Bourbon Lens
Bourbon Lens
Recent Episodes
Bourbon Lens heads to Lexington, Kentucky for an on-location episode at the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits, located at the University of Kentucky. We sit down with Alexa Narel, Operations Manager for the Estate Whiskey Alliance, and Landon Borders, Director, to explore how the Alliance is reshaping the future of whiskey grain, sustainability, and transparency.
The Estate Whiskey Alliance (EWA) brings together farmers, distillers, researchers, and industry partners to develop scientifically backed standards for estate-grown whiskey. Alexa and Landon break down what "estate whiskey" means, how grain provenance impacts flavor, and why agriculture is rapidly becoming the next frontier in premium bourbon production.
This episode offers an inside look at the research and innovations driving estate-grown grains and the future of terroir in American whiskey.
We're incredibly grateful for your continued support over the past six years. A special thank you goes out to our amazing community of Patreon supporters—your support helps keep Bourbon Lens going strong! If you're enjoying the podcast, consider leaving a 5-star rating, writing a quick review, and sharing the show with a fellow bourbon enthusiast.
You can follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. Want to go a step further? Support us on Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content, Bourbon Lens swag, access to our Tasting Club, and more.
Have questions, feedback, or guest suggestions? Drop us a line at [email protected].
Explore BourbonLens.com for blog posts, the latest whiskey news, our full podcast archive, and detailed whiskey reviews.
Cheers, Scott & Jake Bourbon Lens
In this episode of Bourbon Lens, Jake and Scott sit down with Field of Dreams Whiskey Co-founders Andy Keller and Drew Storen, former Major League Baseball pitcher, to talk about how their shared passion for the game and great whiskey turned into one of the most unique whiskey projects in America.
The conversation dives into the origin story of Field of Dreams Whiskey, Drew's journey through the Major Leagues, and what life looks like after baseball. Andy and Drew share how the spirit of teamwork, community, and nostalgia behind Field of Dreams continues to inspire their approach to whiskey making.
Listeners will also get an inside look at Field of Dreams Small Batch Bourbon and their newest release, Field of Dreams 2025 All-Star Whiskey — a truly historic blend. This one-of-a-kind whiskey brings together:
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30 distilleries in one bottle, the largest blend in whiskey history
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Field of Dreams Bourbon plus a whiskey component from every major league market
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Expert blending by Murphy Quint of Cedar Ridge Distillery
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A mix of bourbon, rye, single malt, wheat, and Canadian whiskeys
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Average age of 7 years, with barrels aged 1–25 years
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108 Proof (54.0% ABV) and limited to 10,000 bottles nationwide
Whether you're a baseball fan, whiskey lover, or both, this episode tells an inspiring story about passion, creativity, and collaboration.
🎧 Listen now to hear how the Field of Dreams Whiskey team is blending America's favorite pastime with America's native spirit.
We're incredibly grateful for your continued support over the past six years. A special thank you goes out to our amazing community of Patreon supporters—your support helps keep Bourbon Lens going strong! If you're enjoying the podcast, consider leaving a 5-star rating, writing a quick review, and sharing the show with a fellow bourbon enthusiast.
You can follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. Want to go a step further? Support us on Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content, Bourbon Lens swag, access to our Tasting Club, and more.
Have questions, feedback, or guest suggestions? Drop us a line at [email protected].
Explore BourbonLens.com for blog posts, the latest whiskey news, our full podcast archive, and detailed whiskey reviews.
Cheers, Scott & Jake Bourbon Lens
Image Credit: Field of Dreams Whiskey
In this episode of Bourbon Lens, Jake and Scott welcome back Pete Barger, Co-Founder and CEO of Southern Distilling Company and Statesville Contract Distilling, for an in-depth conversation about the growth and innovation happening in North Carolina whiskey.
Pete shares insights into the distillery's world-class production operations and how Southern Distilling has positioned itself as one of the largest producers of American Whiskey in the Southeast. The discussion dives into two standout whiskeys from their portfolio — Southern Star American Single Malt Whiskey and Southern Star Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey — both of which reflect the brand's dedication to craftsmanship, quality, and authenticity.
Jake and Scott also talk with Pete about Statesville's whiskey, the rise of contract distilling, and what's next for the American whiskey industry. Whether you're a whiskey enthusiast or simply curious about the craft distilling movement in the South, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at one of the country's fastest-growing distilleries.
🎧 Listen now to learn how Southern Distilling Company is helping to shape the future of American whiskey — one barrel at a time.
We're incredibly grateful for your continued support over the past six years. A special thank you goes out to our amazing community of Patreon supporters—your support helps keep Bourbon Lens going strong! If you're enjoying the podcast, consider leaving a 5-star rating, writing a quick review, and sharing the show with a fellow bourbon enthusiast.
You can follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. Want to go a step further? Support us on Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content, Bourbon Lens swag, access to our Tasting Club, and more.
Have questions, feedback, or guest suggestions? Drop us a line at [email protected].
Explore BourbonLens.com for blog posts, the latest whiskey news, our full podcast archive, and detailed whiskey reviews.
Cheers, Scott & Jake Bourbon Lens
Image Credit: Southern Distilling Co.
Jake and Scott sit down with Shane Armstrong of Westland Distillery to explore the growing American Single Malt movement. Westland has helped pioneer the category through innovation, transparency, and a true sense of place in the Pacific Northwest.
The conversation centers on the release of Garryana 10th edition, Westland's acclaimed limited-edition Garryana American Single Malt Whiskey. Aged a full 10 years, this special release represents the apex of the Garryana story, showcasing the unique influence of Quercus garryana, the rare native oak of the Pacific Northwest.
Shane discusses how Westland's approach to whiskey-making has elevated American Single Malt to new heights and what this milestone release means for the brand. Westland is committed to pushing the boundaries of American whiskey and preserving its distinctive terroir-driven identity.
Listen now to hear how Westland Distillery continues to shape the future of American Single Malt and what makes Garryana 10 a truly remarkable whiskey — ten years in the making.
We're incredibly grateful for your continued support over the past six years. A special thank you goes out to our amazing community of Patreon supporters—your support helps keep Bourbon Lens going strong! If you're enjoying the podcast, consider leaving a 5-star rating, writing a quick review, and sharing the show with a fellow bourbon enthusiast.
You can follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. Want to go a step further? Support us on Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content, Bourbon Lens swag, access to our Tasting Club, and more.
Have questions, feedback, or guest suggestions? Drop us a line at [email protected].
Explore BourbonLens.com for blog posts, the latest whiskey news, our full podcast archive, and detailed whiskey reviews.
Cheers, Scott & Jake Bourbon Lens
Image Credit: Westland Distillery
Bourbon Lens is joined by Ari Sussman, Whiskey Maker for Three Chord Bourbon, to talk about the brand's newly released Volume 2 Series — a refreshed lineup featuring bold new blends, labels, and a creative direction deeply rooted in music culture.
The Volume 2 collection introduces redesigned packaging that draws inspiration from classic vinyl records and live concert photography, reinforcing Three Chord's connection between the worlds of whiskey and rock-and-roll. Ari shares the creative process behind these new blends and how the brand continues to evolve its identity through both flavor and design.
The conversation also explores the resurgence of vinyl records, the art of slowing down, and the simple joy of enjoying a great whiskey while listening to your favorite album. For whiskey lovers and music fans alike, this episode captures the spirit of craftsmanship and rhythm that defines Three Chord Bourbon.
Listen now and join the conversation about how music, creativity, and whiskey continue to inspire one another.
We're incredibly grateful for your continued support over the past six years. A special thank you goes out to our amazing community of Patreon supporters—your support helps keep Bourbon Lens going strong! If you're enjoying the podcast, consider leaving a 5-star rating, writing a quick review, and sharing the show with a fellow bourbon enthusiast.
You can follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. Want to go a step further? Support us on Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content, Bourbon Lens swag, access to our Tasting Club, and more.
Have questions, feedback, or guest suggestions? Drop us a line at [email protected].
Explore BourbonLens.com for blog posts, the latest whiskey news, our full podcast archive, and detailed whiskey reviews.
Cheers, Scott & Jake Bourbon Lens
About Three Chord:
Founded by musician and producer Neil Giraldo, Three Chord Bourbon is dedicated to creating premium bourbon that harmonizes exceptional craftsmanship with a passion for music. Each bottle represents a unique blend, carefully curated and finished to deliver a rich and memorable experience.
Volume 2 Includes:
- Flipside Triplewood Bourbon features Guitar Shorty, an incredible blues artist who we lost in 2022. Bob Dylan once said that "Shorty played guitar with everything but his hands." His performances were electrifying. This blend of straight Kentucky bourbons is aged in new charred American Oak barrels and then finished in a mix of new and used toasted French and American oak barrels.
- 4-7 years old
- 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley.
- Finished for 2-3 months.
- DOUBLE GOLD at SF World Spirits Competition.
- Hard Pressed Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon features Cordell Jackson, one of the originators of rockabilly and early rock 'n' roll in Memphis. In the 1950s, she owned her own record studio, recorded her own music, and pressed her own vinyl, which was unheard of for a female.
- 100 proof.
- Aged for four years
- 80% corn, 10% rye, 10% malted barley.
- RIOT Double Bonded Rye features punk group The Darts and is meant to inject something totally different into the whiskey aisle. Its hot pink and black artwork stands out against a sea of green labels in the Rye whiskey section. It's the first-ever Double Bonded Rye, meaning a blend of two Bottled-in-Bond ryes from two different distilleries, MGP and Bardstown Bourbon Company.
- 4-7 years old
- 95% rye, 5% malted barley.
- Gold medal at SF World Spirits Competition.
- Un-Edited features the singer of Purple Disturbance, an Australian band. The picture just had so much raw energy that it was the perfect fit for our uncut, unfiltered 118-proof bourbon.
- 4 yr TN (80/10/10), 6 yr IN (75/21/4), 7 year KY (75/21/4).
- Gold medal at SF World Spirits Competition
- Strange Collab features Neil Giraldo, shredding away next to his friend and bandmate, Rick Derringer. This one is the only Pinot Noir finished bourbon on the market today. It started as a one-off collaboration for charity and has since won awards and received 90+ point scores. The back label features Johnny Strange, an adventurer with close ties to Neil, who died far too young.
- A portion of the proceeds go to the Johnny Strange Foundation.
- 4-7 years old,
- 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley.
- Finished for 3-4 months in Strange Family Vineyards' Pinot Noir barrels.
Image Credit: Three Chord Bourbon