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IU vs Miami is on the championship stage, and Hoosiers fans are raising a glass of Indiana Bourbon for the moment. Hard Truth Distilling Co. Master Distiller Bryan Smith joins the conversation to connect Indiana bourbon culture to the mindset behind Coach Curt Cignetti’s rise. We also hit key names like Kurtis Rourke and Elijah Sarratt, plus simple bourbon cocktail ideas for game night. We'll also chat about a few sports topics below...thanks for listening and subscribing to this podcast channel! Why this IU run feels different under Coach Curt Cignetti What to watch from Kurtis Rourke and Elijah Sarratt Indiana bourbon culture tie-in and why it fits this moment Hard Truth in Nashville, Indiana: the distillery story and whiskey lineup Easy bourbon cocktail ideas you can actually make

Eric Church fans know the line from “Never Break Heart” — and it helped inspire the name "Whiskey JYPSI." In this episode, Bourbon expert Tom Fischer sits down with JYPSI Whiskey Maker Ari Sussman for a straight, whiskey-first conversation on how JYPSI is built: blending decisions, barrel strategy, and how different woods shape flavor.We break down three key releases (each built around a different “why”): • Tribute Double Barreled — grain-forward: built around rare, varietal-stated heirloom grains (including Cherokee White Corn) to bring a deeper, more characterful sweetness than commodity grain bourbon. • Explorer — barrel/wood-forward: a 6-year KY + 6-year IN bourbon blend, finished with French oak from Tronçais and Appalachian American oak to dial up the sweetness-and-spice contrast and add structure. • Legacy Batch 003 (“The Declaration”) — blend-architecture-forward: a high-proof, limited release created as the first whiskey ever dedicated to the Declaration of Independence, celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2026. It blends 20-25-year-old Canadian corn whiskey, older Indiana rye, and 7-8-year-old Virginia single malt from Virginia Distilling Co., all layered through Mount Vernon–connected apple-brandy barrel finishing for a deeply complex, historically inspired profile. Watch the full video here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N04x-YLej0g

Bourbon expert Tom Fischer talks with Cohiba’s Sean Williams about the Weller by Cohiba 2025 (Antique 107) - a limited cigar built around a real bourbon connection: a U.S. Broadleaf binder aged in Weller Antique 107 barrels, dressed in those sleek red-and-gold tubes. They dig into why this release has become a collector-level chase, what makes it different from other collabs, and—adding to the hunt—how Cohiba extended the drop with matching limited-edition accessories, including a branded cutter, torch lighter, and travel humidor (plus additional collectible pieces in the lineup) Subscribe to our podcast and visit BourbonBlog.com for more on releases like this.

A $5,000 and 30-year-old single malt? Yes, this is WhistlePig’s rarest release yet. In this episode, whiskey expert Tom Fischer sits down with WhistlePig Chief Blender Meghan Ireland to taste and discuss the highly limited release of WhistlePig Big ShǝBàng 30-Year Single Malt, aged three decades in American oak and finished about four weeks in Tuscan Vin Santo casks WhistlePig Distillery of Shoreham, Vermont, says the whiskey comes from Canada’s first single-malt distillery, widely believed to be Glenora (though not officially named), making it one of the most elusive and remarkable North American Single Malt whiskies ever bottled. Bottled at 90.4 proof, this limited release delivers more layers than we can even tell you in this descpription, so listen to the podcast and subscribe to our channel!

It’s Bourbon Heritage Month 2025, and Bourbon expert Tom Fischer talks with High West's Tara Lindley to explore The Prisoner’s Share. This limited release blends Straight Bourbon and Rye aged 4–15 years, then finishes in French oak barrels that previously held Napa Valley’s The Prisoner Red Blend. Bottled at 102 proof, it delivers a layered whiskey experience that unites the worlds of bourbon and wine. Show Notes: Why High West Distillery in Utah partnered with The Prisoner Wine Company in California. How wine finishing and French oak shape flavor and texture Tasting impressions and pairing ideas How this whiskey release compares to other wine-finished bourbons The bigger question: Is wine-finished whiskey worth the hype? Whiskey Specs Type: Blend of straight bourbon & rye Age: 4–15 years Finish: French oak barrels, ex–The Prisoner Red Blend (Napa Valley). Zinfandel is the backbone of the original wine blend. Proof: 102 Release: Limited; 2025

Ever smoked tobacco grown in France? This tobacco comes from the Mugron River Valley near Bordeaux, and it’s the Macanudo Emissary France Cigar. Bourbon expert Tom Fischer is joined by Matt Wilson, Macanudo’s Senior Brand Manager, as they light up this rare blend with tobaccos aged 4 to 10 years from Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, the U.S., and Brazil. To top it off, they pair the cigar with Bhakta Spirits Hogsworth Batch 1 - a first-ever blend of bourbon and vintage Armagnac, including a 1982 Armagnac that’s over 40 years old. The bourbon backbone and Armagnac's serious age and fruit play beautifully with the Emissary’s mineral and dark berry notes. For more cigar, whiskey, and spirits reviews and pairings, subscribe to this podcast channel and visit BourbonBlog.com.

Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2025 brought one of the big highlights of the weekend: Buzzard’s Roost’s first-ever Cigar Blend Bourbon. Known for their Cigar Rye, this new special barrel release is crafted to pair perfectly with a fine cigar. In this episode, Tom Fischer of BourbonBlog.com talks with co-founder Jason Brauner about what makes this bourbon unique, how it compares to the Cigar Rye, and why cigar lovers should be paying attention. For more bourbon releases, tastings, and interviewsvviisrt BourbonBlog.com

⁠Bourbon expert ⁠ Tom Fischer previews Kentucky Bourbon Festival 2025 with 15 STARS founders Rick and Ricky Johnson. They discuss the first-ever Artisan Collection release, a 109-proof blend of 15- and 12-year Kentucky and Indiana bourbons, limited to just 1,290 bottles, available nationwide with a select number featured in Bardstown, Kentucky this weekend during the festival. We also taste and chat about the complete First West Bourbon lineup: Small Batch, Toasted Oak, and Extra Aged 8-Year—crafted with their own heirloom red, white, and blue corn distilled at Bardstown Bourbon Company. The conversation wraps with a taste of the upcoming 15 STARS Fine Aged Rye, showcasing their signature blending style and bold rye character.

American Single Malt Whiskey is now officially recognized as a distinct whiskey category by the federal government—the first new addition in over 52 years! The TTB’s landmark decision, effective January 19, 2025, establishes clear standards for American Single Malt, ensuring authenticity, protecting producers, and elevating its global reputation. In this podcast, whiskey expert Tom Fischer sips some Town Branch American Single Malt with Dave Bob Gaspar, National Brand Manager at Lexington Brewing & Distilling Company.. They discuss the profound impact of this historic recognition while looking at the specific rules that define this category. They also explore the serious work of the American Single Malt Whiskey Commission (ASMWC) to accomplish this. Founded in 2016, the ASMWC has worked tirelessly to establish, promote, and protect this category, with nearly 100 member producers across the U.S. Additionally, more than 250 distilleries across the country are producing at least one American Single Malt, underscoring the category's remarkable growth and widespread adoption.

WhistlePig The Boss Hog XI: The Juggernaut is a limited-edition, 13+ year-old rye whiskey finished in the world’s first Thandai barrels, seasoned with hand-selected spices from India. Part of a highly sought-after collection, this release brings an exotic flavor profile with saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, and more. In the first-ever live review of the release from WhistlePig’s farm in Shoreham, Vermont, bourbon expert Tom Fischer joins WhistlePig’s Head Blender Meghan Ireland and Distiller Mitch Mahar to explore the tasting notes and the unique process that brought The Juggernaut to life. Full story on this link.

Cohiba's Cigar Blender Sean Williams and Bourbon Expert Tom Fischer chat live for a cigar review of the 2024 Weller by Cohiba Full Proof Cigar. This limited-release cigar features a US Connecticut broadleaf binder, aged in Weller Full Proof Bourbon barrels, and is paired with Weller Bourbon for a distinctive tasting experience. Dive into their expert insights and explore more on their Masters Series through CigarWorld or at BourbonBlog.com/series.

Bourbon expert Tom Fischer visits the birthplace of bourbon whiskey regulations and parts of Kentucky's state constitution? Yes, you can soon tour Louisville's Oxmoor Farm! Opening in June 2024, this historic site is a must-see when you visit the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Kentucky's largest private library with 10,000 books where you can also enjoy tastings and cocktails featuring the new Oxmoor Bourbon Whiskey. In this podcast, Fischer interviews and tours with historians Shirley Harmon and Tim Knittel at Oxmoor Farm and the new Oxmoor Bourbon Company.

We are the first to chat with Cohiba's Sean Williams about the new Cohiba Serie M Reserva Roja Cigar for 2024. In this cigar podcast, Cohiba's Sean Williams and bourbon expert Tom Fischer try this limited edition Cohiba Serie M together pairing it alongside whiskeys and spirits: Bhakta Bourbon Whiskey 2014, Buzzard's Roost, Peerless Double Oak Bourbon, and Bhakta Vintage 1979 Armagnac.

As Bruno Mars gears up for his headline performance at the Trifecta Gala in Louisville, during Kentucky Derby 150 week, we are sharing Bourbon expert Tom Fischer's recent interview with Grammy-winning songwriter and record producer Phil Lawrence - who performs and writes with Bruno Mars. Learn more about the Bruno Mars performance and Trifecta on this link. Listen to this podcast recorded after Bourbon & Beyond 2023 as Phil dives into upcoming ventures and projects including his work with siblings (Dee Dee Lawrence and Shane Lawrence) in "The Lawrences". The Trifecta Gala, organized by Ulysses “Junior” Bridgeman for the 150th Kentucky Derby, supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kentuckiana, celebrating community and mentorship

Bourbon expert Tom Fischer invites Hud Mellencamp, Levi Collison, and Hard Truth Head Distiller Bryan Smith for a first-of-its-kind conversation on the origins of Mellencamp Whiskey Company. They talk about the collaboration with Indiana's Hard Truth Distilling Co., showcasing a limited series of whiskeys, each adorned with a painting by musician and artist John Mellencamp. The new release, Mellencamp Whiskey Farmer's Reserve, is a blend of sweet mash bourbon and rye finished in Amburana casks, revealing rare flavors from Indiana's farmers. As a new era of the Mellencamp family name begins, building a reputation for incredible whiskey, this is the first time the three founders have been interviewed like this.