THE TRUTH IS BARREL PROOF

We're sitting down with Mike Gilmore, Founder & Curator of Roaming Road Spirits, for an inside look at the world of whiskey curation and what it means to hunt down exceptional spirits. Mike shares his passion for discovering hidden gems, building relationships with distillers, and curating a collection that tells the story of American whiskey craftsmanship. From barrel selection to brand p...

🥃 Welcome to "The Truth is Barrel Proof" - where great whiskey meets fearless storytelling! In this episode, we sit down with Erin Petrey , Head of Community for Gonzo Whiskey, to explore how this revolutionary brand is doing more than crafting exceptional spirits – they're building a vibrant community that honors one of America's most iconic journalistic voices. Discover how Go...

We’re diving into a story that shook up the industry — quite literally — and put premium whiskey in a can. That’s right. On this episode of The TRUTH IS BARREL PROOF, I’m joined by none other than Shane McCarthy, the visionary co-founder of Two Stacks Irish Whiskey — the brand that broke all the rules and created a whole new lane for how we sip and experience whiskey. From heritage blends to moder...

Join us as we sit down with Zachary S. Joseph, President of Operations at Old Commonwealth Distillery, for an unfiltered conversation about craft whiskey, distillery operations, and what it takes to build a premium bourbon brand. From grain to glass, Zachary shares insider insights on the art and science of whiskey making, the challenges of scaling a craft distillery, and Old Commonwealth's unique...

We have seen a lot of private-label bourbon on the market but Espy House Bourbon is set to bring American History and bourbon history together. The brand refers to the Epsy House named after Colonel David Epsy, a very influential and political man and owner in Bedford, PA. I was considering a beautiful home that George Washington our first president used in 1794 during the Bourbon Rebellion. Today...

In this episode, I take you through the taste notes of Barrell Bourbon. This expression NEW YEAR 2024 is made up of a blend of bourbon from eight different states and packs some interesting flavors. The blend is made up of: Kentucky Bourbon: 8 years old Indiana Bourbon: 5, 6, & 9 years old Tennessee Bourbon: 8 & 15 years old Wyoming Bourbon: 11 years old New York Bourbon: 5 years old Texas...

In this episode, Jack helps us with the taste notes of the LARCENY BARREL PROOF.  This is the second release from Heaven Hill/LARCENY called A124 has excellent and complex notes. This is the special series release from Larceny is the first release in years To learn more about  LARCENY and other expressions please visit https://larcenybourbon.com/   Be sure to follow JACK on all social media as FB,...

We have seen a lot of great spirits released in 2023. I had the chance to take a few. Most of them were impressive but I believe only a few will continue to impress and create a disruption in the spirit market in 2024What are your thoughts on my list for 2024 #spirits #whiskey #tequila #market For any of my merch Check out my website www.hoodsom.com Be sure to join my Patreon Community at www.patr...

In this episode, Jack helps us with the taste notes of the WESTWARD WHISKEY.  This first release of its kind called MILESTONE represents our makers' knowledge and our full body of work, brought together into a single whiskey through a twenty-one-barrel Solera system that includes some of our most precious whiskies. By far the most ambitious and exclusive whiskey we will ever craft, this forthc...

In this episode, Jack helps us with the taste notes of the FRANK AUGUST .  This blended Kentucky bourbon has some very interesting notes. To learn more about FRANK AUGUST and other expressions please visit https://thefrankaugust.com . Be sure to follow JACK on all social media as FB, IG, and TikTok as HOOD SOMMELIER    Be sure to follow FRANK AUGUST on Instagram and FB @thefrankaugust. For any of...

With the holidays season approaching! This is our reminder to be an advocate for “responsible drinking” As much we love to enjoy a dram or two. This is the time to be vigilant and be aware of your mental and physical health. There no need to get yourself in trouble because of an alcohol. As always enjoy your whiskey the way you like it but always drink responsibly Cheers #whiskey #drinking #drinkr...

In this episode, I talk about my experience as an African immigrant who discovered his love for single-malt scotch whiskey. It took discipline, dedication, and lengthy hours of practice to get to the point where I could confidently speak about scotch My journey was made easy when I discovered The Scotch Malt Whiskey Society. Be sure to follow JACK on all social media as FB, IG, and TikTok as HOOD...

In this episode, Jack helps us with the taste notes of the Clermont Steep American Single Malt.  This is the first ever single malt out of the James B. Beam Distilling Co. Clermont Steep is a whiskey steeped in influence from both process and place. Just as single malt couldn’t exist without steeping the grain, this whiskey couldn’t exist without Clermont, Kentucky – the soul place of the James B....

In this episode, Jack helps us with the taste notes of the BOWMORE.  This is 22Years Old whiskey is a non-chill-filtered expertly crafted by the master designer Aston Martin Mareck Reichman and the master blender of Bowmore Ron Welsh. The delicate balance of the floral and fruity signature style with beautifully intense fruit and soft spice flavors and light peat over the couple decades. To learn...

In this episode, Jack helps us with the taste notes of RARE HARE. This is exceptional Canadian Whiskey aged for 30 years creating a complex, dynamic whiskey with worldly characteristics. Finished in Pineau Des Charentes casks, a delicate regional aperitif of western France, which has recently exploded on the high-end cocktail scene. The complex whiskey with layers of flavors and history is perfect...

In this episode, Jack helps us with the taste notes of OAK & EDEN. This four grain whiskey with a smoke maple oak spire inside of it has some very interesting notes. To learn more about OAK & EDEN and other expressions please visit https://oakandeden.com/. Be sure to follow JACK on all social media as FB, IG, and TikTok as HOOD SOMMELIER    Be sure to follow OAK AND EDEN on Instagram and F...

In this episode, Jack helps us with the taste notes of the DEACON.  This blended scotch whiskey has some very interesting notes. To learn more about DEACON and other expressions please visit https://deacon.sovereignbrands.com/. Be sure to follow JACK on all social media as FB, IG, and TikTok as HOOD SOMMELIER    Be sure to follow THE DEACON on Instagram and FB @deaconwhisky For any of my merch Che...

In this episode, Jack helps us with the taste notes of the Bushmills.  This is 25 Years Old whiskey is a non-chill-filtered expertly crafted Irish single malt matured in bourbon barrels and sherry butts for almost six years and finished first-fill ruby port pipe oak casks for an additional 21 years. The delicate European oak elevates Bushmills’ floral and fruity signature style with beautifully in...

In this episode, Jack helps us with the taste notes of the ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF.  This is the second release from Heaven Hill/Elijah Craig called B523 has excellent and complex notes. This is the special series release from Elijah Craig is the first release in years with an Exact age statement and you will be surprised to know NEW Elijah Craig are coming back with an age statement of over 13...

In this episode, Jack helps us with the taste notes of the new release of REMPTION WHISKEY.    This is a rye whiskey made with the Sur Lee distilling technique has excellent and complex notes. This is the special series release from REDEMPTION and you will be surprised to know how it came about. To learn more about REDEMPTION WHISKEY and  other expressions please visit https://www.redemptionwhiske...

In this episode, Jack helps us with the taste notes of the new release of 291 DISTILLERY.    This is a four-grain wheated and blended whiskey that has excellent and complex notes. This is the 12th batch experiment from 291 and you will be surprised to know how it came about. To learn more about 291 Distillery  and  other expressions please visit https://distillery291.com/.   Be sure to follow JACK...

In this episode, Jack helps us with the taste notes of the new release of HARLEN STANDARD.    This is a four-grain sourced whiskey blend that has excellent and complex notes. To know more about HARLEM STANDARD and  other expressions please visit https://harlemstandard.com/.   Be sure to follow JACK on all social media as FB, IG, and TikTok as HOOD SOMMELIER    For any of my merch Check out my webs...

Milam & Greene, which involves three industry trailblazers, releases their very Small Batch Bourbon, the newest whiskey added to its core portfolio. Very Small Batch is made with the first lot of bourbon distilled by master distiller, Marlene Holmes in Kentucky using the Milam & Greene recipe, married with Tennessee bourbon, and finished with charred French Oak staves. Jack helps us with t...

In this episode, we highlight the different parts of the working part of Whiskey making. Labor Day is the commemoration of the blood, tears, and sweat that the hardworking everyday folks put in to make our water of life. From the Field to the Cooperage, Distillery, Warehouse, Rick house, and Warehouse; we honor them all. Be sure to follow Jack on all social media as IG @hood_sommelier, FB, and Tik...

What happens when three distilleries (Mammoth Distilling, Virginia Distillery, Talnua Distillery) and a whiskey influencer Ryan Mills (@thatoneduderyan) come together to create a one-of-a-kind blended whiskey? We get Borrowed Page Volume 2! Jack helps us with the taste notes of the Second release of the Mash & Grain whiskey in this episode. This Volume 2 is a special release with nice and inte...