The Bourbon Life

Featuring Distillers Laurie & Bernard Quandt On this week's episode of The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief heads into the rugged granite country of Llano, Texas, to spend the day with distillers Laurie and Bernard Quandt of War Trail Spirits. Their passion for the Hill Country, their hands-on approach, and their embrace of modern distilling tools make this stop one of the most memorable rides of the season. War Trail Spirits stands out not just for its bold flavors but for its innovative setup — the Quandts use a modern iStill, a technologically advanced system that allows for precision, consistency, and creative freedom in crafting their spirits. It's whiskey with Texas soul, produced with next-generation equipment. The tasting begins with War Trail's County Road 80 Proof Whiskey, an approachable opener that sets a friendly pace for the day. Big Chief immediately catches the Dr Pepper-like spice and sweetness, wrapped in soft vanilla and mellow grain character. It's smooth, flavorful, and the perfect way to begin exploring what War Trail is all about. From there, the crew moves to Broken Halo 94 Proof, a six-barrel batch built from a mashbill of 80% corn and 20% rye. This whiskey brings Big Chief straight into nostalgia with notes of Cracker Jacks, kettle corn, and roasted peanuts, all lifted by a warm rye spice that gives it balance and personality. But the ride shifts into high gear when Big Chief opens the Broken Halo Barrel Strength, a powerhouse clocking in at 115 proof. This pour bursts with orange creamsicle, orange candy spice, and layered sweetness that earns immediate high praise — Big Chief calls it a real contender for Whiskey of the Year. Laurie and Bernard then break out something from their experimental track: a corn, barley, and triticale whiskey bottled at 118 proof. This expression brings a bold Texas funk, followed by a dessert-driven finish of charred marshmallow, s'mores, and even a whisper of Mexican flan. It's wild, fun, and a perfect example of how War Trail uses the precision of the iStill to explore flavor in new ways without losing their Hill Country identity. To close out the visit, the Quandts surprise Big Chief with a four-grain wheat whiskey at 97 proof. This pour immediately throws the big man a curveball — it bursts with botanical notes, so bright and aromatic that for a moment he wonders if he's sipping a barrel-aged gin. But the grain depth and oak character bring it back into whiskey territory, showing a level of complexity and creativity rarely found in young Texas craft spirits. By the end of the trip, it's obvious that War Trail Spirits is one of the most innovative and exciting whiskey makers in Texas, blending frontier grit with modern distilling technology to craft spirits full of personality, texture, and Hill Country swagger. Laurie and Bernard Quandt are putting Llano on the whiskey map, one bold bottle at a time. Take the Ride with Big Chief.  

On this week's episode of The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief takes listeners on a ride to the heart of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, where music, history, and whiskey all share the same soul. He sits down with Thom and Kim Bard, the founders of The Bard Distillery, inside their beautifully restored 1920s schoolhouse to talk about heritage, community pride, and the craftsmanship behind their exceptional lineup of spirits. The first half of the show opens with a pour of Cinder & Smoke 10 Year, a bold and expressive bourbon that reflects the Bards' commitment to long aged, character driven whiskey. As they sip, Thom and Kim share the story behind the Cinder & Smoke series, the inspiration for its name, and how their small town roots and historic distillery shape the identity of everything they make. The conversation moves into the next pour, the Cinder & Smoke finished in Oloroso sherry barrels, a whiskey that deepens the experience with layers of dried fruit, rich oak, and soft smoke. Big Chief and the Bards explore how the sherry influence complements the base bourbon and why these types of finishes matter to them creatively. The second half begins with something truly meaningful: "You Got Gold," their tribute whiskey honoring the legendary singer songwriter John Prine. Thom and Kim talk about their personal connection to Prine's work, the emotional weight behind creating a whiskey in his honor, and the care that went into crafting a bottle worthy of his legacy. The moment is heartfelt, a blend of memories, music, and the unmistakable Kentucky spirit that shaped both Prine's songwriting and the Bards' approach to distilling. To wrap up the ride, they pour Muhlenberg Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, a spirit dedicated to the county they call home. Big Chief and the Bards discuss what Muhlenberg means to them, how the local community continues to support their journey, and why this bourbon stands as a living tribute to the people and pride of Western Kentucky. The conversation closes with reflections on the future of Bard Distillery, their hopes for growing their footprint without ever losing the authenticity that defines them, and the importance of family, music, and tradition in every drop they release. By the end of the episode, listeners walk away not just with an appreciation for the whiskey, but with a deeper understanding of the heart and grit behind The Bard Distillery. Thom and Kim's passion, their commitment to their craft, and their dedication to their community make this ride one that truly captures the spirit of The Whiskey Trip, where every bottle has a story, and every story is worth the pour.

On this week's episode of The Whiskey Trip Podcast, Big Chief takes listeners on a ride to North Conway, New Hampshire, to visit Cathedral Ledge Distillery and sit down with owner and head distiller Christopher Burk. Set against the backdrop of the White Mountains, Cathedral Ledge is known for its certified-organic spirits, its respect for the land, and the clean, hands-on approach Christopher and his wife, Kara, bring to every bottle. In the first half of the conversation, Big Chief and Christopher talk about the distillery's foundation through their Organic Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Organic Straight Rye Whiskey. Christopher explains how these spirits helped shape the identity of Cathedral Ledge and how his engineering background and commitment to quality guide each step of the process. In the second half, the focus shifts to their Bottle in Bond Wheated Bourbon and their Cask Strength Bourbon Whiskey. Christopher shares how New Hampshire's climate influences his aging philosophy and how these two expressions reflect the distillery's growth and future direction. Throughout the episode, one thing remains clear: Cathedral Ledge is built on intention and integrity. All of their spirits are certified gluten-free, a testament to their clean production methods and dedication to transparency. Big Chief closes the ride reflecting on how the land, the craft, and Christopher's passion come together to create a distillery with a story as bold as its whiskey.

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief steps into one of the most impressive private whiskey sanctuaries in Texas, Kevin Hemingway's Hemingway House of Bourbon. Built on passion, hospitality, and a deep love for the spirit, Kevin's space is a living museum of rare bottles, Texas standouts, and stories collected over years of sharing pours with friends. Surrounded by this curated treasure trove, Big Chief and Kevin sit down for a four pour journey that explores the past, present, and future of American whiskey. They open the evening with Milam & Greene Provisions, a new 80 proof blend combining Texas pot still whiskey with Kentucky and Tennessee bourbon. It is light, approachable, and intentionally crafted to welcome new whiskey drinkers while still offering nuance for seasoned palates. Big Chief and Kevin break down how the Texas component adds warmth and character and why this bottle will likely find a permanent place on entry level whiskey shelves. The second pour brings the heat with Wild Turkey Master's Keep Beacon, the 2025 release from the iconic Lawrenceburg distillery. This limited edition blends 16 year and 10 year Kentucky straight bourbons and comes in at a bold 118 proof. With rich oak, leather, seasoned rickhouse funk, caramelized citrus, and a long, classic Wild Turkey finish, Beacon showcases everything fans love about Master's Keep. Kevin and Big Chief reflect on how Beacon fits into the series and why this release is already generating so much anticipation. In the second half, they dive into a Texas standout, 1845 Distillery's Preemption rye based bourbon. Made with Yellow Corn, Elbon Rye, and Malted Barley, this bold whiskey ages for five years before being double oaked in lightly charred and toasted barrels. Bottled at 115.4 proof, it delivers a powerful blend of Texas rye spice, deep sweetness, and toasted barrel richness. Big Chief and Kevin talk about 1845's rising profile and why Preemption represents the next chapter of Texas distilling. To close out the night, they finish with something truly unique, Dark Arts Ripple Rye. This is a Straight Rye Whiskey finished in maple syrup barrels and treated with toasted amburana oak staves. Distilled in Indiana, aged 7.5 years, and bottled at 110.74 proof, this pour brings an otherworldly profile with maple sweetness, rye bite, exotic amburana spice, and a long warming finish unlike anything else on the table. Big Chief and Kevin dig into why Ripple Rye is gaining such a cult following and how finishing techniques like this are pushing modern rye whiskey forward. Throughout the episode, Big Chief and Kevin share stories, compare regions, debate aging philosophies, and celebrate the kind of friendship that forms when great whiskey is poured with intention. Inside Hemingway House of Bourbon, surrounded by its history and heart, this episode reflects everything The Whiskey Trip stands for: community, curiosity, and chasing down the next great pour. Wherever you are listening from, whether it is your truck cab, a back porch, or the bar top of your favorite local, this one invites you to slow down, sip deep, and enjoy the ride. Take the Ride with Big Chief. 

This week, Big Chief heads into the rough-and-rowdy heart of Fort Worth, Texas, where legends were born and outlaws once ruled the night. Deep in the infamous Hell's Half Acre, he finds himself at Acre Distilling, a distillery that honors the city's wild past and bold spirit. Big Chief sits down with Tony Formby, one of the driving forces behind Acre, to hear how a group of brewers came together to create this award-winning distillery in the shadow of Fort Worth's notorious past. Tony shares the tales of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, who once roamed these streets until a photograph sealed their fate, and how that same spirit of rebellion lives on in every drop of Acre whiskey. On the first half of the show, Big Chief pours Longhaired Jim Bourbon Whiskey and the Longhaired Jim Bourbon Cask Strength, two beautiful, full-bodied expressions inspired by the tough-as-nails lawman "Longhaired Jim" Courtright. These whiskeys carry a firm Texas backbone, bold, gritty, and full of flavor, just like the sheriff himself. In the second half, the journey turns to Acre's Texas Single Malt Whisky and their Texas Smoked Single Malt Whisky, expressions that prove Texas malt can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world's best. The Single Malt, distilled from 100% Texas barley and aged in new charred American oak, brings rich grain character and classic malt sweetness. The Smoked Single Malt takes it a step further, with 40% of its barley smoked over Texas pecan and peach wood, offering a subtle, balanced smokiness reminiscent of old-world Scotch with a Lone Star attitude. From outlaw legends to award-winning spirits, this episode celebrates Fort Worth's wild heart and Acre's dedication to craft, community, and the Texas way of doing whiskey. So pour yourself a dram, kick back, and let Big Chief take you on a ride through history, grit, and Texas pride, because in Hell's Half Acre, the stories are as rich as the whiskey in your glass.  

This week, Big Chief sits down with Mike Sherman, one of the owners of Vendome Copper & Brass Works, the legendary Louisville-based company that has been crafting copper stills and distillation systems since 1903. For more than a century, Vendome has been the backbone of American whiskey, shaping the character and flavor of spirits made by the country's most celebrated distilleries. While Mike was hard at work and couldn't sip, that didn't stop Big Chief from enjoying a few pours along the ride. In the first half of the show, he sipped on Weller Full Proof and ASW Fiddler, and in the second half, he poured Chattanooga Whiskey and Crittenden's Above the Cut — all distilled on Vendome copper. Together, Big Chief and Mike dive into:     •    The proud history and heritage of Vendome Copper & Brass Works.     •    The art and precision of building stills by hand.     •    How Vendome has adapted through prohibition, whiskey booms, and modern innovation.     •    Stories from legendary distillers and iconic distilleries.     •    Why copper remains the essential metal for crafting the world's finest spirits. This episode is a must-listen for every whiskey enthusiast, distiller, and history lover who's ever wondered where great whiskey truly begins. Because without copper, there is no whiskey—and without people like Mike Sherman and the Vendome family, there would be no soul behind the stills that shape the spirit of America.  

In this Episode of The Bourbon Life Podcast, Matt and Mark spend some time hanging out with Troy Bolotnick, Founder & CEO, of Filmland Spirits. They talk with Troy about his past life as a writer in LA in the entertainment industry, the unique stories that Filmland embraces for each of their releases, and what the future of the brand looks like. They also taste and review Filmland Spirits' Quadraforce Mr. Mysteron Straight Bourbon and their Moonlight Mayhem 2 Straight Bourbon finished in White Port Casks.   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, Big Chief rolls into Augusta, Kentucky, to sit down with one of  bourbon's baddest trailblazers, Master Distiller Alex Castle of Augusta  Distillery. And y'all, this woman's story is straight fire. From studying distillation in her home state to cutting her teeth at Wild  Turkey, to shaking things up in Memphis, Alex has been breaking barrels and  boundaries her whole career. Now she's back home, running the show and  helping Augusta Distillery light up their stills and craft some seriously bold  single barrel whiskey. In the first half, Big Chief and Alex dive into a pour of Old Route 8, a single  barrel with serious spice and that sticky sweet hot honey heat that keeps you  coming back for another sip. Then things heat up even more with Buckner's 10-Year in the second half and  oh my Lord, this one's a straight-up spice bomb. It's rich, fiery, and full of  attitude, just like the woman behind the whiskey. So pour a glass, buckle up, and take the ride with Big Chief and Alex Castle. This episode's proofed high, full of grit, and smooth as Kentucky charm. Because on The Whiskey Trip, it's never just about the pour, it's about the  people, the passion, and the stories behind every drop. And Alex Castle? She's  proof that when hard work meets heart, greatness follows

This week on The Whiskey Trip, Big Chief welcomes Heath Trigg, the owner and founder of The Heritage Flag Company and the newest sponsor of The Whiskey Trip. Based in North Carolina, The Heritage Flag Company was born from the love of country, craftsmanship, and whiskey. Heath's story is one of passion, patriotism, and purpose — showing how one idea, sparked by service and sacrifice, grew into a national symbol of pride made from reclaimed whiskey barrels. Big Chief kicks things off sipping on Maker's Mark Cask Strength, a bold Kentucky classic full of caramel sweetness and oak spice. Heath enjoys a pour of Basil Hayden 10-Year, refined and elegant with soft vanilla and warm spice. Together, they talk about the origins of The Heritage Flag Company, the meaning behind each handcrafted flag, and how a small gesture of gratitude turned into a movement that honors veterans and heroes across America. In the second half of the ride, Big Chief pours a glass of Leiper's Fork Distillery Tennessee Whiskey Cask Strength, a rich and soulful whiskey from one of his favorite small distilleries, while Heath sips on Elijah Craig Small Batch, a timeless bourbon known for its balance of oak, caramel, and spice. The conversation dives deeper into legacy, creativity, and the shared spirit that connects whiskey-making and woodworking — both requiring patience, heart, and a respect for tradition. Heath Trigg reminds us that when passion meets purpose, you can build something far greater than yourself. From honoring service to celebrating American craftsmanship, The Heritage Flag Company stands as a testament to pride, perseverance, and patriotism. As always — Take the Ride… With Big Chief.

This week, Big Chief takes The Whiskey Trip deep into the beating heart of Branch, Louisiana, where faith, family, and providence have tilled the same soil for generations. Here he sits with Mike Fruge, the man behind J.T. Meleck Distillery, who turned a family rice farm into a living testament of Louisiana's spirit and soul. The Meleck family came to Louisiana from Germany in 1896, settling among the French Creole communities and learning to make the best out of the land God gave them. Over the decades, their devotion became their destiny, rice fields that once fed families now fill glasses with a whiskey born of hard work, humility, and providence itself. The journey begins with their Small Batch Rice Whiskey at 96 proof, soft, warm, and familiar, like rice pudding kissed with cinnamon straight from Grandma's kitchen. Then, the throttle opens with their High Proof Small Batch at 118 proof, where sassafras tea and clove spice rise up like the Cajun wind across the fields — rich, bold, and full of character. But the final pour? That's where the road hits full stride. Big Chief and Mike close the ride with a Single Barrel Rice Whiskey, hand-selected by Spec's, blazing in at 120.9 proof. It's a powerhouse of flavor and finesse, a whiskey that will knock your socks clean off and stand toe-to-toe with any bourbon born north of the bayou. This episode is a testament to what happens when faith meets fire, when heritage meets heat and when a dream becomes destiny in every drop of Louisiana gold. So pour a glass, take a deep breath, and hang on tight, because this week's Whiskey Trip is one you'll feel in your chest and remember in your soul.