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
Newest firstAll episodes
Whiskey Quickie: Old Soul Tintype #3: Southern Heat, Big Barrel Flavor
Mar 1000:06:53Tap to summarizeOld Soul Tintype Series No. 3 honors blues legend Kenny Brown with an 11 year, 103.5 proof bourbon built on a high rye MGP mash bill. We break down the sweet tea and strawberry notes, rich brown sugar caramel, and that bold charred barrel kick that Southern aging brings. Does the heat make the difference? Let’s 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
Transcribe →
TWiB: Whiskey Thief and Louisville Bats partnership, Heaven Hill has 2 new releases, Pursuit Spirits' new Sakura Bloom Bourbon
Mar 600:45:50Tap to summarizeIt's This Week in Bourbon for March 6th 2026. Whiskey Thief Distilling Co. and the Louisville Bats have announced a multi-year partnership, Heaven Hill has 2 new releases, and Pursuit Spirits has the new Sakura Bloom Bourbon.Show Notes: Whiskey Thief and Louisville Bats partner to debut home plate speakeasy and stadium club Give 270 announces 20/20 Unicorn raffle featuring 1988 vintage Old Rip Van Winkle Hotel Distil launches Peerless Distilling Suite featuring historical artifacts and immersive tastings Pursuit Spirits debuts Pursuit United Sakura Bloom Bourbon finished in Japanese cherry wood Burnt Church Distillery celebrates fifth anniversary with 100% Seashore Black Rye Whiskey Bulleit releases Mesquite Smoked Malt Bourbon as its first permanent rye-free expression Barrell Craft Spirits adds 12-Year Toasted American Oak Finish to premium Red Label Series Larrikin Bourbon Co. unveils 2026 Rosewater Bourbon proofed with house-brewed botanical water Heaven Hill launches Deatsville 13-Year-Old as first entry in commemorative site tribute series Heaven Hill Heritage Collection returns with 22-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon at barrel proof Jack Daniel’s and McLaren F1 debut 86-proof limited edition for 1000th Grand Prix milestone Log Still Distillery and Archdiocese of Louisville release second annual Bishop’s Blend Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →556 - Hot Takes and Grievances of the Bourbon Market with Matt Kusek
Mar 501:10:25Tap to summarizeIs the bourbon market hitting a breaking point, or are we just drowning in a sea of average whiskey? Or maybe we're just trying to pick at things because that's what we do! Today's show didn't have a theme other than airing some grievances we see across the bourbon landscape. And the guy who has all the hot takes is Matt "The Colonel" Kusek. Matt never pulls his punches, and today we'll talk about the non-stop barrage of Limited Time Offerings (LTOs) and if NDPs are more exciting now than traditional heritage distilleries. We kick things off with a candid look at the struggle of creating fresh content in a saturated market and ask the tough question, has the rush to release more bottles caused a massive dip in quality? We've seen it in secondary markets because if every release is special then nothing is special. We also dive into the psychology of the "hunt" and why consumer demands are shifting. Matt poses a challenge to the big brands, questioning if they're falling behind while smaller, more nimble players to innovate. And we debate the future of "trophy" bottles like Pappy Van Winkle and whether collectability can survive. If you’ve ever looked at a shelf of $100 bottles and wondered if any are actually worth it, maybe this episode will tell you it's all psychology. Show Notes: The challenges of producing engaging content in the bourbon industry The current state and originality of limited-time offerings Consumer behavior and the perception of high-status brands like Pappy Van Winkle The impact of non-distiller producers on quality and collectible options Humorous tales from personal barrel picks and bourbon adventures Predictions for the future of collectible and innovative whiskeys Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Whiskey Quickie: Blade & Bow 30 Year Bourbon… Better Than Pappy?!
Mar 300:10:16Tap to summarize30 years in the barrel. $1,200 price tag. A mysterious mash bill and just 42 barrels blended. We dive into Blade & Bow 30 Year Bourbon and break down the dusty funk, cherry Smarties, pecan pie richness, and whether this ultra-aged release truly outshines the usual trophy bottles. This one surprised us.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 →Whiskey Quickie: Larrikin Rosewater Bourbon Review
Aug 1200:06:28Tap to summarizeOn this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Larrikin Rosewater. This non-age stated bourbon is 86 proof and $70 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers! 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: Uncle Nearest is sued for $100M, IW Harper releases a 34 year old bourbon, Parker’s Heritage #19 details are announced.
Aug 8, 202500:49:45Summary readyIt's This Week in Bourbon for August 8th 2025. Uncle Nearest is being sued for $100M and is publicly fighting back, IW Harper releases a 34 year old bourbon, and Parker’s Heritage #19 details are announced.Show Notes: A multi-million dollar lawsuit against Uncle Nearest alleges the company defaulted on loans and misused funds, claims which the owners are calling "demonstrably false". A trademark dispute between Maker’s Mark and a dog treat company named Wigglewow over the name 'Maker’s Bark' has been settled, with Wigglewow agreeing to retire the product. National Bourbon Week will return to Bardstown, Kentucky, from June 14-21, 2026, featuring tastings, dinners, and a street concert. Proof and Wood released Tumblin’ Dice Single Barrel Rye finished in Laird’s Apple Brandy Barrels, a 7-year rye finished for an additional year. New Riff Distilling's 2025 Headliner is an 11-year anniversary blend of five whiskeys, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Brighton Center. Buffalo Trace is releasing two ultra-aged wheat whiskey innovations: Weller 18 Year Old and a new blend of Weller Millennium. Goose Island's 2025 Bourbon County Stout lineup, releasing on Black Friday, features six variants with a strong focus on collaborations with Heaven Hill. World Whiskey Society is highlighting its core offering, a 9-Year-Old Straight Kentucky Bourbon Modern Bottle, aged 9 years and bottled at 54% ABV. I.W. Harper has unveiled its rarest offering, a 34-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Stitzel-Weller, with proceeds from a Sotheby's auction benefiting Native Son. Larrikin Bourbon Co. is expanding into Tennessee with the release of Tennessee Barrel One, a 121.5 proof cask strength bourbon. Brother Justus Whiskey Company has released its third annual Founder’s Reserve Whiskey, a single malt crafted from Minnesota malted barley and aged in Minnesota oak. Heaven Hill announced the 19th edition of the Parker’s Heritage Collection, a blend of three different mashbills to support ALS research. Jack Daniel's has launched Tennessee Blackberry, the newest addition to its flavors lineup, blending whiskey with blackberry flavor at 70 proof. A. Smith Bowman Distillery is releasing Abraham Bowman Oak Series: Hungarian Oak, a 12-year-old whiskey and the final experimental whiskey in the series. Blue Note Bourbon is bringing back its limited-edition Honey Bourbon Cask, an unfiltered whiskey finished in honey-infused barrels. Yellowstone Bourbon has launched a new line of ready-to-serve cocktails in three flavors: Gold Rush, Old Fashioned, and Espresso. New Riff Distilling is re-releasing its limited Red Turkey Wheat Kentucky Straight Bourbon, a bottled-in-bond whiskey that was last available four years ago. Penelope Bourbon has released Black Walnut Old Fashioned, a ready-to-pour cocktail made with a blend of bourbon and rye, black walnut bitters, and vanilla demerara. Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Summary526 - Beyond the Bottle: The Data Driving Modern Bourbon Sales with Bruce and Ari of Mash Networks
Aug 7, 202501:13:23Tap to summarizeWe are diving back into the fascinating and often frustrating world of direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales. We're thrilled to reconnect with Ari Sussman and welcome Bruce Fougere, co-founder of MASH Networks, a data-driven software company that's truly shaking things up. Ari wastes no time stressing why DTC isn't just an option for distilleries anymore—it's essential. MASH Networks is arming brands with the crucial tools they need to cut through the noise and break those geographic barriers. Bruce then pulls back the curtain on how their tech leverages data and powerful storytelling to turn casual buyers into lifelong fans. We also talk about how all of this has to build on customer loyalty and why consumers are looking meaningful engagement in the brands they support. Show Notes: MASH Networks' impact on craft distilling. The importance of DTC in the evolving market. Effective use of customer data and analytics. Insights from Mammoth Distillery case study. Utilizing QR codes for consumer engagement. Building emotional connections and community. Strategies for tasting experiences and promotions. Exploring subscription models in craft spirits. Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Whiskey Quickie: Michter's 10 Year Bourbon Review
Aug 5, 202500:05:37Tap to summarizeOn this Whiskey Quickie by Bourbon Pursuit, we review Michter's 10 Year Bourbon. This 10 year old bourbon is 94.4 proof and $195 MSRP. Let us know what you think. Cheers!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 →
Behind The Pursuit: Pursuit University Part 1
Aug 1, 202500:38:09Tap to summarizeSubscribe to Behind The Pursuit: From Bourbon to Brand Herb Heneman, now an instructor at the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits at the University of Kentucky, teaches students about marketing and building a spirits brand from the ground up. Both Ryan and Kenny share a connection with Herb, and not long ago he invited Kenny to guest lecture for his class. The session covered a series of insightful questions about the industry, but unfortunately, it wasn’t recorded. In this two-part episode, we revisit those questions and the conversations they sparked from the inception of Bourbon Pursuit, through it’s now 10-year career, and how they’ve built a Spirits brand out of it. We hit on: The numbers, and how BP has become “The Official Podcast of Bourbon” How and when did you start the podcast? Who have been some of your favorite guests? Any that were total disasters? Where and how do you record and how has this evolved over the years How do you decide topics for discussion? What makes a piece of content newsworthy for BP to talk about? How did you grow BP’s reach and get paced across different platforms like Apple, Pandora, iHeart and Spotify? and much more. P.club by Pursuit Spirits puts you in the inner circle. As a member, you’ll unlock exclusive distillery-only releases, VIP access to live virtual tastings with Q&As, 10% off all merch and special perks. Whether you choose free doorstep delivery or distillery pickup, you’ll always be first in line for our newest drops. With a flexible cart and priority access to limited barrels, P.Club isn’t just a membership—it’s your all-access pass to Pursuit. Sign up today. Come and see us on Mellwood! Be sure to visit pursuitspirits.com and click on Visit Us to book a tasting or barrel selection experience. For questions or topic requests on upcoming episodes, email us at podcast@pursuitspirits.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →525 - Behind the Pour: Unpacking Whiskey Subscriptions with Greg Cohen
Jul 31, 202501:02:20Tap to summarizeHave you ever wondered if whiskey subscriptions are the real deal, or just another trend? Or is it just a way for someone to run through inventory faster? To answer these questions Greg Cohen, the guy behind Pour More joins the show. We set the stage, pulling back the curtain on the rise of these models during covid and how Greg transformed from a marketer to a crucial player in Pour More's journey. I'm geniuonly curious about the business model so we hit on operations, the power of great storytelling, and how landing features in big-name publications put Pour More on the map. Greg breaks down their dual audience – the hardcore connoisseurs and the gift-givers – and how they navigate the maze of alcohol distribution laws. Plus, we pull apart their tiered pricing, and how to balance killer value with exclusive access. Show Notes: Introduction to Greg Cohen and the inception of Pour More. Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on whiskey subscriptions. Analysis of customer demographics and acquisition methods. Marketing strategies and redefining the whiskey culture. Creating connections with distillers for a unique experience. Challenges in customer retention and innovative solutions. Speculations on the future of whiskey subscriptions and brand storytelling. Support this podcast on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →