The Best Bet with Claudia Coffey

How does a tiny mountain town in Eastern Kentucky sell out an entire music festival weekend before announcing a single artist on the lineup? In this episode of The Best Bet Pod , host Claudia Coffey sits down with Jon Grace, the Director of Bell County Tourism and the visionary behind the Laurel Cove Music Festival in Pineville, Kentucky. Known to music lovers as "The Red Rocks of Appalachia,...

What happens when three friends move their monthly backyard brew day into a 100-year-old historic landmark? You make history. 🏛️✨ This week on The Best Bet , host Claudia Coffey sits down with Derek Caskey and Nicholas Hollan, co-founders of Sawstone Brewing Company. They share the grit it took to scale up from a hobby, renovate a century-old building, and bet on Morehead, Kentucky's very fir...

Legendary jockey Corey Lanerie sits down for an unfiltered, exclusive interview just days before hanging up his goggles at the end of the Churchill Downs Spring Meet. With over 5,000 career wins, Corey weighs in on the biggest story shaking up the backstretch: the future of horse racing media as FanDuel TV winds down its network operations. He also reveals the trainers he loved working with the mo...

If your ideal summer weekend involves incredible roots music, local bourbon, and a gorgeous lakeside backdrop, put this hidden gem on your radar immediately. This week, Claudia Coffey sits down with Tiffany Finley, Executive Director of the Master Musicians Festival in Somerset, Kentucky. Tiffany shares how this fiercely independent, two-day festival has preserved its community soul while booking...

From Food Network star to the ultimate Southern food icon, Kentucky’s own Chef Damaris Phillips sits down for Episode 24 of The Best Bet . Damaris shares her journey of betting on her culinary voice, cooking under the spotlight, and keeping the heart of Southern hospitality alive in a fast-paced media world. Brought to you by Town & Country Ford —your trusted local Ford dealer. Find your next...

What does it actually take to host a celebration of a lifetime? In Episode 5, we are pulling back the curtain on the massive logistics and creative planning required to launch America's largest small-town 250th celebration right here in our region. Joined by Leslie Ikerd of Somerset Tourism and Michelle Allen of Lake Cumberland Tourism, we talk about the unique win-win opportunity of aligning...

What does it actually take to revitalize a rural community and prove that small-town America is ready for global business? We are back with Somerset Mayor Alan Keck for a broader, high-level discussion on rebuilding the American heartland. In this episode, we lay out the ultimate "Rural Rise Blueprint," breaking down exactly how small-town leadership can recognize, capture, and execute o...

What happens when a global bourbon brand plants its roots in a classic American lake town? You get a total economic game-changer known as the "Horse Soldier Effect." In Episode 3 of our docuseries, "The Catalyst," we’re sitting down with the driving forces behind the region's massive rebranding: Leslie Ikerd (Somerset Tourism) and Michelle Allen (Lake Cumberland Tourism). W...

How do you transition from an elite military career as a Green Beret to founding one of America's fastest-growing premium bourbon brands? Welcome back to "The Somerset Bet." In Episode 2, we sit down with Scott Neil, a founding member and brand ambassador of Horse Soldier Bourbon. While Episode 1 focused on the community's vision, Scott takes us behind the scenes from the operato...

This week, The Best Bet Podcast is taking a road trip to the new "Southern Anchor" of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail: Somerset and Pulaski County, Kentucky. Join Claudia Coffey as she unpacks the chronological story of a community’s massive rebirth, spearheaded by a viral marketing pitch and a team of legendary special operators. GUESTS: Alan Keck: Mayor of Somerset, detailing the vision for...

The Best Bet is on the road! Host Claudia Coffey sits down with the architects of National Bourbon Week in Bardstown, KY. We explore the 8-day celebration (June 14-21), the evolution of the Bourbon Capital Mash Up, and the boutique tasting room explosion changing the downtown skyline. Sponsored by: Town & Country Ford ( FordLouisville.net ), the Bourbon Capital Guild, and Bardstown Tourism. Da...

What does it take to execute the most famous two minutes in sports? During the heat of Derby 152 , Claudia Coffey sits down with the man behind the curtain: Churchill Downs President Mike Anderson . From his 30-year climb from the finance office to the President’s suite, Mike shares the "insider" business secrets of modernizing an American icon. We discuss the $300M renovation, the evolu...

What’s really going on in the bourbon industry? This week, I’m joined by Fred Noe, 7th Generation Master Distiller of Jim Beam . I sit down with Fred to discuss: The business side of the recent Jim Beam production news and industry shifts. Growing up at "The Kitchen Table" and the lessons learned from his father, Booker Noe. His perspective on the current "bourbon glut" and why...

What does it take to build a culinary empire rooted in community? This week, we’re joined by the legendary Ouita Michel . Most know her from Holly Hill Inn and her multiple James Beard nominations, but today we’re diving into her latest project: the You Belong Here docuseries. We discuss: The secret to her "Kentucky-first" culinary philosophy. Her transition into hosting and producing di...

From Wisconsin cheese curds to Kentucky’s finest barrels—how do you manage the "rock stars" of the spirits world? 🎸🥃 In Episode 14, host Claudia Coffey talks with Randy Prasse, COO of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival , about the logistics of a record-breaking sell-out and why the 35th Anniversary (Sept 10-13) will be the biggest one yet. Plus, Randy shares the best advice he’s ever receiv...

Kaveh Zamanian didn’t just join the bourbon industry; he disrupted it. The founder of Rabbit Hole Distillery joins us to discuss his journey from Tehran to Louisville, the "crazy" decision to trade a couch for a copper still, and how he met his Kentucky muse on a windy night in Chicago. We’re talking about the science of taste, the art of the pivot, and why Rabbit Hole is the "best...

Chef Brian Landry was on track for medical school until the pull of the kitchen became too strong to ignore. From the white tablecloths of Galatoire’s to the heart of Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail , Brian has spent his career defining Southern excellence. Today, he’s the force behind The Kitchen Table at the Jim Beam Distillery, blending legendary spirits with world-class cuisine. We’re talking career...

Is Major League Baseball reaching a breaking point with player salaries? Rick Redman, VP of Corporate Communications for Hillerich & Bradsby (Louisville Slugger), joins the show to discuss the intersection of sports, business, and media. Rick shares his journey from an Emmy-winning sports producer to the gatekeeper of one of America’s most iconic brands. We talk about the "Best Bet"...

What happens when two baseball dads decide to take a risk and open a whiskey bar? In this episode of The Best Bet , Claudia Coffey sits down with Tommy Craggs and Josh Howes , the founders of Watch Hill Proper — now known as the largest American whiskey bar in the world , with more than 2,000 bottles of American whiskey behind the bar. What started as a conversation while watching their kids play...

From Ireland to the heart of Bourbon Country. In Episode 9, I sit down with Conor O’Driscoll , Master Distiller at Heaven Hill Distillery, to talk about his unexpected path into American whiskey, stepping into one of the biggest roles in the industry, and what’s next for the brand. We dive into leadership, legacy, distilling philosophy, and the surprising chapters of his résumé you probably didn’t...

Join host Claudia Coffey as she talks with  Chef Nokee Bucayu , former Executive Chef at  Wiltshire Pantry  and a  Food Network champion . Nokee opens up about the defining decisions of her career—from overcoming homesickness through her grandmother’s recipes to pioneering the "Filipino-Southern" fusion scene in Louisville. Discover the secrets behind her  Bourbon Banana Stack Cake , the...

Think you know bourbon? Think again. In this episode, we sit down with the "mad scientist" of the whiskey world,  Dan Callaway . Recently featured on  CBS 60 Minutes , Dan has one of the most unconventional paths in the industry—from playing the French horn in professional orchestras to becoming the  Master Blender  at  Lofted Spirits  and leading innovation for the world-renowned  Bards...

Chef Anthony Lamas, four-time James Beard semifinalist and owner of Seviche , joins The Best Bet Podcast to talk Southern California roots, choosing Kentucky, and blending coastal flavors with Southern tradition. He shares his journey from TV appearances on Bar Rescue to festivals like Bourbon & Beyond , revealing how he bets on himself every step of the way. Sponsored by Town & Country Fo...

Former Kentucky AG and U.S. Senate candidate Daniel Cameron sits down for an in-depth conversation on politics, leadership, and personal risks. We cover: Lessons from the Breonna Taylor case What Kentucky voters really want in a senator Advice from Mitch McConnell Trump’s influence on national politics The personal “best bet” he’s ever taken Insightful, honest, and full of surprises — this episode...

Josh and Jared Ravenscraft didn’t chase trends — they chased authenticity. By embracing their Appalachian roots , the brothers behind New Frontier Brands built one of the fastest-growing outdoor brands in the country — and now they’re entering a new chapter with major partnerships, including one with one of bourbon’s biggest names . In this episode of The Best Bet , we talk risk, growth, identity,...