324: Augusta Distillery and Its Future with Master Distiller Alex Castle
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of Bourbon Lens, hosts Jake and Scott sit down with Augusta Distillery’s master distiller, Alex Castle. Alex shares the story of her journey to Augusta after her time at Old Dominick Distillery in Tennessee, offering a behind-the-scenes look at her transition and the innovative direction she's taking Augusta Distillery. During the conversation, we dive into Augusta's approach to sourced whiskey, their unique commitment to producing single cask and cask strength bourbons, and the philosophy that drives their craft. Alex also shares insights into their future plans as...
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323: The Origin Story of Bourbon Lore with Mason Walker & Clay Risen
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of the Bourbon Lens Podcast, host Jake sits down with Mason Walker and Clay Risen from Bourbon Lore®, a unique community of bourbon enthusiasts, collectors, and connoisseurs built around a shared love for the best American whiskey has to offer. Together, they discuss the history of bourbon, delving into its origins, the iconic figures behind its rise, and the enduring legacy that has made it one of America’s most celebrated spirits. Tune in and discover the origin story of Bourbon Lore! If you’re ultra-passionate about bourbon or want to learn more about its most legendary...
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322: Exploring Whiskey Thief Distilling Co.'s New Location with Walter Zausch
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of the Bourbon Lens podcast, hosts Jake and Scott take a trip to the . We sit down with Walter Zausch to learn about the distillery’s exciting new space and what visitors can expect when they visit either of their locations. From the one-of-a-kind experience of thieving unique whiskies directly from the barrel to the vibrant atmosphere of NuLu, this episode dives into the distinct experience Whiskey Thief offers its guests. Walter shares behind-the-scenes insights into the distillery's growth, the evolving bourbon scene in Louisville, and what makes their approach to bourbon...
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321: Bottled in Bond with Heaven Hill’s Bernie Lubbers & Adam Edwards
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of Bourbon Lens, we take a trip to the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience on Whisky Row, located in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky. We sit down with two of Heaven Hill’s finest, Bernie Lubbers and Adam Edwards, to dive deep into the world of Bottled in Bond. As one of the most significant designations in the bourbon industry, Bottled in Bond holds a special place at Heaven Hill. Bernie and Adam provide invaluable insight into its history, its meaning to both bourbon enthusiasts and consumers, and why this category is still thriving in today’s bourbon landscape. Tune in as...
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320: Bulleit Unveils New Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon: Celebrating Bottled in Bond Day
Bourbon Lens
In this special episode of the Bourbon Lens podcast, Jake and Scott dive into an exciting new release from Bulleit Whiskey – their first-ever Bottled-in-Bond bourbon expression. In honor of Bottled in Bond Day (March 3), we're joined by Courtney King. Courtney is the Distillery Manager at Bulleit Distillery and she joins us to share insights on the distilling process, the importance of the Bottled-in-Bond designation, and what makes this new expression stand out. Discover the journey behind Bulleit's latest innovation, how the team crafted this whiskey to meet the stringent...
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319: Exploring Larrikin Bourbon Co. with Co-Founder Greg Keeley
Bourbon Lens
In this exciting new episode of Bourbon Lens, hosts Jake and Scott sit down with Greg Keeley, the co-founder of Larrikin Bourbon Co., to dive deep into the building (and rebranding) of a bourbon company. Together, they discuss the origins of Larrikin Bourbon Co., the brand’s ethos, and what makes their whiskey stand out in a crowded market. We are thankful for your support over the last 6 years. We must give the biggest shoutout to our amazing community of Patreon supporters! As always, we'd appreciate it if you would take a few minutes time to give us feedback on Bourbon Lens podcast. If...
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318: The Best Bourbon Distilleries from Around the United States
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of the Bourbon Lens Podcast, hosts Jake and Scott take a closer look at some of their favorite bourbon distilleries from across the United States. Join us as we explore Wyoming Whiskey, Boulder Spirits, Holladay Distillery, and more, and dive into what makes each of these distilleries unique. Did we miss any of your favorite "non-Kentucky Bourbon" distilleries? Drop us a line and tell us which distillery we need to discover next. We are thankful for your support over the last 6 years. We must give the biggest shoutout to our amazing community of Patreon supporters!...
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317: High Bank Small Batch Bourbon: A New Chapter for Ohio Distillery
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of Bourbon Lens podcast, Jake and Scott are joined by Adam Hines, co-founder of High Bank Distillery Co., to discuss the release of their highly anticipated High Bank Small Batch Bourbon. This release marks a new chapter in the distillery's journey, bringing their very own well-aged and flavorful bourbon to market. Adam talks about the six years of waiting and crafting that went into creating this unique bourbon, highlighting its wheated mash bill. According to the distillery, High Bank Small Batch Bourbon offers a rich nose of malted chocolate and oak, followed by sweet wheat,...
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316: Chicken Cock Whiskey's New Stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of the Bourbon Lens podcast, Jake and Scott are joined by Will Woodington, the National Brand Ambassador for Chicken Cock Whiskey. Together, they dive deep into the rich history of Chicken Cock Whiskey, discuss its distinctive branding, and explore its exciting new chapter as it joins the Kentucky Bourbon Trail with their visitor experience, Circa 1856 in Bardstown. Tune in to learn more about this iconic whiskey brand, its legacy, and what makes Chicken Cock Whiskey appealing for any bourbon enthusiast. Plus, get an inside look at Circa 1856 as Chicken Cock continues to expand...
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315: On the Hunt for Buffalo Trace Antique Collection
Bourbon Lens
In this episode of the Bourbon Lens podcast, hosts Jake and Scott dive deep into the highly anticipated Buffalo Trace Antique Collection 2024. Join them as they explore the flavors and complexities of these limited release whiskies, giving their thoughts and insights on each whiskey in the collection. A special thanks to the team at Sazerac for providing the opportunity to taste these rare whiskeys. Without their support, this episode wouldn't have been possible. Don't miss out—listen now for an inside look at the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection 2024! We are thankful for your support over...
info_outlinePerfect for summer, our guest today is here to talk about all things Cocktails! He is Jonathan Pogash, also known as “The Cocktail Guru”. Jonathan joins Jake to talk about being creative with cocktails at home and his tips for any home bartender. Join us as we expand our palate from our usual whiskey neat to more complex drinks. Cheers!
Stream this episode on your favorite podcast app and be sure to drop us a review while you’re there.
We are thankful for everyone who has supported us. A huge shoutout goes to our growing Patreon Community as well! We'd appreciate it if you can take the time to give us feedback on our podcast. If you enjoy our content, consider giving us a 5 star rating on your favorite podcast app, leave us a review, and tell a fellow bourbon lover about our show.
Follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, & Twitter. And please check out our Patreon to learn how you can support our endeavors, earn Bourbon Lens swag, be part of future barrel picks, and more. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please email us at [email protected].
Check out our BourbonLens.com to read our blog posts, whiskey news, podcast archive, and details on our upcoming single barrel picks.
Cheers,
Scott and Jake
Bourbon Lens
About Jonathan Pogash:
Jonathan Pogash is the founder, owner and President of The Cocktail GuruTM - one of the most premier cocktail and full-service hospitality consultancy companies in the country. He was initially trained by cocktail-world luminaries Steve Olson, Gary Regan, Julie Reiner, and Albert Trummer. Under these legends, he studied technique, cocktail history, fresh ingredients, and seasonality and developed his hallmark techniques.
Jonathan launched The Cocktail Guru in 2006 initially as a side hustle, while he worked as an actor and craft cocktail bartender in NYC. The demand for The Cocktail Guru’s services skyrocketed quickly, which turned into a full time, multi-platform hospitality consulting business. Jonathan swiftly assembled an all- star team of world-renowned mixologist, drinks experts, and scholars dedicated to bringing liquid joy and cocktail knowledge to the roster of clients.
Today, The Cocktail Guru is an eclectic collective that has expanded its’ offerings. The unique mix of creative, engaging, and informative services that the Gurus deliver are inspirational and impactful. In addition to consulting services for bars, brands, restaurants, and hotels, the team has expanded to accommodate requests for a growing number of special events for the public. The Collective of Gurus offer not only trainings, but menu & signature cocktail development, event hosting, company happy hours, bachelor and bachelorette parties, private parties, weddings, media appearances and more.
Jonathan and his savvy team of Cocktail Gurus execute private and corporate events, design signature cocktails for small to large spirit brands, host team building mixology courses and Masterclasses, and develop craft cocktail programs for restaurants, bars, hotels and resorts.
Jonathan himself represents beverage brands by leading educational experiences, training bartenders, presenting consumer‐facing classes and seminars, and acting as media and industry spokesperson. With nearly 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, Jonathan shares his insights with the most influential publications from around the world and frequently contributes his unique talents to morning television shows and national radio. His signature cocktails can be seen and enjoyed in many of North America’s most upscale cocktail lounges and restaurants.
In 2021, Jonathan and his father, notable author and celebrated spirits industry veteran Jeffrey Pogash (“How to Read a Wine Label”, “Bloody Mary”) launched The Cocktail Guru Podcast, where they host and toast everyone from spirits industry icons to celebrities.
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