Bourbon Pursuit

Maker’s Mark Star Hill Farm 2026 brings big ice cream shop vibes with cherry cordial, vanilla custard, waffle cone, and a gooey cherry syrup finish. This wheat whiskey had us seriously impressed.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 September 4th 2026. Kentucky Bourbon Boys has officially launched KBB Reserve, the American Whiskey Scholars program, and Starlight has 2 brand new releases.Show Notes:
Kentucky Bourbon Boys launches KBB Reserve three-tier travel concierge service

American Whiskey Scholars debuts three-level self-paced online certification program

Buffalo Trace Distillery On Tour returns with four-city complimentary roadshow

BBQ, Bourbon & Burlesque event set for October 24 in Evansville, Indiana

Old Forester unveils 2026 Birthday Bourbon and Alpha Industries jacket collab

Oak & Grist Distilling debuts nine-year American Single Malt Whiskey Barrel #09

Shortbarrel launches fifth-year limited-edition Cigar Batch #4 with Sherry finish

Sagamore Spirit debuts nationwide eight-year Bottled in Bond Straight Rye

Baker’s Bourbon returns 13-year Single Barrel release for Baker Beam’s 90th birthday

Chattanooga Whiskey introduces Bottled in Bond Vintage: Fall 2018 four-grain bourbon

Town Branch Distillery debuts IMPERIUM MMXXVI cask-strength wheated bourbon blend

Starlight Distillery announces 5th Annual Pink Bottle Release for breast cancer support

Starlight Distillery launches rare 10-Year Mizunara Reserve via lottery and distillery sale

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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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