The Bourbon Road

Welcome back to the Bourbon Road! The long wait is officially over—Jim Shannon has returned from his Dry January hiatus, and he's ready to make up for lost time. Rejoining Todd Ritter in the Bourbon Road bar, the duo wastes no time getting back to business. To celebrate the return of whiskey to Jim's glass, they've lined up a heavy-hitting "review show" featuring four distinct expressions that span the spectrum of rye and bourbon, followed by a chaotic science experiment at the end.
The tasting kicks off with a unique offering from the Castle & Key Experimental Series Rye. This release is finished in Vino de Naranja (Orange Wine) barrels and clocks in at a stout 115.8 proof. It immediately surprises the hosts with vivid notes of chocolate orange and cupcake icing, delivering a "pop rocks" sensation on the palate that balances sweetness with a spicy finish.
Next, they shift gears to a historic brand with the Old Overholt 12-Year Rye. A 117-proof Monongahela-style rye, this bottle offers a stark contrast to the first pour. Jim and Todd discuss its dignified, "elderly" profile, noting deep flavors of leather, dried cranberry, and peppery spice. It sparks a conversation about how extra age transforms the typical bright rye profile into something much drier and more complex.
Moving into bourbon territory, the guys crack open a bottle from the future—the Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B525. Sitting at 126.2 proof with an age statement of 11 years and 6 months, this release brings the heat and the flavor. The hosts uncover rich layers of brown sugar, molasses, and stewed plums, finishing with a distinct note of red hard candy cinnamon that lingers on the tongue.
Finally, they cap off the individual tastings with the Old Forester 117 Series: Prohibition Era Still Proof. Inspired by the "distiller's holiday" of the prohibition era, this 130-proof powerhouse is surprisingly approachable. The guys dig into its dessert-like profile, finding heavy notes of cocoa powder, toasted marshmallow, and a s'mores-like quality that belies its high octane.
To close out the show, Jim and Todd decide to mix things up—literally. They combine all four expressions into one glass for a "Boo Rye" blend. Does the combination of orange wine finish, aged rye, and barrel-proof bourbons create a disaster or a masterpiece? Tune in to hear their full tasting notes, their personal rankings of the four bottles, and to find out if the final blend was worth the risk.
Cheers to being back on the road!
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!

Bonjour and welcome to another episode of The Bourbon Road! With Jim still observing Dry January, Todd Ritter is flying solo in the host chair—but he's certainly not drinking alone. To help him navigate a deep dive into the world of French Oak finishing, Todd has recruited two heavy hitters from the local whiskey scene: returning guest Amzie "The Alec Baldwin of The Bourbon Road" Wenning and David Sandlin, proprietor of The House of Commons bar in Frankfort.
The trio embarks on a flavorful journey to explore how French Oak influence changes the profile of both bourbon and rye. They kick things off with the "OG" of the category: Maker's Mark 46. This 94-proof classic sparks a lively debate about what exactly makes "French Vanilla" french (spoiler: it might involve hazelnuts) and leads to stories about dipping bottles at the Loretto distillery.
Next up is Blue Note Crossroads from Memphis, Tennessee. Sourced from Kentucky and finished with toasted French oak, this 100-proof bourbon brings notes of toasted marshmallow and oat milk to the table. The guys analyze its creamy mouthfeel and debate whether the fruit notes lean more toward apricot or nectarine.
The third pour takes us to Lexington for the RD1 French Oak Finished Bourbon. Clocking in at 101 proof, this high-rye bourbon utilizes a unique wood "chain" method sourced from the five great forests of central France. The group discovers complex layers of chocolate, almond extract, and a nostalgic "fruit roll-up" note that takes them back to childhood.
Finally, they cap off the tasting with a pour that's becoming harder to find: Pursuit United Rye Oak Collection. This 108-proof blend of Sagamore and Bardstown rye is finished with Sherry French Revere Oak. It challenges the group with a polarizing nose of dill versus mint, before settling into a palate of tropical fruit and old-school medicinal candy like horehound and clove.
Throughout the episode, Todd, Amzie, and David geek out on production methods—from staves to wood chains—and discuss whether rye or bourbon stands up better to the bold flavors of French Oak. Tune in to hear their full tasting notes and find out how they ranked these four distinct expressions!
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!

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!