Bourbon Lens

Our guest this week is Todd Wiesel, Founder and CEO of BAXUS.  We discuss whiskey collecting, spirits investing, and how BAXUS is seeking to be the leading platform to buy, sell, and invest in rare spirits.   Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you're there.   We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout goes to our growing P...

Nelson Eddy rejoins Bourbon Lens for a "Part 2" episode on all things Jack Daniel's.  You will recall Eddy's last appearance back on Episode 202 when we discussed the legends and lore behind the brand.  As we teased in that episode, Eddy joins us today to talk about Jack's surge into the mainstream and its place in pop culture, media, and its place on the world's stage.   Stream this episode on yo...

Our guest this week is Richard Seale, Master Distiller & Master Blender of Foursquare Rum Distillery in Barbados.  Aged Rum is an area we've not explored but a recent trip to Barbados inspired Jake to curate this episode for our Bourbon Lens listeners.  Well-aged rum stocks draw similarities to the bourbon world and for those who are looking to expand their palate, this is a must taste.   Stre...

Jake is joined by Gerard Garland, Whiskey Ambassador for Irish Distillers and Method + Madness Irish Whiskey .  They discuss the explosive growth of Irish Whiskey as it competes globally in the Whiskey World.  Irish Whiskey is experiencing a rebirth as is evident by its growth and popularity.  We were excited to have the opportunity to branch out and try  some of the recent releases from Method an...

Our guest today is Drew Hannush, who is helping us kick off our coverage of Irish Whiskey for St. Patrick's Day.  Drew is an author, podcaster, world traveler, and incredible storyteller.  Drew Hannush is the author of the best selling book "Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing Kentucky Bourbon" and his latest book, "Whiskey Lore's Travel Guide to Experiencing Irish Whiskey" . He also hosts...

We're joined by the Founders of Lucky Seven Spirits, a spirits brand inspired by the Hollywood of old.  It's name and packaging is an homage to the film world, including Hollywood's Stage 7 (known as Lucky Seven). The stage gained its name because three Warner Bros. best picture winners — The Life of Emile Zola, My Fair Lady and Casablanca — and 10 best picture nominees were shot here.  We taste t...

Our guest this week is Craig Bridger of Whyte & Mackay. Craig brings us an impressive lineup of The Dalmore Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, including their 12 Year, USA-Exclusive 14 Year, Port Wood Reserve, and an exquisite and rare 18 Year Single Malt. Our US listeners should definitely keep their eyes out for the 14 Year.  The 14 Year joins The Dalmore Principal Collection, exclusively in the U...

Bourbon Lens is excited to play host to a roundtable discussion featuring three organizations aimed at making bourbon accessible for all.  We are joined by the Founders of Bourbon Women, Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild, and BIG Bourbon Club.  Join us as we discuss some important topics as we seek to pull back the red velvet rope of the Bourbon Industry to ensure everyone feels welcome sharing a pour...

Our guest this week is Victoria Eady Butler, Master Blender for Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. Victoria had a rather unconventional path to the whiskey world, but her story is a great one and we were excited to have this opportunity. She's honoring the legacy of her Great-Great-Grandfather in her role as the Master Blender of one of the top trending brands in American Whiskey. Uncle Nearest honors...

Our guest is Morgan Hancock, Founder of Bourbon with Heart , Kentucky's first and only arts-focused bourbon charity.  Bourbon with Heart is hosting the Inaugural "Barrels of Heart" bourbon barrel art exhibit at the Frazier History Museum in Louisville, Kentucky. The Exhibit began on February 1, 2023 and runs through April. Visit Bourbon with Heart on Social Media to vote for your favorite barrel;...

Colin Spoelman is our guest this week and he is the Co-Founder of NYC's Kings County Distillery.  We discuss how Colin grew a tiny distillery into New York City's oldest and most respected craft whiskey distillery.  Colin has a unique approach to his whiskey craft and isn't afraid to ruffle a few feathers to make great whiskey and gain respect amongst the world's largest, and even smallest, distil...

Our guest this week is David Coors, of the iconic Coors Brewing family.  David is leading the Next Generation of Beverages for Molson Coors and he joins us to discuss their Five Trail Whiskey lineup.  Find out what inspired David to explore the whiskey world and how he convinced his brewing family to get into spirits. Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review...

We sit down with James Doherty, Founder of Sliabh Liag Distillers (pronounced "sleeve league") to discuss their portfolio of Silkie Irish Whiskey which recently launched in the United States. We discuss the unique features of Irish Whiskey as well as the various offerings from Sliabh Liag. Find out what makes their whiskies stand out in a market that is seeing explosive growth for Irish Whiskey. ...

Jake and Scott catch up with Colin Blake, Director of Spirits Education at Moonshine University, after becoming two of the newest Executive Bourbon Stewards. Stave and Thief Society, which is part of Moonshine University, is the first bourbon certification program recognized by the bourbon industry and the only to be recognized by the Kentucky Distillers Association as its "Official Bourbon Educat...

Jake travels to Bardstown for an early look (and taste) of Bardstown Bourbon Company's first estate-distilled collection of whiskey releases; The Origin Series.  These whiskies release later this week and we had the opportunity to be among the first to try each of the 3 releases. If you've followed the Bourbon Lens for a while, you know that we have anticipated these whiskies for many years.  We d...

We are exploring American Single Malt again this week and tasting a lineup from Colkegan from Santa Fe Spirits in New Mexico. We're joined by Colin Keegan, one of the pillars in the American Single Malt Whiskey community.  Colin talks about his path to making spirits in the Southwestern United States, the difficulties in growing a craft brand, and his commitment to crafting the best single malt wh...

We're joined by Filmland Spirits Founder and CEO Troy Bolotnick. Filmland Spirits has just released 3 new whiskies to market and are seeking to tell a story with every bottle.  Inspired by decade's past B–Movies, their bottlings are sure to catch your attention on the shelf.  Each release is a homage to Hollywood, film-making, and wild storylines.  Visit FilmlandSpirits.com to grab yourself a bott...

Our guest this week is David Souza, the Founder and Distiller for Corbin Cash Distillery in California.  We discuss the farm-to-glass approach of the Distillery and what drives David to produce craft whiskey in the San Joaquin Valley where his family has been farming for decades.  Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you're there.   We are thankful...

Our guest this week is Matt Hofman of Westland Distillery.  Matt is the Co-Founder and Master Distiller of Westland Distillery in Seattle, Washington. Matt has passion for exceptional whiskies that reflect the region where they were made. He has received a General Certificate in Distilling from the Institute of Brewing and Distilling in London, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Distilling from...

Our guest this week is Nelson Eddy, historian for Jack Daniel's Distillery. Nelson has represented the Jack Daniel's brand for more than 34 years and learned the history and lore surrounding the brand working for its very first marketing director, Mr. Art Hancock.  In 1988, Eddy helped introduce the first new whiskey from the Jack Daniel Distillery in more than a century – Gentleman Jack Tennessee...

Our guest this week is Robert Haynes, former bartender at Chicago's Violet Hour and the creator of Sunday's Finest Gold Fashioned. Robert is looking to reimagine the "ready to drink" cocktail to put an elevated spin on the Old Fashioned.  In fact, Sunday's Finest is re-defining this iconic cocktail using some of  the best ingredients on the planet, including Afghan Saffron and Tahitian Vanilla. Th...

We're celebrating our 200th episode of Bourbon Lens this week. And we couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than with The Last Drop Distillers. Last Drop recently released their rare, ultra premium blend of Kentucky Straight Whiskies. Our guests today are Rebecca Jago, managing director of The Last Drop Distillers, and Drew Mayville, Sazerac Master Blender and founding member of The Last Dro...

It's the return of our "Salute to Service" Veteran's Day podcast. This week, we are saluting the service of our guest, Arch Watkins, and his partner, Mark McLaughlin, from Old Line Spirits.  Old Line Spirits is based in Maryland and has had a gritty story of building a top class American Single Malt distillery.   We hope you enjoy this episode and toast to Veterans this week!  If you are looking f...

Our guests this week are Steven Grasse and Aaron Goldfarb who are set to release their latest book: Brand Mysticism. The book releases on November 8th and is a must read for anyone looking to add creativity to their life and brand.  This isn't your typical "booze book" and definitely will raise some eyebrows in the marketing world, but Steven Grasse doesn't mind that one bit.  His portfolio speaks...

We're joined by the founders of American Mash & Grain, CEO Devin Ershow & COO Chase Langdon. Devin and Chase have created a website documentary project to highlight the American Craft Whiskey movement, regularly giving full featured reviews and telling the stories of the best craft whiskey distilleries.  The next progression for their project is marrying some of their favorite featured dis...