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.
76episodes
Episodes
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Whiskey Quickie: What Is Onyx & Amber… and Why Is It THIS Good?!
May 1900:05:39Tap to summarizeOnyx & Amber’s Guest Blender Series #1 is getting serious buzz… and we see why. A blend of 7–12 year barrels aged in Colorado, bringing peach tea, orange marmalade, brown sugar, and a smooth toasted coconut finish. Is this sleeper hitting above its weight?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: Brown-Forman rejects $15 billion from Sazerac, Kash Patel scrutinized over Woodford Reserve, Penelope Bourbon announces Architects of Golf
May 1500:40:12Tap to summarizeIt's This Week in Bourbon for May 15th 2026. Brown-Forman has officially rejected a $15 billion all-cash takeover bid from Sazerac, FBI Director Kash Patel is facing scrutiny with personalized bottles of Woodford Reserve, and Penelope Bourbon has announced Architects of Golf. Show Notes: Brown-Forman rejects Sazerac’s $15 billion takeover bid to maintain family-owned independence Sixth Circuit strikes down Ohio’s unconstitutional ban on out-of-state wine shipping "Free Our Spirits" campaign launches to privatize North Carolina’s government-run liquor system FBI Director Kash Patel under fire for gifting personalized Woodford Reserve bottles Little Book Chapter 10 “All the Wiser” debuts with intuitive blending at 122.6 proof New Riff 2026 Single Malt features heirloom British barley and five-cask finishing Wenzel Distillery Batch 2 Sherry Barrel Finished Bourbon launches as a 119.1 proof limited release Green River Honey Finished Bourbon utilizes 100% local, raw honey inside the barrel Chattanooga Whiskey marks 10th Bottled in Bond vintage with new five-grain mash bill Maker’s Mark honors America’s 250th anniversary with patriotic red, white, and blue bottle Town Branch releases 6-Year Wheated Bourbon as its first dedicated wheat expression Penelope Bourbon debuts "Architects of Golf" trilogy featuring variable stave finishing intensity Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →566 - Stories From The Retail Front Line with Bill Derham of Frankfort Ave Liquors
May 1401:16:54Tap to summarizeEver wonder what’s really going on behind the counter of your local liquor store? On this episode we go back to the retail side of the business. We sit down with Bill Derham, the man behind Frankfort Avenue Liquors here in Louisville Kentucky to talk about his journey from the early days at Liquor World to building a standout store-and-bar destination. The retail world has its own hurdles like navigating inflation, shifting consumer trends, and how shops are handling the pressure of today’s market. Bill shares his take on the explosive rise of vintage spirits, the return of cocktail culture, and why building a community becomes key with rising competition. So whether you’re curious about how local retailers are keeping their shelves stocked or you just want to know the truth about the current state of the industry, Bill lays it all out for you here. Show Notes: Bill's transition from Liquor World to Frankfurt Avenue Liquors The crucial role of community in bourbon retail Insights into shifting consumer trends in the bourbon market The effects of inflation on pricing in liquor sales Addressing the competitive bourbon landscape and allocation challenges The growing interest in vintage spirits and craft cocktails The necessity of local relationships for liquor retailers Future plans and community engagement at Frankfurt Avenue Liquors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Whiskey Quickie: Maker’s SWEETEST Release Yet?!
May 1200:06:01Tap to summarizeThe 2026 Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series: The Stewards Release leans hard into dessert vibes. Think toffee, nougat, and chocolate candy bar richness from toasted oak staves. Smooth, sweet, and seriously interesting… but does it stick the landing?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: Tariffs removed between Scotland and the US, ACSA unveils the Certified Craft Seal, Stitzel Reserve 31-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey
May 800:34:59Tap to summarizeIt's This Week in Bourbon for May 8th 2026. Tariffs between Scotland and the US have been removed, the American Craft Spirits Association (ACSA) has unveiled the Certified Craft Seal, and Stitzel Reserve 31-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey. Show Notes: President Trump pledges removal of 10% Scotch whisky tariffs to restore trade relations John McKillop releases novel Bourbon Brothers featuring rare real-world bottles Give 270 hosts Bourbon Strong 50-4-50 raffle benefiting Feeding America American Craft Spirits Association launches TTB-approved Certified Craft Seal Old Fourth Distillery rebrands spirits portfolio starting with Cane-Based Vodka Chicken Cock and Laird’s collaborate on Old Glory Rye and Apple Brandy blend Jack Daniel’s debuts ultra-premium Halo MK1 McLaren F1 Team collaboration Stitzel-Weller releases $3,000 Stitzel Reserve 31-Year-Old Bourbon at 163.2 proof 15 STARS debuts Kentucke County™ line to celebrate America's 250th anniversary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →565 - Could Sazerac Actually Acquire Brown-Forman? on BourbonCommunity Roundtable #118
May 701:02:43Tap to summarizeOn this week’s Bourbon Community Roundtable, the team is throwing down over the biggest rumor to hit the industry in decades: Is Sazerac really trying to buy Brown-Forman for $15 Billion, or is this the ultimate PR stunt? We’re breaking down the health of these two giants and asking the tough questions: Does Brown-Forman actually need Sazerac, or is this just a shark smelling blood in the water? We dig into the strategic timing of the offer and the massive cultural divide between the two companies. From Sazerac’s "boots on the ground" influencer tactics to the legacy-driven machine of Brown-Forman, we analyze the financial mechanics that make this potential deal both fascinating and terrifying. One thing is for sure: the landscape of your local liquor store shelf might never be the same. Show Notes: Sazerac's potential acquisition of Brown-Forman: excitement and implications Financial dynamics and what they mean for both companies Brand loyalty's role and its impact on bourbon consumers Predictions on the merger's likelihood and challenges Comparing marketing strategies between Sazerac and Brown-Forman Regulatory considerations in the acquisition talks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Whiskey Quickie: People WAIT in Line for This?!
May 500:05:47Tap to summarizeMichter’s 10 Year is back and the lines are real. This 2026 release (94.4 proof) delivers big fruit, creamy soft serve vibes, and rich cherry oak. Is it worth the wait?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 →TWiB: Brown-Forman & Pernod Ricard merger talks end, 4 North Carolina lobbyists indicted, Blade and Bow re-releases 22-Year-Old Bourbon
May 100:29:02Tap to summarizeIt's This Week in Bourbon for May 1st 2026. Merger discussions between Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard are over, four North Carolina lobbyists have been indicted for organizing a bourbon tasting, and Blade and Bow re-releases of its ultra-premium 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Show Notes: Brown-Forman and Pernod Ricard merger talks collapse, reopening the door for Sazerac’s $15B bid Bardstown Bourbon Company launches NFC-enabled "Bourbon Gifting Reimagined" for personalized digital messaging North Carolina lobbyists indicted for illegal bourbon trip while "Operation High Octane" sweeps illicit secondary sales Maker’s Mark partners with basketball star Kelsey Plum for "Yam Jam" Private Selection and charity cocktail Major spirits brands pivot to TikTok as platform finalizes age-gating for organic and influencer content Blade and Bow re-releases ultra-premium 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon for April 2026 Wenzel Distillery announces Batch 2 of Sherry Barrel Finished Bourbon following World Whiskies Award win A. Smith Bowman returns to rye after 16 years with experimental 11-year Abraham Bowman release Blue Run Spirits debuts Blueprint Series as its new national flagship Kentucky Straight Bourbon Starlight Distillery unveils inaugural Dana Huber signature Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon release Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →564 - Matt Pittman on Investing and Cowboys
Apr 3001:02:24Tap to summarizeIs there a better pairing in the world than smoke and oak? Well, today we’re welcoming back to show, Matt Pittman, the founder of Meat Church. Did you know he was a waterboy for Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and now he has become the official pitmaster of the Cowboys. Matt built a literal empire out of backyard tailgates and high-quality rubs but his love for barbecue and bourbon are finally coming together. It’s been a minute since we last chatted, and a lot has changed—including Matt joining the Pursuit family is as an investor in Pursuit Spirits. We talk about the parallels between blending a perfect barrel and crafting a world-class brisket, and Matt gives us the inside scoop on his new cola-based sauce and the latest Traeger collab. But the real kicker? We’re officially announcing the Honey Bourbon collaboration between Meat Church and Pursuit Spirits, featuring real Texas wildflower honey. Show Notes: From Cowboys water boy to official pit master The bond between barbecue, bourbon, and creating memories Matt's new seasoning products and business evolution Sneak peek into the Honey Bourbon project with Pursuit Spirits The lifestyle brand of outdoor cooking and family activities Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Whiskey Quickie: This Rare Perfection Is INSANE?!
Apr 2800:05:42Tap to summarizeRare Perfection 10 Year from Preservation Distillery brings a 3-barrel micro blend at 130.7 proof… and it gets wild. Sweet oak, chocolate milkshake vibes, smoky savory notes, and one of the most surprising pours of the year.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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