The Bourbon Road

Welcome back, Roadies, to another episode of The Bourbon Road! Jim Shannon and Todd are back at the tasting table with glasses in hand, ready to take you through a remarkable four-bottle lineup that spans Kentucky craftsmanship and Indiana ingenuity. Before the pours begin, the guys catch up on a Halloween weekend well spent — Todd's family trick-or-treat adventures and Jim's day trip through Midway, Lawrenceburg, and Frankfort that included the Rail Explorers bike experience overlooking Wild Turkey from the Kentucky River. It's the kind of bourbon country storytelling that makes this show feel like a conversation with old friends.

On the Tasting Mat:

- Woodford Reserve Master's Collection Super Seasoned Oak (Series 22): This ninth annual release from Master Distiller Elizabeth McCall pushes the boundaries of barrel craftsmanship, featuring staves seasoned for five years and barrel heads seasoned for seven. Bottled at 100.4 proof from a 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley mash bill and aged nine years, this 700ml release carries an MSRP of $179.99. On the nose it opens with a warm bakery sweetness — cinnamon apple turnovers and cinnamon rolls — giving way on the palate to apple crumble, brown sugar, cinnamon, and emerging notes of dark fruit, raisin, and cocoa. The texture is lovely and the proof feels well-suited to the flavor profile. *(00:04:36)*

- Hard Truth Seven Year Sweet Mash Straight Bourbon: Picked up by Todd during a visit to Brown County, Indiana, this expression from Hard Truth Distilling comes in at 112.3 proof, retails for $80, and is built from a batch of 11 barrels with a mash bill of 73% corn, 19% rye, and 8% malted barley. The nose carries a recognizable Hard Truth character — a fresh, slightly funky grain presence with vanilla and subtle spice. The palate blossoms with phenomenal texture and a wave of boozy, overripe fruit: Anjou pear, plum, and honeyed stone fruit, all wrapped in just the right balance of sweetness and spice. A complex and satisfying pour that showcases what Hard Truth is capable of with time in the barrel. *(00:11:34)*

- Copper & Cask X 10 Year Straight Bourbon (Inaugural Batch): The first nationwide release from Rhode Island's Copper & Cask, this expression blends 45 barrels aged between 10 and 12 years, all distilled at MGP in Indiana and warehoused across Indiana, Kentucky, and Rhode Island. The blend draws from both MGP mash bills — 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley and 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley — and is bottled at 116.4 proof for an MSRP of $75. The nose is a delightful layering of cherry cola, root beer, and dark fruit that deepens into oak and chocolate with time in the glass. On the palate, those darker notes take center stage: rich oak, baking chocolate, coconut, and orange peel, with the fruit evolving into a concentrated old fashioned-like depth. An exceptional value for a 10-year MGP blend at this proof point. *(00:22:56)*

- Elmer T. Lee 40th Anniversary Single Barrel: A very special pour made possible by Roadie Lynn Aubrey, a Frankfurt Bourbon Society board member and Buffalo Trace tour guide, who received this bottle through the distillery's employee appreciation program. This limited lottery-release single barrel is drawn from Buffalo Trace's Mash Bill #2 — the same bill behind Blanton's, Rock Hill Farms, and Hancock's Reserve — and clocks in at a commanding 135 proof (within a reported range of 126–139 proof across barrels), with an estimated age of eight to nine years and an MSRP of $100. The nose is elegant and classically Mash Bill #2 in character — dusty cherry, honey, subtle tea, and a touch of Amaretto. The palate delivers a powerful, full-bodied experience with ripe dark cherry, hints of grape, and the concentrated depth and structure that only high-proof single barrel whiskey can provide. A memorable and rare expression of one of bourbon's most storied names. *(00:30:31)*

Four exceptional bottles, four very different stories — from Woodford's experimental barrel science to Indiana's quietly impressive aged whiskey programs to a once-in-a-generation Elmer T. Lee expression. Whether you're a longtime Roadie or just finding us for the first time, this episode is a reminder of just how wide and wonderful the bourbon road truly is. Keep those glasses filled, subscribe wherever you listen, and come join the conversation over at TheBourbanRoad.com. We'll see you down the road.

Welcome back to The Bourbon Road, episode 519! Hosts Todd Ritter and Jim Shannon are thrilled to unveil something brand new: The Whiskey Six, a monthly video podcast featuring six voices from across the whiskey world. Joining Todd and Jim are Amzie Winning (president of the Frankfort Bourbon Society and Bourbon on the Banks board member), Drew Hannush (host of Whiskey Lore podcast), Jerry Daniels (co-owner of Stone Fences Tours), and Bo Cumberland (creator of My Journey Through American Spirits and documentaries on Frankfort and Lawrenceburg). This premiere episode doubles as the official launch of The Whiskey Six, airing here as a special dedicated episode and features in full-video on Youtube on the channel My Journey Through American the Spirits. The crew digs into a meaty topic: does Kentucky need more whiskey? The arrival of Eastern Light Distilling Company — a massive contract-only operation in Morehead, Kentucky, backed by USDA loan guarantees and featuring a 54-inch column still with capacity exceeding 125,000 barrels annually — sparks a wide-ranging conversation. The group examines contract distilling versus barrel sourcing, the health of bourbon tourism (still at 2.7 million Kentucky Bourbon Trail visitors), shifting sales numbers, the rise of RTDs, the craft beer parallel, and whether the current market correction is a blip or a turning point. Drew brings a fascinating historical lens, tracing the current Canada trade tension all the way back to Hiram Walker, the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890, and the origins of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. The Bourbon Road and The Whiskey Six are off to a fantastic start. Tune in monthly for the video version over on YouTube at My Journey Through the American Spirits, and watch for bonus audio episodes dropping right here on The Bourbon Road feed. Whether you're a seasoned roadie or just discovering the show, there has never been a better time to belly up to the Bourbon Road bar at thebourbonroad.com, grab your free membership, and join the conversation.

Welcome back, Roadies! Jim Shannon and Todd are back behind the bar for another fun-filled evening at the Bourbon Road bar, and this week they've gone all-in on rye whiskey. Fresh off the excitement of Bourbon on the Banks in Frankfort, Kentucky — including a wildly successful Bourbon Road meetup at the Frankfurt Bourbon Society Corner Rick House — the guys settle in for a four-bottle flight of craft ryes spanning a remarkable proof range of 90 to 145. From historic grain varieties to concentrated barrel experiments, this lineup proves that rye whiskey is anything but one-dimensional.

On the Tasting Mat:

- Lock & Co. Distilling Aspen Age Rye (Denver, CO): A 90-proof, 95/5 rye mash bill distilled in Denver, Colorado and aged over two years in new 30-gallon oak barrels from the Barrel Mill in Minnesota, then finished for eight months with hand-cut charred Aspen wood disks. The nose is fresh, minty, and inviting — like standing at the Colorado tree line — with a bright, crisp palate and just enough oak bite to confirm its age. Light, sessionable, and wonderfully refreshing. *(00:09:28)*

- Stolle and Wolf Distillery Rosin Rye (Lititz, PA): A 106.5-proof, approximately 31-month single-barrel expression built around the historically significant Rosen rye grain — developed in the mid-1910s by Joseph A. Rosen, nearly lost to extinction, and revived starting in 2015 from a five-ounce USDA seed bank sample. Grown locally by the Klein family farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and first distilled in 2019 by the late master distiller Dick Stoll. The nose is subdued and earthy, while the palate is dry, tannic, and laced with baking spice — a distinctly different character from modern rye expressions. *(00:18:17)*

- New York Distilling Company Jaywalk Heirloom Rye (New York): A 116-proof, single-barrel expression aged seven to nine years and built from a mash bill of 75% Horton rye, 13% New York corn, and 12% malted barley. The Horton rye variety dates to the 17th century and was revived from just 10 surviving seeds through a collaboration with Cornell University, with the grain grown in the Finger Lakes region. The nose is subdued with hints of fruit, while the palate reveals a rich, bready, nutty character — black walnut, green walnut, stone fruit, and a complexity that reflects its age. Retails around $102. *(00:26:42)*

- Whiskey Thief Distilling Company Hazardous Rye (Frankfort, KY): A cask-strength, straight-from-the-barrel release bottled at a staggering 145 proof (72.5% ABV), sourced from barrels that were aged out after being repeatedly sampled via whiskey thief at the distillery, then returned to the rick house to concentrate further. A 95/5 rye mash bill aged approximately seven years. The color is the darkest of the flight; the nose is rich with dark fruit and ethanol intensity, while the palate is warming, syrupy, candy-like, and packed with barrel char. A bottle generously provided by David Sandlin of House of Commons in Frankfort. Retails around $199.99. *(00:33:36)*

Todd and Jim round out the evening with a retrospective ranking and a heartfelt recap of the Bourbon on the Banks weekend, including the Bourbon Road meetup that drew dozens of Roadies, giveaways, and pours from over 50 bottles. If you haven't yet explored the brand-new TheBourbanRoad.com, now is the time — over 1,320 whiskey reviews, all 500-plus episodes, searchable tasting notes with embedded audio clips, and the all-new Roadie Bar community await you.

Welcome back, Roadies! Jim Shannon and Todd are pouring from the Bourbon Road Bar in Simpsonville, Kentucky for a fun four-bottle session that pits a pair of Brown-Forman special releases against two standout expressions from New Riff Distilling out of Newport, Kentucky. It is a night of limited finds, generous friends, and some genuinely unexpected flavor profiles.

On the Tasting Mat:

- Kentucky Boy (Brown-Forman, 100 Proof): A one-time-only release crafted by Woodford Reserve master distiller Elizabeth McCall and Old Forester assistant master distiller Caleb Trigo to honor master distiller emeritus Chris Morris on his 50th year at Brown-Forman. The blend draws from Woodford Reserve Double Oaked barrels, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon barrels, and King of Kentucky barrels, ringing in at 100 proof with an estimated age of around 10 years. The nose is a quintessential Brown-Forman showcase — rich chocolate, dried cherry, and leather — while the palate delivers mature oak, a hint of cranberry, dried fruit, and a touch of tobacco and barn. Proceeds benefit Second Stride, an equine adoption charity for retired thoroughbreds. MSRP $99.99. *(00:02:07)*

- New Riff Duet (111.2 Proof, 6 Year): A collaboration between New Riff Distilling and Cincinnati's Rheingeist Brewery, built on a highly distinctive mash bill of 57% malted barley, 37% raw barley, and 6% rye. Aged six years primarily in new American oak, then finished in Spanish Oloroso and Pedro Jiménez sherry casks, rested in large oak foeders used for beer maturation at Rheingeist, and finally re-barreled in used American oak before bottling at 111.2 proof. The nose opens with a soft, fresh honeydew melon quality, while the palate pivots dramatically — bready, honeyed, zesty citrus, and a long, drying finish that just keeps going. MSRP $79.99. *(00:12:04)*

- New Riff Headliner 2026 Punk Rock Edition (118.8 Proof): The second installment of New Riff's annual charity-focused Headliner series, celebrating the 50th anniversary of punk rock. It marks the first Headliner blend in which every whiskey is at least 10 years old and the distillery's first 50/50 bourbon and rye blend. The recipe combines 50% 11-year malted rye bourbon (65% corn, 30% malted rye, 5% malted barley), 25% 11-year straight rye (95% rye, 5% malted rye), and 25% 10-year Balboa rye (95% Balboa rye, 5% malted rye). Non-chill filtered at 118.8 proof. The nose delivers compact black pepper and clove with dark fruit and baking spice, while the palate is warm, buttery, and silk-textured with rye spice, citrus, and a pleasurable but relatively brief finish. A portion of sales benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati and Tri-State Trails. MSRP $150, sold via online lottery with distillery pickup required. *(00:23:30)*

- Jack Daniel's Angel Share Distillery Series #17 — High Angel Share (138.4 Proof): Release 17 in Jack Daniel's limited Distillery Series, drawn from barrels aged on the very top floor of Barrelhouse 1-13 on Cox Hill. Extreme heat drove exceptional evaporation, concentrating flavors and proof in this traditional Tennessee whiskey built on a mash bill of 80% corn, 12% malted barley, and 8% rye. Bottled at a commanding 138.4 proof. The nose is unmistakably Brown-Forman in character — brown sugar, dark oak, leather, and Rick house funk — with a palate that brings concentrated apple butter, cinnamon, and white pepper on a warm, sizzling finish. Released August 2026, available primarily at the distillery and surrounding retailers in a 375ml bottle at approximately $45. *(00:31:46)*

Whether you are tracking down a charity bottle to honor a legend, hunting a brewery-distillery collaboration pushing the boundaries of mash bill creativity, or chasing a cask-strength Tennessee whiskey pulled from the very top of the Rick house, this episode has something for every kind of whiskey adventurer. A huge thank you to John Griffin and Jeff Wack for making tonight's pours possible. Cheers to Chris Morris on 50 remarkable years, and we will see you down the Bourbon Road.

Welcome back, Roadies! Episode 516 of The Bourbon Road brings together hosts Jim Shannon and Todd, joined by special guest Adam Dohrman — a longtime Inner Circle member, Missouri farmer, whiskey tasting entrepreneur, and devoted Jack Daniels collector. Adam picked the evening's lineup from Todd's stash, resulting in four high-proof, beautifully finished whiskeys that span blended bourbons, blended American whiskeys, and finished ryes from Kentucky, Indiana, California, and Maryland. The conversation winds through harvest season on the Missouri plains, the Katy Trail, classic tractors, and a Jack Daniels collection that started with a birthday gift in 1996.

On the Tasting Mat:

- Short Barrel Cigar Batch No. 4: A non-age-stated, 107-proof blend of Kentucky and Indiana bourbons built on four distinct mash bills — ranging from 60% corn/36% rye up to a 91% corn high-corn — then finished in Armagnac, Cognac, Rum, Tawny Port, and Cherry casks. The nose opens with bright, juicy fruit — strawberry, juicy fruit gum, figs — that evolves on the palate into leather, chocolate, and darker dried fruit. Viscous and rich for its proof with a lingering, evolving finish. MSRP $89.99. *(00:02:41)*

- Redwood Empire Hyperion: A four-grain blend of 32% Kentucky bourbon, 30% Indiana/Kentucky/Tennessee rye, 25% wheat whiskey, and 13% house-distilled California American single malt, aged 7–14 years and bottled at 110 proof. The nose leads with light apricot and peach alongside baking spice and rich oak. The palate leans into warm cinnamon, breadiness, a touch of butter, and a peppery, lingering heat that reflects the wheat whiskey character. MSRP $99. *(00:13:34)*

- Scattered Castles Limited Release Batch 1: A debut release from Maryland-based independent blender Chris Walls — Indiana bourbon and Baltimore Spirits Company bourbon finished in rum barrels, bottled at 117.2 proof with only 860 bottles produced. The nose offers an unexpected freshness of mint and pine alongside dark fruit and brown sugar. The palate delivers chocolate, dry leather, and a forest-floor autumn quality with a sticky, mouth-coating finish. MSRP $74.99. *(00:27:08)*

- Hard Truth Barrel Finish Reserve Sweet Mash Rye — Cognac, Sauternes, PX Sherry & PX Brandy Finish: An 11-barrel blend of 94% rye/6% malted barley distillate aged three years, finished across four cask types — Cognac (31%), Sauternes (26%), PX Sherry (26%), and PX Brandy (17%) — and rested on French oak from the Jupille forest. Bottled at 116.8 proof. The nose is an abundant fruit medley. The palate is rich, deep, and salivating with grape, stone fruit, and layers of sweetness that coat the entire palate and hold a long, memorable finish. MSRP $90. *(00:40:18)*

Tonight's lineup proves that finished whiskeys are having a moment — and for good reason. Whether it's a first-release from a passionate home blender, a cross-country grain-to-glass blend, or a multi-cask rye from Brown County, Indiana, each of these bottles brought something distinct and memorable to the tasting mat. Adam Dohrman was a natural in the chair — opinionated, knowledgeable, and great company. We hope to have him back, and we hope you'll meet him on the road. Until next time, we'll see you down the Bourbon Road.