356: Three Chord Bourbon Volume 2, Vinyl Revival, & Whiskey Maker Ari Sussman

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 flavor and design.

The conversation also explores the resurgence of vinyl records, the art of slowing down, and the simple joy of enjoying a great whiskey while listening to your favorite album. For whiskey lovers and music fans alike, this episode captures the spirit of craftsmanship and rhythm that defines Three Chord Bourbon.

Listen now and join the conversation about how music, creativity, and whiskey continue to inspire one another.

Stream this episode on your favorite podcast platform, and if you enjoy what you hear, we’d love for you to leave us a review.

We’re incredibly grateful for your continued support over the past six years. A special thank you goes out to our amazing community of Patreon supporters—your support helps keep Bourbon Lens going strong! If you’re enjoying the podcast, consider leaving a 5-star rating, writing a quick review, and sharing the show with a fellow bourbon enthusiast.

You can follow us @BourbonLens on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. Want to go a step further? Support us on Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content, Bourbon Lens swag, access to our Tasting Club, and more.

Have questions, feedback, or guest suggestions? Drop us a line at [e-mail].

Explore BourbonLens.com for blog posts, the latest whiskey news, our full podcast archive, and detailed whiskey reviews.

Cheers,
Scott & Jake
Bourbon Lens

About Three Chord:

Founded by musician and producer Neil Giraldo, Three Chord Bourbon is dedicated to creating premium bourbon that harmonizes exceptional craftsmanship with a passion for music. Each bottle represents a unique blend, carefully curated and finished to deliver a rich and memorable experience.

Volume 2 Includes:

• Flipside Triplewood Bourbon features Guitar Shorty, an incredible blues artist who we lost in 2022. Bob Dylan once said that "Shorty played guitar with everything but his hands." His performances were electrifying. This blend of straight Kentucky bourbons is aged in new charred American Oak barrels and then finished in a mix of new and used toasted French and American oak barrels.  
  • 4-7 years old
  • 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley. 
  • Finished for 2-3 months.
  • DOUBLE GOLD at SF World Spirits Competition.
• Hard Pressed Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon features Cordell Jackson, one of the originators of rockabilly and early rock 'n' roll in Memphis. In the 1950s, she owned her own record studio, recorded her own music, and pressed her own vinyl, which was unheard of for a female.
  • 100 proof.
  • Aged for four years
  • 80% corn, 10% rye, 10% malted barley.
• RIOT Double Bonded Rye features punk group The Darts and is meant to inject something totally different into the whiskey aisle. Its hot pink and black artwork stands out against a sea of green labels in the Rye whiskey section. It's the first-ever Double Bonded Rye, meaning a blend of two Bottled-in-Bond ryes from two different distilleries, MGP and Bardstown Bourbon Company. 
  • 4-7 years old
  • 95% rye, 5% malted barley.
  • Gold medal at SF World Spirits Competition.
• Un-Edited features the singer of Purple Disturbance, an Australian band. The picture just had so much raw energy that it was the perfect fit for our uncut, unfiltered 118-proof bourbon.
  • 4 yr TN (80/10/10), 6 yr IN (75/21/4), 7 year KY (75/21/4).
  • Gold medal at SF World Spirits Competition
• Strange Collab features Neil Giraldo, shredding away next to his friend and bandmate, Rick Derringer. This one is the only Pinot Noir finished bourbon on the market today. It started as a one-off collaboration for charity and has since won awards and received 90+ point scores. The back label features Johnny Strange, an adventurer with close ties to Neil, who died far too young.
  • A portion of the proceeds go to the Johnny Strange Foundation. 
  • 4-7 years old,
  • 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley.
  • Finished for 3-4 months in Strange Family Vineyards' Pinot Noir barrels.

Image Credit: Three Chord Bourbon