452. Mother of Bourbon: A Whiskey Story Worth Telling
The Bourbon Road
In this captivating episode of The Bourbon Road, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter sit down with Rabbit Hole founder Kaveh Zamanian at the distillery’s stunning downtown Louisville location for a twofold journey: one through the glass, and one through time. Their guest isn’t just a master distiller and entrepreneur — he’s now an author, and his new book, Mother of Bourbon: The Greatest American Whiskey Story Never Told, brings the remarkable story of Mary Dowling into the spotlight. As the episode unfolds, Kaveh shares how a footnote in an old text sparked years of research into...
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451. From Ground to Glass: Inside Lost Lantern’s Summer Collection Part 2
The Bourbon Road
In this episode of The Bourbon Road, Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter return for Part Two of their deep dive into Lost Lantern’s 2025 Summer Collection — and this time, it’s all about the rye. The duo tastes through a curated lineup of four standout rye whiskeys, plus a bonus pour, delivering flavor notes, backstories, and some playful banter along the way. The tasting kicks off with Far North Spirits from Minnesota, a 4-year-old rye clocking in at 111.5 proof. It impresses with grain-forward notes, minty freshness, and a candy-like sweetness that evolves into a spicy finish — evoking...
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450. From Ground to Glass: Inside Lost Lantern’s Summer Collection Part 1
The Bourbon Road
In this week’s episode of The Bourbon Road, Jim and Todd settle into the Bourbon Road Bar with four exciting pours—all part of Lost Lantern’s 2025 Summer Collection. Known for spotlighting unique, independently bottled whiskeys, Lost Lantern returns with a compelling lineup that champions estate distilleries—those growing their own grains and crafting whiskey that truly reflects a sense of place. The hosts dive headfirst into these new expressions, starting with a robust 118.1 proof bourbon from Whiskey Acres in DeKalb, Illinois. With a mashbill of yellow dent corn, wheat, and malted...
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449. Estate Grown & Climate Controlled: The Innovative Spirit of Minden Mill
The Bourbon Road
In this episode of the Bourbon Road podcast, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter are joined by Joe O'Sullivan, Master Distiller at Minden Mill Distilling, for an in-depth exploration of their unique Nevada-born spirits. This episode offers a fascinating look into the world of estate distilling, where Minden Mill grows 85% of its own grains right in the challenging high-altitude climate of Nevada, just a stone's throw from Lake Tahoe . The conversation kicks off with a tasting of the Minden Mill Nevada Straight Rye. O'Sullivan details its 80% rye, 10% wheat, and 10% barley grain bill, all...
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448. High Proof and Higher Spirits: Four Whiskeys, One Wild Ride
The Bourbon Road
In this relaxed and whiskey-rich episode of The Bourbon Road, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter take a well-earned pause from their recent travels and barrel picks to enjoy a night of good conversation and even better pours. Broadcasting from the Bourbon Road Bar in Simpsonville, Kentucky, the duo dives into a curated flight of four whiskeys—two bourbons and two ryes—with a monster of a surprise in the final glass. You'll hear stories of legendary Kentucky moonshine, high-proof adventures, and reflections on the growing bourbon community, including updates on their recent roadie meetups...
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447. West Fork Whiskey: Bold Spirits from the Heartland
The Bourbon Road
This week on The Bourbon Road, Jim and Todd sit down with Julian Jones of West Fork Whiskey, an emerging Indiana distillery making bold moves in the American whiskey scene. In a rare twist, the trio kicks things off with a reverse-proof tasting—starting strong with Old Hammer Cask Strength Bourbon. Julian shares the story behind West Fork’s grain-to-glass mission, the challenges of building a craft brand in a Kentucky-dominated world, and why Indiana whiskey deserves your attention. Don’t miss this insightful and flavorful journey through the heartland of whiskey innovation. Be...
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446. The Heart of Bourbon with Filmmaker Bo Cumberland
The Bourbon Road
In this episode of The Bourbon Road, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter sit down in Frankfort, Kentucky, with filmmaker and bourbon enthusiast Bo Cumberland. Known to fans of the show and followers of the Bourbon Road Facebook community, Bo is the creative mind behind the documentary Frankfort, Kentucky: The Heart of Bourbon, a project highlighting the deep roots and vibrant community surrounding bourbon in Kentucky’s capital. Bo shares his personal journey - from his move from Knoxville, Tennessee to Sparta, Kentucky - driven by a passion for bourbon and a desire to immerse himself in the...
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445. Crazy Eights: Exploring the Wild Turkey 8-Year Legacy
The Bourbon Road
Hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter, feature special guest David Sandlin, bourbon historian and owner of House of Commons in Frankfort, Kentucky . This episode, affectionately dubbed "Crazy Eights," embarks on a fascinating tasting journey through five different versions of Wild Turkey 8-year bourbon . The hosts and David analyze various expressions, starting with the recently released 2025 Wild Turkey 8-year 101 . They delve into its nose, noting hints of peanut shell, lemon, and a spicier, more prominent rye note than typically found in Wild Turkey, along with subtle clove and dark chocolate...
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444. Colorado Craft: Unpacking the Terroir and Tradition at Laws Whiskey House
The Bourbon Road
This episode of the Bourbon Road podcast features Jim Shannon (traveling in Denver, Colorado) interviewing Al Laws of Laws Whiskey House. Laws shares the history and philosophy behind his Denver-based distillery, emphasizing their grain-to-glass approach using heirloom Colorado grains like Centennial white wheat and San Luis Valley rye. He discusses the mash bill of their flagship Four Grain Bourbon (60% corn, 20% wheat, 10% rye, 10% malt) and the specific flavor contributions of each grain, including the unique "penny metallic bite" from the rye and nutty finish from the scarlet barley. Laws...
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443. The Great Divide: Bourbon, Barrel Picks, and Beyond
The Bourbon Road
Hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter, connecting remotely from Colorado and Kentucky respectively, discuss recent happenings in the bourbon world and taste a couple of whiskies. Jim is in Colorado Springs for a Derby party, having flown out of Louisville on Derby Day. He mentions winning an exacta on the Derby race. He is sipping on Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select 90.4 proof, the annual Derby bottle, describing it as a traditional Woodford. He notes that at the Derby party, they were making mint juleps with Evan Williams Bottled-in-Bond, and while not his favorite drink, he partook. He even...
info_outlineJim and Todd celebrate the New Year by ranking the top 6 bourbons of 2024. Listen in as we taste through and rank our favorites from last year. By the end of the show you will find out our 2024 Bourbon of the Year! Cheers to 2024, Happy New Year and much more to come in 2025.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Smokeys Lifestyle Cigars
The Hill House Bed and Breakfast
Be sure to check out our private Facebook group, "The Bourbon Roadies" for a great group of bourbon loving people. You will be welcomed with open arms!