365: Exploring Old Potrero Rye and Junipero Gin with Kevin Aslan of Hotaling & Co.
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of The Bourbon Lens Podcast, Jake and Scott welcome Kevin Aslan of Hotaling & Co., Head Distiller/Blender for Old Potrero, and a longtime friend of the show. The conversation spans two shared passions—gin and rye whiskey—and highlights what makes Old Potrero one of the most distinctive producers in American whiskey. Jake and Scott dive into Kevin’s and Scott’s mutual love of gin, including a discussion of Junipero Gin and its lineup, exploring how botanical balance and unique gin prodction resonates with modern drinkers. The conversation then shifts to Old...
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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...
info_outlineBlue Run has experienced a lot of growth and success in the time since we last spoke with them on Episode 115. Their recognizable bottle and butterfly branding has helped propel their premium whiskies to the top shelf of many enthusiasts' bars. We catch up with Mike Montgomery and one of their newest team members, Shaylyn Gammon, to discuss the brand’s current position in the market and how they expect to continue to push the premium American Whiskey world.
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Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens
Show Links:
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- Blue Run Spirits
- Bourbon Lens Episode 115: Blue Run Spirits - Tapping A Legend of the Bourbon World
- This mom-to-be helped create the Best American Whiskey of 2021 without ever trying it
ABOUT MIKE MONTGOMERY
Mike Montgomery is cofounder and CEO of Blue Run Spirits. Mike has spent the last few decades in public affairs consulting after working with California-based elected officials. Prior to his time in politics, he worked with the U.S. Canoe & Kayak team in Lake Placid, NY. He is a proud graduate of the University of Washington. Mike and his wife and daughter reside in Los Angeles.
ABOUT SHAYLYN GAMMON
Blue Run Spirits recently announced the hiring of Shaylyn Gammon as its first Whiskey Director. Gammon will drive the development and expansion of Blue Run’s whiskey portfolio.
Gammon joins Blue Run Spirits from Campari Group, where she managed product innovation projects across the company’s North American portfolio. Based in Kentucky, she worked closely with the Bourbon Hall of Fame duo of Jimmy and Eddie Russell on Wild Turkey whiskies, in particular brand extensions such as Master’s Keep, Rare Breed, Russell’s Reserve and Matthew McConaughey’s Longbranch.
Gammon’s work with the Russell’s has been widely lauded. Most recently, Russell's Reserve 13-Year-Old Bourbon was named the “Best American Whiskey of 2021” by world-renowned spirits critic and bourbon authority Fred Minnick. Double Gold Medal wins at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition include Longbranch, Rare Breed Rye, and Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye, which was also a finalist for Rye Whiskey of the Year at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
As Blue Run’s Whiskey Director, Gammon will work with the Blue Run team on the selection of sourced barrels for the company’s bourbon and rye releases, prepare the company’s private barrel selection program, and serve as a distillation apprentice to Blue Run Liquid Advisor Jim Rutledge. She will also work closely with the Blue Run team to strengthen and grow its comprehensive, long-term product and innovation strategy, tapping into her years of experience as a research and development scientist, and, of course, a huge whiskey fan.
In addition to Campari Group, Gammon’s experience includes AmeriQual Foods, YUM! Brands and Land O’Frost. She is a member of the Bourbon Women Association; Women of the Vine and Spirits; and Louisville Women Leaders and is a graduate of the University of Kentucky in food science.
ABOUT BLUE RUN SPIRITS
Blue Run Spirits was started in October 2020 and has since created seven whiskey releases – several with separate expressions in a single release, such as the recent 12 Days of Single Barrel High Rye Bourbon this past December.
The company’s releases have sold out in mere minutes and have received many accolades, including Blue Run 14-Year-Old Small Batch Bourbon, which was awarded top honors at the prestigious 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition winning Best Small Batch Bourbon – 11 Years & Older, along with a Double Gold Medal. The company’s spring 2021 release, Blue Run 13.5-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon, was awarded Best Single Barrel Bourbon – 11 Years & Older, as well as a Double Gold Medal. Blue Run Kentucky Straight Golden Rye Whiskey was awarded a Gold Medal.
Find Blue Run Spirits online at www.bluerunspirits.com, and on social media: Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Blue Run Spirits is a new kind of spirits company, creating a unique luxury proposition by tapping into the deep heritage and craft that makes a truly great whiskey, then elevating it through a modern design and marketing lens to reach a younger, broader and more diverse whiskey drinker. The company’s founders include a Nike designer, the first director-level employee at Facebook, a hospitality executive, a political advisor, and a philanthropist – all huge whiskey fans and individuals who acutely understand how to build demand and buzz for a contemporary consumer product. They are backed by a team of advisors including Nike marketing experts; the Campari communications veteran behind Wild Turkey and the Aperol Spritz; a former spirits distributor; and others with deep industry experience. The Blue Run name is a nod to one of our founder’s upbringing in Georgetown, KY.