Blind Tasting Podcast

Is bourbon quietly being taken over by foreign corporations…or is this just the biggest overreaction in whiskey right now? We’re talkin’ Four Roses, Brown-Forman rumors, and who really controls what’s in your glass.     Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3 Like what I'm doing?...

This week on Blind Tasting Podcast, I sit down with Bill McBrayer of McBrayer Legacy Spirits to talk bourbon history, his 175 year old family legacy, and how one forgotten Kentucky whiskey name helped shape the bourbon world we know today. We get into old-school distilling, Hollywood connections, Wild Turkey, Kentucky Owl, trademark battles, family mash bills, and what it actually takes to bring a...

This week on Blind Tasting Podcast: I dig into a couple major whiskey stories, rant about the most underrated bourbon on the shelf, and somehow end up stress-testing my sanity trying to buy 2028 Olympic tickets like it was a classified government operation. We’ve also got baseball bourbon, soccer whiskey, Wild Turkey doin’ Wild Turkey things, and a Bernheim pour so good it might make you slap your...

In this ICYMI episode, I revisit one of my favorite bourbon reviews from the archive: Preservation Distillery’s Cock of the Walk Bourbon. After a candid conversation with VP of Operations Kyle Lloyd, I break down what makes this micro-batch wheated bourbon stand out, and why it reminded me of a bolder, rowdier cousin to Pappy Van Winkle. Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel S...

I explain why I’m officially refusing to attend Bourbon & Beyond 2026 after a bizarre “hokey pokey” process that left me scratching my head. This isn’t just about one festival, it’s about how the whiskey world treats smaller voices, authentic coverage, and the whiskey freaks who actually support the industry.  Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, a...

The first batch of Silk Velvet Whiskey was produced in the winter of 1880. After 40 years, it faded into oblivion, just like so many others after Prohibition. Today, the brand is back in full force, and Zach Hargis and 8th-generation Master Distiller Jacob Call join me to break down the resurrection of this forgotten whiskey, from an antique store discovery to a full-scale revival rooted in Kentuc...

A deep dive into Knob Creek’s first Blender’s Edition release, a 10-year sweet bourbon blend from Beam Suntory. This one hits a little differently for reasons beyond the glass, and I walk through exactly what’s in it, what’s missing, and what it might be trying to say. Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon:  https://www.a...

Buffalo Trace drops a five-figure Eagle Rare 30 Year Old, Steph Curry’s going after mizunara finishes, and Kentucky’s arguing in court over who actually gets to claim the title of first Black-owned bourbon distillery. Oh, and I found a 4-year old full proof bourbon from Craig Beam at Jackson Purchase Distillery that drinks like it’s got a point to prove. Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourb...

While bourbon hunters chase hype bottles and horsey toppers, J.W. Dant just keeps showin’ up with 100 proof, history, and a price tag that feels like it came from another decade. Today, I pour it, taste it, give you my honest take, and do the hard work so y’all don’t have to.  Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon:  https...

MGP’s stock has been getting crushed, the industry’s been shifting, and now MGP’s finally jumping on that same train. Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3 Like what I'm doing? Support the pod here: https://buymeacoffee.com/blindtastingpodcast   Help support the podcast by shopp...

Buffalo Trace and Jack Daniel’s under the same umbrella? That’s the story making waves right now. Let’s break down what’s actually happening, and what it could mean if it becomes reality! Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3 Like what I'm doing? Support the pod here: https://bu...

Welcome in Whiskey Freaks to a quick-hit episode where we shine a light on a bourbon that gets ignored, disrespected, and totally overlooked. I’m talkin’ Old Forester Statesman, a solid, balanced straight bourbon whiskey that quietly bridges the gap between entry-level and high-proof pours. We dive into the history, the story behind the bottle, and why it deserves a spot in your collection. Grab a...

Today on the Blind Tasting Podcast, we’re diving headfirst into all things bourbon. We talk Garrison Brothers’ 2026 Lady Bird Bourbon and the limited Cask Strength, Lux Row Estate Bourbon grown right on the distillery’s land, Ezra Brooks 90 Proof sweepstakes (yep, 90 prizes for 90 proof), and Remus Bourbon’s Ross & Squibb VIP trip contest. I also hand you a dangerously easy Jim Beam Pineapple...

Alright Whiskey Freaks, before you book that flight or print out the whole Bourbon Trail map, just…stop. Today, I break down rookie mistakes, how to use the KDA “Build Your Own Trip” tool, and the smart way to hit distilleries without burning out. Do it right, enjoy the bourbon, and leave some room for fun too. Whether it’s your first pilgrimage or your tenth trip to Kentucky, this one’s for you....

Whiskey Freaks, this one’s a big one. I sit down with bourbon royalty himself, Master Distiller Craig Beam, seventh-generation distiller, newly inducted member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame, former longtime force at Heaven Hill Distillery, and now Master Distiller at Jackson Purchase Distillery. We talk about learning whiskey at ten years old under the watchful eyes of Earl and Parker Beam,...

Elijah Craig finally rolls out a 15-year single barrel at 108 proof, and for a lot of bourbon drinkers, the first question is obvious: does this finally deliver what people have wanted the 18-year to be all along? Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3 Like what I'm doing? Suppor...

Why does Buffalo Trace refuse to be on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail? It’s a bourbon trivia question that trips up even serious whiskey freaks. In this short episode I lay out the why and the why not and I tease my upcoming legendary guest with the last name, BEAM. Tune in to find out all the things! Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales h...

Whiskey Freaks, we’re havin’ a good time today. I run through a pile of new whiskey releases from folks like Michter's, Barrell Craft Spirits, and Maker's Mark, talk about a new bourbon inspired by the show Peaky Blinders, and tell the wild story of a sealed bottle discovered in an old mining town near Alta, Utah from 150 years ago.  Then I crack open a bottle of Stagg 25D Bourbon from B...

In this Breaking News short, I tell you how a $27 million bourbon collapse in Garrard County, Kentucky just turned into Sazerac’s latest power move in its quest for whiskey world domination. Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3 Like what I'm doing? Support the pod here: https:/...

Maker’s Mark just slapped a 7 year, 3 month age statement on their Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whisky, and the bourbon world is buzzing. But is it actually better than the “old” version…or is this just a fancy new label and an extra inch of glass? I pour ’em side by side (not blind, don’t judge me), break down the nose, palate, finish, and decide once and for all: Keep It, Collect It, or Cull I...

Whiskey Freaks, buckle up! In this episode, I break down the latest bourbon news, from Sazerac’s growing empire to a Bourbon Trail pro tip that keeps everyone happy. Then, I reveal the results of your listener poll on the least favorite bourbon, Blanton’s, Weller 107, Eagle Rare 10, or Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, and dive into the passionate, hilarious, and surprising feedback. Plus, I asked Fred M...

Whiskey Freaks, we’re taking a sip back in time with George Washington’s own rye whiskey recipe, freshly recreated and bottled for modern taste. Is it a collector’s dream, a sip of history, or something else entirely? Tune in and find out! Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3 Like w...

We’ve all seen it: the latest 140+ proof bourbon that makes the rounds on socials. But before you hand it to a friend, think twice. Today, I’m asking some uncomfortable questions about hazmat bourbon and the direction it’s taking the whiskey world. Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJ...

Big news, Whiskey Freaks! Four Roses is officially changing hands, and yes, Gallo is the buyer. What does this mean for your bottles, the distillery, and the future of this iconic bourbon? Let’s unpack the deal.  Grab my new book Whiskey Wisdom & Bourbon B.S.: Barrel Strength Legends, Lies, and Untold Tales here on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLNGXJL3 Like what I'm doing? Support...

Whiskey Freaks! This week on the Blind Tasting Podcast, we’re pouring bourbon goodness with a patriotic Still630 release, a deep dive into Whiskey House of Kentucky’s new high-tech rickhouses, and a full review of the 2024 Yellowstone Limited Edition finished in cognac and brandy casks. Plus, I rant about the algorithm overlords trying to hide us from new whiskey fans and why you need to help spre...