Single Oak Bourbon: Buffalo Trace's Single Oak Project Realized

Wild Turkey Master Distiller Eddie Russell celebrated his 45th anniversary at the distillery the other night with the premiere of a short film about his career in New York City. "Eddie Russell: His Own Way" covers Eddie's career from pushing barrels as the new guy to the success that got him into the Bourbon Hall of Fame. The premiere came with the release of a Russell's Reserve Bourbon created to commemorate the anniversary by Bruce Russell, Eddie's son and Wild Turkey's Associate Master Blender - the same way Eddie originated Russell's Reserve to honor his father Jimmy's 45th anniversary at Wild Turkey years ago. We'll talk with Eddie and Bruce Russell on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, job cuts could be coming this week at Diageo, and the International Wine & Spirits Competition announces its North American winners for 2026. 

In a project so ambitious that it required more than five years of traveling across the entire United States, Lost Lantern Whiskey has created the United States of Bourbon series of whiskies. The 100 Proof and Cask Strength versions feature a blend of straight Bourbons from all 50 states, while the limited-edition 1776 Edition blends Bourbons from the original 13 states. We'll discuss this ground-breaking project with Lost Lantern founders Adam Polonski and Nora Ganley-Roper on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Glenfarclas chairman John Grant is honored with an OBE for his services to the Scotch whisky industry, while police in Philadelphia are searching for clues in the theft of 1,800 cases of Noble Oak Bourbon. 

Kentucky's Jeptha Creed Distillery grows all of its corn on the Nethery family's farm nearby, including heirloom grains like Bloody Butcher (red corn) and Bruce's Blue, a strain of blue corn developed on the farm by Bruce Nethery and the inspiration for the new Bruce's Blue Bourbon.  The mother and daughter team of Joyce and Autumn Nethery run the distillery, which attracts thousands of visitors every year. We'll talk with Joyce Nethery on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, an unnamed buyer has been found for Uncle Nearest, while layoffs and lawsuits spread around Bourbon Country. We'll have details on the week's new whiskies, including the return of Bruichladdich's legendary Yellow Submarine Scotch. 

Minnesota's O'Shaughnessy Distilling wasn't the first American distillery to make triple-distilled Pot Still whiskey, but the makers of Keeper's Heart Whiskey have plenty of Irish heritage to draw on. Former Midleton master distiller Brian Nation now runs the show at O'Shaughnessy, and he's not only making triple-distilled Pot Still whiskey…he has triple-distilled Rye and Bourbon in the works as well. We'll tour the distillery and talk with Brian on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, we have more distillery closings to report, and the judge has ruled in the Uncle Nearest receivership case. We'll have all the details on this week's WhiskyCast. 

This week, we're joined by Carey Bringle, the pit master and whisky maker for Peg Leg Porker. Carey owns a barbecue restaurant by the same name in Nashville, Tennessee, and says there's a lot in common between being a pit master and a whisky maker — but he'll never call himself a master distiller. Bringle has just released a "Spirit of America" Tennessee Bourbon to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, and we'll have tasting notes for it, too. In the news, the American Distilling Institute has announced the winners of its 2026 spirits competition, with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Rye taking home the title of "America's Best Whiskey."

The newest Talisker single malt is also the oldest Talisker ever bottled at 47 years old. It's finished in virgin American Oak casks toasted using heated volcanic rock from the Isle of Skye, and Diageo Luxury Ambassador Ewan Morgan will explain what the process adds on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. We'll also discuss the new Rare Series of whiskies from Diageo, too. In the news, Brown-Forman has rejected a $15 billion takeover bid from Sazerac, and Diageo's executive corps is undergoing a shakeup.

Craft distillers have been searching for years for ways to differentiate their whiskies from the large brands on the market. Now, the American Craft Spirits Association has created the "Certified Craft" program to meet the need. ACSA members will be able to use the Certified Craft logo on their products and marketing materials, and the seal gives consumers an easy way to tell what is and isn't craft. We'll talk with new ACSA CEO Emily Pennington and Colin Spoelman of Brooklyn's Kings County Distillery about the program on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, another discrimination lawsuit has been filed against Bardstown Bourbon Company, while a gain in Diageo third-quarter sales beat analyst estimates. 

When the Ballindalloch Estate has been in your family for more than 450 years, what's a few years to wait to bottle your own single malt Scotch whisky. The McPherson-Grant family waited nine years to bottle their first single malt after opening their distillery in 2014, and have now entered the U.S. market with the Ballindalloch Family Heritage Selection. We'll talk with Guy McPherson-Grant, the lord of Ballindalloch Castle, and the distillery's international sales director, Aidan Dunn, on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. We'll also have tasting notes for the Family Heritage Selection, along with the Ardbeg Dolce Feis Ile single malt. In the news, we have details on layoffs in the whisky industry in England and the U.S., along with the week's new releases and much more. 

Horse Soldier Bourbon honors the "horse soldiers," Green Berets who led the invasion of Afghanistan after 9/11 and fought the Taliban on horseback. Now, the brand is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States with a special 13-year-old Bourbon - representing the 13 original colonies. We'll talk with Horse Soldier co-founder Scott Neil about the whiskey and plans to open the Horse Soldier Distillery with a massive Fourth of July party on this week's WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Sazerac is reportedly offering $15 billion for Brown-Forman, while Uncle Nearest's receiver says the company is insolvent and on life support from its lenders.