The Liquor Store Podcast

In this very special episode, Matt talks to master taster at Old Forester, Jackie Zykan. Jackie has been with Old Forester for five years. As master taster, she's tasked with making sure the bourbon stays true to its taste and travels around the world to explain what makes that taste so special. Join us to find out which barrel is Matt's favorite and hear all about their new 'Barrel Strength' barr...

In this episode from our Indiana Made series, we talk to Jennifer Norris from Blackhawk Winery in Sheridan Indiana. Blackhawk Winery was established in 2011 by owners John and Deb Miller. as a result of an epiphany of "why not open a winery?" Their goal is to produce quality wines with locally grown fruit. Sorry, it is too cold for Cab Sauv and Moscato grapes to grow in the midwest. And while this...

In this episode from our Indiana Made series, we talk to Meredith Easley and Michael Murphy from Easley Winery. Easley Winery began as the dream and vision of Jack & Joan Easley in the mid-70s. Today, second-generation owners Mark & Meredith Easley continue the family tradition of creating and selling award-winning wines and champagnes made right in the heart of Indiana. Easley Winery offers 20 or...

In the episode in our Indiana Made series, we talk to Alan Bishop, head distiller at Spirits of French Lick. Spirits of French Lick is leading the way for Indiana distillers by bringing the artisan distilling industry and its inseparable history back to the Southern region of Indiana. In this episode, Alan talks about stepping up the whiskey game by propagating yeast.  If you want to try any of th...

In the episode in our Indiana Made series, we talk to Blake Jones, Kevin Boyd, and Ally Hall from West Fork Whiskey. West Fork Whiskey started making whiskey back in 2014 and have been hell-bent on creating uniquely Indiana whiskey that is both approachable and affordable. In this episode, we discuss their new Old Hamer Straight Rye Whiskey!  If you want to try any of the spirits Matt and Jill tas...

In the episode in our Indiana Made series, we talk to Lauren Frederick,  VP of Metazoa Brewing Company.  Metazoa Brewing Co. was founded in 2016 by Dave Worthington who was a homebrewer, animal-lover, and overall craft-beer enthusiast. Dave and his family had always enjoyed donating to animal charities and fostering rescued animals, but as Dave began dreaming of owning a brewery, he realized that...

In this episode, 7th Generation brothers, Christian & Blake Huber discuss wines & whiskies from the estate of Huber Winery & Starlight Distillery. Huber Winery is Indiana's largest estate-grown vineyard as well as Indiana's most award-winning winery. They've also been distilling since 2001  and are committed to bringing you the highest quality farm to table products from their 800-acre estate in B...

We are continuing our Indiana Made series this week with Clay Robinson and Dave Colt from Sun King Brewery. Tune in to find out how they're navigating and adapting to the new regulations from COVID-19 and hear them talk us through a tasting of some great new beers.  If you want to try any of the beers Matt tasted on the show you can ORDER ONLINE or from the BIG RED LIQUORS APP for Curbside Pickup...

We are continuing our Indiana Made Series with Luke Nelson from Fountain Square Brewing. Tune in to hear about what brought Luke to Indiana from Portland and how Fountain Square Brewing has solidified itself as an anchor for the uber hip community of Fountain Square.  If you want to try any of the beers Matt and JIll tasted on the show you can ORDER ONLINE or from the BIG RED LIQUORS APP for Curbs...

In this week's episode, we kick off our Indiana Made series of conversations and Matt & Jill are talking to Bobby Yates, head distiller at Hotel Tango. Tune in to find out more about Bobby's journey from brewer at Twenty Tap to head distiller at Hotel Tango as well the story behind Hotel Tango's new branding and how they are helping the community during the COVID-19 crisis by producing hand saniti...

On the show this week, Matt and Jill practice social distancing and podcast from the comfort of their own homes. A lot has changed in the world since the last podcast, forcing us to go virtual. As things get weirder and weirder and you start looking into the deep recesses of your liquor cabinet, you find stuff that's been around for years! This entire episode is dedicated to the weird, old, dusty...

On the show this week Matt and Jill are joined by Joe Miller, president of  Best Beers, inc. Best Beers is a leading beer, wine, and beverage distributor located in Bloomington, IN. They were founded in 1949 and has been family owned and operated ever since.  Tune in to learn about the 3 tier system, how to get draft beer on tap a bar, and what it's like to be an Annheiser-Busch distributor.     

On this week's show, Matt is joined by Greg Kimple, Regional Sales Director for Oliver Winery.  Greg is in charge of managing the wholesale business for all of Indiana and many other states.  Oliver Winery was started in 1972 by William Oliver and that was only possible because they were responsible for the Indiana Small Winery Act in 1971.  These days, Oliver Winery has a vast portfolio of produc...

On the show this week Matt and Jill are talking about some cool new cool stuff! Every year liquor stores can see over 1,000 new items and we're recording this new item roundup to give you guys a heads up on some new beers, spirits, wines, and sakes!  Check out everything we tasted below: Dogfish Head Slighty Mighty Lo-Cal IPA  Budweiser Nitro Reserve Gold  Stone Buenaveza Sale & Lime Lager  Sangri...

Join us for a road trip this week as we travel to Bloomington, IN to record live from the Big Woods Garage. Matt and Jill are joined by Co-Founder of Hard Truth Hills, Big Woods, & Quaff On Jeff McCabe and their Head Distiller Bryan Smith. 

On the show this week Matt is joined by Clare Carroll, a Proximo Irish Whiskey ambassador based in Chicago. Tune in to learn more about Bushmills Irish Whiskey, the oldest licensed Whiskey Distillery in the world, Conor McGregor's uber-popular Proper Twelve, and The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey.  

In this week's episode Matt and Jill are talking about what's new in beer. They dive into some of the newer beer categories like "better for you" and "Hazy" that are quickly becoming more and more popular on store shelves. Join them as they taste through a huge lineup of some tasty new brews.  Beers that we tried Goose Island So-Lo Bell's Light Hearted Ale  Blue Moon Light Sky  Leinenkugel Summer...

It's almost Valentine's day, so on this week's show, Matt and Jill discuss some great wine options to celebrate Valentine's Day.   

On the show this week, Matt & Jill blind taste 8 different hard seltzers, judge them independently, then rank them to tell you which one prevails as the best hard seltzer of all time! Tune in to find out which one is crowned the ultimate champion.  What they tasted Henry's Hard Sparkling Water (regular) Henry's Hard Sparkling Water (tropical) Bud Light Seltzer  Barefoot Hard Seltzer  Truly Hard Se...

Matt is flying solo this week on this informational and tasting podcast. Tune in to learn all about the new barrel select program which is just now launching. There will be 20 BRL stores chosen to be Barrel Select stored based on volume and location to allow customers to get to these stores in as convenient as possible. That program kicks off this week and next and on this episode, Matt gives us h...

Happy New Year! Matt and Jill are back this week and ready to talk about bourbon. Matt gives us an update about heading in a new direction to get more products into stores so people can just buy bottles off the shelf. Tune in to find out about new single barrel selects coming in 2020 and about how 20 out of 58 stores will now be barrel select stores. 

Ever wonder what it's like to know everything about wine? Well, this week Jill talks to Joseph Davey, General Manager Vine & Table in Carmel and Christian Shaum, Manager and Sommelier at Nesso Italian Restaurant to give us all a peek at what it's like to be a Somm.     

This week on the show we are talking cheese and cheese plates for the holidays with Jen Hilton, cheesemonger and gourmet buyer for Vine & Table. 

In this week's episode, Matt & Jill are talking about all things Gin with @theginhunter herself, Keli Rivers, US Brand Ambassador for Sipsmith Gin. Keli dives deep into the history of Gin and also shares some of her favorite cocktail recipes. 

We have a special episode this week as Matt and Jill give us a Bourbon Expo Silver Ticket Preview! This is the single largest VIP product release in BRL history! Find out everything you need to know before you go.    Featuring Weller Single Barrel, Blanton's Single Barrel, Eagle Rare Single Barrels, Buffalo Trace, Russell's Reserve, Bourbon County Stout and more!.   Make sure you buy a Bourbon Exp...