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...
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470. Jim Returns for a Winner Winner Chicken Dinner
The Bourbon Road
Jim Shannon is back in the saddle at the Corner Rick House! After a week of travel, he rejoins Todd Ritter to recap Todd’s recent solo history lesson and, more importantly, to dive into a "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner" review show featuring four distinct and intriguing whiskeys. From new brands with legendary backing to rare single-barrel finds, the hosts put their palates to the test in a battle for the top spot. The tasting begins with Burnt Tavern Bourbon, a 7-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon with a backstory of resilience. Developed with the help of master distiller Chip Tate, this...
info_outlineJim and Todd sit down for their annual "Bourbon on the Banks" wrap-up show, joined by two key figures behind the successful event, Diane Strong and Renee True. As longtime listeners and friends of the show, Diane and Renee dive deep into a "postmortem" of the 2025 festival, discussing its record-breaking successes, logistical challenges, and plans for the future, all while tasting a couple of the event's exclusive barrel picks.
The tasting kicks off with the Pursuit United Bourbon on the Banks Pick, a 108-proof bourbon finished with a unique tobacco stave. Todd, Diane, and Renee, who were all part of the large selection team, reflect on their choice, noting that the crowd-pleasing "sweet" and "smooth" profile made it a winner. The pour is rich with notes of sweet pipe tobacco, caramel, and a distinct chocolaty, candy-like quality.
The group discusses the massive success of the festival's single-barrel pick program, which featured 11 or 12 different selections this year. Many, like the Bluegrass and Chicken Cock picks, sold out quickly. They also highlight the "rock star" quality of the picking teams, which often included a mix of industry professionals and highly knowledgeable consumers, ensuring a high standard across the board.
Diane and Renee share insights into the festival's record-breaking year. The Friday night VIP event, which celebrated "Women in Bourbon," was a huge success. The event's auction was a standout, raising over $22,000 for local charities. Attendance for the main festival hit a new high, selling out a full month in advance and welcoming over 300 more attendees than the previous year. The tiered ticket structure (Special Access, Early Access, General Admission, and Twilight) was successful, and due to positive feedback, the event may be extended by an hour in 2026.
The second pour comes with a fantastic backstory: the Dark Arts Bourbon on the Banks 2024 Pick. Due to a distributor mix-up, this 7.5-year-old bourbon, finished in Tokai wine casks, was mistakenly absent from the 2024 festival. The bottles were held in a warehouse for a year and finally made their debut at the 2025 event. Jim, Todd, and Renee—who also selected this barrel—revisit their 113.24-proof pick, praising it as "dessert in a glass" with decadent notes of fig, sweet caramel, and deep, rich oak.
The conversation covers the entire weekend, from the positive feedback on the Thursday night "Whiskey Thieves Kickoff" and "Bourbon Street on Broadway" to the packed after-party. A major logistical victory for 2025 was the permanent relocation of the local farmer's market, which previously conflicted with setup. This new freedom will allow the festival to start earlier next year. They also discuss attendee feedback, such as requests for lanyards and a mobile app, and the great community response to inviting more social media influencers and YouTubers to cover the event, which Diane notes helps shine a light on the smaller, craft distilleries that make the festival unique.
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!