Bourbon Lens

What does it take to lead one of the most iconic names in finished American whiskey? In this episode, we sit down with Owen Martin, Master Distiller at Angel’s Envy, for a masterclass on the physics of barrel aging, the art of secondary maturation, and what the future holds for the brand's legendary line of spirits. Owen peels back the curtain on the meticulous science behind their wood programs....

What does America taste like in a glass? In honor of America’s 250th Semiquincentennial anniversary, independent bottler Lost Lantern Whiskey did the seemingly impossible: they sourced straight bourbon from all 50 states to create the groundbreaking "United States of Bourbon" collection. In this episode, we sit down with Adam from Lost Lantern to break down the massive logistical mountain, wild ro...

What happens when Vermont’s most rebellious rye whiskey brand sets up a permanent outpost directly in the heart of Bourbon Country? In this episode of Bourbon Lens , we visit The Vault by WhistlePig in Louisville, KY. We sit down with Lead Research Distiller Mitch Mahar and GM Kevin Didio to explore how they are challenging Kentucky’s bourbon dominance with bold rye innovation. Mitch shares the le...

What happens when you swap traditional yellow corn for a rare, deep-pigmented heirloom grain? You get one of the most unique, grain-forward releases in the history of the Bourbon Lens . In this episode, we review the newly unveiled Woodford Reserve Distillery Series: Red Corn Bourbon . Clocking in at 90.4 proof and packaged in their collectible 375ml format ($64.99 MSRP), this limited edition show...

Dive into the rich history, craftsmanship, and innovative spirit of Woodford Reserve in this exclusive interview with Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall. Since bursting onto the scene in 1996, Woodford Reserve has been a driving force in revitalizing the Kentucky bourbon industry and inspiring the world-famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail. In this episode, Elizabeth pulls back the curtain on how the icon...

Can the blending masters at Rolling Fork Spirits pull off the exact same magic with a historic rye whiskey that they did with their massive Bourbon de Luxe revival? On this episode of Five Minute Fridays , Jake Lewellen cracks open and reviews the highly anticipated REWCO 6-Year Cask Strength Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey . Clocking in at 109.4 proof and priced at an approachable $59.99 MSRP, this...

Old Grand-Dad is a titan among budget bourbons, known for its punchy, high-rye mash bill. But the brand is evolving. In this episode, Jake and Scott dive into the deep history of Old Grand-Dad, tracing it from the 1800s through its current era under the Jim Beam umbrella. We explore the expanded lineup, from the standard 7-year bottled-in-bond to ultra-premium, age-stated releases like the rare 16...

A summer job that turned into a 45-year legacy! In this episode of Bourbon Lens, we raise a glass to Wild Turkey Master Distiller Eddie Russell to celebrate his incredible 45th anniversary milestone at the distillery. We break down the highly anticipated spring release of Russell’s Reserve 13-Year-Old Bourbon, featuring a special commemorative label honoring Eddie’s craftsmanship. Bottled uncut at...

Most whiskey fans have never experienced a spirit that truly captures the essence of the land—until now. In this episode of the Bourbon Lens, we head to Minnesota to sit down with Michael Swanson, co-founder of Far North Spirits, to explore how agricultural choices, crop genetics, and soil health directly influence whiskey flavor. Michael shares his fascinating journey from farm kid to pioneering...

In this episode of Five Minute Fridays, we explore an incredible milestone in the craft spirits movement: the triumphant resurgence of aged craft whiskeys. Leading the charge is Northern Kentucky’s own New Riff Distilling with their highly anticipated, limited-edition 10-Year-Old High Note Bourbon and Rye releases. We dive deep into the production details, mash bills, and proof strengths, alongsid...

Step into the fascinating world of Japanese spirits as we explore the artistry, heritage, and meticulous culture behind Japanese whisky. In this episode of Bourbon Lens, we sit down with House of Suntory's Advocacy Manager, James Bowker, to celebrate Toki Highball Week and deconstruct over a century of liquid craftsmanship. We track the incredible evolution of Japanese whisky, starting from Shinji...

Discover the unique American spirit of Chicken Cock’s Old Glory , a special, highly innovative whiskey crafted in celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. In this episode of Bourbon Lens, we explore the historic significance, stunning patriotic artwork, and the remarkable liquid collaboration behind this iconic bottle. We break down the innovative liquid profile: a 100-proof marriage of prem...

Most bourbon brands focus solely on production volume—but Rabbit Hole Distillery proves there is a much smarter way to stand out in a crowded market. On this episode of Bourbon Lens , host Jake Lewellen sits down with the visionary founder of Rabbit Hole, Kaveh Zemanian , to explore how bold architectural design, regional storytelling, and uncompromised craftsmanship are actively reshaping the fut...

Can a celebrity-backed whiskey brand actually change the way American spirits are made? In this episode of Bourbon Lens (383) , Jake Lewellen sits down with the ultimate industry outsider turned mad scientist: Ari Sussman , the whiskey maker behind country star Eric Church’s Whiskey Jypsi . We take a deep dive into their most ambitious and historically significant release yet: Legacy Batch 003: "T...

In the latest episode of Thursday Thoughts: Discover why honey-finished bourbons are the hottest trend in whiskey. We dive deep into the profiles of Green River Honey ($24.99), Blue Note Honey Cask (Cask Strength), and Southern Stars (6-Year Aged) to find the best balance of sweetness and proof. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing summer highball base or a complex dessert pour, we break down t...

A decade in the making. Today on Bourbon Lens , we sit down with John Waddell , Master Taster at Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co. , to discuss the most significant release in the distillery's modern history: The Henry Kraver Reserve 10-Year Bourbon. Since reviving the Peerless legacy in 2013, the Taylor family has vowed to never source a drop of whiskey. This 10-year release is the liquid proof of...

Welcome to Five Minute Friday's, our new monthly spotlight where we step outside the Bluegrass State to explore the world of spirits. Today, Jake takes a deep dive into two highly anticipated releases from one of the most iconic names in Scotch: The Dalmore. The Dalmore is famous for its luxury status, but for the serious whiskey enthusiast, the specs haven't always hit the mark—until now. We are...

Welcome to the debut of Whisk(e)y Lens , a new monthly spotlight where we step outside the Bluegrass State to take a global view of the spirits world. In this inaugural episode, host Jake takes a deep dive into the rugged landscapes and storied distilleries of Scotland. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by the "smoke" or confused by the regions, this episode is your roadmap. We aren’t just talking a...

Is Tequila just for margaritas, or is it the next frontier for the serious whiskey collector? This Cinco de Mayo, we’re joined by Luigi Rodriguez, Tears of Llorona national brand ambassador. We dive into why this bottle is frequently called the "Pappy of Tequila," exploring the high-altitude agave farming, the legendary triple-barrel aging process (Scotch, Sherry, and Brandy). #CincoDeMayo2026 #Pr...

In this episode of the Bourbon Lens , Jake and Scott celebrate the peak of the horse racing calendar and the "May the Fourth" crossover. The guys dive deep into the high-stakes world of spirits business, covering the recently terminated merger talks between Pernod Ricard and Brown-Forman , while speculating on Sazerac’s massive cash bid for the Jack Daniel’s owner. We also explore the innovation s...

In this episode of the Bourbon Lens , we sit down with Damon Thayer , former Kentucky State Senate Majority Floor Leader and co-owner of Kentucky Senator Bourbon . We dive into the fascinating revival of this historic brand, which originally dates back to the pre-Prohibition era and is now carving out a unique niche by pairing high-quality, aged spirits with the rich political history of the Blueg...

The spirits industry is at a crossroads. As consumer preferences shift toward intentional drinking and premiumization , the old playbook for craft distilleries is being rewritten. In this episode of The Bourbon Lens , we dive into the evolving market dynamics of 2026 and why the most successful brands are ditching national expansion to own their home state first. We break down the critical importa...

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the massive world of Non-Distilling Producers (NDPs) and Independent Bottlers . While many bourbon fans prioritize "grain-to-glass," some of the most innovative and prestigious bottles on the market today come from those who don't actually own a still. We break down the technical distinctions between an NDP and an Independent Bottler, the importance of...

\In this episode of the Bourbon Lens, we sit down with Will Woodington , Director of Brand Engagement for Chicken Cock Whiskey , to celebrate a massive milestone: 170 years of "The Famous Old Brand." We dive deep into the brand’s resurgence, starting with their striking new bottle design and the highly anticipated release of their Wheated Bourbon . Will takes us through a guided tasting, explainin...

Get ready for the return of Louisville's premier bourbon and food celebration! In this episode, we dive deep into the logistics and planning behind Pig and Swig at 4th Street Live! . From the massive infrastructure of the district's 25,000 sq. ft. canopied roof to the curated "Allocation Station" featuring rare pours, we explore how this event transforms downtown Louisville into a bourbon lover's...