The Bourbon Road

"Beam me up, Toddy!" Jim and Todd embark on a voyage to the final frontier of flavor with an epic tasting of four highly anticipated limited releases from the James B. Beam Distilling Co. In a show packed with Star Trek puns and serious spirits, the hosts explore how Eighth Generation Master Distiller Freddie Noe is pushing the boundaries of the family legacy.

The mission begins with Little Book Chapter 9: "None For Granted." This 2025 release is a complex blend of five unique whiskeys, including 11-year-old bourbon, 8-year-old rye, and two distinct 7-year-old bourbons. Clocking in at 121.8 proof, it surprises the hosts with notes of crisp green apple, peanut shells, and a "Payday bar" sweetness that Todd can't get enough of.

Next, they reach into the "Sample Safe" for Little Book The Infinite: Edition 2. This multi-generational blend combines 22-year-old bourbon distilled by Booker Noe, 10-year-old from Fred Noe, and 7-year-old from Freddie Noe, along with a portion of the inaugural Edition 1. At 120.8 proof, it delivers a "master class" in balance, offering a creamy mouthfeel laden with vanilla icing, floral notes, and a depth that represents the "whole flavor wheel" in a glass.

The journey takes a sharp turn with Booker's The Reserves 2025, a bold 123.3 proof bourbon finished for 11 weeks in ex-El Tesoro Tequila barrels. This unique experiment—a first for Beam—presents a polarizing dry, earthy profile with notes of citrus and savory herbs that the hosts agree would pair perfectly with a sweet-tipped cigar or even a "Bourbon-Rita".

Finally, they tackle the oldest expression ever released by the distillery: the Knob Creek 21 Year Old. Bottled at 100 proof, this ultra-aged bourbon defies expectations by avoiding the bitter "oak bomb" trap of previous 15-year releases. Instead, it offers a velvety palate rich with dark cherry, high-cacao chocolate, and a distinct toasted coconut note that leaves the hosts in awe.

The episode concludes with a difficult "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner" ranking where two bottles battle for the top spot, followed by a daring "suicide mix" of all four expressions. Plus, stick around for some Thanksgiving talk as Todd shares his plans for a spatchcocked, smoked turkey.

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 return to the "Corner Rick House" for a massive tasting session, cracking open the "Sample Safe" to explore Lost Lantern's Fall 2025 Collection. Dubbed "The Scotch Lovers' Collection," this ambitious release focuses entirely on American Single Malt, showcasing the incredible diversity and maturity of the category across seven distinct expressions. From the maritime influence of Nantucket to the high-altitude mountains of Idaho, the hosts take a deep dive into unique mashbills, historic re-releases, and heavy-hitting barrel proofs.

The journey begins with two blends: the American Vatted Malt Reissue, a fifth-anniversary tribute to Lost Lantern's debut whiskey featuring six pioneer distilleries, and the American Vatted Malt Remix, a robust evolution blending malts from 11 distilleries across eight states. Next, they head to the Sawtooth Mountains for the Warfield American Single Malt, a single cask release that stuns the hosts with its creamy lemon square profile despite a staggering 135.4 proof.

The tour continues to the East Coast with a trio of releases from Nantucket's Triple Eight Distillery. The hosts sample the Triple Eight 10-Year-Old Single Malt, noting its savory "salt-water taffy" and orchard fruit notes, followed by the oldest whiskey in the collection, the Triple Eight 11-Year-Old Sauternes Cask Finish, which brings rich, funky notes of "1790s cavalry tack shop" and honey-roasted almonds. Rounding out the trio is the Triple Eight Peated Single Malt, offering savory campfire smoke and blackberry cobbler vibes that Todd compares to a "pseudo-Ardbeg". Finally, they revisit a classic pioneer with the McCarthy's 10-Year-Old Peated Oregon Single Malt, a milestone release delivering intense medicinal peat and iodine notes reminiscent of Islay scotch.

In a challenging "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner" segment, Jim and Todd attempt to rank these seven unique whiskeys, culminating in a "suicide mix" of the final four pours that surprisingly works. Tune in to hear which single malt reigned supreme in this coast-to-coast showdown.

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 Shannon is back in the saddle at the Corner Rick House! After a week of travel, he rejoins Todd Ritter to recap Todd's recent solo history lesson and, more importantly, to dive into a "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner" review show featuring four distinct and intriguing whiskeys. From new brands with legendary backing to rare single-barrel finds, the hosts put their palates to the test in a battle for the top spot.

The tasting begins with Burnt Tavern Bourbon, a 7-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon with a backstory of resilience. Developed with the help of master distiller Chip Tate, this double-barreled expression surprises the hosts with its "whisper of smoke," evoking notes of smoky cherries flambé, caramel, and leather. It's a bold start that sets a high bar for complexity.

Next, they explore Whiskey JYPSI Legacy Batch 003: "The Declaration." Co-founded by Eric Church, this ambitious blend pays homage to America's 250th anniversary with a unique mashup of spirits: a 60% Indiana rye finished in apple brandy barrels from George Washington's Mount Vernon, a 30% ancient 20-25-year-old Canadian corn whiskey, and a 10% American single malt. At 115 proof, it delivers a "Mexican chocolate" profile with rich cacao, cayenne spice, and a depth that commands attention.

The third pour takes them to the forest with Pursuit United Kodama Mizunara. This limited edition from Kenny Coleman and Ryan Cecil blends their signature bourbon with a finish in rare Japanese Mizunara oak (80%) and infrared toasted American oak (20%). Aptly named "Spirit of the Trees," it offers a fresh, aromatic nose of sandalwood and cherry blossom, followed by a savory, creamy palate of churro and cinnamon that drinks dangerously below its 117 proof.

Finally, they crack open a pint of Pursuit Spirits Old Anvil, an 11-year-old, 119-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon sourced from Heaven Hill. Known for a "sucked then became magical" aging story, this one-off release delivers a syrupy, viscous mouthfeel laden with vanilla cream, crème brûlée, and a distinct "mineral sting" characteristic of dusty, vintage funky bourbon.

The episode wraps up with a difficult ranking of these four heavy hitters and a daring "cuvée" experiment where Todd mixes them all together for one final sip. Tune in to see which bottle takes home the "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner" title! 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 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!