364: Inside James B. Beam Distilling Co. and Hardin’s Creek with Alex Bowie
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of The Bourbon Lens Podcast, Jake and Scott travel to Clermont, Kentucky to sit down with Alex Bowie, Director of Homeplace Experiences at the James B. Beam Distilling Co. The conversation was recorded on location in Beam’s brand-new podcast studio, with Bourbon Lens receiving early access to the space for an exclusive insider look. While working through a few first-day kinks in the new studio, Jake and Scott explore what makes the Beam Homeplace experience unique and dive into the current and upcoming whiskey innovations coming out of the James B. Beam Distilling Co. Alex...
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363: Jack Daniel’s New Tanyard Hill Rye & Heritage Barrel with Chris Fletcher
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of The Bourbon Lens Podcast, Jake and Scott sit down with Chris Fletcher, Master Distiller at Jack Daniel’s Distillery, to discuss several of the most exciting recent and upcoming releases from the historic Tennessee distillery. The conversation covers the debut of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Heritage Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, a new year-round offering built around barrels matured at the distillery’s highest elevations. Chris walks through the unique Heritage Barrel program, how lower barrel entry proof and warehouse placement influence flavor, and why this release...
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362: Inside The Classic Cocktail Revival with Jennifer Brian
Bourbon Lens
Bourbon Lens welcomes Jennifer Brian, "Cocktail Evangelist" and founder of , to discuss her upcoming book, , which released in September 2025 from the University Press of Kentucky. Born in the Bluegrass and shaped by deep family roots in Eastern Kentucky, Jennifer’s earliest memories of hospitality, food traditions, and gracious gatherings laid the foundation for her 25-year career in the hospitality industry. From luxury catering and event planning to becoming a nationally recognized cocktail evangelist, her work centers on collaboration, education, and making cocktails approachable for...
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361: Burnt Tavern Bourbon & William Berkele Distillery
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of The Bourbon Lens Podcast, Jake and Scott sit down with members of the team behind Burnt Tavern Bourbon, a new bourbon developed by William Berkele Distillery in collaboration with renowned whiskey maker Chip Tate. Joining the conversation are Bennett Clark, President of William Berkele Distillery, Royce Blevins, Lead Founder, and Chip Tate, Master Distiller. Together, they discuss the origins of Burnt Tavern Bourbon, the historical inspiration behind the brand, and how William Berkele Distillery is bringing a centuries-old story into the modern whiskey landscape. The episode...
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360: Inside the Estate Whiskey Alliance at UK's Beam Institute
Bourbon Lens
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...
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359: Field of Dreams Whiskey - Baseball, Bourbon, and Blending History
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...
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358: Southern Distilling’s Pete Barger on American Whiskey
Bourbon Lens
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...
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357: Showcasing Westland Garryana 10th Edition American Single Malt
Bourbon Lens
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...
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356: Three Chord Bourbon Volume 2, Vinyl Revival, & Whiskey Maker Ari Sussman
Bourbon Lens
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...
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355: Organic Spirits & Mountain Craft with Warfield Distillery’s Alex Buck
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of Bourbon Lens, Jake sits down with Alex Buck, Co-Founder and Managing Distiller of Warfield Distillery & Brewery in Ketchum, Idaho. The two discuss the origins of Warfield, how Alex transitioned from a career in law to distilling, and the inspiration behind the brand’s focus on organic spirits and sustainability. Alex shares insight into Warfield’s American Whiskey, Gin, and Barreled Gin, each crafted with a dedication to quality ingredients and a commitment to transparency in production. They explore what sets Warfield apart in the spirits world — from its...
info_outlineOn this week’s episode we sit down with Broken Barrel Whiskey Founder and CEO, Seth Benhaim. Seth started the Infuse Spirits Company in 2012 when he was 25 years old. The Infuse Spirits line focuses on naturally infusing and blending spirits with natural fruits and spices. Seth's passion for infusing spirits led him to become the youngest brand owner to ever win Best-in-Show and Double-Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
While the Infuse Spirits line primarily focuses on blending and infusing Vodka spirits, Seth realized he wanted to expand his blending experience to whiskey. This created the spin off from Infuse Spirits to Broken Barrel. We sat down with Seth and shared some pours of his Single Oak series of Broken Barrel Whiskey. The premise of this project, was sourcing Kentucky and Indiana whiskey, and then additional aging in steel containers, using staves from used barrels. In the single cask series, Seth has created a Mizunara finish, a Peated Scotch finish, and an Amontillado Sherry finish. Seth's process for accomplishing this, is to use reclaimed barrels that have seen a life of aging other whiskies. Once Seth receives the used barrels at his Los Angeles warehouse, he removes the barrel hoops and then the fun part, smashing the barrels with a sledge hammer, giving him the staves needed to age his whiskey and created unique flavor profiles.
It was fun getting to sit and talk with Seth for this podcast. Seth is not a Master Distiller, he is a spirits enthusiast who loves to blend sourced spirits and create new and interesting flavors that stand out in a crowded market. So pour yourself a dram and enjoy the show as we discuss what it’s like to start a business in the spirits industry and the inspiration behind creating the Broken Barrel Single Cask Series: Mizunara, Isle of Peat, and The Cask of Amontillado.
Cheers!
Details on The Single Oak Series Lineup from Broken Barrel Whiskey:
Read The Cask of Amontillado from Edgar Allen Poe
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Where is Broken Barrel Whiskey / Infuse Spirits Available?
Available across the US (ask your retailer)
In Kentucky (small sampling):
- TOTAL WINE & MORE
- BARDSTOWN BOURBON CO
- MAMMOTH LIQUORS
- LIBBYS COVINGTON
- DEPS FINE WINE & SPIRITS COVINGTON
- DEPS FINE WINE 424 ALEXANDRIA PIKE FORT THOMAS
- CORK & BOTTLE 584 BUTTERMILK PIKE FT MITCHELL
- GO BIG BLUE LIQUOR 1260 FOX CREEK RD STE B LAWRENCEBURG
- LUCKYS MARKET LIQUOR 210 N HURSTBOURNE PKWY LOUISVILLE
- ASPEN CREEK #376 8000 BARDSTOWN RD LOUISVILLE
- DOC CROWS SMOKEHOUSE 127 W MAIN ST LOUISVILLE
- JS LIQUORS 2216 NEW HARTFORD RD OWENSBORO
- SOUTHSIDE WINE & SPIRITS 222 S MAYO TRL PIKEVILLE
- THE BOURBON BARN 640 W KY 92 STE 1 WILLIAMSBURG