John Starck

Blind Tasting Podcast

Leisure EN ↓ 123 episodes

You're gonna get honest (and sometimes irreverent) reviews, news, and opinions on whiskey and the industry.  Will I dwell on the minutia? Sure, sometimes. Will I use sarcasm to get my point across? Yep. Either way you can bet you'll learn something and have something to say about it and that is exactly what Blind Tasting Podcast is all about. Bourbon, Whiskey, and Attitude! Enjoy!

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.buzzsprout.com

Author

John Starck

Category

Leisure

Podcast website

www.buzzsprout.com

Latest episode

Oct 24, 2026

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Episodes

Is Kilbeggan Triple Cask Irish Whiskey Worth a Damn? Plus, TSA Chaos, Buffalo Trace Sludge, & Field of Dreams Builds a Monster 29.07.2025

Welcome in, whiskey freaks! In this episode, I taste Kilbeggan Triple Cask Irish Whiskey, straight from the Emerald Isle, courtesy of a friend with excellent timing and terrible impulse control. But before the review? We’ve got news. Buffalo Trace is recycling sludge. The Field of Dreams is building the Infinity Bottle of baseball whiskey. TSA rules are somehow getting weirder. And Barrell Craft d...

Whiskey Trauma, Hot New Releases, and Review of Larceny Barrel Proof C924 23.07.2025

Whiskey Freaks! In this episode, we take a wild ride through the worst whiskey experiences y’all shared with me. From regret and trauma to plastic screw tops. From Jack Daniel’s to Mellow Corn to anything labeled “Canadian,” we run through The Pours That Haunt Us . But it’s not all pain and palate punishment. I’ve also got new releases from Jim Beam, Jefferson’s, Old Forester, Still Austin, and St...

Buffalo Trace Drops a $1,500 Flex, Mountain Dew Predicts the End Times, Review of Traveller Whiskey 16.07.2025

Whiskey Freaks! Today we almost interview Jeffrey Epstein’s lawyer… but nah, we’re not tryin' to get disappeared. So instead, we’re diving into some wild whiskey headlines, including Buffalo Trace’s crazy new “Distiller’s Council” release, Jim Beam’s new Lineage Batch 2, Rebel’s award-winning 10-Year, and a Texas distillery doing real good in the world. In other news...  • Is Mountain Dew pre...

Whiskey Stocks Are Down… Should We Freak Out? — Connecting Wall Street to Whiskey Row 07.07.2025

This week on The Blind Tasting Podcast, we’re taking a break from sipping to swirl our glass in a different direction—Wall Street. We’re talking about some big names in the whiskey world whose stocks have taken a hit:  • MGP Ingredients, the quiet giant behind many of your favorite pours  • Brown-Forman, home of Jack Daniel’s, Woodford, and Old Forester Our guest is a finance pro with serious mark...

Big News from Heaven Hill, Dark Arts, Wild Turkey + Pinhook’s 2022 “Rye Munny” Review 30.06.2025

It’s go-time on this week’s Blind Tasting Podcast! We dig into the Pinhook Straight Rye Whiskey 2022 Edition, aka “Rye Munny,” a bottle that’s been on my radar for months. We break down fresh releases, from Heaven Hill to Wild Turkey, plus the bourbon buzz that’s got everyone talking.  There’s wax seals flying, cocktail ideas flowing, and some big names making bold moves—though not all of them are...

Splash 'n Dash - Review of Piggyback Rye Whiskey - Does it Have More Decimals Than Flavor? 23.06.2025

Welcome to the Splash n Dash edition of the Blind Tasting Podcast—where we skip the backstory and get straight to the sipping. Today I crack open WhistlePig’s PiggyBack 100% Rye, and yeah… we need to talk about that oddly specific 96.56 proof. Who proofed this—an accountant? I break down the whiskey, question the Canadian sourcing mystery, and wrestle with whether this $50 bottle deserves a spot i...

Eagle Rare 12 Is Here! Plenty of New Releases + a Review of New Riff Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Whiskey 17.06.2025

It’s nothin’ but a good time on this week’s Blind Tasting Podcast! We break down the bold New Riff Bottled in Bond Bourbon, compare it to Old Forester 1897, and take a rye-heavy ride through flavor town. Plus, I cover HUGE bourbon news—including Eagle Rare 12, Redemption’s $400 flex, a Buffalo Bill tribute bourbon, and the latest Babe Ruth Reserve. Also, my neighbor got a robot lawnmower and now I...

Splash 'n Dash - Head-to-Head Members Mark Small Batch Bourbon vs. 1792 Small Batch 08.06.2025

Today on the Blind Tasting Podcast, I crack open two unopened bottles I’ve had sitting around for a while—both scored for cheap—and pit them against each other in a head-to-head matchup. We’re talking Member’s Mark Small Batch Bourbon (yes, the Sam’s Club special) vs. 1792 Small Batch from Barton. Are they cousins? Brothers? The same whiskey in different clothes? I bought both bottles myself, so y...

Heaven Hill’s New “Sustainable” Distillery, Buffalo Trace News, Steak Night, Review of Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select Whiskey 02.06.2025

Heaven Hill’s Got a New-Fangled  “Sustainable” Distillery Buffalo Trace Auction for Tornado Relief Steak Night, wtf? I review Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Select Whiskey Subscribe so you don’t miss the verdict — and whatever surprise pour comes next! Help support the podcast by shopping for whiskey, prohibition, and gangster-related photos and art at: https://famousdocs.etsy.com   Get 20% off...

Rebel 100 Review: Rebels, Rebels, Everywhere - Is This One a Rebel Without a Cause? 22.04.2025

I cracked open Rebel 100 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and the results are… eye-opening. Does it stand out in a crowded bourbon world or is it just another Rebel without a cause? Find out what happened when I put it to the test.  Help support the podcast by shopping for whiskey, prohibition, and gangster-related photos and art at: https://famousdocs.etsy.com   Get 20% off for a limited time wh...

Buffalo Trace Under Water, Garrard County Distilling Gone For Good? Review of All Nations Straight Bourbon Whiskey 16.04.2025

Buffalo Trace flooding shuts down production! Beam, Lux Row, Maker’s Mark, and Wild Turkey all drop new releases — some bold, some weird, some surprisingly under the radar. A few new bourbons might be coming soon… and if they are, they’ll definitely turn some heads. Quick highlights from the 2025 World Whiskies Awards — who showed up big. Garrard County Distilling collapses just over a year after...

Trump's “Beautiful” Tariffs Are Gut-Punching the Bourbon Biz 11.04.2025

In this episode, we tackle a spicy topic—tariffs—and how they’re shaking up the bourbon world. From export numbers and price hikes to major layoffs and closures (looking at you, Brown-Forman and Garrard County Distilling), we dig into whether tariffs are to blame or just part of a bigger industry shift. Are whiskey prices going up? Who’s really paying the cost? And is the bourbon boom finally slow...

Splash 'n Dash - Review of Four Roses OESO Limited Ed. Straight Bourbon Whiskey 07.04.2025

Does the OESO yeast strain live up to all the hype? Give it a listen and find out! Like what I'm doing? Support the pod here: https://buymeacoffee.com/blindtastingpodcast   Help support the podcast by shopping for whiskey, prohibition, and gangster-related photos and art at: https://famousdocs.etsy.com   Get 20% off for a limited time when you purchase 4 or more items! Swing by, follow, and c...

Van Winkle Auction Brings in World Record, Whiskey and Guns Don’t Mix, Review of Benchmark Full Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey 01.04.2025

New releases from Old Forester, Machine Head, and Yellowstone. We’ve got a new world record bottle of Van Winkle sold at auction! Whiskey and guns don’t mix (who knew?) I review Benchmark Full Proof Straight Bourbon Whiskey from our good friends at Buffalo Trace Distillery. Help support the podcast by shopping for whiskey, prohibition, and gangster-related photos and art at: https://famousdocs.ets...

Splash 'n Dash - Review of Holladay Ancient Cave Hickory Smoked Straight Bourbon Whiskey 26.03.2025

The Holladay Ancient Cave Collection features bourbon aged in experimental barrels for a secondary finish. Each one starts in a new, level 3 charred white oak barrel, and they age it for at least six years in Rickhouse B or C. Then, (this is where the magic happens….) select barrels from the first floor of those warehouses are then re-barreled to apply a secondary finish. In this case, in a level...

Buffalo Trace Gossip, New Releases, Florida Man? Review of Still Austin "The Musician" Straight Bourbon Whiskey 20.03.2025

A cool new concept for a bourbon bar in Florida. New releases from Jack Daniels, Woodford Reserve, and New Riff, and Diageo’s Orphan Barrel Collection. Buffalo Trace gossip, we’re winning kids, we’re winning! Whiskeys on the way, stuff that’s coming…but we don’t know just when itll be here… And finally, I review Still Austin “The Musician” Straight Bourbon Whiskey.  Like what I'm doing? Suppo...

EMERGENCY EPISODE! Wolcott Rickhouse Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey Review 10.03.2025

Review of Wolcott Rickhouse Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Like what I'm doing? Support the pod here: https://buymeacoffee.com/blindtastingpodcast   Help support the podcast by shopping for whiskey, prohibition, and gangster-related photos and art at: https://famousdocs.etsy.com   Get 20% off for a limited time when you purchase 4 or more items! Swing by, follow, and comment at Blind Tasti...

The Bourbon Trail Gets Bigger! What IS a Glencairn? Smoke Wagon Bourbon Whiskey Review 04.03.2025

I’ve got several new releases to talk about…. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail has expanded….AGAIN!  You’re gonna have to retire to Kentucky if you’re gonna make it to all of these distilleries folks. What the hell IS a glencairn glass? I review something out of Las Vegas, Nevada… Smoke Wagon Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Like what I'm doing? Support the pod here: https://buymeacoffee.com/blindtastingp...

Splash 'n Dash - Review of Four Roses Small Batch Select Straight Bourbon Whiskey 26.02.2025

Last time I tasted FRSBS was FIVE years ago! How does it fare today on the Splash 'n Dash? I do a quick review so you can make an informed decision next time you head to the liquor store. Is it a bouquet of flavor? Listen and find out! Like what I'm doing? Support the pod here: https://buymeacoffee.com/blindtastingpodcast   Help support the podcast by shopping for whiskey, prohibition, a...

Is Cocaine the Same as Whiskey? Mitch Wants Your Money, Guess the Whiskey, Old Grand-Dad Bonded Bourbon Whiskey Review 19.02.2025

Buffalo Trace might, I say, might have a new Eagle Rare release and you’re gonna want to hear about this! Heaven Hill releases a 19 year old wheater. Guess the whiskey.... Volume 3! Is snorting cocaine any different than sipping a good whiskey? Mitch McConnell wants to save the trees...and he wants your money to do it! And finally, I review Old Grand-Dad Bonded Straight Bourbon Whiskey. We’re gonn...

Buffalo Trace Wild New Release, Holladay Is Expanding, Top 10 US Whiskies, Review of Green River Straight Rye Whiskey 13.02.2025

Calumet Farm has a couple new premium releases. Buffalo Trace has a new, different, and experimental release.  Holladay Distillery is expanding and I've got some cool SCIENCE to talk about on that one. We’ve got another new kick ass release coming from the World Whiskey Society. I've got a list of the top 10 whiskies in America, is it BS, we’re gonna find out. I review Green River Straig...

Splash 'n Dash - Review of Rebel 10 Year Single Barrel Straight Bourbon Whiskey 05.02.2025

Rebel 10, is it unbelievable...or underwhelming? Find out and listen to this Splash 'n Dash episode of the Blind Tasting Podcast! Like what I'm doing? Support the pod here: https://buymeacoffee.com/blindtastingpodcast   Help support the podcast by shopping for whiskey, prohibition, and gangster-related photos and art at: https://famousdocs.etsy.com   Get 20% off for a limited time when y...

Layoffs at Brown-Forman, Cool New Releases, Irish Whiskey News, Ezra Brooks 99 Review 28.01.2025

Global Layoffs at Brown-Forman. Cool new releases. Religion? Big news for Irish Whiskey. And finally, I review Ezra Brooks 99 Straight Bourbon Whiskey.  Like what I'm doing? Support the pod here: https://buymeacoffee.com/blindtastingpodcast   Help support the podcast by shopping for whiskey, prohibition, and gangster-related photos and art at: https://famousdocs.etsy.com   Get 20% off for a l...

Review of Wild Turkey 101 vs 70th Anniv. 101, vs Wild Turkey 101 12 Year Old Straight Bourbon Whiskey 22.01.2025

It's turkey hunting season folks, so I've gone crazy and am doing a triple match-up between some of Jimmy Russell's finest bourbons. Which one will be my favorite? Like what I'm doing? Support the pod here: https://buymeacoffee.com/blindtastingpodcast   Help support the podcast by shopping for whiskey, prohibition, and gangster-related photos and art at: https://famousdocs.etsy...

MGP Is Getting Sued, Dumbassery in the Whiskey World, Celebrity Whiskies of 2024, Review of Booker's Jimmy's Batch 12.01.2025

MGP has got themselves a class action lawsuit More whiskey news you need to know! Dumbassery at its finest, and yes, this involves politicians…and bourbon.. and potentially all of us at some point What celebrity whiskies did they bestow on us in 2024? I’ve got the list RIGHT HERE! And finally, I review Booker’s 24-04 “Jimmy’s Batch” Straight Bourbon Whiskey from our good friends at Jim Beam  Like...

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