The Bourbon Road

Episode 500 of The Bourbon Road is a milestone worth savoring, and hosts Jim Shannon and Todd welcome back the man who helped start it all — original co-host Randy Minnick. Randy joined Jim for the very first episodes of the show before life took him and his wife Julie to the mountains of Virginia, and tonight he returns to raise a glass and reminisce about the early days of one of bourbon podcasting's longest-running shows. The conversation winds through memories of drilling barrels with Elizabeth McCall at Woodford Reserve, tasting dusty Wild Turkeys with David Jennings in Lexington, and the slow but deliberate journey from a handful of listeners to over 3,200 Roadies strong. It is a night of gratitude, laughter, and genuinely outstanding whiskey.

On the Tasting Mat:

- Four Roses Limited Edition Small Batch 2022: A carefully composed annual release bottled at 109 proof, this Ellie opens with a beautifully floral nose of rose blossoms, ripe berries, and warm cinnamon. The palate is layered and polished in the way only a thoughtfully curated Four Roses release can be — sweet fruit up front giving way to gentle spice and a long, refined finish. A whiskey built for contemplation. *(00:02:03)*

- Wild Turkey Masters Keep Beacon 13 Year: Bottled at 118 proof and finished in toasted American oak, the Beacon delivers the unmistakable Wild Turkey DNA in an elevated form. The nose offers grilled orange, dark cherry, toffee, and a signature dusty, funky oak character that is pure Lawrenceburg. On the palate the oak deepens into tobacco territory while sweetness from dark fruit and brown sugar keeps everything in beautiful balance. It does not drink its proof. *(00:21:00)*

- Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon 2021: Texas bourbon at its most unapologetic — 131.3 proof and a color so dark it borders on black water. The nose immediately conjures campfire s'mores, burnt marshmallow, overcooked caramel, and graham cracker. The palate follows through with deep molasses, charred oak, and a touch of dark chocolate. A whiskey made for a Maduro cigar under open sky. *(00:33:06)*

- Augusta Distillery Buckner's 13 Year Single Barrel: A high-proof single barrel release at 138.6 proof, almost certainly Barton distilled, selected by Todd and Jason Colori. Rich, concentrated dark cherry dominates the nose alongside clove, cinnamon, and fresh ginger. The palate is big and enveloping with dried dark fruit, tobacco, and a long, warm finish that earns its proof. *(00:58:10)*

Five hundred episodes in and the Bourbon Road shows no signs of slowing down. With a new theme song composed by Todd, a brand-new website at thebourbonroad.com complete with a searchable archive of over 1,300 tasting notes and the all-new Roadie Bar, the community around this show has never been stronger. Randy put it best — who would have thunk it? Here is to the next five hundred.

Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter welcome Bill Straub back to the Bourbon Road Bar — aka Jim's basement — for a deep dive into some of the most talked-about new special releases from the industry's biggest players. Bill, the co-founder of Fourgate Whiskey Company and the longtime voice behind ModernThirst.com, brings his seasoned palate and encyclopedic knowledge of mash bills to the table, making for a lively and insightful tasting session across four very different expressions.

On the Tasting Mat:

- Elijah Craig 15 Year Single Barrel (Barrel #28) — Heaven Hill: Bottled at 108 proof from Heaven Hill's classic 78/12/10 corn-malted barley-rye mash bill, this 15-year expression opens with a distinctive circus peanut and soft marshmallow nose that the guys identify as quintessential Heaven Hill. The palate delivers silky texture with almond and amaretto notes, while a pop of black pepper anchors a long, satisfying finish. MSRP $150. *(00:02:39)*

- Old Forester Grand Dad 7 Year Single Barrel — Jim Beam (Old Grand-Dad): At 114 proof and carrying a high-rye mash bill of 63/27/10, this $50 release pours remarkably dark for its age. The nose offers orange marmalade and a subtle citrus-forward brightness, while the palate is smooth and somewhat reserved up front, building into a spicy, rye-bread-toast finish that lingers impressively. *(00:11:47)*

- Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archive Gold Foil Edition (16 Year): The centerpiece of the evening, this 120-proof blend of 16-year barrels from Camp Nelson Rick Houses D, E, and F is the inaugural release in Wild Turkey's new Archive series, designed to evoke the legendary cheesy gold foil bottles of the 1980s and '90s. The nose is rich with leather, graham cracker pie crust, dried fruit, and a compelling dusty vintage quality. On the palate it explodes with sweet tobacco, oak, coffee cake, citrus, and a hint of dark chocolate, delivering wall-to-wall flavor from entry to an extraordinarily long finish. MSRP $400. *(00:26:49)*

- Stagg Batch 26A — Buffalo Trace: Coming in at a robust 129.3 proof with no age statement, this barrel-proof release from Buffalo Trace's Mash Bill #1 opens with concentrated brown sugar that lightens and brightens in the glass, revealing cherry cola, grape jelly, and just a touch of citrus. The palate runs straight down the center of the tongue with focused sweetness and a warm, brown-sugar-driven finish. MSRP $65. *(00:36:32)*

Four powerhouse releases, four very different price points, and one table of guys who clearly love what they do — this episode is a reminder that the bourbon industry, for all its current turbulence, is still producing some truly extraordinary whiskey. Don't miss Bill's candid thoughts on the state of the market, the cease-and-desist story behind the ModernThirst mash bill table, and why he thinks Heaven Hill's peak window tops out right around 15 years.

Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter welcome listeners back to the Corner Rickhouse for a special episode centered around the upcoming documentary Spirits of Lawrenceburg: A Bourbon Legacy Forged Through Time. Joining them are Jerry Daniels of Stone Fences Tours — a Kentucky bourbon tourism expert and history enthusiast — and returning guest Bo Cumberland, the filmmaker behind the documentary. The conversation digs deep into the rich and often overlooked bourbon heritage of Lawrenceburg and Anderson County, Kentucky, tracing the families, distilleries, and waterways that made the region a powerhouse of American whiskey production from the early 1800s through Prohibition and beyond.

On the Tasting Mat:

- 1996 Dowling Deluxe 100 Proof: A dusty Heaven Hill-era bottling from 1996, this 100-proof bourbon pours an exceptionally dark amber. The nose opens with cherry pie and buttery pastry crust, with a light but present dusty funk characteristic of older Heaven Hill expressions. A beautiful example of pre-secondary-market-era bourbon in a plastic-capped bottle. *(00:02:29)*

- Whiskey Barons Collection – W.B. Saffold (Wild Turkey): A blend of 6, 8, and 12-year Wild Turkey mashbill bourbons bottled at 107 proof as part of the limited Whiskey Barons series honoring legendary Anderson County distiller W.B. Saffold, once the yeast man at Cedar Brook Distillery. The nose and palate deliver classic Wild Turkey character: rich cherry, orange slice candy, toffee, and a subtle nuttiness reminiscent of almond shell. The finish is long, warm, and deeply satisfying. *(00:24:46)*

- Frankfort Bourbon Society Single Barrel Four Roses OESQ, 9-Year 8-Month, Barrel Strength (123 Proof): Selected by the Frankfort Bourbon Society, this single barrel expression uses Four Roses' 20% rye mash bill with the Q yeast strain, aged 9 years and 8 months in barrel #85-5R (fifth tier rick). At a commanding 123 proof, it opens with brown sugar and sweet tea on the nose with delicate florality. The palate delivers a rich marriage of sweet oak, caramel, and deep barrel character, finishing with lingering sweet oak and brown spice. *(00:39:39)*

- Old Commonwealth Kentucky Nectar Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (104 Proof): A limited 2,400-bottle release from Old Commonwealth Distillery — operating on the historic Old Hoffman Distillery site in Lawrenceburg — this 4-year-old bourbon is finished in honey casks at 104 proof. The nose is notably sweet with dark chocolate and amaretto-like qualities. The palate is rich and dessert-forward, with a warm honey-laced finish that lingers gently. *(00:36:44)*

With the premiere of Spirits of Lawrenceburg set for July 25th on the grounds of the historic T.B. Rippey Mansion, this episode is both a love letter to Anderson County's bourbon past and a preview of what promises to be Bo Cumberland's most expansive documentary yet. From the Hawkins and Bond families of the 1810s to Mary Dowling's indomitable legacy, from the devastation of the Whiskey Trust and Prohibition to the modern revival underway at Old Commonwealth and Larrikin, the full story of Lawrenceburg bourbon is finally getting its screen debut. Tickets are limited to 100 guests for the outdoor premiere event — details on the Spirits of Lawrenceburg Facebook page and the Stone Fences Tours social channels.

Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter welcome back two familiar faces to the corner of Rick House in Frankfort: Diane Strong, the driving force behind the Bourbon on the Banks Festival, and Bo Cumberland, the festival's videographer and distillery film maker. Together they settle in for a relaxed preview of the 2026 Bourbon on the Banks Festival — now in its seventh year — touching on new events, expanded programming, sold-out tickets, and the evolution of the single barrel program that has become one of the festival's most celebrated features.

On the Tasting Mat:

- James E. Pepper 1776 Single Barrel Bourbon (Bourbon on the Banks 2025 Pick): A barrel selected the prior year by Jim, Todd, and Bo at James E. Pepper Distillery in Lexington. Clocking in at 109.4 proof, this single barrel pours with rich aromas of cherry cola, leather, and a subtle barrel funk. The palate delivers a lush butterscotch sweetness — evoking Werther's Original hard candies — balanced by a satisfying peppery bite on the mid-palate. The finish is long, warm, and refuses to fade. A confidently balanced cask-strength pick available at the festival for around $60–65. *(00:01:54)*

- Jeptha Creed Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel Reserve (Bourbon on the Banks 2025 Pick): A four-grain bourbon — built on the distillery's heirloom Bloody Butcher corn alongside wheat, malted barley, and rye — bottled at 119.52 proof from Warehouse B after seven years and one month of aging. The nose opens with intriguing complexity, revealing sweet cinnamon, a whisper of root beer, and a hint of fresh strawberry. The palate is full-powered and richly flavored, landing on buttered cinnamon pancakes with a wave of deep caramel. A distinctive expression that showcases just how compelling Jeptha Creed's long-aged releases have become. *(00:20:05)*

On the Tasting Mat:

Beyond the pours, the crew digs deep into everything Bourbon on the Banks 2026 has to offer: a sold-out Bourbon Bell River Tour with Ingram Distillery, the returning Whiskey Thief Kickoff Party (barrel burning included), a free family-friendly Friday night on the lawn with circus performers and a mermaid, the Culinary Bourbon Geek class with Peggy Noe Stevens now pushed to 2 p.m., a Friday VIP Reception and Auction sponsored by Larkin Bourbon, a Saturday morning brunch at Cypress and Oak, expanded single barrel picks from eleven distilleries including Angel's Envy, Pursuit Spirits, Jeptha Creed, Jackson Purchase, Boondocks, and others, and an after-party headlined by Creekwater with bluegrass openers Hancock and Schaus. Twilight tickets for the October 3rd main event are still available at bourbononthebanks.org.

Be sure to visit thebourbonroad.com

Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter settle into the Bourbon Road bar for a warm-weather tasting session built around one unifying theme: light-proof, finished whiskeys perfect for summer sipping. The pair reconnect after Jim's trip to Branson and Todd's afternoon on the soccer sidelines, pouring five bottles that span maple syrup barrels, maple wood chunks, raw honey, port wine casks, and even an old fashioned cocktail mixer barrel — each one bringing its own creative approach to the art of the finish.

On the Tasting Mat:

- Iron Fish Distillery Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Maple Syrup Barrels (86 proof): A craft bourbon out of Thompsonville, Michigan, finished in barrels previously used to age maple syrup from a nearby family sugar bush farm. The nose opens with caramel green apple and buttery sweetness with virtually no ethanol heat. The palate is confectionary and sweet with a gentle warmth and a soft, hugging finish. Award-winning and approachable, this one shines as a warm-weather pour, especially over a large ice cube or alongside a glass of half-and-half iced tea. Retails around $50. *(00:02:11)*

- Company Distilling Weated Bourbon Finished with Maple Wood Chunks (90 proof): From the distillery co-founded by former Jack Daniel's master distiller Jeff Arnett, this weated bourbon blends whiskey from three states using both column and pot stills, aged four to six years. Rather than using a maple syrup barrel, fully matured straight bourbon was finished by placing maple wood chunks directly into the whiskey to coax natural toasted wood character. The nose carries green apple, a hint of cinnamon toast, and a subtle forest smokiness. The palate is extraordinarily silky and smooth with very little impact up front, building to a light zip on the finish. A dangerously sessionable pour. Retails around $50. *(00:07:04)*

- Green River Honey Finished Bourbon (92 proof): Distilled and aged in Owensboro, Kentucky, this four-year-old Green River straight bourbon was finished by adding a custom blend of locally sourced, seasonally selected raw unfiltered honey directly into the barrel, allowing the bourbon and honey to marry through natural barrel interaction. The result is a honey-colored, notably sweet whiskey with a confectionary nose and a smooth, very approachable palate that lends itself to mixing — a spiked Arnold Palmer or a light honey old fashioned being natural fits. Presented in distinctive hexagonal honeycomb-themed packaging. Retails at $24.99. *(00:13:31)*

- Oak Lore Distilling Company Port Cask Finished Four Grain Bourbon (92 proof): From Oak Lore Distilling in North Carolina, this four-grain bourbon sourced from Southern Distilling in Statesville, NC and Kentucky partners including Bardstown/Green River receives an additional 12 to 18 months of maturation in freshly dumped domestic port wine barrels that previously held port for up to 18 years. The nose is dark and figgy with cherry and deep fruit. The palate opens with upfront sweetness before settling into a rich, heavy dark fruit finish reminiscent of well-aged port. A campfire evening sipper, particularly appealing to port lovers making the move toward bourbon. Retails at $79.95. *(00:21:48)*

- Oak Lore Distilling Company Old Fashioned Finished Four Grain Bourbon (98 proof): The second of Oak Lore's Story Series entries, this four-grain bourbon finishes for an additional 18 months in barrels previously used to age Oak Lore's own old fashioned cocktail mixer. The result captures the essence of a classic old fashioned — bitters-forward aromatics with hints of orange, ginger, cardamom, and baking spice on the nose. The palate opens sweet and transitions into a bittery, cocktail-like finish that calls for nothing more than an ice cube and an orange garnish. Retails at $89.95. *(00:31:46)*

Jim and Todd round out the episode with news about the freshly launched Bourbon Road website, which now hosts over 1,320 tasting notes, all 500-plus episodes, a searchable blog, and the all-new Roadie Bar — a members community complete with chat, event calendars, giveaways, and a 24/7 AI bartender named Cooper. The pair also tease an upcoming event at the Frankfurt Bourbon Society's Corner Rick House during the Bourbon on the Banks weekend on October 3rd. Sign up at thebourbonroad.com to join the community and secure your spot.