Bourbon Pursuit

Ever wonder what it actually takes to build, run, and automate a distillery? On this episode, we sit down with someone unknown to most of the general population, but he's on speed dial for every major prodocuer across the country. A 2023 Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame Inductee, and the owner of Distillery Engineering: Pete Kamer. We talk about Pete’s incredible journey from his early days learning the ropes at Four Roses to his milestone career of 27 years at Barton in Bardstown. The distilling world has its own unique engineering hurdles, especially as traditional floor operations transitioned into modern automation. Pete shares his masterclass take on adjusting flavor profiles through still design, yeast, and cuts, and why relying on an operator's sight, smell, and hearing will always beat looking at a screen.
Show Notes:
Pete’s career journey from Four Roses to his 27-year legacy at Barton in Bardstown

The evolution of traditional distillery floor operations into modern automation

Technical insights into manipulating whiskey flavor profiles through still design, yeast, and cuts

Why sensory skills—sight, smell, and hearing—beat relying on control-room screens

The mechanics and engineering hurdles of running a large-scale Kentucky distillery

The physics and environmental factors that make duplicating the exact same whiskey impossible across different warehouses

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Onyx & 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.
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It'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

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Ever 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

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The 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.
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