The Bourbon Road

Welcome back to The Bourbon Road, recording live from the Bourbon Road Bar in Simpsonville, Kentucky — better known as Jim's basement. Episode 502 brings another overflowing tasting mat, proof that the samples just keep arriving faster than the boys can pour them. This week the lineup spans the full spectrum, from a brand-new family-founded label making its debut on the show to a beloved Illinois estate distillery, a coveted gift-shop-only release from a Northern Kentucky craft powerhouse, a toasted double oak expression from one of Owensboro's finest, and a bonus pour courtesy of a longtime Roadie friend from Ohio — a beer-world icon that crossed over into whiskey and never looked back.

On the Tasting Mat:

- Wooler Whiskey Kentucky Straight Bourbon (Batch 054): A four-grain, five-year-old small batch Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 90 proof for $39.99. The mash bill runs 72% corn, 18% rye, 5% wheat, and 5% malted barley, distilled in Bardstown and finished in a number three char new American oak barrel. The nose opens with a pleasant graininess reminiscent of granola or muesli, accented by honey and the faintest dusting of cinnamon. The palate delivers a sweet, full-mouth experience with caramel, vanilla, and a gentle wheat-driven tingle on the finish. A welcoming, approachable bourbon from a family brand founded by Jason Wooler — built on resilience after a life-changing stroke. *(00:01:58)*

- Whiskey Acres 7-Year Bourbon: Estate-distilled in DeKalb, Illinois, this 107-proof small batch blends 12 barrels aged between seven and eight years. The mash bill is 75% yellow dent corn, 15% soft red winter wheat, and 10% malted barley, with an MSRP of $74.99. The nose leads with green apple and caramel, evoking a candy-apple at a county fair. On the palate the soft winter wheat delivers a notably smooth texture, with spice building on the back, a whisper of oak and clove on the finish, and a subtle savory note that sets it apart. Whiskey Acres grows every grain themselves — a true seed-to-spirit operation and the show's 2025 Craft Distillery of the Year. *(00:10:22)*

- New Riff Silver Grove Bourbon (2026 Release): The inaugural release under the Silver Grove label, this gift-shop-exclusive expression from New Riff Distilling in Newport, Kentucky is aged a minimum of six years and bottled at 116.4 proof for $59.99. Barrels were specifically selected for flavor profiles not typically found in New Riff's standard four- and six-year releases. The nose bursts with spice cake, bright cherry, and a morning-bun sweetness. The palate delivers a bold, full-mouth impact — honey-caramel richness layered with dark berry, cherry, and a long, warming finish. Available exclusively at the New Riff gift shop or via online order for in-store pickup. *(00:20:41)*

- Green River Distillery Select Toasted Double Oak Bourbon: The oldest expression ever released by Green River Distilling Company in Owensboro, Kentucky, this eight-year bourbon is bottled at 115.1 proof in a 375ml format for $49.99 and is available only at the distillery gift shop or the Louisville tasting room. The mash bill is 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley, aged in Green River's signature clay tile rick houses before a six-month secondary finish in lightly charred, medium-toast new American oak barrels. The nose delivers toasted marshmallow and a hint of campfire smoke. The palate is noticeably sweet — rich caramel and that same toasted marshmallow character carry through without tipping into char. *(00:27:34)*

- New Holland Dragon's Milk Origins Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey (Bonus Pour): A gift from Roadie Mark Radliff and his wife Amy, this 95-proof, five-year-old bourbon from New Holland Brewing Company in Holland, Michigan is distilled on a pot still and finished in barrels previously used to age Dragon's Milk stout. The nose is immediately distinctive — chocolate, ripe peach, and a gummy fruit quality that carries straight through to the palate. The palate layers peach pie, a minty rye backbone, and a gentle sweetness unlike anything else on tonight's mat. A beer-world crossover that demonstrates what stout-barrel finishing can do for a well-made pot-still bourbon. *(00:38:25)*

Episode 502 is a showcase of American craft whiskey in all its variety — from a $40 debut bottle to a proof-forward gift-shop gem — and a reminder that some of the most memorable pours come from the most unexpected places. If you haven't yet, head over to TheBourbanRoad.com, create a free Roadie account, and join the conversation in the Roadie Bar. Until next time, we'll see you down the Bourbon Road.

Welcome back to The Bourbon Road, Episode 501! Todd and Jim are joined in the Bourbon Road Bar — aka Tim's Basement — by special guest Dan Mattingly, a Roadie since 2020, Frankfurt Bourbon Society board member, and all-around bourbon enthusiast. The occasion calls for glasses raised to the 250th anniversary of America, a theme that drives most of tonight's tasting lineup, plus one very fun outlier to kick things off.

On the Tasting Mat:

- Dragon Con Bourbon by Old Fourth Distillery (40th Anniversary Edition): A 94-proof high-rye bourbon (75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley) aged 4–6 years, released in collaboration with Atlanta's iconic Dragon Con convention. Limited to 3,700 bottles at $39.99. The nose opens with overripe fruit — banana, apple, and strawberry — while the palate delivers strawberry cream, a cool refreshing wash, and a gentle spice on the tail. A crushable, fruit-forward summer sipper that punches well above its price. *(00:02:51)*

- 15 Stars Kentucky County Six-Year Straight Bourbon (250th Anniversary): A blend of two Kentucky straight bourbons, each aged a minimum of six years, bottled at 90 proof and retailing for $38. Named in honor of the historic 1776 Kentucky County of Virginia's western frontier. The nose is light and delicate — sugar cookie icing, poached pear, and faint florality. The palate is similarly airy, with a brief but pleasant finish of light molasses and white fruit. A well-priced, accessible pour designed for a broad audience. *(00:11:50)*

- 15 Stars Kentucky County 12-Year American Whiskey (250th Anniversary): At 90 proof and $58, this expression blends Kentucky straight bourbon with an American whiskey distilled from a bourbon mashbill — aged seven years in second-use oak, then an additional five years in new charred oak. The nose carries more depth than its six-year sibling, with a hint of funk and gentle sweetness. The palate is soft and full-bodied, offering pear, white pepper spice, and a smooth finish with cotton candy sweetness and a light smokiness. A step up in complexity and a solid value for a 12-year expression. *(00:17:00)*

- Copper & Cask Wave That Flag Nine-Year Double Oak Bourbon (250th Anniversary): This 117-proof, nine-year straight bourbon undergoes a secondary finish in a custom American oak wave-stave char (#1 char) barrel. Only 3,000 bottles were produced, retailing for $74.99. On the nose: apple cinnamon spice and rich sweetness. The palate is full-mouth and layered — cinnamon roll spice, pecan swirl sweetness, black raspberry, dark chocolate, and a savory leather finish with hints of evergreen cedar. A dollar from every bottle supports the Arcadia Center veteran farmer training program. *(00:31:30)*

- Lost Lantern United States of Bourbon (Cask Strength, 250th Anniversary): The first-ever blend of straight bourbon whiskeys sourced from all 50 states — 50 distilleries, components ranging from 2 to 10 years old, bottled at cask strength 122.9 proof. Limited to 3,300 bottles at $99.99. The nose arrives with cosmic brownie chocolate, hard sugar candy, and warm baking spice. The palate opens with atomic fireball and red hots cinnamon heat, followed by dark cherry, black raspberry, leather, and a lingering oak-driven finish. A remarkable blending achievement and a fitting tribute to American bourbon craftsmanship coast to coast. *(00:38:09)*

It's a fitting episode to follow the milestone of Episode 500 — five expressions, five stories about anniversaries big and small, all sharing one message: great bourbon is being made everywhere, and there's always something worth raising a glass to. Dan Mattingly brought great energy and sharp palate notes to the table, and we hope you'll stop by the new Bourbon Road website at thebourbonroad.com to join the Roadie community, grab your free membership, and stay in the loop on upcoming events, giveaways, and live tastings. Until next time, we'll see you down 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.