Podcast
Bourbon Pursuit
Hosted by Bourbon Pursuit · EN
The Official Podcast of Bourbon! The best in news, reviews and interviews with people making the bourbon whiskey industry happen. Join hosts Kenny Coleman, Ryan Cecil, and Fred Minnick as they talk with prominent guests and provide insight on American whiskey 3 times a week. Catch all new episodes every Thursday with special Whiskey Quickie reviews on Tuesday and get caught up on bourbon news with This Week in Bourbon on Friday.
75episodes
Episodes
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TWiB: KY Bourbon Hall of Fame inductees announced, More tariff wars resume, Bardstown Bourbon new Victoria Pineapple Whiskey
4d ago00:57:42Tap to summarizeIt's This Week in Bourbon for July 31st 2026. 24th class of inductees into the prestigious Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame have been announced, More tariff wars resume, and Bardstown Bourbon Company is launching Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish Whiskey.Show Notes:Kentucky Distillers' Association announces 24th Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame classApogee 21 acquires Luca Mariano Distillery and Rod & Hammer'sPresident Trump levies 50% tariffs on select Canadian importsUncle Nearest receiver files major counterclaim alleging lender oversight and fraudStarlight Distillery celebrates 25th anniversary with limited-edition releasesBourbon Women SIPosium returns to Louisville for 15th anniversary eventAlabama Cooperage to close Trinity plant by September 2026US removes 10% tariff on Scotch whisky importsMoonshine University to cease operations at the end of 2026RNDC files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and winds down operationsJames B. Beam Distilling Company announces 2026 Old Grand-Dad 7-Year Bottled-In-BondGoose Island unveils 2026 Bourbon County Brand Family stout lineupNew Riff Distilling brings back annual Headliner release for 3rd yearB.H. James Distillers launches Spirit 76 line of flavored Kentucky bourbonHeaven Hill Distillery debuts Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond Double Mash 9-year bourbonMaker's Mark launches travel retail exclusive Artist Series – City EditionBrother's Bond Bourbon launches 7-year bottled-in-bond straight bourbonGarrison Brothers Distillery announces 1st-ever pre-sale for Hye Rye BourbonBardstown Bourbon Company debuts Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish WhiskeyOld Forester debuts The 117 Series Triple Char Kentucky Straight BourbonSt. Louis Bourbon Festival returns to Lemp Mansion on October 16, 2026Bib and Tucker introduces 8-Year-Old Bottled-in-Bond Tennessee BourbonStill Austin Whiskey Company opening massive 15,000-sq-ft venue in AustinJefferson's Bourbon debuts ultra-limited Founder's Reserve 20-Year-Old Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →577 - Moonshine U Closes and RNDC Sinks on Bourbon Community Roundtable #121
5d ago01:09:57Tap to summarizeOn this week’s Bourbon Community Roundtable, our panel is tackling two massive seismic shockwaves rattling the very foundation of the spirits world. We jump straight into the first major headline: the shocking closure of Moonshine University. We break down what losing a premier educational hub like the Stave & Thief Society means for the future of spirits education, and whether this shutdown is the ultimate canary in the coal mine for a slowing craft distillery boom. Then, we turn our attention to the absolute biggest story in spirits retail: distributor giant RNDC filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and winding down operations. We unpack the domino effect of major supplier exits, razor-thin middle-tier margins, and unpaid invoices, analyzing the devastating fallout for small craft brands fighting for local liquor store shelf space. Finally, we throw down over what this massive distributor consolidation actually means for the three-tier system—debating whether this crisis will finally force lawmakers to rethink direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping laws, or if we’re simply watching a maturing bourbon market undergo a painful, necessary contraction. Show Notes:The closure of Moonshine University: What losing a premier distilling school means for the spirits industryAssessing the value of bourbon certifications: Essential career springboard or mostly symbolic status?Unpacking RNDC's Chapter 11 filing: Supplier exits, thin margins, and the winding down of a middle-tier giantThe ripple effect on small brands: Shelf space access, unpaid invoices, and the future of three-tier distributionWill distributor consolidation accelerate the push for direct-to-consumer (DTC) shipping legislation?State of the bourbon market: Reading the room on consumer demand amid industry contraction and adjustments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Whiskey Quickie: Heaven Hill Deatsville: Worth the Hype?
1w ago00:06:17Tap to summarizeHeaven Hill’s Deatsville Commemorative Release had us excited from the first nose with dark cherry, chocolate, leather, and classic sweet oak. But did the palate and finish live up to the legendary warehouse hype?DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →576 - Betting the Farm on Frey Ranch Bourbon with Colby and Ashley Frey
2w ago01:04:33Tap to summarizeA few years ago I was given a bottle by Dr. Pat Heist and it made me say Nevada bourbon? And today, we get to hear the story of Frey Ranch with Colby and Ashley Frey. They turned a multi-generational agriculture operation into one of the most respected craft distilleries in the country. Long before the whiskeys, Colby was growing wheat, rye, barley, and corn in the high desert of Fallon, Nevada. Colby takes us through those early days of battline state legislation and assembling their custom Vendome hybrid still system. Meanwhile, Ashley walks us through crafting the brand's packaging, and if you own a bottle you know how heavy the glass bottle and and topper are. But there's a deeper meaning to it and I won't spoil it for you. From meeting in college to balancing rural farm life, raising a family, and navigating the operational pressures of scaling a modern brand, Colby and Ashley give us an inside look at how they divide responsibilities, manage controlled expansion, and roll out their latest releases. Show Notes:How generations of Nevada agriculture paved the way for a 100% estate-grown, grain-to-glass whiskey operationThe early legal and legislative battles required to make craft distilling legal in the state of NevadaDesigning and assembling a hybrid Vendome still system to achieve both high-volume output and maximum flavor controlThe story behind Ashley’s farm-inspired bottle design, including the iconic bolt topper and belt-buckle labelHow Colby and Ashley divide leadership responsibilities while raising a family on a working rural ranchScaling the brand intentionally, expanding into new markets, and what to expect from their upcoming rye releases Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Whiskey Quickie: This Toasted Double Oak Surprised Us
2w ago00:05:53Tap to summarizeGreen River’s first Distillery Select release brings an 8 year toasted double oak bourbon with bakery notes, orange marmalade, buttered toast, apricot, and a touch of mango. The nose starts subtle, but the palate takes this one in a totally different direction from classic Green River.DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →575 - Balancing Our Family and Bourbon Lives
3w ago00:53:04Tap to summarizeWhen your entire professional life revolves around premium spirits, late-night industry events, and endless barrel selections, the lines between work and life don’t just get blurry—they can completely disappear. The bourbon lifestyle promises a lot of camaraderie and incredible pours, but what does it actually cost your health, your calendar, and your family dinner table? On this week's episode Fred and I sit down for a deeply personal conversation about balancing bourbon with the reality of raising kids. We're not going to be hitting on tasting notes or anything like that but it's a look into our personal lives of school, sports, tracking timeboxes on a calendar, and trying to stay present for our kids as they grow up. Show Notes:Navigating school forms and schedule shifts while managing a global spirits brandThe hidden physical toll of the whiskey trail: Managing sleep, health, and late-night industry expectationsKenny’s calendar timeboxing strategy for forcing boundaries between work and familyTasting vs. Consuming: Deconstructing moderation and the critical importance of drinking with intentRadical transparency: How Fred and his wife talk to their sons about alcohol, driving, and fentanylUsing the grueling discipline of youth wrestling to foster positive peer groups and work ethicThe hidden financial trap of trying to turn a personal bourbon collection into a media businessThe reality of tax write-offs, charity auctions, and the true cost of over-collectingA definitive look at long-term responsibility, family support systems, and the power of being present Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Whiskey Quickie: This Canadian Whiskey Blew Us Away
3w ago00:06:25Tap to summarizeFound North Batch 12 continues the brand's streak of impressive Canadian whiskey releases. This 16-year-old, 128.2 proof blend is rich with brown sugar, butter, cornbread, and sweet oak, while an extra maturation in new American oak barrels adds incredible depth without overpowering the whiskey. Is this one of the best Found North releases yet? Watch our full review to find out.DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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TWiB: Fawn and Keith Weaver have been terminated, Canadian US alcohol boycott investigated, Barton new 1792 Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
4w ago00:55:50Tap to summarizeIt's This Week in Bourbon for July 10th 2026. Fawn Weaver and Keith Weaver have been terminated from Uncle Nearest, a new investigation into Canada's ongoing boycott of American alcohol, and Barton now has their 1792 Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey.Show Notes:Court-appointed receiver terminates Fawn and Keith Weaver from Uncle Nearest, Inc. amidst Humble Baron's collapseJack Daniel Distillery partners with USO for national "United We Toast" campaign honoring the Armed ForcesWhistlePig Whiskey sells Moriah Business Park auxiliary facility for over $17,000,000 to Zags 26Wyoming Whiskey returns to local ownership as WW Partners, LLC acquires an 80% stake from EdringtonCongresswoman Claudia Tenney introduces the "Canada Act" to investigate Canada's ongoing boycott of American alcoholCountry Boy Brewing expands into spirits production with Country Boy Distilling launching this autumnShady Knoll Orchards & Distillery fights Washington's direct-to-consumer shipping restrictions in federal appeals courtKentucky Bourbon Trail expands to 74 total stops by welcoming four new distilleries to the trailBuffalo Trace Distillery debuts "Camp Buffalo Trace" immersive overnight adult summer camp experienceKnob Creek introduces limited-edition 9-Year-Old Independence Edition with a blue wax seal for America's 250thRedwood Empire Whiskey officially releases Colonel Armstrong Wheated Bourbon, a premium four-grain blendWoodinville Whiskey Company launches national rollout of premium Single Barrel Bourbon and 100% Rye programSagamore Whiskey announces nationwide launch of its 108-proof High Rye Straight Bourbon WhiskeyBrush Creek Distillery expands 2026 Heroes Edition Straight Bourbon Whiskey release to three barrelsBuffalo Trace Distillery unveils the third limited-edition release of its historic medicinal Prohibition CollectionB.H. James Distillers launches Spirit 76 line of flavored Kentucky Bourbons at 76 proofJackson Purchase Distillery debuts its first house-branded Bottled in Bond and Select BourbonsBarton 1792 Distillery introduces permanent Straight Rye expression alongside ultra-aged 1792 XV BourbonGarrison Brothers Distillery announces the return of Laguna Madre alongside a new Cask Strength companion bottle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →574 - The 1995 Gamble That Changed D.C. Whiskey with Prav Saraff of Dream Spirits
4w ago01:10:00Tap to summarizeLong before the modern bourbon boom, one family bet everything on a credit card cash advance business—and turned a single D.C. storefront into a legendary whiskey empire. On this week’s episode, we sit down with Prav Saraff and talk about an unbelievable immigrant success story that transformed a single, cash-strapped Washington, D.C. storefront into a premier destination for ultra-rare spirits and legendary barrel picks. Prav takes us back to his family’s roots—moving from India to Nepal before grinding through grueling hours in America as dishwashers and gas station attendants to finally buy their first liquor store in 1995. We talk about what it was like balancing high school by day and retail shifts by night, and how a chance encounter with a mentor customer completely shifted their business model away from the low-margin hustle and straight into luxury wine, dusty Van Winkle decanters, and vintage Willett bottles the rest of the industry ignored. Long before the modern bourbon boom, the Saraff family treated hard-to-sell, expensive inventory as a long-term asset, ultimately using their early producer relationships to help put powerhouse brands like Smooth Ambler, Smoke Wagon, and New Riff on the map. Prav breaks down how those foundational single barrel programs revolutionized their operation and laid the groundwork for Dream Spirits—a brand launched to honor his father's ultimate legacy. Show Notes:From India to Northern Virginia: The Saraff family’s journey and the early days of American hustleBetting the future on a 28% interest rate credit card loan to buy a D.C. liquor store in 1995Balancing high school with retail shifts: How a customer mentor unlocked the world of high-end wine and spiritsBuying what others ignored: Taking early risks on Van Winkle decanters, A.H. Hirsch, and vintage WillettTreating expensive, slow-moving inventory as long-term liquid goldHow early store picks helped put Smooth Ambler, Starlight, and Smoke Wagon on the mapLaunching Dream Spirits: Honoring a father's legacy through independent blending and curationInside the new Virginia estate designed for immersive, memory-making barrel pick trips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Whiskey Quickie: Best Angel's Envy Yet?
4w ago00:05:50Tap to summarizeAngel’s Envy celebrates 15 years of Cask Strength with one of its most ambitious releases yet. This 117.8 proof port-finished bourbon delivers rich blackberry jam, honey, tobacco, leather, and sweet oak notes that had us rethinking everything we thought we knew about Angel’s Envy. Is this the ultimate version of a bourbon fan favorite?DISCLAIMER: The whiskey in this review was provided to us at no cost courtesy of the spirit producer. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is our honest opinion based on what we tasted. Please drink responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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