The Bourbon Life

This week on The Whiskey Trip , Big Chief welcomes Luis Martinez, founder of the Whiskey Valor Foundation, for a powerful conversation about service, sacrifice, brotherhood, and the healing power of the whiskey community.   As a retired military veteran himself, Big Chief understands that the bonds forged through military service don't disappear when the uniform comes off. Sometimes, the toughest...

On this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark and Matt welcome James Gerard of Barrel House Distilling Company to the studio for a long-overdue conversation about one of Lexington's pioneering craft distilleries, its remarkable history, and an exciting new chapter in Cynthiana, Kentucky. James shares his journey from growing up in Lexington and becoming a licensed real estate agent at just 17...

This week, we're celebrating a milestone that's been years in the making. 500 podcast episodes with Ol' Big Chief behind the microphone!   That's right, folks! This isn't the 500th episode of The Whiskey Trip . It's Big Chief's 500th podcast episode across his journey with The Bourbon Road and The Whiskey Trip. Five hundred conversations, countless friendships, incredible whiskeys, and enough stor...

On this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark heads to the James B. Beam Distilling Co. campus in Clermont, Kentucky, for a special one-on-one conversation with his good friend Freddie Noe, eighth-generation Master Distiller. With Matt away competing in the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Mark and Freddie settle into Beam's new content creator lounge to catch up, share some laughs, and enj...

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief welcomes back Master Distiller Denny Potter of Potter Jane Distillery for the third installment in a series following Denny and Jane's incredible journey through the world of Kentucky bourbon.   From their days at the legendary Maker's Mark Distillery to stepping out on their own and building Potter Jane Distillery, this story is about more than making whis...

On this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark welcomes Stacy and Philip back to the Bourbon Life Studios for another entertaining Crew Episode. With Matt in Hawaii preparing for the Ironman World Championship in Kona and Chad unable to join the fun, the three settle in around the table to catch up on what's happening in the bourbon world, share a few laughs, and taste three exciting new whiske...

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with Kevin LeBlanc — The Bourbon Gator, one of the rising voices in the whiskey community.   Kevin is a Southeast Texas whiskey enthusiast and content creator who's building a following by keeping whiskey fun, approachable, and all about community. We talk about how The Bourbon Gator got started, his journey into whiskey, creating content, and whe...

On this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark and Matt welcome back Owen Martin, Master Distiller at Angel's Envy, for his second appearance on the show and a wide-ranging conversation about how both Owen and the brand have evolved since his last visit in 2024. Owen catches listeners up on his journey at Angel's Envy and talks about becoming more comfortable in the role nearly four years in. H...

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with his good friend Dude Poole, author of The Men Who Made American Bourbon: Bourbon Barons Volume 1 , host of The Bourbon Hunters Podcast, and a certified Executive Bourbon Steward.   This isn't your typical interview. It's two buddies sitting down with a couple of great pours and talking about bourbon, history, podcasting, and the friendships t...

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief heads north to New York's Hudson Valley to sit down with Paul Coughlin, founder of Taconic Distillery.   Paul shares how Taconic got its start, what it's been like building a family-owned distillery in New York, and the story behind the American Foxhound that has become such a recognizable part of the brand.   And you know Big Chief isn't making this trip w...

On this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark and Matt welcome back Zach Johnston, Chief Brand Officer and Senior Vice President of International Sales at Blackwood Distilling Co,, for a wide-ranging conversation about how the brand has grown and evolved since his last appearance on the show nearly two years ago. Zach breaks down Blackwood's approach to whiskey, including its unique one-to-one...

This week on The Whiskey Trip, O'l Big Chief sits down with Monica Wolf, CEO of The Blending House, and Matt King, Director of Operations, for a conversation about bourbon, family, craftsmanship, and legacy.   For Monica, bourbon is part of her family story. She's carrying forward the legacy of her father and a rich history in the bourbon industry, while continuing to put her own mark on that stor...

On this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by VisitLEX, Mark sits down with first-time guest Zane Brammell, founder of New Era Whiskey & Social Club, for a fun conversation about how a Lexington barrel club grew into a whiskey brand built around single barrels, storytelling, and community. Zane shares his path from working in healthcare and through the COVID years to discovering bourbon...

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief heads to Owensboro, Kentucky, for a conversation with Caryn Wells, National Brand Ambassador for Green River Distilling Company.   Green River has a story stretching back to 1885, and Caryn joins Big Chief to talk about the history, resilience and revival of this historic Kentucky whiskey brand. They explore the significance of DSP-KY-10, Green River's plac...

On this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by VisitLEX, Damon Thayer and Andre Regard, co-founders of Kentucky Senator Bourbon, return to the show for another fun conversation about the continued growth of the brand, their newest releases, and what's ahead.   Damon and Andre catch Mark up on some big changes for Kentucky Senator Bourbon, including moving much of their storage and bottli...

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with his good friend Nicholas Alphonso, founder of Guardian Coins.   They were friends long before Guardian Coins became a sponsor of the show, and this episode is about that friendship, Nicholas's story, the meaning behind Guardian Coins, and honoring those who serve.   Nicholas is also a newer whiskey drinker, so Big Chief takes him on a six-pou...

On this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by The 1933 Society, Denny Potter and Jane Bowie, co-founders of Potter Jane Distilling Company, return for another fun and candid conversation about building their distillery, changing course, and what comes next for Potter Jane. Mark and Matt catch up with Denny and Jane about the launch of Big Vat Liar, the sourced Kentucky bourbon that play...

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with Thomas and Nicholas Maas of Dancing Goat Distillery for a conversation about family, legacy and three generations of whiskey knowledge.   "Family isn't just the blood that runs through your veins. It's the people who stand beside you, share the hard miles, celebrate the good ones, and never let you ride alone."   Big Chief, The Whiskey Trip  ...

On this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Repeal Oak Fired Steakhouse, Mark and Matt are joined by John Wadell, Head Taster, Blender, and Single Barrel Curator at Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co., for a long-overdue return to the show. Recording from the Kentucky Peerless Suite at Hotel Distil in Louisville, John catches them up on how his role has evolved and reflects on his journe...

"Life's storms have a way of clearing the trail. Fair weather friends disappear when the rain starts falling, but the ones who ride beside you through the storm, that's your tribe."   Big Chief   This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with Brion Dalton and Jared Porritt, founders of Taking the Whiskey Ride, for a conversation about whiskey, friendship, loyalty, and giving back.   The t...

On this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Mark and Matt are joined by Diane Strong, Executive Director of Bourbon on the Banks, for a great conversation about the continued growth of the festival and what guests can expect when it returns to Frankfort on Saturday, October 3. Diane talks about how Bourbon on the Banks has evolved since its beginning in 2019, why its relaxed atmosphere along the...

The Whiskey Trip heads deep into the Texas Hill Country this week for a stop in Hye, Texas, and a conversation with Samantha Olvera of Garrison Brothers Distillery.   Samantha takes Chief through her incredible 12-year journey with Garrison Brothers, from the earlier days of the distillery to watching it grow into one of the most recognized names in Texas whiskey. Along the way, they talk about th...

On this episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast , Mark travels to Louisville to sit down with Steve Smith , Founder of Uncle Boojie's Distilling Co. , for a captivating conversation about family history, Kentucky heritage, and the role bourbon plays in connecting us to the stories that came before us. Steve shares his own background as an entrepreneur, preservationist, and storyteller before diving in...

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief sits down with Heather and Derek Latzel of Porchlight Distillery in Mason, Texas, one of the newest members of the Texas Whiskey Trail.   This episode isn't about finding a finished product. It's about remembering that everyone starts somewhere.   As the group shares pours of Porchlight's 95-proof Wheated Bourbon, they talk honestly about the challenges of...

On this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast , Mark and Matt welcome back two returning favorites and some of the most respected educators in the bourbon world: Peggy Noe Stevens and Heather Wibbels . Peggy is the President of Peggy Noe Stevens & Associates, a Master Bourbon Taster, and a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. Heather, known throughout the bourbon community as  Cocktail Conte...