Bourbon Barrel Talk

Scott, Brian, Toby and Jared discuss the bourbon bubble. What is the impact of shutdowns at Beam, MGP’s Kentucky distilleries, and Green River? What will this affect? How will it affect the market, and who will be affected the most?  Will it be better for the NDP's or hurt them?

The crew sits down and interviews Chattanooga Whiskey's Founder and CEO Tim Piersant. Tim tells us about the transition from sourcing MGP to becoming the 2026 Craft Distillery of the Year. 

The crew discusses the most recent 13th Colony 113 Proof Maple and Cask Strength. All sourced MGP they are finished with maple spirals. 

The crew reviews the Starlight Repeal Day Blake and Ted Picks. While the gents from Starlight continue to put out great stuff there is very little that creates FOMO like Repeal Day. This episode really dives into these two barrels and what makes Blake and Ted unique. 

The crew reviewed vintage airplane bottles with Chad from Bourbon Boyz in this crossover. Val was an extra voice that brought perspective from the industry. 

Scott and the crew have a great conversation with Master Distiller Ian Stirsman of Ross & Squibb / MGP Distillery. We discussed recent and upcoming releases (Master Distiller Experimental Series No. 2). There upcoming new single barrel program and much more. It was fun listening to his use of LBSV and LESV to discribe mashbills. Just a small reminder where Four Roses came from. 

In a quasi crossover episode, the crew discusses with Chad and Val barrel picks and other things happening in that part of our industry. Chad runs Mythical one of the larger pick groups in the Midwest. Val has worked with multiple brands, Smooth Ambler, Castle and Key and Jeptha Creed. 

Brian and Scott take a visit to the Blending House and have a conversation with Master Blender Ashley Barnes and Director of Operations Matt King. The Blending House serves as a centralized production hub designed specifically to optimize operations for spirits brands of all sizes. It is home to a 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art blending and bottling facility and seven cutting-edge  K-RAX® ric...

The crew discussed the difference between and reviewed Wheated Whiskey (Starlight) vs Wheated Bourbon (Larceny BP). The Starlight Whiskey was from their recent Repeal Day, while the Larceny Barrel Proof was batch B525. 

The crew releases a more recent review from the folks at 291. Michael is doing some cool and unique things in Colorado, this is a discussion about one of their releases that was a good mistake. The 291 HR was an accidental double dump of their rye into this batch. The result you have to listen to hear. 

The crew sits down and reviews High West' most recent release the Cask Strength. Bottled in late 2025, released in January, this pour brings a variety of bourbons to the table with it's super unique blend. 3 Kentucky bourbons, an Indiana one and a Tennessee one. 

The crew went off book and reviewed our latest mail call Fresh Victor. It's a line of premium mixers for easy cocktails and mocktails too. In the second episode of this 2 part series, we indulged on the ones we thought that should be made as suggested. Three Citrus & Mint Leaf, Cucumber & Lime, Cactus Pear & Pomegranate, Jalapeño & Lime and Grapefruit & Sea Salt. If you want to...

The fellas went off book and reviewed our latest mail call Fresh Victor. It's a line of premium mixers for easy cocktails and mocktails too. In the first episode of this 2 part series, we indulged on the ones we thought that would stand up to bourbon. Strawberry & Lemon, Lemon Sour (whiskey sour), Pineapple & Ginger Root, and Mexican Lime Agave. If you want to try these, for a 20% discount...

The crew sits down and reviews Old Forge's whiskey. This bottle was a blend of bourbon and neutral grain spirits. While youthful, it has some qualities that some folks might find appealing.

The crew sits down and discusses the two most recent Family Estate Bourbon and Ryes from Repeal Day. The Bourbon Barrel 15225 and the Rye 16140 are long awaited by many. We talk about these previous 16 series bottles and how they have usually been excellent. 

The crew sits down and discusses their favorite tours, interviews, bottles and things from this past year. The highlights were too many to count. From virtual conversations with High West, Film Land and Blind Barrels to distillery visits at West Fork, Casey Jones and Makers Mark. 

In our final episode of Festivus Barrel Aged Stouts. We Uplands Teddy Bear Kisses, and Atrium's Barrel Aged Beans and Sha-Boing Boing. I have to say Atriums consistency throughout this series was second to none. So much so, I saved their most recent release to put it up against the two Heaven Hill Goose Islands here in the next couple of weeks.  As this one rounds out the holiday season from our B...

This episode we reviewed Barrel of Monkeys (Lexington, KY), Dragons Milk Reserve Oatmilk Cookie and Braxtons Dark Charge Brown Butter Pecan. Probably the hardest choice from a consistency point of the match ups. Maybe not he best group of beers but the most consistent. 

On this episode Scott and the Brocks review an Old Forester SiB Evansville Fire Dept. Athletic Club Pick. This Old Fo Barrel Strength single barrel is available in Evansville, IN. It has a robust flavor with a big hug. 

This episode we review three Barrel Aged Stouts from Against the Grain two of the 70k and the Bo and Luke. The Caramel Apple and Bo and Luke were definitely different than I thought, but I believe something happened to the Chocolate Orange, it didn’t taste right. 

This episode we reviewed some old favorites to a similar taste profile. Sierra Nevada Trip into the Woods, Atriums Sticky Fingers, and Goose Island's Caramella. All this while not complaining, but talking about how the secondary market is coming down a bit. 

The Old Fo reviews keep coming with a series of single barrels we got our hands on. This one is from SIPS So. Indiana Pick Society. We buy these barrels and split them up while donating a little change to local nonprofits. As we always say do a little good in the hood. 

The crew continues our Barrel Aged Stouts episodes with Butchertowns Elements of Time, Mile Wides BUKU, and Humble Forager's Existential Bliss. This Festivus was us complaining about distilleries charging a higher amount for smaller bottles. 

The crew discussed a couple of this years grievances while reviewing 3 Goose Island Barrel aged Stouts. 2025 OG, Choclate Praline, and Cherries Jubilee. 

The crew sits down and reviews the Old Forester 117 Series Extra Extra Old Batch 2. We try review and compare Batch 1 to Batch 2. While the 117 Series has been consistently good, some are better than others. Which is your favorite and why?