480. Bonjour Bourbon: A Deep Dive into French Oak Finishing
The Bourbon Road
Bonjour and welcome to another episode of The Bourbon Road! With Jim still observing Dry January, Todd Ritter is flying solo in the host chair—but he’s certainly not drinking alone. To help him navigate a deep dive into the world of French Oak finishing, Todd has recruited two heavy hitters from the local whiskey scene: returning guest Amzie "The Alec Baldwin of The Bourbon Road" Wenning and David Sandlin, proprietor of The House of Commons bar in Frankfort. The trio embarks on a flavorful journey to explore how French Oak influence changes the profile of both bourbon and rye. They kick...
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479. The Narrator, The Historian and The Guide
The Bourbon Road
Welcome back to the Bourbon Road! In this episode, your host Todd Ritter is flying solo while Jim takes a brief hiatus for Dry January. But don't worry—Todd isn't drinking alone. He has recruited two heavy hitters from the world of whiskey history and travel to fill the void and co-host a packed episode dedicated to the art of the distillery visit. Joining Todd in the studio is Drew Hannish, the voice behind Whiskey Lore and the author of the upcoming book Experiencing American Whiskey. With over 400 distillery visits under his belt across the United States and abroad, Drew brings a national...
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478. Travel Guide to Experiencing American Whiskey
The Bourbon Road
Jim and Todd welcome back a familiar face to the Bourbon Road: Drew Hannush, the host of the Whiskey Lore podcast and author of the massive new travel compendium, Experiencing American Whiskey . With the 2026 edition of his book hot off the press, Drew joins the hosts to discuss the monumental task of documenting over 1,000 distilleries across all 50 states . From the historic roots of Kentucky to the surprising whiskey scenes in states like New York and North Dakota, Drew shares stories from the road and tips for planning the ultimate whiskey adventure In the second half of the show, the...
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477. Whiskey of the Year 2025: The Top 5 Countdown
The Bourbon Road
It’s the most anticipated episode of the year! Jim and Todd return to the Bourbon Road bar to ring in the New Year and unveil their 2025 Whiskey of the Year. After a marathon year of reviewing nearly 200 different spirits—including 121 bourbons, 29 ryes, and 24 single malts—the hosts have crunched the data and narrowed the field down to five elite contenders. The "Top 5" lineup represents the absolute best pours of 2025, featuring heavy hitters from some of America's most iconic distilleries. The hosts revisit the Woodford Reserve Chocolate Malt Whisper Redux, a 139.4-proof "happy...
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476. New Year's Eve Sample Blowout: Calvados Casks to Mesquite Smoke
The Bourbon Road
Happy New Year from The Bourbon Road! Jim and Todd ring in the New Year at the Bourbon Road bar with one final sample show to close out 2025. With the "Whiskey of the Year" episode just around the corner, the hosts are clearing the decks and diving into four distinct and intriguing pours that range from experimental finishes to classic Kentucky profiles. It’s a diverse lineup that takes their palates on a journey from the coast of France to the American Southwest. The tasting begins with a luxurious offering from Bardstown Bourbon Company's Distillery Collection: the Normandy Calvados Brandy...
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475. The Wrath of Todd: Tasting the Harden's Creek Trio
The Bourbon Road
Jim and Todd return to the Bourbon Road bar for a sequel to their recent Jim Beam tasting, dubbing this episode "The Wrath of Todd" With the holiday season in full swing, the hosts settle in for a sample show dedicated to exploring the impact of warehouse location—or "terroir"—on whiskey. While there are no live guests in the studio, the episode features a special drop-in from friend of the show Drew Hannush (host of Whiskey Lore), who shares details about his massive new travel guide, Experiencing American Whiskey, a resource covering over 1,000 distilleries across the United States....
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474. Grain-to-Glass in North Carolina: Southern Distilling's Story
The Bourbon Road
Jim and Todd welcome Pete Barger, co-founder of Southern Distilling Company, to the show for a deep dive into the history and revival of Statesville, North Carolina—once known as the "Liquor Capital of the World". As one of the nation's largest privately owned distilleries, Southern Distilling balances a massive contract distilling operation with their own award-winning Southern Star brand, all while championing a "grain-to-glass" philosophy that supports over 5,000 acres of local farmland. The tasting kicks off with the Southern Star Bottled-in-Bond Straight Rye Whiskey. Crafted with a...
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473. Revenge of the Maltmigos
The Bourbon Road
The "Maltmigos" ride again! Jim and Todd welcome back recurring guests and fellow whiskey lovers, Amsey and Rob, for a long-awaited reunion show. Dubbed "The Revenge of the Maltmigos," this episode strays from the bourbon path to explore a diverse lineup of Irish whiskeys and Scotch whiskies, including a rare and experimental rye from a legendary Islay distillery. The tasting begins with a duo from Two Stacks Irish Whiskey. First up is The First Cut Complex Blend, a unique combination of grain, pot still, and malt whiskeys aged in virgin oak, ex-bourbon, and Oloroso sherry casks. At 86 proof,...
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472. Beam Me Up, Toddy: A Trek Through Jim Beam’s 2025 Rarities
The Bourbon Road
"Beam me up, Toddy!" Jim and Todd embark on a voyage to the final frontier of flavor with an epic tasting of four highly anticipated limited releases from the James B. Beam Distilling Co. In a show packed with Star Trek puns and serious spirits, the hosts explore how Eighth Generation Master Distiller Freddie Noe is pushing the boundaries of the family legacy. The mission begins with Little Book Chapter 9: "None For Granted." This 2025 release is a complex blend of five unique whiskeys, including 11-year-old bourbon, 8-year-old rye, and two distinct 7-year-old bourbons. Clocking in at 121.8...
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471. The Sample Safe: Unlocking Lost Lantern's Fall 2025 Collection
The Bourbon Road
Jim and Todd return to the "Corner Rick House" for a massive tasting session, cracking open the "Sample Safe" to explore Lost Lantern’s Fall 2025 Collection. Dubbed "The Scotch Lovers' Collection," this ambitious release focuses entirely on American Single Malt, showcasing the incredible diversity and maturity of the category across seven distinct expressions. From the maritime influence of Nantucket to the high-altitude mountains of Idaho, the hosts take a deep dive into unique mashbills, historic re-releases, and heavy-hitting barrel proofs. The journey begins with two blends: the American...
info_outlineIn a very special episode, host Todd Ritter travels back in time to sit down with a true titan of the bourbon industry: the ghost of Colonel E.H. Taylor, Jr. himself. Taking a brief leave from his permanent residence in the Frankfort Cemetery, the Colonel joins the show to tell his incredible life story in his own words. He recounts his early life, from being orphaned as a child and sent to live with a prominent guardian in New Orleans to being adopted by his uncle—the original Edmund Haynes Taylor—in Frankfort.
Colonel Taylor explains how he learned the banking business first, giving him a unique financial insight into the successes and failures of Kentucky's early distillers. This business acumen, combined with access to the meticulous distilling notes of the legendary Dr. James C. Crow, set him on a path to revolutionize the industry. He details his trip to Europe to study Old World techniques, bringing back innovations like climate-controlled rickhouses and copper distilling equipment. He walks listeners through the founding of his iconic distilleries, from the O.F.C. and Hermitage to his ultimate masterpiece, the Old Taylor Distillery (now Castle & Key), a stunning "showcase" designed to be the birthplace of bourbon tourism. Along the way, he shares tales of his famous falling out with his one-time business partner, George T. Stagg.
In the second half, the man behind the portrayal, Frankfort historian Russ Kennedy, steps out of character to join the show. Russ shares his own fascinating journey from being the "world's worst history student" to becoming one of Frankfort's most passionate historical storytellers. After a career with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, a post-retirement gig as a tour guide at the State Capitol ignited a love for local history. He discusses how he developed his craft, first portraying Frankfort's founder, Stephen Frank, before taking on the iconic role of Colonel Taylor. Russ talks about his work today, leading historical walking tours by appointment, making special appearances as the Colonel at distilleries and events, and his involvement in projects like the Frankfort bourbon history documentary. This unique episode is a departure from the usual tasting format, offering a rich, story-driven deep dive into the life and legacy of one of bourbon's most influential figures.
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