the Whisky Friends

Six bourbons. All aged 10 years. Four whisky-loving friends. And absolutely no idea what's in their glasses.What could possibly go wrong?Ken, Iggy, Michael, and Doc are back around the table for a blind bourbon showdown that produces some unexpected results!Iggy has assembled six 10-year-old bourbons, ranging from 100 to 111 proof, to find out which ones really deserve a place on the top shelf.THE CONTENDERS:Ben Holladay 10 YearDriftless Glen 10 YearOld Forester 1924Henry McKenna 10 YearRebel 10 Year Single BarrelMGP 10 YearThe challenge is simple: taste all six without knowing which is which, rank them from first to sixth, and reveal the bottles when everyone has finished.The results? Well, let's just say brand loyalty doesn't always survive a blind tasting.Some longtime favorites struggle, a few unexpected bottles rise to the top, and one bourbon earns exactly the same ranking from all four tasters.Along the way, the guys discuss mash bills, proof, pricing, barrel aging, and whether knowing what's in your glass changes what you think you're tasting.And because this is The Whisky Friends, the conversation doesn't stop when the blind tasting ends.There's an adventure involving an old bottle of Early Times, a questionable plastic jug of 10-year-old Black Velvet, some colorful opinions, and news about an upcoming Advent collaboration with Minnesota Whiskey Elite.It's an evening of bourbon, friendly disagreements, questionable humor, and a few surprises.Pour yourself something good, pull up a chair, and join The Whisky Friends for the Battle of the 10-Year Bourbons.No fancy scoring system. No brand loyalty. Just friends, bourbon, and some very honest opinions.The Whisky Friends — Good Whisky. Good Friends. Great Conversations.

No filters, full glass, full of s#itThe Whiskey Friends are finally back around the table after more than a year away—and it doesn't take long to prove that very little has changed. Ken, Doc, Iggy, and Michael catch up over Weller Single Barrel and E. H. Taylor while discussing memorable bottles, the changing whiskey market, and future episodes. Melissa from Des Moines Whiskey Fest joins the conversation to discuss her plans for the festival, including whiskey tastings, live music, food, charitable giving, and her larger vision for bringing people together through shared experiences. Listen for a ticket discount code during the show. Along the way, expect Malört, Casey’s breakfast pizza, questionable medical advice, bourbon-and-bacon ideas, a Vegas story, and plenty of immature behavior. This is not polished whiskey snobbery. It is four friends sharing whiskey, stories, laughter, and almost no good judgment. Welcome back to the Whiskey Friends. Adult language and humor are included.

After nearly a year away, Whiskey Friends is back.In this special return episode, Ken Allsup sits down with Melissa Merrifield, Levi Fahlenkamp, and Wes Fahlenkamp, part of the new ownership team behind the Des Moines Whiskey Festival. The conversation explores how the group became involved with the event, their plans for the future, and how they hope to create a premier whiskey experience in Iowa.The discussion covers Iowa distilleries, whiskey tourism, festival planning, collecting bottles, favorite pours, and the friendships that often form around a shared glass of whiskey.Joining the conversation are Matt and Renee from She Hates My Whiskey, who share their experiences discovering new whiskeys and even put a bottle through its paces during a live tasting around the table.Whether you're a longtime bourbon enthusiast, a scotch lover, or just whiskey curious, this episode offers an inside look at one of Iowa's biggest whiskey events and the people working to build its future.Topics Include:• The return of Whiskey Friends• New ownership of Des Moines Whiskey Fest• Women & Whiskey and Whiskey Reserve events• Iowa distilleries and whiskey tourism• Building a whiskey community• Collecting and tasting whiskey• Cedar Ridge, Revelton, Templeton Rye and more• Live tasting with She Hates My Whiskey• What's ahead for Iowa whiskey enthusiastsLearn more about the Des Moines Whiskey Festival at DSMWhiskeyFest.comEnjoy responsibly.Keywords:Whisky Friends, Des Moines Whiskey Festival, Iowa whiskey, bourbon, whiskey podcast, Cedar Ridge, Templeton Rye, Revelton Distilling, Iowa distilleries, whiskey tasting, bourbon community, whiskey tourism, She Hates My Whiskey,

“Ever wondered what happens when a whiskey lover drags his whiskey-hating partner into the world of bourbon? This week on The Whisky Friends, we’re joined by TikTok’s ‘She Hates My Whiskey’ duo — Matt and Renee — who bring their hilarious on-camera chemistry to our table. From sweet maple Canadian pours to high-proof burn, we sip our way through rare bottles, unexpected favorites, and whiskey fails. Along the way, we talk TikTok fame, local finds, and why friendship — not just whiskey — keeps us coming back for another pour. Grab your glass, settle in, and enjoy the ride. Cheers!”You can find Matt and Renee on TikTok by following the link HERE.

🎄 Day 25 of the Minnesota Whiskey Elite Advent Calendar brought the grand finale to a festive and flavorful journey with The Whisky Friends—Michael, Iggy, Doc, and Ken—closing out the season in style. 🥃 The nose on today’s pour was rich and inviting, with notes of maple syrup, butterscotch, and raisin, making it a fitting choice for Christmas morning. On the palate, the group noted sweet, sugary flavors with hints of rye and wine finish complexity. However, the finish was a bit fleeting, leaving them intrigued but not entirely convinced to splurge on a bottle. The reveal? High West’s A Midwinter Night’s Dram, a rye whiskey finished in port barrels that has gained a cult following. While the crew appreciated its uniqueness, they agreed it might not be for everyone at its current price point of $130 to $150. As the team toasted to the holidays, they reflected on the joy of whiskey, the camaraderie of their group, and the support of their listeners. A big thank you to Minnesota Whiskey Elite for curating such an incredible calendar and for letting everyone share in the experience! To all the listeners who joined along, thank you for tuning in! If you’ve enjoyed the journey, subscribe to The Whiskey Friends Podcast on your favorite platform. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok (@whiskeyfriends) for more tastings, reviews, and shenanigans. Cheers to a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🥃 Here’s to more whiskey adventures in 2025! 🎅 Cheers!

🎄 Day 24 of the Minnesota Whiskey Elite Advent Calendar wrapped up the journey with a surprise pour that left The Whisky Friends—Michael, Iggy, Doc, and Ken—scratching their heads and debating their guesses. 🥃 The nose was funky and sweet, leading to early guesses ranging from orange Tic Tacs to Canadian whiskies like Crown Royal or Caribou Crossing. On the palate, it delivered a candy-like sweetness with a punchy finish, leaving everyone both puzzled and intrigued. The final reveal? Single Cask Guatemala Rum, an 11-year-old pick from Single Cask Nation at a bold 56.6% ABV. The unexpected rum threw the crew for a loop but earned their respect for its sweetness and unique profile—definitely a curveball in the whiskey-dominated lineup. As the group toasted to Christmas Eve, they reflected on the journey, shared laughs, and even considered diving deeper into rum territory in the future. Cheers to a festive and unpredictable finale! 🎅 🥃 Merry Christmas Eve! See you tomorrow for the final celebration!

🎄 Day 23 of the Minnesota Whiskey Elite Advent Calendar brought holiday cheer and a warm, cinnamon-spiced pour to The Whisky Friends—Michael, Iggy, Doc, and Ken—as they edged closer to Christmas. 🥃 The nose gave off spicy and sweet aromas, immediately capturing the group’s attention. The palate followed through with cinnamon heat, a sweet front, and a lingering warmth—earning comparisons to a honey barrel or a cinnamon-forward pick. The long finish left a pleasant "hug," perfect for the chilly December air. The big reveal? 1792 Full Proof, a Minnesota Whiskey Elite pick with a bold, satisfying profile. The crew debated its characteristics, with one sip sparking memories of past barrels and cinnamon-driven notes from other distilleries. At under $80, this pour earned high praise as a solid holiday treat. As the advent journey nears its conclusion, this pick stands out as both festive and dangerously drinkable. Cheers to the crew’s sharp-tasting notes, good laughs, and another evening of whiskey camaraderie!

🎄 Day 22 of the Minnesota Whiskey Elite Advent Calendar brought a whiskey that had The Whisky Friends—Michael, Iggy, Doc, and Ken—in a swirl of debate and curiosity. 🥃 The nose was immediately captivating, offering caramel, oak, and dusty sweetness—classic Wild Turkey vibes that hinted at something special. But the palate? That’s where the conversation turned. While not terrible, it felt a bit muted compared to the robust nose, with the group noting it tasted “lower proof” despite its Wild Turkey 101 label. The reveal? Wild Turkey 70th Anniversary Edition 101, a special release hand-picked by Jimmy Russell himself. While the crew appreciated its value at around $40-$45 and the effort to blend aged barrels, the palate left them a bit underwhelmed compared to the nose’s promise. Still, the buzz about Wild Turkey’s return to age-stated offerings and future 101 shelvers kept spirits high. Here’s to more great whiskey—and maybe wrapping up that Christmas shopping before the 25th! 🎅 🥃 Cheers to Day 22!

🎄 Day 21 of the Minnesota Whiskey Elite Advent Calendar delivers another memorable sip and plenty of laughs with The Whisky Friends—Michael, Iggy, Doc, and Ken—at the helm. 🥃 After back-to-back days of Wild Turkey Rare Breed, the crew dove into something completely different. The nose brought out sweet and fruity notes, with hints of banana and cherry, sparking comparisons to Old Forester pours. The palate? A mix of super-sweet complexity with a surprising touch of "band-aid" (yes, you read that right—taste adventures are real!). Guesses flew fast, with Old Forester 1924 topping the list, but the reveal showed it to be an Old Forester Single Barrel Store Pick from Liquor Hutch in Minnesota. Close, but no cigar! Still, the group was impressed by the pour’s sweetness and high-floor complexity—perfect for warming spirits on a chilly December day. And for a little bonus cheer, the team shared tales of their own barrel-picking adventures at Ben Holiday Distillery, where their picks helped create something special. A little whiskey camaraderie and nostalgia go a long way during the holidays. Cheers to the journey, the surprises, and another day of great whiskey and friendship! 🥃 See you tomorrow for more festive fun! 🎅

🎄 Day 20 of the Minnesota Whiskey Elite Advent Calendar brings us another intriguing pour! 🥃 The Whiskey Friends—Michael, Iggy, Doc, and Ken—gathered to tackle a bottle with a lot of personality and a bit of mystery. From the nose, it sparked debate with floral hints and familiar spice, while the palate revealed a combination of rye-forward notes and a caramel bourbon finish. This pour had the group guessing everything from high-rye bourbon to straight rye before the big reveal: Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye! With its bold yet balanced profile, this whiskey walked the line between rye and bourbon lovers’ preferences, making it a memorable addition to this year's journey. Tune in as the crew dives deep into the tasting experience, shares a few laughs, and debates rye versus bourbon phases. Cheers to another day closer to Christmas and more whiskey adventures! 🎅 🥃