Aussie Bourbon Lovers

In a special extended episode, Dave and H are joined by Dan McKee the Master Distiller and Andrea Wilson Master of Maturation and COO of Michter's, for a pour of their  Original Sour Mash Whiskey.
Because of the time difference of the Australians, it's a nightcap, and for the Americans, it's a breakfast pour.
They chat about the history of Michter's, the flavours of the Michter's Small Batch Sour Mash expression (not quite a bourbon, not quite a rye) and some of the magic that makes Michter's a truly unique whiskey.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Michter's and Special Guests03:04 The History of Michter's Distillery05:48 Quality and Consistency in their Whiskey Production09:02 Roles of Master Distiller and Master of Maturation11:47 Production Techniques that Define Michter's15:08 The Importance of Barrel Aging and Water Chemistry17:55 Access to Michter's in Australia

Dave and H share a pour from a smaller-than-usual bottle of a Cask Strength Makers 46. They chat about the '46' expression and what makes the cask strength approach a fun and different way to try some of your favourites.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Makers 46 Cask Strength
02:54 Understanding Cask Strength Whiskey
05:50 The Unique Process of Makers Mark
09:13 The Influence of Wood and Staves in Whiskey Flavour

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