The Mash Up

Have you missed us? We've missed you. After the long delay, we are back at it again - well, sort of. This week, Anthony sips and reviews a Straight Bourbon Whiskey finished in Madeira casks from Rare Character that was selected by a pick group called "Mythical." This episode departs from the usual and there are two new guest hosts who have a lot to say about Kentucky, animals, the va...

Jack Daniels and Jim Beam are two of the top selling whiskies in the world. “Old No. 7” and “White Label” are bottles that are likely to be found at any bar and are also popular choices for many social functions. For this week, we wanted to settle the long standing debate regarding which is better so we decided to sip these whiskies both neat and with coke. Michael came back to join the conversati...

In early 2021, the Mash Up Podcast made it’s debut. We’ve come a long way since are celebrating a milestone 100th episode this week! Join us as we welcome back a very special guest and review the 2022 Four Roses SmbLE release. Produced in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky at the Four Roses Distillery, this annual limited release showcases the blending talent of master distiller Brent Elliott and is highly so...

March is when legends are made. As the madness kicks off this weekend, we wanted to honor two legendary distillers in the bourbon world: Jimmy and Eddie Russell. For this week, we uncork a bottle of Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye Whiskey. In this episode, we “talk Turkey,” reflect upon some recent bourbon news, and give our thoughts on retail price increases of our beloved spirits. Will this...

Did someone say dusty? You knew it would happen sooner or later, but for the first time in the history of #themashupky - we taste and review a vintage bourbon whiskey. This week, we head back in time to 1998 (and overseas) to sip and review a Maker’s Mark Black Wax “Bourbon” which was made exclusively for the Japanese market. Rumored to be aged approximately 2-3 years longer than the standard red...

What comes to mind when you think of bourbon produced in Indiana? Most would probably say MGPI. However, there are many other distillers who make great whiskey and call Indiana home. Huber’s Starlight Distillery was first a family farm and winery, and now it has become a staple attraction of bourbon lovers in Indiana and beyond. This week we taste and review Carl T. Huber’s Double Oaked Bourbon. T...

Blue Run Spirits burst onto the scene in 2019 when they released some excellent, well-aged bourbon that got the attention of the entire whiskey community. Many wondered if the hype would be short lived. Fast forward to the present, Blue Run is thriving and the company has plans to build their very own distillery in Georgetown, KY. This week, we review one of their newer offerings - Blue Run Emeral...

Hot on the heels of last weeks episode, we have a bottle that has been dubbed by many as the best value in bourbon. Is it a Beam or Heaven Hill product? Nope. It’s Sazerac’s own Very Old Barton 100 proof straight bourbon whiskey. This bourbon is a bottom shelfer that has been a fan favorite budget for years. It used to carry a 6 year age statement and that statement was dropped in favor of a “bott...

Old StoneHammer was the nickname given to Kentucky’s 10th Governor, Thomas Metcalfe. He was a stone mason by trade and was elected as governor in 1828. Although Metcalfe passed a long time ago, his memory is alive and well in our bottle for this week: StoneHammer Single Barrel Bourbon. This bourbon is a sazerac made product that is specifically sold in Kroger Wine and Spirits shops. Many people un...

This weeks episode takes us back to McCracken Pike in Woodford, County and the annual release of Woodford Double Double Oaked Bourbon (aka DDO). This special limited offering from Woodford Reserve draws thousands of visitors to the distillery each year. We were lucky enough to secure a bottle and decided to crack it to find out if it’s worth the hype. The conversation includes a variety of topics...

Every now and again we like to cheat on bourbon with, well, more whisky. This week, we went deep into the cabinet and found a bottle of Crown Royal Peach Whisky. When this bottled debuted 2019, it was very hard to find. Those that were lucky enough to find a bottle saw signs at the point of purchase that read, “limit 1.” Fast forward to today, Crown Royal Peach Whisky is now one of the best sellin...

Elmer? Blanton’s? Rock Hill Farms? Nope. It’s Hancock’s President’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon. Is this Buffalo Trace / Sazerac’s best kept single barrel secret? You’ll have to give us a listen to hear about some of the history behind this bottle as well as if we are going to pass, try, or buy. The lively conversation for this week covers a variety of topics including @liquor_barn_ky return to...

Maryland rye whiskey was a big deal until prohibition brought its production to a grinding halt in the 1920s. Heaven Hill Distillers had the foresight to purchase the brand we are discussing on this weeks episode of #themashupky back in 1982. Pikesville Straight Rye whiskey carries a 6 year age statement and comes in at 110 proof. This barely rye whiskey has won many awards over the years and has...

Festivus is finally here and there is no better way to spend it than listening to an episode of The Mash Up! This week, we head out west to Bardstown and then back east to Japan to bring you a review of Evan Williams 12 year old bourbon. This sometimes gift shop and Japanese export release has become highly sought after in recent years, as the Evan Williams brand has expanded. In this episode, we...

You’d think that we would have reviewed a standard bottle of Blanton’s by now, right? After sipping on the Gold and SFTB - we thought it would be most logical to try out the Special Reserve? Wait? You mean Wellers? Certainly not. This week, we’re back at it with a review of Blanton’s Special Reserve. This sought after import clocks on at 80 proof and you can often find enthusiasts lined up at coas...

After an unplanned absence last week, the fellas are back at it with a brand new bottle of Buzzard’s Roost Cigar Rye. This Louisville based company started from humble beginnings as restaurant owner Jason Brauner took his passion for barrel picks and turned it into a bourbon company. Buzzard’s Roost specializes in bringing some of the most unique sourced and finished whiskies to the enthusiast. In...

We hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. There is so much to be thankful for…like this Lux Row Double Barrel Bourbon. Lux Row Distillers opened in 2018 in Bardstown, Kentucky and has been delivering some excellent whiskies for many years. If you want to hear an incomplete and downright manic history of Luxco, Lux Row, and MGP…you’ve come to the right place. This week, we taste this prem...

Enthusiasts clock, wannabes jock…they wanna be down with the King. This week we talk about our second annual adult trick-or-treat extravaganza and crack open a bottle of King of Kentucky. This ultra limited barrel proof offering from Brown-Forman took the market by storm when it was released in 2018. This year, we were lucky enough to get our hands on this 130.9 proof/15 year old bourbon and we di...

Smooth Ambler took the bourbon world by storm after sourcing and bottling some of the best MGP bourbon on the market many years ago. Fast forward to today, John Little and company have gone from sourcing some of the best to producing and bottling their own distillate. This week, we taste and review the brand new Founders’ Cask Strength Bourbon from Smooth Ambler. This distillate is high proof, six...

Knob Creek is a classic premium bourbon brand that has been accessible, reliable, and loved by many since 1992. This week, we reach for a bottle of Knob Creek 9-year Small Batch Bourbon to help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the brand. The conversation starts with Google search histories and then quickly moves on to thinking about vans as living spaces. There is yet another attempt to master hi...

This week we are coming in hot and ready to discuss the frontiersmen’s whiskey of choice: Bulleit Bourbon. Introduced to the market back in 1999 by Seagrams, this whiskey has an eclectic history and has become favorite of bartenders and enthusiasts alike. Will this shelfie win over the fellas? You’ll have to give us a listen to find out. It’s another laugh filled week where nostalgia reigns suprem...

Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series started back in 2019 with the release of the RC6 stave finished bourbon. The 2022 release from the series is hitting shelves right now and features Maker’s aged at the top (BRT-01) and bottom (BRT-02) of the rickhouse. On the cusp of this new release, we were feeling nostalgic and turned back the clock to taste the the Maker’s FAE-02 bourbon the from the 2021 Woo...

The latest distillery series release from @woodfordreserve capitalizes on a recent trend in the bourbon industry. But, how does it taste? This week we welcome @maasakmt back to the podcast to discuss the distillery exclusive Woodford Honey Barrel Finish bourbon. This unique product is the result of a collaboration between a local farmer and the good folks at Woodford. Join the captivating conversa...

This episode is not about bourbon or rye. It’s all about Balcones American Single Malt and the great state of Texas. This style of whiskey is quickly becoming a favorite amongst those who would normally reach for bourbon. You’ll have to tune in this week to hear about how we acquired this bottle and whether we like it. Also, you’ll get to hear how bad Anthony is at pronouncing “Balcones” and how h...

Arrgh! Ahoy, Matey! This week we take to the seas and uncork a bottle of Jefferson’s Ocean Aged At Sea Wheated Bourbon. This bourbon is typically aged on land for 6-8 years and the loaded onto a research ship where it ages for an additional 5-10 months. Uncommon as it was when Jefferson’s first started doing this, aging whiskey on the water is quickly becoming something that more distillers are co...