This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes a ride to Danville, Kentucky to chat with Dr. Pat Heist, co-founder of Wilderness Trail Distillery. Dr. Heist tells Big Chief and listeners how his partner Shane and himself went from playing heavy metal music to being the leaders in fermentation. Their work with distilleries around the world w…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, Matt and Mark are on location at Augusta Distillery in Augusta, Kentucky for the release of their 17-Year Old Buckner’s Bourbon and they also spend some time hanging out with 4x guest, and Augusta Distillery’s brand new Master Distiller and Director of Distillery Operations, Alex…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes a ride to northern Michigan to chat with Chris Fredrickson, Co-Founder of Traverse City Whiskey Company. Chris tells Big Chief and listeners about the history of Traverse City Whiskey. He explains how they have leveraged the cherries from his family’s orchards to create an amazing cherry whiske…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, Mark and his special co-host, Stacey, spend some time hanging out on location at The Kitchen Table at The James B. Beam Distilling Co. with Jason Betts, Consumer Relations Manager, for The James B. Beam Distilling Co. Mark & Stacey talk with Jason about his extensive background a…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes a ride with Ella Parlor, author of the best selling book High Tolerance: The Intoxicating World of Alcohol Marketing. Ella tells listeners of her rise from an 18-year-old pitching energy drinks to becoming a marketing head for two of the largest companies in the alcohol industry. She now has he…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, Matt & Mark spend some time hanging out with Tim Piersant, CEO & Founder, of Chattanooga Whiskey. The guys talk with Tim about his background and previous career working for his dad’s business and how he eventually ended up in the whiskey business, the creation of the Chattanooga…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes a ride to Northern, Virginia to visit Rebecca Harris from Catoctin Creek Distilling Company. Becky takes the big man through the history of Catoctin Creek and their Virginia Rye Whiskies. After years of being a chemical engineer she, along with her husband, started this craft distillery in Purc…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, The Bourbon Life Skeleton Crew (Matt, Mark, & Chad) spend some time hanging out in The Bourbon Life Studios enjoying some great pours and great conversation. The guys talk about several new releases that have just come out and discuss whether the pricing on new releases has gotte…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes a ride to the historic Mount Vernon, Virginia to visit Steven Bashore from George Washington’s Distillery. Steven takes the big man through the history of George Washington’s famous homestead and his distillery. With a new farm manger, came new ideas. One of those ideas was a way to profit from…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with Aaron Goldfarb, Author, of Dusty Booze: In Search of Vintage Spirits. The guys talk with Aaron and his time in film school and how a move to New York opened the door for him to become a spirits writer, the writing of his book, Dusty …

This week on The Whiskey Trip podcast, Big Chief takes a ride to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains just outside of Charlottesville, Virginia to visit Alex Toomy from Ragged Branch Distillery. Alex takes the big man through the history of Ragged Branch and how the late Johnny Appleseed of Whiskey, David Pickerel helped them hone their craft.…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out in The Bourbon Life Studios with Rob Wilson and David Thornton, Co-Founders, of Ten Day Bourbon. The guys talk with Rob and David about their respective careers in the medical field (Rob a Doctor and David a Dentist) and how they came tog…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes a Pit Stop from the highways and sits down with some of his Whiskey Friends at his Texas home called Bayou Sunset Farm. The Big Man invites Clint Dungan, Michael Wright, and Ken Hemingway over to talk whiskey in 2024. From the best they’ve had this year so far. They also discuss the whiskey mar…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, The Bourbon Life Crew (minus Chad) spends some time hanging out together in The Bourbon Life Studios sharing some great conversation and even better pours. The Crew discusses this year’s Kentucky Derby and Philip’s Derby Party which Matt attended and was apparently very overdress…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes listeners on a ride to Vail, Colorado to chat with Owner and Founder, Ryan Thompson from 10th Mountain Whiskey & Spirits Co. Ryan sits down with the Big Man and chats about the history of 10th Mountain and the storied Army Division it honors. Big Chief takes a trip down memory lane of his Army …

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with Kyle Merklein, Master Distiller, from Holladay Distillery. The guys talk with Kyle about his educational background and experience, as well as growing up on a farm in Kansas, and how that led him to the world of whiskey and his curre…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes listeners on a ride to Blanco, Texas to chat with Master Distiller, Marlene Holmes from Milam and Greene Whiskey. Marlene sits down with the Big Man and chats about the history of Milam and Greene Whiskey. She also tells her journey through whiskey over the last 35 years, from the rolling blue …

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out in The Bourbon Life Studios with David Mandell, Co-Founder & CEO, and John Hargrove, Co-Founder, COO, and President, of Whiskey House. David was previously a guest on Episodes 117 and 135 and John was previously a guest on Episode 75 The …

This week on The Whiskey Trip podcast, Big Chief takes listeners on a ride to Port Neches, Texas to chat with Tyler Blount, Owner of Neches Brewing Company. Big Chief has collaborated with Neches Brewing Company and Treaty Oak Distilling on the Big Chief Series of Beers. The first of these is a German Dunkel aged in a Treaty Oak Bourbon for three m…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with Ray Franklin, Founder & President of Staghorn, Owner of Garrard County Distilling Co. The guys talk with Ray about his background and experience, including starting a Distillery with the legend himself, Dave Pickerell, and how that e…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes listeners on a ride to Memphis, Tennessee to chat with Logan Welk President and Chief Operating Officer, from B. R. Distilling Company. Logan takes the Big Man on a ride learning about the Blue Note Whiskey and B. R. Distilling Company. They chat about Memphis and its love of whiskey in Juke Jo…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with Zach Johnston, Chief Brand Officer and Senior V.P. of International Sales, for Blackwood Distilling Co. in Versailles, Kentucky. The guys talk with Zach about his incredible background that saw him living in multiple countries over a…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief showcases the music of the Southeast Texas band Running on Credit. This week Big Chief takes a breaks from distilleries and introduces listeners to Running on Credit. This band is straight out of the bayous of Southeast Texas and plays some beautiful country music together. From the soul touching lyr…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, The Bourbon Life Crew (minus Stacey) spends some time hanging out together in The Bourbon Life Studios sharing some great pours and even better conversation. The Crew talks about whether blended whiskey should, or even could, make a comeback, whether brands are providing too much…

In this Special Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, The Bourbon Life Crew is on location at Liquor Barn – Hamburg in Lexington for their Annual Pappy/BTAC Raffle. The crew talks about the 2023 BTAC and Pappy line-up and the bottles that make up each collection, online versus in-person Bourbon releases, and which bottle eac…

This week on The Whiskey Trip podcast, Big Chief takes listeners on a ride to Lexington, KY and chats with Macaulay Minton, President and Chief Alchemist for Dark Arts Whiskey House. Macaulay takes the Big Man on a ride learning about the 7 stages of Whiskey Alchemy and how they sensed a void in the whiskey industry. Their team would unleash someth…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with Dr. Pat Heist, Chief Scientific Officer, Co-Founder, & Co-Owner, of Wilderness Trail Distillery, in Danville, Kentucky. The guys talk with Pat about his impressive background that led him to start Wilderness Trail with his friend, an…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes listeners on a ride to Kentucky and chats with Tripp Stimson, Director of Distillery Operations & Chief Whiskey Scientist for Barrell Craft Spirits. Tripp takes the Big Man on a ride learning about the history of Barrell Craft Spirits and their unrelenting drive to break the status quo of whisk…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out in The Bourbon Life Studios with Danny Kahn, Master Distiller and Distillation & Aging Operations Director, from Sazerac. The guys talk with Danny about his background and education and how his love for beer and the brewing process eventu…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes listeners on a ride to Hutto, Texas and chats with Jimmy Pierce, Master Hatter and Owner, of Jimmy Pierce Designs. The Big Man visits with one of his new sponsors, who just happens to be a Master Hatter, and who makes beautiful cowboy hats. Jimmy also loves whiskey so these two sit down to talk…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, Matt, Mark, and Special Co-Host, Chad, spend some time hanging out in The Bourbon Life Studios with Matt Groves, Sales Director, for Augusta Distillery in Augusta, Kentucky. The guys talk with Matt about growing up in Augusta, Kentucky, as well as his past work experience, and ho…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes listeners on a ride back to New Orleans, Louisiana and chats with Tracy and Barbara Napolitano, Founders of the New Orleans Bourbon Festival. Tracy and Barbara take the Big Man through the lineup of events for this year’s festival. From all the seminar speakers, Bourbon Dinners around The Big E…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out together in The Bourbon Life Studios, sharing some great pours and even better conversation. It’s been a while since it’s just been the two of them together in the studio. The guys talk about a few brands that they believe might be flying…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes listeners on a ride back to Austin, Texas and chats with Laura Papa, Director of Sales, and Marie Perez, Distiller, from Fierce Whiskers Distillery. Laura and Marie take the Big Man through the name and history of this grain to glass craft distillery. From a quote of Rutherford B. Hayes, “Austi…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with Amir Peay, Owner, and Cody Giles, Head Distiller, at the James E. Pepper Distillery in Lexington, Kentucky. Amir was a prior guest on Episode 106 back in February 2022. The guys talk with Amir and Cody about their respective backgrou…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes listeners on a ride to Austin, Texas and chats with Jason Harry, Brand Experience Manager, and Christian Wilhoft, Single Barrel Program Manager, from Still Austin Whiskey Co. Jason and Christian take the Big Man through the history of Still Austin, talking about using a 42-foot column rum still…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, the entire Bourbon Life Crew spend some time hanging out together in The Bourbon Life Studios enjoying some great pours and even better conversation. The Crew talk about the recently announced Garrard County Distilling Co. (which was built completely under everyone’s radar over t…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes listeners on a ride to chat with fellow podcasters and hunters, the Bayou Dragons. The Bayou Dragons and Big Chief talk about growing up as country boys and their first experiences with whiskey. These guys show the big man that they love life to the fullest. Big Chief pulls out several allocate…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast presented by Liquor Barn, Matt and Mark spend some time with the one and only Mike Rowe, Descendant (his title not ours) of Knobel Whiskey. You might recognize Mike from his wildly successful hit TV Show, Dirty Jobs, or his incredible Podcast, The Way I Heard It, or his Best-Selling book of the same name.…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes you on a ride to Lexington, Kentucky and introduces listeners to RD1 Spirits. He chats with Co-Founder and Shareholder, Barry Brinegar. Barry and Big Chief sit down in front of a live audience at Longhorn Liquor in Beaumont, Texas to discuss how RD1 Spirits got started and discuss the history o…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time recording on location at Porch Kitchen & Bar in downtown Louisville, Kentucky with Dan McKee, Master Distiller of Michter’s. Dan was previously a guest on Episode 71 back in June 2021. The guys talk with Dan about his background and prior work experience, both inside and out…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes you on a ride to Baltimore, Maryland and introduces listeners to Old Line Spirits. He chats with Co-Founder and Owner, Mark McLaughlin. Mark and Big Chief discuss how Old Line got started and how these two Navy aviators wanted to create bold, new spirits with distinct character and unmatched qu…

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with Mike Sherman, Vice President, of Vendome Copper & Brass Works in Louisville, Kentucky. The guys talk with Mike about his background and his decision at a fairly young age to join the family business, the rich history of the Vendome brand which was started in…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes you on a ride to Washington, Pennsylvania and introduces listeners to Liberty Pole Spirits. He chats with Founder and Owner, Jim Hough. Jim and Big Chief discuss The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 that pitted farmers and distillers of Western Pennsylvania against George Washington and a new nation. …

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with Conor O’Driscoll, Master Distiller for Heaven Hill, while recording a show in front of a live audience at BourbonCon in Lexington, Kentucky. Conor was previously a guest on Episode 53. The guys talk with Conor about his extremely impressive background and ho…

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes you on a ride to England and introduces listeners to Never Say Die Bourbon. He chats with Co-Founder, Brian Luftman. Brian shares the story of a thoroughbred foal who was about to die and was given a shot of Bourbon to revive its spirit and a legendary journey would begin for a racehorse and a …

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, the Bourbon Life Crew spends some time hanging out together in The Bourbon Life Studios enjoying some great pours and even better conversation. They each make their predictions for what they think we will see as trends in the Bourbon industry in 2024, talk about this weekend’s BourbonCon event in Lexingt…

This week on The Whiskey Trip podcast, Big Chief takes you on a ride to Fallon, Nevada and introduces listeners to Frey Ranch Distillery. He chats with farmers, ranchers, and founders, Colby and Ashley Frey. Colby and Ashley share their story with Big Chief and listeners. They were looking for ways to showcase their farms’ grains and their passion …

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with three-time guest, Rebecca Burnworth, Founder & Owner, of The Stave and District 7 Social. Rebecca was previously a guest on Episodes 4 & 61. The guys talk with Rebecca about everything that has been going on at The Stave since she last appeared on the show, …

This week on The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes you on a ride to Chico, California and introduces listeners to Golden Beaver Distillery. He chats with fellow U.S. Coast Guard veteran, Founder, and Owner, Kris Koenig. Mike Kellogg from California Waterfowl Association Veterans Hunt Program also joins Big Chief and Kris. A portion of each Gold…