277: The New Chapter in the History of Templeton Distillery
Bourbon Lens
Our guest today is Shane Fitzharris for Templeton Distillery in Iowa. Shane is the Senior VP for Commercial for Infinium Spirits, owner of the Templeton Distillery and brands. We discuss the next chapter in Templeton’s history as they recently released their first spirit distilled in-house; Fortitude Straight Iowa Bourbon. We discuss the history of the brand, their revival of the brand, and how they sourced a very popular Rye Whiskey to grow their brand to be in a position to distill and release their own distilled spirits. We are thankful for your support over the...
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276: How Brown-Forman Focuses on Sustainability with a Global Spirits Portfolio
Bourbon Lens
Our guest today is Andy Battjes, Brown-Forman’s Director of Global Environmental Sustainability. With responsibility over the company’s diverse, global spirits portfolio, Andy is a company leader who drives their sustainability initiatives around the globe. Through his work over the last 18+ years, Battjes has guided Brown-Forman in targeting areas within the supply chain and beyond where they can implement green initiatives. Brown-Forman (home to iconic brands such as Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Old Forester, Tequila Herradura, and Woodford Reserve) is working on making...
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275: Keeper’s Heart and the Bright Future of O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co.
Bourbon Lens
Jake is joined by Brian Nation to talk about Keeper’s Heart Whiskey and catch up since his first appearance back in . Keeper’s Heart is a unique blend of Irish Whiskeys and American Whiskeys. Bringing together two unique distilling traditions, O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. and Keeper’s Heart are led by industry legend, Master Distiller Brian Nation, previously of Jameson, Redbreast, and Midleton. We are thankful for your support over the last 5 years. We must give the biggest shoutout to our growing Patreon Community of supporters! As always, we'd appreciate it if you would take...
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274: What is Your "Special Occasion" Bourbon?
Bourbon Lens
Jake and Scott are talking about bourbons that are perfect for special occasions. As we head into Derby season here in the Bluegrass State and the upcoming Kentucky Derby 150, we couldn't help but think that it would be a perfect event to crack open some special bottles. We discuss some advice on finding a special bottle to celebrate an occasion, event, or a special person. The best part is, a special occasion pour doesn’t always have to be priceless or unobtainable. Some of the best choices might be right under our noses. What’s one bottle that you are saving...
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273: Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey But With a Strong Age Statement
Bourbon Lens
Jake and Scott sit down with the two newest Batches of the Jack Daniel's Aged Series of Tennessee Whiskey. These include Batch 2 of the 12 Year and Batch 3 of the 10 Year. How do they stack up and are they worth the hunt? Find out in today's episode! The Jack Daniel Distillery recently announced the release of Batch 2 of its 12-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey and Batch 3 of its 10-Year-Old Tennessee Whiskey. The expressions are the latest in the Jack Daniel’s Aged Series, an annual release of age-stated expressions launched in 2021 to honor the brand’s whiskey-making...
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272: Kyle Busch Competes with the 'Rebel Spirit' in NASCAR
Bourbon Lens
The worlds of Bourbon and NASCAR collide in this week’s episode of Bourbon Lens. Kyle “Rowdy” Busch and Master Distiller John Rempe from Lux Row Distillers talk all things Rebel Bourbon. For the first time ever, Kyle’s #8 Chevy Camaro is fully wrapped in Rebel Bourbon branding this weekend for the NASCAR Cup Series in Richmond. We discuss the partnership between Rebel Bourbon and Kyle Busch, the importance of sponsors in the sport, and how Kyle exemplifies the Rebel Spirit. Master Distiller John Rempe talks about his work at Lux Row Distillers, production of the Rebel...
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271: Aaron Harris is Stewarding Green River Distilling into the Future
Bourbon Lens
Our guest this week is Aaron Harris, Head Distiller at Green River Distilling Co. in Owensboro Kentucky. Aaron is tasked with stewarding this historic distillery and ensuring its presence as a modern whiskey powerhouse. We discuss Aaron’s background in whiskey, distillery operations, their latest release of Green River Straight Rye Whiskey, and his goals for the brand in the future. Check out this week’s insightful episode featuring Green River Distilling Co. For more details on Green River Rye Whiskey, check out the release info on . We are thankful for your support over the...
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270: Cedar Ridge is a Hidden Gem Distillery in Iowa
Bourbon Lens
We’re joined by Murphy Quint, Master Distiller for Cedar Ridge Distillery. Located in Swisher Iowa, Cedar Ridge Distilley is producing a variety of whiskies, including their Iowa Bourbon and American Single Malts, which we taste in this episode. We discuss QuintEssential American Single Malt, QuintEssential Portside, Barrel Proof Bourbon, and Double Barrel Bourbon. We are thankful for your support over the last 5 years. We must give the biggest shoutout to our growing Patreon Community of supporters! As always, we'd appreciate it if you would take a few minutes time...
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269: A Look Inside the New “Whiskey House” with its Founders
Bourbon Lens
We’re on location at Whiskey House with two of its co-founders, David Mandell and John Hargrove. Located in Elizabethtown Kentucky, Whiskey House is heading into the final stages of construction and plans to be the most sophisticated, technically advanced producer of custom bourbon and American whiskey in the United States. We learn about their plans to satisfy a unique need in the whiskey world and potentially disrupt the current sourced whiskey market. Whiskey House’s sole focus is their customers and, in that vein, this facility will not be open to the public. The Whiskey House will...
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268: Exploring the Story of North Carolina's Oaklore Distilling Co.
Bourbon Lens
Friends and co-Founders, Matt Simpkins and Thomas Bogan, join Bourbon Lens in this week’s podcast. We’re talking Oaklore Distilling Co. in Matthews, NC. Tom and Matt started like most whiskey hobbyists do, with tasting nights in their basements and at their bars, but quickly developed their passion into a brand and now distillery. Located in North Carolina, Oaklore is looking to embrace its community as it grows its distilling operation and its distribution footprint through DTC online sales. We tasted their North Carolina Straight Rye and Four Grain Straight Bourbon in...
info_outlineFour Gate Whiskey Company recently released Batch 6 and 7 of their whiskey series and were nice enough to send us some samples to check out. Batch 6 is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in Cognac and Rum Casks and Batch 7 is their first release of a Rye Whiskey. If you haven't already listened to Episode 58, be sure to check out that podcast interview with the brand owners, Bill Straub and Bob D'Antoni.
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Batch Details from Four Gate Whiskey Company
Batch 6 - THE KELVIN COLLABORATION II
- In April of 2019, we released our very first barrel finished whiskey, dubbed THE KELVIN COLLABORATION. The reception was better than we ever could have hoped for. To follow up on that with our first release in 2020, we returned to the same mash bill that made batch 1 so popular and added a twist.
- In collaboration with Kelvin Cooperage, we took our now 12 year old high rye Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and filled three massive Cognac barrels and a selection of dark rum barrels Kelvin Cooperage acquired from the same rum distillery as the barrels used to finish batch 1.
- 12 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon finished in Cognac and Rum Casks
- Mash Bill: 74% Corn, 18% Rye, 8% Malted Barley
- Non-Chill Filtered
- 126.4 Proof
- 2,574 Bottles
- MSRP: $199.99
- Available:now, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Seelbachs.com only
- TASTING NOTES
- Nose: Deep brown
- Taste: Sweet and spicy, the outer palate is coated with sugary molasses and dark rum notes while the rear palate is inundated with mature oak and booze-soaked red grapes.
- Finish: Medium-long, the rum and barrel tannins linger in a sweet yet oak-filled experience.
Batch 7 - River Kelvin Rye
- 7 year blend of 95-5 (Rye/malted barley) Indiana straight rye (MGP).
- 113.2 Proof - barrel proof
- 1484 Bottles produced
- MSRP: $174.99
- Available in KY, Indiana and Seelbachs.com
- This base whiskey will undergo two barrel finishes in the future for future batches
- 1st is Kelvin’s Split Stave (holidays 2020)
- 2nd is Ruby Port-Rum Casks (2021)
- Four Gate Whiskey is releasing its first-ever Straight Rye Whiskey.
- Tasting Notes:
- Appearance: Medium Amber
- Nose: Mint, candied citrus, lemon zest, black pepper, dill.
- Taste: A splash of refreshing mint hits the tip of the tongue and is followed by candied oranges and lemon zest on the mid palate. The rear palate is greeted with spicy black pepper and sweet citrus.
- Finish: Medium in length, the black pepper, spice, and lemon zest coat the mouth with a pleasingly refreshing finish
- Previously, Four Gate releases have all been either straight bourbon or barrel finished bourbon. This marks the first expansion of the company’s product line into a new spirit since its launch in 2018.