The Bourbon Road

Welcome back to the Bourbon Road! In this episode, your host Todd Ritter is flying solo while Jim takes a brief hiatus for Dry January. But don't worry—Todd isn't drinking alone. He has recruited two heavy hitters from the world of whiskey history and travel to fill the void and co-host a packed episode dedicated to the art of the distillery visit.
Joining Todd in the studio is Drew Hannish, the voice behind Whiskey Lore and the author of the upcoming book Experiencing American Whiskey. With over 400 distillery visits under his belt across the United States and abroad, Drew brings a national perspective to the table. Also joining the conversation is Jerry Daniels, the owner and proprietor of Stone Fences Tours. A Kentucky historian and tour guide extraordinaire, Jerry offers an insider's look at the Bluegrass State's evolving tourism scene, from the big heritage brands to the craft innovators.
The conversation kicks off with a deep dive into whiskey travel. Drew shares insights from his journeys, highlighting hidden gems outside of Kentucky. We discuss the "Land of Oz" vibe at Minden Mill in Nevada, the emerging scenes in Missouri and Texas, and why Pittsburgh might just be the next great whiskey destination. Jerry counters with his favorite Kentucky experiences, offering tips on how to navigate the trail beyond the standard tasting. The group discusses unique offerings like the "Science Tour" at Wilderness Trail, the archaeological digs at Buffalo Trace, and the party atmosphere at Whiskey Thief.
The trio also tackles the current state of the industry. With rumors of market corrections and distillery closures swirling, our guests offer a grounded perspective on what is actually happening. Is the boom over, or is the market just normalizing? They discuss the shift in consumer demographics, the rise of "experience-based" tourism, and why history and craft will always keep whiskey relevant even as trends shift.
Of course, it wouldn't be The Bourbon Road without a tasting session. Todd, Drew, and Jerry sample through three distinct expressions, analyzing the nose, palate, and finish of each.
On the Tasting Mat:
The Macklowe Collection Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: A luxury release distilled in Danville, Kentucky. This High Corn recipe (75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley) is aged for at least four years and bottled at 92 proof. The guys discuss the "confectionary sugar" sweetness, notes of honey candy, and the surprising mouthfeel of this newcomer to the scene.

Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Heritage Barrel: A special Tennessee Whiskey release that utilizes heavy toasting and a low entry proof (100 proof) to create a unique profile. Aged at the top of the highest barrel houses in Lynchburg, this 100-proof pour sparks a conversation about "banana nut bread" notes, marshmallow cream, and how Jack Daniel's continues to innovate within its traditional framework.

Penelope 10-Year Private Select: Part of the Estate Collection, this straight bourbon clocks in at 106.8 proof. It features an intriguing mash bill blend of corn, rye, malted barley, and a mysterious 1% wheat. The group breaks down the floral nose, the transition from leather and tobacco to fresh citrus, and the long, spicy finish that lingers like "pop rocks."

Throughout the episode, the guys geek out on production details—from the science of yeast to the impact of barrel entry proof—and debate their personal rankings of the three pours. Tune in to hear their thoughts on travel, history, and which bottle stood out the most, without us spoiling the winner here!
Grab your favorite glass, settle in, and join us as we travel the country one dram at a time. Cheers!

Be sure to check out our private Facebook group, "The Bourbon Roadies" for a great group of bourbon loving people. You will be welcomed with open arms!

Jim and Todd welcome back a familiar face to the Bourbon Road: Drew Hannush, the host of the Whiskey Lore podcast and author of the massive new travel compendium, Experiencing American Whiskey . With the 2026 edition of his book hot off the press, Drew joins the hosts to discuss the monumental task of documenting over 1,000 distilleries across all 50 states . From the historic roots of Kentucky to the surprising whiskey scenes in states like New York and North Dakota, Drew shares stories from the road and tips for planning the ultimate whiskey adventure

In the second half of the show, the trio dives into a "virtual road trip" tasting, sampling three distinct craft whiskeys from across the country. Todd kicks things off with a pour from Michigan: New Holland's "Walleye Run" Malted Rye Whiskey. This barrel pick, selected by friend of the show Dusty Dan, surprises the group with delightful notes of "grilled peaches" and a unique fruit-forward profile that defies typical rye expectations.

Next, Drew introduces a true curiosity from Virginia: Malarkey Distilling's "Smokehouse" Whiskey. This experimental spirit is finished with wood staves that were smoked alongside pounds of bacon, resulting in a savory, meaty profile that Drew likens to a "bacon-smoky Tootsie Roll" . It's a polarizing but fascinating pour that proves there's always something new to discover in American whiskey.

Finally, Jim heads west to Nevada for a sip of Frey Ranch Estate Grown Straight Rye Whiskey. Known for their "ground-to-glass" operation, Frey Ranch delivers a robust 100% rye mash bill that showcases the terroir of the high desert with classic spice and a rich mouthfeel.

Throughout the episode, Drew offers insights into the shifting landscape of craft whiskey, highlighting how states like New York and Ohio are becoming major players . He also shares a fun travel tip for those visiting their 50th state: the "Save the Best for Last" club in Fargo, North Dakota . Tune in for a globetrotting conversation that will inspire your next distillery road trip!

Be sure to check out our private Facebook group, "The Bourbon Roadies" for a great group of bourbon loving people. You will be welcomed with open arms!

It's the most anticipated episode of the year! Jim and Todd return to the Bourbon Road bar to ring in the New Year and unveil their 2025 Whiskey of the Year. After a marathon year of reviewing nearly 200 different spirits—including 121 bourbons, 29 ryes, and 24 single malts—the hosts have crunched the data and narrowed the field down to five elite contenders.
The "Top 5" lineup represents the absolute best pours of 2025, featuring heavy hitters from some of America's most iconic distilleries. The hosts revisit the Woodford Reserve Chocolate Malt Whisper Redux, a 139.4-proof "happy accident" that stunned them with notes of fudgesicle and dark chocolate. They also pour the Jack Daniel's 12-Year-Old (Batch 3), a 107-proof expression that finally won Jim over with its rich profile of dark wood, fruit sweetness, and ripe banana.
Also making the cut is the Knob Creek 21 Year Old, the oldest release to date from Jim Beam. At 100 proof, it defied expectations with a velvety texture and complex notes of toasted coconut and dark cherry. The heavyweights continue with the Russell's Reserve 13-Year Old (2025 Release), a barrel-proof bourbon praised for its "concentrated goodness" of salted caramel and brown sugar. Rounding out the finalists is the Wild Turkey Master's Keep Beacon, a 118-proof standout that the hosts describe as the "perfect turkey," bursting with burnt orange and toffee.
In addition to the main countdown, Jim and Todd announce their 2025 Craft Distillery of the Year.
Tune in to hear the debates, the tasting notes, and the final reveal of which bottle takes home the title of Whiskey of the Year!
Be sure to check out our private Facebook group, "The Bourbon Roadies" for a great group of bourbon loving people. You will be welcomed with open arms!

Happy New Year from The Bourbon Road! Jim and Todd ring in the New Year at the Bourbon Road bar with one final sample show to close out 2025. With the "Whiskey of the Year" episode just around the corner, the hosts are clearing the decks and diving into four distinct and intriguing pours that range from experimental finishes to classic Kentucky profiles. It's a diverse lineup that takes their palates on a journey from the coast of France to the American Southwest.
The tasting begins with a luxurious offering from Bardstown Bourbon Company's Distillery Collection: the Normandy Calvados Brandy Barrel Finish. This blend of 12 and 13-year-old Indiana bourbons was finished for 28 months in apple brandy casks and an additional four months in toasted oak. Clocking in at 104.2 proof, it delivers a "flavor explosion" of honey crisp apple, vanilla cream, puff pastry, and a rich, compote-like texture that leaves the hosts searching for descriptors like "candle nose" and "apple pie."
Next, they take a sharp turn to Oxnard, California, for Sespe Creek Distillery's Warbringer, a Mesquite Smoked Southwest Bourbon. This 98-proof experimental pour features mesquite-smoked corn and malted rye, resulting in a savory, polarizing profile. Todd and Jim pick up notes of "burnt all-beef hot dogs," barbecue smoke, and pumpernickel, describing it as a "smoky beast" that definitely ruffles some feathers but delivers on its promise of uniqueness.
Returning to the Bluegrass State, the hosts sample the inaugural release from Jackson Purchase Distillery: the Full Proof. Produced in Hickman, Kentucky, by Master Distiller Craig Beam and Assistant Master Distiller Terry Ballard, this 4-year-old bourbon (roughly 117.8 proof) punches above its age class. It offers a definitive, classic bourbon profile with notes of buttery caramel, brown sugar, and a viscous, oily mouthfeel that Jim calls the "Wikipedia picture of bourbon."
Finally, they explore the New Riff High Note Confluence Project Volume 1, a 100% Wheat Whiskey. This 6-year-old expression uses a complex mash bill of Red Turkey Wheat and various malted wheats. At cask strength, it surprises the table with a dark, complex profile featuring notes of cotton candy, mint tea, medicinal cherry, and a "Good & Plenty" black licorice finish that showcases the depth of heirloom grains.
The episode wraps up with a "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner" segment where Jim and Todd attempt to rank these four very different whiskeys. Will they lock stock on their favorites, or will the polarizing pours divide the room? Tune in to find out and get ready for the 2025 Whiskey of the Year show coming next week!
Be sure to check out our private Facebook group, "The Bourbon Roadies" for a great group of bourbon loving people. You will be welcomed with open arms!

Jim and Todd return to the Bourbon Road bar for a sequel to their recent Jim Beam tasting, dubbing this episode "The Wrath of Todd" With the holiday season in full swing, the hosts settle in for a sample show dedicated to exploring the impact of warehouse location—or "terroir"—on whiskey. While there are no live guests in the studio, the episode features a special drop-in from friend of the show Drew Hannush (host of Whiskey Lore), who shares details about his massive new travel guide, Experiencing American Whiskey, a resource covering over 1,000 distilleries across the United States.
The main event focuses on the Harden's Creek Kentucky Series, a trio of limited-edition Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys from the James B. Beam Distilling Co. This unique experiment showcases three liquids that share the same mash bill, were distilled at the same time, aged for the same 11 years, and bottled at the same 110 proof. The only variable? The specific warehouse where they matured.
The flight begins with The Mushroom, aged in Warehouse R. Known for being a single-story rackhouse with no windows, this "dungeon-like" environment sits close to the ground, creating a cool, consistent temperature. Jim and Todd find this expression earthy and savory, picking up notes of black pepper, mixed nuts, and a distinct lack of sweetness compared to typical Beam profiles. It offers a fascinating, funky character that lives up to its name.
Next, they travel to Warehouse W for The Beaver. Situated near a creek in a low-lying, humid area, this warehouse allows for more interaction between the wood and the whiskey. The hosts immediately notice a brighter profile, detecting notes of green apple, cinnamon, and a rich "caramel apple" sweetness that coats the palate. It presents a classic, comforting bourbon profile with a surprising amount of fruitiness.
Finally, they ascend to the top of Warehouse G for The Owl. This towering nine-story rickhouse exposes the barrels to significant temperature fluctuations and airflow. The result is the darkest pour of the three, delivering deep, intense flavors. Todd identifies this as his "jam," praising its rich notes of black cherry, deep oak, and wood spice that venture into "Booker's territory." It's a bold, heavy hitter that stands in stark contrast to the lighter, earthier expressions.
Throughout the episode, Jim and Todd debate the nuances of each pour, marveling at how identical distillates can diverge so wildly based solely on where they sit. They wrap up the show with a difficult "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner" ranking, trying to decide which warehouse reigned supreme.

Be sure to check out our private Facebook group, "The Bourbon Roadies" for a great group of bourbon loving people. You will be welcomed with open arms!