧳 The bourbon-buying rule we broke to grab this bottle 🥃 Tasting after 10 bourbons — and why it still stood out 👃 The surprise “rum and raisin” nose (yeah, we said it) 💥 How this high-proof Kentucky straight b...

In this special episode of Aussie Bourbon Lovers, we open a unicorn: Pappy Van Winkle’s Family Reserve 15 Year. Not for clout, but to celebrate 15 years of marriage — and a shared love of good bourbon and good stories. We chat through: 🥃 First impressions of the Pappy nose and palate 🪵 That sweet woodiness that smells like a sharpened pencil (you’ll get it) 🥂 The joys and absurdities of marking...

In this end-of-year wrap-up, we each poured a blind bourbon for the other — and sat down to count down our Top 5 Bourbon Moments of 2024. From Kentucky Bourbon Festival memories to surprise tasting wins by the fire, we revisit the bottles, places, and people that made this year one to raise a glass to. You’ll hear: 🥃 Our favourite bourbons and bourbon events of the year 🔍 The blind tasting sessi...

This might be the best conversation about bourbon Dave and H have ever had. Dan McKee, Master Distiller and Andrea Wilson, Master of Maturation, take time out of their breakfast to pop the top of a 2024 10yr Bourbon and tell us more about what make Michter's special and share some more of the incredible stories. In this extended episode you'll find out more about what a Michter's age statement rea...

Dave and H share some suggestions of how they like to enjoy their bourbons over a hot Australian Summer. There are a couple of cocktail ideas, their suggestions for the perfect Aussie version of a Kentucky Mule and lots of ways to keep cool with a sensational bourbon this summer.   Chapters 00:00 Crafting the Perfect Summer Cocktail 01:00 Our Aussie-Kentucky Mule Recipe 02:10 Bourbon is not just f...

Dave and H welcome Caryn Wells, the National Brand Ambassador for Green River Bourbon and they chat about the rich history of Green River, its revival of the once infamous brand after nearly a century, and the unique tasting notes of their bourbon. Caryn shares insights into the fact that it was once the most widely advertised whiskey in the world, considered the most expensive ever sold at one po...

Dave and H enjoy a pour of New Riff 8 Year Old Bourbon and enjoy some stories and some 'facts' about the New Riff story and their whiskeys. It might be the best use of a liquor store/bottle shop carpark we've heard of. Get your hands on a pour and you'll soon see why.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to New Riff Bourbon Whiskey 01:30 A Stop at a Distillery on Another Business Trip 03:30 New Riff and...

H and Dave are again joined by Dan McKee, Master Distiller and Andrea Wilson, Master of Maturation of Michter's for another extended episode. This time for a special occasion, to celebrate 10 years since Michters first released their Toasted Barrel Bourbon. They share stories about that very first release in 2014, a story about a blind tasting that took Dave and H back home to the other side of th...

H and Dave enjoy a pour of Bob Dylan's Double Barrel or 'Revelation' Whiskey from Heaven's Door. They chat about some unique tasting notes and why this bottle can't be called a bourbon ... at least they guess that ... and then they guess about whether or not it's bottled in bond. All in all, you'll want to have a fact-checker standing by for this whole episode as none of it is guaranteed to be fac...

Hosts Dave and H almost empty their special bottle of BRT-02 that they picked up at the Makers Mark Distillery in 2022 and tell the story of the Maker's Mark Barrel Rotation Team (BRT). It's a special pour, and a fun opportunity to talk about barrel rotation and the way that the Maker's team are creating expressions with human stories like 2024's 'The Heart Release'.    Chapters 00:00 Introduction...

In a special extended episode, Dave and H are joined by Dan McKee the Master Distiller and Andrea Wilson Master of Maturation and COO of Michter's, for a pour of their  Original Sour Mash Whiskey. Because of the time difference of the Australians, it's a nightcap, and for the Americans, it's a breakfast pour. They chat about the history of Michter's, the flavours of the Michter's Small Batch Sour...

Dave and H share a pour from a smaller-than-usual bottle of a Cask Strength Makers 46. They chat about the '46' expression and what makes the cask strength approach a fun and different way to try some of your favourites.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Makers 46 Cask Strength 02:54 Understanding Cask Strength Whiskey 05:50 The Unique Process of Makers Mark 09:13 The Influence of Wood and Staves i...

Dave and H discuss the intricacies of Burton James bourbon with its creator, Shawn McCormick. They explore the unique characteristics of the bourbon, including its ingredients and aging process, as well as the interesting backstory involving baseball cards linked to Shawn's great grandfather. The discussion also delves into the complexities of alcohol laws in Kentucky, the significance of non-chil...

Dave and H went to Watch Hill Proper looking for an amazing bourbon experience... and got they one. They also got a bottle of the very first release from the Watch Hill Proper Team, what might be the only bottle of this outside the US. Join them as they share their experience and share some reflections on how to have more fun with bourbon through blind flights.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Wat...

H and Dave chat about what Bottled in Bond really means, why it's important, and what makes Kings County from NYC unique. They also share their experience in the unique distillery in Brooklyn's Navy Yards and a pretty incredible distillery tour.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to King's County Distillery 03:11 Understanding Bottled in Bond 06:12 The Distillation Process and Flavor Profiles 09:04 The...

While history has never been their strong suit, Dave and H explore the rich history and unique characteristics of Yellowstone Bourbon, produced by Limestone Branch Distillery. They discuss the distillery's origins, the Beam family's legacy in bourbon making, and their recent visit to the distillery, highlighting the personal touch and small-scale production that sets it apart. The conversation als...

Dave and H sit down, pop the top off their first bottle from the 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and debrief the best bits of the festival. From the pain of having to choose what bottles to bring back to Australia to the absolute pleasure of tasting the best bourbons in the world and meeting the people who make it, this episode is a wrap up and celebration of the three great days that was KYBF24....

While you can't buy any bottles of the Lucky Seven expressions in Australia ... yet. The Aussie Bourbon Lovers have some stories about meeting they guys behind this great non-distiller producer (NDP) at Kentucky Bourbon Festival, who have a great backstory and some incredible bourbons. We're looking forward to seeing Lucky Seven bourbons Down Under soon, but for the moment, you might need to make...

Green River Wheated is a fun Bourbon, and not just because the bottle is also a game (if you have a coin)... It's got a rich history (that we need to learn more about) and we love the flavours. The best news is that it recently became available here in Aus and is a cost-effective option for bourbon lovers to try.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Green River Wheated Bourbon 02:00 The 'Shoot The Sh...

H and Dave share a special pour of Stagg Jr, one of their favourite bottles while they try to pass on some of the knowledge that Drew Mayville, the Master Blender of Sazerac (Buffalo Trace) shared with them at an intimate tasting night in Melbourne. There are a few nuggets of gold about how to nose and taste, and a few stories too.     Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Stagg Jr Bourbon from Buffalo T...

Dave and H take a moment to enjoy the final drops of this Distiller's Row Single Barrel from Peerless, while they fire up for Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2024. So many great brands and expressions from over 60 distilleries, along with a bunch of new things to learn and try.   Chapters 00:00 Excitement for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival 01:29 Discovering New Flavours and Comparing Bourbons 03:24 Talki...

Dave and H enjoy sharing their version of the Blanton's single barrel story while they enjoy an expression made specially for the Australian market. Loads of interesting things about Warehouse H, the first single barrels that were bottled and those cool horsey stoppers on the beautiful bottles.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Blanton's Green Label Bourbon 00:59 Understanding Blanton's as a Bourbo...

In a liquor store in San Francisco, a wonderful person sold Dave this rather heavy bottle. While it's not easy to get in Australia, it is an amazing pour because of the unique way the bourbon is aged in a Solera. While Dave and H do a poor job of explaining what a solera system is, it's fair to say the outcome has a unique flavour and it's a special pour.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Hillrock...