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We explore Kentucky's vibrant bourbon scene, highlighting unique experiences at Whiskey Thief Distilling Company and New Riff Distillery while previewing our upcoming fifth annual Kentucky Bourbon Bus Tour.

• Whiskey Thief Distilling offers farm-to-glass experiences at Three Boys Farm in Frankfort and a tasting room in New Lou
• Their unique barrel stations let visitors thieve their own bottles from pot-distilled bourbons and ryes
• New Riff Distillery sits strategically on the Kentucky-Ohio border, in the same area where George Remus operated during Prohibition
• Founded by former Party Source owner Ken Lewis, who sold the liquor store to employees when regulations prevented owning both businesses
• Detailed tasting of New Riff single barrels reveals diverse flavor profiles from bubble gum to maple cream
• Our fifth annual Kentucky Bourbon Bus Tour will visit Old Carter Social Club, Evan Williams Experience, Whiskey Thief, and Old Louisville Whiskey Company
• Old Louisville Whiskey Company features an extensive selection of aged barrels with unique finishes

Remember to visit scotchybourbonboys.com for merchandise, and find us on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and X, as well as all major podcast platforms. Drink responsibly, never drink and drive, and live your life uncut and unfiltered.

Take a journey into Kentucky's thriving bourbon community as we explore the unique experiences offered by Whiskey Thief Distilling Company and New Riff Distillery, while previewing our upcoming Kentucky Bourbon Bus Tour.

Whiskey Thief Distilling Company stands out with their distinctive farm-to-glass approach at Three Boys Farm in Frankfort and their tasting room in Louisville. What makes their experience truly special is the opportunity to taste directly from barrels of their pot-distilled bourbons and ryes, allowing visitors to thieve their own bottles—creating memories alongside exceptional spirits.

We dive deep into New Riff Distillery's fascinating history and strategic location on the Kentucky-Ohio border. Founded by former Party Source owner Ken Lewis, this distillery represents bourbon entrepreneurship at its finest. Our barrel bottle breakdown reveals the remarkable diversity within New Riff's single barrel program, with tasting notes ranging from bubble gum and red apple to maple cream and caramel. We also discuss their specialty releases, including the coveted Balboa Rye and sherry-finished expressions that have bourbon enthusiasts buzzing.

The conversation turns to our fifth annual Kentucky Bourbon Bus Tour, an immersive experience visiting Old Carter Social Club, Evan Williams Experience, Whiskey Thief, and Old Louisville Whiskey Company. We'll be thieving barrels, enjoying rare pours provided by Revival Vintage Spirits, and connecting with fellow enthusiasts in an unforgettable day of bourbon exploration.

These experiences highlight the vibrant community that forms around bourbon culture—where passionate individuals create, share, and celebrate America's native spirit together. Whether you're a seasoned bourbon collector or just beginning your whiskey journey, these destinations offer something special for every palate.

Ready to enhance your bourbon experience? Join us for adventures through Kentucky's bourbon country, and remember to drink responsibly while living life uncut and unfiltered.

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The bourbon glut is over, with distilleries reporting exceptional sales and Kentucky Bourbon Festival tickets selling out in just four days rather than months.

• Pandemic caused a temporary slowdown as society reopened and people returned to busier lifestyles
• Political uncertainty during election year contributed to consumer hesitation
• Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2025 completely sold out in four days instead of taking until August
• Secondary market for allocated bottles like Weller has changed as collectors have already acquired them
• Bourbon enthusiasts now seeking unique barrel picks rather than just allocated bottles
• Pot still whiskeys offer different flavor profiles than column still products
• French Lick Spirit distillery's William Dalton (wheated) and Lillian Sinclair (rye) showcase craft bourbon diversity
• American-made whiskeys may benefit from international tariffs as consumers look local

Listen to our barrel picks breakdown with tasting notes on kettle corn, cherry, butterscotch, and fresh-baked bread profiles. Join us for upcoming events including a smoke wagon tasting in Youngstown on May 21st.
Is the bourbon bubble really bursting? Everything you've heard about the "bourbon glut" might be completely wrong. After months of industry predictions about oversupply and waning interest, we're seeing overwhelming evidence of bourbon's resilience and continuing popularity.

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival provides perhaps the clearest indicator – what normally takes until August to sell out disappeared in just four days this year. All 7,500 tickets, gone. Heaven Hill's Bernie Lubbers recently confirmed their exceptional fiscal year, and distilleries across Kentucky are reporting similar success. What many analysts missed was that last year's perceived slowdown was merely a temporary pause as society adjusted post-pandemic and navigated election year uncertainties.

We dive deep into the evolution of bourbon collectors' interests, noting how the secondary market has shifted away from simply chasing allocated bottles like Weller and EH Taylor. Today's enthusiasts are increasingly drawn to unique barrel picks, innovative finishes, and craft distillery releases that offer something different. We also explore how American whiskey stands to benefit from international tariffs, potentially driving more consumers toward domestic products.

The highlight of our episode is an in-depth breakdown of our barrel picks from Spirit of French Lick – the William Dalton (wheated bourbon) and Lillian Sinclair (rye bourbon). Both pot still products offer fascinating tasting notes ranging from kettle corn and cherry to baking spices and fresh bread. These selections represent master distiller Alan Bishop's final barrel picks before his departure, making them particularly special.

Ready to join the continuing bourbon conversation? Listen now, and don't forget our upcoming tasting event in Youngstown on May 21st featuring our smoke wagon barrel picks. The bourbon renaissance is just getting started!

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Bernie Lubbers, Heaven Hill's bourbon ambassador, shares insider knowledge on the distillery's operations, history, and production scale while discussing their impressive portfolio of whiskeys.

• Heaven Hill produces 1,500 barrels daily, operates around 70 rickhouses, and maintains 2.1 million barrels in inventory
• The Shapira family has maintained ownership for nearly 90 years, with three generations actively running the business
• Time is the most expensive ingredient in bourbon production, requiring foresight and patience for investments that take decades to mature
• Heaven Hill has preserved historic bourbon brands like JTS Brown, JW Dant, and Rittenhouse Rye through strategic acquisitions
• The company produces numerous bottled-in-bond expressions, maintaining a tradition that represents American whiskey's gold standard
• Recent increased availability of some Heaven Hill products reflects production expansions made over a decade ago
• The team discusses their experience selecting an Elijah Craig barrel that yielded only 72 bottles with unique honey notes
• Heaven Hill's new Spring Hill distillery in Bardstown represents their first distilling operation in the town since the 1996 fire
• Their portfolio includes innovating with traditional American whiskey styles like corn whiskey and wheat whiskey

If you're interested in trying Heaven Hill products, consider picking up their Bottled-in-Bond expressions or visiting their visitor center in Bardstown for exclusives like the Five Brothers Small Batch.

Step into the world of bourbon legacy and craftsmanship as Bernie Lubbers, Heaven Hill's renowned Bourbon Ambassador, takes us behind the scenes of one of America's most important distilleries. With remarkable candidness and passion, Bernie shares how Heaven Hill has grown to maintain 2.1 million barrels in inventory—representing a staggering 20% of the world's bourbon supply.

What makes this conversation truly special is Bernie's insight into the family-owned operation that has survived when other major distilleries faltered. The Shapira family, now in its third generation of leadership, continues to oversee daily operations with the same dedication that began nearly 90 years ago. As Bernie aptly puts it, "Time is the most expensive ingredient in making whiskey and bourbon"—a philosophy that has guided Heaven Hill through decades of industry fluctuations.

Bernie reveals fascinating details about Heaven Hill's dedication to bottled-in-bond products, explaining how these expressions became cornerstones of their portfolio while other distilleries abandoned the category. We explore their strategic acquisition of historic brands like JTS Brown, JW Dant, and Rittenhouse Rye, preserving pieces of bourbon heritage that might otherwise have disappeared. The conversation also dives into Heaven Hill's newest innovations, from their recently opened distillery in Bardstown to special releases that showcase their mastery of traditional American whiskey styles.

For bourbon enthusiasts, collectors, and casual drinkers alike, this episode offers rare insights into the business decisions, production challenges, and long-term planning required to maintain quality and consistency in whiskey making. Whether you're familiar with Heaven Hill's extensive portfolio or just discovering these storied brands, Bernie's stories and expertise provide a deeper apprecia

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