Aussie Bourbon Lovers

Dave and H discuss the intricacies of Burton James bourbon with its creator, Shawn McCormick. They explore the unique characteristics of the bourbon, including its ingredients and aging process, as well as the interesting backstory involving baseball cards linked to Shawn's great grandfather. The discussion also delves into the complexities of alcohol laws in Kentucky, the significance of non-chill filtering in bourbon production, and how listeners can their hands on a bottle.
More info at:
www.burtonjameswhiskey.com
 
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Burton James Bourbons
02:54 The Story Behind the Baseball Cards
06:03 Navigating Kentucky's Wet and Dry Countys
09:04 Understanding Non-Chill Filtering
11:24 How to get Burton James Bourbon

Dave and H went to Watch Hill Proper looking for an amazing bourbon experience... and got they one. They also got a bottle of the very first release from the Watch Hill Proper Team, what might be the only bottle of this outside the US. Join them as they share their experience and share some reflections on how to have more fun with bourbon through blind flights.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Watch Hill Bourbon
03:00 Experience at Watch Hill Proper
05:52 Blind Tasting and Flavor Exploration
09:12 Reflections on Bourbon Appreciation and Blind Tasting at Home

H and Dave chat about what Bottled in Bond really means, why it's important, and what makes Kings County from NYC unique. They also share their experience in the unique distillery in Brooklyn's Navy Yards and a pretty incredible distillery tour.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to King's County Distillery
03:11 Understanding Bottled in Bond
06:12 The Distillation Process and Flavor Profiles
09:04 The History and Significance of Bourbon in America
10:00 Tour Experience at King's County Distillery

While history has never been their strong suit, Dave and H explore the rich history and unique characteristics of Yellowstone Bourbon, produced by Limestone Branch Distillery. They discuss the distillery's origins, the Beam family's legacy in bourbon making, and their recent visit to the distillery, highlighting the personal touch and small-scale production that sets it apart. The conversation also touches on the historical context of bourbon production during Prohibition and the significance of Yellowstone National Park in the branding of the bourbon.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Yellowstone Bourbon
03:08 The History of Limestone Branch Distillery
06:04 The Legacy of the Beam Family
08:53 Touring the Distillery and Unique Experiences

Dave and H sit down, pop the top off their first bottle from the 2024 Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and debrief the best bits of the festival. From the pain of having to choose what bottles to bring back to Australia to the absolute pleasure of tasting the best bourbons in the world and meeting the people who make it, this episode is a wrap up and celebration of the three great days that was KYBF24.
 
Chapters
00:00 The Kentucky Bourbon Festival Experience
01:30 The Maker's Mark Barrel Select Bottle
03:30 Choosing what Bourbons to bring back to Australia
04:15 Meeting Corky Taylor at Kentucky Peerless
07:30 The Community and Stories Behind Bourbon
09:20 A Call to Bourbon Enthusiasts to KYBF'25

While you can't buy any bottles of the Lucky Seven expressions in Australia ... yet. The Aussie Bourbon Lovers have some stories about meeting they guys behind this great non-distiller producer (NDP) at Kentucky Bourbon Festival, who have a great backstory and some incredible bourbons. We're looking forward to seeing Lucky Seven bourbons Down Under soon, but for the moment, you might need to make a quick trip to the states to get your hands on one of these incredible bottles. 
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Toast to Lucky 7 Bourbon
00:44 Exploring the Aroma and Taste of Lucky 7 Bourbon
03:12 The Concept of Non-Distilling Producers
06:07 The Creative Storytelling and Bottle Design of Lucky 7
09:25 Meeting the Creators of Lucky 7 and Future Plans

Green River Wheated is a fun Bourbon, and not just because the bottle is also a game (if you have a coin)... It's got a rich history (that we need to learn more about) and we love the flavours. The best news is that it recently became available here in Aus and is a cost-effective option for bourbon lovers to try.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Green River Wheated Bourbon
02:00 The 'Shoot The Shoe' Game
02:57 Exploring the Smoothness of Wheated Bourbons
06:09 Famous Wheated Bourbons
07:06 Availability of Green River in Australia
08:29 The 'Possible' Connection Between Green River and Chicago
09:28 A Discussion about Visiting the Green River Distillery

H and Dave share a special pour of Stagg Jr, one of their favourite bottles while they try to pass on some of the knowledge that Drew Mayville, the Master Blender of Sazerac (Buffalo Trace) shared with them at an intimate tasting night in Melbourne. There are a few nuggets of gold about how to nose and taste, and a few stories too.
 
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Stagg Jr Bourbon from Buffalo Trace
02:41 Nosing and Tasting Techniques
04:37 The Unique Characteristics of Stagg Jr
07:06 Savouring the Long Finish
08:34 Preference for Wheated Bourbon
10:01 Enjoying Bourbon Your Way

Dave and H take a moment to enjoy the final drops of this Distiller's Row Single Barrel from Peerless, while they fire up for Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2024. So many great brands and expressions from over 60 distilleries, along with a bunch of new things to learn and try.
 
Chapters
00:00 Excitement for the Kentucky Bourbon Festival
01:29 Discovering New Flavours and Comparing Bourbons
03:24 Talking to the People Behind the Bourbon
05:22 Fun Activities and Games at the Festival
08:14 Explore and Learn about Bourbon at the Festival

Dave and H enjoy sharing their version of the Blanton's single barrel story while they enjoy an expression made specially for the Australian market. Loads of interesting things about Warehouse H, the first single barrels that were bottled and those cool horsey stoppers on the beautiful bottles.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Blanton's Green Label Bourbon
00:59 Understanding Blanton's as a Bourbon
02:25 The Unique Experience of Single Barrel Bourbon
03:10 The Influence of Barrel Location on Blanton's Flavour
04:37 Exploring Rare and Collectible Editions of Blanton's
 

In a liquor store in San Francisco, a wonderful person sold Dave this rather heavy bottle. While it's not easy to get in Australia, it is an amazing pour because of the unique way the bourbon is aged in a Solera. While Dave and H do a poor job of explaining what a solera system is, it's fair to say the outcome has a unique flavour and it's a special pour.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon
01:24 Understanding Solera Aging
03:13 Personal Anecdotes and Whiskey Tasting Experiences
08:02 The Generosity of the Bourbon Community
09:01 Camaraderie and Support in the Bourbon Industry

It could be the rabbit on the bottle, or it could be the story of the name and the respect it pays to the history of Kentucky Bourbon, or it could be the Honey Malted Barley. But this is a bottle that has a few stories for us. Settle in for a pour of a great bourbon from Nulu in Louisville.
 
Chapters
00:00 The Name Difference: Rabbit Hole vs. Rabbit Tale
02:06 Kentucky Bourbon Festival - A Wonderland Experience
04:31 Tasting Notes: Spice, Honey, Orange, Mint, and Toasted Grain
05:26 Immersive Tour Experience at Rabbit Hole Distillery
08:50 No Master Distiller: Teamwork at Rabbit Hole
09:20 Visit Rabbit Hole Distillery and Try the Delightful Bourbon

Dave and H think this might be the world's most awarded bourbon, and it's hiding in a very boring bottle and it's super easy to get in Australia. They share some stories and thoughts about this banger and ask, is it cherry or orange ... or both?
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Bottle Shape
03:19 Flavour Profile and Smooth Finish
04:24 Suitable for Beginners and Experienced Bourbon Drinkers
06:36 Eagle Rare 10 Year: A Go-To Bottle
07:05 Higher-Aged Expressions: 17 Year and Double Eagle Very Rare
10:49 Wrap-up

It's not every day that one of the global icons of bourbon comes to Australia, so when Dave spent half an hour with Eddie Russell, Wild Turkey's Master Distiller, in the South Yarra IGA (a convenience store), it was a very special Tuesday afternoon. Join Dave and H as they enjoy some of Eddie's Wild Turkey 101 and share some stories too.
 
Chapters
00:00 The Story Behind the Signed Bottle of Wild Turkey 101
01:36 Exploring the Flavour Profile of Wild Turkey 101
03:36 The Popularity and Consistency of Wild Turkey 101
06:28 The Different Expressions of Wild Turkey
08:16 The Debate: Collecting vs. Drinking Bourbon

Buffalo Trace Distillery's wheated mashbill is the recipe of one of the most sought after bourbons in the world, Pappy Van Winkle, and its the same 'juice' as this quite accessible bourbon that you can get your hands on here in Australia. Dave and H discuss this 'Special Reserve' expression of Weller and why it's so approachable.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Weller Special Reserve
00:30 The Popularity of Weller Special Reserve
01:26 The Selection Process for Weller and Pappy Van Winkle
06:00 Exploring the Rick Houses
08:22 Perception of Bourbon in Australia
09:18 Wheated Bourbon as a Versatile Cocktail Ingredient

When Dave and H found themselves at the distillery on the very day that Woodford released their extremely limited 2022 Distillery Series Honey Barrel bottles, they thought they'd hit the jackpot. Join them as they taste this extremely rare bottle and talk about how the flavours of the honey barrel finish weren't quite what they were expecting.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introducing Woodford Reserve Honey Barrel Finish 2022 Distillery Series Release
00:58 The Story Behind this Honey Barrel Finish
06:09 The Philosophy of Drinking and Enjoying Bourbon
07:59 Expectations vs. Reality: The Sweetness Factor
09:25 Embracing the Fun of Trying Something New

Elijah Craig's name echoes through the legends of bourbon, and some suggest he as the father of bourbon - in fact, they put that on the front of this bottle. For an easy-to-get bourbon (for Aussies), this is a great pour to enjoy. Uniquely, this bourbon spends between 8-12 years in the barrel which we think gives it some lovely complexity to those barrel-ey vanilla and oak notes, usually reserved for more premium pours.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Pouring Elijah Craig's Small Batch
01:11 Elijah Craig: The Preacher, Distiller, and Entrepreneur
04:37 The Phenomena of C923 Barrel Proof Release
06:02 Aged to Perfection: Elijah Craig's 8 to 12-Year Age Statement
08:54 Getting a bottle of Elijah Craig in Australia and Visiting the Heaven Hill Distillery

For us, it's one of the Bourbon's that started it all on one fateful night in NYC. There is lots more to it than just one of the most eye-catching bourbon bottles on the market. And it's not to hard to get your hands on in Australia. 
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and the Love it or Hate it of Willett Pot Still Bourbon
01:01 The Unique Bottle Shape and Memorable Experience
03:25 Visiting the Willett Distillery and Pot Stills
03:55 Variations in Flavour Between Different Batches
07:45 Availability and Bottle Sizes of Willett Pot Still Down Under

We have lots of fond memories of Woodford Reserve and the memories started years ago. A visit to the distillery, a cocktail in their bar (or made at home) or just a neat pour of this infamous bourbon has plenty to offer. Some iconic master distillers have made this incredible brand one of Australia's favourite premium bourbons. While there are plenty of great bottles in their range, the main offering is a great pour. 
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Tasting Woodford Reserve
06:09 The Rich History of Woodford Reserve Distillery
07:38 Innovation and Master Distillers at Woodford Reserve
09:32 Enjoying Woodford Reserve: Neat, On Ice, or in Cocktails

It all started when a dad wanted to celebrate the birth of his daughter. What could be more wholesome than that?! But the range of bourbons that are now represented, of which the four grain is the 'baby', certainly has shown how good these bourbons are, and the growth that the Penelope brand has experienced shows the appetite in the market for this range of expressions. Another great story about another delicious bourbon. 
 
Chapters
00:10 Introducing Penelope Four Grain: The 'Baby Bourbon'
01:37 The Story Behind Penelope: A Bourbon for a Baby
03:35 Why we think it's An Easy-Drinking Bourbon for Beginners
06:01 All the facts about the Four Grain juice and Production Process

There is so much that can be said about Buffalo Trace, so we won't say too much. Buffalo Trace is an iconic bourbon distillery in America known for its wide range of bourbons, from affordable to expensive. It is one of the few distilleries that stayed open during prohibition and has a long history. One of our favourite things about Freddie in the doco 'Neat' is his philosophy to drink and enjoy bourbon with loved ones. And, we think it's a must-visit distillery when you're next in Kentucky.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Buffalo Trace
03:34 The Popular Demand for Buffalo Trace Bourbons
06:00 The Classification of Buffalo Trace Bourbons
07:47 The Philosophy of Drinking Bourbon, as shared in 'Neat'
08:13 Interesting Stories and some loose History of Buffalo Trace
09:41 A Visit to Buffalo Trace

The 1910 expression of Old Forester isn't easy to get down under, but you can find bottles. It's double oaked and has flavours of maple, honey, vanilla, and brown sugar. We think of Old Forester for its consistent butterscotch-ey flavours and we think of it as a dessert-like bourbon. It can be difficult to find in Australia, but worth trying if you can get your hands on a bottle. The Old Forester distillery tour in Louisville, Kentucky is recommended, and their chocolate pairing is a must-try.
 
Chapters
00:00 The History and Significance of Old Forester
02:39 Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: An Alternative to Old Forester 1910
04:25 The Old Forester Distillery Tour: Barrel Charring and Chocolate Pairings
07:16 The Dessert-Like Experience of Old Forester

Maker's Mark 46 is a wheated bourbon that undergoes a unique finishing process. It is made by adding 10 French oak staves to a barrel of Maker's Mark bourbon and leaving it in a limestone cave for a longer period of time. Margie Samuels, the wife of the original Maker's Mark creator, Bill, played a significant role in the brand's development, including designing the labels and introducing the iconic red wax seal. We think Maker's Mark 46 has a toastier and richer flavour compared to the original Maker's Mark, with notes of buttery bread and French oak. It is a smooth and easy-drinking bourbon that is a unique expression.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Makers Mark 4602:03 Margie Samuels: The Creative Force Behind Makers Mark04:26 Our take on the Flavour Profile of Makers Mark 4607:06 The Unique Finishing Process of Makers Mark 4609:30 The Bread Experiment and Accessibility of Makers Mark 46 in Australia