Bourbon Pursuit

There's a time when whiskey enthusiasm takes it to the next level. I've lived through it. I was a stone cold hobbyist, and I still am, but then I started a podcast and now Ryan and I have Pursuit Spirits. We don't know how to stop taking a hobby too far. And our guest today is no different. Mike Hinds is co-founder of Nashville Barrel Company, Mike takes us back five or six years to NBC's humble beginnings, starting with local charity picks for cancer research, hunting down Jack Daniel’s, Weller 12, and Willett single barrels, and making frequent runs to Bardstown to learn the ropes. When he decided to start Nashville Barrel Company there were plenty of operational headaches like sourcing whiskey and dealing with shady brokers but a few mismatched samples unexpectedly got them a hit they kept on playing with Kelvin barrels. Since then they have been expanding into downtown Music City, and have now opened a new spot in NuLu called the Louisville Rickhouse Company. Instead of chasing cheap inventory or relying on marketing gimmicks, Mike shares how their focus cask-strength single barrels built consumer trust and whiskey clubs kept their growth soaring. We also talk about Stella, the official company dog, their VIP club, and how Mike has been one of the few lucky people in history to pick a single barrel of Pappy Van Winkle 15.
Show Notes:
How a passion for bottle shares, charity picks, and barrel hunting birthed Nashville Barrel Company.

Early sourcing realities: broker blunders, mismatched samples, and launching with rye instead of bourbon.

Pivoting during COVID from third-party co-packers to brick-and-mortar locations in Nashville and Louisville.

The strategy behind building a brand on cask-strength single barrels and authentic community trust over gimmicks.

Inside NBC's special releases, including a Pappy 15 single barrel, "The Compromise" blend, and their VIP club.

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Penelope Riviera blends 8 year American light whiskey with straight bourbon, then finishes it in rosé wine casks for a lighter, sweeter pour. With buttered popcorn, brown sugar, soft berry notes, and an easy 94 proof profile, this one feels built for warm-weather sipping.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.
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It's This Week in Bourbon for August 28th 2026. Trade negotiations between the United States and Canada have officially broken down, Humble Baron from Uncle Nearest is facing a change from Chapter 11 to Chapter 7 liquidation, and Larrikin Bourbon Co. unveils its new Australia Series.Show Notes:
Brown family members clash over falling profits and cratering stock price at Brown-Forman

Sazerac acquires Garrard County Distilling facility in Lancaster, Kentucky

Humble Baron bankruptcy shifts toward total liquidation as judge delays final judgment

Trade negotiations collapse as 50% U.S. tariff on Canadian alcohol goes into effect

Legal analysis highlights growing AI compliance risks under federal and state alcohol ad laws

Uncle Boojie’s research links F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby to Louisville bourbon history

Angel's Envy unveils Distillery Series finished in Stout and Amburana barrels

Belle of Louisville and Brough Brothers partner on commemorative bourbon expressions

Larrikin Bourbon Co. debuts Australia Series with exotic wood finishes at Kentucky Bourbon Festival

Redwood Empire Whiskey launches inaugural limited-edition series with The Hyperion Batch 001

Jack Daniel’s releases American Single Malt Whiskey nationwide across the U.S.

B.R. Distilling Company launches Blue Note Cherry Wood Cask finished in wild-cherry barrels

Four Roses Distillery unveils Experimental Series No. 002 Honey Cask Finish

Actor Chris Hemsworth joins Archie Rose Distilling Co. as co-owner ahead of U.S. launch

Dueling Grounds Distillery celebrates 10-year anniversary with Bourbon Harvest Picnic 2026

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Is the classic "unicorn" whiskey officially dead, or is the market just finally giving us what we’ve been asking for? On this edition of the Bourbon Community Roundtable, our panel is breaking down how 2026 is shaping up in the world of whiskey releases. With older age statements hitting shelves, pricing pressure mounting, and an avalanche of finishes and experimental wood treatments coming from both heritage giants and craft newcomers, picking a clear bottle of the year is harder than ever. We dive into the heavy hitters and sleeper hits catching everyones attention, including the Blade & Bow 12-Year Solera, Parker’s Heritage 20th Edition, Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon, Dragon’s Milk Origin toasted and amaretto releases, Four Roses’ latest experiments, New Riff’s 6-year wheater, Old Soul’s house distillate, Leiper’s Fork’s 10-year blend, Lost Lantern’s 50-state blend, and an Angel’s Envy stout finish that surprisingly delivered. We wrap up by asking the big question: in a flatter market overflowing with high-quality, accessible bottles, what actually makes a bottle legendary today?
Show Notes:
How 2026 compares to recent years with older age statements, pricing pressure, and fierce market competition.

The wave of experimental finishes and wood treatments shaping consumer attention across large and craft distilleries.

Highly anticipated releases on the panel's radar, including Parker’s Heritage 20th Edition, Blade & Bow 12-Year Solera, and Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon.

Standout craft and independent releases from New Riff, Dragon’s Milk, Old Soul, Leiper’s Fork, and Lost Lantern.

The evolution of "unicorn" whiskey and whether extreme scarcity is losing its grip on the bourbon community.

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Heaven Hill Grain to Glass returns with its wheated “Year of Wheat” release. This 6 year, 107.8 proof bourbon brings sweet candy, maraschino cherry, cherry Pop-Tart, and creamy dessert vibes with a finish that kept us talking.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.
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