Jim and Todd sit down for their annual "Bourbon on the Banks" wrap-up show, joined by two key figures behind the successful event, Diane Strong and Renee True. As longtime listeners and friends of the show, Diane and Renee dive deep into a "postmortem" of the 2025 festival, discussing its record-breaking successes, logistical challenges, and plans for the future, all while tasting a couple of the event's exclusive barrel picks.

The tasting kicks off with the Pursuit United Bourbon on the Banks Pick, a 108-proof bourbon finished with a unique tobacco stave. Todd, Diane, and Renee, who were all part of the large selection team, reflect on their choice, noting that the crowd-pleasing "sweet" and "smooth" profile made it a winner. The pour is rich with notes of sweet pipe tobacco, caramel, and a distinct chocolaty, candy-like quality.

The group discusses the massive success of the festival's single-barrel pick program, which featured 11 or 12 different selections this year. Many, like the Bluegrass and Chicken Cock picks, sold out quickly. They also highlight the "rock star" quality of the picking teams, which often included a mix of industry professionals and highly knowledgeable consumers, ensuring a high standard across the board.

Diane and Renee share insights into the festival's record-breaking year. The Friday night VIP event, which celebrated "Women in Bourbon," was a huge success. The event's auction was a standout, raising over $22,000 for local charities. Attendance for the main festival hit a new high, selling out a full month in advance and welcoming over 300 more attendees than the previous year. The tiered ticket structure (Special Access, Early Access, General Admission, and Twilight) was successful, and due to positive feedback, the event may be extended by an hour in 2026.

The second pour comes with a fantastic backstory: the Dark Arts Bourbon on the Banks 2024 Pick. Due to a distributor mix-up, this 7.5-year-old bourbon, finished in Tokai wine casks, was mistakenly absent from the 2024 festival. The bottles were held in a warehouse for a year and finally made their debut at the 2025 event. Jim, Todd, and Renee—who also selected this barrel—revisit their 113.24-proof pick, praising it as "dessert in a glass" with decadent notes of fig, sweet caramel, and deep, rich oak.

The conversation covers the entire weekend, from the positive feedback on the Thursday night "Whiskey Thieves Kickoff" and "Bourbon Street on Broadway" to the packed after-party. A major logistical victory for 2025 was the permanent relocation of the local farmer's market, which previously conflicted with setup. This new freedom will allow the festival to start earlier next year. They also discuss attendee feedback, such as requests for lanyards and a mobile app, and the great community response to inviting more social media influencers and YouTubers to cover the event, which Diane notes helps shine a light on the smaller, craft distilleries that make the festival unique.

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!

Host Todd Ritter flies solo in this special episode, taking listeners on a journey through the latest bourbon news and a deep dive into whiskey history. With Jim out of town, Todd kicks off the first half by tackling a massive slate of industry updates before sampling a unique experimental whiskey. He covers the Lost Lantern "Scotch Lover's" Fall 2025 collection, the nationwide expansion of Wyoming Whiskey's "Buffalo Bill Cody," Jim Beam's new Harden's Creek trio (Mushroom, Beaver, and Owl), and Jack Daniel's Distillery Series #15, a "Sweet Mash" Tennessee Whiskey. Todd also details new releases from Chicken Cock and Town Branch, Buffalo Trace's 9 millionth barrel milestone, and the bombshell news that Kirin is exploring the sale of the Four Roses distillery. The segment features a deep dive into the 2025 Buffalo Trace Antique Collection (BTAC), highlighting the new 15-year-old Colonel E.H. Taylor Bottled in Bond and a formidable 142.8-proof George T. Stagg.

The first tasting of the day is the Remus Master Distiller Experimental Series Number One from MGP. This 9-year-old, 107-proof bourbon was aged in lightly charred and heavily toasted Seguin Moreau barrels made from staves seasoned outdoors for 24 months. Todd finds a big vanilla nose with a "wine funkiness," fig, and dark baking spices. The palate proves "soft and velvety" with notes of toasted marshmallow, chocolate, a hint of red wine, and a sweet, spicy finish of candied pecan and allspice.

For the second half, Todd unearths a true gem for history nerds: a complete reading of a 1909 essay by none other than Colonel E.H. Taylor Jr., titled "The Rule of the Regions." Discovered in the University of Kentucky archives, the essay provides a fascinating look into the mind of the bourbon pioneer. Taylor boldly declares Kentucky bourbon superior to Scotch and Irish whiskeys, attributing this to the "Rule of the Regions"—specifically, the paramount importance of Kentucky's unique limestone water. He discusses the industry's massive (for 1909) $180 million value, the evolution from primitive wooden stills to scientific copper distillation, and the superiority of Kentucky's dry, ascending-proof aging methods. Most notably, he champions the Bottled-in-Bond Act as the ultimate guarantee of quality and authenticity, a protection he notes that Scotland and Ireland unfortunately lack.

To accompany this historic reading, Todd tastes the Oaklore Story Series Number 2, an Oloroso Sherry Cask Finish 4 Grain Bourbon. Hailing from Matthews, North Carolina, this 95-proof blend of 5-to-6-year-old bourbons (70% corn, 10% rye, 10% wheat, 10% malted barley) is finished for 12-18 months in sherry casks. The whiskey shows a ruby tinge and offers a nose of raisin, wine, caramel, and vanilla. The soft palate features notes of black cherry, cocoa, sherry-driven nuttiness, and sweet dark fruits.

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!

Join hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter on another episode of The Bourbon Road podcast, recorded live from the Corner Rick House in Frankfort, Kentucky. They are joined by a special returning guest and friend of the show, Diane Strong, for an exclusive preview of the highly anticipated 2025 Bourbon on the Banks Festival.

Diane gives listeners the ultimate insider's guide to the festival, taking place on Saturday, October 4, 2025. She reveals this year's title sponsor is the local and historic Benson Valley Bourbon. Get ready for an unforgettable, free afterparty at the farmers' market, featuring a full bar, food, a cigar lounge, and an incredible musical lineup with local favorites Creek Water opening for headliner Noah Thompson, the 2022 winner of American Idol. Diane also details the full schedule of events leading up to the main festival, including a Thursday mixology class, the kickoff party at Whiskey Thief, the Friday VIP event celebrating Women in Bourbon, and a special bourbon pairing lesson, "The Stave is the Rage," with the world-renowned Peggy Noe Stevens.

The highlight of the episode is a special tasting of four of the twelve exclusive single barrel selections that will be available for purchase at the festival. These unique barrels were hand-selected by the Bourbon on the Banks team and will be prominently marked by 7-foot flags at the distilleries' tents. The expressions tasted on the show include:

• Angel's Envy Port Finish Single Barrel Pick: The tasting kicks off with this crowd-pleasing pour. The hosts discover inviting notes of campfire, overripe berries, and dark vanilla on the nose. The palate is savory and rich, carrying over those ripe berry notes from the fortified wine finish, making it a perfect pairing for a fine cigar.

• Casey Jones Distillery Single Barrel Rye: This selection comes with a great story—the picking team was tied, so they let the distillery make the final choice on this fantastic rye. It's described as a "bourbon drinker's rye" that surprised the panel during the blind selection. It features a complex nose of tobacco, mint chocolate, and honey, with a palate that delivers notes of candied orange and caramel apple.

• Bespoken Spirits 12-Year Single Barrel: A truly unique offering, this 12-year-old Barton-sourced bourbon is finished in Riesling wine barrels. It immediately impresses with a rich, aged nose of mature oak and concentrated fruit. The hosts praise it as an "exceptional whiskey," with a massively concentrated flavor profile that makes it a perfect special-occasion nightcap.

• Short Barrel 8-Year Single Barrel Bourbon: The tasting concludes with this powerhouse, an 8-year-old bourbon distilled at the former OZ Tyler distillery (now Green River) and bottled at a staggering 135.7 proof. Despite the high proof, it offers a beautifully complex palate with notes of milk chocolate, chewy cherry, burnt caramel, nougat, and a hint of sandalwood.

Tune in for incredible stories, detailed tasting notes, and your complete guide to one of Kentucky's premier bourbon festivals. For those who want to attend, Diane urges listeners to act fast, as tickets for many events are limited or already sold out.

Bourbon on the Banks 2025

Smokeys Lifestyle Cigars

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!

This week, Jim sits down with Dave Sandlin, Founder and Proprietor of House of Commons. House of Commons is a wonderful Bourbon Bar in Frankfort Kentucky which is more of a Bourbon Library with a lot of knowledge and storytelling around the bottles they stock. Listen in as Jim and Dave taste through four great whiskeys, each with a story of it's own.

Thank you to our sponsors, Blanton's Bourbon Shop and Pints and Barrels.

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 is in Atlanta this week, just in time for the new Fiddler Chin Music Toasted Bourbon release from ASW Distillery. Jim sits down with Chad Ralston and tastes through their toasted lineup. We also revisit their Fiddler Georgia Heartwood Bourbon which was well recieved at this years Bourbon on the Banks event.

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 Brian take two wheat whiskeys and put them head to head in this episode. We try the Woodford Reserve and Bernheim Original Straight Wheat Whiskeys. If you haven't tried a wheat whiskey, we suggest you give it a shot. We also chat about the great time at this year's Bourbon on the Banks Festival in Frankfort. Thanks to all our listeners who showed up!

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 heads to Lawrenceburg Bourbon to revisit the barrel pick bottle for Bourbon on the Banks. We also taste to 10x Rye , the new Very Small Batch Bourbon as well as a surprising wheated rye that takes us completely by surprise. Make sure to join us in Frankort this weekend for Bourbon on the Banks.

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 Brian visit with Brandon O'Daniel, Distiller at Copper and Kings Distillery in Louisville, Kentucky. On this episode we explore some amazing Kentucky Brandy's made right here in Louisville Kentucky. We also are among the first to taste and review the new Bourbon from Copper and Kings. Listen in to get the entire story about this amazing distillery based in Bourbon Country.

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 Brian wrap up this year's Kentucky Bourbon Festival. This episode highlights the whiskey and people of this year's event. We announce our best of show and hints for making the most of next year's event. Listen in for the scoop.

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 Brian discuss the upcoming festivals and bourbons to watch out for this season. Bourbon Heritage Month is upon us and it is time to celebrate. Get yourselves to Kentucky and let's have a blast. Listen in for all the details

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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!

01Jim and Brian walk through a nimber of samples and find four great whiskeys to talk about this week. Don't miss this one and definitely hang arounds for the climax in the second half!

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 returns from a Colorado trip and he and Brian walk through five different Colorado whiskeys. Listen in as the boys taste through five of Colorado's best in class whiskeys.

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 Melody head to Nashville, Indiana to Hard Truth Distilling to hang out with Master Distiller Bryan Smith. Definitely listen in to learn about this destination distillery in beautiful Brown County Indiana. Lots to do here from tours to tastings, an ATV Get Lost experience, a Tiki Boat Tour and a huge restaurant. A great show and excellent time.

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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!

In this episode of The Bourbon Road, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter hit the road and set up their mics at the beautiful RD1 Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky. It's a return visit for RD1—last featured in Episode 340—but this time, things have evolved. The distillery has expanded its footprint, sharpened its brand, and doubled down on innovation in wood finishing. Joining the conversation are Barry Brinegar and Jared Gollihue, two key figures behind RD1's growth and vision.

Barry and Jared walk us through RD1's roots in Lexington's rich whiskey history, tracing the lineage back to the original Ashland Distillery of 1865 and William Tarr's acquisition in 1871. The episode goes deep into what makes RD1 unique—its mission to celebrate Lexington's place in the bourbon world and its bold exploration of finishing techniques. Jared, RD1's in-house blending and wood science expert, sheds light on the flavor development process and how the team is crafting expressions that push boundaries while staying grounded in quality Kentucky tradition.

Of course, no Bourbon Road episode is complete without tasting—and this one delivers four pours that showcase RD1's philosophy and style.

1. RD1 Sister Cities Limited Release – A Kentucky Straight Whiskey and RD1's newest limited-time offering. It blends five- and seven-year bourbons with eight-year whiskey, finished with Japanese Mizunara oak and French oak (Friendship barrels). Listeners will hear Jared discuss the layered impact of stone fruit, spice, and even incense-like notes that the Mizunara imparts, creating what he dubs a "Kentucky whisper."

2. RD1 French Oak Finished Bourbon – This expression returns with depth and elegance. Listeners get insights into how the French oak barrel brings out dark fruit and baking spice, offering a luxurious balance of sweet and tannin.

3. RD1 Amburana Finished Bourbon – With bold spice and unmistakable aroma, this polarizing Brazilian wood is described as a "love-it-or-hate-it" finish. The team explores why Amburana captivates fans of innovative whiskey.

4. RD1 Single Barrel Bourbon – A crowd-pleasing expression known for its warmth and richness. The oak provides structure while the maple adds a dessert-like finish—a cozy dram perfect for fall sipping.

The episode also covers RD1's place on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, their new visitor experience blending history and hands-on education, and some humorous tales—including a confused visitor looking for "Pickleball Kingdom" in the heart of whiskey country.

With a focus on craftsmanship, heritage, and thoughtful experimentation, RD1 is carving out its niche as a creative powerhouse in Kentucky whiskey. This episode offers a front-row seat to that evolution—complete with deep flavor, vibrant storytelling, and a few good laughs along the way.

Bourbon on the Banks 2025

Smokeys Lifestyle Cigars

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 heads to Frankfort Kentucky to sit down with Diane Strong, Director of Bourbon on the Banks and Amzie Wenning, President, Frankfort Bourbon Society. We taste through a nomber of interesting expressions while discussing this years event on Frankfort. Listen in for all the details.

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 Brian welcome Gregg Snyder to The Bourbon Road bar. Gregg is Master Distiller for Grain and Barrel and has joined us to drink some of his very own Chicken Cock whiskey. We get through 4 expressions on the show and learn all about the history of Chicken Cock. 

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 is on the road again this week and with Aaron Mullally at Bourbon 30 in Georgetown Kentucky. Listen in as we walk through five of their whiskeys and talk about their whiskey crafting process and philosophy on consistency on Bourbon 30, and purposeful inconsistency of their premium line. 

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 is on the road again this week and vists with Sam Rock of Bluegrass Distillers. This is an awesome episode as we visit with Sam at their new destination distilllery in Midway, Kentucky. Listen in as we hang out at their new home in Midway and talk about all the great things coming down the pike.

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 hits the road and stops in at Dueling Grounds Distillery in Franklin, Kentucky. Great history and even better whiskey at this small distillery making wheated bourbon that will blow your mind! Listen in for all the details!

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 heads out to Franklin County to Whiskey Thief Distilling to take in the entire experience. This place is a must see if you are visiting the Bourbon Trail. Only minutes from Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey and many other great stops. With Walter and his crew you will thief whiskey stright from the barrel for your tasting, and you can fill your own bottle. Listen in for a great episode.

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 Brian welcome "Chatty", better know as OpenAI as a guest on the show to discuss the future of bourbon. Join us as we drink a little Weller and talk with the leading Generative AI Models about the future of the Bourbon Industry.

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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!

Brian and Tyler put down an amazing episode while Jim recovers from his knee surgery. They sip on some pretty great bottles and give them a review. It's always great to have good friends that can come through for you in a pinch! Cheers!

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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, Rob and Steve hang out in Carter's Rare Eagle Bar to sip on a couple whiskeys and talk about Father's Day and what it means to be a Kentucky Gentleman (or Southern Gentleman). Listen in as we do our best to pay homage to great dads/gentlemen everywhere. Cheers!

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 sits down with George Koutsakis, Founder of Barrel Global. Listen in and learn how you can own a barrel of bourbon. We go over all the details while drinkings some whiskey from one of their partner distilleries. Cheers!

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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!

This week, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter venture down a sweeter path on The Bourbon Road podcast for a truly decadent and educational experience. They are joined by a very special guest, Nicole Patel, the founder and master chocolatier of the Austin-based Delysia Chocolatier. In a fascinating twist, Nicole reveals that her journey to becoming a chocolatier began after earning a master's degree in engineering. She discusses how her engineering mindset and a challenge to conquer the particular science of chocolate making—from tempering to managing temperature and humidity—led her to create her business.

Throughout the episode, Nicole guides Jim and Todd through a blind tasting, pairing a variety of spirits with selections from her "History of Chocolate" tasting set without any advance knowledge of the whiskeys. She provides expert instruction on the proper way to experience the pairings: first tasting the bourbon, then letting a piece of chocolate melt on the tongue to appreciate its individual flavors, and finally, combining the two to see how they interact and transform one another. The result is an exploration of complementary and contrasting flavors that will inspire listeners to host their own tasting parties.

The pairings on this episode include:

• Round 1: Jim's Blanton's Single Barrel, with its traditional caramel and baking spice notes, is paired with Delysia's Spiced Ganache truffle. Todd's seven-year Old Fitzgerald wheated bourbon, featuring cherry and honey notes, is matched with a Chipotle Orange truffle made with unique ruby chocolate.

• Round 2: Jim brings out a Weller 12 Year, noted for its cherry and oak profile, which he and Todd both pair with the complex Mexican Mole truffle, containing a blend of eight peppers and six spices. Todd also tastes his Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond, with its characteristic peanut note, against the spicy chocolate.

• Round 3: The hosts throw some curveballs. Jim pours a Michter's Barrel Strength Bourbon, featuring dark fruit and caramel notes, which Nicole pairs with the Apple Pie truffle. Todd selects a Laird's Apple Brandy, which is also expertly paired with the Apple Pie truffle, with its notes of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and tart green apple.

• Round 4: For the final tasting, Jim enjoys an Angel's Envy Cask Strength finished in tawny port barrels, bringing savory, dark grape notes. This is paired with the White Peach Balsamic white chocolate truffle. Todd concludes with a peaty Ardbeg Corryvreckan scotch, which Nicole matches with a simple yet elegant Smoked Cacao truffle, made with 85% bittersweet chocolate and salt smoked in a Texas barbecue pit.

Join the roadies for an episode that proves there are no wrong answers in pairing, only delicious experiments. Learn about the anatomy of a truffle, the art of flavor creation, and why bourbon and chocolate are a match made in heaven.

Bourbon on the Banks 2025

Smokeys Lifestyle Cigars

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 Brian walk through a few choice selections for the Spring 2023 Craft Distillery Roundup. Listen in and maybe you get a hint on somthing that should be on your bar this spring. Cheers!

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 Brian do a porch session with three great single barrel barrel picks. Listen in as they taste through three barrel pics and talk about the explosion of barrel select programs everywhere.

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 Melody travel to Nashville to attend this years Tennessee Whiskey Trail Experience. Listen in as Jim and Brian sip on some very good Tennessee whiskeys. During the show, Jim recounts the event in Nashville and talks about some upcomin episodes.

The Tennessee Whiskey Trail

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 sits down with Jason Brauner, Co-founder of Buzzard's Roost. Along with Judy Hollis Jones, they started a premium brand in Louisville Kentucky that now has a home on Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville. Listen in as Jim and Jason Talk through a couple of their Char #1 releases while enjoying the outside dining area at Bourbon's Bistro in Louisville.

Buzzard's Roost

Bourbon's Bistro

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 Brian invite the Co-Founders of 15 Stars Fine Aged Bourbon for a session in the Bourbon Road Bar with five of their bottles. Listen in as Rick and Ricky walk us through their lineup. Spoiler alert... we may have identified a serious contender (or two) for our 2023 "Bourbon of the Year". Listen in as we dive deep into their fine whiskey.

15 Star

Thank you to our sponsor, Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

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 Brian hold up in the Bourbon Road Bar with a few bottles. This week it is Wolcott from Barton 1792, Penelope, and Weller Special Reserve. Listen in as they walk through these bottles and introduce their new sponsor... Blanton's Bourbon Shop.

Blanton's Bourbon Shop

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 plugs in Joe Clark for some original Bourbon Country Music while sipping on some Cooper's Craft 100 proof bourbon. Listen in while Joe lays down some of his latest while geting real about life's struggles and how to be a man when life gets tough.

https://joeclarkofficial.com/

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 Brian hang out with Charity Toombs, Executive Director of the Tennessee Whiskey Trail and drink from 5 bottles of fine Tennesse Whiskey. On this episode we get a first hand introduction to the Tennesse Whiskey Guild and Whiskey Trail and all things happening in 2023. Definitely listen in and plan on attending the Tennessee Whiskey Trail Experience the week preceeding International Tennessee Whiskey Day on May 21st , 2023.

https://www.tnwhiskeytrail.com/

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 Brian tackle four different bourbon tasting and reviews during this episode. They discuss the mass shooting on Main Street in Louisville and discuss some exciting news on the episode this week . Listen in and don't miss a thing!

https://thebourbonroad.com

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 Brian belly up to The Bourbon Road Bar and welcome Barry Brinegar from RD1 Spirits out of Lexington Kentucky. Barry is an old friend and also Co-Founder of RD1 Spirits. Listen in as Barry walks us through five of his whiskeys and tells the story of RD1 and gives us a little glimpse into the future as well.

https://rd1spirits.com/

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!

In this community-powered tasting, The Bourbon Road hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter dive into five fan-voted pours—each selected by members of their Bourbon Roadies Facebook group. With a lineup that spans both heritage and experimental releases, this episode explores everything from elegant bottled-in-bond bourbons to wheat whiskeys with a modern twist.

The journey begins with Old Fitzgerald 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond, a wheated bourbon that brings smooth, sweet character in a classically elegant package. Bottled at 100 proof and adorned in its signature decanter, this release blends honey bread, soft spice, and subtle floral notes into a quintessential Old Fitz profile—refined and balanced.

Next up is Old Grand-Dad 7-Year Bottled-in-Bond, a high-rye, Jim Beam-distilled bruiser that still manages charm. It delivers nutty sweetness, hints of citrus, and that signature Beam peanut brittle note—plus a surprise touch of green banana. Priced under $40, it's a contender for one of the best bottled-in-bond bargains of the year.

Then the pour turns dark—literally—with Old Forester Extra Extra Old, part of their 117 Series. A richer, more oak-saturated version of the beloved 1910, this double-barreled bourbon lingers longer in its second barrel, extracting deep color and complexity. Expect chocolate-dipped molasses cookies, toasted oak, and syrupy texture in this 375ml limited release.

The fourth pour steps up the age and elegance with Heaven Hill Heritage Collection 12-Year Bourbon, a 100-proof statement of mature Kentucky whiskey. Layered with vanilla bean, antique oak, dried fruit, and a velvety finish, it stands as a confident reminder of why Heaven Hill remains a pillar of the bourbon world.

Finally, a bonus pour closes out the show: Star Hill Farm Wheat Whiskey—a unique take from the producers of Maker's Mark. Aged in honeycomb-textured barrels and bottled at 110.6 proof, this wheater leans toward chocolate malt, sweetbread, and baking spice. It's rich, bold, and distinctively modern, showing the experimental future of wheated whiskey.

Throughout the episode, Jim and Todd offer sharp tasting notes, honest reflections, and plenty of bourbon banter. Whether you're a fan of heritage brands or curious about experimental expressions, this Roadies' Choice episode delivers a five-pour journey through the evolving landscape of American whiskey.

Bourbon on the Banks 2025

Smokeys Lifestyle Cigars

The Hill House Bed and Breakfast 

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 Melody hit the road and stop at ASW Distillery in Atlanta Georgia. This is the 3rd stop in their Southern Whiskey Tour, and happy to be visiting our good friends at ASW to sample five of thier finest whiskeys. Listen in as Chad and Whit walk us through everything happening at ASW.

https://www.aswdistillery.com/

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!

We hang out with our friend Rob Robinson to drink some great whiskey and listen to some great music. Listen in as we taste through some Blackened Wes Henderson and a Heavens Door Barrel Proof store pick. Rob plays some great songs and recounts his days in the music industry with Blackfoot and Lynyrd Skynyrd. We have some great fun! Join us.

The Bourbon Roadies: The Roadies

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!

These guys have won more awards than you can imagine. Definitely listen in as we travel to Georgia to visit the Legends Distillery to taste through their lineup. We also explore their technology that allows them to put together some of the tastiest bourbons around. This is a must listen for sure!

https://www.spiritsusa.com/

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!

We welcome back Michael Myers from Colorado's Distillery 291. Their whiskey is getting a lot of attention lately and that's why we needed to get an update and see what's been going on. Listen in as we drink through 4 amazing whiskeys, one of which is a 142 proof five year single malt. Amazing!! Do not miss this!

https://distillery291.com/

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!

This week Jim and Brian visit the dungeon with Rosa Hart of The Lou Review podcast and Louisville area food influencer @loufoodreviews. Be sure to listen in as Rosa takes us on her journey to eat her way along The Bourbon Trail! We drink some Green RIver Bourbon and a very Nice Angels Envy single barrel pick. Ohh, and a tremendous multi-color gin cocktail with glitter.

https://thebourbonroad.com/

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!

This week Jim and Brian sit down with Greg Keeley from Lawrenceburg Bourbon Company to discuss what it takes to start a new Bourbon Distillery operation. Lucky for us he has single barrel bourbons and ryes that were recently released that we get to taste on the show. Listen in for a great story and some even better whiskey.

Check out Lawrenceburg Bourbon at: https://lawrenceburgbourbon.com/

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!

This week Jim and Brian take a second look at R6 Distillery's Bourbon and Rye. It has been a while since we tasted this one and we like to see how they have progressed in the time since our last episode. We have seen some distilleries make amazing progress as their stocks age and taking a second look at a product can be very rewarding. Listen in to see where we stand after a little time away from this bourbon and rye.

Check out R6 Distillery at: https://r6distillery.com/

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!

Bo Garrett (firebirdbo) visits the Bourbon Road Bar to sip on a little whiskey while picking some tunes on his custom made "gobble box". Listen in while the former lead guitarist for Montgomery Gentry and current Wild Turkey Brand Builder takes us on a ride down The Bourbon Road!

The Bourbon Roadies: The Roadies

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 & Brian hit the Bourbon Road in this week's episode to Old Carter Whiskey Co. in downtown Louisville, KY. We sit down with Mark & Sherri Carter as they graciously host us in their beautiful venue - it'a true whiskey lover's paradise. Listen in as we taste through a special line-up that was hand selected by The Carter's themselves! Discover the passion that goes into making everything that they do.

Old Carter Social Club : https://members.oldcarterwhiskeyco.com/

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!

We keep shouting it out whenever we get the chance. Still, some people think that Wild Turkey is for the bad boys and college students and it is meant for partying. Hopefully this episode will set people right in their thinking. Wild Turkey makes some great whiskey! We have 4 reasons you need to hear.

https://thebourbonroad.com/

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!

In this region-spanning tasting session, The Bourbon Road hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter guide listeners through four American whiskeys that each bring something unique to the table. From the high plains of Wyoming to the oak-rich rickhouses of Kentucky and the bold, sun-soaked warehouses of Texas, this episode offers a full-flavored exploration of how place and process shape the final pour.

First up is Buffalo Bill Cody Straight Bourbon from Wyoming Whiskey—a 6-year-old, 97-proof bourbon blended from 26 barrels. Distilled with 100% Wyoming-grown grain in Kirby, this expression honors a frontier legend with bold notes of cherry, leather, exotic spice, and sweet cream. Jim and Todd both agree it's a standout example of what regional distilling can deliver—complex, approachable, and full of character.

The second pour shifts eastward to RD1's Sister Cities, a blend of 5- and 7-year-old Kentucky bourbons with an 8-year-old rye, finished using French oak "necklaces" and Japanese Mizunara staves. Bottled at 102 proof, the whiskey opens with a bright, tart fruit nose—orange zest, raisin bran, and cherries—then develops into warm layers of milk chocolate, spice, and drying oak. The result is a richly nuanced pour that pays homage to Lexington's international connections with refinement and flair.

In the second half, the hosts feature two expressions from Milam & Greene's "The Answer" line—each identical in distillate but aged in different states. The Kentucky-aged version delivers a more traditional bourbon profile, showcasing smooth oak integration, brown sugar, and baking spice. Meanwhile, the Texas-aged version leans bolder and darker, shaped by the state's intense climate with notes of charred wood, molasses, and earth. Side-by-side, these two pours demonstrate how dramatically aging environment alone can influence a whiskey's flavor, texture, and personality.

Throughout the episode, Jim and Todd offer their signature banter, detailed tasting notes, and honest reflections on what makes each pour special. Whether it's a frontier homage, an internationally inspired blend, or an experiment in terroir through aging, every whiskey in this lineup tells a compelling story.

This is American whiskey at its best—diverse, regional, and endlessly expressive.

Bourbon on the Banks 2025

Smokeys Lifestyle Cigars

The Hill House Bed and Breakfast 

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!

Dozens, if not hundreds, of new whiskey & bourbon releases were unveiled in 2022, but what is in store for 2023? In this week's episode Jim, Brian, and Tyler crack open and discuss five 2023 whiskey releases. We dive into these whiskeys headfirst, and offer our raw, honest opinions about what each pour brings to the table. Listen in as we explore: The Wiseman Bourbon Whiskey & The Wiseman Rye Whiskey (both from Kentucky Owl), 15 Stars Fine Aged Bourbon 7&15 Year Private Stock, Olk Elk Infinity Blend, Larceny Barrel Proof A123.

https://thebourbonroad.com/

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!

This week's episode features three of our absolute favorite things: beaches, bourbon and Bourbon Roadies! Coming to you from beautiful Punta Cana.

https://thebourbonroad.com/

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!

For our first episode 0f 2023 we bring you another of our popular New Years Blind Bottle Share contests. This year it is American made whiskeys (Bourbons, Ryes, Malts or any American Whiskey)... they must be barrel strength and they are allowed to be finished if you like. Check out this episode to find out how brings home the title this year as we open the contest to finished whiskeys. A must listen!

https://thebourbonroad.com/

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!