In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out in The Bourbon Life Studio with Julian Jones, Co-Founder and Master Distiller, of West Fork Whiskey Co. located in Westfield, Indiana.

The guys talk with Julian about the decision that he, his brother, Blake, and their childhood friend, David McIntyre made to leave their professional careers to start an Indiana focused, grain to glass Distillery back in 2014, their West Fork Whiskey lineup that focuses on grain to glass production as well as their MGP-sourced Hamer Bourbon line, including Old Hamer and Hugh Hamer, which features a 99% corn, 1% malted barley mashbill, as well as what the future looks like for West Fork Whiskey Co. and the Hamer Bourbon line.

They also taste and review their Old Hamer Cask Strength Straight Bourbon Whiskey, their Hugh Hamer Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Rum Barrels, and their award-winning Hugh Hamer Double Oaked Straight Bourbon Whiskey.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Three Chord Bourbon and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Check out our amazing sponsors online at:

www.threechordbourbon.com

www.visitthekitchentable.com

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief heads deep into the heart of Houston, Texas, to shine a spotlight on a remarkable group reshaping the whiskey world: The Women’s Whiskey Society. He sits down with Founder Summer Sanford and member Stephanie Burleigh to uncover their inspiring mission to empower, educate, and celebrate women in the dynamic and complex realm of whiskey.

Since its founding in 2022, The Women’s Whiskey Society has become a force to be reckoned with, hosting over 30 events annually, all at an approachable cost. From distillery tours to exclusive barrel picks, these passionate women are embracing every facet of the whiskey experience and making it accessible to all.

The episode begins with the trio savoring High West Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Big Chief paints a vivid picture of its rich, earthy character, with well-balanced flavors of candy corn, honey nougat, and sweet cornbread biscuits—a sip that feels like home. They follow it up with High West Double Rye, a bold, spice-forward pour with notes of menthol, mint, eucalyptus, herbal tea, wildflower honey, and allspice. Big Chief even picks out a playful note of gummy bears, proving his palate doesn’t miss a thing.

As they dive into the second half, the ladies introduce Big Chief to High West Rendezvous Rye, a masterpiece of complexity. It bursts with flavors of raspberry jalapeño jelly on toasted brown bread, clove-infused orange slices, vanilla-poached dates, homemade applesauce with cinnamon sticks, and fried dough dusted in powdered sugar. Every sip reveals something new—this whiskey is a sensory journey.

The lineup continues with High West Campfire, a bold and smoky blend with notes of vanilla, salted caramel, toasted brioche, red berry compote, chai spices, orange zest, cedar, and pipe tobacco. The complexity of this pour evokes the feeling of sitting around a campfire, wrapped in a warm, smoky embrace.

To close out the show, Stephanie surprises everyone with a bottle of High West A Midwinter Night’s Dram—a rye whiskey like no other. Big Chief is floored by its decadent profile of rye toast with marmalade, cherry, dried fruit, herbs, tobacco, and toasted oak. It’s a symphony of flavors and the perfect note to end on.

This episode is a toast to the women who are redefining the whiskey community, proving that this spirit is for everyone. Cheers to The Women’s Whiskey Society and their dedication to spreading knowledge, passion, and love for whiskey. Here’s to another unforgettable adventure on The Whiskey Trip!

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, The Bourbon Life Crew reassembles in The Bourbon Life Studios for their 1st Episode of 2025.

The Crew members each make their bold predictions for the Bourbon industry for 2025, discuss some recent negative news about the state of the Bourbon industry as a whole, and dive into the recent Surgeon General warning regarding alcohol consumption and the impact that could have on the industry.

They also taste and review a 2022 Shenk’s, the Fall 2024 Old Fitzgerald Bottle in Bond 11 Year Old Bourbon, and Dancing Goat Distillery High Rye 8 Year Old Bourbon.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Three Chord Bourbon and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Check out our amazing sponsors online at:

www.threechordbourbon.com

www.visitthekitchentable.com

This week on The Whiskey Trip podcast, Big Chief marks an incredible milestone—his 400th episode—by celebrating with friends Matt King from The Blending House and Emiliano Guajardo from Still Austin Whiskey Company.

Together, the trio takes listeners on an emotional journey through the world of craft whiskey and podcasting, sharing stories, laughter, and reflections on Big Chief’s epic ride. From sipping Leiper’s Fork Whiskey to Still Austin’s finest, the glasses are full, and so are the memories.

They reminisce about where it all began—Shelbyville, Kentucky, when someone first heard Big Chief’s booming voice—and look forward to what’s ahead for the Big Man. It’s an honest, heartfelt conversation about whiskey, podcasting, and the passion that’s fueled this journey.

This episode isn’t just a celebration of 400 episodes; it’s a toast to dedication, community, and the magic of storytelling. Here’s to the next 400 episodes!

Cheers to Big Chief and the unforgettable ride that is The Whiskey Trip!

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with Eric LeGrand and Biran Axelrod, Co-Founders of Eric LeGrand Bourbon.

The guys talk with Eric and Brian about their respective backgrounds, including Eric’s life-altering spinal cord injury that he sustained during a football game while a member of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and how he has overcome that injury through his titan strength and perseverance and Brian’s extensive and impressive career in the spirits industry, how they came together as a team to develop a Bourbon brand and their decision to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, as well as what the future looks like for the brand.

They also taste and review Eric LeGrand Kentucky Straight Bourbon and Eric LeGrand Kentucky Straight Bourbon Single Barrel.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Three Chord Bourbon and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Check out our amazing sponsors online at:

www.threechordbourbon.com

www.visitthekitchentable.com

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes listeners back to New Orleans, Louisiana, for a chat with Tracy and Barbara Napolitano, Founders of the New Orleans Bourbon Festival.

Tracy and Barbara walk Big Chief through the incredible lineup of events planned for this year’s festival. From expert-led seminars and bourbon dinners across The Big Easy to the two-night Grand Tasting featuring over 80 distilleries, this festival is truly the most educational #whiskeyfestival you’ll ever attend.

Big Chief is also bringing his expertise to the festival with two seminars designed to enhance your whiskey knowledge.

Durig the episode, he samples some standout barrel picks from brands featured at the festival, including Tumbling Dice, Chicken Cock Double Oak, Spirits of French Lick Rye, and Still Austin Blue Corn. And as a special treat, Tracy and Barbara shared a few rare pours: Old Forester Big Birthday, OFC (Old Fine Copper), and The Boss Hog from WhistlePig.

This ride on The Whiskey Trip is packed with tips and insights to help you make the most of one of the best whiskey festivals out there. Join Big Chief in the magical city of New Orleans and experience the best whiskey has to offer. Cheers!

In this REMIX Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, presented by Liquor Barn, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with Graham McTavish, Founder & President, of McTavish Spirits. This Episode orginally aired on July 19, 2024.

The guys talk with Graham about his remarkable career as an actor and how his secret love for Bourbon that began over 20 years ago led him to start McTavish Spirits, the designation of “celebrity whiskey” that has been slapped on some celebrity endorsed brands and how Graham stays actively involved with McTavish Spirits to avoid that moniker being applied to his whiskies, as well as what the future looks like for McTavish Spirits.

They also taste and review McTavish Spirits’ “The Keeper” Kentucky Straight Rye and “The Warchief” Bottled in Bond Bourbon.

This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is presented by Liquor Barn and is also sponsored by Penelope Bourbon, Limestone Farms Bourbon, Pappy & Co., Old Dominick, The Stave Restaurant, Three Chord Bourbon, James E. Pepper Distillery, and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co.

Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at:

www.liquorbarn.com

www.penelopebourbon.com

www.limestonefarms.com

www.pappyco.com

www.olddominick.com

www.thestavekentucky.com

www.threechordbourbon.com

www.jamesepepper.com

www.visitthekitchentable.com

This week, Big Chief takes listeners to Fort Worth, Texas, to visit Blackland Distillery. He sits down with Master Distiller Ezra Cox to dive into their innovative approach to distilling, including the use of the modern iStill technology from the Netherlands.

Ezra shares how he combines advanced technology with brewing techniques, including the use of unconventional grains like triticale, a wheat-rye hybrid sourced from the Blackland Prairie of Texas—the inspiration for the distillery’s name. This unique approach gives Blackland’s whiskey its distinct terroir and character.

The episode begins with a tasting of Blackland Prairie Gold Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey, featuring a mash bill of 80% yellow corn and 20% triticale. At 100 proof, it delivers bold, complex flavors with a subtle, smooth finish. Next, Big Chief samples the 100% Triticale Texas Straight Whiskey at single-barrel cask strength. Not yet released but slated for 2025, this whiskey leaves Big Chief amazed, declaring it a contender for his Whiskey of the Year.

In the second half, Ezra offers a special treat: a cask-strength Rye Whiskey with a mash bill of 80% rye and 20% triticale. Big Chief picks up notes of root beer candy, herbal mint spice, deep caramel, and dark fruits, all leading to a long, satisfying finish. They then explore the Blackland Texas Pecan Brown Sugar Bourbon, a 70-proof flavored whiskey that balances the woody richness of pecans with sweet molasses, vanilla, and oak. Perfect as a dessert whiskey, its broad appeal makes it a standout.

The episode wraps with Blackland Texpresso Whiskey, a 70-proof spirit combining Texas whiskey with coffee, pecans, and brown sugar. Big Chief calls it a game-changer, ideal for sipping neat or crafting the ultimate espresso martini with just a splash of espresso.

This episode celebrates the evolution of distilling through modern technology and innovative grain use. Cheers to another unforgettable journey on The Whiskey Trip!