The Whiskey Ring Podcast

Ep. 50: Stephen Fante, Limestone Branch Distillery and Yellowstone Bourbon

Hey Whiskey Ringers, thanks for tuning in to another episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast. This week's guest is Stephen Fante, National Brand Ambassador for Limestone Branch Distillery.
Stephen has a fascinating back story: between being a tea sommelier (a new thing for me that I love), a childhood friend of Stephen Beam who lost touch then reconnected over the latter's distillery, and now a national brand ambassador, he is a damn interesting character. 
Limestone Branch Distillery is on the newer side, but there's no denying the massive heritage behind it. The Beam family, the most prolific single family in American whiskey, is here, too, in the form of Stephen and Paul Beam, 7th generation distillers. 
Then there's the connection with Yellowstone National Park. The Yellowstone brand is as old as the Park, being founded in 1872 in its honor. Though it's changed hands over the years, it is a venerable brand with a nearly continuous history. Now owned by Limestone Branch, the brand is in its new glory days - and Stephen Fante is at the front lines. 
Donate to the National Parks Conservation Association Here.
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so. It's Episode 50! 
The $5 tier will have access to the new, Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk about a topic that’s under their skin in whiskey. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks, including one coming up in partnership with the This is my Bourbon Podcast. 
The $25 tier - for people who really want to propel the pod and website forward - will have the same benefits as the $5 tier plus right of first refusal to join me on future barrel picks, access to bottles I'm sent to taste and review, and more. 
You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 
Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings. 
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Thanks for listening! Now here’s Stephen Fante of Limestone Branch Distillery.
Limestone Branch Distillery
Limestone Branch Distillery Website
Limestone Branch Distiller Facebook
Limestone Branch Distiller Instagram
Limestone Branch Distiller YouTube
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
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Ep. 49: Scott Brunow, Scotch Malt Whisky Society

Hey Whiskey Ringers, thanks for tuning in to another episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast. This week's guest is Scott Brunow from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. 
You might recognize Scott from his still-going and long-running series with friend Bart, the Scotch Test Dummies. Scott has spent nine years trying Scotch (and other whiskies) and reviewing them on a journey to try and learn about the whisky. Recently, he brought his talent and experiences to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS). 
SMWS was founded by Pip Hills as just a group of friends in Scotland purchasing a cask of whisky here or there from distilleries. Since then, the SMWS is now 20,000 members strong around the world, with 5,000 in America. No longer just bottling Scotch single malts, the SMWS is now bottling single barrels from around the world and blending their own whisky releases. There's a lot to get into!
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so. I’ve reworked the levels, and here are a few of the changes: 
The $5 tier will have access to the new, Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk about a topic that’s under their skin in whiskey. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks, including one coming up in partnership with the This is my Bourbon Podcast. 
The $25 tier - for people who really want to propel the pod and website forward - will have the same benefits as the $5 tier plus right of first refusal to join me on future barrel picks, access to bottles I'm sent to taste and review, and more. 
You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 
Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings. 
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Thanks for listening! Now here’s Scott Brunow from the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. 
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
SMWS Website
SMWS Facebook
SMWS Instagram
SMWS Twitter
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter

Ep. 48: Wheel Horse Whiskey

Hey Whiskey Ringers, thanks for tuning in to another episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast. This week's guests are Terry Lozoff and Randall Bird of Wheel Horse Whiskey. 
Wheel Horse is sourced - as transparently as I've seen a brand be - from Owensboro, KY and Green River Distilling. Green River, temporarily named OZ Tyler, didn't have the greatest reputation due to the TerraPURE process being used from some products. But, behind the scenes, Ron and Jacob Call were distilling and aging the old fashioned way. The results so far have been fantastic. 
Wheel Horse Whiskey is one of the first new products coming out of Owensboro, preceding even their own Green River Bourbon. Plus, Wheel Horse Rye was the first rye ever to come out of the distillery. 
There's a lot to talk about here, and it's a hell of a conversation. 
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so. I’ve reworked the levels, and here are a few of the changes: 
The $5 tier will have access to the new, Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk about a topic that’s under their skin in whiskey. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks, including one coming up in partnership with the This is my Bourbon Podcast. 
The $25 tier - for people who really want to propel the pod and website forward - will have the same benefits as the $5 tier plus right of first refusal to join me on future barrel picks, access to bottles I'm sent to taste and review, and more. 
You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 
Next up is the Advent Calendar! After you all made the Jack Daniels events such a success, I had to follow it up, so here’s what’s coming up: 
The calendar is starting on July 1st, so it might be too close to order one, but you can still enjoy the show!
This event is available ONLY to people in the Whiskey Ringers Facebook group or to website subscribers. 
Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings. 
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Thanks for listening! Now here’s Terry Lozoff and Randall Bird of Wheel Horse Whiskey. 
Wheel Horse Whiskey
Wheel Horse Whiskey Website
Wheel Horse Whiskey Facebook
Wheel Horse Whiskey Instagram
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter

Ep. 47: Blair Ault, Milam and Greene Whiskey

Hey Whiskey Ringers, thanks for tuning in to another episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast. This week's guest is Blair Ault from Milam & Greene Whiskey. 
Milam & Greene is a Texas distillery with a heart in Kentucky. Drawing on the combined talents and lineages of Marlene Holmes and Heather Greene, Milam & Greene distills in both Texas AND Kentucky (at Bardstown Bourbon Company) to their own specifications. 
Then, there's Blair, a national brand ambassador and woman of whiskey in her own right (seriously - she's a renowned mixologist and co-hosts the Whiskey Women Podcast, linked below). Blair joins the podcast to talk Milam & Greene's founding, present, and future - and set the stage for her own return in the Patreon-only Under the Influencer show.  
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so. I’ve reworked the levels, and here are a few of the changes: 
The $5 tier will have access to the new, Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk about a topic that’s under their skin in whiskey. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks, including one coming up in partnership with the This is my Bourbon Podcast. 
The $25 tier - for people who really want to propel the pod and website forward - will have the same benefits as the $5 tier plus right of first refusal to join me on future barrel picks, access to bottles I'm sent to taste and review, and more. 
You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 
Next up is the Advent Calendar! After you all made the Jack Daniels events such a success, I had to follow it up, so here’s what’s coming up: 
In July, an advent calendar curated by me that includes 15 samples, 15 different producers (and 14 different distilleries), two samples that have whiskey older than I am, and a special pour I promise you won’t find anywhere else. This event is available ONLY to people in the Whiskey Ringers Facebook group or to website subscribers. As of this recording, ten of the fifteen spots are already claimed, so grab yours today, and join the Facebook group for discount codes and insider access.
Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings. 
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Thanks for listening! Now here’s Blair Ault of Milam & Greene Whiskey. 
Blair Ault and Milam and Greene
Milam and Greene Whiskey Website
Milam and Greene Whiskey Facebook
Milam and Greene Whiskey Instagram
Milam and Greene Whiskey Twitter
Whiskey Women Podcast
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter

Ep. 46: David Mandell, Kentucky Owl and the Kentucky Bourbon Festival

Hey Whiskey Ringers, thanks for tuning in to another episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast. This week's guest is David Mandell, founder of Bardstown Bourbon Company, now of Kentucky Owl and Kentucky Bourbon Festival fame. 
After a career in government (the NTSB and the FAA) and as a lawyer, David and his college friend decided they wanted to get into distilling. That's the short story - today, he's the Chairman of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival and running Kentucky Owl Bourbon, with a long legacy still in place at Bardstown Bourbon Company. 
Make sure to grab your tickets to this year's KBF in the show notes below!
Before we jump into the interview just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so. I’ve reworked the levels, and here are a few of the changes: 
The $5 tier will have access to the new, Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk about a topic that’s under their skin in whiskey. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks, including one coming up in partnership with the This is my Bourbon Podcast. 
The $25 tier - for people who really want to propel the pod and website forward - will have the same benefits as the $5 tier plus right of first refusal to join me on future barrel picks, access to my personal inventory, and more. 
You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 
Next: there are THREE upcoming events. After you all made the Jack Daniels events such a success, I had to follow it up, so here’s what’s coming up: 
In July, an advent calendar curated by me that includes 15 samples, 15 different producers (and 14 different distilleries), two samples that have whiskey older than I am, and a special pour I promise you won’t find anywhere else. This event is available ONLY to people in the Whiskey Ringers Facebook group or to website subscribers. As of this recording, eight of the fifteen spots are already claimed, so grab yours today, and join the Facebook group for discount codes and insider access.
In August, I’m switching gears and hosting a two-part event, an introduction to Japanese whisky. The first event on August 11th will focus on the beginnings of Japanese whisky going back to the 17th century and through the founding of Japan’s two titans, Suntory and Nikka. The second, on August 18th, will focus on the new guard of Japanese whisky makers and the evolutions of the old guard. Both will start at 8:30pm to accommodate folks in the Mountain and Western time zones. 
Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings. 
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Thanks for listening! Now here’s David Mandell of Kentucky Owl, the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and (formerly) Bardstown Bourbon Company.
David Mandell, Kentucky Owl, and KBF Links
Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Kentucky Owl Bourbon
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter

Ep. 45: Colin Keegan, Santa Fe Spirits

Hey Whiskey Ringers, thanks for tuning in to another episode of the Whiskey Ring Podcast. This week's guest is Colin Keegan, founder of Santa Fe Spirits. In just over a decade as a distiller, Colin has gone from newbie to veteran to industry powerhouse, all while maintaining the cool, calm, informed demeanor that mixes his childhood in Northern England with his life in Santa Fe. 
Santa Fe Spirits, in my opinion, is on the leading edge of the American Single Malt movement. Their core products are ready to drink right now, with finishings being experimented with. It's single malt comparable to anything you'd find from Scotland, Ireland, Japan, or India - and the single malt is just the start. 
Summary? I HIGHLY recommend this brand, every product. And I know you'll enjoy Colin getting into the details of distilling and his roles in the craft and American single malt movements. 
Before we jump into the interview with Colin Keegan of Santa Fe Spirits, just a few quick notes:
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community yet, please consider doing so. I’ve reworked the levels, and here are a few of the changes: 
The $5 tier will have access to the new, Patreon-only segment called “Under the Influencer”, where some of your favorite YouTubers/Instagrammers/Podcasters and more join me to talk about a topic that’s under their skin in whiskey. This tier will also have priority access to upcoming barrel picks, including one coming up in partnership with the This is my Bourbon Podcast. 
The $25 tier - for people who really want to propel the pod and website forward - will have the same benefits as the $5 tier plus right of first refusal to join me on future barrel picks, access to my personal inventory, and more. 
You can still support for as little as $1 a month if you’d like to stay up to date with these changes and news about what we’ve got coming up. 
Next: there are THREE upcoming events. After you all made the Jack Daniels events such a success, I had to follow it up, so here’s what’s coming up: 
In July, an advent calendar curated by me that includes 15 samples, 15 different producers (and 14 different distilleries), two samples that have whiskey older than I am, and a special pour I promise you won’t find anywhere else. This event is available ONLY to people in the Whiskey Ringers Facebook group or to website subscribers. As of this recording, two of the fifteen spots are already claimed, so grab yours today, and join the Facebook group for discount codes and insider access.
In August, I’m switching gears and hosting a two-part event, an introduction to Japanese whisky. The first event on August 11th will focus on the beginnings of Japanese whisky going back to the 17th century and through the founding of Japan’s two titans, Suntory and Nikka. The second, on August 18th, will focus on the new guard of Japanese whisky makers and the evolutions of the old guard. Both will start at 8:30pm to accommodate folks in the Mountain and Western time zones. 
Finally, please do like and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you’re listening - it really helps the Whiskey Ring Podcast move up the rankings. 
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Thanks for listening! Now here’s Colin Keegan of Santa Fe Spirits.
Santa Fe Spirits
Santa Fe Spirits Website
Santa Fe Spirits on Facebook
Santa Fe Spirits on Instagram
Santa Fe Spirits on Twitter
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter

Ep. 44: Alan Bishop Returns with The Whiskey Witch

That's right, he's back!
Welcome Whiskey Ringers to Episode 44, the return of the Alchemist himself, Alan Bishop. 
The star of this episode is one of Alan's newer concoctions, The Whiskey Witch, a wheat, oat, barley, and Indiana peat-smoked mash that defies categorization. Seriously - we don't know how this will be categorized! 
As always, this episode with Alan is a blast. I can't wait to visit Spirits of French Lick and see his Alchemist Cabinet in person. 
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community, now is the time: you can now support the site and podcast for as little as $1 a month. There are also $5 and $25 tiers available, and you’ll want to get in on the ground floor today for big events coming up this year. Just go to patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring to sign up.
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Finally, please subscribe to the Whiskey Ring Podcast on your favorite podcast platform today! Please leave a 5-star rating and review and share with your friends and fellow whiskey lovers.
Thank you for listening and for supporting, and please enjoy this episode with Alan Bishop of Spirits of French Lick.
Spirits of French Lick Distillery
Spirits of French Lick Distillery Website
Spirits of French Lick on Facebook
Spirits of French Lick on Instagram
Spirits of French Lick on Twitter
Alan Bishop's Instagram
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter

Ep. 43: Uncle Nearest Distillery with Victoria Eady Butler

Welcome Whiskey Ringers to Episode 43! Today's guest is Victoria Eady Butler, Master Blender and 5th-generation descendant of the distillery's namesake, Nathan "Nearest" Green.  
Uncle Nearest Distillery is no stranger to the Whiskey Ring: earlier this year, Fawn Weaver joined the Podcast for a conversation about the Distillery's place in the whiskey world and a retrospective on the then-and-now of its history. Delving deep into Uncle Nearest as a man, the ways Fawn endeavored to bring his legacy to life, and how Clay Risen's original research inspired Fawn to pursue her own was an incredible episode. 
Victoria, however, comes in as a Whiskey Ring newbie. With Fawn we spoke about business and ideation - with Victoria, we go deep into the whiskey itself, through the sourcing to the new Master's Blend that is 100% Uncle Nearest-distilled spirit. Of course, Nearest Green's heritage had to be included, but this focused on what Victoria is doing as blender and distiller in her own right. 
If the Master's Blend is any indication, this is the next phase of Uncle Nearest - and it's ready to blast off. 
There are only 5 tickets left for the Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey Event! Sign up for your samples here: Jack Daniel's Tasting Events and grab them before tomorrow, May 12th!
If you haven’t joined the Patreon community, now is the time: you can now support the site and podcast for as little as $1 a month. There are also $5 and $25 tiers available, and you’ll want to get in on the ground floor today for big events coming up this year. Just go to patreon.com/whiskeyinmyweddingring to sign up.
If you haven’t yet, please follow Whiskey in my Wedding Ring and the Whiskey Ring Podcast on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to the newsletter on the website. 
Finally, please subscribe to the Whiskey Ring Podcast on your favorite podcast platform today! Please leave a 5-star rating and review and share with your friends and fellow whiskey lovers.
Thank you for listening and for supporting, and please enjoy this episode with Victoria Eady Butler of Uncle Nearest Distillery.
Uncle Nearest Distillery
Uncle Nearest Distillery Website
Uncle Nearest Distillery on Facebook
Uncle Nearest Distillery on Instagram
Uncle Nearest Distillery on Twitter
Thanks to our Sponsor, ImpEx Beverages
https://impexbev.com
ImpEx on Instagram
ImpEx on Facebook
ImpEx on Twitter