Season 6, Episode 25 - REMIX - Chris Walters, Creator - Nose Your Bourbon

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief takes a break from the highways and settles into the cozy charm of The Hemmingway Hideout in Bridge City, Texas. It’s the kind of spot where whiskey wisdom is shared over a well-loved bar top—and today, Big Chief is joined by none other than Kevin Hemmingway, a local aficionado with a deep love for finely crafted bourbon. In the first half, they dive into a bottle of the Old Fitzgerald 7 Year Bottled-in-Bond from the iconic Heaven Hill Distillery. With a mash bill of 68% corn, 20% wheat, and 12% malted barley, this 100-proof wheated bourbon is a nod to tradition and time. On the nose, it opens with a fragrant bouquet of orange zest, wild strawberries, and sweet honeysuckle, inviting and bright with a soft floral touch. The palate delivers a decadent wave of chocolate-covered strawberries, accented by hints of cherry Twizzlers and rounded out with a beautiful cinnamon spice that adds warmth and structure. It all comes together in a long, sticky, mouth-coating finish—the kind of finish that hugs the tongue and reminds you why Bottled-in-Bond is still a badge of honor. This is a buy all day long. In the second half, Big Chief and Kevin Hemmingway explore something more experimental—the Woodford Reserve Distillery Series Tawny Port Finish. This rare release is a blend of Woodford’s classic bourbon mash bill (72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley) and their rye mash bill (53% rye, 33% corn, 14% malted barley), all finished in rich tawny port casks and bottled at 90.4 proof. The nose is a wild ride of layered complexity: starting with a distinct kettle corn funk, then evolving into notes of grape zest, clove, nutmeg, licorice, and a bold wave of port-soaked fruit. On the palate, the port influence shines through with dark fruit, toasted oak, and silky tannins, all balanced by a gentle nuttiness that adds earthy depth. The sip closes with a dry, medium-length finish, offering just enough restraint to keep you curious. This one’s a try-before-you-buy. The flavor’s there—but it would be an easy buy if it came in at a higher proof point. Whether you crave bonded heritage or port-finished innovation, this episode serves up both with flavor and Texas flair. Pour a glass, take a seat, and enjoy the ride on The Whiskey Trip.

In this REMIX Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, 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. This Episode originally aired on June 14, 2024 as Episode 227. Mark & Stacey talk with Jason about his extensive background and how that experience led him to Beam 9 years ago as well as what his job as Consumer Relations Manager entails, the creation of their incredible on-site restaurant, The Kitchen Table at The James B. Beam Distilling Co., and the awesome events that they host there, and all of the different tours and experiences that guests can have at The James B. Beam Distilling Co. They also taste and review the just released Golden Origins Corn Whiskey, which is part of the Hardin’s Creek Series, the soon-to-be-released Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye, and the recently released Little Book Ch. 8: Path Not Taken. This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Three Chord Bourbon and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co. Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at:  www.threechordbourbon.com www.visitthekitchentable.com

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief heads down to the legendary streets of New Orleans for a visit to the heart of one of the most iconic names in American whiskey, The Sazerac House. In the first half of the episode, Big Chief sits down with Matt Ray and Gregg Trishe, two key players behind the scenes at Sazerac, and they open a bottle of something truly special: the new Eagle Rare 12-Year Expression. They dive into what makes this age-stated bourbon stand out, how it builds on the legacy of the original Eagle Rare 10, and the barrel magic that comes with a couple extra years of patience. As the glasses empty and the stories flow, the conversation shifts to marketing, storytelling, and the power of place, how Sazerac weaves together heritage, history, and branding into a spirit that’s not just sipped, but experienced. In the second half, the crew pops the cork on the highly anticipated 1792 Pinot Noir Finish, a bold new expression from Barton 1792 that blends rich fruit notes with classic bourbon character. It’s a deep, flavorful pour that sparks discussion about finishing barrels, innovation in the Sazerac family, and where the whiskey world is heading. Big Chief and the team also discuss:             •          The recent flood at Buffalo Trace and what it means for the warehouses and future stock.             •          What new expressions are quietly aging in the rickhouses.             •          How the Sazerac family continues to balance tradition and experimentation—from Kentucky to New Orleans and beyond. This episode is a deep pour of insight, flavor, and Southern charm. Whether you’re a fan of historic brands or just love discovering what’s next in whiskey, this one’s for you. 🥃 Pour a glass, tune in, and ride along as Big Chief takes you straight into the belly of the whiskey beast, with laughs, stories, and a few damn fine drams. And as always—thank you for taking the ride with us. Whether you’re listening from the back porch, the rickhouse, or the road, we’re glad to have you on this journey through America’s whiskey trail. Cheers from The Whiskey Trip!

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Stacey, Philip, and Mark (3/5 of The Bourbon Life Crew) spend some time hanging out together in The Bourbon Life Studios enjoying some great pours and great conversation. They talk about the different events that were held as part of the recent National Bourbon Week in Bardstown, several different new distillery openings here in Kentucky this month, and whether or not people are still hunting bottles like they used to. They also taste and review Knob Creek 7-Year Year Rye, the brand new Michter’s 10-Year Rye, and a Total Wine Knob Creek 7-Year Rye. This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Three Chord Bourbon and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co. Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at:  www.threechordbourbon.com www.visitthekitchentable.com

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief ventures into the high-altitude heart of the Colorado Rockies to sit down with Lenny Eckstein, founder and head distiller at Deerhammer Distillery in Buena Vista. What starts as a tasting becomes a deep dive into the wild spirit of craft whiskey done the mountain way. Lenny’s approach is anything but conventional. He’s built Deerhammer with an unapologetically bold attitude—where fermentation is open, barrels breathe mountain air, and flavor always comes first. The whiskey journey begins with Deerhammer Straight Rye, a unique take on the category with a mash bill of: 70% Elbon Rye, 20% Oats, and 10% Caramel Malt. This isn’t your standard spicy rye. The oats lend a creamy, rounded mouthfeel, while the caramel malt brings in a sweet, roasted backbone that balances beautifully with the rye’s punch. It’s a sipper that surprises and satisfies. Next up is Deerhammer’s American Single Malt, crafted from a robust malt-forward mash bill: 85% Pale Malt, 5% Chocolate Malt, 5% C120 Malt, and 5% C45 Malt. It’s rich and complex, bursting with notes of dark chocolate, roasted coffee, dried fruits, and charred oak. This is single malt whiskey with soul—and a distinctly American edge. Finally, Big Chief and Lenny dig into Deerhammer’s Four Grain Bourbon, where the frontier spirit of Colorado comes alive. The mash bill is 65% Ute Mountain Corn, 15% Red Wheat, 15% Oats, and 5% Roasted Barley. Smooth and creamy from the oats, softly spiced by the wheat, and given a bold twist with roasted barley, this is a bourbon that plays by its own rules—and wins. Throughout the episode, Lenny shares the origin story of Deerhammer—from homebrewing days in Brooklyn to pioneering bold whiskey in the Rockies. It’s a tale of grit, grain, and chasing flavor through every season. So pour yourself something bold, and ride along on The Whiskey Trip.

In this REMIX Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, presented by Liquor Barn, Matt and Mark spend some time together hanging out with Chris Walters, Creator, of Nose Your Bourbon. This Episode originally aired on September 20, 2024 as Episode 241. They talk with Chris about how his passion for Bourbon and his desire to create a system for himself to understand nosing and tasting notes better led to the creation of Nose Your Bourbon, the importance of learning how to properly nose and taste Bourbon as well as learning how to talk about those notes, and what the future looks like for the Nose Your Bourbon brand. They also taste and review Woodford Reserve Toasted Bourbon, Old Forester 1924, and Bardstown Bourbon Company Amrut Collaboration Series. This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Three Chord Bourbon and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co. Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at:  www.threechordbourbon.com www.visitthekitchentable.com

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief heads deep into the heart of Acadiana, where cypress trees whisper secrets and the whiskey runs as bold as the people who craft it. He sits down with Philip Mestayer, owner and distiller at Distillerie Acadian, a man on a mission to bottle the very soul of Louisiana. In the first half, they pour “Cajun’s Cut”—a cask strength, single barrel, four grain bourbon that hits with heat, heritage, and plenty of Southern pride. As they sip, Philip shares how his grain choices and distilling philosophy pay tribute to the grit and spirit of Cajun country. Then the journey takes a creative turn with a blueberry mead cask-finished bourbon—a one-of-a-kind expression that blends deep Southern sweetness with rich complexity. It’s a testament to Distillerie Acadian’s bold approach to tradition. Philip also gives a glimpse into the future, revealing plans for a major expansion and a shift from pot still to a custom-built column still—a move designed to boost production and elevate the precision, consistency, and creativity of his spirits. If you love whiskey with character, culture, and a little Cajun swagger, this is one trip you don’t want to miss. So pour a dram, saddle up, and join Big Chief for another spirited ride on the podcast where whiskey meets the road—The Whiskey Trip.

In this REMIX Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with Kyle Merklein, Master Distiller, from Holladay Distillery. This Episode originally aired on May 3, 2024 as Episode 221. 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 current role as Master Distiller, the incredible history behind Holladay Distillery and how they have resurrected the brand to become one of the hottest brands on the market currently, as well as what the future looks like for both Kyle and Holladay Distillery. They also taste and review their Ben Holladay 6-Year Old Missouri Straight Bottled in Bond Bourbon, their Holladay Soft Red Wheat Missouri Straight Bottled in Bond Bourbon, and their Holladay Soft Red Wheat 6-Year Old Missouri Straight Bottled in Bond Rickhouse Proof Bourbon. This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Three Chord Bourbon and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co. Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at:  www.threechordbourbon.com www.visitthekitchentable.com

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief pulls no punches as he sits down with the straight-shooting Brandon Carlton—the man behind Brewtally Honest Bourbon. A voice unafraid to call it like he tastes it, Brandon brings his raw enthusiasm and no-nonsense style to a tasting session that dives deep into the powerhouse that is the 1792 lineup. From the approachable sweetness of 1792 Small Batch, to the bold, unapologetic fire of Full Proof, and the structured depth of Bottled-in-Bond, these two bourbon-loving renegades tear into the flavors, the legacy, and the soul behind one of Barton’s finest creations. But this episode’s more than tasting notes and mash bills. Brandon shares the roots of his brutally honest brand, the rise of a community built on trust and truth, and what it means to stay real in a world that’s too often watered down. This is bourbon with backbone. This is storytelling with soul. And if you think you’ve tasted 1792 before—think again. Buckle up, pour heavy, and get ready for a wild ride through the heart of Kentucky flavor. Follow @BrewtallyHonestBourbon and @TheWhiskeyTrip for giveaways, laughs, and a behind-the-scenes look at the whiskey world without the filters. This isn’t just a podcast—it’s a damn Whiskey Trip.

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out in The Bourbon Life Studios with Damon Thayer & Andre Regard, Co-Founders, of Kentucky Senator Bourbon. Damon and Andre were previously guests on Episodes 128 and 182. They talk with Damon and Andre about all of the exciting things that have been going on with Kentucky Senator Bourbon since their last appearance, including their most recent release, the 7.5 year old Senator John Edwards Bourbon, the numerous awards that they have received over the past couple of years, as well as the partnerships they have with several distilleries for the production of their own distillate, including the new Potter Jane Distillery. They also taste and review the new Kentucky Senator John Edwards 7.5 Year Bourbon, the 9 Year Kentucky Senator John Brown Bourbon, a yet to be released 8 Year Louisiana Senator Huey Long Bourbon, and the Bourbon that started it all for them, the 15 Year Kentucky Senator Alben W. Barkley Bourbon. This Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast is sponsored by Three Chord Bourbon and The Kitchen Table at James B. Beam Distilling Co. Check out all of our amazing sponsors online at:  www.threechordbourbon.com www.visitthekitchentable.com